Matina Jewell is the kind of soldier every country is proud to have – fearless, honourable and highly skilled. A star graduate from the Australian Army’s prestigious Royal Military College Duntroon, in the years that followed she had become a highly valued army commander. In her military career she earned eight war medals, tracked militia leaders in the Solomons, fast-roped out of Navy helicopters and boarded smuggler ships in the Arabian Gulf. She also served on operations with the American Navy Seals and Australian Special Forces.
In 2006, while part of an unarmed UN peacekeeping team at the border junction of Lebanon, Israel and Syria, Australian Army Major Matina Jewell and her colleagues were caught in a full-scale war with tragic consequences. In the days that followed she and her team-mates reported hundreds of violations of the peace agreement as Israeli artillery, tank fire and aerial bombs, as well as rockets fired by Hezbollah fighters, exploded only metres away and shrapnel rained down around them. But the story does not end there. Whilst commanding a UN convoy through the war torn Lebanon, Matina was seriously injured and had to be evacuated. Meanwhile her team-mates back at the border were attacked by Israeli fighter jets and all were killed. Matti’s injuries ended her military career.
Matti has a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Project Management, is a qualified Navy Diver, and has represented her state and Australia in multiple sports. At just 24 years of age, Matina had been promoted to acting Major as commander of Amphibious Operations on HMAS Kanimbla. In her 15 year military career Matti deployed on five overseas operations, including on active service in the North Arabian Gulf and Kuwait in the war on terror. She also played a critical role in the capture of the notorious Solomon’s Islands militia leader Jimmy “Rasta” Lusibea.
Matina is an impactful speaker, with experience in leadership, managing and inspiring teams, performing under pressure and overcoming challenges.
Hear Matina speak at Box Hill Institute’s first business breakfast for 2012. To register click here or phone 9286 9499.
| When: |
Friday 23 March, 2012 |
| Time: |
7:15am for 7:30am start |
| Where: |
Fountains Restaurant |
| |
1st Floor, Building 3 |
|
465 Elgar Road, Box Hill |
| Cost: |
$60 per person |
For event or sponsorship information, email businessbreakfast@boxhill.edu.au.