Kaylin Coleman

Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Kaylin Coleman on board HMAS Warramunga. Image courtesy of LSIS Tom Gibson, Navy Daily, “Sailor still calls Kalgoorlie home”, 11 July 2018.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people please be aware that this resource contains images and names of deceased persons.

Kaylin Coleman was born in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia. A proud Kaparn woman whose language is Kalamia, Kaylin had thought about joining the army or navy from a young age. Her family told her that if she put in hard work and dedication, she could achieve anything she wanted. Kaylin also had self-belief, which she said was the first secret to success.[1]

When she was 18, Kaylin investigated employment opportunities with the Australian Defence Force (ADF). She was working as a dental assistance at Bondi Junction in Sydney at the time, and wanted a career change. After participating in the ADF’s six-week Indigenous pre-recruitment program, Kaylin decided that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) could be a good fit, and applied to join in 2014. She was accepted, and began training at HMAS Cerberus, a RAN base that serves as the primary training establishment in Victoria. Kaylin was the first Aboriginal woman from the Goldfields to join the RAN.

Through her training, Kaylin became skilled in many different tasks, including small boat operation, line-handling, and close-range weaponry.[2] In 2017, she boarded HMAS Warramunga (II), which was supporting international efforts towards maritime security in the Middle East as part of Operation Manitou.

HMAS Warramunga (II) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy

The ship was capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance, and preventing illegal activities. As a member of the Warramunga’s boarding party, Kaylin contributed to the interception of 16 vessels carrying illegal drugs worth approximately $2.17 billion.[3]

As part of Operation Manitou, Kaylin visited the United Arab Emirates, India, and Africa.

“I personally loved Africa. We got to interact with the local people there, and attend a safari in Tanzania. It was such a humbling experience.”[4]

Kaylin said she thoroughly enjoys her service, and even though there are ups and downs, the positives outweigh the negatives. She has made lifelong friends, and values a framed photograph of the crew aboard HMAS Warramunga, who became her “family away from family” during deployment.[5]

Read more about the history of HMAS Warramunga.

Activities

Cap worn by naval personnel serving on HMAS Warramunga (II).

The official badge of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) can be seen on the cap above. Each ship also has an individual badge which includes their motto. The motto for HMAS Warramunga is "Courage in difficulties."
- Do you think this motto is suitable for a naval vessel? Why or why not?
- Design your own badge and motto for a ship of the Royal Australian Navy.

Shoulder patch displaying the White Ensign version of the Australian flag, worn by RAN personnel.

An ensign is a flag that indicates nationality. Investigate the origins of the Australian White Ensign.
- When did the Royal Australian Navy change from using the White Ensign handed down to them from the Royal Navy (Britain), to the Australian version?
- Why do you think the Royal Australian Navy wanted a different White Ensign?

Uckers board game

Uckers is a popular board game played by naval personnel across the world.
- Play a game of Uckers using the instructions on the back of the board.
  1. Uckers board (3.23 MB)
  2. Uckers rules (405.37 KB)
- Design your own board game for servicemen and servicewomen on deployment. You might like to consider a theme, such as army, navy, air force, or nursing. What are the rules, and what equipment will you need?