Meet the Talent
Behind the Scenes - Our Talent!
Readers will probably have seen them while reading Business Review Weekly, The Weekend Australian Magazine or one of the many popular business and specialty magazines that adorn news stands around Australia.
So who are they? They are the Defence Reservists who have volunteered to be the face of an advertising campaign promoting the benefits of Reserve service. Volunteer personnel from the three services have temporarily swapped their jobs and Reserve work to be the talent in these ads.
The support available to employers under the Employer Support Payment Scheme is highlighted in the ads, as well as the other benefits that flow back to business through employees receiving first rate training and leadership development in the Navy, Army or Air Force.
In this month’s e-newsletter, we talk to three of these committed individuals and learn the things motivating them to put on a uniform and serve their country.
Come inside and meet Lieutenant Jen Evans, Private Chris Spinks and Seaman Diver Daniel Morgan.
Lieutenant Jennifer Evans: Clinical Nurse Specialist-Cardio Thoracic Surgery
LEUT Jen Evans has always wanted to join the Navy for as long as she can remember. No surprise given that her Dad, LEUT David Evans was in the RAN for 40 years. Jen’s ambition to join the RAN became a reality after leaving school and obtaining her qualifications as a Clinical Nurse Specialist specialising in Cardio Thoracic Surgery. In 2003, Jen joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserve and was quickly engaged to apply her skills in the humanitarian relief operation, Operation Sumatra Assist – Australia’s contribution to disaster relief after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami.
Jen worked alongside other Reservists on HMAS Kanimbla in the Primary Care Reception Facility and was instrumental in having the facility commissioned while on the journey to Aceh.
Westmead Hospital in Sydney is Jen’s usual place of work and her manager Joanne Bancroft believes Jen’s experiences in the Reserves is of great benefit to the work she performs in the Cardiac Unit.
Private Chris Spinks: Driver 109
Chris is one of those young men who ooze enthusiasm, confidence and excitement about his life as an Army Reservist. A driver in the Royal Australian Corps Transport, 5 Combat Services Support Battalion, Second Division, Chris lives in Liverpool in Sydney and until recently was working at Bunnings Bankstown Store.
Chris’s supervisor at Bunnings, Mr Tim Brennan was complimentary in his praise of the skills, positive attitude and leadership that the Army Reserve enabled Chris to bring to his work at the hardware store.
“It was very clear that Chris’s involvement in the Army Reserve had a positive effect upon his work with us at Bunnings. His self discipline, his ability to work as a member of a team and to get on with the job and have fun at the same time made Chris a great employee for us!”
Chris has taken a gap year from study for a Bachelor of Health Science to pursue his career in the Reserves. He has joined the High Readiness Reserve for two years and will soon deploy overseas for three months to further his career as a Reserve soldier.
The Army and future employers have much to gain from this ambitious young man who had the time of his life on the recent multi-national exercise Talisman Sabre. The opportunities, the mateship and the variety of experiences are just some of the reasons Chris gives for joining the Reserves. Driving six wheel drive Unimogs and LandRovers has a certain appeal for a man in a hurry!
Seaman Daniel Morgan: Diver in Clearance Diving Team 5.
Daniel Morgan is a fire fighter in his civilian life. He must enjoy hazardous work, because he is a Clearance Diver in his Navy life. Dan is member of Clearance Dive Team Number 5, a Reserve Team based at HMAS Waterhen in Fleet Base East.
Dan describes his role in CDT 5 as providing underwater battlefield damage repair capability, mine recovery and route survey.
He relishes the opportunities to learn new skills that complement his work as a “Firie”. Skills he has learnt in the RANR that have enriched his work in the Blacktown Fire Brigade include the use of breathing apparatus, diving and safety awareness in confined spaces, using underwater hydraulic tools and Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
Dan became involved in the advertising campaign when his employer, the New South Wales Fire Brigade, was awarded the NSW Employer of the Year in 2006 in recognition of the support that was provided to Dan over a lengthy period.
Dan’s supervisor, Inspector Bob Alexander, strongly supports his involvement in the Defence Reserves.
“Dan has a wonderful ability to work in a team, something that quite clearly the RAN has contributed to in his development.
The Fire Brigade needs to collaborate very closely with many different organisations and people and Dan’s ability to work with others helps us to do this.”
Dan’s career in both the RANR and the NSW Fire Brigade is on the rise. He will soon take up a new position in the Fire Investigation Unit and hopes to soon obtain his Small Boat Coxswains Certificate.
Readers will probably have seen them while reading Business Review Weekly, The Weekend Australian Magazine or one of the many popular business and specialty magazines that adorn news stands around Australia.
So who are they? They are the Defence Reservists who have volunteered to be the face of an advertising campaign promoting the benefits of Reserve service. Volunteer personnel from the three services have temporarily swapped their jobs and Reserve work to be the talent in these ads.
The support available to employers under the Employer Support Payment Scheme is highlighted in the ads, as well as the other benefits that flow back to business through employees receiving first rate training and leadership development in the Navy, Army or Air Force.
In this month’s e-newsletter, we talk to three of these committed individuals and learn the things motivating them to put on a uniform and serve their country.
Come inside and meet Lieutenant Jen Evans, Private Chris Spinks and Seaman Diver Daniel Morgan.
Lieutenant Jennifer Evans: Clinical Nurse Specialist-Cardio Thoracic Surgery
LEUT Jen Evans has always wanted to join the Navy for as long as she can remember. No surprise given that her Dad, LEUT David Evans was in the RAN for 40 years. Jen’s ambition to join the RAN became a reality after leaving school and obtaining her qualifications as a Clinical Nurse Specialist specialising in Cardio Thoracic Surgery. In 2003, Jen joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserve and was quickly engaged to apply her skills in the humanitarian relief operation, Operation Sumatra Assist – Australia’s contribution to disaster relief after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami.
Jen worked alongside other Reservists on HMAS Kanimbla in the Primary Care Reception Facility and was instrumental in having the facility commissioned while on the journey to Aceh.
Westmead Hospital in Sydney is Jen’s usual place of work and her manager Joanne Bancroft believes Jen’s experiences in the Reserves is of great benefit to the work she performs in the Cardiac Unit.
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Private Chris Spinks: Driver 109
Chris is one of those young men who ooze enthusiasm, confidence and excitement about his life as an Army Reservist. A driver in the Royal Australian Corps Transport, 5 Combat Services Support Battalion, Second Division, Chris lives in Liverpool in Sydney and until recently was working at Bunnings Bankstown Store.
Chris’s supervisor at Bunnings, Mr Tim Brennan was complimentary in his praise of the skills, positive attitude and leadership that the Army Reserve enabled Chris to bring to his work at the hardware store.
“It was very clear that Chris’s involvement in the Army Reserve had a positive effect upon his work with us at Bunnings. His self discipline, his ability to work as a member of a team and to get on with the job and have fun at the same time made Chris a great employee for us!”
Chris has taken a gap year from study for a Bachelor of Health Science to pursue his career in the Reserves. He has joined the High Readiness Reserve for two years and will soon deploy overseas for three months to further his career as a Reserve soldier.
The Army and future employers have much to gain from this ambitious young man who had the time of his life on the recent multi-national exercise Talisman Sabre. The opportunities, the mateship and the variety of experiences are just some of the reasons Chris gives for joining the Reserves. Driving six wheel drive Unimogs and LandRovers has a certain appeal for a man in a hurry!
Seaman Daniel Morgan: Diver in Clearance Diving Team 5.
Daniel Morgan is a fire fighter in his civilian life. He must enjoy hazardous work, because he is a Clearance Diver in his Navy life. Dan is member of Clearance Dive Team Number 5, a Reserve Team based at HMAS Waterhen in Fleet Base East.
Dan describes his role in CDT 5 as providing underwater battlefield damage repair capability, mine recovery and route survey.
He relishes the opportunities to learn new skills that complement his work as a “Firie”. Skills he has learnt in the RANR that have enriched his work in the Blacktown Fire Brigade include the use of breathing apparatus, diving and safety awareness in confined spaces, using underwater hydraulic tools and Occupational Health and Safety procedures.
Dan became involved in the advertising campaign when his employer, the New South Wales Fire Brigade, was awarded the NSW Employer of the Year in 2006 in recognition of the support that was provided to Dan over a lengthy period.
Dan’s supervisor, Inspector Bob Alexander, strongly supports his involvement in the Defence Reserves.
“Dan has a wonderful ability to work in a team, something that quite clearly the RAN has contributed to in his development.
The Fire Brigade needs to collaborate very closely with many different organisations and people and Dan’s ability to work with others helps us to do this.”
Dan’s career in both the RANR and the NSW Fire Brigade is on the rise. He will soon take up a new position in the Fire Investigation Unit and hopes to soon obtain his Small Boat Coxswains Certificate.
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