Council proudly receives recognition for support of ADF Reserves

Published on 17 September 2026

Gladstone Regional Council (GRC) has been named Queensland’s Best Public Sector Employer at the prestigious 2026 Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserves Employer Support Awards held in Brisbane on Tuesday 1 September.

The Best Public Sector Employer Award recognises Council’s exceptional commitment to supporting employees who balance their civilian careers with service in the Army, Air Force or Navy Reserves.

The Award highlights Council’s ADF Reserve Leave policy, which provides up to four weeks of full pay per financial year for training and deployments.

By winning the Queensland state category, GRC now automatically progresses as a finalist for the National Employer Support Awards later this year.

Gladstone Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Leisa Dowling attended the Awards with Council’s Asset Governance Manager Ed Dahlheimer, who is a Major (MAJ) in the Army Reserve and wrote the Award submission on behalf of Council.

IMAGE: Major Ed Dahlheimer, Leisa Dowling, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Perriman and Regimental Sergeant Major Dean Johnstone.

Ms Dowling said the Award reflects Council’s dedication to community duty and national service.

“We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from the Australian Defence Force, and I’d like to thank Ed not only for his service to our country, but also his service to the people and communities of the Gladstone Region,” she said.

“Council provides flexibility for our Reservists so they can balance critical national defence duties and local responsibilities, with the submission highlighting this support and also our assistance in major military exercises including Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and Exercise Austral Shield 2026.”

IMAGE: Major Ed Dahlheimer, Mayor Matt Burnett, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Perriman and Major Jamielle Knight at the conclusion of Exercise Austral Shield 2026.

MAJ Dahlheimer, who has served in the Army Reserve since 1988 and toured Afghanistan in 2019, said his service with the Army Reserve has directly strengthened his effectiveness as a manager within local government.

“Defence service reinforces discipline, accountability and calm decision making,” MAJ Dahlheimer said.

“The leadership expectations placed on me in the Army has shaped how I mentor employees, set standards and build a cohesive, high-performing team.

“The emphasis on resilience and adaptability in Defence has also enhanced my ability to manage organisational change and maintain performance under pressure.”

IMAGE: Exercise Austral Shield 2026 in Gladstone.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said Council’s involvement with Exercise Austral Shield 2026 demonstrated our ability to work side by side with the Australian Defence Force and other stakeholders.

“Our region has long played a critical role in Australia’s industrial and trade landscape, and that will continue into the future, but we also have a unique opportunity to add to Defence to our bow and are actively pursuing these opportunities with the Central to Defence Working Group,” Mayor Burnett said.

“The feedback we received from the ADF for our involvement with this year’s Exercise Austral Shield was fantastic and we look forward to welcoming them back in the years to come.

“I’d also like to thank and congratulate Ed on his continued service to country and community, and other Defence personnel working for Council.”

TOP IMAGE: Gladstone Regional Council CEO Leisa Dowling and Major Ed Dahlheimer.