Lateika Matiaha (nee Smith)
Gumbaynggirr (Nambucca Heads, Mid North Coast New South Wales)
Leading Seaman
Royal Australian Navy
Medals
Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection
Australian Defence Medal
To serve is to be a part of a proud tradition that connects me to my past and my future. I come from a strong family history in Defence. My Mum was in the Navy, and all 3 of my brothers served in the Navy and Army. I have 8 cousins who are currently serving in the Navy and Army. In 2004, at the age of 17, I made the decision to follow in my family’s footsteps and enlist in the Australian Defence Force.
I joined as a Communications and Information Systems Sailor. I conducted my training at HMAS Cerberus, learning radio and satellite communications, morse code via flashing light and flag signalling before I was posted to the Defence Communications Station in Sydney. I had my very first sea posting on HMAS Melbourne. During these postings, I had the opportunity to consolidate my training and gain promotion to Able Seaman. In 2008, I returned to HMAS Cerberus to complete my Intermediate Course before getting promoted to Leading Seaman in 2009. I was then posted to HMAS Ballarat before moving to Cairns, where I gained experience on Hydrographic Survey ships, such as HMAS Leeuwin and Melville. I then volunteered to be posted to Defence Force Recruiting in Parramatta, where I was a career counsellor and part of the career promotion team. My next position was at Defence Force Recruiting in Wollongong as an Indigenous Recruitment Officer, working on the Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Courses (IPRC).
After 11 years of service, I decided to end my time in the Navy and gained a role with TAFE NSW, where I was still able to work closely on the IPRC, assisting in the organisation of the TAFE component. From TAFE NSW, I moved to Westpac as an Indigenous Careers consultant, where I helped facilitate the Indigenous Traineeship Program within Westpac. For the last six-and-a-half years, I have been working for Maxima Training Group, where I have been a consultant, Program Manager, and now the Recruitment Services Manager, overseeing the Indigenous Employment Team, traineeships, apprenticeships and our labour/permanent recruitment team for Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory. I have a strong passion for helping Mob gain meaningful employment opportunities.