Young veteran chosen for Premier's ANZAC Prize

Paul was chosen from among 70 applicants to accompany a group of eight students who will visit Europe and experience the ANZAC tradition first-hand.

The 16-day tour will visit important memorial sites in London and the Western Front battlefields in France and Belgium in April/May 2020.

Paul was selected by RSL Queensland because of his enthusiasm for supporting students to ensure they have the best experience possible.

He is passionate about helping educate and develop today’s youth, inspiring them to study military and contemporary history.

“Battlefield tours are an important experience in shaping the understanding of the consequences of national policy, communities and decision making of our future leaders,” Paul says.

“I’m very excited and proud to be RSL’s representative on this worthwhile trip.”

PROVIDING CONTEMPORARY MILITARY INSIGHT

Paul served in the Army from 1998-2004 and the Air Force from 2005-2015. He deployed overseas to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gulf States, in addition to providing humanitarian services in Indonesia.

He has worked as an instructor at the Australian Defence Force Academy and has both a Bachelor of Arts (History) and a Masters in Aviation (Management). He currently works in the aviation industry.

Paul is a member of Sherwood- Indooroopilly RSL Sub Branch and recently joined the committee as part of its compliance team.

In his spare time, Paul also contributes to his local community by coaching kids’ baseball and volunteering for the State Emergency Service.

APPLICATIONS FROM 30 TO 83-YEAR-OLDS

A diverse group of RSL Queensland members applied for the opportunity, including teachers, police officers, a paramedic, a university professor, a school liaison officer, Sub Branch Presidents, District Presidents and founders of the local Army Cadets. Many shared personal stories and their family’s military history.

Male and female veterans ranging in age from their early 30s through to an 83-year-old man were eager to participate in the trip. Applicants had an array of ADF service, with deployments ranging from Vietnam, Korea, Middle East, Africa, East Timor and Malaysia.

They were asked to describe how they would add value to the students’ experience. Many described developing a bond with students to teach them about modern-day service and help them understand the sacrifice and contribution of veterans.

One wrote: “As an Afghanistan veteran, I would add value to this amazing opportunity by providing the students with contemporary military operations insight to help bridge the gap of time between WWI and modern conflicts.”