Former Alexandra woman Colonel Lisa Kelliher is the New Zealand Defence Force’s defence adviser to Australia, based in Canberra. Born in Clyde and educated at St Gerard’s and Dunstan High School in Alexandra, Colonel Kelliher is now based in Canberra, where she is the newly appointed New Zealand Defence Force adviser to Australia. "You know farming is very similar like ... [in the military] we talk about season, weather or terrain; farming’s the same. "I still continue to come home and be very grounded when I come home ... you know, there’s nothing like going home to the family farm and getting the tasks. One of her recent highlights was commanding alongside fellow Dunstan High School graduate Colonel Mike van Welie, who now commander of 1st Brigade at Linton Military Camp.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 20, 2026 16:02 UTC