This is what drove her to apply to represent BAE Systems in the Legacy Torch Relay in May in Adelaide.
“My girls know their Dad was in the Navy but they don’t remember Mum was too. I’ve shown them photos and videos of me fast roping out of a helicopter but the Relay is a chance for me to show them all that I achieved, so they can be as proud of me as I am of them,” Tia said.
Growing up, Tia was always going into the defence force, that decision was never in question. What she didn’t quite know at first, was which service she would enter.
Her grandfather was an Army veteran who fought in the Borneo campaign in the early 1950’s. Her father was also a steward/cook in the Army, so Tia spent her childhood growing up on Army bases.
It might have been an obvious choice for Tia to head down the Army route, however, she had her own ideas about her career, and the ability to travel was high on that list.
So, in 2000 she enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy and went on to enjoy assignments across the Pacific region.
Tia spent just shy of 14 years in the Navy, towards the end of her career she fell pregnant, luckily the ship was undergoing re-fit and she was able to continue to work while pregnant, a rare opportunity for women in the Navy.
In 2011, she welcomed a baby girl, Solara. And just under 2 years later she welcomed another daughter, Cadence, to her family.
Tia knew returning to active service was unlikely. Leaving her babies for three month stints was just not something she saw herself doing, and unfortunately it was her time to head back to sea.
Fortunately, Tia was contacted while on maternity leave about a role with BAE Systems and, almost eight years ago, she joined as a Storeperson at our Periscope facility.
Tia is not ignorant to the challenges other veterans face when transitioning from service, having lost comrades over the years to suicide. She was fortunate to not have personally witnessed many of the horrors war can bring, but is mindful that not everyone’s experience is the same.
Tia believes the veteran community is stronger and better placed to support each other now than ever before.
This is why BAE Systems’ support to veteran charities is meaningful and well received by Tia and her veteran colleagues. The social activities give our veteran workforce offer an opportunity to engage with each other and our external veteran communities.
The Legacy Torch Relay is an exciting day on Tia’s calendar. Her mum and dad changed their holiday plans to come and support her on the day.
