With less than two weeks left until the close of entries for ADM’s Women in Defence Awards (WIDA) 2022, ADM is taking a look back at the winners of our 2021 awards across nine categories.
The Operations category recognises the defence community’s most outstanding female individual working in deployed/remote areas with a focus on logistics, services and support roles.
The 2021 winner was Corporal Kristie Connell of the Australian Army. A Special Mention was also awarded to Tracey Clavell of BAE Systems Australia.
Corporal Connell’s achievements as a part-time serving member of the ADF in 2020 present her as clear role model.
Corporal Connell deployed on Operation Bushfire Assist as a Combat Medical Attendant in support of the Engineer Regiment Task Group. Corporal Connell provided health support to ADF members, international military members and civilians. Her stand-out achievement was the short notice professional assistance she provided to a woman in labour who was waiting paramedic support and ambulance transportation. She also provided immediate medical support to an Indonesian soldier who was having a cardiac emergency.
Due to her high Army ethos and Defence values, she was selected as a spokesperson to employers of Defence Reserves.
When she's not in uniform, Corporal Connell is an experienced school teacher and registered intensive care unit nurse in Coffs Harbour.
The other finalists in the WIDA 2021 Operations category were: Karla Duroy of BGIS, Cathy Sergi of Serco ADF Health Services Contract, Corporal Michelle Volkers of the Royal Australian Air Force, Petty Officer Electrical Technician Ci-anna Smith of the Royal Australian Navy and Commander Andrea Argirides of Headquarters Joint Operations Command.
Entries for the WIDA 2022 awards close on Tuesday 17th May. Submit your nomination here, or contact Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard for more information.
