User:Mary-ann martinek
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Maryann Martinek is a retired Australian army Major who was an RASvy officer and later an RAE officer likely best known for her comments in the media about Medical Discharge Procedures and the transitional and vocational needs of injured younger veterans, including when they are medically discharged with stress conditions or PTSD.
On 30 March 2000, Major Martinek exposed allegations regarding phantom soldiers and fraud to ABC television [[1]]. The article reported "The Australian Defence Force had confirmed investigations into allegations that a Melbourne Army Reserve Regiment claims thousands of dollars in funding for soldiers who are no longer serving."
On 02 April 2000, Major Martinek appeared on the Sunday (TV program) Channel 9 in a cover story by Paul Ransley titled Defence's Dark Secrets [[2]].
On 27 April 2004, now retired Mary-Ann Martinek appeared on ABC television in a story by Sarah Clark titled Unfair Dismissals Claims levelled at Defence [[3]].
Dubbed by some in the media as "the Major" she is sometimes called the Mad Major known for her witty fun filled fundraising ideas. She is polite, kindly and genuinely concerned about the transitional issues of younger veterans and has, by her own account, met alot of interesting people during an interesting 20 years in uniform. Major Martinek tendered her Resignation in 2001 and now runs a chocolates business that makes slouch hat chocolates which she submitted into the 2004 Australian Design Awards [[4]] to promote the history of the significance and unique shape of an Australian army Slouch Hat.
She has continued to be involved as a Member of a Regular Defence Forces Welfare Association (RDFWA) assisting younger veteran issues to be heard, as well as being a published author of several ANZAC stories for children titled Sandy The Waler 1995 , Simpson and His Donkey 1994. Approximately 20,000 story books are believed to have circulated since they were published in the mid 90's. These story books are intended to promote the personal qualities of soldiers who serve their country Australia.
