18 September 2020
When Craftsman Terence Tan enlisted in the Australian Army he never imagined he would be working in his hometown of Melbourne.
Deployed on Operation COVID-19 Assist, Craftsman Tan is helping the Department of Health and Human Services with the processing of applications for the Victorian Rent Relief Grant.
“This operation has been an exciting experience for me,” Craftsman Tan said.
“I feel fortunate to get the opportunity to support my community as a member of the ADF.
“Working with the Department of Health and Human Services has been a good challenge and is different from a normal day back in our workshop.
“The time that I have spent here has given me a greater appreciation of how lucky we have it. I never realised how much of a luxury it was to go out for a drink or sit down at a restaurant for a good meal.”
Craftsman Tan was born in Malaysia and came to Australia at 11.
He spent the first seven years living in Vermont South where he attended Highvale Secondary College.
As a member of the 7th Combat Service Support Battalion in Brisbane, he works as an electronics technician and through his training has received a Certificate III and IV in electronics engineering.
“As an electronics technician I inspect, repair and maintain a wide variety of high-tech Army assets, including vehicles and communications equipment,” Craftsman Tan said.
“Having studied a Bachelor of Science with the University of Melbourne before joining Defence, I already had some familiarity working within the electronics industry, which helps me with my trade.”
