Rachael Hopkins (nee Ellem)
Gamilaroi
Sergeant
Royal Australian Air Force
Medals and Awards
Australian Service Medal
Australian Defence Medal
Multinational Force and Observers Medal
Bronze Commendation Badge
I enlisted in the Air Force in 2013 after completing an Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course. As a Personnel Capability Specialist my career has been diverse. I completed my training at RAAF Wagga Wagga followed by a posting to RAAF Williamtown at 453SQN, 76SQN, and 15SECFOR. I then posted to RAAF East Sale to 32SQN and onto Canberra to AFHQ. The highlights of my career have been deploying on OP Mazurka to Sinai, Egypt for 7 months. Also being a mentor to young First Nations people in Indigenous Youth Programs and Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Programs. My biggest achievement is becoming an Indigenous Liaison Officer and building strong community connections on Ngunnawal Country and coming to work every day to serve my people. I am a proud mother of 5 beautiful kids and wife to my amazing husband ‘Hopper’.