Statement on behalf of the family of Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent

– Daniel, Marianna and Sami Nugent and Chadine

Becoming an officer in the Army was a long-held dream for our son, brother and partner Max. He made that dream a reality through stubborn grit, resilience and a wicked sense of humour. He embodied the values of integrity and honour, which made him a natural fit for a life of service to others.

Max was born at Wahroonga in northern Sydney in 1998, and grew up at West Pymble. He studied at Barker College, where he thrived as a member of the Australian Army Cadets; he loved adventuring out in the dirt and mud. Tall, gangly and geeky, he had no business playing high school rugby, and yet he did. Max was tough. If somebody told him he couldn’t do something, he took it as challenge and persisted with unshakable determination until he had proved them wrong.

He appointed as an officer in the Australian Army in July of 2018 and attended Duntroon in Canberra. As graduation approached he had his choice of corps, deciding aviation was the place he most wanted to be. He just barely fit in below the height limit for pilots. Earning his pilot’s wings on the PC-21 at East Sale, Max was commended by his instructors, standing out even amongst the high calibre of his peers. He qualified on helicopters at HMAS Albatross, then converted to the Taipan at Oakey. It was here that his technical inclination came to the fore, knowing the complex aircraft front to back, inside and out.

He always sought to develop and improve as a pilot and officer, seeking feedback and constructive criticism from his colleagues. He earned praise for his fantastic hand and feet skills on the controls, a natural aviator.

On completion of training Max posted to 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville, which is where he met Chadine. The two bonded over a love of dogs and dumplings. When he posted to Sydney with 173 Squadron at 6th Aviation Regiment, Chad moved down with him. They were planning a life together and hoped to get a dog, which they joked they would name ‘Dumpling’.

Max expressed his love for others through acts of service. The eldest child in his extended family, he was adored by his grandparents, uncles, aunts and younger cousins, and he reciprocated in kind. He was his dad’s best mate, they loved to watch sport together. He gave great hugs to his mum and others by resting his chin on the top of their head. In social settings he was a larrikin and stirrer, happy to set himself up to be the butt of a joke. His sister Sami adds Max just as quickly made her, or somebody else, the butt of the next joke, too.

Our Max fitted so much living into his 24 years. He got to live his dream. He loved flying, and Army life was everything he hoped it would be. He was straight as an arrow, stubborn, reliable, hilarious, generous and a radiant light in our lives. His loss leaves an unbearable grief in our hearts, and we ask that the media respects our privacy while we mourn.