Our People in NSW
Theresa Whyte - Pottsville Waters
Able Seaman Theresa Whyte is currently deployed to Greece as part of a contingent of Australia’s Federation Guard commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete.
Theresa grew up in Pottsville Waters and attended Kingscliff High School, where she was a life saver and a keen surfer.
After finishing school Theresa worked in hospitality in Byron Bay before deciding to join the Army as an Operator Supply responsible for issuing and maintaining stores and equipment.
“I joined the Army because it was something that had always interested me and I wanted a challenge,” Theresa said.
“I was posted to Darwin’s 1st Combat Service Support Battalion and deployed to East Timor in 2000 where I spent seven months.”
After returning to Australian and completing a number of postings in the Darwin area, Theresa volunteered to join Australia’s Federation Guard in Canberra.
“I was looking for a bit of respite from being out in the bush with the Army all the time and I felt like a change,” Theresa said.
“The Guard offered the opportunity for travel, good physical training, and I like the drill and ceremonial aspects of the military that they perform.”
After spending one year at the Guard, Theresa decided to transfer to the Navy and become a Hydrographic Systems Operator mapping the ocean floor for shipping.
“I met a Hydrographic Systems Operator while I was at the Guard and thought the job sounded really interesting,” Theresa said.
After completing her Navy training, Theresa was posted to a number of hydrographic ships and bases in Northern Queensland before returning to the Guard in 2010, this time as a sailor.
Currently conducting ceremonies in Greece, she said the trip has been the highlight about her posting to the Guard as well as her career.
“This trip has been fantastic – meeting the veterans and learning about all the history in Greece has been great,” Theresa said.
“I’m looking forward to getting back and telling people about the trip – also I would like to come back to Greece again on holiday because it’s such a beautiful country.”
Australia's Federation Guard is an ADF unit, comprised of members from the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force, that provides ceremonial support for the Australian Commonwealth.