The hopes and ambitions of Indigenous youth have been given a helping hand with the launch of the Defence Indigenous Development Program – Navy (DIDP-N) at HMAS Cairns.
Program providers, family and friends of 34 participants including from the Torres Strait Islands gathered for the official launch. The occasion also marked the completion of the preparatory Phase One of the seven month program.
DIDP-N is a Defence-led partnership with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and is funded by the Directorate of Indigenous Affairs, Fairness and Resolution Branch, People Strategies and Policy.
It provides Indigenous youth in Far North Queensland with education, training, life skills and confidence to embark on a career in the Royal Australian Navy, as well as skills, which are useful on return to their own towns and communities.
Half of the DIDP-N trainees aged 17-25 years come from Bamaga, Thursday, Boigu and Yam islands, Seisia and as far as Saibai Island.
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Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts asks Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) Trainee Matthew Gumba about his artwork for the program's 2010 uniform during a visit to the Djarragun College Farm in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) Trainee Kyh Mye (left) shows Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts around the Djarragun College Farm's hall near Gordonvale in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts chats with Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees during a tour around the Djarragun College Farm near Gordonvale in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) Trainees Stacey Muhamad (left) and Jacob Gabey from Thursday Island play and sing a traditional song in their dormitory at the Djarragun College Farm near Gordonvale in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts chats with Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees during a tour of the Djarragun College Farm near Gordonvale in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts with the 2010 Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees during a tour of the Djarragun College Farm near Gordonvale in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Program staff and Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts with the 2010 Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees during a tour of the Djarragun College Farm near Gordonvale in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Like father like son, Petty Officer Glen Hall proudly stands with son Trainee Murray Hall before his march-out parade of the first phase of the Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) at HMAS Cairns in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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(From Left) Melora Thaiday, Pelista Sagigi, Thomas Rueben, and Lottie Jawai pose for a photo before graduation from the first phase of the 2010 Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) at HMAS Cairns in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) Trainee Nancy Samuel leads the graduation parade for phase one of the program at HMAS Cairns in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) Trainee Courtney Hobson (middle) with Senator Jan McLucas (left) and Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts after the graduation parade for phase one of the program at HMAS Cairns in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) Trainee Murray Hall (middle) with Senator Jan McLucas (left) and Director General Navy People, Commodore David Letts after the graduation parade for phase one of the program at HMAS Cairns in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Director Defence Indigenous Directorate, Soozie Parker, (centre) with female Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees and staff during a chat after the graduation parade for phase one of the program at HMAS Cairns in Far North Queensland.
(Date taken: 28 May 2010)
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Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees start their first day at the Tropical North Queensland TAFE In Cairns, Queensland.
(Date taken: 31 May 2010)
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Chief Petty Officer Gibson addresses Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees during their first class at the Tropical North Queensland TAFE In Cairns, Queensland.
(Date taken: 31 May 2010)
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Faculty Manager Phil Williams addresses the Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees during their first class at the Tropical North Queensland TAFE in Cairns, Queensland.
(Date taken: 31 May 2010)
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TAFE Lecturer Gavin Sleath shows Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees around the Marine Studies building during an orientation period at the Tropical North Queensland TAFE in Cairns, Queensland.
(Date taken: 31 May 2010)
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Defence Indigenous Development Program - Navy (DIDP-N) trainees outside the Tropical North Queensland TAFE in Cairns, Queensland on their first day of classes.
(Date taken: 31 May 2010)
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