A proud life of service beyond the uniform

Sandra's first taste of military life began when she met her future husband David in 1968. Just four and a half months later they were married, he was posted to Townsville, and Sandra was left to navigate pregnancy and becoming a mum for the first time with family in Brisbane.

In October 1969, she joined her husband at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, but just seven months later, he was deployed to Vietnam with 2 RAR. When Sandra heard the news, she was worried about what lay ahead for their growing family but had no choice but to carry on.

“You don’t just marry the man; you marry the Defence Force. You just get on with it,” Sandra says.

“It was hard because you could go weeks without hearing from them. Sometimes the post office would go on strike, and you'd get six or seven letters at once. David would number the letters so I could read them in order. Going through those big milestones, especially having a child, was really challenging."   

Sandra still has the letters that David sent her from Vietnam to this day.

Thankfully, her fellow Army wives, many of whom had walked the same path, were on hand to offer practical support and words of encouragement.

"The rank didn't matter because we weren't in the Army, our husbands were. So, we were all the same. We were just wives,” she recalls.

"You depended a lot on each other, because we were away from our families. No one had their families there. Instead, you had your backup families, and you became very resilient.”

Sandra said the support of other wives who had weathered the storms of deployment, and life on base, were particularly invaluable, especially during the birth of her second child in 1971 while David was again deployed in Vietnam.

"They would ask how we were; if we needed help with anything. They were there if you needed to talk which was very good."

In 1972, Sandra was expecting her third child when she got word her husband would be going bush. This time, she wasn't going it alone.

"I said to his Quartermaster, ‘If I have another baby by myself, I'll be having it on your office floor’," she laughs.

“We’re still friends to this day.”

Giving back

In 1988, as life in Townsville began to settle, Sandra and her friends created a group called TWIG – Townsville Welcome Information Group – to support new Defence wives and families moving to the area.

"When we started, we went through our adjutants in the battalions, and we got the names of all the new families coming in. We would go and visit them and let them know where their local doctor was, where to find the local school, and what social events were on," Sandra remembers.

“Starting TWIG was my way of giving back. I meant so much to me to have the support of other Army wives when I first arrived, and I wanted others to feel the same. It made such a big difference.”

The group ran until 1993 when Sandra's husband left the Army after 27 years of service. They moved off base with their three children in tow, ready to begin a new life as a civilian family.

Though life after service was full of promise, Sandra came to miss the military community she had relied on for support and camaraderie. She found joining her local Women's Auxiliary and Townsville RSL Sub Branch was a way to reconnect and ease the transition back into civilian life.

"When your husband gets out [of the military], it's very different. I mean, they have their friends and you sort of lose a lot. The Army was your friend as well. It’s a way of life. And I think that's why joining the RSL, you still felt part of the Defence community.”

During her time volunteering with the Townsville Women's Auxiliary and RSL Sub Branch, Sandra took on a number of duties including visiting soldiers and veterans at the local hospital.

“When I first started, we would see soldiers who were recovering after operations, before they were transferred back to base. But as the hospital clientele changed, we also visited veterans and Legacy widows as well,” she reflects.

"Their faces would light up when you walked in to have a chat.”

In her spare time, Sandra would also volunteer with Defence housing and worked at a shop set up by the Women’s Auxiliary at the Rowes Bay Nursing Home in Townsville, selling essentials like Vegemite, tea and lollies to residents who craved the comforts of home. 

Sandra (fourth right) with her fellow members of the Townsville Women's Auxiliary.

Finding a home for veterans

After the Townsville floods in 2019, Sandra embarked on one of her most ambitious projects to date – restoring the veteran accommodation at ANZAC Lodge.

Together with her fellow Auxiliary members, Sandra raised money to refurbish all seven units so that regional veterans and their families could have somewhere to stay while receiving hospital treatment in Townsville.

“Through her tireless efforts, Sandra coordinated fundraising initiatives, rallied volunteers, and worked closely with community partners to ensure the project’s success,” RSL North Queensland District President, Garry Player says.

“Her vision and determination not only restored the accommodation to a high standard but also strengthened the spirit of support and camaraderie within the RSL community. Her efforts ensured that those in need will have a welcoming place to stay during difficult times.”

Sandra received the 30 Year Continuous Service Certificate by RSL North Queensland District President, Garry Player, after receiving Life Membership in 2007.

30 years of serving the community

In 2026, Sandra was awarded a 30 Year Continuous Service Certificate – a testament to her lasting impact and tireless service.

“Sandra’s legacy is one of compassion and steadfast dedication to the welfare of veterans and the broader community. Her contributions are a powerful reminder of the important role the RSL Women’s Auxiliary,” Garry shares following Sandra’s award presentation.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations for her extraordinary service and commitment to the RSL over the past three decades.”

As Sandra reflects on a life of service behind the scenes, she says she feels proud to give back.

“I hope I can keep going and continue to support veterans and their families for years to come.”