Over half a century ago, Group Captain Graeme Peel swore to protect Australia.

After being appointed to the Air Force as a medical officer, he received the sixth clasp to his Defence Long Service Medal at RAAF Base Amberley in August.

Surrounded by wife Bernice, RAAF Base Amberley Health Centre colleagues and friends, Group Captain Peel received his second Federation Star from Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz ahead of his age-compulsory retirement.

There have been significant and continual advances in medicine, both civilian and military, during the 51 years Group Captain Peel has been in the Air Force, with the ADF embracing many of these changes.

“RAAF Health Services have developed from a post-Vietnam structure focused on base clinical and aviation medicine support, with an aeromedical evacuation element, to a highly capable deployable entity which meets the need of today’s advanced air operations,” Group Captain Peel said.

From secondment to the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force to assisting in natural disaster response, the RAAF has given Group Captain Peel many opportunities, including deployment for a significant part of his career.

“I joined the RAAF and saw the world,” he said.

“My time at Butterworth [Malaysia] working closely with fighter squadrons and treating families, as well as members was professionally worthwhile.

“Natural disaster response deployments to Samoa [Cyclone Val] and Sri Lanka [Indian Ocean Tsunami] provided the chance to apply health support training to positive effect on large scales.  

“Operation Slipper challenged all my skills in a warlike environment and gave me an insight into what my grandfather and father experienced in World War 1 and World War 2 respectively, with the added enhanced ability to manage members with adverse health consequences of the war.”

Although retiring from uniform service, Group Captain Peel will still be involved in Defence medical, working in Garrison Health support, while consulting through his own medical services company, but also making time for travel.

“My wife, Bernice, formerly Wing Commander Kemp, plans to ease me from work to enable travel to the few parts of the world that have eluded us to date,” he said.

Even as Group Captain Peel retires from service, he advocates a career in Air Force to young medical professionals.

“The RAAF continues to provide opportunities for personal and professional development unavailable elsewhere. Make the most of these and put your energies into each and every role to which you are assigned and you will be well-placed for both military and civilian careers.”