Four decades serving the veteran community
Earlier this year, one of DVA’s longest-serving employees, Gina Baker, retired.
Gina had been with the department for a remarkable 43 years, having joined in 1977 when she was just 24.
‘Over the last 43 years, Gina has been a huge asset to the department and her extensive knowledge and willingness to take on new challenges will be sorely missed,’ National Manager DSH Insurance Leona Hardman says. ‘That she stayed for so long speaks volumes about her dedication to the veteran community.’
Gina began at DVA as a stenographer, typing records hand-written by Medical Officers during wartime.
From 1990, she spent ten years working in the Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES) before transferring to the Defence Service Homes Insurance (DSH Insurance) team, where she worked as a Claims Officer until her retirement.
Of all of these experiences, Gina most enjoyed working in the VCES.
‘During my ten years in this area, I travelled extensively throughout Queensland visiting TPI veterans and their children at primary and secondary schools,’ Gina says.
‘We spoke with guidance officers and offered funding for private tuition for students who needed it. Over the years I got to see students reach their potential and move into their chosen careers. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.’
Throughout her time in the DSH Insurance team, Gina worked closely with veterans who had been affected by floods in Queensland.
‘I worked with a number of clients who had experienced trauma or loss during the series of natural disasters that occurred during late 2010 to 2011,’ she explains.
‘Our team were under a huge amount of pressure and we received a large volume of calls and claims. We worked our absolute hardest to help veterans and their families as quickly as possible. We were super empathetic for their losses.’
Gina found the advancement of technology over the years was a fantastic help in supporting veterans and their families. These included video conferencing, the introduction of softphone software as well as all-staff live updates, which allow important information to be disseminated quickly to all DVA staff.
‘Working at DVA has been a super rewarding experience and I am thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to support the veteran community,’ Gina says. ‘I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working face-to-face with veterans and their children, and having the chance to make a difference.
‘I have also met some wonderful people in the department and made lifelong friendships.’
In her retirement, Gina plans to spend more time with family, including her new great-grandchild Monty.
Thank you, Gina, for everything you have done for veterans and their families.
