Katie Higgins

Tell us about your recent achievement

I recently posted in as the first female Officer Commanding of Charlie Company. Charlie Company’s primary role is to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance tasks in support of border security operations. The company has a long history, in WWII, almost every man across the Torres Strait Islands volunteered to join the battalion to defend their homes and their nation. Today, it is the Australian Army’s largest primarily Indigenous sub-unit, with more than 90 per cent of serving personnel originating in the Torres Strait Islands. The area that we operate shares an international boarder with Papua New Guinea and so there are many government agencies working closely together. As Officer Commanding, I get the privilege of leading the Company.

Can you share a little about your journey since leaving PLC Sydney?

I joined the Australian Army straight after school and went to the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. Here, I studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) before then undertaking my Army Officer Training and my Military Engineer Officer training. All in all, this took six years, but I graduated as a Lieutenant in the Corps of the Royal Australian Engineers, with my Engineering degree. My first two postings where to Engineering Units in Brisbane, then Townsville. I worked as a troop commander to lead Army construction projects in remote indigenous communities and as an operations officer who organised training and exercises for the soldiers.

After that, I deployed as Australia’s youngest ever United Nations Military Observer in Isreal and observed the treaty between Isreal and Syria. I was team leader of a multinational team of officers for a period of six months.

I then moved back to Canberra and worked in the Army’s Strategic Infrastructure Cell, instructed at the Officer Training College and was Aide-de-Camp to the Governor-General to the Commonwealth of Australia.

What inspired you to pursue this path?

I wanted a job that would challenge me both mentally and physically. The Australian Defence Force Academy offered a way for me to receive a free degree, be paid to study and then get on the job experience as a Troop Commander. The Army invested a lot of time in my training and then gave me leadership of a Troop at a pretty young age.

Looking back, were there experiences at PLC Sydney that helped shape your interests or career?

I played lots of sport, was in a few bands but also enjoyed maths and sciences. The sports and music programs and taught me the value of working hard for a team. I have to thank Mr Haper, Ms Harden and Mr Broadhead for their impact that they had when teaching me.

What do you enjoy most about the work you do today?

Getting the opportunity to lead Charlie Company is incredible. In this role I also get to work with the soldiers, Other Government Agencies, the community, the council and different parts of the Defence Force. It’s incredibly diverse but everyone is working towards very similar goals.

Have you faced any challenges along the way? What helped you overcome them?

I joined to face challenges. The satisfaction I get from a problem solved or a task completed motivates me to keep seeking out more complex challenges.

What advice would you give to current PLC Sydney students who may be interested in a similar path?

Work hard for the people around you, don’t burn bridges and enjoy what you do.

What’s next for you?

While I’m up in the Torres I have bought a boat, so learning how to use that is high on my priority list. I also want to learn to spearfish, catch some fish and make fish tacos.

I’m not sure what the future holds and I’ve never really had short term career goals. What I have done is taken advantage of opportunities when they come up and so I’m going to keep doing that.