The Driver
Paramedic Georgia Young has been a member of the local catafalque party at Anzac Day services for the last eight years.
After starting her work life in the Australian Army, the Acting Station Officer at Cowra is now an Army reservist with the 5th Combat Service Support Battalion.
For a minimum of 21 days a year, Georgia contributes her skills as a specialist driver to Australian Defence Force (ADF) exercises.
“I drive a Mack-and-20 – that’s a Mack truck with a 20-tonne semi-trailer - transporting supplies and personnel,” Georgia told Sirens.
“I’ve travelled to every state in Australia in support of Army exercises, including Combined Arms Training Activities at Cultana near Port Augusta and Shoalwater Bay in Rockhampton. “The Shoalwater Bay Exercise Talisman Sabre is a major combined international exercise involving thousands of troops on land, sea and in the air with major assets such as Australian and allied warships, fighters, bombers, helicopters, armour and artillery. I got to work alongside the US Marines and the Japanese Army – which was really cool.”
When in uniform, Georgia proudly wears her four-year Australian Defence Medal as well as her NSW Ambulance Pandemic Service Medal.
“I enjoy Reserves because it’s nice to do something different outside of your usual work. Reserves have the same sort of people you meet in NSW Ambulance, working in the same sort of environments.
“Working for NSW Ambulance I’ve never had trouble accessing military leave. Actually, the money I got from Reserves paid for my paramedicine degree.”
This year Georgia won’t be part of the Anzac Day catafalque party. She’s deep into the third trimester of her first pregnancy. As well as motherhood, she’s planning ahead for her future in both services.
“When I return to work, I’m looking to transfer my reservist service to become a combat paramedic – so I’ll be using my paramedic skills for NSW Ambulance and the Army,” Georgia said.
The Foreman Carpenter
Paramedic Stephen Gregory from Taree has been a reservist for more than 30 years.
“I serve with the 101st Construction Squadron in the 5th Engineer Regiment, a Reserve unit of the Royal Australian Engineers.”
“I was doing my carpentry apprenticeship in the 1990s when I first joined the Army Reserves, coming into NSW Ambulance later via the vocational pathway in 1997,” Stephen said. “I’ve made lots of good friends through my service, and I’d recommend the Reserves to anyone.”
Anzac Day has been a part of Corporal Stephen Gregory’s service too.
“I’ve been involved in marches and catafalque parties for around 20 years. I was even a flag bearer at the Sydney march one year. It was great. I got to meet World War II veterans, who were still with us at the time, which was so inspiring.”
Stephen’s service also included a three-month deployment to Fiji in 2021, mentoring local trades during the rebuilding of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces’ Blackrock Camp in Nadi.
The Commanding Officer
Wyong Station Officer Andrew Kfoury holds one of the most important ranks in the Australian Army Reserve. In January 2022, Andrew was appointed Commanding Officer of the 2nd/17th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment. The Regiment’s history predates Federation and includes the Australian Army’s first battle honour from Suakin in northeastern Sudan in 1885.
Andrew came to NSW Ambulance in 1997 after an early career in the Commonwealth public service. He’s worked at stations in the Sydney metropolitan and Central Coast regions. Andrew’s highlights include postings with Special Operations Command and Army Headquarters, as well as serving on domestic and overseas operations. In 2018, he was appointed Honorary Aide de Camp to the Governor of NSW, a position he held until he was appointed to his current command.
“At NSW Ambulance, my personal passions are ceremonial protocol and frontline welfare management. I’ve enjoyed being a regular mentor and preceptor to paramedic interns and trainees.”
“As Commanding Officer, I lead, manage and train officers and soldiers for operations in support of the Australian Army mission,” Andrew explained, while on exercise commanding Battle Group Waratah near Singleton.
Last year’s Anzac Day was a family affair for Andrew, joining the Sydney Anzac Day march with his daughter Jasmine, then a member of the Australian Army Cadets and his youngest son Alexander, who’s looking to join Army Cadets when he turns 12.
“For me Anzac Day is all about reflection and acknowledgement,” Andrew said. “We remember those men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, and we recognise the current Australian Defence Force members who are willing to do so.”
Reservists working at NSW Health have access to 24 days of leave on full pay for ADF Reserve service in any 12-month period.