On completion of a Certificate in Horticulture at Nelson Polytechnic, Carl Filmer (25), decided he needed a change of
lifestyle. He’s from a military background with both of his parents having met and served in the Royal New Zealand Navy.
However, the biggest influence was a friend who recommended he apply to join the Queens Alexandra’s Mounted Rifles
Regiment of the New Zealand Army and he was accepted for in 1995.
Carl who is now a Corporal said, he can hardly believe how much he’s achieved in just five years. Having qualified as a
Crew Commander for an Armoured Personnel Carrier his responsibilities include the routine checks and maintenance of the
vehicles and he commands the driver and vehicle while out on patrols. No foreigner to peacekeeping, he is now on his
second United Nations mission having served in Bosnia during 1995 and arriving in East Timor on 23 May for a 6 month
deployment with the 2nd 1st Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment from Burnham.
East Timor is an amazing place and when we’re out on patrols the locals run up to us waving and shouting ‘Kia Ora Kiwi
Boy’. We reply ‘bom dia’ meaning hello or good morning. Our role here is to provide security for the Timorese so that
they can return to their homes and start their lives again. Most are living in makeshift huts with straw roofs, but for
all they’ve been through they always appear happy, said Carl.
A keen sportsman, Carl plays Representative Soccer for the New Zealand Army as a defender and recently competed against
the Australian Defence Force in Melbourne, Australia. He played soccer for Nelson Suburbs when he was attending Nayland
College in Nelson where he parents still live.
Ends