Our People in ACT
Evelyn Villalon - Local playing an important role in the Middle East
Petty Officer Evelyn Villalon, who grew up in Canberra, is currently on active duty in the Middle East as a member of the crew of the Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Anzac.
Evelyn plays an important role as the ship’s Clinical Manager, managing the sickbay and the health requirements of the entire ship’s crew.
“It is my job to ensure that the crew is in good health so they can perform at their best while at sea,” she said.
“I also manage the First Aid training for the crew and provide them with as much medical care as I can while at sea. Unless we have a doctor onboard, I am the highest trained medical provider onboard.”
Evelyn is a graduate of Kaleen High School and Hawker College. She says that she always wanted to work in the medical field and to travel, so thought joining the Navy would satisfy both these wishes.
“I joined the Navy in 2003 as a Medical Assistant and have spent the last 12 months training at HMAS Penguin Medical School as a Clinical Manager. Two months after graduating she was promoted to the rank of Petty Officer and posted to HMAS Anzac.
Evelyn has already put her medical training to good use when she found herself part of a medical team that saved a man’s life when he suffered a heart attack. For this she was awarded a Commander Australian Navy Systems Command Commendation in 2008.
“Being able to provide the care for the men and women of the Navy is extremely rewarding to me,” she said. “When they say thank you for all the help you provide it’s nice to know you have made a difference. But being given responsibility for running a sick bay on a ship that has been deployed to the operational area is the highlight of my career so far.”
HMAS Anzac departed on 14 July, for a six-month deployment to the Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO) where the ship's company will conduct maritime security operations that include maritime interception operations as part of Operation Slipper. The ship will support missions involving anti-terrorism, counter piracy and theatre security operations as part of the Australian Defence Force's contribution to operations in the MEAO.