DEFGLIS Board member Karen Dwyer reflects on her connection to ANZAC Day
I've been in the Navy for more than 12 years and over those years, my understanding and connection to the stories of Anzac has really evolved. No matter where I am in the world, there’s always a moment for quiet reflection on Anzac Day.
For over eight years, transgender people have served openly in a range of operational roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force. DEFGLIS President Nathan White said that transgender members enhance military capability and make a significant contribution to the national security.
“We promote inclusion as the foundation of a diverse and capable workforce that is free from discrimination,” said White.
“Highly performing military teams need to draw ideas from a wide range of perspectives to make us strong and more capable to fight and win on the battlefield, in all domains.”
The DEFGLIS board has elected Nathan White to become president and lead important support for LGBTI members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
White was joined by four new members of the board who are energised with new ideas to progress the association.
As the year draws to a close, DEFGLIS has an opportunity to reflect on our successes, our challenges and our opportunities. We reflect on great events like our participation in Mardi Gras festival, the DEFGLIS Ski Trip, member-led networking around the country, and our fourth and most successful Military Pride Ball to date.
A huge thankyou to our principal sponsor Price Waterhouse Coopers, and our other sponsors Pride In Diversity, Scott Electrics, Thales Australia and Defence Bank for supporting this event and sharing our passion for LGBTI Inclusion.
DEFGLIS members recently met in Canberra to farewell the retiring president and members of the board, appoint new board members and enhance the association's constitution.
At the association's annual general meeting, outgoing DEFGLIS President Vince Chong thanked retiring board members Rob Brown, Catherine Humphries, Jay Crutch, Joe Monteith and Bryce Attwood for their service and contributions during his report on the association's in-year achievements.