Celebrating our veteran colleagues
For Daniel Brooks, no two days are same. As a People Leader of the Security Team at our Ballarat campus, he leads a team of 40 plus members to keep our premises secure and support our staff.
“Every day is different and it allows me to draw on my previous experience and knowledge to help lead and take our security team forward,” says Daniel. Fittingly, he is no stranger to thinking on his feet.
As a former Platoon Sergeant of New Zealand Army, who has served in Afghanistan and East Timor, Daniel has had a successful military career that has equipped him with skills that come in handy in his current job.
“Leadership and training are at the forefront in the military,” he adds, saying that his current role is a natural fit and enables him to use his attributes as a veteran.
Daniel is among a number of veterans and ex-servicemen who are a part of Grampians Health. The skills and experience they bring to the workplace fit a variety of positions across our health service. Their leadership, teamwork and resilience are valuable assets to our organisation.
“I have found that veterans in particular are able to work well in austere environments, manage well with uncertainty in tasks,” says Don Garlick, manager of Emergency Management at Grampians Health Ballarat and an active member of the Australian Army.
Personally, Don, who is also the manager of Ballarat Base Hospital helicopter landing site and a clinical nurse specialist at the ED, says that leadership, communication, teamwork, physical fitness, trauma nursing, and mass casualty incident management are all skill sets that are transferrable to his current role from his experience with the army.
Daniel agrees as he says that veterans can bring in skills such as adaptability in the face of adversity, flexibility, problem-solving, technical skills, integrity, self-discipline, teamwork, resilience, accountability, work ethic, time management, compliance, strategic planning, and dedication.
Next week as we will recognise ANZAC Day, we would like to acknowledge and thank our colleagues who are veterans and those who are still part of the Armed Forces.
We thank you for your service to our country and value your contributions to Grampians Health. We value our workforce, we are committed to supporting you in every way possible.
In a message to fellow veterans at Grampians Health, Daniel encourages all employees who are veterans to come forward if they need help with any facet of their roles.
“I want to acknowledge the sacrifices you have made for your country and for the freedoms we enjoy every day. As fellow veterans within the hospital, we understand the unique challenges and experiences that come with military service,” he says.
“I want you to know that you are not alone. We are all in this together and I am here to offer my support and encouragement. Let us continue to work together as a team to provide the best possible care to our patients within a safe and secure working environment. Your contributions are valued and appreciated.”
