POBM Jerry Savage talks educational benefits for mapping out your own future. His audience were members of the Aboriginal Cultural Exchange Program, the brainchild of Mr George Shorrock of the Northern Territory. Photo by LSPH David Connolly.

Late in July HMAS Cerberus (CO CAPT Clinton Thomas) played host to a number of Aboriginal youths from a remote area of the Northern Territory as part of the Aboriginal Cultural Exchange Program.

This is the first time Cerberus has been involved in the program, which enables Aboriginal youths to visit Melbourne each year to assist them in gaining a better appreciation of possible life opportunities available to them.

The program was the brainchild of Mr George Shorrock from the Northern Territory and SGT Mark Gilham of the Victorian Police after they had witnessed the plight of Aboriginal youths living in an isolated community, which has only one general store and not much else. The community's lack of infrastructure and isolation had created a culture of youth lacking in motivation, naive to the opportunities available to them and indifferent to the benefits of completing their education. The primary aim of the program was to show the youths what opportunities might become available to them after completing their education.

This year, the youths and their minders were from the Mutitjulu Community, the traditional owners of Uluru (Ayres Rock). "Mutitjulu" is also the indigenous word for a "three-headed dog", which coincidentally is the Cerberus crest. In Greek mythology Cerberus was the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to Hell.

The training establishment welcomed the youths with its traditional weather -freezing cold. But even the 30-degree temperature difference did not hamper their spirits.

To warm up they started their visit with the physical trainers (PTs). It took a little time for the PT's 'to break the ice' with their young visitors but after a quick game of "Zarrrrr" and a circuit through the demanding low-ropes course, the youth's infectious smiles and laughter quickly warmed everyone's hearts.

Next, the PT's had them scaling the indoor climbing wall and playing volleyball. This was quite an achievement since the youths had never previously participated in any team events.

After lunch POBM Jerry Savage, who stressed the benefits of an education to enable them map out their own futures, gave the young people an inspirational talk. He encouraged them to actively seek out and make the most of any and all opportunities presented to them.

"Opportunities are available for people who seek them," he said.

The highlight of the day was the boat ride provided by the Defence Maritime Service. It was the first time some of them had been on a boat and for many others it was the first time they had even been out on the water. The experience was exhilarating for all of them.

They were also delighted to see the ex-HMAS Otama berthed at Crib Point near Cerberus. Hailing from the Northern Territory, most of the young people had never seen a submarine before.

All in all, the experience proved to be a most valuable one for all involved with the program.

By LEUT Lucito Irlandez