26 September 2024
Despite an extensive history of family service in the ADF, 3rd Health Battalion’s Private Paige Conway did not always plan on joining the Army.
The florist intended on completing her studies as a mechanical engineering apprentice after leaving her home town of Brighton in Adelaide, South Australia.
Private Conway‘s family service started with her grandmother who was the first woman to conduct a 21-gun salute for the Queen’s Jubilee. Her mother served in the Army Reserve and her father and sister serve in the Army and Navy respectively.
“I always told myself that I would not join the Defence Force. I just wanted to do the opposite of what everyone in my family was doing," Private Conway said.
“In the end, I joined the Army Reserve to check it out before I made any final decision.”
In 2019, Private Conway joined the Army Reserve as a preventative medicine technician and in 2023 she was offered a permanent position in the Army.
“I was so happy when the offer came, as I was always excited to perform my reservist duties. After two weeks I knew I wanted to stay; I just fell in love with it,” she said.
“My work as a preventative medicine technician was so fulfilling that I put a pause on my civilian work and study as I had a feeling I would never go back, and I didn’t.”
Private Conway recently completed her first deployment to Solomon Islands for Operation Render Safe 2024-2.
Her role requires her to use technical skills and knowledge to help reduce the impact of environmental dangers that can affect deployed ADF personnel.
“During my time here, I would like to share my surveillance and test results with the local authorities and to learn their techniques for preventing and reducing disease," Private Conway said.
“The locals are so beautiful and so welcoming. I'm just so happy to be serving my country, my community back home and the community here.
"It's such a warm feeling to serve alongside others with the same goals; we are all working together as one.”
