Goulburn-Murray Water’s (GMW) Marnie Rowden has never let gender stand in the way of her career choices.
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Even when she joined the Royal Australian Navy as a marine technician and was the only female in the 35-strong engineering department on board the HMAS Anzac.
She later became the first female in the Australian Naval history to cross deck from HMAS Anzac onto HMAS Brisbane.
It’s an experience the new GMW HR Business Partnering manager will never forget.
“HMAS Brisbane was a Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) and it was the last of the steampowered and propelled ships within the Navy,” she said.
“DDGs never had women serving on them because of the long-term exposure to the heat from the steam having adverse effects on the female body.”
However, when HMAS Anzac was accompanying HMAS Brisbane on her de-commissioning trip around South East Asia in 1999, Marnie was selected to go aboard for four days.
“I left Jakarta on HMAS Brisbane — next port Singapore — spending four days in the engine and fire rooms watch keeping ensuring the flame didn’t go out and cause a major steam and power failure,” she said.
“It was unbelievably hot in those compartments, like a sauna, and I would spend four hours down one compartment at one time.”
The following year, she was part of another historic moment — sailing into Ho Chi Minh City on the HMAS Anzac as the first Australian Naval Ship to return to Vietnam since the Vietnam War.
Marnie joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1996 as a marine technician (electrical) — just four years after women were allowed to go to sea.
After 18 months at HMAS Cerberus (Crib Point), she received her first sea posting onto HMAS Anzac in 1998.
“I was nervous and a little scared. Females were not allowed to go to sea until 1994, and they usually only went to sea in roles as stores, admin or cooks,” she said.
“I was a technician and I joined the engineering department with 35 personnel — I was the only female.
“I knew that I had to work hard and do my job well to prove that women can do the job just as well, and if not better than the men.
“My job was to keep the lights on the propellers turning, so I was responsible for maintaining and operating the diesel generators, alternators, main switchboards, and gas turbine.”
After two-and-a-half years, she was posted directly to HMAS Arunta before returning to Melbourne to join HMAS Warramunga 18 months later.
She left Warramunga in 2005 and joined the training unit for Anzac Class Ships as an instructor teaching new marine technicians about Anzac Class ships.
Marnie departed the Royal Australian Navy as a permanent member in 2007, and transferred to the Active Reserves.
“The Navy taught me some amazing life skills that some people never get the opportunity to experience, such as survival at sea, resilience and discipline,” she said.
“The Navy’s values are Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence. I still believe in those values today, and I work hard to make sure I live through those values and set a good example for my children.”
The Moama mother has now brought those skills across to G-MW, where she was appointed in March following a career in HR within the aged care sector.
“I am really interested in the technical aspect of G-MW and the services it provides,” she said.
“There are so many moving parts to G-MW — it is a complex business. But that is what excites me as it is challenging, and there is never a boring moment.
“Coming from the private sector, I can confidently say G-MW is an incredibly generous and supportive employer. I am so glad to be here.”
But on Monday, April 25, Marnie will spend the day commemorating Anzac Day with her husband, children and three veteran friends.
“Anzac Day is one of the most important days of the year for us,” she said.
“My husband also served in the Navy for 22 years; 15 of those years at sea.
“Our children also spend Anzac Day with us and they all get to wear one of our medals each year.
“We will attend the Dawn Service in Moama and mid-morning service in Echuca before finishing the day with a few sneaky games of 2-Up.
“Anzac Day is one day of the year that we stop and we remember the brave men and women of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces who are serving and those who have served; and especially the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice by standing up to fight and defend so that today we can live with the freedom that is taken for granted by many.”
Two of Marnie’s great-great uncles enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces — one a Light horseman and the other an Infantry soldier — and were both killed in in World War I.
“Both of my grandfathers and two great uncles served in WWII (Army and Navy) and my paternal grandmother joined the RAAF to work in the munition’s factory in Sale,” she said.
“Every Anzac Day, I think of them and the incredible sacrifice they all made.”