Tactical Flight Officer
Career Highlights
- Melinda left Beaconhills in 1993 and undertook a hairdressing apprenticeship for three years.
- In 1996 she joined the Victoria Police, working at police stations in and around Pakenham.
- Whilst working at Sorrento next to the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad, she had her first helicopter ride – and was hooked!
- She joined the Rescue Squad as a volunteer and trained as a helicopter rescue crewman.
- In 2006 Melinda was seconded to the Australian Federal Police to join RAMSI to work in the Solomon Islands as part of the peace-keeping operation there.
- During the 2007 earthquake and tsunami which devastated the islands, Melinda conducted the helicopter and plane missions in response to the disaster.
- She was presented with an award for her outstanding efforts by the RAMSI mission commander.
- During her time in the Solomon Islands, she became a helicopter pilot.
- In 2010 she was appointed to the Victoria Police Air Wing as a helicopter crewman, one of only 25, thus achieving her long-held dream.