Our People in QLD
Hunting The Illegals - Jenny Ross
In 2001 when Toowoomba’s Jenny Ross signed up for the Navy straight from school, she never realised she’d be based in Darwin so fast and helping keep Australia safe.
But that’s exactly what she’s been doing for the past eighteen months.
Jenny’s formative years were spent at Centenary Heights State High School and working at the various Abra Kebab food chains around Toowoomba.
“My dad always wanted us kids to join up because of the job security, and I initially joined for his sake,” she said.
“Looking back, I’m glad I made that choice. I’ve got a lot from my time in the Navy including the travel, the good money and the experiences.”
Now 26, Jenny is based in Darwin on Operation RESOLUTE, helping protect Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone. She and her shipmates patrol the country’s maritime borders in search of illegal foreign fishing vessels and people smugglers.
“The job we’re doing out here is important,” Jenny said, “I’m proud to be looking after the security and future of our country.”
Jenny has specialised in communications and information systems. Her job aboard is to ensure that the CO maintains communications with his or her headquarters ashore and with other boats at sea.
Jenny loves her job but the highlight, she said, is watching the sun setting at sea. “Everyone in the world can watch a sunset,” Jenny said, “but only a select few can watch it totally surrounded by ocean.”
During her time in the Navy, Jenny’s seen the sun set over many seas. She’s travelled all over Australia and the South West Pacific, and had an operational deployment to the Middle East.
Jenny may have secured her place in the halls of military history too. “I wrote a poem whilst in the Persian Gulf on HMAS Toowoomba,” Jenny said, “and the Captain submitted it to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.”
Although she has spent the last eight years living in different cities all over the country, Jenny returns to Toowoomba at least once a year to visit her parents, Karen and Tony, and her grandparents.
She has solid plans for her future too. “I’d like my next posting to be in Cairns with my partner, Malcolm, and hope to start a family.” Jenny said.