Our People in NSW
Lateika Smith - Nambucca Heads
Lateika Smith is proud of her heritage and her new career role. The 26-year-old Navy Leading Seaman from Nambucca Heads identifies culturally with the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people and is employed with the Careers Promotions Team at Defence Force Recruiting Centre in Parramatta.
Lateika enlisted into Navy in 2004.
"My parents are very supportive of what I do. I'm continuing in a family military tradition, I have four other extended family members serving in Navy and my brother is currently at Kapooka doing his recruit training after recently graduating from an ADF Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course,” Lateika said.
Lateika believes Indigenous employment disadvantage is a real problem in Australia.
“My current role allows me to contribute by working to increase Indigenous numbers in the Australian Defence Force.” she said.
"The work is very rewarding as I get to explain why I am proud to be a sailor in the Navy and how other people can join too. I especially enjoy engaging with other Indigenous Australians about what Navy can offer" she said.
While Lateika works primarily with mainstream Defence recruiting, she also provides advice about Defence specialised pathways to Indigenous employment programs, such as the Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Program (IPRC).
The IPRC is a challenging two-month live-in program that prepares Indigenous men and women for the recruiting processes for the Australian Navy, Army or Air Force. The program is delivered primarily by Indigenous positive role models.
To find out more, contact the Australian Defence Force Senior Indigenous Recruitment Officer: Warrant Officer Class One Colin Watego on mobile: 0447 401 185 or Mobile: 0425 326 677 or at: colin.watego@defence.gov.au or indigenous.affairs@defence.gov.au