Our People in NSW
Matt Young - Taree
After two months jungle training at Canungra, local reservist Private Matthew Young will be deploying to East Timor for eight months. He won’t be visiting his Mum Lea till early next year but there’s no doubt his national serviceman Dad Ray Young, now passed away, would have been proud of him.
Matt will be part of the 500-strong Australian-led international force in East Timor. They are there at the invitation of the East Timorese government to help provide stability while local groups sort out their differences in a peaceful and democratic way.
“We’re on pre-deployment training now,” said Matt. “As an infantryman over there I’ll be manning vehicle check-points and patrolling around town or around the regions.
“I’ve been training before in Malaysia and Singapore but this will be my first overseas operation.
“I’ve always been interested in the Army and said I’d join if anything happened,” he said. “After 9/11, I found I was too old for the Regulars but still wanted to do my bit as a citizen — so in 2008 I finally got to wear Army uniform as a reservist.
“We also get involved in a lot of humanitarian work — being able to help those less fortunate.
“But eight months is a long time away, so I’m already thinking about my first surf when I’m back at the Old Bar or Crowdy Head. But it will be great to catch up, and I’m also planning to buy a house. It’s never too late to start!”
By the time he marches on next year’s Anzac Day, Matt will also be wearing his Australian Service Medal with East Timor clasp, and the East Timor Solidarity Medal awarded to him by the East Timor government. Only a month later he’ll be entitled to the Defence Medal for four years’ service. Like the man says, it’s never too late to start.
Of the 100,000 Australians entitled to wear Army uniform, some 45,000 are Reservists. They are all volunteers and have to volunteer again if they want to deploy overseas. Reservists can also take part in Australia-based border protection and security operations such as the Commonwealth Games. Employers are compensated financially while their reservists are away on duty.