Reservist Case Studies
Poppy Wenham
Visitor Services Manager
“The personal growth was just enormous,” agrees Poppy.
Carol also sees a strong relationship between the War Memorial and the Reserve, and a shared commitment to support and
promote each other.
“Our core business and the business of the Reserve have some very close links,” explains Carol. “Poppy is always eager to share her Reservist experiences to enhance the War Memorial’s priceless collections, usually by taking fi lms and photographs, doing research
or writing diaries.”
From Poppy’s perspective, the War Memorial was very supportive when she went to Bougainville, approving leave without pay but
counting it as service so that her superannuation and other benefi ts were not disrupted.
“So I was delighted to repay them by providing information about peacekeeping operations,” she says.
Poppy feels she has the best of both worlds: a busy and important job at the Australian War Memorial, and the full support of her
employer for both the Defence Reserve and her enthusiastic involvement with them.
In her words, a great balance in her life.
Visitor Services Manager
"As a Reservist, she has really developed her skills in dealing with people."
Carol Cartright
Head of Education and Visitor Services
“It brings great balance to my life …”
Lance Corporal Poppy Wenham radiates enthusiasm for life. After eight years as a Reservist she is now a Section Commander for a combat support battalion, handling the complex logistics of moving equipment, supplies and personnel. “Being a Reservist has exceeded all my expectations,” says Poppy. “The opportunities to make friends from all over the world, people out of my age group,
out of my social sphere, out of my region. My life is so much richer for meeting them. I wish I had enlisted years earlier!”
At the same time, Poppy is Visitor Services Manager at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, overseeing as many as 60 staff who provide the front-of-house contact with the public at one of Australia’s biggest, busiest and most important visitor destinations.
Carol Cartwright, Head of Education and Visitor Services responsible for managing around one million visitors a year, is equally enthusiastic about Poppy’s contribution. “As a Reservist, she has really developed her skills in dealing with people and we benefit from that,” says Carol. “There is no doubt that her peacekeeping deployment in Bougainville, living and working in those conditions, gave her an inner strength and a tolerance that she transferred back to our workplace.”
“My life is so much richer for meeting them. I wish I had enlisted years earlier!.”
Poppy Wenham,
Visitor Services Manager
Carol Cartright
Head of Education and Visitor Services
“It brings great balance to my life …”
Lance Corporal Poppy Wenham radiates enthusiasm for life. After eight years as a Reservist she is now a Section Commander for a combat support battalion, handling the complex logistics of moving equipment, supplies and personnel. “Being a Reservist has exceeded all my expectations,” says Poppy. “The opportunities to make friends from all over the world, people out of my age group,
out of my social sphere, out of my region. My life is so much richer for meeting them. I wish I had enlisted years earlier!”
At the same time, Poppy is Visitor Services Manager at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, overseeing as many as 60 staff who provide the front-of-house contact with the public at one of Australia’s biggest, busiest and most important visitor destinations.
Carol Cartwright, Head of Education and Visitor Services responsible for managing around one million visitors a year, is equally enthusiastic about Poppy’s contribution. “As a Reservist, she has really developed her skills in dealing with people and we benefit from that,” says Carol. “There is no doubt that her peacekeeping deployment in Bougainville, living and working in those conditions, gave her an inner strength and a tolerance that she transferred back to our workplace.”
“My life is so much richer for meeting them. I wish I had enlisted years earlier!.”
Poppy Wenham,
Visitor Services Manager
“The personal growth was just enormous,” agrees Poppy.
Carol also sees a strong relationship between the War Memorial and the Reserve, and a shared commitment to support and
promote each other.
“Our core business and the business of the Reserve have some very close links,” explains Carol. “Poppy is always eager to share her Reservist experiences to enhance the War Memorial’s priceless collections, usually by taking fi lms and photographs, doing research
or writing diaries.”
From Poppy’s perspective, the War Memorial was very supportive when she went to Bougainville, approving leave without pay but
counting it as service so that her superannuation and other benefi ts were not disrupted.
“So I was delighted to repay them by providing information about peacekeeping operations,” she says.
Poppy feels she has the best of both worlds: a busy and important job at the Australian War Memorial, and the full support of her
employer for both the Defence Reserve and her enthusiastic involvement with them.
In her words, a great balance in her life.
