Our People in VIC
Scott Fitzgerald - HOPPERS CROSSING SOLDIER DOING HIS BIT FOR TIMOR LESTE
These days Scott, a former student at Hoppers Crossing Secondary College, is a gunner with the 4th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, which is based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.
The 21 year old is a signaller now serving with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in the fledgling new nation.
“I’m in company headquarters, I look after the radio for a large part of the day but I also go into town and meet the locals,” said Scott.
This is his second deployment overseas since joining the Army last year. He deployed to Malaysia for four months earlier this year. He is now based in Baucau, east of the capital city, Dili.
“I’ve enjoyed seeing a new part of the world I haven’t been exposed to before,” Scott said.
“My most memorable moment in Timor Leste, so far, has been the chopper ride over Dili,” he said.
Scott said he joined the military because it’s a good lifestyle and an interesting career.
When he’s not trying to improve the lives of Australia’s overseas neighbours, he enjoys computers and is a member of the Melbourne Cricket Club and goes to games quite often.
“I’m really looking forward to flushing toilets, seeing my parents and getting back to a normal life when I get home,” Scott said.
He’s one of about 780 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 for all East Timorese.