Ironside Resources engagement manager Eden Santos named Partner Employee of the Year

A Cairns employment service provider has been recognised for her dedication to supporting Australian servicemen, women and their families find employment during and after deployment.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Prime Ministers Veteran Employment Awards Partner Employee of the Year at the winner Eden Santos from Ironside Resources. Photo: Supplied

For Australian Defence Force spouse Eden Santos, helping servicemen and women find employment in civilian life is something close to her heart.

Ms Santos, wife of former HMAS Cairns base commander Alfonso Santos, was named employment partner of the year for her work with veteran recruitment and employment company Ironside Resources at the Prime Minister’s Veteran Employment Awards this week.

One of three finalists, Ms Santos said she was shocked to be named the winner.

“One of (the finalists) was the CEO of Soldier On, so (on the night) I was like, I don't think I have it,” she said.
“It was really tight, (competing) with two awesome women, but it was also a huge honour to be representing Cairns and Far North Queensland.”

CMDR Alfonso Santos CSC, RAN, Chief of the Defence Force ADM David Johnston AC, RAN, WGCDR Peter Overton and Mrs Eden Santos, Partner Employee of the Year. Photo: Supplied.

Ms Santos said she was proud to work with Ironside Resources which helps servicemen and women transition from a career in the Australian Defence Force into the civilian workforce.

“We do veteran recruitment and look after veterans and their families as well,” she said.

“A lot of our clients their first job is in defence, so we help them find meaningful employment and what their next step could be out of the ADF.”

As well as helping veterans find employment, Ms Santos said the organisation also helped veteran’s partners and families find work, which can be difficult while moving from post to post.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Prime Ministers Veteran Employment Awards Partner Employee of the Year at the winner Eden Santos from Ironside Resources. Photo: Supplied

“Alfonso’s been serving in the royal navy for almost 30 years and we’ve been married for around 20 so we’ve moved around a lot,” she said.

“I’ve been very lucky to find employers who can look past my crazy CV and use that adaptability to find roles, because it’s a tricky balance when you’ve got children, and a partner who’s deployed.”

Ms Santos said defence partners and families played an important role in supporting servicemen and women, and awards such as the employment partner of the year, were important to acknowledge their sacrifice.

“You can’t have a responsive, functioning defence force if they don’t have thriving families back home who can support the defence person for what they need to do,” she said.
“It’s so important that we acknowledge veterans and families especially those that live in rural and remote areas and are doing really amazing things up here.”

Originally published as Ironside Resources engagement manager Eden Santos named Partner Employee of the Year