SQUADRON LEADER Belinda Culley
Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 Competitor
ADF service: I commissioned as a Royal Australian Air Force Public Affairs Officer (PAO) on 9 June 2015 with postings to No 28 Squadron, No 464 Squadron and current posting to Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) as the Senior PAO for the Indo-Pacific region. During my ADF career, I’ve supported numerous operations, exercises and activities, including Avalon Air Show, Operation Bushfire Assist 2019-2020, Operation Flood Assist, Operation COVID-19 Assist, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 and Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. On Australia Day 2017, I received a top honour, the Australia Day Medallion, in recognition of my efforts as the social media and website manager for Exercise Pitch Black 2016. In 2019, I was awarded the Chief of Air Force Excellence Award, in 2020 a Silver Commendation, as well as the NSW Premier's Bushfire Emergency Citation for contribution and service to the 2019-2020 bushfire emergency response. In 2023, I received the Chief of Joint Operations Command Group Gold Commendation.
Other information: Prior to my ADF career, I held managerial and operational roles with Virgin Australia, Great Southern Railway and international airline carrier, EasyJet, based in London. I have a Bachelor in Public Relations and a Master of Laws (International Law and International Relations). I am married to my soulmate, Tez, and we have 3 beautiful (my step) children and 2 gorgeous groodles, Ernie and Edie. We love adventures in the great outdoors, culinary experiences, musical theatre and live concerts, and travelling the globe.
Age: 46
Hometown: Adelaide, SA
Current town: Canberra, ACT
Competing in: Indoor rowing, nordic skiing, sitting volleyball and swimming.
What is the nature of your injury or illness? I have a lower back injury which required major surgery in 2023 that resulted in a spinal fusion.
Sport background: I grew up in a sporting family - cricket in summer and Aussie rules or soccer in winter were on the TV almost every day in our household. Being an aspiring ballerina from a young age took me around Australia, but life responsibilities meant I retired in my early 20s. I have always enjoyed playing team sports, especially basketball and volleyball. In my 30s, I became an avid runner and completed the New York Marathon in 2015 which still remains one of my proudest sporting achievements.
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Having been active and sport-mad for most of my life, mental and physical connection through team sports drives me to be a better person. Through sport, I have been able to grow personally and professionally which has enabled me to be a better role model for my step and godchildren, as well as demonstrate resilience and persistence to overcome life challenges for the next generation of aviators.
How did you feel when you were told you made the Invictus Games team? Extremely honoured, humbled and proud. I can’t wait to serve my nation again with a remarkable and inspiring group of incredible humans by my side.
What is your greatest achievement to date? Big question, but one that remains close to my heart is seeing the power of community, loss and unity in the face of immense despair during Operation Bushfire Assist in 2020, and the small role I played in telling their stories to the world.
Why did you apply for Invictus Games? I’ve followed the Invictus Games for many years and was fortunate enough to be part of the public affairs team for the Sydney Games in 2018. I was able to witness firsthand the power of sport and the team camaraderie that changed people’s lives for the better. Following my injury, I lost the confidence to participate in sport and connect with new people. Being active with like-minded people forms the foundation for a happier and healthier lifestyle.
What will ‘winning’ look like for you at the Games? Supporting and encouraging my teammates, making some new international friends through the power of sport, and having many laughs along the way.
Who is supporting you at the Games? My husband and my rock, Tez. He has been my greatest supporter during my rehabilitation journey. I also feel incredibly grateful to have my beautiful mum supporting me; she’s such a battler and beyond inspiring. She has not been able to travel much since surviving breast cancer in recent years so this will be a highly memorable experience for our family.
