Being the ’rock’ that many military families call on first for support, has earned Carol Voyce of Christchurch, the inaugural New Zealand Defence Force Person of the Year award.
NZDF Person of the Year
Carol, who is a civilian member of the NZDF holding the position of Deployment Service Officer based at Burnham Military Camp, provides nationwide welfare support services to deployed personnel and their families.
Since 2001 Carol, a Registered Nurse, has promoted and changed the face of deployment support services inside the NZDF.
Peace of mind for families and their deployed loved ones is the key to successfully managing a deployment. Pre-deployment briefings for families and deploying service personnel provide the basis for successfully managing a deployment.
The opportunity to meet with families, to provide up-to-date quality information, is one of the many support roles Carol undertakes.
She carries a cell phone providing families with instant reassurance 24 hours a day about media reports and incidents overseas. Carol also offers a listening ear when the going understandably gets tough, or if there is a need to send an urgent message to a deployed service person.
“Every day I feel privileged to share a little of the lives of our families and service personnel separated by deployments,” says Carol. “I admire their courage, resilience and sacrifices in their endeavours to contribute towards a world at peace.”
For families located in the greater Christchurch area there are a range of local activities and support services in place; however, this support extends to others country-wide and includes tour updates; The Bugle—a tri-Service deployment newsletter; and the opportunity to join in other special projects and events.
Carol receives her award
New projects on the go for Carol include a version of The Bugle newsletter just for the children of deployed personnel; as well as a children’s book.
The NZDF Person of the Year is a new award developed to celebrate the NZDF’s values of courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity and to recognise and honour someone who has stood out in their commitment to these values.
As the winner, Carol received a trophy and special study prize, which can be used in an area of professional development of her choosing.
The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, who presented the award at a special ceremony on Saturday 21 November, said: “I personally cannot think of a more deserving winner.
“It is no surprise to me that Carol was nominated by three separate people—reflective of the quality of service she brings to her work, which touches the lives of many. Her contribution encompasses support to our people on operations and their families at home and in that area she represents our values superbly.
“She has fought for the continued existence and development of the role, and helped to build the service and support to the level that it is today.”