Vince Connelly (Stirling, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Our ADF veterans have many skills and qualities to offer in the civilian workplace. As a result of their training and experience, veterans are extremely resilient and are creative problem solvers, and have exceptional work ethics and the priceless virtues of reliability and integrity. However, for some veterans, leaving the ADF and adjusting to mainstream life can be difficult. I would like to tell this House about the great work of a Western Australian organisation called Working Spirit, which assists this transition.

Working Spirit was founded by Karyn Hinder, a veteran herself. Working Spirit arranges meet and greets, where veterans have one-on-one interviews with employers. They conduct networking events, where veterans meet corporate executives and get professional assistance with their LinkedIn profiles and resumes. Working Spirit also arranges professional internships, and has started the Women Veteran Employment Network. The results are extremely impressive. Seventy-six veterans have found employment and hundreds have benefited from attending events. In recognition of her work, Karyn has been a finalist for the Women in Defence Awards and is a current finalist in the Defence Industry Awards.

Everybody in this country benefits if ADF personnel who have sacrificed so much for this country have a smooth transition into civilian life. I am pleased to recognise the work of Karyn Hinder and Working Spirit in this House.

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