Strength, precision and composure, on both the lifting platform and in service, define Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Helen Frank’s Navy journey.

Born in Albany, Western Australia, CPO Frank grew up in a town where Navy’s history stretches back to World War I ships and task groups.

At just 17, she joined Navy, driven by a desire to leave her small country town and seek adventure. That decision marked the beginning of a career that has now spanned nearly 30 years.

Her first sea posting came in 2000, at a time when women had been serving at sea for only around 5 years. ‘I can remember one chief telling me girls didn’t belong at sea,’ she said. ‘But otherwise it was pretty good. I didn’t have it any harder than the boys, we were treated the same.’

Early in her career, HMAS Sydney deployed to the Persian Gulf in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Multiple visits to Dubai left a lasting impression on CPO Frank for their stark contrast. ‘It was super interesting, still in a war zone, but staying in hotels in Dubai,’ she said.

Years later, her involvement in Pacific Partnership brought a different kind of impact. ‘I saw a lot in the Pacific, Tonga and Vanuatu are amazing places,’ she said. ‘Snorkeling in those oceans and doing that sort of thing was really cool.’

Looking back, CPO Frank has seen Navy culture evolve significantly. ‘When I first joined, it was very much a boys’ club, like a giant footy team,’ she said. ‘Now we’re a more accepting workplace. We’ve always been inclusive, but the way we’ve taught our people over the last 20 years has educated a lot of us.’

When she joined, fewer than 10 per cent of personnel were women; today, that figure is closer to 25 per cent.

Outside of uniform, CPO Frank channels her focus into powerlifting. ‘I like lifting heavy, I like being strong,’ she said. ‘I’ve competed internationally, and in my federation I’m ranked number one in Australia for my age and weight class.’ She is soon set to compete at the national championships. If successful, she will progress to the IPF World Masters, representing not only her country, but also the uniform she proudly wears.

When she’s not training, she enjoys reading and hiking, with trips to Nepal and Japan among her recent highlights.