Our People in VIC
Timothy Lehmann - Different culture opens eyes for Beulah soldier
The change in climate was the thing that struck Beulah soldier Timothy Lehmann the most on his arrival to East Timor.
“Here it is hot and humid, where home is either hot and dry or cold and dry,” he said.
Timothy is 21 and serving as an infantry soldier with the Timor-Leste Battle Group IV, part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Dili, East Timor.
It’s a far cry from his life as a farmhand, fencer and tank constructor, and he says he had always been interested in joining the army so when the opportunity arose to join, he jumped at it.
“My role has changed a lot since I joined. I now hold an important position as the number one gunner, which provides the main firepower for my section,” he said.
It’s Timothy’s first deployment and while he says there are too many highlights to be able to name one, he has appreciated being able to see a different country and way of life.
He is looking forward to catching up with family and watching some football when he returns to Australia.
The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) is assisting the East Timor and UN police to maintain stability and security in the country.
Timothy is one of some 650 Australian Defence Force personnel now serving in East Timor with Operation Astute
The operation is part of the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of East Timor to assist in bringing stability, security and confidence to the Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.