CSU employ six reservists across its campuses, and last month it was presented with a Supportive Employer Award by the Defence Reserves Support Council.

CSU director of academic success Ms Smith accepted the award along with reservist and CSU employee Lieutenant Peter Greening.

“We get staff who are incredibly well trained. Their time management’s second to none, they’re clear, they’re concise and they’re respectful,” she said. “Pete’s a joy to have around. He’s professional and a great person to have on the team.”

Ms Smith said CSU uses an Australian Government subsidy paid to employers to help back-fill staff while its reservists are away on duty or training.

“It’s worth it to keep him on staff for the skills he brings back,” she said.

Lieutenant Greening first became a reservist in 2001 when he was 18 years old.

“I’ve got a family history of it and grew up on war stories. Mum and Dad were both reservists,” he said.

“CSU have been really good. It’s a good chance to serve your community and work with a really good group of people.”

In the past, he has been deployed to East Timor and also assisted following the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria.