Royal Australian Air Force Flying Officer Kim Sim Lee chats to Jaidyn Kennedy about life at RAAF Base Williams.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
My name is Flying Officer Kim Sim Lee. I currently serve in the Royal Australian Air Force as a logistics officer posted in logistics systems branch (LSB), joint logistics command based at RAAF Williams in Laverton. As a logistics officer in LSB, I manage the defence logistics information system’s (LIS) capability to support army, navy and air force in the joint environment. One of my roles is to liaise with internal or external government agencies and defence stakeholders in any upgrade, improvement or restoration of LIS.
What is your connection to Wyndham and Hobsons Bay?
Being posted to RAAF Williams allows me to socialise with foreign military personnel that come from coalition countries through Defence’s International Training Centre and share the story of RAAF Williams and RAAF Point Cook- especially RAAF Point Cook being the birthplace of Royal Australian Air Force which was Initially named the Australian Flying Corps. The RAAF Museum in Point Cook is always a great place to visit and learn about history.
What do you like about where you live?
I currently live on base at RAAF Williams, which is located right between Wyndham and Hobsons Bay. Aircraft station is just right at the front gate which makes it easy to commute to the rest of Melbourne if required. Public transport is quite convenient in this area.
Where is your favourite place to spend time?
Besides spending time at the gym, I enjoy spending time looking for good foods and fruits at Footscray market. There they offer the best Vietnamese pho and banh mi at a reasonable price. The train station is just next to the market for easy travelling.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
Personally, I would like to see more engagement between the local councils, schools and community and the Defence establishment. Point Cook has a unique identity, even when compared to the rest of Australia and countries in the British Commonwealth. It is not just the oldest air base in Australia but also had the RAAF College that hosted officer training school and RAAF Academy back in the olden days.
