Photo: RAAF
Byron Peszko
As the RAAF celebrated National Reconciliation Week, Today News Group spoke with Aircraftwoman Keelie Machen, a No. 35 Squadron member, who has returned to her old home town, just a hop and a step from RAAF Amberley, to pursue an air force career at the age of 17.
“I’m fresh out of school, I didn’t complete Year 12, I went straight to the Air Force. My mob is Gumbaynggirr Coffs Harbour and I’m also a hockey player,” Keelie said.
From a young age, Keelie says she was always fascinated with the Air Force and couldn’t see herself doing anything else.
“I’ve always wanted to do this, there’s no backup plan. I’ve always just pushed myself and my family helped me majorly to get into the Airforce. Seeing and hearing all the jets fly over as a young child, that was amazing to see.”
“I always saw people in uniform as a little girl and that made me inspired to pursue a career in the RAAF.”
Keelie says she is enjoying her current position at the RAAF, although has her eyes set on her ultimate dream job, close to her heritage
“I’m a life support fitter. Anything to do with the Pilot’s life support equipment, for example your life rafts or the oxygen masks they use to help them, we fix and maintain ourselves. We take it back to the workshop, it’s quite interesting.”
“I eventually want to be a Indigenous Liaison Officer. I would love that, I always have. To show people who I am, to help people in need, to help the mob and help people that aren’t even Indigenous that want to come to me and be that person that can say ‘hey I need to talk to you’.”
As Australia celebrated reconciliation week in local communities, Keelie says there are no misconceptions or barriers faced having a career in the RAAF.
“That was one of the things that surprised me. How welcoming and how big they are on the Indigenous culture. I’ve had more respect and more support than I ever would have thought going down this career path,” Keelie says.
She says reconciliation week is a chance for non Indigenous people to truly see what the culture is about.
“It just takes one conversation for someone to ask ‘What do you do?’, or ‘What does this mean?’. The whole thing starts to unravel, it’s beautiful,” she said.
“Being a female, I get so many compliments out in life. People look at you in aura. I’ve had quite a few people come up and say ‘Thank you for your service’. People don’t realise how many women are actually in the Air Force.”
Her favourite memory of life in the RAAF was her first day on the job, an anxious, yet exciting feeling at the same time.
“Just waking up that morning, your first morning. I don’t think anyone forgets that. That was scary but I knew it was coming. It’s nothing horrific but as a young 17 year old, it changes your life.”
Along the way, Keelie says she has had some odd surprises with her work and who she has met along the way.
“There’s a whole different way of talking (professionally) when you’re in the RAAF, especially to higher ranking. You can have your normal conversations but then being able to quickly switch from a civilian into a defence member is phenomenal.”
“You can chop and change your job whenever really, if you’re not really interested in what you’re doing.”
“(I met my best friend) in my recruit course, she is 46. Normally an 18 year old and 46 year old wouldn’t be best friends, but we have been best friends. You get told you’ll find your life-long members and you don’t truly believe it until you find that out and experience it for yourself.”
Keelie says she loves living in Ipswich as there is so much to do, by yourself or with friends or family.
“The beach is only a few hours away and you’ve got the RAAF here that is truly amazing. People can see things fly over that you cannot see in other parts of the country.
Keelie says it’s a career that changes you as a person and if you’re definitely thinking about it, take the plunge.
“I would say do it, there’s so much support. You’ve just got to Google and find the right people. As soon as you find one person, you find another.”
“Don’t hesitate. It changes your life, it’s a career and a lifestyle.”