Centenary medal for Matthew

Right: LAC Matthew Bathe with his Centenary of Federation Medals.

By LACW Simone Liebelt
BY volunteering his time to help the community, Leading Aircraftman Matthew Bathe has earned the Centenary of Federation Medal.

LAC Bathe joins a number of Air Force members from around the country honoured for their contribution to the Australian Government and community at the time of the Centenary. More than 15,000 Australians received the medal for their individual achievements in April this year.

A ground support engineering fitter from No. 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, LAC Bathe was recognised for his volunteer service to the Leukaemia and Cancer Foundation and to Operation Gold Ceremonies at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

For the past three years he has volunteered for Camp Crystal, a weekend activity for children with leukaemia and cancer at a farm southwest of Amberley.

Along with a small number of volunteers from the base, he helps set up facilities and equipment and provides support to more than 150 children and their families during the two-day camp.

Receiving the Centenary Medal was an unexpected honour for LAC Bathe, who said helping sick kids and their parents to have a good time was rewarding enough.

“You go out there because it’s for a good cause, and at the end of the weekend you see that the kids have had a great time and everyone’s pretty happy with what we’ve done,” he said.

“You know you’re doing something good when the parents come up and says thanks. Some of the kid’s might not be there next year, so it really helps to take their minds off the troubles they’ve been going through.”

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