Timor time runs in family

Corporal Shelley Hawker with a few reminders of home while in her East Timor office. Photo by FLGOFF Simon Paton

By FLGOFF Simon Paton

CORPORAL Shelley Hawker isn’t the first in her family to serve in East Timor – she arrived only a month after her husband Damon, a Sergeant in Security Police, returned to Australia.

Supporting Australia’s contribution in East Timor seems to run in the Hawker family.

CPL Hawker arrived in August, having previously held the position of clerk in the Health Service Flight in No. 322 Combat Support Squadron at Tindal.

“Our Flight doesn’t deploy as a single unit, but an opportunity presented itself and I was offered this six-month deployment. Although initially hesitant, I’m delighted I accepted the chance,”she said.

“I’m the only RAAFie in an office of Army clerks over here, but we’re a great group and we feel like one big family.”

Reflecting on the month just past, she misses her husband and three-year-old daughter Emily, but knows she’s contributing to helping East Timor’s transition.

“Of course I miss my family but being able to serve on this deployment is a great honour for anyone in uniform and I am really enjoying the experience,” CPL Hawker said.

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