Dual Duty Dynamo Local Leader Honoured With Prestigious ADF Award

Utilising his skills from his civilian workplace in the Australian Defence Force Reserve and, indeed, vice versa, Nick O’Connor is a passionate reservist who was recently recognised for his contribution to the Air Force Reserve.
As a civilian, Mr O’Connor can be found at the Burdekin Shire Council chambers filling the role of Director, Corporate & Community Services.
He also works part time with the Air Force Reserve as a Public Affairs Officer and was recently awarded the Prince of Wales Award (POWA) as part of a scheme that recognises ADF reservists and their civilian employers for their ongoing support and contribution to Defence capability.
“It’s targeted at reservists within Army, Navy and Air Force across Australia and it aims to provide up to $10,000 financial assistance to assist an ADF reservist to undertake professional development training, a course, a conference, or formalised study,” Mr O’Connor said.
“It’s a real acknowledgement of the commitment I’ve provided to Air Force, the skills I bring to my role in the ADF, and the great thing about the POWA is the scholarship that’s provided will go towards, for me, a Graduate Certificate in Digital Transformation and completion of that will have direct benefits to me civilian career and my civilian employer.”
With a passion for service, Mr O’Connor commenced his association with the ADF Reserve in 1996 when he joined the Army Reserve as an Infantry Soldier.
After four years, he discharged, got married, started a family and embarked on a civilian career as a journalist in regional Queensland newspapers before turning to local government in 1998.
His desire to serve led him back to the Reserve in 2006 when he commenced as a Part Time Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force Reserve.
“The benefits and the leadership skills developed through my air force career are directly translatable to my civilian career and, indeed, it’s a two-way street,” Mr O’Connor said.
“I’ve been in local government, so there’s that service element in trying to better the local communities in which I’ve worked.
“Then amplifying that out when it comes to my ADF career, what triggered my interest was that real desire to serve, but also the camaraderie and the personal and professional development opportunities.”
Mr O’Connor is one of 17 reservists from across Australia to receive the POWA in 2024 and only one of three Queenslanders.
As the POWA scheme celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, Head of Joint Support Services Division Major General Douglas Laidlaw commended this year’s recipients and spoke of the skills they will gain through this scheme.
“The Prince of Wales Award scheme is one way that Defence invests in the relationship between reservists, Defence and civilian employers,” Major General Laidlaw said.
“I congratulate the 2024 recipients of the Prince of Wales Award and their supportive civilian employers.”
Mr O’Connor travelled to Brisbane for a presentation held at Government House on Thursday, May 9.
“I’m really chuffed to have won the award; it is a prestigious award and it’s something that I hold in great esteem,” he said.
“It was a wonderful event and a great opportunity to have the achievements formally recognised.
“I want to acknowledge the support I’ve been provided from Burdekin Shire Council
“I think winning the award and undertaking the Graduate Certificate is my and the ADF’s tangible way of giving back to my employer and increasing my knowledge and skillset in quite a dynamic environment will have benefit for not only myself in my civilian career but also my civilian employer.”

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Nick O’Connor was presented with the Prince of Wales Award in recognition of this ADF Reserve contribution by Governor of Queensland Jeannette Young
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Mr O’Connor (left) with his Commanding Officer Peter Croce who flew up from Canberra for the event
Photos supplied

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