For Steven Kuhl, Anzac Day is more than a date on the calendar.

It’s a moment to pause, reflect and reconnect with memories of service, with mates who stood beside him in tough conditions, and with the values that continue to shape his work at Stanwell Power Station today.

Steven served in the Australian Army Reserve for more than a decade, enlisting in mid 2013 and discharging at the end of 2024.

His time in uniform saw him posted to 31/42 Royal Queensland Regiment, where he completed basic training at Kapooka and infantry training soon after.

Over the years, he was involved in a wide range of operational, domestic and community focused activities - experiences that would leave a lasting mark on both his character and career.

Service built on teamwork and resilience

During his Army career, Steven served as a Private and Rifleman within an infantry section, taking on responsibilities that included machine gunner duties and acting as second-in-command of an infantry section.

His service extended beyond traditional military roles, encompassing search and rescue operations, reconnaissance, security and boarding operations, as well as recruiting and training activities.

Like many reservists, Steven was also called upon during times of national need.

He supported the Cyclone Marcia clean‑up in 2015, participated in Operation Resolute later that year, and assisted communities during Operation Bushfire Assist in 2020.

These deployments demanded long hours, physical endurance and the ability to perform under pressure, often in challenging and unpredictable environments.

It was in these moments, Steven says, that the true meaning of mateship became clear.

“It’s when you’re exhausted, cold, wet, hungry and sleep deprived and still expected to operate at 100 per cent, that you really understand what mateship is,” he said.

“You only have the people around you to lean on, and that’s why those friendships are so strong.”

Steven said Stanwell was consistently supportive of his reserve duties, even on short notice such as during the bushfires.

“I’ve been fortunate that teams and superintendents, and especially senior management, made balancing both roles easy,” he said.

From apprenticeship to operations

Steven’s connection to Stanwell Power Station runs almost as deep as his connection to the Army. He began his career onsite in 2011 as a Fitter and Turner apprentice, completing his trade at the start of 2015, the same year he was balancing Army commitments and disaster response work.

After finishing his apprenticeship, Steven returned to the site in 2016 on a Stellar contract in the Boiler team, before securing a Stanwell position in 2017 as a Trainee Mechanical Technician in the water team.

His progression continued with a move back to the Boiler team in 2021, and in 2024 he stepped into his current role as a Mechanical Technician / Production Technician within Operations.

Today, Steven applies the same discipline and attention to detail that served him in the Army to keeping the plant operating safely and reliably.

Military values in a power station setting

Steven is quick to point out that while the environments may differ, the underlying principles of Army life translate naturally into his work at Stanwell.

“The biggest things I’ve brought with me are teamwork, looking after your mates, resilience, and the importance of training,” he said.

“And honestly, trying to find humour in every situation helps too.”

Whether it’s working through a challenging shift, supporting a teammate, or responding calmly under pressure, Steven sees clear parallels between service life and operating a major power station where trust, preparation and clear communication are essential.

Anzac Day: Remembering, honouring, reconnecting

For Steven and his family, Anzac Day is about remembrance and respect - honouring those who have served and sacrificed and acknowledging the realities of service life that aren’t always visible from the outside.

“Once you’ve served, you gain a deeper appreciation for what soldiers go through and the sacrifices that have been made,” he reflects.

While he once spent many Anzac Days on duty marching, serving on the catafalque party, or helping run events at the 31/42 RQR boozer these days the focus has shifted to family and reconnection.

Steven now attends dawn services with friends he served alongside, marches with his kids, and catches up with mates for a game of two up and a beer.

For him, the day is as much about checking in on each other as it is about tradition.

“It’s a good chance to reconnect with people you don’t see often. A lot of people travel back to Rockhampton just to be together on the day.”

Carrying the legacy forward

As Anzac Day approaches, Steven’s story is a reminder that the values commemorated on 25 April - service, sacrifice, mateship and resilience - are not confined to history. They live on through the people who bring those lessons into their workplaces and communities every day.

At Stanwell Power Station, Steven Kuhl’s journey from infantryman to production technician reflects that legacy proving that the spirit of Anzac continues, not just in remembrance, but in action.