DEFENCE MEDIA ALERT
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 416/09
Thursday, 3 December 2009
DEFENCE INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
ADF STUDY TOUR - CANBERRA
WHO:
Defence Indigenous Development Program
WHAT:
The trainees and staff will be visiting Parliament House, War Memorial,
Australian Mint, National Museum, RMC Duntroon and QUESTACON
WHERE:
Canberra
WHEN:
6 December 2009 to 11 December 2009
BACKGROUND:
The Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) is a joint initiative between the
Department of Defence, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
(DEEWR) and the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training (DET). It is
primarily aimed at Indigenous peoples from remote areas.
The DIDP is designed to meet the needs of indigenous people in northern Australia, providing
young indigenous adults with the education, training, life skills and confidence – and as a
result the opportunities – to secure and sustain continuous employment of their choice, and to
be role models within their communities.
The Study Tour to Canberra is the culmination of a seven month intensive residential course
at the Charles Darwin University – Rural Campus, located in Katherine. The DIDP soldiers
will graduate on 16 December 2009 with a Certificate 2 in Rural Operations (Land Care,
Construction, General Education streams) and a Certificate in General Education for Adults,
focusing on English language, literacy and numeracy. The trainees have also received
specialist skills training in the areas of financial management, leadership, self esteem, cross
cultural and military training, and general health and wellbeing. The training concentrated on
increasing their self-confidence and pride in culture and provided the skills necessary for
employment within Defence or the wider civilian community.
Whilst in Canberra the DIDP will be visiting Parliament House, the War Memorial, the
Australian Mint, the National Museum, RMC Duntroon Graduation Parade and
QUESTACON.
There is opportunity for media engagement with DIDP staff and trainees during some of the
above activities.
MEDIA CONTACT: For further information contact Major Chris Delaney: 0411753239 or
email chris.delaney@defence.gov.au
NEWS 
