A LEADING Seaman from HMAS Creswell was one of only two RAN Reserves to take part in Exercise Tasman Scheme, an exchange program for reservists.
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LS Webb spent two weeks with the New Zealand Permanent and Reserve Navy, participating in a range of cultural and training activities.
She said the experience was a career highlight in her 19 years as a naval reservist.
“The purpose of the program is for reservists from the New Zealand Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force to experience a little of each other’s organisations,” she said.
“We also participated in skill sharing and a number of cultural experiences.
“I was fortunate enough to contribute to the military ceremonies for Waitangi Day; a celebration of New Zealand’s founding treaty.”
LS Webb joined the naval reserves in 1995, transferring from the permanent navy where she had served since 1982 as a radio operator teletype.
She said joining the reserves was an easy decision as it gave her the perfect work-life balance.
“After the birth of my second child the reserves gave me the flexibility I needed, without completely giving up my role in the navy,” she said.
“It has also given me the time to pursue other interests, such as further study, playing netball and learning to tap dance, which I am currently doing.”
LS Webb now works in the Naval Reserve Initial Entry Training Team at HMAS Creswell where she manages the office and helps to co-ordinate a number of crucial training phases.
“I see people joining the Reserves for a number of reasons, but for the most part they do it because it gives them a chance to give back and adds to their day to day jobs,” she said.