Sub Lieutenant Mitchell Laughlan, of Culburra Beach, Sub Lieutenant Tania Nathan, of Sanctuary Point and Midshipman Gemma Dart, of Bomaderry were part of the 108 new naval officers who graduated during a wet ceremony at HMAS Creswell on Thursday.

The passing out parade marked 100 years after the first cadet midshipmen began training at the Royal Australian Naval College.

SBLT Laughan, a former Shoalhaven and Kiama high student, studied electrical engineering at the University of Wollongong, before joining the navy two years ago after being inspired by his identical twin brother Timothy, who is also in the navy.

Also a sub lieutenant, Timothy studied aeronautical engineering at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

“Tim knew what he wanted to do straight out of school,” Mitchell said.

“I didn’t. I took a year off, a gap year, and then started studying at Wollongong.

“But having watched Tim and what he has been able to do and achieve in the navy, I thought I would join as well.

“It was pretty cool to be able to follow him through Creswell, albeit four classes apart.”

He said the 20-week course was a great experience.

“I loved my time at Creswell,” he said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially all the different courses.

“The leadership training was excellent, through to the boat work course and doing sea deployment aboard HMAS Tobruk where we travelled to Cairns and Townsville and return was a great life experience.”

SBLT Laughlan has been posted to HMAS Albatross where he will complete his engineering application course, which will take between 12 and 18 months. He will be based at the 723 Squadron working with the Bell 429 and Squirrel helicopters.

His brother is also at the Naval Air Station completing his engineering application course.

Sub Lieutenant Nathan is a nursing officer and will also be based at HMAS Albatross, while Midshipman Dart is a marine warfare officer and has been posted to HMAS Watson for training.

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove reviewed the parade with Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett.

HMAS Creswell commanding officer Captain Stephen Hussey said every member of the New Entry Officer Course 52 should be proud of their achievements.

“Although this training establishment has not been in continuous use since 1915, this year marks 100 years since Creswell welcomed the first midshipman trainees through its gates,” Captain Hussey said.

“Your class has carried on the tradition of excellence that Creswell is founded on. Individually you have performed extremely well and have demonstrated the leadership skills that will support you in what is a highly professional and rewarding career.”

The graduates will now continue to specialist training either in the Fleet or at the Australian Defence Force Academy, qualifying in fields including logistics, warfare, medical, dental and engineering.

Creswell trains more than 2500 personnel annually, including reserve and full-time officers, as well as providing combat survivability training and ongoing professional development for officers and senior sailors.