Peter Overton

Growing up in Sydney, Peter Overton moved from North Sydney Boys High to Macquarie University and graduated with a Bachelor of Economics, however his love of storytelling and discovering more about people won out and drew him to the media.

He worked in radio, had a brief stint at Channel 7, Adelaide and for the last 30 years has worked at the Nine Network.

Peter is well known for his reporting on the flagship 60 Minutes program and since 2009, Peter has been the chief news reader of Sydney's 6pm News bulletin.

But he wears another hat. Wing Commander Peter Overton is a reservist with the Royal Australian Air Force, contributing to the telling of the RAAF story as a Specialist Reserve Officer.

"Defence has been part of my family as long as I can remember," said Wing Commander

Overton.

"Dad joined the Army Reserve, as a medical officer, rising to the rank of Colonel and served as consultant to the Surgeon-General of the ADF.

"Dad was eventually appointed honorary Colonel in the Royal Australian Medical Corps," he said.

Spending seven years as a member of the National Reserves Support Council, Wing Commander Overton gained an even broader view of the ADF as the Council was a tri-service organisation.

"As a member of the 60 Minutes team, and in my news reading role, I love reporting on Defence and the men and women who make up Defence," said Wing Commander Overton.

"I love aviation and I really love aircraft, so being in uniform communicating the story of the Royal Australian Air Force is a bonus for me.

"Taking a training flight on a Hercules fulfilled a dream. Seeing the captain of the flight, a 29 year-old with the experience and skill set to operate this magnificent aircraft was inspiring for me to observe.

"It also gave me an appreciation of the loadmasters. Watching them push out pallets of aid, as we see on the news, for people who have been ravaged by a tsunami or floods has given me an insight into the level of planning, the logistics involved and the skill to bring it all together.

"It was remarkable to have a front row seat to that.

"The Air Force is part of our community, part of the fabric of this country, and it's a thrill to tell my daughters about the very small part I play in serving Australia as a member of the ADF," he said.