Army reservist recognises supportive employer

Employers throughout Australia who went above and beyond to support their Army reservist employees were officially recognised as part of the state-based Employer Support Awards.

CAPTION: Randall Cook, left, from the School of Sport Education NT, receives his award from Head Joint Support Services Division Major General Douglas Laidlaw at the Employer Support Awards held in Darwin. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nick O’Connor. Photo by Sergeant Pete Gammie.

Held annually, the awards formally recognise civilian employers’ commitment over a sustained period or for a special effort to introduce workplace practices that enable the member to complete their Australian Defence Force service commitments.

For Northern Territory-based physical education teacher Sergeant Pam Dillon, consecutive civilian employers have paved the way for her distinguished military career.

Sergeant Dillon has racked up more than 41 years as an reservist, participating in several exercises and overseas deployments. She is now posted to North-West Mobile Force Centre Squadron in Alice Springs.

Her day job is coordinator at Barkly Region Sport Education, where she facilitates sport and physical activities for schools in Tennant Creek and surrounding communities.

“Programs include inter-school events for groups of schools and tailored programs for remote schools, catering for primary and high school-aged students,” Sergeant Dillon said.

Sergeant Dillon’s civilian employer, School of Sport Education NT, recently won the public sector category of the NT 2022 Employer Support Awards.

She said she nominated her employer for their unwavering support of her Reserve service.

“School of Sport Education NT has supported me in all my leave to attend the various military deployments and exercises I have participated in,” she said.

“They have given me the opportunity to develop many skills and travel overseas and throughout Australia with the military, which in turn has helped me throughout my teaching career.”

CAPTION: Sergeant Pamela Dillon with a Certificate of Recognition for her employer, Department of Education, Barkly Region, outside the Larrakeyah Officers mess during the Defence Reserve Support Council NT/K Employer Support Award night. Photo by Leading Seaman James Whittle.

Joint Support Services Division Head, Major General Douglas Laidlaw, congratulated award winners and thanked all employers throughout Australia for supporting their reservist employees.

“Every day, employers support Defence Force reservists through a range of flexible working arrangements and policies. The support provided is not only valued by the reservist, but more broadly the entire Australian Defence Force,” Major General Laidlaw said.

All state and territory award category winners will compete against their interstate counterparts at the National Employer Support Awards scheduled for November.

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