Adding value in Canada

It’s a long way to go with a small child, says Petty Officer Electronic Warfare Specialist Chelsea Dixon.

She and her partner, Chief Petty Officer Combat System Specialist Rhys Williamson posted to the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre at the Canadian Armed Forces Shirley’s Bay Campus in Ottawa, arriving there in November 2021 with their 10-month-old daughter Guinevere.

Her role was producing Elisra libraries for both the Canadian and New Zealand navies. Elisra is a brand of Electronic Warfare systems, newly installed in HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Te Mana as well as Canadian ships. Te Kaha had returned home from Canada in December 2020 after its Frigate Systems Upgrade, while Te Mana would return in July 2022.

The pair would say it was an amazing experience. Canada is a prime location to travel from for recreation, with the USA, Caribbean, greater Canada and even the United Kingdom all relatively easy to access.

But being so far from family support had to be factored in. The family, who travelled over in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, all caught Covid in early 2022. Guinny ended up in hospital for several days with breathing issues.

“That was a really isolating time, with only one of us allowed to be with her,” says POEWS Dixon. “We felt a long way from home in those moments.”

Staying in close touch with their networks in New Zealand made the difference.

Now, having just returned home after three years, the couple can feel they’ve contributed effectively to both New Zealand’s and Canada’s naval combat force. As well as constructing the libraries, POEWS Dixon undertook briefing and training of Canadian personnel on the new systems, on both the east and west coasts.

“We would do pre-deployment briefs for personnel deploying in Canadian seagoing units. Our briefings ensured units understood what their purpose was while at sea, and ensuring they used the new kit effectively.”

Winters in Canada were very harsh, she says, but there are ways to make the most of it. “Daily temps over winter can be expected to be around -30⁰c which can take some getting used to. But Ottawa is home to the world’s largest outdoor ice skateway, the Rideau Canal, which is seven kilometres long!

“But summers in Ontario are great. You can go exploring the lakes and rivers, although they can never beat being by the ocean! When our family came to visit, it was great showing them our home and everything we love about Ontario.”

During holidays the family travelled across the USA and Canada, plus visits to the UK and the Caribbean.

“We had 18 days driving in the States. We camped in the Rockies and did loads of hikes, seeing grizzly bears in the wild. We also did a two-week camping holiday in Scotland. Our Caribbean highlight was doing absolutely nothing on a beach in St Lucia.”

She says life is always a little different when you’re deployed. “But we have loved all the opportunities this posting has given us, including seeing how another nation works. Now we’re home we can finally eat a pie and Weetbix, and have babysitters (aka grandparents) again!

“My advice to others considering this sort of posting would be to take the risk. Posting like these give you the opportunity to move overseas and experience different cultures with very little risk. It’s a great way to see more of a country and really immerse yourself into a community rather than just having a few days alongside in a port. Even If you have young kids, they will love all the new experiences as well.”