One of eight Navy members recognised in this year's Women in Defence awards, Waanyi woman Leading Seaman Kellie Curry has been helping people find their passion in life.
In her role, she mentors triservice Indigenous recruits, just as someone helped her when she joined the ADF nine years ago.
"I was a fly-in and fly-out mine worker and I had grown tired of doing the same routine and wondered, surely there is something out there for me?" Leading Seaman Curry said.
So, she took the plunge and put her hand up to be part of the ADF.
"I held a lot of self-doubt. Would I be good enough to join? Am I smart enough? What will happen if they say no?" she said.
"The Indigenous Recruitment Specialist at Defence Force Recruiting told me about a six-month live-in development course where I would learn language, literacy, numeracy, self-confidence, leadership, physical fitness, military and seamanship skills.
"It was a long list, but what I heard was that I would be supported, and did not need to go through this journey alone."
'I'd lived my whole life in Cloncurry in sunny Queensland, the furthest away from the ocean you could ever get, and here I was joining the Navy.'
At the age of 37, Leading Seaman Curry not only completed her training, she walked away with the intake's Dux award and a full-time enlistment in Navy.
"I'd lived my whole life in Cloncurry in sunny Queensland, the furthest away from the ocean you could ever get, and here I was joining the Navy; I'd swapped out red dust for saltwater," she said.
Now she is in a position to help others who are joining Defence for the first time, and for a large proportion of female Indigenous Pre-Recruit Program recruits, Leading Seaman Curry is the first female member in uniform they meet.
So far, she has seen 43 recruits graduate - a figure that brings a smile to her face.
Leading Seaman Curry has been recognised for her efforts to champion diverse women in Defence, nominated in this year's Australian Defence Magazine Women in Defence Awards in the Indigenous category.
"Being nominated is a thrilling experience. It gives me a sense of accomplishment to have my dedication, passion and hard work as an Indigenous recruit instructor recognised," she said.
The winners of the 2024 Women in Defence Awards will be announced during a ceremony in Canberra on October 17.
