As soon as she graduated high school she made that dream come true.

Ms Burgess started her service career in January 1991 and served in the army for 11 years before she transferred into the air force.

Ms Burgess was deployed to Timor in 1999 and later sent to the Middle East between February and May 2004 and taking part in the Iraq war in the operations unit.

Ms Burgess's dedication paid off, achieving corporal rank as a transport operator.

After being a transport operator moving supplies, equipment and troops she moved into a similar role in the air force before she left the service and began work at Mount Isa Mines.

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"I eventually retired from all national service in 2007," Ms Burgess said.

Ms Burgess said the best thing about being in the army and air force was having the chance to see the world.

"You are always put outside your comfort zone and it challenges you," she said.

"The friends you make are lifelong friends and you're doing different things like sports, training and survival training all the time."

After experiencing Anzac Day in different parts of the world, Ms Burgess said she would be doing what she could to pay her respects.

"I think this year I will stand out on my front porch from 6am. Other than that I will hopefully catch a good Anzac documentary on the TV. As long as we stop and remember and pay our respects that is all that matters.

Five years ago Ms Burgess was asked to pay her respects at the 100th Gallipoli service in Turkey.

"To me it meant an accomplishment of being in the service and it is an honour. In a way it is about keeping that honour going."

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