The 2021 Women in Defence Awards will (finally!) take place on 01 February following several postponements. The event will be held virtually due to the current public health situation in eastern Australia.
Ahead of the event, we are proud to introduce our readers to the amazing finalists across nine categories. Today we are focusing on the finalists in Operations.
Corporal Kristie Connell of Australian Army
Kristie achievements as a part-time serving member of the ADF in 2020 present her as clear role model. Kristie deployed on Operation Bushfire Assist as a Combat Medical Attendant in support of the Engineer Regiment Task Group. Kristie provided health support to ADF members, international military members and civilians. The stand-out achievement for Kristie 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, Kristie is an experienced school teacher and registered intensive care unit nurse in Coffs Harbour.
Karla Duroy of BGIS
In 2019, Karla assumed the position of Estate Maintenance Operations Services (EMOS) Manager for the Sydney City Metro base service area – the first woman to fill this position at BGIS. In 2020, Karla delivered an impressive $4.4 million in project works under a Government stimulus program – the highest delivery of works amongst her peers, which included the engagement of 20 new SMEs, including an Indigenous enterprise, who continue to provide services to BGIS. As the Indigenous Lead for BGIS' Defence Indigenous Engagement sub-committee, Karla passionately drives initiatives and engagement activities that are making a difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
Cathy Sergi of Serco ADF Health Services Contract
Cathy is the Regional Operations Manager, Northern NSW for Serco, ADF Health Services. Cathy’s commitment, focus and delivery resulted in Serco achieving the highest level of service across its regions and a fill rate exceeding 98% of the required clinical hours, month on month throughout 2020. This result means that ADF members continued to receive a high level of medical care. Cathy, through her excellent communication and dedication, coordinated clinical response teams to be activated and co-created solutions with the ADF and Bupa teams. Without this, vaccination clinics, medicals and reviews would have been delayed. For her work, Cathy received a Commendation from the Commanding Officer for the Northern NSW JHU.
Corporal Michelle Volkers of the Royal Australian Air Force
Michelle is a member of Air Mobility Group – the Air Force’s air transport, air-to-air refuelling and VIP aircraft Force Element Group. She is responsible for identifying and coordination of AMG’s personnel contribution to operations and exercises. In 2020, she became responsible for single-handedly managing the coordination of the domestic and international deployment of all Air Mobility Group personnel, a role normally conducted by three members of significant experience and seniority. Michelle’s initiative, responsiveness and dedication enabled Air Force to maintain pace with rapidly-evolving requirements to support State Government requests for ADF assistance across Australia.
Petty Officer Electrical Technician Ci-anna Smith of the Royal Australian Navy
As the Weapons Systems Supervisors in HMAS Stuart in 2020, Ci-anna was responsible for every aspect of operational effectiveness of the entire suite of weapons onboard. She ensured exceptional system availability across the full gamut of naval operations and was central to all successes enjoyed by the ship. For a large part of 2020 she was also the leader of the ships Standing Sea Fire and Emergency Party and excelled in this complex leadership role. She also took the initiative to provide an opportunity for non-technically trained female sailors to gain hands on trade experience.
Commander Andrea Argirides of Headquarters Joint Operations Command
Andrea is a combat archaeologist and cultural heritage expert within the Intelligence Branch, Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC). She is currently deployed to Iraq as the Gender Advisor for Combined Joint Strategy and Plans, Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2020, as the lead subject matter expert on Cultural Property Protection, she provided detailed input and advice regarding the implications for operations, should Australia accede to the Additional Protocols of The Hague Conventions encompassing non-international armed conflict. Her leadership and determination means that Cultural Property Protection now influences the planning and conduct of Australian Defence Force operations, actions and activities.
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