Leading Seaman Blake Willoughby-Thomas

Please tell us who you are and what you do?

I'm Leading Seaman Blake Willoughby-Thomas. I'm a hydrographics systems operator in the Royal Australian Navy. We're posted up in Cairns in Northern Queensland. We work on HMAS Leeuwin and HMAS Melville. Our main priority is to survey the waters around Australia, waters such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

What is the purpose of these surveys?

The main reason to the surveys is to help with bigger ships that are coming and bringing our imports to Australia so we can have clear waters for them.

Have you served overseas?

I haven't served overseas. Most of our jobs is around Australian waters but I have been to Singapore and Papua New Guinea with my job.

What is the best aspect of your job?

The best aspect would have to be the mates in the Navy and also the amount of sport you get to play in the time off you get for sport. You get to study as well which is fantastic.

What does the Spirit of ANZAC mean to you?

The Spirit of ANZAC means to me mateship, and working to make Australia a great country and serving the Government and the people of Australia.

What is the best thing you have done being part of the ADF?

The best thing I have probably ever done is on ANZAC Days. You get to march down certain streets and march through Sydney and Perth and after that when you get to celebrate the day with your close mates.

What is your career for the future?

At the moment as I'm posted to Australia's Federation Guard I plan to stay here for two more years. After that I will probably get another posting up to Cairns and see where my future goes from there.