An awards ceremony to recognise and celebrate the transition of Australian Defence Force personnel into civilian life has honoured veterans, businesses and entrepreneurs.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The ceremony was moved to a pre-recorded presentation due to the pandemic, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Veterans' Affairs Minister Andrew Gee congratulating the 2021 Prime Minister's Veterans' Employment Award winners on Thursday.
"Veterans have so much to offer the businesses of our country," Mr Morrison said.
"In the ADF, our service men and women demonstrate skill, loyalty, dedication, perseverance, service and sacrifice.
"They understand mission, are trained problem solvers, deal with stress, and always have a go."
Combat medic Ben Davoren served in Afghanistan before having a difficult transition into civilian life. He was named Veteran Employee of the Year by the prime minister.
"A vet who's served has so much to offer, I know for me, my own personal experience was I didn't know how to articulate that," Mr Davoren said.
"I felt like my value was gone and I didn't know how to say I would be useful ... but when you sign up to serve you've already demonstrated so much that an employer is looking for."
Still using his experience in tactical medicine, Mr Davoren now shares his knowledge and personal experiences with first responders and other veterans as a business manager for TacMed Australia.
Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to Chris de Bono, who left his Navy career to start a successful miso business Meru Foods in Tasmania.
Mr de Bono said his business showed veterans skills could be transferred into unrelated opportunities, which was an important message for veterans who were thinking about leaving but might not have the confidence to take a giant leap.
READ MORE:
Businesses who support veterans were also honoured, including Alison Bannister for her career coaching of partners of veterans and Working Spirit who provide employment placements for veterans.
BAE Systems, Hensoldt, and AEV were also honoured as employers of veterans.
An estimated 5500 people transition from the ADF to civilian life each year.