Meet Beth- Young Veteran and Paramedic
April 24, 2018in Community News
“To me, ANZAC Day is an opportunity to reflect and acknowledge the unique challenges, dedication and sacrifices made by past and present defence personnel. Our freedom and this beautiful country are a result of the sacrifices of those who went before us.
2018 marks the tenth year I’ve been in the Australian Army. The photo’s I’m holding in this picture are from my deployment. I’ve just come back from Iraq as part of Operation OKRA where I was attached to 3RAR Australian Army assisting in weapons training, improvised explosives device safety and tactical combat casualty care training.
Joining the Army was the best decision I’ve ever made. When I was 18 years old I wasn’t sure if I had what it took to become a paramedic. I knew I wanted a career that made a real difference. I wanted to be able to come home every day and feel like I had made a positive change in the world. So I challenged myself and joined the Army. I then started studying Paramedicine and have been on the road as a Paramedic with Ambulance Victoria for 5 years.
I was in Iraq the day Mosul was liberated. The happiness of the Iraqi Army trainees I was mentoring is something I’ll never forget. There was so much singing and dancing – but also the solemn remembrance of the human cost of their victory.
Wherever I look – at home or abroad – I can see the ANZAC spirit in the work that the ADF do.
Lest We Forget.