Navy People: Gladstone girl skills up

20 February 2010

Tracey Domoney has come a long way since her days at Gladstone State High. She has turned an interest in the hospitality industry into a job which can take her all over the world.

Now an Able Seaman in the Navy, Tracey has specialised as a steward and is gaining recognised qualifications while she fulfils a dream of travel both in Australia and overseas.

The first big move has been to New South Wales as Tracey where is based aboard guided missile frigate HMAS Darwin.

“But I love it there,” Tracey said.

A South East Asia deployment followed late last year, with visits to Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

“The highlight of that trip was a visit to an orphanage in Cambodia. The ship’s company took tools and materials and fixed a lot of things that needed mending at the orphanage.

“The kids were adorable. It was great to be able to help out and it really reminded me how lucky we are to live in Australia.”

As one of several stewards on board the ship, Tracey’s job requires a high standard of service and paying particular attention to the needs of high ranking VIPs who visit the ship.

“I am also a member of the ship’s standing sea fire party, sort of the fire brigade at sea,” she said.

Tracey will certainly be getting in some practice fire drills as her ship heads for four weeks of big Naval exercises off the east coast, to practicing for natural disasters and actual conflict.

“When the ship goes into refit in a couple of months, I plan to do a course that will allow me to be a member of the flight deck team, helping with helicopter operations on board,” Tracey says.

“I am skilling up for the future.”