By Olivia Suthers – LTB / AVCAT Alumni 2022
My Grandad, John Sanderson, retired as a General from the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in 1993 after 26 years of service, including 13 months in Vietnam. However, beyond his titles and accomplishments, his journey has had a profound impact on me and my family.
“Just as education empowered him, the Long Tan Bursary has given me the tools to build a future beyond hardship, proving that resilience and opportunity can reshape a family’s story.“
Before joining the military, my Grandad’s life was filled with hardship. Passed between family members after his parents separated, he felt like he didn’t belong in their new lives. At 14, he left formal education and home to work, seeking independence and stability. The military became his refuge, allowing him to earn his school-leaving certificate and a university-level qualification.
Despite these early struggles, my Grandad fondly recalls his time in the service, particularly his experience in Vietnam. His stories never grow old in our family, like the time he tried photographing a mother macaque and her baby. As he inched closer, an enraged father macaque howled, sending my Grandad running for his life—an unforgettable lesson in wildlife photography!
Growing up overseas, I didn’t see my Grandad every day, but we spoke regularly and spent months together during school holidays. I always knew he was a veteran, even writing an A+ essay about his service in Year 7. As I grew older, I came to appreciate not just his military career but how the army gave him opportunities he never had before. He never holds his hardships over me, recognizing that times have changed, and that today’s job market presents its own challenges. Still, I believe my struggles pale in comparison to his, thanks to the opportunities and support I have received.
After graduating high school in 2021, my family faced financial hardship when my dad lost his job overseas due to COVID. He had to start over in a position earning two-thirds less than before. At this critical moment, I applied for the Long Tan Bursary to fund my undergraduate studies at the University of Western Australia. From 2022 to 2024, I was honoured to receive this bursary, sponsored by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and managed by AVCAT. This support allowed me to focus on my studies and leadership opportunities, laying the foundation for my future career.
In 2024, I proudly became the first in my family to graduate from university with a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies). My academic performance secured my place in the Master of Security and Strategy program at the Australian National University for the 2025 academic year. Alongside my studies, I completed multiple internships, including one with the Department of Communities, and became the Middle East Fellow for Young Australians in International Affairs.
In September of 2025, I was given the honour of being the Guest Speaker at the Presentation of the Scholarships and Bursaries for the Western Australian Scholars. This was an amazing and eye opening experience as I not only got to meet the scholars and learn about their stories as well as Len Russell the CEO of AVCAT who coordinates this amazing work the organisation carries out, but other AVCAT alumni and learn about how their lives were transformed and changed, and how it has made them who they are today. I hope that sharing my story empowered the scholars, and made them believe that no matter the hardship they experience, whether that be with their mental health or their finances, AVCAT is always there to support and help lift them up. It was also an amazing experience meeting the Minister for Veterans Affairs, Hon Matt Keogh MP, who took the time to come and listen to everyone’s stories and show how others in higher places truly care about the lived experience of veterans and their families.
Reflecting on my journey, education has been a transformative force in my family, offering both healing and growth. The military provided my Grandad with an education that shaped his resilience and success. His perseverance inspired me as I faced my own challenges. Just as education empowered him, the Long Tan Bursary has given me the tools to build a future beyond hardship, proving that resilience and opportunity can reshape a family’s story.
One key lesson I have learned as an AVCAT Scholar is that the most extraordinary thing you can do is strive to do better than those before you—while honouring and carrying their legacy forward.