Willhelm Lauenstein

I am a proud Wuthathi man from Shelburne Bay, Cape York. Additionally, I have Papua New Guinean, German and Austrian heritage. I was born on 26 November 1994, in Cairns, Queensland, and in my early childhood, my family moved to the Torres Strait Islands, which is where I lived for six years before moving back to Cairns. It was there I was welcomed into the community and taught their rich culture. Everything I learnt in the Torres Straits has played a huge part in my life, and is still with me today as a man. My upbringing has played a pivotal role in shaping my values, beliefs and approach to life. I embarked on my educational journey at Ipswich Grammar School as a boarding student; this is where I discovered my passion to help and give back. I was fond of the Indigenous Liaison Officers at Ipswich Grammar School as they were able to intertwine their jobs with their culture, something I believe is a craft. I always thought it would be a rewarding job should I ever be in a position to do something similar. This passion led me to pursue a similar job role after school. I went on to do child and youth work in Cairns. At the ripe age of 17, I was thrown in the deep end looking after a range of youth from as little as six months old, all the way up to 24 years old.

For personal reasons I had to move to the Gold Coast where I got the opportunity to do a four year apprenticeship as a Marine Electrician. This qualification is what opened the door for myself to join the Air Force back in May 2020 as a fully qualified Electrician, posting to 65 Squadron RAAF Base Richmond and 17 Squadron RAAF Base Tindal. Now, having posted to 13 Squadron RAAF Base Darwin as the new Indigenous Liaison Officer, you could say I’ve come full circle to a job I wanted to do as a kid. My professional journey has been a continuous learning experience, allowing me to grow both personally and in my career.

Beyond my professional life, I am passionate about playing Rugby league, coaching my kids in sports, hanging out with my dogs and doing anything family orientated. Whether it be tackling grown men for fun or kicking the ball in the back yard with kids or romantic walks on the beach, these activities bring me joy and balance, contributing to my overall well-being.

Central to my identity are my core values, Family, Fun and Health; these principles shape my interactions with others, my approach to challenges, and my commitment to personal growth.

Looking ahead, I am driven by the desire to better myself and others. Whether it’s advancing in my career, contributing to my community, or pursuing further education, I am committed to bettering myself and others. I am excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities for growth, learning, and meaningful connections that lie ahead.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little better.