Our People in VIC
Madelaine Byers - Murrumbeena
Murrumbeena girl, Madelaine Byers, dream to travel has come true after joining the Australian Defence Force eight years ago.
She originally planned to join the Navy ranks, but when there were no positions she decided to sign up to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Madelaine, 30, joined the RAAF in 2003 as a medical assistant. Her day-to-day work includes taking care of outpatients, ward patient care, pathology, air field and domestic emergency response, and aeromedical evacuations.
Madelaine deployed to Iraq in 2008 for six months where she worked in a field hospital.
"I think the best thing about my job is being the first person on the scene to help out my fellow military members and bring them home if need be," Madelaine said.
The Corporal is currently deployed on Pacific Partnership 2011 (PP11), an annual Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) program that aims to strengthen alliances and promote multilateral security cooperation.
PP11 is now in its seventh year, and partner nations continue their mission to improve the lives of people in the Pacific region, as well as improve the capacities of nations and organisations to respond to disasters through recurring opportunities for cooperation and training.
This deployment has seen Madelaine working in remote villages in the countries of Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, giving medical aid to people who don't often have access to proper medical care.
"One of the most memorable moments on this trip happened in Tangua, Vanuatu," Madelaine recalls. "It was a field medical centre made from a school building and a mini hospital set up in tents.
“We saw over 450 patients a day and such a wide range of illnesses. The people brought us fruit to thank us because they had nothing else to give.“
When Madelaine returns to Australia she plans to visit her Mum and brother in Victoria.