I was looking for a challenge that was very different to my civilian role as a banker. Something that was flexible and easy to work around my life and that provided opportunities to learn new skills.

As I was working in a traditional 9 to 5 job, adding in time with the Army Reserve was a perfect fit and it also allowed me to supplement my income with tax-free pay.

Army Reserve parade nights see us learning infantry tactics and weapon proficiency to establish and maintain basic soldiering skills. I go on exercises to further build these combat skills and we also get involved in helping communities in need.

Operation Bushfire Assist was a powerful experience for all of us and an opportunity that I never imagined I would get. It was very rewarding and the local communities in the Alpine and Gippsland regions of regional Victoria were extremely welcoming of the Army.

One time when we were stopping on the road for food, one of the local kids – a girl of around 5 years old – came up to me to thank me for helping out with the bushfires. It was a heart-warming moment.

I was also particularly lucky to get a job with CIMIC (Civil and Military Cooperation), driving and visiting around 20 towns in the Alpine region on a community engagement role. We spoke with local residents, shop owners, council and state government officials and police, to assist with a report on how local communities regard the Army – which I’m pleased to say was overwhelmingly positive!