Volume 48, No. 20, November 2, 2006
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CUT ABOVE: ACWR Katie Shaw with a cheque for the Cancer Council.
Photos by CPL Rob Hack |
By Andrew Stackpool
WHEN a 1RTU course decided to raise money for the Cancer Council, one of the recruits knew exactly how to do it.
For the second time, and after some careful thought, ACWR Katie Shaw shaved her head.
“It was in week five of our recruit training,” she said. “I certainly don’t regret it and it’s actually been quite convenient.”
ACWR Shaw knows the horrors of cancer from personal experience after her mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2003. She endured chemotherapy and radiation treatment and has since made a full recovery.
“I shaved my head [then] to support her through the tough times.”
She said her mother and other people impacted by cancer had provided the inspiration for her shave.
“My hair will grow back. They go through more than we lucky people could ever imagine.”
She was overwhelmed with the support she received from 1RTU.
“Once the unit knew what I had done and why, recruits just came and donated money,” she said.
“It just started rolling and didn’t stop. The response was amazing. The whole of 1RTU joined together to support a great cause.
“I am overwhelmed, but it is important to stress that this is not my achievement. It’s the whole unit’s achievement.”
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With her 1RTU course, who helped her raise the funds by collecting from staff and students. |
ACWR Shaw previously served six-and-a-half years in the Air Force and decided to return as a Reservist.
“I know what a great lifestyle Air Force is, and I am looking forward to re-entering a working environment I love,” she said.
She joined as a clerk and has found 1RTU challenging. “I am exactly double the age I was the last time I went through recruit school, and I can honestly say that the body is feeling it a little more this time around. But I have a great bunch of fellow recruits around me that are never short of motivation and encouragement.”
Describing her head as feeling “a lot lighter,” ACWR Shaw said everyone had been very supportive of her new look. However, “I’m no Demi Moore,” she added.
