In 1912 the Royal Australian Naval College (RANC) was established, just prior to the 1913 entry of the first Australian Fleet into Sydney harbour. Formal control of these units now passed from the British Government to the Commonwealth Naval Board. Captain Joseph Burnett was one of the original intake, starting his tutilage on 31 December 1912.

The College was formally opened by Australian Governor-General Lord Denman on 1 March 1913, at its temporary site at Osborne House, Geelong. The official party included the Prime Minister Andrew Fisher and the Defence Minister (then Senator George Pearce). In February 1915 the College was officially relocated to its permanent home at Jervis Bay, on the New South Wales south coast (which had not been ready in 1912).

In the early 1930s, lack of funds forced many economies in naval activity. These economies included the transfer of the Naval College from Jervis Bay to Flinders Naval Depot in Victoria.

Students who excelled at the College were recognized through the award of medals. In 1932 Buster Crabb (later Rear Admiral Buster Crabb, Fleet Commander) entered the Royal Australian Naval College at Flinders, where he excelled. He became chief cadet captain, gained his colours in rugby, hockey and tennis, and was awarded the King's medal on passing out in 1935.

Today Initial Entry Officer training for all graduate and non-graduate Officers is conducted at the Royal Australian Naval College (RANC), HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay. The Defence Jobs web site explains that 'The New Entry Officer Course (NEOC) is 22 weeks in duration and is designed to equip officers with general Service skills common to all employment qualifications and develop the necessary attributes for the efficient management of Naval personnel and assets. This course covers drill and ceremonial, physical training, officer development, oral and written communications, naval message writing, management and leadership, officer of the day duties, Navy organisation, Defence studies, character guidance, Navy history, swim test, first aid, small arms training, adventure training, and a training cruise.NEOC graduates then proceed to Application Courses (see 'Employment Training') for training in their specialist areas before returning to CRESWELL for completion of the six week Junior Officers Leadership Course. This course covers leadership and management, and aims to prepare the new Officers for their roles as Divisional Officers.'

References:
Australian Navy website http://www.navy.gov.au/spc/history/general/briefhistory.htm
Australian War Memorial website http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/hmas_sydney/burnett.htm
Defence Jobs website http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/careers_explorer/Navy288.html#PhysicalReq
Fairfax Network Obituaries Rear Admiral Buster Crabb, Fleet Commander, 1917-2001.

AUSTRALIA'S NAVY. (1913, March 1). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 9 (FINAL SPORTING). Retrieved September 26, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article228709484.

NAVAL COLLEGE. (1915, February 10). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), p. 8. Retrieved September 26, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article238835904.

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