Defence recruiting showcases careers at Tasmania’s Agfest

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Australian Army officer Major Anne-Maree Hunt of Army Attractions assists a member of the public on the FlyArmy simulator during Agfest 2023 in Tasmania.

Army recruiting and Defence Force Recruiting have attended Agfest agricultural field day in Carrick earlier in May.

Army recruiting and Defence Force Recruiting have attended Agfest agricultural field day in Carrick earlier in May.

More than 45,000 people visited 550 exhibitors at the state’s largest single event run by the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania from 4 May.

Army Attractions, part of Directorate of Recruiting, also provided additional resources for the recruiting sites.

 
 

Director of Recruitment Colonel Kimberlea Juchniewicz said Army is always keen to take part in Agfest.

“It was great to be able to send Army’s people to support the event, engage with the community, and raise awareness and interest in a career with the ADF,” COL Juchniewicz said.

“We recognise the great results that have been obtained over the years by the local Army team and DFR.

“A significant part of Army’s recruitment efforts relies on our own members representing the service.

“Over the coming year, we are aiming for a personal candidate focus from Army, as well as the integration of the new recruiting contractor, Adecco, so we are excited about building the Army workforce.”

The recruitment of Army’s future workforce has been highlighted as a key priority in the release of the Defence Strategic Review.

Lieutenant Oliver Breeze, who has attended the event for a number of years, said Agfest delivered recruiting outcomes for Army.

The troop commander at 2nd Force Support Battalion is a passionate unit recruiting liaison officer.

He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1996 after chatting to a recruiter at Agfest.

“I ran an agricultural contracting business and was at Agfest in 1996 promoting machinery and equipment,” LT Breeze said.

“As I was near 12/40RTR [12th/40th Battalion, Royal Tasmania Regiment] for the four-day event, by the end I had worked out that I would make a good fit for Army Reserve and was inspired to join after talking with the team about the opportunities available.”

With a number of family members having served in the military, including at Gallipoli, LT Breeze said Army service ran in his blood.

He has served in a range of roles, from infantry soldier to medic, and most recently as an officer with the Transport Corp.

“I have been fortunate enough to travel to New Zealand, East Timor, and even the US and Canada as part of the Prince of Wales award,” LT Breeze said.

“Agfest provides a showcase for Army recruiting. It’s the best return of investment and we will get more EOIs and applications here than anywhere else.”

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.

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