Chalkboards out, high-tech in
Published on LEUT Will Singer (author), LSIS Richard Cordell (photographer)
Location(s): HMAS Stirling, WA
Topic(s): HMAS Stirling

Training Centre-West (TC-W), HMAS Stirling has adapted to an increase in training tempo with a ‘mini-makeover’ of learning spaces to create an interactive learning environment.
Officer in Charge, Training Systems Officer Lieutenant Di Buckingham said that the renovation project at TC-W was in direct support of the Navy Training Plan 2018 - providing students with a contemporary, supportive and professional training environment.
“We aim to provide a versatile and flexible delivery mode for many different styles of both learning and teaching,” she said.
“The space has been updated by providing a more modern and pleasing environment for more than 1000 military and civilian personnel utilising the buildings.
“We achieved this in a cost-effective way, coming in under budget – even the staff rolled up their sleeves to paint classrooms and freshen up the bland training environment.
“The procurement of two touch screen interactive whiteboards allows users to write, draw, open applications, save documents, search the Internet, play videos, view pictures and present information in an interactive manner,” Lieutenant Buckingham said.
TC-W Regulator, Petty Officer Martin Ball co-ordinated the implementation of the project and was equally pleased with the outcome.
“The team selected the latest Navy images which were used to produce canvas prints hung to the bulkheads of the classrooms and passageways,” he said.
“The prints consist mainly of local activities, training and platforms captured by Navy Image Unit-West Imagery Specialists, which reinforce Navy’s strategic intent and showcase capability in the West.
“The Leadership School have been using the state-of-the-art whiteboards since delivery – and they’re loving them.
“The brew room also has new lounges, television and outdoor settings for the trainees to relax and recharge,” Petty Officer Ball said.
Training Centre-West is home to Training Governance and Assurance-West (TGA-W), Trainee Management Agency (TMA), Sailors Leadership and Management Facility (SLMF-W) School of Maritime Warfare (SMW-W), Defence Force School of Signals (DFSS-W) and Health Services Professional Development Officer-West (PDO-W).