Community
22 April, 2025
RSL stalwart’s special mark
KNOWN for his fierce advocacy and role as president of the Cairns RSL sub branch, Nathan Shingles is marking 30 years since he first donned the uniform of the Royal Australian Navy.
A son and grandson of veterans, his life was deeply touched by the legacy of service and sacrifice that shaped his family’s values and eventually inspired him to take his own path in the Australian Royal Navy at the age of 17 back in 1995 (right).
Since then he’s forged a career out of supporting veterans. He says it’s incredible it has been so long since he embarked on this service journey.
“It definitely makes me feel old, from being the young people that entered the general entry 119 to who we are today,” he said.
“My son is still in the navy, so he’s the fourth generation to come through, and you certainly do reminisce on those good times with your shipmates.
“I’m a son of a Vietnam veteran and my grandfather was in World War II but when the time came, I just saw an opportunity to serve the country. I had the military background and wanted to experience the travel benefits that the military offers.”
Mr Shingles said during his tenure with the navy he travelled, learned and also grieved.
“I served for nine years and my first posting was in Darwin for continual training, then I was posted in Perth awaiting for HMAS Westralia and, while I was waiting, I was shortly posted in New Zealand,” he said.
“With HMAS Westralia – I was there for 18 months – we visited the southern ocean and went to Heard Island and McDonald Islands where we worked in the apprehension of illegal fishing boats.
“On May 5, 1998 the HMAS Westralia had a major engine room fire and four crew were killed off the coast of Perth. It was quite a traumatic day and a lot of us still live with the scars of that event.
“The things you learn through this process are teamwork, looking after your mates, being ready to do things that seem extraordinary at times, things that you never thought you’d be put in the place to do, and the Navy is a closer team environment because you live and work together so you found yourself doing things you didn’t think possible.”
In 1999, Mr Shingles officially moved to Cairns and after finishing his service he decided the next part of his journey was supporting other veterans. “I’ve been with Cairns RSL sub branch six years, three as president and I’m looking to go for another term,” he said.
“Having a business background, I wanted to show veterans that you can work and succeed after service, veterans are not broken.”
