3 December 2020
Annie Goldsack, born in Queanbeyan, bordering NSW and the ACT, sees her rehousing of Timorese and Kosovar refugees in Victoria as one her life's highlights.
With both parents working members of the ADF, it was an obvious choice for Ms Goldsack to take an opportunity to join as well.
"I really felt my early life was like being a gypsy, moving from place to place, state to state," Ms Goldsack said.
"After moving around with Air Force, our family settled in Brisbane where a friend working in Defence recruiting suggested I join the Women's Royal Australian Air Force, which I did in 1976.
"The highlight of my Air Force career and life was on posting to RAAF Base Williams, Laverton, Victoria, where I volunteered to work with and assist in the rehousing of the Timorese and Kosovar refugees to Puckapunyal Army Barracks.
Ms Goldsack was offered an Australian Public Service role working in the F-111 Strike Reconnaissance Systems Program Office and decided to complete her uniformed Air Force service to take up the opportunity to expand her work experience.
Following on from her F-111 role, Ms Goldsack moved to Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office (HALSPO) in support No. 36 Squadron working with the iconic C17-A Globemaster III in logistics maintenance.
Here, Ms Goldsack was required to synchronise and coordinate with all freight partners to meet maintenance plans on time.
"To work together in diverse internal and external teams is extremely challenging, as is coordinating with external delivery personnel working in with the maintenance plan which can test relationships," she said.
"A previous Air Force member, now working in an Australian Public Service role for HALSPO, has enabled me to support Air Force capability and missions giving me a great deal of satisfaction.
"My comprehensive background in Air Force and now as a civilian Defence employee has enabled me to support No. 36 Squadron and the Air Force, meeting the required capability in support of the C-17A."
Planning is underway for the commemoration of the Royal Australian Air Force's formation in March 1921 and further information can be found on the Royal Australian Air Force Turns 100 webpage.
