The posting of the Army Logistic Training Centre's (ALTC) new commandant was timely, in light of the UN Women Australia's International Women’s Day theme of Balance the Scales. 

With ALTC's gender objectives already achieved - having met the ADF’s 2030 target of 25 per cent women in the permanent force - the centre welcomed Colonel Charmaine Benfield in January.

Colonel Benfield brought overseas operational experience and academic depth to the role.

“Balance the Scales is about providing equal opportunity for women to shape their own lives in a way that ensures they are safe and heard,” Colonel Benfield said. 

“Army provides the opportunity for all of our people to contribute equally to the variety of missions we undertake. We expect all individuals to follow our values – Service, Respect, Courage, Integrity and Excellence – and in doing so we can reflect on what we have achieved and what we need to do to build a culture where every person can excel.

“After all, ALTC’s own motto is Excel with Honour.”

Colonel Benfield’s life began on a farm in Inverell, where long days shaped affection for the land and appreciation for hard work. 

“I essentially grew up on horseback and pretty much know a thousand-kilometre radius from Inverell,” she said.

“My father was a beekeeper and my mother worked as a bank teller. I worked in a shed for my dad until I joined the Army. I learnt to operate all kinds of interesting machinery, which has served me well as a connection with my soldiers throughout the years.”

From those rural beginnings to the lecture halls of the Australian Defence Force Academy and Royal Military College (RMC) – Duntroon, her Army career quickly gained momentum. 

'Army provides the opportunity for all of our people to contribute equally to the variety of missions we undertake.'

During her training at RMC, she met fellow officer Phillip Baldoni, now Commandant of Joint Logistic Unit – Victoria, and the pair have been married for 23 years.

Colonel Benfield’s 28-year career has spanned postings from 1st Brigade to Headquarters Joint Operations Command, a deployment to South Sudan with the United Nations and being awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.

Colonel Benfield arrived at the Albury Wodonga Military Area with a bachelor’s degree, three master’s degrees, and a juris Doctor. Yet she said she was a leader who felt as comfortable tackling strategic problems as she was connecting with soldiers on the ground.

“I like taking problems that look wicked and impossible and breaking them down into something that groups of people can action,” she said. 

In her new role, championing logistics training for Defence, Colonel Benfield hopes to share her experience in how logistics work on operations and deployments.

“I think there's similarities with my experience in logistics and the significant capability here within the region,” she said.

“In fact, I would like my logistics officers to learn from our civilian experts. There are some really interesting links between the Port of Melbourne and how that impacts upon Albury Wodonga and the opportunities for businesses here.”

Describing herself as an “outdoors human”, she said she was thrilled with her new home – for at least the next two years – and was eager to explore everything the region had to offer.

She attended the Wodonga RSL Women’s Veterans Dinner on March 11 as a guest speaker, where she spoke about her experience as a woman in Defence.