04 ARMYPEOPLE
Burnham Social Worker awarded NZDF Civilian of the Year A man who was a driving force behind social workers becoming a permanent part of the military is the New Zealand Defence Force Civilian of the Year. Liam Cunnah provides professional clinical social work services to personnel at Burnham Military Camp as well as their whānau and, in his spare time, the wider Canterbury community. He was part of a trial to introduce social workers to the NZDF four years ago – a trial which led to them becoming permanent employees. Mr Cunnah said the importance of providing this service to personnel could not be underestimated. “We live in an ever-changing and unpredictable world which can place significant pressures on soldiers and their families. “As the types of issues become more complex in their presentation, a more holistic approach to wellness support and management is required, and this is where social work comes into its own.”
Mr Cunnah said the trusting relationship built between local Command teams and the social work service was crucial. “Without this, I would not be in the position I am to have been nominated and chosen as a recipient of this special award,” he said. “As someone who prefers to be behind the scenes promoting the successes of others, this is an unfamiliar yet humbling experience to be receiving this award. “The success of the Burnham Social Work service has been supported and enhanced by the exceptional work of my fellow colleagues within the Burnham Integrated Wellness team.” Mr Cunnah last year undertook Postgraduate study in Family Therapy, as well as having studied Gottman Couples Therapy this year.
Liam Cunnah
“I chose to do this as it was a need that I identified around the everchanging relationship challenges faced by soldiers and their dependants,” he said. “As social workers we are innately driven by our desire to promote and enhance the self-determination and empowerment of both our clients and often the wider organisations that we are employed by.” Mr Cunnah also supported the wider Canterbury community in his own time by providing clinical input as a board member for Salisbury Street Foundation, a rehabilitation centre that aims to reintegrate serious offenders back into the community. His citation said his dedication to the work he did within the community demonstrated that he was an outstanding ambassador for the NZDF.
Safety winner protects welfare of 600 during Australian bushfires Army medic CPL Lewis Hullen is the 2020 NZDF Safety Person of the Year.
CPL Lewis Hullen
CPL Hullen deployed in January 2020 as a Force Health Protection Technician (FHPT) in support of Operation Australian Bushfires. His role was to provide close environmental health support to the NZDF force element located on Kangaroo Island. This was a sole charge position, reporting to a Force Health Protection Officer (FHPO) located in Adelaide. During this operation, CPL Hullen discovered and prevented three threats to human health in relation to the drinking water and food provided to them. He raised this with the commander on the ground, immediately implemented measures to reduce the risk, and then provided training to personnel to remedy the issues. While the judging panel was impressed with all the finalists in this category, CPL Hullen’s achievements stood out for several reasons. The judges noted that CPL Hullen operated autonomously in a daunting environment, especially considering his rank; he demonstrated courage by raising health and safety issues with his superiors; he also realised the magnitude of potential impact of not taking proactive initiative, and his interventions had an immediate, tangible outcome for his comrades on Kangaroo Island.
CPL Hullen’s actions were exemplary and have won the recognition of his command and peers. His nomination, submitted by Major Ron Christmas, provides further insight into how CPL Hullen’s actions have demonstrated our core NZDF values and excellence in health and safety. He displayed confidence and courage in bringing these matters to the attention of superiors in a timely and professional manner. His efforts meant he was able to protect the health of 600 personnel, and prevented significant impact to the mission of the NZDF and ADF. Beyond the above specific examples, CPL Hullen was proactive in hazard ID and risk assessment in an environment that had significant perceived risk. His technical reporting chain trusted his assessments and he was able to provide accurate and timely information that allowed the FHPO to advise higher command as to the true nature of the risks that NZDF personnel had been exposed to.
Warrant Officer Class Two Sean Cassidy spends all day teaching college students, and most of his spare time training soldiers. He has been named Reservist of the Year. Dunedin-based secondary school teacher Sean Cassidy says his military knowledge and experience is invaluable in his civilian career. Warrant Officer Class Two Cassidy is senior trainer of B Company, 2/4 RNZIR. He teaches physical education, outdoor education and the health curriculum at King’s High School in Dunedin. The judging panel selected WO2 Cassidy for his selfless and consistent commitment to go above and beyond for B Company and in the local community. Judges said he was a strong and positive influencer, and a key member of B Company’s leadership team. He was also instrumental in developing new concepts for training and planning, working around the restrictions imposed under Covid-19 higher alert levels. WO2 Cassidy says he feels honoured to receive the award. He has been a Reservist since 1990. “I had a gap year before attending University and the recruiter held an information evening in Cromwell. I went along to see what it was about as a couple for friends had already joined the Regular Force Cadet School. “The opportunities, variety and flexibility offered was a good fit for my intended career path at that time (attending Otago University). Secondly, the experiences with attending training activities, exercises, courses, meeting and working with people with diverse backgrounds was something I have always enjoyed. The highlight for me has been putting these skills I have developed both in the NZDF and my civilian career and utilising them on operational deployments.”
WO2 Sean Cassidy
In his Reservist role he plans, implements and mentors training, and is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating sub unit training activities. His employer, he says, has provided him with substantial support over the last 19 years of his employment. “The school is very keen to utilise the value added skills the NZ Army provides via the numerous courses, exercises and community activities that I have attended and supported during this time. An example of this is providing assistance to the school’s Anzac services, running fitness sessions for several sports teams and Year 13 leadership activities encompassing skills gained from my military experiences. “There is mutual benefit between King’s High and myself. The Army provides me with skill sets that are not readily available in civilian organisations, particularly at little or no cost to the school (except my time). I am also able to use these skills readily at school, and always to the benefit to the students I teach. Another relationship spinoff is via recruiting. Students are often querying me on advice about Defence as a career option and I am able point them in the right direction in regards to qualifications, skills and fitness required to gain the trade they are aspiring to in the NZDF.”
