Brewarrina is a long way from the ocean and Eddy Gordon had never stepped foot on an ocean-going vessel, but that didn't stop him setting his sights on a career in the navy.

Edward Gordon is a 25-year-old Indigenous man and celebrated his graduation from the Royal Australian Navy at HMAS Cerberus on the 25 November 2022.

Better known as Eddy by family and friends, he was born and raised in Brewarrina and did most of his schooling at the local central school.

At the age of 16 he decided to go to Dalby in Queensland to finish year 11 and 12 and, after leaving school, he met and married his wife and started a family, having two beautiful children.

But Edward became concerned for their future because he couldn’t find a good permanent job to support them.

Then, one fateful day, Edward attended a school leavers workshop where the Australian Defence Forces presented a range of career options and he decided he would love to enter the navy.

His path was not going to be easy as Eddy weighed over 120 kilos and was deemed too overweight and too unfit to pass the navy’s rigorous health and physical standards.

When Edward told others about his dream he says he was faced with "a lot of negative comments". Not only did he manage to lose over 30 kilos and get fit, he would have to dedicate himself to many years of hard work to reach that dream of becoming enlisted in the navy.

"The negative comments only made me more determined," Eddy told the Western Plains App.

"I began training and watching my diet."

His strength of mind started to become obvious to all that knew him.

Eddy as a schoolboy in Brewarrina. PHOTO: Ted Gordon

His body started to change as he morphed into a healthy, strong, and fit young man.

Twelve months later he was running 5 kilometres three times a day and had lost over 30 kilograms.

He applied for the navy and was accepted.

The first stage of his training was a 3–4-month stint at Kapooka in Wagga Wagga where he underwent a serious physical and mental training program to ensure he had the skills and aptitude to become a member of the Australian Defence Force.

Eddy passed all the required tests at Kapooka then moved to HMAS Cerberus Navy Base in Geelong.

The program would go for over two years where Edward would not only learn how handle M16’s and a variety of weapons, but he would also learn about diesel mechanics, electrical work, and water filtration relating to navy ships.

Proud graduate Eddy Gordon. PHOTO: Ted Gordon

Eddy says the early stages of navy training were the toughest.

He was doing all this for his family and he had to spend four months at Kapooka, and the first couple of months at Geelong, without them.

Fortunately, he then acquired family accommodation at the navy base so his family could join him making the rest of his journey to qualification more worthwhile.

On 25 November 2022, and after 2 ½ years at HMAS Cerberus, Edward was officially enlisted as an Able Seaman with the Australian Navy.

Edward went the extra mile within his training at HMAS Cerberus and is two years into a course on fixed and mobile plant mechanics.

Father and son on Eddy's graduation day. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

Edward and his family are now moving to Perth where he will further develop his skills as a ship mechanic starting on Anzac class ships called Frigates.

Back home in Brewarrina, his extended family and local community have been cheering Eddy on.

"On behalf of myself and his mum Cheryl Gibson, we would like to congratulate our son Edward Thomas Gordon Jnr on graduating from the Royal Australian Navy," said Ted Gordon (Edward Snr).

"Your accomplishment, dedication and determination has paid off and we are all so proud of you!”