Our People in QLD
Steve McDonald - Timor Beat for Mooloolaba Man
A change of uniform has given a Sunshine Coast police officer a very different job in one of the world’s youngest nations.
Mooloolaba’s Steve McDonald is a seasoned policeman, normally the officer-in-charge of the local beat.
But last year he changed from his blue uniform into his Army camouflage to deploy to East Timor for eight-months as an Army Reserve infantryman.
Steve, 47, is the Company Sergeant Major for the International Stabilisation Force’s Anzac Infantry Company and holds the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2. He manages a combined team of Australian and New Zealand infantrymen conducting security tasks across East Timor.
“I joined the Army Reserve in 1985 to for the challenge and as an opportunity to serve my country,” Steve said.
“This is my first operational deployment, which is a great honour for me.”
As the CSM Steve is responsible for looking after the welfare, logistics and discipline of 180 soldiers, as well as managing a small army of locally-employed East Timorese civilians who work at his base.
“I have a strong influence over the morale of the lads and it is rewarding to see happy soldiers within the company,” Steve said.
“Working closely with the locally-employed civilians allows me to develop some good friendships — also very satisfying.”
Whenever possible, McDonald takes the opportunity to visit his soldiers patrolling in the far-flung regional districts.
“East Timor is a beautiful country that is developing into a new nation,” he said.
“The people are kind in nature and appreciate the assistance and support we’re providing to help stabilise the country.”
Over half-way through his tour of duty now, Steve said he was looking forward to getting back to his family at the end of his tour.
“My wife Kim has been such a tower of strength looking after our two teenage boys,” he said.
“I can’t imagine the hardships of our forefathers when the only form of long-distance communication was pen and paper.
“The time away has been hard but today’s technology with email and Skype make things much easier.”