SIX locals were among 100 naval officers who graduated from initial officer training at the Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell on Thursday.
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Two of the local graduates claimed major awards in the passing out ceremony.
Sub Lieutenant Joshua Hynes, of Jervis Bay was awarded the Australian Naval Institute prize, while Sub Lieutenant Luke Deering, of Ulladulla was the Rear Admiral Hammond Sword winner.
Fellow locals, Midshipman Lachlan Murray, of Callala Beach, Midshipmen Benjamin Wealleans and Zachary Smith, of Ulladulla and Midshipman Joshua Gorrie, of Gerringong were also part of the 77 men and 23 women who completed 20 weeks of training.
The graduation is a milestone for Creswell, as it is the first graduating class to have trained in groups under the new divisional names Clarkson, Getting, Moran, Rankin and Waller, divisions which commemorate Australia’s own naval history, rather than shared history with Great Britain.
Outgoing Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs reviewed the latest graduates.
The new officers now move to specialist training throughout the fleet, or undertake tertiary studies at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
Graduates intend to specialise in a wide range of fields, including logistics, warfare, medical, dental and engineering.