Theresa gets good oil on our Navy lawyers

Ms Theresa Ardler with LEUT Cathy Rice, getting a taste of Navy life as a lawyer. Photo by LSPH Brad Fullerton.

By LEUT Cathy Rice

A young woman beginning a law degree this month visited HMAS Creswell and HMAS Albatross recently to ‘get the good oil’ on life as Navy lawyer.

Ms Theresa Ardler of the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community visited the bases accompanied by CMDR Benjamin Spurgin and LEUT Cathy Rice, the Navy Legal Officers responsible for the Shoalhaven Military District.

During her visit, Ms Ardler received a tour of Creswell, and had a brief peek at what to expect during officer training.

As a Navy lawyer, she would have the opportunity to practise in many areas of the law, including Military Justice, Administrative, International and International Humanitarian Law (the Law of War and the Geneva Conventions).

Navy lawyers also have opportunities to work overseas, and participate in peacekeeping and other operations.

“I grew up in Wreck Bay around the Navy, and found what the Navy does really exciting,” Theresa said.

“I’m determined to become a Navy lawyer as I think it’s a really worthwhile thing to do,” she said.

The Navy sponsors undergraduates at any university in Australia to become engineering, supply and seaman officers, doctors, dentists and lawyers through the undergraduate scheme.

Alternatively, arts, science, hydrography, oceanography, logistics and engineering can be studied at ADFA.

The Navy will pay you a salary, as well as paying for HECS and essential books and materials.

To be eligible you must be within three years of graduating and completed at least one year of study. You must also be an Australian citizen or eligible to become one.

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