29 April 2025
The life of Private Jacinta Watson has been commemorated at Greenbank Training Area, with a new bridge opened and named in her honour.
Private Watson was tragically killed in a live-fire training incident at Greenbank Training Area in 1994.
Private Watson’s mother, Genia Otuszewski, cut the ribbon at the official opening of the improved all-weather crossing over the Oxley River.
Ms Otuszewski said her daughter, who was 23 and in her first year of service, was tough, capable and, above all, honest.
“Jacinta was adventurous. She was absolutely ethical and completely for justice; she had this strength of character and strong will,” Ms Otuszewski said.
“To see the structure there was a really positive experience. It felt very good.
“It’s lovely to know that there’s a permanent memorial and a reminder to all those who shoot on the range how important it is to follow safety procedures.”
The commemoration is the culmination of efforts to create a lasting memorial to Private Watson. The campaign started in 2020, led mainly by Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Greg Mills, a member of the Directorate of Operations and Training Area Management in the Security and Estate Group.
After learning about the incident, WO2 Mills began pushing to get some more recognition for Private Watson.
'Jacinta was adventurous. She was absolutely ethical and completely for justice; she had this strength of character and strong will.'
A key part was speaking to the family, getting to know them, finding out more about Private Watson, and gaining their permission and involvement in commemorative services.
He then found the unit she was with and approached them to organise a formal ceremony to present the Australian National Flag to the parents and unveil Private Watson’s plaque on the Gallipoli Barracks Non-Operational Deaths Memorial in 2022.
“It was just a natural progression that the new Greenbank bridge be named after Jacinta in her honour,” WO2 Mills said.
Ms Otuszewski said the family never held negative feelings towards Defence, but that it had been hard to find any sort of closure until WO2 Mills reached out.
“Greg has been in constant contact with us and pushed all the way for this bridge, and it wouldn’t have happened without him,” she said.
The relationship has grown over time, and Ms Otuszewski now describes WO2 Mills as “part of our family”, and she has become friends with his wife.
She said the recent efforts meant a lot to her, her daughter’s siblings and father.
Ms Otuszewski said the past few years had redeemed everything for Private Watson's sister, Chantelle, who also served at the time. She said it also provided some healing for her husband, who died recently.
“My husband never spoke Jacinta’s name until Greg came along. Jacinta was the eldest of five children. She was her father’s boy before we actually had a son,” Ms Otuszewski said.
“She was a leader and big personality but extremely compassionate. She was there for the kids and there for everybody.”
