‘Living a story worth telling’. Two Narrabri locals embarking on Navy career

The greatest stories come from the smallest moments, the people you meet, the bonds you make and the support you bring to your community.

‘Living a story worth telling’ and experiencing lifetime friendships is part of the mantra of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) alongside its motto ‘Serving Australia with Pride’.

Narrabri local boys Riley Dickinson and Sean Allen have recently passed through with flying colours and have embarked on their respective journeys in the military organisation which operates advanced vessels and aircraft.

Riley is the son of Jason and Lisa Dickinson, and Sean is the son of James and Claire Allen.

Riley moved to Narrabri from Mungindi in 2010 with his family when his father, a local policeman, was transferred to the district.

He attended Narrabri West Public School from 2010 to 2016, followed by Narrabri High school from 2017 to 2022.

Spending Year 10 undertaking Mechanical Engineering at TAFE whilst at school, Riley went on to work for Santos during Years 11 and 12, completed 800 school placement hours and was awarded a Certificate IV in Engineering.

A keen sportsman, Riley has represented the schools in athletics and rugby league and union, and has played representative union for Central North Rugby.

“While in Year 11, Riley was making enquiries about joining the Navy and sought assistance from the career advisors at Narrabri High,” said Riley’s father, Detective Senior Constable Dickinson.

“When Riley finished Year 12, the intention was to have a gap year, and after attaining an RSA he was employed at the Namoi Hotel as barman and bottle shop attendant.

“He applied for the Navy and worked throughout the enlistment process.”

Riley was permitted time away from work to complete the required assessments, medical, physical, and psychological evaluations and interviews.

“He passed all his assessments and tests and achieved selection,” continued Det Dickinson.

“Riley was offered the position of ‘Marine Technician Propulsion’ which continues on with what he had learnt from his time with Santos.

“He is very grateful to Narrabri High School and Santos for his experience being selected in the ‘Workplace School Apprenticeships’ program, which gave him such a head start.”

Riley was sworn in on Monday, February 20, at the Newcastle ADF Recruitment office alongside Sean Allen, where together they recited their Oath to serve in the Royal Australian Navy.

From there Riley flew down to HMAS Cerberus in Victoria where he completed his initial nine-week training.

HMAS Cerberus is a Royal Australian Navy base that serves as the primary training establishment for RAN personnel.

After nine weeks of what was intense physical and demanding training, Riley passed all requirements and was selected to graduate.

Another intense week of training took place before the pass out parade, and graduation took place on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Riley remains at HMAS Cerberus where he has commenced his training to become a Marine Technician Propulsion for the next 18 months.

Starting off with theory, followed by six months of practical, he will be posted on a ship as a mechanic.

Riley has initially signed on for six years and he will then decide whether to sign on for a further period.

Nineteen-year-old Sean Allen attended Narrabri Public School from Year 1 onwards, holding a position as a School Councillor in his Year 6 leadership team.

He later attended Farrer Agricultural Memorial High School, graduating in 2022 as a prefect in Year 12.

“Sean enlisted in the Navy through the Navy Gap Year Program, working throughout 2022 to meet the challenges of the enlistment process,” said Sean’s mother Claire Allen.

“After applying, candidates have to go through a series of assessments including a medical, psychological evaluation, physical, and an interview.

“To prepare for these, Sean studied where he would be stationed for basic training, what sort of ships and weaponry he would encounter, and the roles of naval officers.

“Sean passed all assessments, and once he had completed his HSC, he was offered a position in the Navy Gap Year program.

“He was sworn in on February 20, at the Newcastle ADF Recruitment Office where he recited his oath to serve in the Royal Australian Navy.

“He completed nine weeks of basic training at Cerberus in Victoria in Taylor Division.

“Along with the long hours and physically demanding training, the recruits spent many hours learning to march in unison.

“They learned to follow commands efficiently and to the letter, and all the regimented instruction paid off when they presented to their audience of loved ones at the passing out parade on Friday, April 21.

“The recruits put on an impressive demonstration of marching for more than half an hour, with and without their guns, undergoing an inspection by the Lieutenant Commander of Training before the final command to throw their hats in the air signifying the conclusion of the ceremony,” she said.

“After basic training, Sean will complete seamanship course work at HMAS Cerberus, before heading to Sydney where he will have his first experience of life at sea on the ship ‘MB Sycamore’.

“He will then start his establishment tour, heading to Canberra, then Nowra, Sydney, Perth, Cairns and then back to Perth for a six-month posting where he will experience a range of different roles, as he looks to find the best fit for him to apply for at the end of the gap year program.

“At this stage, Sean is particularly looking forward to his time on the submarines.

“He has established a strong group of life-long friends throughout his recruit course and these people have quickly become like family.

“By joining up he will see a vast amount of Australia in his first year after high school.”

Whilst the navy is tasked with the protection of Australia and her interests, there is much more to it than that.

The Royal Australian Navy website outlines how this extends to keeping open the sea lines of communication, which accounts for approximately 90 per cent of all imports and exports.

As well as defending Australia in cooperation with the Australian Army and Air Force which includes defending its coastline, shipping lanes, and citizens, the organisation also protects our waters from illegal fishing, drug running and illegal immigration.

The RAN’s contribution to regional security and supporting global interests is channelled by providing maritime patrols and responses, maintaining a strategic strike capability, protecting shipping and offshore territories, and collecting and evaluating maritime intelligence.

On a day-to-day basis the Navy also provides many services that are critical to the safety of shipping and those engaged in professional and recreational seagoing.

The vast range of services include maritime search and rescue services, hydrographic surveys for navigation purposes, anti-piracy operations, meteorological support operations, and maritime escort duties.

And it doesn’t end there.

It extends to supporting humanitarian and disaster-relief missions, with the Navy on constant standby to participate in a broad range of operations in Australia and overseas.

These operations include supporting international peacekeeping and humanitarian operations and helping communities which have been affected by natural disasters, such as fire, flood and earthquake.

Congratulations Riley and Sean.