Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (19:21): I am pleased to have this opportunity to talk about the wonderful tradition defence plays in my electorate of Gilmore. I'm proud to say the New South Wales South Coast is home to HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell. HMAS Albatross, based at Nowra, is the Royal Australian Navy's air station, home to the Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm. HMAS Creswell is the Navy's officer training school, on the shores of Jervis Bay.
HMAS Albatross has been an integral part of the Nowra community for nearly 75 years. With around 1,300 personnel on base, its local importance cannot be overstated. I am committed to working with the government and the Navy to grow defence jobs in our local area: jobs that have opportunities within aviation, joining a team that includes pilots, ground support crew or the engineers and technicians that keep our technologically-advanced aircraft safe and air worthy; jobs that look after the wellbeing of ADF personnel, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, psychologists, scientists or chaplains; jobs that provide choices from a wide variety of trades, ranging from electronics, mechanics and carpentry to cooking and plumbing—all with good pay, mateship and job security in what could be the most rewarding job a young or mature Australian could ever undertake.
I mention young Australians especially with regard to the gap year opportunity that is also available. I encourage all year 12 graduates, perhaps still pondering their next step, to consider spending an exciting 12 months in the Navy, Army or Air Force. You'll get paid for a gap year of meaningful work, while travelling around Australia gaining skills and making lifelong friends.
Proudly, in current times, are the equal opportunities provided across all roles—promotion and recognition based on your personal abilities and attributes. The Australian Defence Force offers excellent career opportunities for women. When we talk about the outstanding contribution of women to the Australian Defence Force, I can't help but talk again of HMAS Albatross. The commanding officer of the base is Captain Robyn Phillips. Captain Phillips was appointed to the role in December 2019, having joined the Royal Australian Navy as a seaman officer in 1990 and graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1992. Preceding Captain Phillips in 2017, HMAS Albatross made history with its first-ever female commanding officer, Captain Fiona Sneath.
Within any conversation regarding personnel, however, we need to also speak of the spouses and families and the less visible sacrifices that are made when supporting a career in the Australian Defence Force.
I would like to bring to the attention of the House the name of Beck Rayner, a Nowra woman and presenter of the Military Wife Life podcast. Her webpage reads: "I've been living this oh-so-complicated but beautiful life for 19 years. Yep, you heard me. 19 years of packing and unpacking, leaving friends and making friends, living with my military guy and living apart. 19 years of all the ups and downs and crazy turns that is military life."
What a journey! The podcast celebrates, empowers and embraces the spouses behind the military members. Beck is passionate about building connections with Defence families in the Shoalhaven region and around the country. Podcast episodes talk to matters of support—spouses supporting spouses in their mutual military life. I recommend the podcast and the insights it provides. For Australian Defence Force personnel especially, you will be reassured you are not alone when dealing with matters of support.
The benefit of having HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell in the Gilmore community is profound. Defence personnel and their families and children are totally embedded in our community. I am committed to working with the government and the Navy to grow Defence jobs in our local area.
