Flight Lieutenant Nicholas O'Connor's passion as an ADF reservist and the commitment of his employer to support his part-time career have been recognised with a prestigious award.
Flight Lieutenant O'Connor, an Air Force specialist reservist military public affairs officer, has been recognised with a Prince of Wales Award, presented by the Governor of Queensland in May.
The award recognises the excellence of ADF reservists, and the support they receive from their civilian employers, through the provision of up to $10,000 towards training and professional development.
Flight Lieutenant O'Connor, of North Queensland's 464 Squadron, said he would use his award funds to pay for a digital transformation degree through the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Completing the course will help enhance his skill set as a director at the Burdekin Shire Council.
"My civilian employer gets tangible benefits from me completing the course. That helps to build the relationship between the civilian employer and the ADF and they can see some direct benefit," Flight Lieutenant O'Connor said.
"I'm incredibly grateful to receive this award that will allow me to keep my skills current both as a communications specialist and in my leadership role in local government."
His interest in the ADF started as a young boy growing up in Brisbane in the early '80s, and was further sparked while listening to his grandparents share stories of their own military careers and experiences during World War 2.
In the four decades since, Flight Lieutenant O'Connor has been a reservist in both the Army and the Air Force.
"My career in the ADF started in 1996 when I joined the Army Reserves as an infantry soldier," he said.
"I discharged from the Army in the late '90s to focus on my civilian career, starting a family and finishing off my university degree.
"The desire to serve remained strong and I joined the RAAF as a specialist reservist in 2006.
"My parents are proud that I've been able to carry on the family tradition as an ADF member and I'm incredibly grateful to have had the most amazing experiences with the ADF both domestically and overseas."
More information on Defence's support to ADF reservists and their civilian employers is available at www.reserveemployersupport.gov.au
