Born in Innisfail in Far North Queensland, Warrant Officer Jeremiah (Jerry) Savage is a proud Torres Strait Island man with connections to the Central and Inner Islands of the Kaurareg and the Kulkalgal Nation. 

He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy after finishing high school in the 1980s. He began his long career as a Quarter Master Gunner on HMAS Canberra (the Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate). With more than 40 years in service, Warrant Officer Savage has served on various ship platforms, operations and exercise. In his career, he has had extensive travel from Malta to Papua New Guinea, India to Spain, including an overseas exchange to the United Kingdom. 

One of his career highlights took place at an International Rugby Union game in 2005, where he met Nelson Mandela and had the opportunity to give him a Ship’s ball cap. Another stand-out moment for the Warrant Officer was when he was the Navy Flag Bearer at the anniversary of Normandy Landing in 1994.

Warrant Officer Savage has worked for the Tri-Service Indigenous pathway programs such as the Defence Indigenous Development Program, Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Program, and Navy Indigenous Development Program. 

When he is off work, he spends time with his children and grandchildren, or tinkering around the house.