posted on January 18, 2012 15:05
Ms Jill Woods, CEO of Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Defence Reserves Support Council - Western Sydney Committee recently went on Exercise Boss Lift to Timor Leste to see first hand what our Reservists do when they are deployed. Here is her account:
“I am back from Timor Leste safe and sound, just bursting with pride in our incredible Defence men and women, especially our Reservists, who are currently serving as part of the International Sustainability Forces in this country, so different to our own. Their dedication and training commitment is second to none; their pride in serving our country through their diverse roles just knocks you over. The positive and professional attitudes which flowed from these people, all ages too, was infectious and should be bottled. How I wish it could!
I want to soak in this innate strength and selflessness displayed by these individuals. Our Defence personnel often have little idea where they could be deployed by our governments when they commit to serve our country and yet as one, these people stand up, stand out and proudly put their lives on the line. They don’t need to be abroad either to risk themselves aiding and protecting others.
I was already a convert to ensuring more and more employers publicly demonstrate their support for our armed forces, in particular the Reservists before my Timor Leste trip. Now I am absolutely on a pilgrimage to convert every business owner and operator who crosses my path. I feel so very strongly about the respect and support our Defence Force deserves but more so that they have rightly earned.
How I wish much of our mainstream media would regularly devote more space to these positive people and profile their successes, maybe inspiring some others out there to chase their own dreams. We know they are all very special and aim to use their diverse skill sets seamlessly between Reservist and civilian lives. Instead too much time it seems is given to glorifying and advertising the antics of the dregs of our society - the drop outs and drop kicks who attack and pervade our preferred way of life, our homes and communities.
Western Sydney employers – I urge you to think seriously of becoming a supportive employer of Reservists. “
Visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves or call 1800 803 485.
