Our People in VIC
Sherman Taylor - Ballarat
Camperdown’s Sherman Taylor, 21, normally has two bosses but, from early in the New Year, he won’t be seeing either of them again until October.
The Commercial Hotel’s Dennis Madden and sheep farmer Andrew Wilson are giving him leave of absence to head to East Timor in his Army Reserve uniform.
“My grandpa was in the Second World War and I’ve heard all his stories. He reckons it’s my turn to serve!” said Sherman. “My parents Graeme and Delilah are OK with it too.”
“It’s my first trip overseas and I put my hand up straight away. I’m really excited — I haven’t missed a day’s training.
“I’m a rifleman but I’ll also be the section medic. I’ll be inoculating babies, setting broken arms and bandaging the locals. Building good relations with them will be a big part of what we do.”
Sherman and his comrades will also be patrolling in Dili, the capital city, and in remote locations as well as undertaking border surveillance and operating vehicle check-points.
They will be home next October entitled to wear the Australian Service Medal and the East Timor Solidarity Medal.
“First thing I will do is give Mum a big kiss,” said Sherman. “Then my mates are talking about heading straight to Thailand for a big relax.
“But before that I’ll be heading for the Commercial — my boss Dennis let me go, so it’s only fair that I give him some of my hard-earned money when I’m back.”
The Australian-led International Stabilisation Force is in-country at the invitation of the East Timorese government while local groups work through their differences in a peaceful and democratic way.
All reservists are volunteers and have to volunteer again to serve overseas. Reserves can also support security within Australia at major events such as the Commonwealth Games or Heads of Government visits.
If you want to know more about Australian peacekeepers or support the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project, please visit: http://www.peacekeepingmemorial.org.au/