Growing up on a citrus orchard in small town Palmwoods behind the Sunshine Coast, Warrant Officer Graeme Paroz never dreamed his decision to join the Air Force at 15 would lead to receiving his second Federation Star.
Reflecting on more than 45 years of long service, he said the time had ‘flown’ by – pun intended.
“I joined as an apprentice engine fitter 11 days from my 16th birthday,” Warrant Officer Paroz said.
“The day after I signed on the dotted line with recruiting at Brisbane, I was flown down in a C-130 to the RAAF School of Technical Training at RAAF Base Wagga.
“I had to look up on a map where RAAF Base Wagga was.” It was big change from farm life, but following a long line of relatives who had served in the Army and Navy, including both world wars, Air Force felt like the right fit.
“I had always liked aircraft and wasn’t overly fussed on boats, so I decided to join the RAAF,” Warrant Officer Paroz said.
During his career, he was posted to RAAF Bases Williamtown, Butterworth, Sale, Glenbrook and Richmond, where he worked on a variety of aircraft such as the Mirage, Caribou, P3 Orion and C-130 Hercules E, H and J models, in a number of positions including aircraft technician, warrant officer engineer and instructor.
