Our People in SA
Pennie Looker - GAWLER (SA) SOLDIER PLAYS PART IN TIMOR PEACE
These days Pennie, a former student of Trinity College, is a Corporal with the Sydney-based Number 1 Psychology Unit. However, she is currently providing her psychology expertise to the International Stabilisation Force troops based in Dili.
Pennie, who joined the Army in 1997 is on her second tour of duty to Timor Leste and is enjoying the experience.
“I provide psychological support to the deployed troops here in Timor, in the form of stress management and help them in their preparation for returning home.
“I enjoy having a positive effect on the mental health and well being of our troops and having the ability to be proactive,” Pennie said.
Pennie, who was just recently married prior to deploying, has loved getting parcels from home, especially from her Grandmother E.P. Logar.
“Grandma sent a parcel full of biscuits and other bits and pieces for my birthday. It just made my day.
“My husband Aron is also deployed at the moment (in the Middle East), so we celebrated our six month anniversary away from each other too.
“I have been so lucky to have had such great support from family and friends while Aron and I have been deployed to opposite sides of the world.
“We have been away on deployment longer than we have been married.”
With only a few weeks to go until she returns to Australia, Pennie is looking forward to getting home to Aron and daughter Claudia.
“I have really enjoyed my time here, but it will be so great to get home and start our lives together,” Pennie said.
Pennie is one of about 850 Australian Defence Force personnel currently serving in Timor Leste as part of Operation Astute, the Australian Government response to the Timorese Government request for assistance in restoring peace to their country.
The Australians, as part of the International Stabilisation Force, are assisting the Government of Timor Leste and the United Nations Police to provide a secure environment in which the country can conduct its first independent presidential and parliamentary elections since independence.