Anzac Day has always been an important day for Captain Erica Hansch so she was humbled when asked to be the guest speaker at the Wellington Anzac Day service this year.
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Captain Hansch grew up in a military family - her mother’s side going back six
generations and her father served in the Army for 27 years.
In fact, having such role models influenced her decision to join the Army Reserves.
“Dad’s got really strong leadership qualities, he is very community-minded, a people person,” she said.
“I was wanting to serve the country and follow the family tradition, so I joined the Army Reserves for something other than my vocational career (as an officer of Environment and Heritage).”
“I have had fantastic opportunities while in the military, the chance to go overseas a couple of times on various deployment to the Solomon Islands and the Philippines, and the north coast of WA where we helped build facilities for an Aboriginal community up there.”
With so many opportunities to help people over the years, she believes that there is more to a military career than defence.
Captain Hansch looks forward to talking about her experience in the Solomon Islands at the service tomorrow.
“I returned in April last year after spending eight months over there.
“Some of the fiercest fighting in WWII took place there so there was a lot of history there with relics.
“It reminds you being in a country that is third-world, they are eons away from what we experience.
“They don’t have running water, a change of clothes. It was a real eye-opener.”
She believes that Anzac Day is about appreciating the sacrifices that were made for Australians in the war, and hopes that the younger generations come to understand it.
“I hope they get to appreciate even a little bit the sacrifices that have been made for us and them, and ideally would like to see them follow in the footsteps of their dad, grandfather and great grandfathers in serving their country,” she said.
“Being in the military you learn so many skills that apply to life.
“Commitment, self-discipline, all the qualities that took soldiers through wars like courage.”
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