Aug-Sep 2013, Issue 174 - Royal New Zealand Navy

Equity & Diversity“The standardyou walk pastis the standardyou accept.”By Liz Barclay, Northern Regional Equity and DiversityAdvisorThe headline quote was said recently by the AustralianChief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison.This one simple sentence asks us all to question thebehaviours that we are prepared to accept. It was promptedby revelations of unacceptable behaviour occurring acrossthe Tasman. Unfortunately the Navy is not immune fromincidents of discrimination, harassment or bullying either.It is important to keep in mind that any single incident candamage our reputation and question our professionalism.Education is one way to prevent these types of incidentsoccurring. Recently the new equity and diversity trainingcalled Bystander Intervention was delivered at HMNZSPhilomel. This 90-minute brief focused on creatingand maintaining an inclusive culture, one in whichdiscrimination, harassment and bullying is unlikely to occur.The aim of the training is to empower each individual in theNavy to step up and take responsibility for the culture in ourown living and working environments.This can be easier said than done. Employment in the Navyis unique. One day you could be alongside in a foreign porttaking in the sights and sounds of another culture and nextday you’re out in the ocean with nothing else but sea insight. You could be based in Devonport working behind adesk, on course, or working for Navy outside the Aucklandregion. There are a myriad of different environments andthe importance of being surrounded by a team that issupportive cannot be understated.Mr Trevor King, the Equity and Diversity Senior TrainingManager who delivered the training, was impressed withthe positive attitude of the Devonport-based audiences.He found they were prepared to get involved and werereceptive to the key message of taking some form of actionwhen confronted either directly or indirectly with behaviourwhich does not support our organisational values.Upholding our core values of courage, commitment andcomradeship will support us in this effort. It is more thanjust attending the briefs and nodding wisely. It is aboutLIVING the Navy’s values everyday. It’s about having thecourage to say or do something when the situation callsfor it. It’s about the commitment to eradicate unacceptablebehaviour in our organisation, and quite simply it’s aboutlooking after our mates.Padre MasonChaplain Colin Mason,Leading Chaplain Northern,recently made a voyage atsea on HMNZS TE MANA.In this article he writes abouthis experiences.I’ve been a Padre for several years; however it was just last yearI changed service from Army to Navy. I’d have to say it was agood move. As much as I enjoyed my time in “green”, and stillharbour fond memories of people, places and experiences whilein the Army, Navy certainly has its advantages. For example, onexercise in “green” your accommodation is a fox hole. You eatfrom a ration pack and there’s not a shower in sight. The Navywhile on exercise provides a pit (bunk), a steward takes my mealorder, plus there is a shower.The role of Padre is privileged. It is a unique situation whereinI have the freedom to move about, making contact across allranks. Padres are a vital part of the military structure. Thoughpart of the structure, we maintain an independence that providesconfidentiality. Our presence and role has been likened to that ofengine oil; keeping components running smoothly.Boiled down, Padres provide for the spiritual and moralewellbeing of service personal and their families. This is dispensedvia ceremonial duties, tuition, parade prayers, crisis support,weddings, funerals and particularly in counselling.Above: CHAP Mason talks to some of Ship’s Company.Opposite page: The Padre with LWT Mark Greening andAET Thomas O’Connor.16 EQUITY & DIVERSITY