Meet our veterans

Military service is in Bill Sandstrom’s blood, as he has followed the unusual career path of: Norwegian King’s Royal Guard, Australian Army Reserves, Continuous Full-Time Service in the Australian Army and now an employee at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The one reoccurring theme is the ‘military’.

Able Seaman Nathan ‘Tex’ Walker, who was born and raised in Penrith, worked casual odd jobs until he decided to get himself a career.

“Ultimately, everything worked out for the best” remarked Royal Australian Navy veteran Dean Marchini as he reflects on his discharge from the Navy.

Lieutenant Remy Coll is no stranger to career changes. He recently transitioned from full-time service to the Army Reserves, where his military career started. He is now working in cyber operations in the private sector.

Murray Gordon joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a Navigator in 1976 and has performed many roles in his more than four decades of service, including more recently on a part time basis with the Reserves.

Former Sergeant Shamiso Rahman’s recent medical transition from the Army has opened up opportunities to take the experiences and qualifications he gained in the military and commence a new career.

Philip Crothers joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Aircraft Technician (ATECH) in 2002 and served in that position for 5 years, before transferring to be a Guardsman at Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG), where he trained and became the Precision Drill Team Commander.

Lieutenant Commander Errika Meades was just 13 when she went to an Australian submarine open day with her father. From that moment, she knew she wanted to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

John Clarkson joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as an apprentice in January 1960. He served as an Armament Fitter for nearly 25 years which included servicing all weapons systems and aircrew escape systems. John was discharged in 1984.

When former Warrant Officer Phillip Cock transitioned from permanent service in January 2001, the process was very different to the one that he now assists Australian Defence Force (ADF) members to navigate in his role as an ADF Transition Coach in South Australia.