Why Me? Why Defence? Why Now?

To those new to my feed, welcome — I'm Katie, it's great to meet you.

If you've been following my journey, you're probably already aware of my roots in Perth's recruitment sector.

My career path has been multifaceted, encompassing substantial experience in traditional energy, as well as related fields like new energy, power generation, and mining.

As I approach my two-year milestone with Brunel Energy next month, my professional focus has evolved to encompass the Defence and maritime sectors. You might wonder how this aligns with my previous experience, so allow me to address three key questions:

Why me? Why Defence? Why now?

Well, the truth is, Defence isn't new to me—it’s in my blood.

My family has deep ties to Australia's Defence and maritime sectors.

Let me share just a few of many examples with you:

My maternal grandfather was a Petty Officer in the Royal Australian Navy (pictured above) who served as a minesweeper before leading the Medical Corps at Leeuwin Barracks, here in Perth. Tragically, he lost his life in 1990 due to radiation poisoning from the 1952-56 Montebello Islands nuclear tests.

My mother’s childhood was shaped by constant deployment relocations, and the impact of my grandfather's service, and his father's military service in the Australian Army (pictured) still lingers.

My grandfather on my father’s side was a dedicated Wharfie in the maritime sector, with over 40 years of service.

My father himself worked as Caretaker of the Maritime Union Australia (M.U.A) Holiday Camps at Point Peron (pictured below). He remained as Caretaker throughout my childhood for over 16 years, with my sister and I growing up in proximity to the Garden Island Naval Base, next door to the RSL Veterans Campus.

This exposure sparked my deep fascination with Defence, nurtured by hearing incredible stories from the local war heroes.

My father also worked on the wharf in Henderson, WA, and on Barrow Island as a contractor through Offshore Marine Services, and Patrick’s Projects, until his retirement.

At 12, I was awarded a marine biology scholarship, and by 15, I was volunteering as part of the Sail Crew on the Leeuwin Voyager (pictured below). My passion for the Defence and maritime industries has only deepened since, and my favourite hobbies, such as boating, fishing and snorkeling, continue to reflect my strong connection with all things ocean-based.

With 11 years in recruitment and sales, I'm naturally drawn to applying my skill set to an industry I've grown up with.

Defence, like many sectors, demands resilience, competitiveness, and hard work.

However, this industry feels like home to me, seamlessly blending my personal history, passions, and professional skills with my drive to make an impact and expand my network.

I'm excited to continue diving deeper (pun-intended!) into a field that bridges my past with my future career ambitions.

But, Why Join Defence Now?

Below are examples of key reasons:

- Increased Defence Spending: The Australian Government’s recent Defence budget increase has led to new projects, like the $11 billion frigate program, significantly expanding the need for skilled professionals across various roles.

- AUKUS Agreement Impact: The AUKUS pact has accelerated projects such as the development of advanced submarines and missile systems, creating new opportunities for experts in these high-tech fields.

- Naval Shipbuilding Programs: The continuous investment in shipbuilding, including the Hunter-class frigates and the Attack-class submarines, highlights the growing demand for engineers, project managers, and maritime specialists.

- Expansion of Defence Industry: The focus on enhancing local manufacturing capabilities, exemplified by the creation of new Defence facilities and supply chains, is generating a wide range of job opportunities in production, logistics, and support roles.

- Technological Advancements: The Defence sector's adoption of AI and autonomous systems, as seen in projects like the development of drone technology and smart weaponry, underscores the need for talent skilled in these advanced technologies.

What’s Next?

I need your help.

I’m eager to grow quickly within Defence, and I know that to achieve this, I need to learn as much as I can, as fast as possible from connections in my network, like yourself.

If you’re local, an expert in the Australian Defence Force, and have time for a free coffee, please reach out: [email protected]

I look forward to meeting you and hearing your story.

For everyone else—stay tuned.

Links with more information here:

?https://slwa.wa.gov.au/stories/slwa-abc-radio/montebello-islands-nuclear-testing

https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/industrial-base-expanded-deliver-navys-enhanced-lethality-surface-combatant-fleetmedia-releases/2024-02-20

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-10-03/preparing-new-landmark-treaty

https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2024-09-17/launch-defence-innovation-science-and-technology-strategy

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