Our People in QLD
Zanda Furnell Hall - Wandal
The inspiration behind local Wandal resident Zanda Furnell-Hall’s decision to join the Navy was different to most.
“I was just finishing school and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with myself, so my mum Elizabeth Hamilton-Smith and I grabbed the yellow pages and started looking. I came across an ad for the Navy and thought, why not?” Zanda said.
Eight years later, the decision has paid off for Zanda who has been promoted twice and is now a Leading Seaman Combat Systems Operator onboard HMAS Toowoomba.
HMAS Toowoomba is currently in the Middle East as part of Operation SLIPPER, the ADF’s contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and supporting maritime security.
“This is my first operational deployment, but I have been overseas many times before with the Navy, especially throughout south-east Asia,” Zanda said.
As a Combat Systems Operator, Zanda is responsible for co-ordinating the defence of the ship from potential threats.
“My job involves tracking, analysing, and reporting contacts. We have to be ever vigilant, especially now that we are on deployment in the Middle East. Threats can come from land, sea or air, so knowing exactly what is around us at any time is essential,” Zanda said.
According to Zanda, while pay, conditions and travel are great in the Navy, the most important and rewarding part of her job is the satisfaction she gets from doing her job well.
“The best part of my job is the satisfaction of knowing I have done it right. The biggest stand-out moments for me is right here, right now, doing what I joined to do,” Zanda said.
Not surprisingly, Zanda is looking forward to November when HMAS Toowoomba returns to Australia following the six month deployment.
Her eagerness to get home is greater than most as she will be reunited with her 3 year old daughter, Ciana, who has been looked after by grandma since Toowoomba departed Western Australia on May 19th.
She will also be seeing partner Army Captain Andrew Oxlade from 1 RAR who has also been busy with Defence commitments for over one year having recently returned from Afghanistan.
“I intend to take my daughter Ciana anywhere she wants to go, have a BBQ with family and friends, and kiss my partner like I haven’t seen him since last September - which I haven’t,” Zanda said.