Petty Officer Stacey Allen is a proud Dagoman woman and the newest Regional Indigenous Development Coordinator (RIDC) at HMAS Stirling. She continues the long standing relationship building established by previous coordinators with the local Whadjuk and Binjareb peoples.

Born and raised on Jawoyn Country in Katherine, Northern Territory, PO Allen carries fond memories of home. She remembers picking the sweet and sour green plums, also known as wild mango, on the way to school and spending time among the towering sandstone walls of Nitmiluk Gorge. The gorge, shaped by immense volumes of water over thousands of years, stands as a symbol of the resilience of her community, which continues to face seasonal flooding and support one another through hardship.

Her connection to Country remains strong. She stays in daily contact with family in Katherine and, whenever she returns home, she visits the cemetery to tidy the gravestones of loved ones, pay her respects, and reflect on her journey.

PO Allen joined the Navy as a dental assistant, but her pathway into health began much earlier. Raised by aunties who worked in community health, she watched them care for her Nana during illness and saw the impact of helping others. Nursing did not appeal to her, but dental assisting became her way of contributing to community wellbeing. 

People who work in health services are often described as being driven by care, grounded in ethics, and united by a commitment to improving the lives of others, and she carries these values into her work.

Her grandmothers, including her great grandmother Nanna Peckham who was part of the Stolen Generation, and her Nana Jackie, shaped her understanding of service, strength and selflessness. Their dedication to supporting family and community continues to guide her approach to leadership and cultural engagement.

Today, as RIDC, PO Allen is building on the foundations laid by previous coordinators and strengthening ties with local Aboriginal organisations, Elders and community leaders. She considers the highlight of her role to be meeting different people and having meaningful conversations. Even when these interactions seem small, she believes they contribute to significant and lasting impacts across the community.