www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Defence Indigenous Development Program graduation
by Imran Naveed 3 September 2015
T
wenty eight inspiring students graduated on Friday 28 August from the Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) and received
Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) graduates holding their Awards with Batchelor Institute staff and Defence Force personnel at Batchelor Campus, Northern Territory.
their formal qualifications at the Institute’s Campus at Batchelor, Northern Territory. It will be a day to be remembered for a lifetime by graduates, their
families and friends. For Batchelor Institute it represents another key milestone of high achievement in delivering quality education and training programs for Aboriginal
(Centre), DIDP graduate Tonya Ludwick holding her Academic award for commitment and independent learning, (Left), Batchelor Institute Chief Executive Officer, Robert Somerville AM, and (Right), Brigadier Damian Cantwell, AM, Deputy Commander 2nd Division.
Page 1
www.firstnationstelegraph.com
and Torres Strait Islander people. The day involved two ceremonies – the Defence passing out parade and the academic graduation ceremony. The passing out parade commenced at 4pm on Friday 28th August, at the Batchelor Campus followed by the academic graduation at 5:45pm. DIDP is a full-time, residential Defence program for young Indigenous men and women from across Australia, and combines Defence training with Vocational Education and Training enabling them to meet the entry requirements for a career in Australia’s Defence Forces. During the program students undertook studies in the areas of language, literacy and numeracy, leadership, nutrition, physical training and preparation for Defence. All students completed Certificate II Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways and in addition some completed Certificate III in Mentoring, providing them with valuable skills and confidence that can be used throughout their
(Right), DIDP graduate Davian Yasso holding his Defence award, (Left), Brigadier Damian Cantwell, AM, Deputy Commander 2nd Division.
lives. Sixteen of the graduates have been assessed as suitable by Defence for a full time role in the ADF and will begin their full time training in the near future. They were assessed as suitable for a variety of roles including drivers, cavalrymen, air defenders and combat engineers. Eight graduates will undergo further testing within six months, with six being supported by
Batchelor Institute with further language literacy and numeracy training. The remaining six graduates are scheduled to be tested for full time suitability in September and will be similarly supported by Batchelor Institute until this time. Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education is proud to work alongside Australian Defence Force personnel in providing this valuable program.
DIDP graduates celebrating their achievements.
Page 2