Twenty-nine Indigenous trainees from Far North Queensland were newly inducted into 51 Far North Queensland Regiment (51 FNQR) today, with a March-Out parade at Porton Barracks in Cairns.
The parade acknowledges their completion of the first step of the training.
The participants are part of a seven month Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) based out of Cairns.
The DIDP provides young Indigenous people from a number of remote and regional communities with education, training, life skills and confidence to gain skills for employment opportunities.
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, congratulated the trainees for reaching this milestone in their training.
“These young men and women have reached a significant milestone in their training. They should be proud of their achievements so far, and I wish them the very best for the next six months as they pursue their studies,” he said.
The 29 participants (5 female and 24 male) come from Far North Queensland communities including Injinoo, Hopevale, Seisia, Cooktown, Bamaga, Rocky Point, Weipa, Mossman, Yarrabah, Wonga Beach, Cairns, Townsville, Hammond Island, Boigu Island, Horn Island, Badu Island and Thursday Island.
Graduates were presented with certificates and 51FNQR Unit insignia by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brain.
Over the next six months the group will work towards obtaining a Certificate II in Maritime studies that link to local and Defence employment opportunities; before graduating from the DIDP in November 2011.
The DIDP is a joint initiative of the Department of Defence, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Education and Training.
Media Contacts:
Minister Snowdon’s office: Alice Plate 0400 045 999
Donna Boulton, Director Indigenous Affairs: (02) 6127 2996 or 0418 441 249