South Sudan mission for Redcliffe’s Rene Van Rooyen

Redcliffe born and raised Navy logistics officer, Lieutenant Rene Van Rooyen is one of 19 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed on Operation Aslan as part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

With the wet season approaching and its threat to road resupply, Lieutenant Van Rooyen says she’s working to deliver services that improve the lives of the local population.

“The best part of my job is providing facilities that will make sure locals have drinking water, ablutions and a roof over their heads,” Lieutenant Van Rooyen says.

“I provide advice and planning to enable UNMISS to deliver on its mandate, including new bases, accommodation, international displaced persons camp and hospital upgrades.

“I travel across the country, surveying potential sites to build new camps. It’s a team effort with engineering, communications, medical, operations and aviation capabilities.”

About the mission

Australia is one of 62 nations committed to UNMISS. Its UN Security Council mandate is to protect civilians, support the peace process, support delivery of humanitarian aid, and report on human rights abuses.

“I work directly with staff from New Zealand, Rwanda, India and Canada,” Lieutenant Van Rooyen explains.

With such a diverse mix of nations and functions, Lieutenant Van Rooyen says working and socialising with many different people has been a great cultural experience.

“I love the uniqueness of working with the UN, using our different experiences and strengths to get the job done,” she says.

“I am working closely with the medical team, within the mission, in order to logistically support an upgrade to the hospital at UN base Tomping.

“My job requires me to be flexible as the environment in South Sudan is ever-changing, especially with the wet season looming and a lot of our logistics relying on roads.

What Rene has learnt

“My deployment has taught me so much about the power of people and we need to work together for the less fortunate to have a better quality of life.”

Back home, Lieutenant Van Rooyen is based at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney to support the fleet of Mine Hunter coastal boats. The former Redcliffe State High School captain is looking forward to returning with new-found experience.

“I have learnt so much about myself on this deployment. It is a life-changing experience that I never thought would affect me so positively,” she says.

“I am looking forward using what I have learnt to better myself as a military professional. I am also looking forward to fresh fruit and vegetables, the beach and catching up with my family and friends.”

- Story and images courtesy of Defence Media, Department of Defence