A Personal Tribute: What One Man Did for GC Services Group and for Me
Some people come into your life and change its direction—not through force or fanfare—but through integrity, consistency, and quiet action. For me, that person is Retired Major Don Baker.
GC Services Group began three to four years ago as a small commercial cleaning business. My partner and I ran it alongside other work. From the start, I wanted it to stand for more than transactions. Growing up with a carpenter father, an accountant mother, and a family shaped by hard work and ethics, I believed in consistency, purpose, and doing things properly.
As we expanded into electrical, landscaping, and full household support, the vision deepened—especially after meeting Don. A few months before Anzac Day, he shared something profoundly personal. He had taken the time to research my Uncle Monty Jesinowski’s service in the Royal Australian Air Force and with the Bush Rangers in the Australian Army. He brought my father and me records, photos, and context we had never had. That gift reconnected us—not just to Monty’s legacy—but to each other.
On Anzac Day, Don and I spoke seriously about how GC Services Group could meaningfully serve veterans through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Household Help Services program. I told him plainly: “I want to serve more veterans—but I need to understand how to do it the right way.” He did not hesitate. He helped me navigate DVA frameworks, introduced me to his network, and lent his credibility to open doors I could not have opened alone. I could not have entered the DVA HHS market without him.
Don’s leadership—then and now—speaks most clearly through those who served under him.
Here is what Stefan, a soldier who served under Don in Afghanistan, shared in full:
“The Don was one of a few officers I truly respected in my 12 years in the Army. He led by example, competence, humility and genuine care for his men. We knew he had our back, and we intrinsically wanted to work hard for him. He would take time out to talk to the bottom of the barrel new guy, give some motivation on his training and inspire the guy to be his best there, effortlessly. Upon reflection, it was the only time I recall the culture in B coy, 8/9RAR really had a pro active culture towards being truly professional soldiers, who sharpen each other, and when the standard of NCOs was the highest. This set the bar for me in my career. He inspired a culture of self development and a warrior culture, with the courage to do what’s right over what the politically correct leadership sphere was pressuring him to do. He was an example of how true leadership qualities like trust, embracing healthy conflict, integrity, competence and courage are not incentivised by an outdated system that rewards self serving career advancement. A rebel at heart, I am an absolutely snob when it comes to the leaders I feel confident to follow into uncertain, challenging conditions—but the Don is one of them. His inspiration has living ripple effects into my own leadership and discernment and development of others leadership today.”
Another comrade—introduced to me by Don—said simply:
“Mate, I’d die for him. He was the best officer I ever served with.”
And when a third veteran from 8/9 RAR was asked, “What are three things you’d say about Don?”—his reply was immediate:
Integrity.
Incredible leadership.
Intelligent—and he always looked after the men.
Don has walked beside GC Services Group through major growth—not for recognition—but because he believed in the mission. He helped me structure our services appropriately for veterans, ensured our messaging reflected genuine understanding, and introduced us to veterans who needed support—not as clients—but as people.
More personally, he gave me back a piece of my family’s story. Through his effort and respect for Monty’s service, he helped me understand where my own drive comes from—and gave my father and me a shared language of pride and memory we had not had before.
Leadership, as Don proves, does not end when the uniform comes off. It continues—in mentorship, in advocacy, in showing up.
GC Services Group is stronger because of him. And I am, too.
Don, thank you. Not just for what you have done—but for who you are: someone who serves without expectation, leads without demand, and builds trust simply by being reliable.
You are part of this company’s foundation. And part of my story. Always.
— Ben Jesinowski
Founder, GC Services Group
