Navy People: Meet Matthew Chee from Taringa/Chapel Hill, Brisbane
20 July 2010
Taringa’s Matthew Chee, 21, has just got a job that could take him anywhere. He’s completed five months of naval officer training at the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay.
Matthew attended Toowong College where in his final year he was elected as school captain. Matthew joined the Navy in 2007 as an undergraduate officer, continuing his studies at the University of Queensland studying two degrees, a Bachelor of Business Management and a Bachelor of Economics, graduating in 2009. Matthew was listed on the university’s Dean’s Honour Role for his academic achievements.
The undergraduate program involved sponsorship by the Navy of suitable applicants to undertake tertiary studies at a civilian university. The New Entry Officer Course Matthew has just graduated from, gives all new officers in the navy the fundamental qualifications and experience they will need to enter the fleet as junior leaders and managers.
“I have really enjoyed the initial training. I have had so many new challenges and experiences. I had a great time learning how to drive Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) on Jervis Bay and learning about ship damage-control and firefighting,” Matthew said.
“A lot of our training involved leadership exercises. We were trained how to organise and manage teams of people and use our own leadership styles to achieve goals; the aim to prepare us for challenges out in the fleet.
“The next part of my training will be to learn about logistics support; ensuring our ships have everything they need to be able to ‘fight and win’ at sea.
Matthew is bound to receive some handy tips for his future career from his father, Mark Chee, a former Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Australian Navy, who served for 27 years.
“In the future I would really like to become a Head of Department on a warship. I am also interested in policy and procurement. I can’t wait to be posted to a ship and go to sea to be able to travel to new places and meet new people,” Matthew said.
