Bianca May – High Flyer

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO INTRO HERE Bianca May profile interview 2

“I look forward to being posted to many of the northern RAAF bases at the end of next year.”

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Q&A - RAAF Officer Cadet Bianca May is in her second year of a Business degree. A Chipping Norton resident and Hurlstone Agricultural High School graduate, her dreams are big and possibilities even greater. The 19 year-old tells of her decision to turn down an offer studying law at ANU, instead opting for the vibrancy and challenge of service life. With a legal career in her sights it’s little wonder community service is this young local’s driving passion.

What are you studying at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)?

Bachelor of Business

What are your favourite subjects?

Business Law and Politics

Do you feel local youth are disconnected with the law?

Growing up in the western suburbs it was apparent in certain suburbs the youth were against the law. Students at my high school were commonly ‘rolled’ on the train, some local youth would even wait outside with poles to hit certain students. It was an “us verse them” situation because they mistakenly believed that Hurlstone was a posh/private school. Even if they were wrong, it demonstrated a scant disregard for law. They obviously felt disadvantaged by their circumstances and were looking somewhere to vent this frustration.

I think violence and drugs are the biggest concerns to local youth. The growth of cultural tension in and around Sydney makes going out at night an unnecessarily unpleasant experience. Also, the popularisation of party drugs is alarming. Ecstasy and speed are household terms and I’ve heard stories about teenagers as young as 13 experimenting with drugs.

What do you enjoy most about your university experience?

It is unique. Every time I go home my family and friends can’t get enough of the stories I tell them about even everyday occurrences. There are so many benefits involved with being a student at ADFA. I get paid to study, (I choose to) play sport five out of seven days a week, live with my best friends, all my medical and dental are covered and I have a guaranteed job when I graduate next year.

Why Air Force?

I chose the RAAF primarily for the lifestyle. I don’t have to go to sea or out field for prolonged periods of time. When I signed up I chose my job which differs from the Army who allocate personnel to a corps after RMC. The RAAF has a lot to offer in terms of further training and also jobs that are easily converted into the civilian world (in my case logistics). I also look forward to being posted to many of the northern RAAF bases at the end of next year.

Where do see your career in five years time?

There are always rumours of Defence people being ‘poached’ by unimaginable civilian contracts once their ROSO is up, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m hoping I am one of those people. With a Business/Law degree I’m confident I’ll have a few options at least. But all this being said I might even want to stay in Defence, it is a long way in the future.

What factors influenced your decision not to take up Law at ANU? Do you have any regrets?

I didn’t take up law at ANU because I didn’t have the support of my family, who wanted me to study law at UTS or USYD or not at all. Financially I wasn’t in a position to move away from home. Initially I had second thoughts about this decision for first session but it subsided. I’ve since learnt that after leaving ADFA I can apply to study law via distance, funded by the RAAF. As I’m already in Defence my chances of transferring to become Legal Officer are quite promising. I can’t say I have any regrets because I know I’ll have the opportunity to study whatever I like in the future. For the meantime I’m enjoying my business degree and am looking forward to the doors it alone opens.