Navy People: Noosa local makes good

20 February 2010

Carl Goodchild’s mum, dad, granddad and sister are still in the Noosa area so he still visits regularly. But these days the former Cooroy Primary and Noosa High School student is an electronic specialist in the Navy and from his Sydney base he is starting to see the world.

Right now Carl is a lot closer to home. He’s taking part in annual exercises off the eastern seaboard designed to train our sailors for conflict and dealing with natural disasters.

“I would have to rate the trip to South East Asia at the end of 2009 a highlight but I have also been to New Zealand a couple of times and all around Australia,” says Carl.

Now an Able Seaman, Carl has been in the Navy for five years. “I originally wanted to become an avionics technician in the RAAF, but I was not prepared to wait for a vacancy. The opportunity to join Navy was immediate so I took it!” Carl says.

Aboard 4100 tonne frigate HMAS Darwin Carl is responsible for maintenance of electronic combat systems, as well as looking after communications equipment.

“The technical knowledge and my qualifications translate into the civilian world, but I have found it just as important to grow as a person and become more confident individual,” he said.

When Darwin goes into refit in April, Carl will join many shipmates who will complete courses ashore to consolidate the training they have undergone at sea.

Carl is bound for TAFE and is looking forward to a change of environment and pace. His six year initial term in Navy is up soon and although he is unsure whether he will sign for another term. Either way Carl is sure his years in the Navy has been time well spent.