Our People in NSW
Mick Eyb - Taree Man in Sumatra Rescue
These days Taree soldier Mick Eyb is sitting in the busy operations control room in a large open house in the south of Padang City.
Mick is a Captain in the Army and he’s a logistics planner. He’s been playing a key role in coordinating and arranging the transport of over two hundred Australian personnel, plus their supplies and equipment as part of the massive humanitarian air lift operation at Padang International Airport.
Only days after two devastating earthquakes shook West Sumatra in Indonesia, the Taree man deployed as part of Defence’s advance assessment team to direct ADF assistance to where it was needed most.
Joining the ADF though wasn’t always Mick’s aim. Growing up in Taree, he was a keen musician and drummer. Initially working at a music store, and teaching drums after finishing school, his dreams of becoming a rock star were interrupted by marriage and fatherhood. Now 28 and with family responsibilities, he decided on a new career path in the Army.
“After accepting a bit of responsibility in my life I began to develop a sense of patriotism and seeing things like ANZAC day as a focal point,” Mick said.
“I joined the Army looking for more training and more responsibility.”
Mick decided to join the medical corps at the end of his training at the Royal Military College Duntroon.
“I like that you’re assisting people, making a difference in their lives and the Army gives me the training to do that,” he said.
“I also get sufficient training and experience in medical administration that could put me well on my way should I ever choose to leave the Army.”
Mick also deployed to Banda Aceh in Indonesia in 2005 in the wake of the Asian tsunami.
“That event was much bigger and because we were one of the primary health care givers in the Banda Aceh area we were seeing a lot of secondary injuries,” he said.
“It’s still terrible [in Padang] but the fact that no wave followed the earthquake – the local population has been very fortunate in that respect.”
This time round Mick had only just dusted off his drum kit to teach his daughter when he was called away with a day’s notice.
“Not a day goes by looking out onto the street, seeing the kids, and thinking about my own children,” he said. “It’s easier when you know you’re here to help and doing the right thing.”
Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen are working day and night to provide health care, purified water, and to deliver aid supplies to the people of Padang and the surrounding areas.