Wendy Horder

Having an interest in aircraft and a desire to travel the world would see a lot of people think of an aviation career with a commercial airline, but not Wendy Horder.

Group Captain Wendy Horder instead set her eyes on becoming an air traffic controller in the Australian Defence Force, as at the time the Air Force didn’t have pilot roles open to women.

The Air Force accepted GPCAPT Horder as a trainee air traffic controller in 1979 and during her early career she spent time in various control towers on the eastern seaboard.

“In 1988 I was on leave without pay in Thailand (accompanying my husband on his posting) and was recalled to duty to work as an assistant to the Defence Attaché in the Australian Embassy in Bangkok,” said GPCAPT Horder.

“That experience was the first in a number of opportunities I had to serve in diplomatic roles.

“Most recently, while posted as Defence Adviser to the Australian High Commission in Malaysia, I was part of the 60^th Anniversary of the RAAF at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, a very memorable time."

“As Defence Adviser, South West Pacific based in Honiara (Solomon Islands) I led the Pacific Patrol program in Solomon Islands, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands. A steep curve learning all about the boats."

“In between I have had an exciting and rewarding career including at Officer Training School, Commanding Officer of HQ 396 Combat Support Wing and attendance at the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College before returning to be Base Commander RAAF Base Darwin,” she said.

GPCAPT Horder has deployed to East Timor, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands during her 40 year career in the Australian Defence Force.

With skills in international relations and training development GPCAPT Horder has represented Australia in multi-agency teams throughout Europe, USA, Africa and the Pacific.

Growing up in a small upper Hunter, New South Wales, town has not been an impediment to an exemplary career shared with her husband and four children.