26 May 2025
Sailors and officers from ADV Cape Fourcroy joined members of the Mardbalk Marine Rangers as part of a knowledge exchange, enhancing Navy’s capability to defend Australia’s northern coastline.
As Defence marks National Reconciliation Week, the recent exchange reinforces the ADF’s commitment to respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognising the unique skill sets of First Nations people and their ongoing contribution to the defence of Australia.
The exchange, which included joint patrols of Anuru Bay in the Northern Territory, aligned with this year’s Reconciliation Week theme, ‘Bridging Now to Next’ – a call to action for strengthening unity among the community and using lessons of the past to guide a more united and respectful future.
During a joint patrol earlier this year, the Marine Rangers provided local knowledge to the crew of Cape Fourcroy.
Sharing these insights into the local waterways and surrounding areas, the crew were able to locate uncharted creeks and mangroves.
'The ship's engagements with the local community will continue, in turn bolstering our preparedness.'
Navy Indigenous Adviser Commander Mick Henry said engagements such as these embodied the message of the National Reconciliation Week theme.
“The local knowledge that the Marine Rangers can share with the crew of ADV Cape Fourcroy will undoubtedly give them the upper hand in their patrols moving forward,” Commander Henry said.
“Reconciliation is not a one off – it’s an ongoing commitment, and we are proud to take that seriously, which is why I am pleased that the ship's engagements with the local community will continue, in turn bolstering our preparedness.”
During the exchange, members of the Mardbalk Marine Rangers joined Cape Fourcroy crew to discuss the recommended patrol options of the region based on their intergenerational knowledge of the area.
The engagement forms part of Navy’s broader commitment to the Defence Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025, which aims to build enduring relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through mutual respect, learning and collaboration.
Commander Henry hopes the crew of Cape Fourcroy will carry the lessons learnt during the joint patrol with them as well as remaining advocates for inclusion, respect and knowledge sharing wherever they serve.
