Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging young Gippslanders to consider a career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), after catching up with a former Moe resident in Timor-Leste.
Mr Chester said the wide range of career opportunities in the ADF made it an attractive option for many, including Captain Celeste Cook.
Celeste grow up in Moe and attended Lavalla Catholic College before joining the Australian Army in 2009.
After deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq, Celeste is currently working in Canberra as Aide de Camp to Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds.
“I travelled with Celeste to Timor-Leste this week and was impressed with her professionalism and skills,” Mr Chester said.
“She’s a perfect example of how our ADF personnel are able to develop their leadership ability, resourcefulness and problem-solving capacities in a busy working environment.”
Mr Chester was in Timor-Leste as part of the 20th anniversary INTERFET commemorations where veterans gathered to celebrate peace and prosperity in the nation, which is one of Australia’s closest neighbours.
The Australian mission in 1999 was led by Peter Cosgrove who went on to become Chief of the ADF and Governor-General.
