Assistant Minister for Defence - Major milestone for Defence International Training Centre

The Defence International Training Centre (DITC) in Laverton, Victoria today marked a major milestone – the graduation of its 10,000th student.

Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, said DITC has been a pillar of Defence’s international engagement for 30 years, providing training for foreign military personnel from more than 50 countries.

Mr Robert attended a special ceremony at DITC this morning, along with senior members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), foreign Defence Attaches and current staff and students.

“I congratulate DITC on this important milestone. DITC’s enduring contribution to international engagement has helped build Australia’s strategic relationships in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world,” Mr Robert said.

“The ADF is constantly called upon to work with its regional and global partners in a variety of tasks. The capacity building and shared understanding that begins at DITC enhances our ability to work closely and cooperatively with other defence forces.

“For thousands of defence personnel in the Asia-Pacific region, DITC has been one of their first experiences of life in Australia and often marks the start of a life-long association with the ADF.”

The DITC conducts 15 different courses such as English language training and cultural familiarisation. Many of the programs are designed to prepare foreign defence personnel for further military courses in Australia, such as those provided by the Australian Command and Staff College and the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.

The 10,000th student to graduate from DITC is First Lieutenant Ellys Fakriya Laili from Indonesia, who completed an English teacher training course.

Hundreds of foreign defence members, primarily from South East Asia, the South West Pacific and the Middle East, pass through DITC each year and approximately 50 students are in residence at any one time at RAAF Base Williams, Laverton. Students range in rank from newly enlisted personnel to senior officers.

Mr Robert also presented a Unit Citation to the Commanding Officer and staff of DITC in recognition of the outstanding support they have provided to Defence’s international engagement activities over the past three decades.

Media note:

Images of the DITC ceremony will be available at http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/

Media contacts:

Richard Briedis (Minister Robert's Office) 0477 391 174

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999