Our People in NSW
Taylor Valja - Grafton
For Taylor Valja of Grafton the sky is literally the limit. The 20-year-old is a non-commissioned officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and an Armaments Technician, once the domain of men, and works on fighter jets.
The former South Grafton High School student, who once packed shelves at her local supermarket, now loads explosives ordnance to the deadly F/A-18 Hornet. She is also responsible for maintenance of the ejector seat in the aircraft.
Her job has taken to many parts of Australia on major Defence exercises involving the air forces of our international partners.
Taylor says she loves working with the RAAF.
“It is something completely different to a normal job that as a woman I would be doing outside of Defence,” she said.
“It has a lot of different aspects and involves new things and a lot of travelling to new places,” Taylor added.
“I also enjoy working with many different people who support and mentor me throughout my career,” she said.