4 September 2020
Leaning on and sharing experiences with other Defence families is key to managing work-life balance, Corporal Jeremy Lewin says.
An aircraft technician with No. 36 Squadron, after 11 years maintaining F/A-18A Hornets, he believes being flexible and having a strong support network for his wife and children is vital.
"It’s the unbreakable bond and joint experiences with other couples in the services or Defence partners that really helps – especially when it comes to postings, moving around the country and when tasked at short notice," Corporal Lewin said.
"Making calls back home to my two boys while on missions around the world also keeps me connected."
As Father's Day approaches, Corporal Lewin is busy balancing his role as a maintenance manager, being on short notice to move rotations and spending quality family time with his wife, Danielle, and sons Joshua, 8, and Ethan, 5.
Since working on C-17A Globemaster III aircraft, he has been assigned to a number of humanitarian and disaster relief missions, including the repatriation of Australians in November 2019 after the volcanic eruption on White Island in New Zealand.
"Being involved in the aeromedical evacuation task to White Island really made me see exactly how Defence can directly have a positive impact on people's lives," Corporal Lewin said.
"I have such a high level of job appreciation and feel so rewarded maintaining aircraft that are involved with real deal local and international tasks.
"I enjoy the diversity of the places we travel to and unique experiences of being a technician at 36SQN.
This posting also relocated Corporal Lewin back to his hometown of Ipswich in Queensland, where he spent his childhood with his father serving at RAAF Base Amberley.
