'IT'S HARD TO ASK FOR HELP'

FRANCINE IS GRATEFUL TO THE WHO DEFENCE COMMUNITY HELPED HER AT HER LOWEST

- Katherine Chatfield

November 11 is a special day for Francine Dudfield. Having spent 10 years in the Australian Defence Force as a medic, the mum experienced many situations – both rewarding and challenging. And although she’s no longer a serving member, every Remembrance Day allows Francine a chance to reflect.

“I was really drawn to the adventure,” says Francine from Seaford, Victoria.

“I always had a desire to help people and to be part of a team.”

Francine, now 38, joined the army in 2004 and after training for two years, she was deployed to Kuwait, then the South Pacific during the coup in Fiji.

“As a medic you do everything from first aid, to pre-hospital care, primary health care and working in hospitals,” she says. “You have to be resilient.”