Soldiers from 4 Brigade added camouflage green to the 2023 MotoGP World Championship racing colours at Phillip Island from October 20 to 22.
Despite the challenging weather, the event drew an impressive crowd. Among them, members of 4 Brigade engaged the public to promote opportunities in Army.
Sergeant David Van Helden, of 4 Brigade’s recruiting cell, led the activity and said the team established an informative recruiting stand, crewed by 15 soldiers and non-commissioned officers from the brigade.
“The public response was very positive,” he said.
“Our members were fantastic in community engagement and conducted themselves professionally. They shared their experiences, which hopefully inspired some racegoers to consider Defence careers.”
Visitors to the stand learned about the diverse career paths offered by Army, including part-time opportunities within the Army Reserve and how individuals can contribute to national security while juggling civilian commitments.
“Both 4 Brigade and wider Army benefit from engagements like this,” Sergeant Van Helden said.
“We show the public that soldiers and officers come from all walks of life. We explained to visitors that if they’re interested in a part-time Army career, many rewarding roles are available in the Army Reserve.”
Racegoers enjoyed an immersive Army experience, exploring a range of modern in-service vehicles and equipment.
Lance Corporal Ashleigh Jackson, a driver specialist from 4 Combat Service Support Battalion, led a public-engagement team that proactively approached attendees and discussed the employment opportunities available within Army.
“Highlights of the weekend included kids whose eyes lit up when I helped them jump into an Army vehicle and take a photo, as well as interactions with veterans and hearing their stories,” she said.
Despite her busy civilian career and family life, Lance Corporal Jackson remained committed to providing capability to Army Reserve, both in her specialist role and for tasks such as recruiting.
Emphasising the value of Army’s attendance at the race, she hoped other part-time soldiers would volunteer their support going forward.
“I would absolutely recommend members to participate in events like this. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Army members and experience first-hand our community’s appreciation for us,” Lance Corporal Jackson said.
