Army’s newest training and education centre has recently opened in Darwin.
The Regional Force Surveillance Group (RFSG) Training and Education Centre (RTEC) will support Australia’s border protection capability while delivering new education and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians.
“The RFSG are charged with patrolling the vast, remote landmass and waterways of Australia’s north and northwest – approximately 40 per cent of our country,” Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said.
“I met with RFSG soldiers during my recent visit to the Top End in September, and was struck by their unity, support of one another and passion for the land.”
Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said the targeted training conducted by Army would help support the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
“Army’s Indigenous Development Program lifts the general education standards of participants, which supports employment pathways for Indigenous Australians. It’s a testament to Army that its program has an 86 per cent graduation rate," Minister Wyatt said.
“The contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to our modern military history dates back to the Boer War over 120 years ago and today the Indigenous Army Reserve soldiers make up almost one third of the RFSG units,” Minister Darren Chester said.
“The units draw heavily on the local knowledge of the Indigenous Army Reserve soldiers, however some potential recruits may be disadvantaged by insufficient education due to the remoteness of where they live. This Centre will help turn that around.”