Corporal Angela Reid's grandmother unfortunately did not get the chance to tell her granddaughter the stories she had from serving in the Army in World War 2 as a telephonist.
Through her daughter, however, Evelyn Collard's journey inspired her granddaughter to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force.
"Grandma used to tell my mother stories about her time in the Army and speak fondly of the friendships she made with other women," Corporal Reid said.
"While she was still alive, I unfortunately did not get the chance to talk to her about her time. However, through her stories to Mum, I use her excitement and enthusiasm in my daily RAAF life."
A mother herself, Corporal Reid emphasised that service life caused challenges.
"There have been times when my three children, now grown up, have been so proud of me and my biggest champions," she said.
"Yet I also know that there are more times than I would like to admit, where family has come second to my work and that can be challenging.
"But the fulfilment I feel each day is off the charts. Every experience will differ, but I can't stress enough how much I wish I had enlisted earlier after joining at 39. I found like-minded people to surround myself with and who helped shaped my life and my career."
Alongside learning her technical trade of aeronautical life support, Corporal Reid has become a gender focal point, a mentor, a co-lead in a female technical workforce improvement team, and is currently studying a Bachelor's Degree in Human Rights and International Relations.
"I am a staunch advocate for equality in not just the workplace but also through our extended ADF operations, whether local or international," Corporal Reid said.
"In the future, I am hoping to commission to become an Air Force officer and be someone Grandma would have been proud to call her friend, not just her granddaughter."
