Navy People: Dry feet and loving it
7 December 2010
Since she was a girl Botany’s Kristy-Lee Robins wanted to join the Navy, but right now she has dry feet and loves it.
The 23 year-old Lieutenant is now serving in East Timor with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force, where she manages various aspects of the logistic support contract.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first arrived in Dili, but the people here are very friendly and helpful,” she said. “It feels good to be helping such a young and beautiful country.”
Spending time ashore in an administrative job is a very different role for Kristy-Lee.
“I trained as a Seaman Officer with experience in navigation and warfare operations, so this shore deployment is a big eye-opener.
“But I wanted to get some tri-service experience, and I am lucky to work with a great bunch of people,” she said.
“I also work closely with our locally-employed civilians, and I try to learn something in the local Tetum language everyday and teach them something in English.
“I hope they enjoy it as much as I do!”
Kristy-Lee is already three months into her deployment, but is already making plans for her return to the sea.
“I’ve always enjoyed sailing, so when I get home I want to see if I can join the Navy crew of the Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour,” she said.
“To get back to sea on a square-rigged ship would be my ideal way to get my sea legs back!”
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