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Discover your local
Catholic school during
Catholic Schools
Open Week
August 4-10
Discover your local
Catholic school during
Catholic Schools
Open Week
August 4-10
Paul Rijken, Principal at Cardijn College, has successfully balanced study, teaching and leading in Catholic schools with a distinguished 40 year career in the Australian Army Reserve.
On the 20 December 2014, Paul Rijken attended his final parade as the Regional Commander of the Australian Army Cadets marking the completion of 40 years of dedicated service in the Army Reserve. Paul joined the Australian Defence Force in 1974 with the Adelaide University Regiment which offered military training for tertiary students.
Paul was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in 1979. He served in a range of regimental appointments including platoon commander, signals officer and instructor at the Officer Training Unit. Paul was promoted to the rank of Major in 1990 and served in a number of command, training and administrative appointments.
In 1999 Paul was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as the Commanding Officer of the 10th/27th Battalion, The Royal South Australia Regiment. This unit takes its lineage from the 10th Battalion, 1st AIF which was amongst the first to land at Gallipoli. During his command Paul lead the deployment of over 200 members on Operation Gold, the security of the Sydney Olympics. During his command he oversaw the deployment of over 100 officers and soldiers to Malaysia.
Following this appointment Paul served at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Army Personnel Agency-Adelaide, Headquarters of the 9th Brigade and the Australian Army Cadets. Paul was a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College, Canberra and was awarded the Reserve Force Decoration with 3 clasps and the Australian Defence Medal. Paul’s service in the ADF was part-time on evenings, weekends and on approved Defence leave. He commented that his leadership, operational and administrative training through the ADF has been immensely beneficial in his journey as a leader in Catholic Education SA.
Congratulations Paul on outstanding leadership and commitment.
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