Our People in WA
Liz Ryan - Fremantle
For an Air Force Officer, Fremantle local Liz Ryan sure does work a lot with the Navy.
After completing Year 12 at Methodist Ladies College in Claremont, Liz, 38, joined the Royal Australian Air Force.
Liz started out her career as a Logistics Officer and did nine years of full time service before becoming a reservist. Whilst doing Reserve time, Liz was able to study for her medical degree at the University of Queensland.
In 2004, with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery completed, Liz transferred within the Air Force Reserve to become a Medical officer.
When she’s not wearing her Air Force uniform, Liz is contracted to the Navy and works at HMAS Stirling as a General Practitioner.
She has also deployed with the Navy on HMAS Ararat, an Armidale Class Patrol boat to take part in Operation RESOLUTE, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the effort to protect Australia’s maritime borders.
Liz is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy onboard USS Cleveland as part of Pacific Partnership 2011, an annual Humanitarian Civic Assistance (HCA) program which aims to strengthen alliances and promote multilateral security cooperation.
The program 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 Liz working in remote villages in the countries of East Timor and the Federated States of Micronesia.
"I’m getting to help people and see things that I would never see in Australia," Liz said.
"The kids are so gorgeous, they are always so keen to see you and even though they have fewer advantages than us, they all have big smiles.
"I am also learning about being at sea so I can better understand the issues of my patients back at home."
On return to Australia Liz plans to spend some time with her friends and family.