NO cup of tea or coffee is complete at this time of year without an Anzac Biscuit – or three.
Birdon made sure they didn’t run short last Tuesday, when 300 were on offer for staff at its Port Macquarie headquarters.
It was part of a company-wide morning tea to honour Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans.
CEO Jamie Bruce said Birdon was proud to employ 14 veterans in Australia, with Anzac Day providing an opportunity for the business and its staff to honour their service and sacrifice, along with the families who support them.
Birdon’s veteran employees bring specialist expertise and commitment to the defence industry to their roles across the business.
In Australia, 3.8 percent of Birdon employees are veterans, while in the US, 14.79 percent are veterans.
Birdon also sponsors Bravery Trust, a national military charity providing financial assistance, counselling, and education to current and ex-serving ADF members facing hardship.
Proceeds of all the biscuits purchased for the morning teas will go to the trust, which has raised more than $6.2m since 2014.
Each year, around 6000 ADF personnel transition out of military service.
According to Bravery Trust, approximately 25 percent experience a sudden and unexpected separation, often due to illness or injury.
This can lead to reduced income, housing instability, and a loss of identity.
Birdon Manager Maritime Programs David Rushton, a former Royal Australian Navy Submarine Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer, said the financial support provided by Bravery Trust plays a critical role.
“People who serve their country generally do so regardless of the costs, both personal and financial,” he said.
Birdon’s Integrated Logistics Manager David Miter, an ADF veteran, reflected on the personal meaning of Anzac Day.
“It’s about honouring those who wore the uniform and those who waited, worried, and kept life going at home,” he said.
“Bravery Trust supports veterans when they need it most.”
General Manager Assets and Contracts Sarah Yuen, who served as a Marine Engineering Officer in the
Royal Australian Navy from 1996 to 2006, said Birdon’s veteran-supportive culture helps translate military experience into meaningful civilian careers.
“Working alongside Defence Prime Contractors in shipyards sparked my interest in ship repair and docking refits, which ultimately shaped the direction of my career,” she said.
