THIS time next year, 16-year-old Georgie Hicks will be sailing her way through her naval career as a Seaman Officer for the Royal Australian Navy.
The Southern Cross Catholic College (SCCC) vice-captain is a Leading Seaman and cadet physical training instructor with the TS Moreton Bay Australian Naval Cadets.
Adding to her naval qualifications, Georgie recently received a highly coveted Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Education Award.
Sergeant Bradley Crockett and Lieutenant Danny Syrett, from Defence Force Recruiting, presented Georgie with a laptop computer and an ADFA Education Award certificate on July 18.
The college was also presented with an ADFA plaque on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy.
After being presented with the award Georgie said, “I’m very excited to receive the ADFA Education Award.
“It’s very rewarding as I have put a lot of hard work into the selection process with applications, interviews, travelling to Canberra and training.
“I’m honoured to have received the award and the (laptop) will certainly help me with my studies.”
Sgt Crockett and Lt Syrett applauded Georgie for having met the ADFA entry assessments, medical testing and having successfully endured a series of interviews over the past nine months.
The ADFA Education Award is presented annually to Year 12 students in recognition of leadership potential and outstanding sporting and academic achievement exhibited during the recruiting process for entry to ADFA.
Georgie is the third SCCC student to have received the ADFA Education Award, following in the footsteps of her two older siblings, Ben (2005 recipient) and Sally Hicks (2007 recipient).
Georgie will be inducted into the Royal Australian Navy on January 28, 2009 as a Seaman Officer.
She will then relocate to Jervis Bay to begin officer training for the following six months.
