How does a 23-year-old sweet potato farmer from North Queensland’s Atherton tablelands end up on an Anzac-class frigate in the middle of the South China Sea?

For communications specialist Able Seaman Matthew Faber, it was the dedication and guidance of a high school teacher that inspired him to serve.

“She knew my mum really well, she was my favourite teacher and her son was a lieutenant commander navigator in the Navy,” Able Seaman Faber said.

Growing up in Yungaburra, Able Seaman Faber finished school and followed his mates into farming. But while working in the fields, he found himself remembering those stories of the sea.

Lost on what to do next, he called on his Year 9 English teacher, Mrs Zupp, for advice. 

Although she had left Queensland to work in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, she was all too happy to take his call.

“I called her for advice, and she agreed that [I] should try the Navy. My mum supported that, so it was where I went,” Able Seaman Faber said.

For someone who had never been further south than Coolangatta, recruit school brought more than a few surprises.

“It wasn’t too difficult because there were a lot of trees and bush like home. The big shock was how cold it would get down there,” Able Seaman Faber said.

“I got to catch a train for the first time, so that was interesting too.”

'I never thought, at my age, I would know how to use them [Morse code and flags] for communication. It’s an amazing skill.'

After recruit school, Able Seaman Faber started training to become a communicator. 

While most people his age were twiddling away on social media and playing video games, he became busy learning to master international maritime signal flags and Morse code. 

“I never saw myself learning it. I knew Morse code was a thing, but I didn’t know flags had meaning,” he said. 

“I never thought, at my age, I would know how to use them for communication. It’s an amazing skill.”

Currently embarked on HMAS Toowoomba’s regional presence deployment through East and South-East Asia, in the past five months he’s visited six regional partners and engaged in multiple multilateral and bilateral exercises, activities and operations with allied nations.

For the young man who grew up on the tablelands and had only ever visited Brisbane, Able Seaman Faber is not only serving his country but also touring the world. 

His advice for anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation and not sure what to do next: give Navy a go.

“Go for it. The commitment is just two years. The first six months will be down at Cerberus training, then you deploy wherever,” Able Seaman Faber said.

“If you figure out it’s not for you, then at least you gave it a go.”