Graduate is flying high as career edges closer to airforce
ROCKHAMPTON'S Shenade Hill dreamed of saving lives from day one, and now she will get that opportunity.
The indigenous woman hasn't quite set her foot off in that direction yet but taking up marine studies will allow her to edge closer towards a career in the Royal Australian Air Force as a medical assistant.
Shenade is one of 22 Queensland graduates to complete the Defence Indigenous Development Program.
Only six of those graduates applied for the air force.
"This program has opened doors and given me exposure to the military," she said.
"I have increased my fitness and the program has given me confidence ... joining the air force is something I really want to do. I'm looking forward to making new friends, the training and travel."
The graduates completed a seven-month residential program to provide young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with the life skills and confidence to secure opportunities and sustain continuous employment of their choice.
All the Queensland graduates were from regional communities including Charters Towers, Badu Island, Hopevale and Old Mapoon. As well as being from the Northern Territory, the 22 graduates at the Katherine ceremony included students from across Australia including New South Wales and Western Australia.
