Indigenous crew members celebrate culture during Fleet week

The week of naval festivities began today with the arrival of a tall ships fleet in Sydney Harbour.

Onlookers watched on from the beach as the warships left Jervis Bay on Thursday. (AAP)

They are here with a review of ships from around the world to celebrate the centenary of the arrival of naval ships into the harbour in 1913.

One particular tall ship named South Passage has a special crew consisting of graduates from the Defence Indigenous Development Program, along with serving Indigenous mentors.

The crew was made especially welcome by the Navy's Indigenous performance group who proudly represent a history of Indigenous service in the defence forces.

The Indigenous Performance Group is a first for the Australian Defence Force and is entirely made up of current serving, full time members. Members are from all over the country but combine to celebrate our culture as one.

For the members of the development program it’s been a great experience and one that may lead to full time service in the navy.