Reservists recognised for outstanding service

Twenty-two ADF reservists are now recipients of the 2025 Prince of Wales Award, receiving up to $10,000 to support a learning and development opportunity.

CAPTION: Administrator of the NT Hugh Heggie presents a Prince of Wales Award to 2024 recipient Lieutenant Jacqueline Martin during a ceremony held at Government House, Darwin. Story by Emily Egan. Photo by Petty Officer Leo Baumgartner.

The Prince of Wales Award scheme rewards ADF reservists for their dedication and commitment to reserve service, and recognises the support from their civilian employers.

It offers the opportunity to undertake a training or development activity that directly relates to and benefits their civilian occupation or profession.

The funding is a key opportunity for outstanding reservists to gain additional skills. It also highlights the value Defence places on the transferable skill sets that ADF reservists share between their civilian and Defence roles.

Head of Reserve and Cadet Support Division Major General Douglas Laidlaw commended the 2025 recipients and spoke of the skills they will gain through this scheme.

“The experience and knowledge gained from Prince of Wales Award activities provides a tangible benefit to award recipients and their civilian employers, with reservists transferring their skills gained from their development activity back into their civilian workplace,” Major General Laidlaw said.

“I congratulate both the 2025 recipients of the Prince of Wales Award as well as their supportive civilian employer.

“I look forward to the ceremonies to be held next year across Australia to celebrate these outstanding reservists.”

More than 370 reservists have been recognised through the scheme since it began in 1984.

For more information on support to reservists as well as recognition for civilian employers of reservists, visit the Awards and recognition page.

Recipients of the 2025 Prince of Wales Award:

• Lieutenant Sophie Cunningham, Navy.
• Lieutenant Brandon Alessio, Army.
• Lieutenant Stephanie Besley, Army.
• Major Francis Dignam, Army.
• Major Emily Douglass, Army.
• Private Tenille Duggan, Army.
• Captain Erica Eccleston, Army.
• Sergeant Ronald Green, Army.
• Sergeant C, Army.
• Private Luke Moloney, Army.
• Private Timothy Seager, Army.
• Corporal A, Army.
• Lieutenant Dan Probert, Army.
• Lance Corporal Daniel Pumphrey, Army.
• Warrant Officer Class 1 Brendan Riddell, Army.
• Major Jon Robertson, Army.
• Major Ken Semmens, Army.
• Corporal Ryan Smith, Army.
• Corporal Hayden Spaanderman, Army.
• Private Christopher Yarrow, Army.
• Corporal Matthew Herbert, Air Force.
• Squadron Leader Matthew Wuillemin, Air Force.

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