Those present at The Illawarra Connection blackl-tie networking dinner on Tuesday night her how Mr Keighran had accepted an invitation to attend the lunch. He enlisted in the Australian Army at 17 and served for 11 years as a member of Delta Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR). He fought in the Battle of Derapet in Afghanistan where he earned his Victoria Cross, the only one awarded to a soldier from the Royal Australian Regiment in its 67-year history.

He gained the honour after risking his life to purposefully draw enemy fire away from the rest of his patrol who were treating a casualty while under fire from a numerically superior force on August 24, 2010. In Wollongong he  plans to share his intimate insight into high-risk environments, the importance of planning and teamwork, and how making decisions under pressure can ultimately influence the outcome of any event or project.

The keynote speaker is Governor of NSW general David Hurley, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, who grew up in Warrawong before serving in the Australian army for 42 years.

The lunch is raising funds for Illawarra Centenary of ANZAC Scholarships for Illawarra residents who are descendants of those with operational or peacekeeping service.

The recipients will secure a three-year placement at the University of Wollongong.

Illawarra Centenary of ANZAC Committee Deputy Chairman Major General Brian ‘Hori’ Howard said the scholarships were an important and tangible way of helping the descendants of servicemen and women achieve their goals and consolidate their future planning.