Our People in Tasmania

After working in after-school care and a call centre, Lindisfarne’s Alison Nolan decided in 2006 she needed more adventure in her life.

She joined the Royal Australian Navy and started to see the world.

Now aged 27, she is just back from this year’s Pacific Partnership. It’s an annual US-led humanitarian exercise where participating nations work together to improve the quality of life for poorer neighbours. It’s also good practice for any future disaster relief operations.

“I joined the Navy as a Writer, which means specialising in admin,” Alison said. “I’ve been based in Sydney and done sea-time aboard HMAS Kanimbla before this.

"But I love being at sea where my job becomes much more diverse. I can be part of the flight deck team, the ship's medical emergency team, the fire team or take part in on-deck seamanship.”

During Pacific Partnership Alison visited the Kingdom of Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and the Federated States of Micronesia.

“As well as doing admin, I also lent a hand ashore. I played sport with the locals and took my turn with a paintbrush.”

"For example, it was great to be able to help out with the painting of the Town Hall in Tonga," Alison said. "It really made me feel a part of the mission."

Now she’s home in Hobart and catching up with her parents Merilyn and Michael.