Defence Force recognises student for Leadership

July, 2009

Year 12 student at Beaconhills College, Michael Burke, was today presented with an Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Education Award at a Senior School Assembly by Lt. Tristan Heriter, a marine engineer with the Royal Australian Navy currently working in the Defence Force’s Recruiting Department.

The Award is presented to Year 12 students in recognition of leadership potential, of academic and sporting achievements exhibited in Year 11 and of qualities displayed throughout the ADFA selection process. Michael received a lap top computer and certificate of recognition, and the College received a framed plaque as a memento of Michael’s outstanding achievement.

Michael has long held an interest in attending ADFA, partly through the influences of his extended family which includes four members of the Royal Australian Navy – in fact, his grandfather was an engineer in the Navy and one of his great-uncles rose to the rank of Rear-Admiral in the Navy.

It is Michael’s intention now to undertake a Bachelor of Arts degree at ADFA next year leading to a position as Seaman Officer, which would enable him in time to take the helm of one of the RAN’s ships.