Our People in WA
Oliver Morell - Fremantle
A change is as good as a rest for Fremantle’s Oliver Morell, who swapped his normal casual clothes for his RAAF Reserve camouflage uniform on a two-week trip to Bindoon.
The Leading Aircraftman was in training at the Australian Army’s Bindoon Training for his role as an airfield defence guard.
“I like the training, in the bush, it’s good fun,” he said. “I’m always into exercise. I studied exercise and sports science at UWA for a year and a half.
“At the moment I’m currently working as an outdoor instructor for rock climbing-abseiling and it’s become more of an obsession than an actual hobby.
“It ties in pretty nicely with the Reserve because I’ve got a lot of freedom with the job at the moment so I can come and do Reserve days whenever I want. That gives me a lot of variety.”
The Christchurch Grammar School graduate said he was inspired by a family friend to consider a military career.
“I probably read too many books and played too many video games as a kid!” he said. “Then I realised it’s a lot different from that of course and grew up — but that’s the process everyone goes through, I think.
“The people that don’t grow up, they leave, and the people that do grow up find they like the job for different reasons.”
Oliver says motivation is important.
“If someone wants a job where you are responsible for security — and want to have more opportunities down the chain — it’s probably a good role,” he said.