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The Royal Australian Navy has appointed a full-time Navy Indigenous Adviser and Navy Indigenous Champion from the senior leadership team as part of Navy’s commitment to the Defence Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2022 (D-RAP).
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Lieutenant Commander Samuel Sheppard is the newly appointed Navy Indigenous Adviser and will provide cultural advice to Navy’s senior leadership team, Navy Diversity and Inclusion Council, and all commands afloat and ashore.
Commodore Mal Wise has taken up the role as the Navy Indigenous Champion to advocate for Indigenous participation within Defence and to drive cultural awareness through Navy-specific and Whole-of-Defence initiatives.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the D-RAP plan, which was launched last August, articulates Defence’s dedication and contribution to the whole-of-government’s Closing the Gap strategy.
“This commitment goes well beyond attracting, recruiting and retaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Minister Reynolds said.
“While recruitment and retention is a major objective of the plan, it also commits the Australian Defence Force to reflecting a shared national identity that values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories in the work that Defence does.”
LCDR Sheppard and CDRE Wise have been formally appointed to their new roles through a virtual, COVID-19-safe ceremony on the GovTeams platform.
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN welcomed their appointment.
“In marking this occasion, I would like to acknowledge Navy’s Senior Indigenous Member, Commander Bert Slape, who has provided significant support and guidance to lead Navy’s Defence Reconciliation Action Plan commitment since 2017,” VADM Noonan said.
“As the Senior Indigenous Member in Navy, CMDR Slape will continue to be active in this area by providing mentorship to LCDR Sheppard over the coming months.”
“The appointment of a full-time Adviser recognises the importance of this role as Navy continues to work towards the long-term desired outcomes of this ‘stretch’ Reconciliation Action Plan,” VADM Noonan said.
“The Navy Indigenous Adviser, in leading the development and implementation of the plan, will provide the cultural advice required to Navy’s senior leadership team, Diversity and Inclusion Council, and all commands at sea and ashore.
“This will ensure Navy achieves our Defence Reconciliation Action Plan commitment and contributes positively to the shared future of our nation.
LCDR Sheppard said his appointment to the role of Navy Indigenous Adviser would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of his predecessor Commander Bert Slape, OAM who held the position as an ancillary role.
“I would like to thank CMDR Slape for his dedicated commitment to raising awareness and supporting Navy’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, and for enhancing cultural inclusion,” he said.
“I have worked closely with CMDR Slape over the past few months and look forward to continuing that relationship as I take up my new role.”
Originally from Far North Queensland, LCDR Sheppard is a member of the Muluridji People and is immensely proud of his cultural heritage.
