More than 120 Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) students donated blood over two days when the Mobile Donor Unit visited the academy as part of the 2025 Defence Blood Drive.
One student, 22-year-old Sub-Lieutenant Nathan Hazle, recalls being encouraged by his Navy shipmates to donate blood for the first time a few years ago.
The electrical engineering student was on board HMAS Parramatta when it pulled into Perth and the crew decided to do a blood drive.
"The whole crew strolled into the donation centre in Fremantle," Sub-Lieutenant Hazle said.
"They encouraged me to join them, which I did, because it's the right thing to do."
Sipping flavoured milk and tucking into chips and chocolate after donating for this year's blood drive, ADFA trainee officers, including Officer Cadet Ryan Ewington, linked their decision to donate blood to their commitment to serve their community.
"Our job is about serving the Australian community and this is an extension of that," Officer Cadet Ewington said.
The cyber security student first donated when he turned 18, in 2023. The Navy posted his mum, Captain Fiona Ewington, to Canberra, and the family lived near the donor centre. Officer Cadet Ewington is now approaching his 20th donation.
"I like the idea of making small personal sacrifices to make someone else's life better," he said.
"You're only giving up an hour, and if that means someone can keep living or survive a traumatic episode, it's worth it. It's one of the easiest ways to save lives."
Serving his community was also the motivator for business student Officer Cadet Luan Pretorius, who was one of more than 20 trainee officers donating for the first time.
"I joined the Army because I love Australia and its people," Officer Cadet Pretorius said.
"This is the same, helping Aussies where I can."
'You're only giving up an hour, and if that means someone can keep living or survive a traumatic episode, it's worth it. It's one of the easiest ways to save lives.'
The 20-year-old Queenslander said the friendly rivalry between services to top the donations tally was a good way to promote the Defence Blood Drive.
"They told us last year who did the best (Army)," Officer Cadet Pretorius said.
"If that inspires more people to play their part, that's good."
Civil engineering student Officer Cadet Thomas McLellan was also donating for the first time, revealing his father was in a serious car accident in his 20s and needed blood to save his life.
"My dad's now a donor," Officer Cadet McLellan said.
"I chatted to him last night and told him I'd be donating and he said he was proud I was doing such a good thing."
Business student Officer Cadet Oliver Williams didn't mince words when urging other trainee officers to donate.
"If you can do it, you've got to," he said.
"Think about what it provides to others. If people are scared of needles, then don't look."
Officer Cadet Ewington was glad he took up the call, and encouraged others to do the same.
"Put yourself out there," he said.
"Our job is to walk into unfamiliar territory and do our best for the people of Australia. Donating blood is the same concept. It's scary the first time, terrifying if you're scared of needles, but it's an important part of our job to dedicate time to things like this."
Commandant ADFA Brigadier Troy Francis commended the trainee officers for their service.
"I am proud of the academy's participation in the blood donation drive," Brigadier Francis said.
"It reflects their personal commitment to the people of Australia, and the enduring Defence values and underlying behaviours we uphold."
