Navy People: Meet Siobhan Hamilton-Sturdy from Vermont South
16 July 2010
Vermont South local Siobhan Hamilton-Sturdy, 24, has just completed five months of training for a job that could take her anywhere.
She has just graduated as a Sub-Lieutenant from the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell, on the shores of NSW’s Jervis Bay, and she is aiming to become one of the fleet’s Marine Engineering Officers.
Before joining the Navy, Siobhan attended Monash University completing a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Engineering. Whilst at university Siobhan was also the Materials Engineering Club Secretary. With relatives in England, Ireland and Israel Siobhan also managed to fit in some oversea travel between studies.
The HMAS Creswell course gives all new officers in the navy the basic qualifications and experience they will need to enter the fleet as junior leaders and managers.
“I have really enjoyed the initial training. It’s been fantastic learning about combat survivability, boat work and Australia’s military involvement and history,” Siobhan said. “I particularly enjoyed making new friends, especially during our field exercises ‘out bush’.”
Siobhan study covered many different areas including, leadership training, communication, seamanship and boat work, fire fighting and ship damage control, Royal Australian Navy ships, weapons and technology, fitness training, basic weapons handling and parade and ceremonial. Now she is preparing to undertake further training to become a Marine Engineering Officer.
“As an Engineering Officer, my job will be to look after all mechanical and structural aspects of a ship, to ensure it is able to perform its duties. I am interest in working on submarines and In the future I would really like to have an opportunity to go on exchange to the British Royal Navy, which would also give me the chance to catch up with relatives in England!”
A keen sportswoman, Siobhan competed in Irish dancing until she was 14. Siobhan was also a member of the Monash University Hockey Club and Cape Paterson Surf Lifesaving Club and holds a bronze medallion in lifesaving.
“We had heaps of opportunities to participate in sporting activities. There are many different sports to choose from. You also make many friends throughout your training and career, many of them becoming like family.
“I can’t wait to see the world and to work with motivated, professional people. It’s just fantastic that I am able to travel with my job. I’m also given the chance to further my engineering and management qualifications to enhance my career progression.
