For hydrographic survey operator Leading Seaman Rebecca Churches, witnessing Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP) Intake 25 graduates on parade was a bittersweet moment.

The ceremony, held on the HMAS Cairns quarterdeck, marked the training completion of her first intake of NIDP recruits, having joined the unit as a recruit instructor in January.

Originally form Paynesville in Victoria, Leading Seaman Churches helped guide eight First Nations recruits through the 22-week development program, tackling training in education, fitness, leadership, workplace skills and cultural immersion activities with Indigenous community.

Leading Seaman Churches joined Navy in 2018. After completing her recruit training at HMAS Cerberus and hydrographic training at HMAS Penguin, she served in HMA Ships Melville, Shepparton and Leeuwin.

She then started her mentoring path, taking a posting on Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour.

“One of the biggest challenges coming into NIDP was switching from working with civilian youth on Young Endeavour, to leading in a much more military-focused environment,” Leading Seaman Churches said.

"On Young Endeavour, I was wearing a polo shirt and shorts. Here, I stepped into discipline, polishing boots and making beds daily. It’s a very polarizing change, but a wonderful one.”

For Leading Seaman Churches, the most rewarding aspect was experiencing the transformation of the recruits throughout the 22 weeks.

“On Young Endeavour, we had youth crews for only 11 days, and by the end, they’d be completely different people,” she said

“On NIDP, we have the recruits for five months, so it’s a little less obvious day to day, but seeing them present during their graduations really exemplified the milestones that they have crossed.

“They’ve been a really bright and bubbly bunch, and they all get along really well. I think they have the natural camaraderie that you find in the Navy, so they’ll fit into life in Defence really well.”

'I don’t think I realised how important mentoring and leading was to me until I had opportunities to lead others.'

Leading Seaman Churches has a clear passion for people and mentoring. She draws inspiration from the people around her, and her philosophy is to approach every situation with kindness.

“When I joined the Navy, I was only 19,” she said.

“I came into adulthood with the people around me, and I think that’s why we formed such lifelong friendships.

“Healthy professional environments work in the Navy too, and when people feel heard, valued and know that they are cared about, they are going to work and fight harder.”

Reflecting on her time in Leeuwin, Young Endeavour and with NIDP, Leading Seaman Churches said she had unexpectedly had her own development journey.

“I don’t think I realised how important mentoring and leading was to me until I had opportunities to lead others,” she said.

“I had the chance to lead and fight for other people, which is something I haven’t been very good at doing for myself.

“I’ve grown so much through these experiences, and just like the youth crews and the Indigenous recruits, I’m not the same person I was when I started these roles.”

Leading Seaman Churches expects to return to the fleet mid-2027, and into a deployable hydrographic team before pursuing promotion to petty officer.