Our People in QLD
Sam Sheppard - Mareeba
Sam Sheppard is proud of his heritage and his new career role. The young Navy Petty Officer from Mareeba in Queensland identifies as a Muluridgi man and is employed with the Careers Promotions Team at Defence Force Recruiting Centre in Perth.
Sam enlisted in the Navy in 1999 as a Communications and Information Systems sailor after graduating from Mareeba High School. He has deployed to the Arabian Gulf three times and taken part in border protection patrols, many deployments to South-East Asia, and visits to various ports in Australia and New Zealand.
Sam joined the Directorate of Indigenous Affairs team last year.
He works with community and business organisations to offer indigenous groups exposure to the Australian Defence Force through base visits, presentations and mentoring. Sam finds candidates for various programs that provide education, training and life skills in order to foster self-confidence and present themselves as role models in their communities, and ultimately lead to a possible career in the Australian Defence Force.
"I love my work and I welcome the appointment of the first Indigenous Cultural Advisor to the Chief of Navy,” Samuel said.
“I see the role as a great focal point for Indigenous sailors. It’s an important post that I will aspire to,” he said.
Samuel said he enjoys his work because he can raise awareness among Indigenous Australians about the careers on offer in the Australian Defence Force.
While Sam works primarily with mainstream Defence recruiting, he also provides advice about Defence specialised pathways to Indigenous employment programs, such as the Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Program (IPRC).
The Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course (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