Page 30 - Australian Defence Mag Sep 2020

30 DEFENCE INDUSTRY WIDA
SEPTEMBER 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
KERRI-ANN WOODBURY OF QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Kerri-Ann is an academic at the Queensland University of Technology, where she is the Course Coordinator for Paramedic Science. Kerri-Ann is a Registered Nurse with 18 years’ experience across public, private and military health care settings, including as a Nursing Officer in the Australian Army. In addition, Kerri-Ann’s PhD thesis, examining the impact of deployment on the intimate relationships of Australian Army personnel and their partners, is currently under examination.
PETTY OFFICER NATALIE STEPHENS OF ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
Natalie’s commitment to the ADF and retention of women in Defence unsurpassed; she was selected by the Chair of Diversity Reference Group – Women (DRG-W). Her passion and enthusiasm for her DRG-W role is quite apparent in conversation and her ideas for retention are commendable. Additionally, PO Stephens has had a significant impact during her most recent posting, particularly with the members on maternity leave and related transition points with a number of programs aimed to making it easier for families to return to work more smoothly.
MAJOR GENERAL NATASHA FOX OF DEFENCE PEOPLE GROUP
Natasha was instrumental in the decision to appoint a National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention. She is a member on a number of Department of Veterans Affairs and Ex-Serving Organisations committees. She is also a member of two important committees with further links with the wider Defence community: the Council for Women and Families United by Defence Service and the Suffering of War and Service Commission. Membership on these two committees include the mothers and partners of Defence members who had died by suicide. Her authenticity and compassion has enabled these families a voice to be heard; to move forward, learn from the past and realise change for the future. In 2019, Major General Fox wrote the Defence’s ‘Family Support Program’. The ‘Family Support Program’ is a capstone document. This paper is one of two foundation documents, with the paper ‘An Overview of Transition’ that detail how Defence will support its members and their families.
KIMBERLY BURNS OF PENTEN
Kim has over 15 years experience in Human Resources in the Middle East and Australia. Kim is committed to innovation and creativity within People and Culture. Since starting at Penten, Kim has implemented innovative people initiatives. She has set a leading standard for medium to large business.
She also developed the Canberra ‘Hacking HR’ Chapter to collaborate and share practical resources with other people passionate about the intersection of work.
CAPTAIN GAI CATHCART OF SALVATION ARMY
Captain Gai Cathcart is the Salvation Army RSDS representative at the 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, based in Edinburgh, South Australia. Together with her husband Peer they provide philanthropic support to the Battalion. This involves the mentoring and counselling support to Battalion members, provision of refreshments to soldiers in the field and general welfare support to the Battalion. Gai has excelled in her role and far exceeds her tasks and responsibilities. During 2019 she provided outstanding support to the 7th Battalion and other Edinburgh units by providing support to families in any way possible.
KARYN HINDER OF WORKING SPIRIT
Karyn is the Founder of Working Spirit, a national not-for-profit supporting veteran employment in WA, SA and QLD. She is also the Founder of WOVEN (Women’s Veteran Employment Network). She is an active reservist, and served 25 years with both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Airforce. To date, she has single-handedly supported 106 veterans into employment through Working Spirit.