The thunderous applause of 600 Muslim students was more than Navy Marine Engineer LEUT Rachel Bobko bargained for when she went to the Al-Faisal College in Sydney to present Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards.
“I didn’t know what to expect and was overwhelmed by their warm welcome,” LEUT Bobko, who is posted to HMAS Kuttabul , said.
LEUT Bobko is one of more than 200 Navy personnel who visited or will visit, more than 310 high schools across the country from October 2012 to February 2013 to present the annual ADF awards to outstanding students from years 10, 11 and 12.
Students from years 7-12 applauded LEUT Bobko’s speech about leadership and teamwork in the ADF which emphasised the importance of service to the community, honesty, integrity as well as diversity and inclusion.
“These are the qualities that are valued with the service community and those which the wider community associates with the ADF,” she said.
“More importantly, it is these qualities that have built our nation and form the basis of the spirit of ANZAC.”
The Long Tan Awards were presented to Zeryab Cheema, Houda Boucetta and Mohammad Hamed on December 5.
Principal Ms G Adra-Khan said like the Navy, the school believed we all shared fundamental human values and morals regardless of cultural backgrounds or faith.
“We value the diversity of backgrounds our students and staff bring to learning and teaching,” she said.
“As Australian Muslims, we are proud that we are part of this big family ‘Australia’.
More than 400 uniformed ADF personnel presented Long Tan Awards in 617 schools right across the nation.
Navy Coordinator, WO Rob Drew, said he was proud of the way in which Navy people responded to the call for volunteer ADF presenters.
“In 2011, Navy personnel presented 85 awards. To see that number exceed 310 in 2012 is a significant achievement.” he said.
“We have already received overwhelmingly positive feedback from many of the schools,” he reported. “It’s also been great to hear from a number of Navy volunteers who expressed how much they enjoyed being part of the award program. These volunteers have clearly demonstrated the Navy Signature Behaviours of strengthen relationships across and beyond Navy; be the best I can; and make Navy proud make Australia proud.”
The Long Tan Awards commenced in 2006 and in 2011 more than 2200 schools were involved with more than 6000 recipients recognised.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 23, 2013; Image: Australian Navy