Alumni Profile – Erin Lehane

Alumni Profile

ERIN LEHANE – CLASS OF 1998

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Warrant Officer Class Two Erin Lehane enlisted in the Australian Army Reserve in Melbourne, Victoria on 18 January 2000. After completing her basic training she posted into the 108th Signal Squadron as a radio operator in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Here she completed her initial employment and trade training, qualifying first as an Operator Radio, in 2000, and then as an Operator Specialist Communications, in 2002.

Whilst posted to 108th Signal Squadron, she served in several different radio detachments and the cryptographic vault as both a soldier and detachment commander. During her time within the squadron she also undertook several periods of continuous full time service. In this tenure, she deployed to Malaysia as a company signaller for Rifle Company Butterworth 68.

Relocating to Brisbane in 2006, Erin was posted to the 7th Command Support Regiment. In the course of this posting she deployed with the 8th Brigade, supporting the multi-national Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, serving as a detachment commander in the communication centre. On return to Brisbane she undertook a further period of continuous full time service and applied for a transfer into the Australian Regular Army.

In January 2012, Erin enlisted into the Australian Regular Army and was posted to the 7th Combat Signal Regiment as a corporal. During this posting she deployed to Afghanistan, serving in Tarin Kot as a member of the Force Communications Unit Seven. On return she served as a cryptographic custodian and troop sergeant, before posting to HMAS Adelaide, as part of the commissioning crew. Warrant Officer Class Two Lehane posted to Headquarters Forces Command in January 2017, as the Communications Systems Supervisor within the Army Frequency Management Cell where she provided radiofrequency spectrum support to army before moving into the Communications Systems Engineer role for 2018. She is currently working in the Force Modernisation cell within Forces Command.

Concurrent to her service, she has undertaken civilian employment as a recreational access worker, a high ropes instructor, a first aid trainer, and as an optic fibre technician. She has also undertaken tertiary studies; graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Victoria University, in 2000, a Trade Certificate in Telecommunications through Brisbane City Council, in 2009 and is currently undertaking post graduate studies in Engineering for Telecommunications Management through the University of Technology Sydney.

Warrant Officer Class Two Lehane enjoys travelling with her partner Hayley and their daughter Matilda. Although she no longer plays, she is passionate about Australian Rules Football and is an avid supporter of the Western Bulldogs.

Alumni Profile

“WHERE ARE THEY NOW?”

What Year did you graduate?

1998

What did you study after Year 12?

BA – Recreation and Fitness Leadership Telecommunications Traineeship – Optic Fibre Technician (in Brisbane)

I am still studying (Currently doing a Masters in Engineering Telecommunications Network Management).

What advice would you give to someone considering undertaking this study path?

The course I did was largely focussed on human movement and I don’t think it’s even offered anymore. Be prepared to do post graduate work to really get where you want to go. You don’t have to know what you want before you start, just find a place to start and see where you end up.

What influenced your choice of career?

While I was studying at University I joined the Army Reserve for something a little different as a part-time job. When I completed my Traineeship I had a trade and a University qualification, I had lived in several different cities, travelled quite a bit of the world and still didn’t know what I wanted to ‘be’. I was offered a full time contract with the Army to deploy on the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. After 12 years my job in the Army was still a technical and physical job that I enjoyed so I transferred to the Regular Army and haven’t looked back since.

How did your experiences at St Aloysius College prepare you for this path?

You know I am ever grateful that I had a solid foundation in my education at St Aloysius. I have the foundation skills that put me ahead of my peers just by virtue of my education. However, the thing I have gained most from my studies was learning how I learn and study best. Knowing what I need to do to learn and retain information, whether it’s a new skill or topic or rehashing something has been the most valuable thing I learnt from my high school years.

What impact has Covid-19 had on you?

Tough question. First and foremost I can say it has been busy. Whilst I have had some time working from home largely that isn’t possible in my line of work. Things have been busier than ever, made harder by trying to avoid public transport to get to day care and work. I am currently assigned to the Joint Task Force as part of the ADF support to the COVID-19 response.

If you could give your high school self some words of advice, what would it be?

You don’t have to ‘be’ anything. Find things you enjoy, work hard and you will end up where you are meant to be. Don’t sweat on being ‘included’. People will like you for who you are and having a few good friends is better than fitting in with the crowd.

Who or what has inspired you?

I have been privileged to have had some exceptionally good mentors over the years.

I am inspired everyday by my family and I am driven to be a better person and role model for my daughter.

I have an innate desire to help people and that has been self-serving in that I have always felt good about myself for helping others. Serving in the ADF is just one way to help others and that was a large motivation for joining full-time.

What are your career aspirations/goals in the coming years?

Looking after my family, hopefully having baby number two, finishing my Masters and learning my new role are all on the list of things I want to do/do well in the next few years.

My family and I are posting to Darwin at the end of the year (which comes with a promotion for me) and getting everyone settled and finding my feet with a new level of responsibilities will keep me busy for a little while.