Annie Goldsack

Annie Goldsack born in Queanbeyan, bordering NSW and the ACT, sees her rehousing of Timorese and Kosovar refugees in Victoria, as one her life’s highlights.

With both parents working members of the ADF, it was an obvious choice for Annie to take an opportunity to join as well.

“I really felt my early life was like being a gypsy, moving from place to place, state to state” Annie said.

“After moving around with Air Force, our family settled in Brisbane where a friend working in Defence Recruiting suggested I join the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force, which I did in 1976.”

“The highlight of my Air Force career and life was on posting to RAAF Base Williams, Laverton, Victoria, where I volunteered to work with and assist in the rehousing of the Timorese and Kosovar refugees to Puckapunyal Army Barracks,” she said.

Annie was offered an Australian Public Service role working in the F-111 Strike Reconnaissance Systems Program Office and decided to complete her uniformed Air Force service to take up the opportunity to expand her work experience.  

Following on from her F-111 role, Annie moved to Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office (HALSPO) in support Number 36 Squadron working with the iconic C17-A Globemaster III in Logistics Maintenance.

Here Annie was required to synchronise and co-ordinate with all freight partners to meet maintenance plans on time.

“To work together in diverse internal and external teams is extremely challenging, as is coordinating with external delivery personnel working in with the maintenance plan which can test relationships,” Annie said.

“A previous Air Force member, now working in an Australian Public Service role  for HALSPO, has enabled me to support Air Force capability and missions giving me a great deal of satisfaction,” Annie said.

“My comprehensive background in Air Force and now as a civilian Defence employee has enabled me to support Number 36 Squadron and the Air Force, meeting the required capability in support of the C-17A,” she said.