Aviator Awarded for Pandemic Efforts
A Royal Australian Air Force aviator from 13 Squadron, Darwin, has been awarded the Northern Territory Emergency Services Medal – COVID-19, for exceptional volunteer service during the pandemic response.
With nearly 15 years of military service as an Air Force chef, Corporal Bronwyn Mullins is no stranger to serving her country.
But her contribution goes beyond the uniform.
For more than a decade, Corporal Mullins has volunteered in emergency response roles, beginning her journey in Queensland as a K9 specialist with the Disaster Assistance Response Team before posting to Darwin where she started volunteering with the Northern Territory Emergency Services.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a critical role in supporting Northern Territory Police in government operations, helping the logistical movement of supplies across the Northern Territory.
Corporal Mullins said it was a nice surprise to receive the medal and to be recognised for her hard work.
“It’s not something you really think about. You don’t volunteer for the medal – you do it because it’s the right thing to do,” she said.
“I’ve always gone out of my way to help others.”
Now, through her own K9 search-and-rescue organisation, Corporal Mullins volunteers with the Northern Territory Police in search-and-rescue operations as well as training the next generation of working dogs and handlers.
“I help in a very niche field, and we are the only organisation in the Northern Territory that provides this capability,” she said.
Corporal Mullins’ motivation stems from a deep family legacy of military service and a personal drive to make a difference.
“I’ve always loved helping people; it brings a lot of fulfilment into my life to look at the bigger picture and help others,” she said.
Corporal Mullins said the smallest of acts could make the biggest difference.
“To anyone looking to start I say, just do it,” she said.
“Volunteering teaches you to have compassion when speaking to people, to look at the bigger picture and to help others without getting anything in return.”
Corporal Mullins’ story is a powerful reminder of the impact Defence members can have both in service and in their communities.
https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2025-05-14/aviator-honoured-pandemic-effort