LCpl David Harvey - Department of Defence€¦ · Edition 1206 February 19, 2009 LCpl David Harvey GRIM TASK By WO2 Graham McBean IT IS difficult to believe that Australian soldiers

Edition 1206 February 19, 2009

LCpl

Dav

id H

arve

y

GRIM TASK

By WO2 Graham McBean

IT IS difficult to believe that Australian soldiers have ever had a more demand-ing domestic task.

They continue to assist Victoria Police to clear the devastation and identify vic-tims of the inferno that tore through coun-try Victoria on February 7.

No less important has been the work of engineer teams cutting fire-contain-ment lines to prevent spread of the fires or the largely routine but necessary jobs of chainsaw teams in clearing debris and fire threats from roads.

More than 600 ADF personnel, mainly drawn from Victoria’s 4 Bde, are deployed on Operation Vic Fire Assist.

Commander 4 Bde Brig Michael Arnold is leading JTF 662 to coordinate the Defence assistance to government agencies with the emergency response.

The task force comprises two main ele-ments – the Engineer Support Group of 75 soldiers and the Search Task Group comprising four teams of about 40 soldiers each.

Some soldiers likened the fire areas to a nuclear-war zone while others called it a moonscape.

All agree it is a human tragedy of immense proportions.

WO1 Eddie Penman, Search Task Group RSM, said the soldiers faced a heart-wrenching and difficult task.

“The hardest thing to deal with is the survivors who stood there and fought for their homes – they have come out and met the soldiers and they are just so relieved,” WO1 Penman said,”

“We can’t do much for them but we are happy just to be there for them and they are happy for that.”

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd committed ADF support to the Victorian fire disaster on February 7.

Elements of the permanent and part-time force had deployed by the following day with tents, sleeping bags and stretchers for the victims of this tragedy.

Further heavy earth-moving equipment, plant operators and chainsaw teams had deployed by February 9 to begin fire-con-tainment measures in the Broadford and Yea areas about 55km north of Melbourne.

Rotation 18 of Op Anode, presently in pre-deployment training for Solomon Islands, also was diverted for specific tasks.

Fire-management authorities welcomed the ADF relief effort – and then quickly put them to work.

� More coverage – Pages 2-4

Soldiers deployed to bushfire-blitzed Victoria

QUEENSLAND FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS P6 MAKING INROADS AGAINST TALIBAN P16-17

Heart-wrenching: WO1 Eddie Penman points out the next property as soldiers move through the Kinglake West area assisting emergency management agencies to clear all fire-affected areas.Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller

2 OP VIC FIRE ASSIST Army February 19, 2009

The Soldiers’ Newspaper

DirectorRod Horan: (02) 6265 4650

EditorialEditorDavid Edlington: (02) 6266 7609Deputy EditorsSharon Palmer: (02) 6266 7612Lt Kris Gardiner: (02) 6265 2151Senior Reporter:WO2 Graham McBean: (02) 6266 7608Reporters:Cpl Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614Cpl Corinne Boer: (02) 6265 2427Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe: (02) 6266 7606Sports EditorBarry Rollings: (02) 6265 1304

Sydney Photographer:Bill Cunneen: 0402 155 220

Contact usEmail: [email protected]: (02) 6265 6690Mail: The Editor, Army, R8-LG-038, Department of Defence, Canberra ACT 2600Web site: www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews

AdvertisingAdvertising ManagerGeoff Howard: (02) 6266 7605; 0405 310 074Email: [email protected] RepresentativeTim Asher: (07) 3332 7651; 0414 552 667Email: [email protected]

SubscriptionsPhone: (02) 6266 7607Email: [email protected]

DisclaimerArmy is published fortnightly by Defence Newspapers. It is printed under contract by Capital Fine Print. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Army. Every advertisement is subject to the Directorate of Defence Newspapers approval and the Directorate of Defence Newspapers may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement for publication. The Directorate of Defence Newspapers accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form which is not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence Newspapers. The fact that an advertisement is accepted for publication does not mean that the product or service has the endorsement of the Department of Defence or Army.

Assist: LCpl David Harvey, 39 Const Sqn, works on containment lines in the Broadford area. Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller

Face of Army

DEFENCE Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has praised Army’s role in aiding vic-tims of the disastrous bushfires.

Addressing Parliament on February 11, Mr Fitzgibbon said the ADF stood ready to do all it could for as long as was necessary to help those who had been affected by the bushfires.

He praised the excellent work Defence personnel had done “in the most difficult of circumstances”.

“They are building containment lines and clearing blocked roads using heavy earth-moving equipment and chainsaws. They are pitching tents and providing beds and sleeping bags for the many

homeless, and providing health care to the injured and the unwell, and counsel-ling services to those who have been excessively traumatised,” he said. “They are assisting the police in the search for survivors or, indeed, those who did not make it – surely the most challenging and confronting work of all. They are also providing water purification plants and other emergency equipment.”

Mr Fitzgibbon said Defence had deployed a range of advisers and coor-dinators to assist in the huge challenges faced by the civil authorities.

“Their work stands as a reminder to all Australians that the role of the

reserve forces in the ADF is a really worthwhile, meaningful and critical one,” he said.

“Mainly drawn from 5/6RVR, they are accountants, tradesmen, doctors, technicians and teachers who give freely of their time to be prepared by training, to assist their fellow Australians and to take care of Australia’s national interests when they are called upon to do so.”

Mr Fitzgibbon visited the bushfire -affected areas on February 10.

A transcript of the Minister’s speech is at http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/FitzgibbonSpeechtpl.cfm?CurrentId=8743


SEARCH teams confronted the full tragic reality of fire-devastated Victoria when called on by Victoria Police to assist with the clearance of destroyed towns and communities.

The full fury of fire storms and the horror of being trapped as fires destroyed one house, but passed oth-ers, became grimly apparent as soldiers mixed within local communities.

People whose homes were among the heavily forested areas of Kinglake told diggers how the heat and pressure from fires blew roofs and walls from houses. They had about one-minute’s notice before flames engulfed them.

Search team commander Lt Ben Healy likened the Kinglake area to a war zone. He said many of the Kinglake residents had experienced fires before but were astonished by the ferocity and pace of the Black Saturday inferno.

Last week the 160 soldiers of the Victoria-based Search Task Group searched 1000 homes and had to deal with confronting scenes.

“The younger soldiers have found it more difficult, particularly where people had been caught running from homes to escape,” Lt Healy said.

Defence has deployed medical, psy-chological and chaplaincy specialists to provide support to its personnel and

members of the community during this traumatic time.

Search teams ranged from two peo-ple to platoon strength depending on the task given by police.

Larger groups in Kinglake searched properties either side of once pretty streets in the country community.

Visual checks were conducted to clear properties and structures and a GPS reference was taken and logged to identify the property as cleared or to note a point of interest.

Each home where fatalities occurred was being treated as a possible crime scene and soldiers needed to be careful not to disturb possible evidence.

Approaching homes where residents had already returned particularly need-ed compassion and sensitivity.

RSM Search Task Group WO1 Eddie Penman was concerned by the ever-present problem of tree branches and houses made unstable by the fires.

He was equally aware of the emo-tionally-charged circumstances con-fronting his troops. “We have only come across bodies that are already known to police,” WO1 Penman said.

“So we are prepared that at every house that collapsed there could well be a family. I think they are silently reflect-ing with every step they take thinking ‘what would I have done in these cir-cumstances’.”

THE recent bushfire disaster in Victoria is a catastrophe on an unprecedented scale for our nation. I know you would have been as shocked as I was to see the level of devastation in these small communities and the anguish of the people who have suffered losses in this unspeakable tragedy.

Sadly, people in Defence have been directly affected. Though it is too early to state with any certainty, it does appear that some of your colleagues have lost family, friends and cherished posses-sions. To any ADF member directly affected by this event, I want you to take time to look after your family and friends. To those unaffected, I ask you to please support your colleagues who have to take some time away from work. As they look after their family and friends, I ask you to do what you can to look after them.

In terms of ADF support to the disaster, you can all be proud of the assistance provid-ed by your colleagues. Since the enormity of this disaster became evident, many people in Defence have been working to ensure that Operation Vic Fires Assist goes as smoothly as possible. We are currently contributing about 450 people who are providing special-ist and emergency support. They are spread over nine operating locations throughout the region, all under the com-mand of Brig Michael Arnold, Commander 4 Bde. The ADF will continue to provide assistance for as long as it is required.

A number of enquiries have been received from people within Defence who want to donate money or goods. I applaud your generosity and encourage you to follow the advice of the Prime Minister and donate to the Australian Red Cross or the Salvation Army appeals.

Sadly, we cannot forget that this crisis is not yet over. To all ADF members in areas still under threat, I ask you to look after yourselves and your fam-ily. Please stay safe.

ACM Angus HoustonChief of the Defence Force

CDF ORDER OF THE DAY

February 10

Tragedy strikes home

Defence assistance praised

Support: Mr Joel Fitzgibbon chats with soldiers. Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller

Sad task: Pte Jonathon Brosnan, Search Task Group, clears the charred remnants of a house in Kinglake West (above).

Scorched: Soldiers search fire-affected properties in the devastated Kinglake West area (right).Photos by Cpl Ricky Fuller

Call Fleet Network on1300 738 601

† To qualify for this offer you must mention this advert to Fleet Network, prior to completion of your initial contract. The offer is subject to Fleet Network’s terms and conditions. Check our website for details.

Salary Packaging that really does

Having served in the Defence Force for six years I know how much of a benefit it can be to Salary Package your next vehicle.

Give me a call today and I can show you how you can save.

- Melton, Fleet Network

Limited Offer† Mention you saw this ad prior to completing your

initial contract and we’ll give you a $200 fuel voucher when your new vehicle is delivered.

SAVE YOU MONEY

TIME FOR A NEW CAR?

Fleet Network Pty Ltd D/L No. 12559

Our national military compensation team providesspecialist advice on military compensation claims.

www.darcyssolicitors.com.au

Reputation & Results™

www.darcyssolicitors.com.auwww.slatergordon.com.au

NEW SOUTH WALES • QUEENSLAND • VICTORIA • SOUTH AUSTRALIA • WESTERN AUSTRALIA • AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Free call

�1800 339 148

OP VIC FIRE ASSIST 3 Army February 19, 2009


FOR many of the 4 Bde reservists who live and work in the heart-lands of the fire-ravaged areas, their deployment is not so much a job, but a way of actively helping.

Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteer and part-time military engineer Spr Chris Peters was at the front line of the Victorian bushfires when he received the call to help 4 Bde’s relief effort.

Spr Peters, who was fighting the Boolarra fires in the La Trobe Valley, said it was devastating. He said a good friend had lost every-thing except the vehicle in which his wife and child fled the fire.

At one point the truck his CFA team was operating had deployed protective shrouds over the vehicle as fires burnt on either side. The 39 Const Sqn soldier said the radiant heat was intense.

Spr Peters played down his spirit of community service.

“If it happened to me then I would hope someone would assist me – so if I can help out then I will give a hand,” Spr Peters said.

While there has been a national outpouring of support, it is obvious-ly most heartfelt by those who share the community with those who have lost most.

Spr Brooke Bishop, 4CER, was one of many hundreds of Victorian reservists to suspend commitments and don cams.

Spr Bishop was at home in the pool on Black Saturday when winds up to 100km/h fanned flames in the fire areas.

“I said to my husband ‘this doesn’t look good – it really was scary’,” she said.

When she was approached by 4CER to deploy she hastily reorgan-ised her schedule.

“I just thought it was important to help secure the area and make sure everyone was safe and just do whatever you can to help.”

22 Const Regt plant operator LCpl Dave Harvey said no-one in Victoria had been unaffected.

LCpl Harvey’s Newborough-based depot is only 15-20km north of the Hazelwood system of fires.

“It is very sombre,” LCpl Harvey said. “People are shell-shocked – it is hard to believe. No amount of preparation could actually prepare anyone for fires of this scale.”

Capt Noel Tipton, 22 Const Regt OIC of the Engineer Support Group effort at Broadford, said the group worked closely with the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the CFA to work out priorities with the construction of contain-ment lines.

Capt Tipton said the aim was to assist in any way possible.

“This is obviously worse than the Ash Wednesday fires,” he said. “The people have suffered horren-dously and I guess seeing the green baggy skin kicking around helps.”

By Capt Cameron Jamieson

SPECIAL Forces soldiers operating in Afghanistan have used a different type of fire support to help a mate in trouble.

SOTG diggers have raised more than $5700 for one of their comrades who lost his home in the devastating Victorian bushfires.

The soldier has now returned to Australia to deal as best as he can with

the loss, but was comforted by the news that his SOTG mates had raised a fur-ther $10,000 to give to the Victorian bushfire appeal.

Maj-Gen Tim McOwan, Special Operations Commander – Australia, said he was proud of his men’s generosi-ty. “These guys are working deep – deep into the heart of Taliban territory. Now they’ve dug deep to help a mate and the people of Victoria in this time of crisis.”

Help amid the ashes

Soldier’s home destroyed

HOW TO CONTRIBUTEANYONE wishing to make a donation to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund can go to www.redcross.org.au or call the toll free number 1800 811 700.

Helping hands: Spr Brooke Bishop, 4CER, and Spr Christopher Peters, 31 Const Sqn (above). Photo by Sgt David Grant

Barren: A soldier and a local view the devastation (right).Photo by LS Kade Rodgers

VEHICLE SALARY PACKAGING AT FLEETNETWORK.COM.AU

4 OP VIC FIRE ASSIST Army February 19, 2009


SAPPERS from 4CER were called on to per-form the onerous task of clearing potential fire threats from the sides of roads as part of the ‘chainsaw gang’ and removing unstable and dangerous overhanging trees.

Fire authorities said many of the trees – fall-en or otherwise – would smoulder for months without rain and posed a potential threat so long as they were left in place.

Tree branches overhanging close to the often narrow country roads also posed a major ongo-ing threat.

For combat engineers such as Spr Liz Canters it was all in a day’s work.

“We are trained in chainsawing, it is our first phase of training so it’s good to put our training to use for such a good cause,” Spr Canters said.

“We had done a bit of clearing out in Ringwood in the Melbourne suburbs but this is one of the biggest jobs I have had to do.”

The 19-year-old tourism student said the unit concentrated on February 8 and deployed the next day. “It’s just good to be out here and help-ing out.”


ARMY’s upgraded APCs took their first steps in an operational role by providing support to engi-neer teams on fire containment-line duties.

Puckapunyal-based AS4s from the School of Armour were deployed as scouting vehicles and emergency evacuation vehicles if needed.

Troop commander Lt Nicholas

Andrew said the vehicles performed well and the new power pack added to the vehicle’s performance.

“We can use it to get into places you wouldn’t get wheeled vehicles and we can bring up to 10 people out in case of an emergency in a protected state,” Lt Andrew said.

“We can move quite quickly across country and it is primarily what our role is here in emergency.”

The cavalry troop worked

directly with 22 Const Regt and the Department of Sustainability and Environment to provide support.

Lt Andrew said it was a change from the normal Training Command mission, but the vehicle was prov-ing a worthy addition to the Army’s fighting vehicle fleet.

“It isn’t a glamorous role but a very important one and entirely nec-essary, especially considering the severity of the fires,” he said.


WHILE soldiers came to assist the country Victorian towns, it wasn’t long before a bond of mutual respect developed between the two communities.

The hospitality of a grate-ful Flowerdale hamlet north of Melbourne so touched the diggers they started their own fundraising and donated $1100 to the com-munity.

WO2 Pete Midgley said the hospitality shown by the commu-nity had moved the soldiers.

“They have been very good to us and we have really developed a respect for their generosity and strength,” WO2 Midgley said.

“The community has been very grateful for the assistance and I think that just the uniform was a reassurance after what they had been through.”

Flowerdale’s Stephanie Phelan said the feeling was mutual.

The Phelan family own the Flowerdale Hotel, which was a rallying point for the community and now the centre of its recovery effort.

Tired and fatigued from the continuous effort of protecting the town, the Flowerdale community finally could take a break.

“It was such a big relief for people who had been fighting fires all night – the Army handled so many things we didn’t have time to do,” Ms Phelan said.

“They have been great. There are a few characters in there.”

Going into bat for mates

Forward glance: Anthony McGuire, 4, enjoys a game of cricket with soldiers in Flowerdale. Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller

Support fleet on trackHard work: Spr Liz Canters cuts up a tree in the Strath Creek region. Photo by Cpl Ricky Fuller

OUR CONTRIBUTION AT A GLANCE� Maj-Gen John Cantwell appointed interim Head of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.� Brig Michael Arnold, Commander 4 Bde, appointed commander of JTF 662 for the bushfire relief and clean-up efforts.� 160 reservists are part of a Search Task Group comprising four search teams to assist emergency management agencies search the burnt-out regions.� Accommodation for 160 people, including tents, a field kitchen, bedding and stretchers for a relief centre in Alexandra.� Provision of 150 portable beds/mattresses to relief centres in the Baw Baw Shire in West Gippsland. � 75 personnel and seven heavy plant machines, two chainsaw sections including logistic support have formed an Engineer Support Group. They created fire breaks and other containment measures, including the clearing of roads. In the first week more than 100km of fire breaks had been completed.

� Four APCs from the School of Armour at Puckapunyal fitted with communication and emer-gency evacuation capabilities.� Soldiers on pre-deployment training prior to operations in Solomon Islands are providing surge capacity assistance for short duration tasks. They are based out of Puckapunyal.� 4CSSB supported the transport of military equip-ment and logistics support to all deployed elements.Army base Watsonia assisted with accommodating federal police officers.� A series of temporary ‘one-stop shops’ erected throughout the region, providing a central location for residents to engage with the various agencies who are providing relief assistance. Further sites to be established when the required locations are con-firmed by state authorities.� Medical and counselling teams, including ambu-lances, deployed to support JTF 662 personnel. Where and when they can, these teams also sup-ported the wider emergency effort.

On the chainsaw gang

Driver’s seat: An M113 APC travels through fire-ravaged Humevale, Victoria. Photo by LS Kade Rogers

DALTON 3 17 squares living $427,500• Amazing value! • 4 bedrooms + ensuite • Land size: 1,182m2

• Floor coverings included

• Choose your own colours• Dbl garage + int access• Reverse cycle air cond. • Huge fam/rumpus living

YARRADALE 27.2 Squares Living $486,800• 5 bedrooms + ensuite • Reverse cycle air cond. • Large ‘great’ room • Opt fi replace & alfresco

• Dbl garage + int access• Quality fl oor coverings• Rumpus room• Contemporary façade

8 MINUTES FROM HQJOC – BUNGENDORE

Visit Elmslea this weekend Cnr McCusker & McMahon Drive | Saturday & Sunday 11am-4pm | Ph: 6297 7911Ph: 6297 7911

• Choose from our great range of 3, 4 or 5 bedroom ‘Home + Land’ packages or choose your own builder• Freehold Land — NO time limit to build (unlike Canberra’s Leasehold Land)• Close to shops, child care centre, schools, local cafes, restaurants, wineries & antique stores• 15 minutes to Queanbeyan, 20 minutes to Fyshwick, 30 minutes to the City centre• All packages qualify for a $31,000 fi rst time home-buyer package*

$7,000DISCOUNT FOR ALL DEFENCE PERSONNEL

ONLY 7 PACKAGES AVAILABLE

*Conditions apply. All packages are subject to site costs.

SIROCCO 6 ELITE 22.5 Squares Living $455,700• Family-functional design • 4 beds + study + ensuite • Reverse cycle air cond. • Large ‘great’ room

• Choose your own colours• Dbl garage + int access• Quality fl oor coverings• Rumpus room

EXCELLENT VALUESPACIOUS FAMILY HOME

CHELSEA 19 squares living $432,500• Room to move and play• 4 bedrooms + ensuite • Land size: 1,182m2

• Floor coverings included

• Choose your own colours• Dbl garage + int access• Reverse cycle air cond.• Optional alfresco area

SPEND $4,700 TO RECEIVE $35,000 OF EXTRA INCLUSIONS

NEWS 5 Army February 19, 2009

CONTINUED stability in East Timor has allowed for a company-sized group of about 100 ADF soldiers to return to Australia late last month after a four-month deployment.

The adjustment in the ADF’s deploy-ment in East Timor was announced last October.

Commander 1 Bde Brig Michael Krause and Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon met members of the returning 5RAR contingent at Darwin Airport to thank them for their service.

Lt-Col Darren Huxley, CO East Timor Battle Group, said the soldiers had “played an important role in East Timor’s growth as a nation over the last year”.

“The security situation is vastly improved and local forces are now tak-ing on more responsibility,” he said.

The soldiers were awarded the ASM with East Timor clasp in Dili.

Troops back from Timor

ALL soldiers will enjoy more in their pay packets from February 19 as the last instal-ment of the 06-09 Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA) and Star Ranks Remuneration Agreement (SRRA) takes effect.

For soldiers wanting to refer to the new pay rates, the glossy insert in this edition reflects the 2.8 per cent increase as it applies to the new Graded Other Ranks Pay Structure (GORPS) approved by the DFRT late last year.

Soldiers will not see the effect of GORPS until at least mid-2009 as work continues to roll out the new structure across the ADF. When GORPS is introduced, pay adjustments will be backdated

to September 4, 2008. Until this occurs, ARA members up to the rank of WO2 should use the table above to see what effect the latest WRA increase has on their immediate salary.

The key features of the WRA and SRRA, which expire on November 3, include:� No trade-off of conditions of service. � Applies to salary and salary-related allow-

ances. � Total increases of 12.6 per cent (13.2 per cent

compounded) over agreement life, delivered in four instalments – 4.2 per cent on November 16, 2006; 2.8 per cent on August 9, 2007; 2.8 per cent on May 1, 2008; and 2.8 per cent on February 5, 2009.

� Average 4.2 per cent increase a year over agreement life.The ADF will shortly start work on negotiat-

ing new arrangements. The arrangements provide a framework for across-the-board salary adjust-ments as part of a more general approach to ADF remuneration.

They acknowledge the cooperation and sup-port of ADF members and their families in accepting organisational change and in identify-ing and pursuing other reform initiatives.

Details of the WRA increase can be found at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/DGPERSA/comweb.asp?page=111263

Ranks Incr PG 1 PG 2 PG 3 PG 4 PG 5 PG 6 PG 7 PG 8 PG 9 PG 10 PG 11 PG 12 PG 13 PG 14 PG 15 PG 16

WO2 2 59,543 61,072 61,997 64,260 66,525 68,789 71,052 73,317 75,581 77,844 80,109 82,372 84,635 86,900 89,164 91,427

1 58,952 60,469 61,379 63,642 65,907 68,171 70,434 72,699 74,963 77,226 79,491 81,755 84,018 86,283 88,547 90,811

0 57,775 59,262 60,159 62,422 64,686 66,951 69,214 71,478 73,743 76,006 78,270 80,535 82,798 85,062 87,327 89,590

SSgt 0 54,695 56,119 57,537 59,801 62,066 64,329 66,593 68,857 71,121 73,385 75,649 77,913 80,177 82,441 84,705 86,970

Sgt 2 50,456 51,768 53,078 55,341 57,606 59,870 62,133 64,398 66,662 68,925 71,190 73,454 75,718 77,982 80,246 82,510

1 49,961 51,257 52,555 54,819 57,083 59,347 61,611 63,875 66,139 68,403 70,667 72,931 75,195 77,459 79,723 81,987

0 48,964 50,231 51,505 53,770 56,033 58,298 60,562 62,825 65,090 67,354 69,617 71,882 74,146 76,408 78,673 80,936

Cpl 2 43,948 45,702 47,458 49,722 51,986 54,250 56,514 58,778 61,042 63,306 65,570 67,834 70,098 72,362 74,626 76,890

1 43,512 45,253 46,987 49,250 51,515 53,779 56,042 58,307 60,571 62,834 65,099 67,363 69,627 71,891 74,155 76,419

0 42,642 44,347 46,052 48,316 50,581 52,844 55,108 57,373 59,636 61,900 64,165 66,428 68,692 70,957 73,220 75,485

LCpl 0 39,184 41,324 43,468 45,733 47,996 50,260 52,525 54,788 57,052 59,317 61,580 63,845 66,109 68,372 70,637 72,901

Pte(P) 0 38,426 40,527 42,628 44,892 47,155 49,420 51,684 53,947 56,212 58,476 60,740 63,004 65,268 67,532 69,796 72,060

Pte 0 37,684 39,745 41,805 44,069 46,333 48,598 50,861 53,125 55,390 57,653 59,917 62,182 64,444 66,708 68,973 71,236

Final instalment

THE Government’s economic stimulus package includes $252 million for DHA to build 802 new homes for ADF person-nel across Australia.

Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon said the package would increase DHA’s building activity by around 70 per cent over the next 27 months.

“More houses mean some relief in a very crowded rental market, especially in Townsville and Darwin. We also hope that high-quality housing will have a positive input on retention and encourage recruits,” Mr Snowdon said.

“It’s a win-win for stimulating the nation-al economy and for Defence.”

The Government plans to begin construc-tion in 16 areas from April and to spend the money before the middle of 2011.

The locations include Adelaide (100), Brisbane (103), Canberra (10), Darwin (185), Melbourne (43), Sale (13), Hobart (10), Townsville (119), Cairns (5), the Hunter (30), Ipswich (133), Sydney (20), Wagga Wagga (2), Wodonga (6), Nowra (16) and Toowoomba (8).

This is on top of the 1500 new houses already in the DHA program for the next three years.

“This means we can provide an almost instant stimulus to regional economies across Australia,” Mr Snowdon said. “It will sustain 675 direct construction sector jobs and 1690 indirect jobs in small businesses.”

Boost to housing

Home sweet home: Members of 5RAR return home to Darwin after a four-month deployment to East Timor. Photo by LS Helen Frank

Why invest in Property? �still the best and most secure investment �loans for property attract the lowest interest rates in the market �the best tax deductions

Investment Property Specialists

M A (Rick) O’Shea JP - Ex RAEME WO2Managing Director of QPS

One of the wonderful things about Investment Property....“every morning when the sun comes up, it is still there”

�QPS is a proud member of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA)

�Rick’s Military clients have made over twenty three million dollars in capital growth!!

�All properties sold at their Real Value

�We can assist you to obtain fi nance – we make it easy

Our gifts to you -

�Three year Rent Protection Plan (RPP3)

�Quantity Surveyors Report

�1st year Accountants prepared Income Tax Withholding Variation – putting money back in your pocket sooner!

Call QPS today on freecall 1800 155 611.email: [email protected]

You don’t have to be wealthy to invest…but you do have to invest to be wealthy!

6 NEWS Army February 19, 2009

Army adds fuel to reliefBy Cpl Andrew Hetherington

WHILE soldiers have helped Victoria’s fire victims, personnel at Townsville and Cairns have pro-vided support to people in flood-ravaged Queensland.

Two Black Hawks and 18 person-nel from B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt, deliv-ered food and fuel to Ingham.

OC B Sqn Maj Scott Watkins said on February 5 his unit delivered fuel in underslung 44-gallon drums for civilian helicopters working out of the Ingham airfield.

“We f lew two runs f rom Townsville delivering 20 drums or 4100 litres of fuel,” he said.

“On February 8, in conjunction with RAAF 38 Sqn Caribou aircraft, we delivered 4500 one-man ration packs to Ingham.”

The distance from Townsville to Ingham is relatively short, but the crews had to deal with challenging conditions.

“Due to the rain showers and the low cloud base, it made it a longer journey travelling the 200km round trip. Visibility dropped to down to a 1km at times. We had to fly quite slow and low, down to between 200-300 feet,” Maj Watkins said.

The destination for each flight was Ingham airfield, which he lik-ened to an island.

“There was water across the threshold of the runway, the town end of the runway and all the pad-

docks around the airfield were also under water,” he said.

“We landed and were met by locals with a ute and fork lift. They formed a chain of people offloading the ration packs, putting them into the back of the ute or on the forklift, to be distributed among boats and helicop-ters, which were then sent out to vari-ous people in the community.”

In Cairns, OPSO 51FNQR Maj David Falloon said two Unimogs and drivers were called out on February 7 to assist locals in their flooded homes as emergency vehicles could not get access. “By the time we got to the area the rain had stopped and flood waters had started to regress,” he said.

“We moved an elderly lady back to a safe location after the SES vehi-cle she was travelling in got caught on a rock.”

Maj Chris Reed, Manager Joint Operations Support Staff (JOSS)

North Queensland, assisted with the coordination of the relief under the Queensland Emergency Management Plan.

The JOSS stood to on February 1 and provided liaison and advice on Defence assets to Townsville District Disaster Management Group formed on February 2. It ran 24-hour opera-tions until the night of February 9.

Maj Reed had the opportunity to fly over Ingham and see the full scale of the destruction.

“It was a complete inland sea of water. I think every house in Ingham was affected. In excess of 2000 homes and nearly all the houses in the town are double-storey and were all flooded within six inches of the top storey.

Maj Reed said he had great admi-ration for the people of Hinchinbrook Shire and the staff of the Queensland Emergency Services for their ongoing hardwork and dedication.

Help at hand: A Black Hawk transports a pallet of aid from Townsville to Ingham to help the flood-stricken community. Photo by Capt Al Green

A sea of homes: Ingham was completely cut off after being flooded. Photo by Inspector Damian Irvine, Qld Police Service

With a rate this low, you can afford a few optional extrasWith one of the lowest car loan interest rates availableof just 9.56%p.a. and no ongoing fees, you can own thecar you want sooner and save thousands of dollars.

For fast pre-approval,visit your local branch or call 1800 033 139.

*Comparison rate is calculated on $30,000 secured loan over a 5 year term,based on monthly repayments. WARNING: This comparison rate is true forthe example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on request.The rate is correct at the time of printing and subject to change.

DEF1413_AANN

9.56%p.a.comparisonrate*

Defence Force Credit Union LimitedABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL 234582


By Cpl Corinne Boer and Alan Pinsker

SOLDIERS and their families have been advised to take precautions against a dengue fever epidemic hit-ting North Queensland.

Outbreaks of the dangerous mosqui-to-borne disease have been confirmed in areas of Cairns and Townsville during January.

OIC Arbovirology at the Army Malaria Institute Maj John Aaskov said the dengue viruses were likely to have been brought in by travellers returning from Southeast Asia.

He has advised soldiers and their families located in North Queensland to be vigilant. “The mosquito breeds in small pools of water usually in and around houses,” Maj Aaskov said.

“Clean up breeding sites like water in trays under pot plants, discarded rubbish and any sort of containers around the yard like the dog’s water bowl.

“One of places people often forget about is the guttering. It’s a great breed-ing site.”

Maj Aaskov said an ideal hiding place for the mosquito was underneath tables.

“People often come home from work, put on a pair of stubbies, have a drink and put their legs under the table where the mosquitoes are resting and are una-ware they have been bitten” he said.

“The best protective measure is to be cautious in the morning and the eve-nings.”

Symptoms of dengue fever may include fever, an intense headache espe-cially behind the eyes and joint and mus-cles pains. There are no drugs or vaccine available to prevent the disease.

“People have been trying for more than 60 years to make a dengue vaccine,” Maj Aaskov said.

“There are some vaccines in trial but there is nothing licensed and I can’t see a vaccine being freely available in the next five years.

“At the end of the day personal pro-tection is the way to go.”

For more information about malaria or dengue fever visit http://www.defence.gov.au/health/ami/i-ami.htm.

MYTH 1: Malaria and dengue fever have been effectively eradicated in our region and pose no threat to our troops. FACT: Malaria and dengue fever are a major health problem throughout the southwest Pacific with thousands of people in this region becoming infected every year. During the East Timor deployment more than 400 cases of malaria and a similar number of dengue fever cases occurred. Malaria peaked in troops around the year 2000. Although it has been in decline ever since, it requires constant vigilance. Dengue fever remains an important issue for soldiers in urban areas such as Dili in East Timor.

MYTH 2: Anti-malaria medication can cause a range of negative health consequences. FACT: All medications have some unintended adverse events but taken as directed the medi-cation used for anti-malarial prophylaxis is extremely safe. In the few persons who can-not tolerate a particular medication, alternative medications can be prescribed.

MYTH 3: It doesn’t matter if you miss a dose or two of medication as long as you take most of it you will be fully protected.

Prevention measures: A thermal fogging machine is used to control mosquitoes to minimise the threat of a dengue fever outbreak after the tsunami in Banda Aceh in 2005. Photo by LS Phillip Cullinan

Taking the sting out of dengue

DENGUE AND MALARIA MYTHS

FACT: Doxycycline is the ADF’s most common anti-malarial prophylaxis and its effectiveness depends on it being taken continuously. Failure to take doxycycline daily means you are not pro-tected during that day.

MYTH 4: The use of repellants, mosquito nets and appropriate clothing are limited in their usefulness.

FACT: Although medication for malaria is one of the major prevention approaches, repellants, mosquito nets, and appropriate clothing (keep sleeves rolled down, tuck trousers into boots) play important additional roles in prevention. More research is being undertaken to put repel-lants into field uniforms.

A MEMBER of MRTF 1 in southern Afghanistan is receiv-ing medical treatment in Germany after being wounded in a roadside bomb attack.

Another soldier and an explosive detection dog were also wounded in the IED blast

that struck their Bushmaster on January 30.

Both soldiers received non-life threatening wounds to their lower body. They and the dog were evacuated by helicopter to an International Security Assistance Force medical facility for treat-

ment. The soldier who remained in Afghanistan for treatment was expected to return to duty soon, as was the dog.

The IED damaged the Bushmaster, however, the pro-tection provided by the vehicle helped save the occupants’ lives.

By Cpl Andrew Hetherington

DEFENCE has initiated an inves-tigation into the wounding and deaths of Afghan children and adults during an operation con-ducted by SOTG soldiers in Oruzgan province.

In the early hours of February 12, SOTG soldiers were conducting clearing patrols through compounds of interest when they came under fire from Taliban insurgents. SOTG soldiers engaged them, returning fire in accordance with their rules of engagement.

Chief of Joint Operations Lt-Gen Mark Evans said tragically civilians were killed and wounded during the incident.

“Current reporting indicates those killed include a suspected insurgent and, sadly, local nation-als, including five children killed and two children and two adults injured,” he said. “The injured have been treated and evacuated to ISAF medical facilities for further assess-ment and treatment.”

No Australian soldiers were

ADF to investigate deaths

injured in the engagement.Lt-Gen Evans said Defence

regretted the loss of innocent life and extended the deepest condo-lences to families involved.

“I would like to reinforce that Australian forces operate under strict rules of engagement to avoid

the loss of civilian life at all times,” he said. “We take every measure to avoid civilian casualties … it’s a pity the Taliban doesn’t do the same.”

The investigation is expected to take a number of weeks.

Ever watchful: A file photo of an SOTG member scanning for Taliban during a night operation. Photo by LAC Rodney Welch

MRTF soldiers wounded by roadside bomb

Defence’s online accommodation booking service – eGAPP has never made booking your hotel simpler Online: www.lido.com.au/defencePhone: 1800 000 462Email: [email protected]

Defence’s contracted Accommodation Manager - Lido….Be our Guest

Sourcing superior accommodation

for Department of Defence business travellers

has never been easier

Southern Region Health Services Conference 2009 >>

RESERVISTS DEPLOYED — BY LAND, BY SEA, BY AIR

WHEN Saturday 21 March 20090800 to 1700

WHERE Victoria Barracks, St Kilda Road, Melbourne

WHO Tri-Service Health Personnel of all ranks are welcome

REGISTRATION $20 RegistrationRegistration closes 10 March 2009

ENQUIRIES Telephone: 0419 341 063Email: [email protected]

The Southern Region Health Services Conference 2009 is proudly sponsored by Defence Reserves Support.

For further information:Call 1800 803 485 or visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves

Australia’s Reserve Forces


By Capt Adrian Dolahenty

SOME boot scooters could soon be stepping out for the Army after the efforts of recruit-ers and some very special supporters at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Star performers the Wolverines and up-and-coming artist Amy Williamson, daughter of country music stalwart John Williamson, threw their support behind the the local unit, 12/16HRL, and Defence force recruiters.

No strangers to the Defence Force, the art-ists – who first met entertaining ADF personnel in the Middle East last year – were given the honour of riding in three Bushmasters in the main cavalcade parade at the music festival in January.

Amy Williamson, who is a veteran of enter-tainment tours, has always had great respect for the ADF.

“I first entertained troops in the Solomon Islands and I was immediately impressed with

how well the Army communicates with each other,” Ms Williamson said.

“In Iraq I was impressed with the way everyone worked with each other. It led to me singing in the Navy Band and all the time I have been treated with respect and thanked for my skills.”

Wolverines front man John Clinton said he was happy to weigh in with the recruiting campaign, even promoting Army service on a TV news bulletin, because of the support the Defence Force had given the band in recent years.

“The average person really doesn’t under-stand how much goes into the Defence Force – my respect for the Army has grown over the years,” he said.

Their efforts seem to have certainly paid off with 55 people giving their details – an impres-sive figure based on previous years and hope-fully offering 12/16HRL much-needed recruits very soon.

THE road from the ADF to Civvy Street will be smoother, faster and well signposted, thanks to revamped transition seminars effective this year.

The seminars, to assist ADF members preparing to separate, have been pared back from three days to two in a restructuring program.

The revamped seminars now focus on the work of the Directorate of Transition Support Service (DTSS) – readying people to sepa-rate from the ADF.

DTSS acting director Mrs Nikki Curtin said the seminar revamp has been prompted by enquiries regard-ing the program’s length.

“Reviewing the program, we dis-covered where we could save time and removed some similar presenta-tions, which didn’t add greatly to the information imparted,” Mrs Curtin said.

Pared back and timed to avoid peak posting periods, the seminars are tighter with more concise infor-mation, offering the best of what’s available from other government departments and agencies.

The ADF Financial Services

Consumer Council provides finan-cial aspects, tapping into the resourc-es of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Comsuper, and Defence and Navy Health.

Career aspects are delivered by Defence representatives who have a long history in career transitions.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs; Veterans and Veterans’ Family Counselling Services, out-lines in it’s presentation what it pro-vides, including information on the psycho-social elements of separa-tion.

DTSS have tried to keep the seminars as “in house” as possible, remaining up-to-date, family-friend-ly and most importantly free.

Trials of the new format have been run to different audiences and age groups in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Bandiana, with the par-ticipants providing very positive feedback.

“The cut-back to two days was well received, including positive views from people who had attended previous seminars,” Mrs Curtin said.

“They did not feel they were being sold a product, or forced down a particular path.”

A new ADF Transition Handbook has also been published to address separation administration, educa-tion and training, future employment support, reserve service and medical and dental. It also covers compensa-tion and service pensions, financial and legal matters, superannuation, housing and relocation, additional support and family services.

“We want to improve the transi-tion support ADF members receive out in the regions, presented in an uncomplicated, easy-to-access way, in plain English,” Mrs Curtin said.

“It’s about getting the message out there to members regarding what is available and that it’s not a hidden service that few can access.”

Twenty-eight seminars will be conducted around Australia between March and November, with the assistance of the ADF transition centres in the 12 Defence Support Group regions.

Further information is available at www.defence.gov.au/transitions

Smooth move

Country stars stand by their soldiers

Transition seminars restructured

On a string; 8CSSB recruiter Cpl Matt Abraham and Pte Jayne Withers join entertainer Amy Williamson at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Apply online at www.defcredit.com.au visit your local branch, or call 1800 033 139.

4.99%p.a.*for 6 months on all transactions

Reward yourself every month with:

��

Why reward yourself with points that amount to very little? A True Blue Credit Card

offers what you really need - a super-low introductory rate and low ongoing rate for

all transactions including balance transfers and cash advances.

��

Ditch the pointsand save money every month instead

Defence Force Credit Union Limited

ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL 234582DEF

1335

_AA

NN

FLEETNETWORK FOR VEHICLE SALARY PACKAGING 08 92482225


By Michael Brooke

TWENTY-one years is a long time to wait for your first operational deploy-ment.

But the wait was worth it for WO1 Gail Couley, who returned home from a four-month deployment to Solomon Islands late last year. She received more than she bargained for when she was promoted from WO2 to WO1 at a home-coming parade at Holsworthy Barracks.

While deployed in the Solomon Islands, she was the unit pay represent-ative. “The responsibility of ensuring everyone got paid what they were owed meant I was the most important per-son in the Australian contingent of 140 reservists,” WO1 Couley joked.

She would leap at another opportu-nity to serve her country.

“I waited 21 years for my first deployment and I enjoyed it so much I’m keen to answer the call of duty again whenever the opportunity allows,” she said.

She was one of more than 140 reserv-ists from 5 and 8 Bdes who returned

OCDT Alison Heenan and Senior Under Officer Simon O’Brien were the standouts at the most recent ADFA and RMC graduations in Canberra.

OCdt Heenan was awarded the Chief of Army’s prize at the ADFA graduation and Senior Under Officer O’Brien the Sword of Honour and Queen’s medal at the RMC graduation.

OCdt Heenan is this year undertaking a further year of officer training at RMC before being commis-sioned as a lieutenant.

On graduating, she said she “loved every minute of being at ADFA, and look forward to a long and rewarding career in the Army”.

Some 500 ADFA officer cadets took to the Academy’s parade ground in front of family and friends to celebrate the completion of studies and say goodbye to their home for the past three years.

Also on hand were Governor-General Quentin Bryce, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon and Defence Chief ACM Angus Houston.

Later in the week, RMC’s 142 graduating staff cadets paraded on Duntroon’s famous “Hotplate” for family and friends for the last time.

The Governor-General reviewed the staff cadets before awarding the Sword of Honour and Queen’s medal to Senior Under Officer O’Brien, for exemplary conduct and performance of duty and for ranking first in academic achievement among the graduates.

Hard slogrewarded

home safely from a successful four-month deployment to the Solomon Islands in time to celebrate Christmas with their family and friends.

Commander 5 Bde Brig Paul Brereton presented the reservists with the ASM at the homecoming parade.

Wait was worth it

Good job: WO1 Gail Couley, HQ 5 Bde, salutes after being promoted. Photo by Capt Michael Brooke.

Well presented: Senior Under Officer Simon O’Brien receives the Sword of Honour from Governor-General Quentin Bryce. Photo by Grace Costa

Standout: CA Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie presents OCdt Allison Heenan with the Chief of Army prize during the ADFA graduation parade. Photo by AB Jo Dilorenzo

THE Army Clothing Hotline has received a number of requests to prioritise some made-to-measure uniforms.

These requests have included mess dress, service dress and parade uni-forms. Priority will only be approved when evidence is provided that the uniform is required for: operational activities;

overseas representational duty, for example defence attache; domestic representational duty, for example aide de camp; or investitures, for example award/pro-motion ceremony.

Queries on clothing entitlements, prices, avail-ability, request for made-to-measure forms to Sgt Anthony Romkes on (03) 9282 6602 or email [email protected]

Made-to-measure requests

TALIBAN ATTACK DEFEATEDLearn about fighting the Taliban from soldierswho have been there.

• Combined Arms • Command and Control • Fighting in Complex Environments • Offensive Support • Experiences in contact

Real lessons from a four hour contact in September 2007. Taliban Attack Defeated will be sent out to all units. Contact the Centre for Army Lessons if you haven’t received it, or if you need more copies. Call (03) 5735 7102.

DVD and Tactical Study Guide


By Cpl Andrew Hetherington

ADF personnel and federal police who have served as overseas peacekeepers will soon have a memorial built in their honour.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Alan Griffin announced the final design for the National Peacekeeping Memorial late last year.

“The Australian Peacekeeping Memorial pays tribute to Australian peacekeepers and their roles in more than 50 peace operations around the world since 1947,” he said.

A $3.5 million design submitted by Sydney architec-tural firm Super Colossal won the contract.

Lead architect Marcus Trimble said the concept of the design came about after a team of four architects from the firm pondered over how peacekeeping could be repre-sented in a physical manner.

“We came up with the idea of peacekeeping being a ray of light between two parties in conflict,” he said.

“The memorial consists of two large mute monoliths, separated by a passage of light which symbolically repre-sents the concept. We researched peacekeeping missions to gain an understanding of the types of conflicts the partici-pants were involved in.”

He said visitors would be able to walk between the two cubes to the back of the memorial, which would feature a timber beam inscribed with the names of all peacekeeping campaigns from the past 60 years.

Project chairman Maj-Gen Tim Ford (retd) said the non-profit project had received a grant of $200,000 from the Veterans’ Affairs Department and more than $1 million in corporate donations.

“I would like to encourage all Australian peacekeeping veterans to join the project to give us the moral authority to go to the community and corporate Australia to further support the project,” he said.

The memorial will be located on site to be determined on Anzac Parade in Canberra and construction is planned to be completed by September.

To make a tax deductable donation to the memorial fund and find out more go to http://www.peacekeepingmemorial.org.au/index.php.

By Cpl Zenith King

DEFENCE members have banded together for the unveiling of a monu-ment dedicated to soldier musicians killed on active service since the Federation of Australia.

Maj-Gen Ash Power unveiled the Australian Army Band Corps (AABC) Soldier Musician Memorial at the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) at Simpson Barracks late last year. Mr

Bob Keatch, AABC Association presi-dent, said the monument was designed to pay tribute to all musicians and stretcher-bearers who laid down their life for Australia.

“The memorial is an important part of the heritage of the AABC. It’s a sacred place which gives serving and retired members a place of special sig-nificance for reflection,” he said.

“Located at the headquarters of the DFSM, Meares House, the monument

is simple yet elegant and has no refer-ence to any particular war or military actions.”

Association members across Australia raised the funds to build the monument.

“The AABC association is grate-ful for all the help received. Ex-1RAR soldier Bill Charleton donated proceeds from the sale of his poetry books written on military service towards the monu-ment,” Mr Keatch said.

By WO2 Peter Lee

ALTC PTI Sgt Thomas Walsh has cause to cel-ebrate after receiving two awards and a promotion all within a two-week period.

B e fo re b e i n g p ro -moted , the then Cpl Walsh received a Soldiers’ Medallion for his efforts as 2IC at the Albury Wodonga Military Area (AWMA) gymnasiums.

He said the award came as a complete surprise. “It was all the more special

having my wife Jodie there to witness it,” he said.

Within seven days of the Soldiers’ Medallion, he was awarded AWMA Instructor of the Year and, to top it all off, two days later he was promoted to sergeant.

Sgt Walsh was once again taken aback by the accolades.

“I consider myself to be very lucky; there are a lot of worthy instructors within the AWMA who could have picked up this award,” he said.

Peacekeeper tribute

Instructor’s triple treat

Memorial strikes a sombre note

Monument to musicians: The AABC Soldier Musician Memorial.

Peace talks: Architect Marcus Trimble chats with Pte James Veness and LS Ben Krikstolaitis about the peacekeeping memorial’s design.

Photo by Bryan Doherty

Great work: ALTC Commandant Col Michael Batiste congratulates Sgt Tom Walsh. Photo by Cpl Kristen Pickering

The Physical Training Instructor (PTI) is a RAAMC soldier who is responsible for the provision of physical conditioning and rehabilitation to the Australian soldier and the ADF in a variety of settings. The PTI is employed in the prevention of injuries, delivery of Military Self Defence (MSD) and the Combat Fitness Leader Courses (CFLC). The PTI also delivers the Defence Injury Prevention Program (DIPP), conducts fitness assessments of ADF members, physical training, coordination of sporting events and other specialist activities.

DUTIES OF A PTI

� Plan and conduct physical training sessions

� Provide individual and group physical training sessions

� Provide initial management of sports injuries

� Conduct physical training assessments � Conduct obstacle course training � Implement and monitor occupational

health and safety in the physical training environment

� Apply, supervise and manage injury prevention strategies

� Promote health and fitness awareness � Officiate, coach and coordinate sporting

competitions � Provide advice to the CO on PT, injury

prevention, rehabilitation and MSD � Instruct and supervise MSD � Instruct on Combat Fitness Leader

Courses � Rehabilitation of soldiers � Education on health and fitness

TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS

Prior to commencing the ADF PTI course, a soldier must complete the following:

� Successfully complete the Combat Fitness Leaders Course and obtain a recommendation to attend the ADF PTI course, or a letter of recommendation from a WO PTI after 12 months of supervision as a CFL,

� Completed 36 months in ARA, � Completed the Junior Leadership Course, � Successfully meet the pre-fitness and currency

assessment; and � Pass a paperboard conducted by CM RAAMC,

SCMA and ADFPTS.

CIVIL ACCREDITATION

On successful attainment of all competencies of PTI (ECN 185), the following civil accredited qualifications are awarded:

� SOA towards Certificate IV in workplace training and assessment;

� Certificate IV in fitness; � SOA towards the Diploma of Sport and

Recreation; � Royal Life Saving Society Bronze Medallion;

and� SOA towards the AustSwim National

accreditation; and � Diploma in Government (Management) –

achieved after promotion to WO2 PTI.

For Further Information:

http://intranet.defence.gov.au/ArmyWeb/sites/STAYARMY/ http://www.army.gov.au/stayarmy/

Email: [email protected]: 02 62657795

Or contact the Regional Trade Transfer and Retention Warrant Officer:

Enoggera Barracks 07 3332 5165 Lavarack Barracks 07 4771 7819

Robertson Barracks 08 8935 2980

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Call John NOWP: 07 3408 2444 F: 07 3408 2679

Unit Plaques& Trophies

Australian Army Approved Manufacturer

email: [email protected]

• Glassware • Insignia • Badges • Keyrings

12 WORLD NEWS Army February 19, 2009

SHARP shooting by reserv-ist Pte Aaron Woolston has enabled him to bring home a bronze medal from the 9th Brunei International Skill at Arms Meet (BISAM).

Thirteen reservists faced stiff competition from participat-ing countries including Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Cambodia and reigning champi-ons Indonesia, during the com-petition held over two weeks late last year.

Pte Woolston won his medal in one of the four rifle matches and finished 15th overall with WO1 Ian Beattie finishing 14th and the team finishing 7th out of 9 overall teams.

The competition involved various shooting disciplines using the MAG58, each coun-try’s in service 5.56mm rifle and 9mm pistol.

Conducted over various ranges, competitors exercised various aspects of combat marksmanship including mov-ing targets, fire and movement section matches and snap and deliberate shooting.

Australian team members were selected from the nearby Rifle Company Butterworth 83 in Malaysia, with the majority coming from South Australia representing 10/27RSAR and 3/9 LH (SAMR) with one member each from 5/6 RVR, 12/40RTR, QUR and HQ CATC.

With limited range opportu-nities in Malaysia and only two weeks to assemble and refine the team, training was handed to WO1 Ian Beattie, a previous member of the Australian Army Shooting Team and veteran of numerous international shooting competitions.

The event began with prac-tice shoots so teams could gain knowledge of the competition’s format.

Some Aus t ra l ian team members fired at long distance ranges for the first time with the original model Steyr.

Despite the team’s inexpe-rience and competing against teams with highly modified scopes and weapons, they adapted and the team saw some promising results.

However, the Indonesians proved too strong, and ben-efitting from having a full time shooting team, won the overall championship.

BISAM’s main objective is to strengthen the relationship between friendly armed forc-es, promoting solidarity and Kinship through shooting com-petition.

By Sgt Brian Hartigan

MORE than 1100 competitors from 53 countries gathered in Bali for World Shoot 15 to decide the fastest and most accurate shooters in the world.

The competion, which was conducted over six days by the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), consisted of 36 serials, or stages with 9 to 32 rounds. Competitors engaged up to 20 targets, many swinging, bobbing and disappearing, while moving around obstacles adopting different firing positions.

Capt Paul Nowak, Land Warfare Development Centre, represented Australia and the Army Sports Pistol Association, competing in the Production Division using a Czech-made CZ SP-01 semi-auto-matic pistol.

Capt Nowak said it was a challenging sport where the trinity of speed, accuracy and power was balanced with the intense mental pressure of shooting targets of various sizes in a correct sequence.

“Being a particularly accurate shooter on a rifle range is no indication of how well you might do at this sport,” Capt Nowak said.

“Competitors get two minutes to look it over before their shoot, and must make an efficient plan of attack to minimise movement and eliminate time wastage.”

Scores were determined by a combination of points on target divided by the time taken.

Capt Nowak said firing speeds of four well-aimed shots per second were not only common but often required to get the job done in a competitive time.

To find out more about practical shooting, visit www.ipsc.org.au

On target: LCpl Matthew Flynn, A Sqn 3/9 LH (SAMR), prepares to shoot at the target with his MAG58 during the 9th International Skill at Arms Meet in Brunei.

Bringing home bronze

Army hotshot takes on best

Man of bronze: Pte Aaron Woolston, 10/27RSAR – the best Australian shot in the competition.

Aerospace. Defence. Security.

PERFORMANCE EDGE,ALL THE TIME, EVERY TIME

www.thalesgroup.com.auPhotograph of Bushmaster © Department of Defence.

WORLD NEWS 13Army February 19, 2009

By Flg-Off Michael McGirr

ANYONE in East Timor asking for Cpl Roe might be in for a surprise when they hear a knock at the door.

You see Cpl Roe actually comes as a pair of identical twins called Curtis and Bevan.

The reservists, who are posted to 1 MP Bn in Perth and are both detectives in civilian life, are enjoying the opportunity to work together in the same place – something which hasn’t always been the case.

Joining the Army Reserve, the twins thought they would be able to enlist and go through training together. However the Army was initially hesitant about having both men join at the same time.

“I’m not sure why they didn’t want us together, probably because it was too hard to tell us apart and they thought it might cause too many problems,” Cpl Curtis Roe said.

In the end the Army was happy to let the pair join one week apart, placing them in separate platoons at basic training.

Cpl Curtis Roe said being “able to assist the locals with all sorts of matters and help-ing to create a stable environment” was one of the most satisfying aspects of the East Timor deployment.

“The locals will frequently tell us that if the ISF weren’t here, there would be a lot more violence,” he said.

The deployment has also been well timed, with Bevan set to marry his girlfriend Rebecca in May. With his brother Curtis as best man and joined by 60 guests, the wedding will be part of a two-week holiday in south-east Asia.

“The extra allowances paid for serving overseas will go toward the wedding, and I get to skip all the planning – I’ll probably get in trouble for saying that,” Cpl Bevan Roe said.

Double trouble for lawless in Timor

Walking the beat: MPs Cpl Bevan (left) and Curtis (right) Roe, deployed on Op Astute, are alsopolicemen in civilian life. Photo by Sgt Katrina Johnson

By Capt Simone Heyer

A VISITING US destroyer gave the Australian military in Dili a chance to see how the US Navy does business.

The Arleigh-Burke class guid-ed-missile destroyer USS Lassen arrived off the coast of Dili on Australia Day for a scheduled four-day port visit.

The visit allowed the crew to find their land legs with some shore leave and community rela-tions projects.

International Stabilisation Force and USS Lassen crew shared activities including a tug-of-war competition at the Australian Embassy Australia Day event, deck landings of the aviation group’s Black Hawks

onboard the ship and ready reac-tion force drills.

A small group of Australians from the ISF were also invited on board USS Lassen for a tour of the ship.

ISF plans officer, Major Terrence Cook coordinated ISF engagement with USS Lassen and said the ship’s visit was both worthwhile and enjoyable.

“The visit of the USS Lassen provided a unique opportunity to strengthen ties between ADF and members of the US Navy at a level other than Navy to Navy relationships,” Maj Cook said.

“The cross training was well received by both forces and the camaraderie established through combined activities has enhanced the reputation of the ADF.”

Destroyer drops by Hooking in: The Australian team digs in during a friendly tug-of-war with personnel from the USS Lassen. Photo by Cpl Dominic Hamon

14 LETTERS Army February 19, 2009

I AM writing to express my confusion about the RAEME pay structure, specifically the pay increase on completion of Subject 2 and 4.

Appendix 9 to Annex B to Employment Specification ECN 421 dated June 21, 2007, (MAE for ECN 421) states, “on receipt of ROA for Subj 2 and Subj 4 courses, the member is granted S161595 by the CMA and remunerated PG6 ECN 421-9”, at the corporal level and similarly two pages above states ECN 421-7 for the crafts-man level. ECN 421-9 is Tech Electronic Systems Supervisor Grade 2, which is at sergeant level.

My salary is at the PG 6 corporal increment 2 level ($52,772). My understanding is that on completion of the above two courses, you are paid at the higher level, in my case ser-geant level.

My PMKeyS has been updated, however, my salary is still the same as when I was ECN 421-7. As I was not the only one with the same ques-tion, my then sergeant late last year contacted SCMA for clari-fication and was informed that our pay was indeed correct and did not require change.

I am at a loss to understand how I am being “remuner-ated PG 6 ECN 421-9” when my pay did not change from when my ECN was 4214-7. I am not chasing more money as I believe we are well paid,

however, I am after clarifica-tion on the MAE policy and if on completion of Subj 2 and 4 you are paid at the higher level, or if your TRF level and ECN changes only reflect trade com-petency and do not effect your salary. Cpl Kain Neale1RTBKapooka

Mr John Levy, Directorate of Personnel Policy – Army, responds: CPL Neale, you can rest assured knowing that you are getting the correct pay and hopefully my response will help you understand.

You refer to Appendix 9 to Annex B of the MAE which shows the trade pay require-ment for ECN 421-9 and, as you correctly mention, this requires members to complete the Subj 2 and Subj 4 Sgts courses to be remunerated as an ECN 421-9. An ECN 421-9 member can be a corporal or sergeant. You need to refer to Appendix 11 to Annex B which shows the promotion require-ments for ECN 421: to be paid as a sergeant, you must have completed the above two cours-es, the Subj 1 Sgt course and be promoted to that rank.

An ECN 421-7 must also complete Subj 2 and 4, how-ever these courses are at the corporal level and on comple-tion members receive S161593 while an ECN 421-9 receive S161595 after completing their courses.

In your second query, an ECN change can reflect a change in skill level (competen-cies) as well as an increase in work value (pay grade place-ment). Other times it may only reflect a change in skill level.

Para 1(f) from ECN 421 MAE shows which pay grade is associated with each skill grade, for example an ECN 421-2 recognises an increase in skill as well as an increase in overall work value over that of an ECN 421-1, which results in gaining a higher pay grade on attaining ECN 421-2.

In your case you have increased your skill level from ECN 421-7 to ECN 421-9, however the overall increase in work value was not seen to be significant enough to warrant pay grade movement during the last RAEME trade restruc-ture that was conducted in late 2006.

There is no hard and fast rule that links ECN progres-sion with pay grade movement. Every employment category and the skill grades in them are sub-jected to detailed scrutiny by the individual trade managers, internal Army committees that deal with remuneration matters as well as similar triservice committees. This ensures that skill grades and correspond-ing pay grades are placed in the overall pay structure, prior to them being presented to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal for final pay grade placement.

THERE would appear to be a difference of opinion between DMO and ALTC. Or possibly DMO could better word their press releases.

DMO are suggesting how good the G-Wagon is and how soldiers should have the best. This is despite Mercedes-Benz not making the grade against Land Rover 25 years ago dur-ing the Perentie program.

DMO made great press of Benz’s electronics and how long the vehicle will stay in service. Both 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 variants are still available from Land Rover, Ford powered with the latest Ford technol-ogy that can be found at any local dealership. Various body configurations and lightweight armour are also Land Rover special vehicles options. Plus the simple logic of an easier user transition from the exist-ing fleet.

In an address to this unit, ALTC stated that Army had realised the folly of extend-

ed B-vehicle life. Thus more off-the-shelf purchases would be considered. I don’t believe Benz Australia have any plans to release civilian G-Wagons locally, after a 20-year gap.

ALTC also expressed an extremely optimistic goal of purchasing from one supplier, thus compatibility of parts etc. Whereas DMO now appear to be intent on window shopping for whatever takes their fancy.

Land Rover may not be the best product but as a supple-mentary purchase to an exten-sive existing fleet, wouldn’t it have been the most prudent purchase?Cpl Mark Paget7CSSBBrisbane

Mr Kevin O’Callaghan, Assistant Program Manager Overlander, responds:THANK you for your inter-est and enquiry regarding the replacement fleet of light/lightweight vehicles.

In relation to the choice of

the Mercedes Benz G-Wagons over the Land Rover 110, this decision was made after an extensive open tender process and technical evaluation. Land Rover did not put in a bid for this tender and therefore were not able to be considered.

The focus on choosing “off-the-shelf” vehicles is about selecting proven mili tary platforms that do not need to undergo extensive development and therefore, minimise risk and cost to the Commonwealth.

In the case of the G-Wagon, over 60,000 of these vehicles are currently in service with armies throughout the world including the US, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands. In fact, the G-Wagon is presently being used by Dutch forces in Afghanistan. In choosing the G-Wagon, the Australian Army will be getting a vehicle with proven capability, advanced technology and a platform that is fully supported over the next 30-plus years.

AFTER reading the letter by Capt Doyle (“All checks in place”, Army, December 11), I wish to express my view as a pay corporal.

Since Timor commenced I have made a point to ask for a copy of leave calculators from soldiers prior to them commencing leave. I have

spoken with other soldiers in RAAPC and they do the same for their soldiers. That is, we hold a watch copy of calculators and if transac-tions are not cancelled within time frames, we will cancel the transaction from our end.

I feel Capt Doyle is thank-fully in the minority.

I do feel that soldiers who don’t have a regular Army pay clerk are disadvantaged in that they have to use MPACs. Unfortunately, as stated by Mr Jim Porteus, the PAC has no visibility of a member’s deployment.Cpl James Webb9CSSBWarradale Barracks, SA

Pay confusion

Land Rover backed

Calculated response to issue

16 CENTREPIECE Army February 19, 2009 17

UNDER the guidance of experienced Australian soldiers from MRTF 1, the influence of Taliban insurgents is being pushed out of the Baluchi Pass and the

Chora Valley in Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province.Behind this success in areas once held by the

Taliban is the new-found strength of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA), underwritten by the support of coalition forces and the guiding hands of Australian soldiers of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team.

Patrol bases built over the last two years by Australian and Dutch forces in this area are now manned by the ANA with Australian forces providing support as military mentors.

MRTF 1 CO Lt-Col Shane Gabriel said the work of the ANA was starting to pay off in areas once con-trolled by the insurgents.

“It’s early days and I don’t want to overstate what we’ve achieved in the time we’ve been here, but I believe as a direct function of our new role by work-ing with the ANA we’ve had some successes already,” he said.

“We’ve been able to push the insurgent influence a lot further back than where they have previously enjoyed freedom of movement.”

On top of these advances, a MRTF patrol uncov-ered a significant quantity of home-made explosives, improvised explosive device components and ammu-nition in the Baluchi Valley earlier this month. Some items were recovered for further analysis while the ammunition and rockets were subsequently destroyed.

An MRTF patrol identified a road-side bomb and during the device’s removal found the cache of explo-sives and ammunition nearby.

In a separate operation in mid-January, mem-bers of the MRTF also found a munitions cache that included 107 and 82mm rockets, similar to those that have been fired at Australian troops in Forward Operating Bases.

Patrol Commander Lt Ashley Judd said the discov-ery would decrease the threat posed to both the local population and ISAF troops.

“This is a big victory and obviously a deterrent against the enemy knowing there is nowhere they can put their weapons and we won’t find them,” Lt Judd said.

On the engineering front, about 50 members of the ANA completed training in the vital role of combat engineering support, conducted by MRTF.

Cpl Michael Cole, 1CER, was an instructor on the latest graduating course. He said the engineering capability Australians are providing will be of lasting benefit.“This is the basic course involving the estab-lishment of security structures, hesco bastions, con-creting, sandbagging and force protection measures,” Cpl Cole said.

“It will enable them to conduct a lot of their own force protection measures and maintain their existing establishments without assistance from the International Security Assistance Force.”

Roadworks: Australian and Dutch engineers work together to repair a road in the Baluchi Valley.

Group hug: WO2 George Phillips messes about with comrades from the Afghan National Army while WO2 Matthew Henderson watches at Forward Operating Base Locke.

The work of the MRTF 1 and Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team in Afghanistan is starting to pay dividends. Photos by LAC Guy Young.

MAKINGMAKING INROADS INROADS

On patrol: Soldiers navigate a Bushmaster through the streets of Tarin Kowt on a patrol into the Baluchi Valley.

Shooting tips: LCpl Scott Tampalini offers some advice as he mentors a soldier from the Afghan National Army. Meals on wheels: A Dutch chopper takes off after delivering rations to Australian soldiers.

Graduating class: Combat engineer Cpl Michael Cole with Afghan engineers after they graduated from a course run by the ADF.

Keeping watch: A group from the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team survey their surroundings from an overwatch position. From left to right, OC Maj David McCammon, LCpl Scott Tampalini (front), Capt Tom Drew and Pte James Smith (right).

��

��

��

��

��

��

��!�� "��

"�� #$��"��

%�� "��

&'��'��$��&(��

�� &(��

��$�&(��

)�'��$��"��!

��!��$��"��!

��$ �"��!

��

��!��

)�'��$��*��

��!��$��*��

��$��*��

%�� *��

"�� +��

��$��+��

��#)�(� �+��

&'��'��$��)�(��*��

��$��)�(��*��

��$�#)�(��*��

��'�� & , ��

-��$��& , ��

.��(�� & , ��

��

&%/��)�*��!��'��,��'��!(��(��,�� *(��*��0��(��'��,��1��*��''��,�� ''�� 1��1��*��2�!�1��,��(��''��'' ��,�!��*��3

45� ��'5� 4 5� �"��'5� 4 ��) ((��1��4 ��) ((��'&'*��4 6��)��

4) (�� 4 -��!7�� 4 %�(��*��18��9 &11��4 8��'8��9 /�*�� ,)��

18 TRAINING Army February 19, 2009

By Tpr Michael Franchi

MORE than 40 reservist staff cadets from around Australia will graduate on February 21 from RMC.

The prospective lieutenants completed their final module at Majura range in Canberra and will take up positions of command at units Australia wide employ-ing the skills they have acquired.

Module five is the summative assessment of the staff cadet qualifying them as capable officers after being assessed on the previous 18-months of training.

SCdt Matteo Salerno said the most challenging part of the course was communication and trying to convey your intent to your troops.

“Pack marching up hills has been hard but I never let myself think I couldn’t do it,” SCdt Salerno said.

“Once we get to a unit we’ll have to step up to the plate and it’s going to be something that’s going to give me more satisfaction carrying out my job.”

Current heat waves have provided a challenging environment for the staff cadets to work in, giving them a greater understanding of the work rest tables.

SCdt Salerno said he did module three in Majura’s sub-zero temperatures and now doing module five in January’s heat.

“It’s been 40C most days so it changes the way you can carry out your job from one extreme to the other,” SCdt Salerno said.

Five modules typically around 18-months of part-time training provided a demanding environment for the staff cadets to learn the art of leading soldiers.

Platoon Commander Capt Gary Lyttle said the cadets performed admirably even though they don’t have the exposure to full-time conditioning and train-ing continuum full-time cadets have.

“They’ve rapidly picked up the skills, knowledge and physical robustness in a very short amount of time,” he said.

Ready to take lead

Bearings set: SCdt Sean Flynn (front) and SCdt Matteo Salerno (rear), QUR, on a navigation exercise at Majura Range in Canberra. Photos by WO2 Graham McBean

On the go: Cadets go for an early morning jog before the weather hots up (above).

Chart task: Mapping the route for the navigation exercise tests the cadets’ leadership abilities (right).

WANT TO GO TO THE FOOTY GRAND FINAL?

2009

Terms and Conditions apply, available to ADCU members only. Australian Defence Credit Union Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741. Permits Pending.

For more information & registration log onto www.adcu.com.au.

Free EntryNRL & AFL TippingWeekly Round PrizesWinners Prize of Tickets to Grand FinalResults Online 24/7

BE A WINNER -TIP YOUR FOOTY WITH ADCU

Registration for this year’s Australian Defence Credit Union Footy Tipping Competition for both AFL and NRL will open on 19th February. Members can participate either in the AFL tipping competition, or the NRL tipping competition, or both.Great Prizes to Be WonThere are weekly round prizes of $50 cash to be won, as well as Grand Final Prizes of 2 tickets to both the 2009 NRL and AFL Grand Finals.How to RegisterRegistering is quick, easy and free. Simply log on to the ADCU website at www.adcu.com.au and follow the link to the Footy Tipping site, then enter your details. Members can enter their tips each week, and the member with the highest number of

correct tips for that week wins the weekly round prize. Don’t worry if you forget to enter your tips for the week – a reminder email is sent to you at the end of the week if your tips are not entered. A list of weekly winners will also be published on our Football Tipping website.The 2009 tipping competition is open to any member of Australian Defence Credit Union for individual tippers. So what are you waiting for? Log on to www.adcu.com.au now and be a part of the Footy Tipping Competition. AFL and NRL game fi xture cards are also available for free at your local branch.If you have a problem at any time over the course of the competition, there is a support program available via email. Terms and Conditions apply visit www.adcu.com.au for full details, available to ADCU Members only. Permits pending.

Join the FREE ADCU

Footy Tipping CompetitionColin McGowan

Regional Manager Outer Sydney

20092009

TRAINING 19Army February 19, 2009

By Capt Nick Rutten

A GROUP of soldiers has endured one of infantry’s toughest courses held in the remote highlands of East Timor.

Part of the gruelling six-week sniper course was held in Australia to qualify the soldiers on the sniper weapon sys-tems. After the 5RAR soldiers deployed to East Timor, the remainder of the course was held around the township of Gleno in late 2008.

The area consisted of thick jungle vegetation, almost constant rain and spectacular scenery.

The soldiers were trained in skills including static navigation, judging dis-tance, observation and stalking.

Stalking is a key skill for a sniper and the exceptional attention to detail required made the tasks more difficult.

The soldiers were taken to a location in the mountainous region and dropped into the bush to conduct the stalk.

Draped in a yowie suit and armed with a SR98 rifle, blank rounds, a map and compass the soldiers were given a grid to an observer who they had to locate and kill.

They negotiated steep cliffs, rivers, livestock and the local townspeople in varying vegetation and weather condi-tions.

Seven soldiers started the course, one was withdrawn due to illness and a second was removed after falling and breaking his leg while conducting a stalk, a testament to how challenging the course was.

Three out of four stalks must be passed in order to qualify as a sniper. Three soldiers were qualified as sniper number twos.

It was the first time in two years that snipers were qualified in 5RAR due to the battalion’s high deployment tempo.

Though not all the soldiers achieved the required standard, all are better sol-diers for it. They completed the most difficult course a regular infantry bat-talion soldier can attempt in some of the most rugged and inhospitable ter-rain in the world.

OBJECTIVE: Shoot the oberver from inside the given arcs within 200m of the target without getting caught.

� The sniper must navigate 1–2km to the target using the most concealed route, spot the target, conceal the position, set sights and take the first shot.� The observer has two walkers at his beck and call via radio.� The observer’s task is to spot the approaching snipers and call the walkers onto their position. � If the observer is unsuccessful at finding the sniper, the walker asks the sniper to take his second shot. � The sniper must fire his second shot with the observer looking straight at him and remain undetected.� If the observer did not see the muz-zle flash the walker will ask the sniper whether he attempted a head or chest shot. Depending on the answer given the observ-er will hold up a number on the body part being targeted and the sniper must answer correctly to pass. � If the sniper has been successful and not been spotted, his sights will be checked to ensure that the correct windage and elevation has been applied and the correct range has been determined to the target. A 10 per cent margin of error is allowed for range, judged by the sniper’s optics, but checked by a laser range finder accurate to the metre.

STALKING CHALLENGE

The art of stealth, sniper-style

Catch me if you can: Soldiers master the art of moving through the jungle near Gleno, East Timor.

On target: Soldiers set their sights.

MISSEDthe 60th ARMY

APPRENTICE REUNION???

Don’t miss out on your copy of

‘FROM BOY TO SOLDIER’

‘A View of the Army Apprentice Scheme 1948 -1998’

Limited Edition - Hard Cover

178 Pages printed in colour

Great Gift Idea

$50.00 plus postage and handling

Available from:-

Army Museum Bandiana -02 6055 2525email [email protected]

ORDirect from the

distributor - Freecall 1800 244 566

email sales@malbargroup.

com.au

S.H.Cheeseman AM JP

20 FEATURES Army February 19, 2009

GEARING UP FOR NEW PROJECT

AS ARMYGEDDON is in its last year of its five years of service,

Lt-Col Regener’s team has already begun to plan for its replacement.

The vehicle’s project name is Digger and will be something a little different to what you might expect.

“The Chief of Army requested the team build a follow-on vehicle to Armygeddon,” Lt-Col Regener says.

The vehicle to be used is a 1978 Ford LTD sedan.

“We are going to chop the roof and suicide the doors and we want to run a com-petition in Army to name it,” Lt-Col Regener says.

It will be similar to previ-ous Army staff cars of the same make and model.

“We have purchased two cars and one is to be used for driver training,” Lt-Col Regener says.

“We have already stripped one, placed it in an acid bath and are in the process of making modifications to strengthen the chassis. The next step will be to chop the roof down two inches, the rear doors will be modified so they open frontwards.”

It’s paint job will be similar to a V8 supercar and the Rising Sun logo will replace the Ford logo on the rear quarter panel.

“The majority of the vehicle will be painted in a stunning Army green colour,” Lt-Col Regener says.

ARMYGEDDON – it conjures up images of a six-wheeled, outra-geous looking beast,

with blinged-up mags, smoking tyres and a paint job which would make any four-wheel-drive owner or truckie envious.

It’s been travelling around Australia to motorsport and other events since late 2005, promoting Army and encouraging people to join up as a tradesperson.

But, how does it get to the events? Who drives it and main-tains it?

To answer those questions I spent a morning with Armygeddon and its handlers, Team Army, at this year’s Summernats in Canberra.

Armygeddon and Team Army project manager Lt-Col Tom Regener says the team travels to a minimum of 10 events a year.

“The team is based at the Army Logistic Training Centre at Bandiana and mainly consists of a group of volunteer trainees we take off the trade training floor,” Lt-Col Regener says.

“The core structure of the team is the project manager, a chief mechanic and a 2IC who is a lieu-tenant.”

Armygeddon is transported by a dedicated semi-trailer, towed by an old Kenworth prime mover previously used by the Army Safe Driving Team.

Lt-Col Regener says the team runs on a yearly budget of $120,000 and is a unique exhibitor and contributor to the events.

“We fit in the space of the rac-ing teams and auto enthusiasts,” he says.

“We are mixing it in their space to try and demonstrate the diversity of employment opportunities avail-able in the Army.

“We run on a shoestring budget and take with us a spare transfer case, engine and 12 spare tyres. And other than that, we tend to repair everything else as needed.”

The vehicle is prepared and

Armygeddon has been a hit all over the country since 2005. Cpl Andrew Hetherington spent some time with the dream machine and its dedicated team at Summernats in Canberra.

Show us yyour cams

Final checks: Cfn Doug Street, left, and Cpl Ben Hewlett adjust Armygeddon’s blower belt (left) shortly before it leaves its lair for a cruise at Summernats (above). Photos by Cpl Andrew Hetherington

maintained by technical trade trainees on a Wednesday night in their own time.

Trainees who participate the most in the preparation are select-ed to attend the events.

All the work is conducted under the guidance of the chief mechanic, who is an instructor on the floor at ALTC.

Chief mechanic Cpl Ben Hewlett has worked in the role since late 2007.

“I was in the right place at the right time. Sgt Ward was running the show before I rocked up and he got posted out,” Cpl Hewlett says.

“I was then asked by Lt-Col Regener and the CA at the time, Lt-Gen Leahy, if I was happy to take the position, which I was! It’s the best job in the Army.”

He says the job allows him to work on his hobby in work hours, while continuing with his instruc-tional responsibilities.

“The best part of the job is I’m employed as a corporal in the Defence Force and my job is to supervise apprentice mechanics building performance cars, which is pretty much what I would be doing with my own money at home anyway,” he says.

Before the team travels to an event, Cpl Hewlett says the main priority is for Armygeddon to be running well.

After it’s had a service, been tested and if the trainees are to drive it at the event, the team ensures they have been trained appropriately. Then it’s given a

quick clean and put on the truck.

“The next big thing we do is sort the truck out, do a stocktake, ensuring we have everything we need such as oils, promotional material and tents,” Cpl Hewlett says.

There is never a shortage of trade trainees volunteering to drive the vehicle at events.

Cfn Jonathan Caruana, who has just finished his trade course, is one of the lucky few to drive the beast at the Summernats event.

He took me on a sedate 15-minute cruise around the site ring-road. As the 7-litre, 525kW Chevrolet engine fired to life, hun-dreds of onlookers aimed cameras and rubbernecked as we drove by, shaking their heads in amazement at the most unorthodox Army vehi-cle to ever hit the road.

“I jumped onto the team about nine months ago after a couple of blokes I was living with told me how much of a great time they had [in the team],” Cfn Caruana says.

“To drive Armygeddon we do enough training to get the feel for how it handles and how the diff lock works. I was then allowed to do burnouts.”

So what’s it like to have all that power under your right foot and legally do burnouts in an Army vehicle? “It’s beautiful and easy to drive,” Cfn Caruana says. “You just lock up your rear diffs, hit the brakes and then punch the accel-erator and she starts spinning.”

Proper ty InvestmentProper ty InvestmentWil l Secure Your FutureWill Secure Your Future

GARAGE

BED 4

BATH

W.C

LAUNDRY

BED 2

WIR

MASTER SUITE

ENSUITE

BED 3

ALFRESCO

MEALS

KITCHEN

FAMILY

DINING

LOUNGE

ENTRY

OFFICE

PORCH

STORAGE

Full depreciation schedule supplied with every package sold.

Special Offer to Service Personnel

Call us nowfor further informationor check out our websitewww.aushomes.com.au

Phone TODAY 07 38095915or call Jeff on 0408 154 009

All properties include;

�Minimum 4 Bedrooms & 2 Bathrooms �Air Conditioning �Fully Turfed & Fenced � Carpets & Ceramic Floor Tiles �Quality Stainless Steel Appliances & Much More

Home/Land packagesavailable from only

$289,800 “in selected areas throughout South-East Queensland”

Deal direct with the builderSave thousands by not dealing with the middle man

Shop 5 Gaythorne Road (cnr Samford Rd) just out the back gateGallipoli Barracks Enoggera

Open for Lunch Wed - Fri

Phone for take away orders from 11am

3855 1334

Amazing Thai Rolls

Curry Beef Noodle Soup

Kow Mun Gai

Dine in or take away

Ask about Army discount

X

Wardell Street

Sam

ford

Ro

ad GALLIPOLI BARRACKS ENOGGERA

Wanimo Street

Back Gate open from 1130 M-F

Grays Road

Taylors Road

Gaythorne Rd

Grays R

oad

Extensive Special lunch menu

FEATURES 21Army February 19, 2009

ONE piece of the puzzle in stabilising Iraq is the Security Detachment team comprising Army

and Air Force personnel. Secdet 14, headed by Maj James

Davis, 2 Cav Regt, is a combat team of about 110 personnel. Within that team, there are two infantry platoons, one cavalry troop, a military police detachment and a combat service support element.

“Secdet is a very diverse machine and it consists of a whole range of capabilities from across the ADF,” Maj Davis said.

“The largest group serving with Secdet is soldiers from 5RAR. They provide the physical security and control access to the Australian Embassy, conduct roving patrols and maintain observations on the approaches to the embassy.”

These combined forces support the embassy in Baghdad by provid-ing personal protection and protected mobility to Australian government

personnel working there. Secdet 14 consists primarily of personnel from 5RAR and 2 Cav Regt, but draws from many units across Australia incorporating regular army personnel and reservists.

“The Australian diplomatic mis-sion is here supporting the Iraqi peo-ple in the reconstruction efforts,” Maj Davis said.

“These include education support and physical reconstruction.

“The day-to-day task of Secdet is to assist this diplomatic mission so they can do their job, moving person-nel safely around the International Zone and Baghdad to key meetings and appointments.”

The members of 2 Cav Regt are well acquainted with their role safe-guarding passengers as they take to the streets of Baghdad.

ASLAV crew commander LCpl Jarred Philbey said the main role of Secdet was to provide an armoured escort to the ambassador when he moves around the International Zone.

“It’s a great feeling knowing your job is helping Australia and playing a key role in the overall mission in Iraq,” LCpl Philbey said.

“Providing security in a complex environment like Baghdad requires every soldier to be able to adopt a variety of postures in a short space of time,” Maj Davis said.

Moving an ASLAV off-road in an open range has its difficulties, but manoeuvring around Baghdad comes with extra challenges.

“It’s quite a feat getting used to the traffic on the roads,” LCpl Philbey said.

“It’s very different to driving in Australia and moving a large vehicle around in heavy traffic can be quite challenging.”

As the members of Secdet are prepared for whatever lies ahead, they are assured that their efforts have made a difference.

“We evolve every day to meet the constant change here in Baghdad, Maj Davis said.

Driving force in Middle East

Diverse group: Secdet 14 arrives from the International Zone at Camp Victory (top) to escort the Security Operations Force Agreement team to their next location, while Pte Jeremy Johnson takes up his position in one of the lookouts (above) to secure the area around the Australian Embassy.

A diverse group of soldiers is helping make Iraq a safer place. Flg-Off Martin Alderette takes a look at the role of Secdet.

Tax-free fuel

SmartSalary Car Leasing customers get:• Tax-free fuel• Tax-free car maintenance• Tax-free registration & insurance

Start your savings now.

Call us now on 1300 767 144 Visit www.smartsalary.com.au

22 PERSONNEL Army February 19, 2009

THIS year will be an active year for ADF pay, benefits and conditions of service.

Development of responsive, innovative and flexible work-force policies for ADF members will continue this year, accord-ing to Brian Paule, Director-General Personnel Policy and Employment Conditions.

“This begins with the ADF’s key remuneration vehicles – the ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA) and the Star Ranks Remuneration Arrangement (SRRA).

“These will take a lead role in ensuring Defence’s employ-ment offer is competitive and contemporary – now and into the future,” Mr Paule said.

Military payTHE ADF WRA (2006-2009) and SRRA (2006-2009) pro-vided the fourth and final wage increase of 2.8 per cent for members on February 5.

The ADF remuneration reform agenda continues into 2009, with the development of the next WRA and SRRA. Mr Paule said the arrangements would be structured to contin-ue to deliver remuneration that was competitive and consistent with broader community wage expectations.

I f the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal approve, the new WRA will come into effect on November 4.

The Remuneration Reform Project draws to a conclusion

with the ADF Officer Aircrew case scheduled to be heard mid 2009. Work will then start on a “next generation” remuneration innovation and reform program.

The objective is to provide ADF remuneration arrange-ments that attract, retain, develop, engage and transition the workforce in parallel with Defence’s White Paper commit-ments.

Group Rent Scheme changesDURING the next two years, the annual adjustment of Group Rent Scheme (GRS) contribu-tions will be moved forward to better align with the increase in rents paid by Defence, which occurs every January.

Up to 2008, ADF members’ share of rental increases has not been passed on until October-November each year, with Defence carrying the additional cost for 10-11 months.

In 2009 the GRS adjustment will occur in July-August, while from 2010 the GRS adjustment will occur in March-April each year.

Unexpectedly high mar-ket rent increases in recent years have resulted in a blow-out in the subsidy applied to ADF members’ service resi-dences and rent allowance. The Defence subsidy is now 57.16 per cent of the weighted aver-age rent across all rank groups, with members paying 42.84 per cent.

It is planned to return the subsidy level to 50 per cent over a 10-year period through the addition of a subsidy correc-tion amount to the annual GRS adjustment.

The subsidy correction pro-gram will start no earlier than

2010, in view of the change in the timing of the GRS adjust-ment in 2009 and 2010.

Further information on the change in the timing of the GRS annual adjustment and subsidy correction program will be pub-lished in 2009.

ADF Conditions of Service ReviewTHE Conditions of Service Review team will continue reviewing policies and deci-sion-making powers to ensure that decisions are made at the most appropriate level within Defence. This will better pro-vide commanders and managers with greater visibility of issues affecting their people.

The review team will also be looking at how similar global organisations deliver employ-ment benefits and a competitive conditions of service package.

The review team will then develop options for a “condi-tions of service” package for the future.

The outcome of the review will be communicated to mem-bers and their families once the review process has concluded.

ADF Housing and Accommodation Assistance Strategy 2009-2029THIS strategy will be finalised early this year. It will provide a framework for domestic ADF housing and accommodation assistance up until 2029.

Defence Personnel Regulations ReviewTHE Defence Pe r sonne l Regulations provide the legis-lative basis for ADF person-

nel policy – both tri-service and single-service. A review of the regulations began in 2007 and will conclude in mid-2009. They will come into effect later in 2009 after being signed by the Governor-General.

Review of the ADF Medical Employment Classification System A NUMBER of recent Boards and Courts of Inquiry have identified weaknesses within the current Medical Employment Classification system. To rectify these weaknesses, a review of the system will continue into 2009.

DeregulationFOLLOWING a scoping study undertaken in late 2008, atten-tion will turn to developing a client-centred workforce policy framework that is more stream-lined, simpler, with less duplica-tion and with more training and support for decision-makers. The aim is to reduce the number of forms, automate processes and devolve decision-making to the lowest most appropriate level so things happen faster.

For information on pay and condi-tions visit the website http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ and to find out more on the ADF Remuneration Arrangements go to ADF News.

Conditions more flexible

Advantage: Soldiers like Cpl Andrei Mazourenko will benefit from the ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement.

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

YOUR FAMILY LAWYERS

��

2009Free EntryNRL & AFL TippingWeekly Round PrizesWinners Prize of Tickets to Grand FinalResults Online 24/7

Terms and Conditions apply, available to ADCU members only. Australian Defence Credit Union Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741. Permits Pending.

For more information & registration log onto www.adcu.com.au.

BE A WINNER -TIP YOUR FOOTY WITH ADCU

24 PEOPLE Army February 19, 2009

Ever watchful: Pte Matthew Solis, a reconnaissance patrolman with 5RAR, treks across the highlands as part of regular patrols conducted by East Timor Battle Group 5.

Latch on: Handler Cpl Reg Ramage holds on to military police dog Amy as she gets her teeth stuck into the protective suit worn by Sgt Steven Elder during an exhibition at Camp Phoenix, Dili, East Timor. Photo by Cpl Chris Moore

Start your engines: LCpl Lance Keighran checks over one of the vehicles in the fleet he manages at Camp Phoenix in East Timor. Photo by Cpl Chris Moore

All channels clear: Sig Gregory Clarke, 155 Sig Sqn, is serving as part of CTF 635 in Solomon Islands. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

Halt: MP Cpl Troy Bettes diverts traffic from artillery on the Montefiore Bridge in Adelaide during Australia Day celebrations. Photo by LCpl Glenn Power

Dirty deeds: Sgt Leah Kite discusses a maintenance issue with an ASLAV maintainer at Camp Holland, Afghanistan. Photo by LAC Guy Young

Jervis Bay Rd

BAY & BASIN LEISURE CENTRE

The Wool Rd

Jervis Bay Rd

N

MoonaC

reek

RdNOWRA

VINCENTIA

BAYSWOOD

The Wool Rd

THE BEST LIFE FOR YOUR FAMILY IN JERVIS BAY

Call 13 LAND (13 5263) or visit stockland.com.au/bayswood

*Price based on River Gum Option B house & land package by Barrington Homes on Lot 183. Prices correct as at January 2009. braveSTO3452_DF_HP

LIFESTYLE 25 Army February 19, 2009

� Say again, over

If you can think of a clever, witty caption to this picture, then email [email protected] with “caption competition February 19” in the subject line. Keep entries under 25 words. Entries MUST include the sender’s name, rank and unit.

The winner from February 5 is ....

DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg

We also liked ...

“Makes it hard to find another BBQ of this calibre.”Alan MartinQueensland

“DMO succeeded in delivering the new personal protection weapon on time and within budget.”Maj Neil Squires DCSO

BULLETIN BOARD Amphibians ahoyEX-MILITARY and amphibian vehicle enthusi-asts are invited to attend the 30th annual Year of the Amphibian and Year of the Blitz gathering in Corowa, NSW, from March 9-15. Entries are $10 and if submitted before February 28 entrants will receive a special memento package. A book is to be written on the event by the secretary of the Khaki Vehicle Enthusiast’s association, Jan Thompson. For further information on the book and applications for the event visit http://www.corowaswim-in.org or contact Jan Thompson at [email protected] or by calling (02) 9969 7607.

Quizzical fundraising A QUIZ night will be held on March 7 from 7.30pm-midnight at the Mary McKillop Church Hall, Cassowary Drive, Ballajura, WA, to raise funds for the Pte Jamie Clark Memorial Kindergarten in Solomon Islands. The night will include raffles, silent auctions and giveaways. Two minutes’ silence will be held at the begin-ning of the evening for fallen Australian soldiers. $3000 has been already raised for the project and $5000-$6000 is hoped to be raised on the evening. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from Bazzo Real Estate, Ballajura City Shopping Centre or by calling (08) 9249 1822.

“That’s not a gun lady, this is a gun.”Cfn Anthony Janicska 103 Fd Wksp

“When the CO told him to organise the annual Anzac Day gunfire breakfast BBQ, the RSM went just that little too far.”Jen Bellman Army School of Ordnance

ADF Financial Services Consumer CouncilFor more information contact us at: [email protected]

ADF Financial Services Consumer Council

Do you need a FinancialAdviser?

How do you fi nd anAdviser?

How does an Adviser get paid?

What shouldyou ask the Adviser?

Our new eLearning

module can help you get

Financial Advice.

www.adfconsumer.gov.au

Half PageJuly08.indd 1 3/7/08 10:57:59 AM

26 LIFESTYLE Army February 19, 2009

FINANCE

ASIC has seen an increase in unsolicited share offers mass mailed to thousands of share-holders. If you ever receive

an unexpected letter from a company offering to buy your shares, be mind-ful of the pitfalls you might face if you take up such an offer.

Is it legal?It’s not illegal for an individual or

company to make an unsolicited offer to buy your shares, but it is against the law to mislead or deceive shareholders into accepting such an offer.

All offers must comply with strict legal requirements. For instance, when someone makes an unsolicited offer to buy your shares off market, they must provide you with a written statement setting out the market value of those shares on the day the offer is made. They must also give you a minimum of one month in which to accept the offer.

A failure to disclose the market price can attract fines or jail time.

Contact detailsContact details for shareholders

of listed companies are publicly available and can be purchased. While many shareholder lists are purchased for legitimate reasons, some people access this information to approach thousands of shareholders with unfair offers. These unsolicited invitations to buy shares are usually at a price that’s below market value.

There’s a risk that less experienced or elderly people are being lured into signing away their shares without carefully reading the offer or taking the time to make a few important safety checks.

Safety checksWho is making the offer? If you’re

not sure, phone the company whose shares are on offer to double check.

Company informationThere may be public informa-

tion about the company you don’t know about. For shares traded on the

Australian Securities Exchange, check company announcements at www.asx.com.au

Do you need to sell? Unless you really need the money

now, you may do better by holding on. If you do need the money, consider all your options.

Market price If someone makes an offer to buy

your shares, they have to tell you the current market value of those shares. Market prices can change daily.

Offer worth Watch out for offers significantly

below market value. You should also beware of offers to pay you by instal-ments spread over many years. With this kind of offer, even if the total offer price is higher than the present market value, the many years you have to wait for your instalments means you usually get far less than selling on the market.

Compare the cost of selling on the market. Even if you hold only a

Be careful of share offers

few shares, you can still sell through a stockbroker. Non-advisory brokers will sell the shares for about $55-65 over the phone, or about $30-45 over the internet. You will need to open an account, but this is straightforward.

What about fees? Read the offer to see if you are

obliged to pay any fees or charges. Work out in dollars what you would get after deducting all fees and charges and compare that figure with selling on market.

Get adviceAnyone making an unsolicited

offer to purchase your shares cannot

possibly know your financial circum-stances and therefore cannot give you financial advice. Further, you may face immediate taxation consequences if you accept an offer payable in instal-ments over time.

Consider getting independent advice from a licensed financial advis-er or stockbroker before agreeing to sell your shares. Once you accept an offer and enter into a binding contract, you may not be able to change your mind later.

For more information, including how to obtain financial advice, visit ASIC’s consumer website, at www.fido.gov.au or call 1300 300 630.

Unsolicited share offers can cause a world of grief for the unprepared. ASIC Chairman Tony D’Aloisio explains the pitfalls.

Be aware: Don’t throw your money away on unfair share offers, know how to protect your assets. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

��

��

��

FUNK RD

ZISCHKE RD

TH

ALL

ON

RD

NIE

ME

YE

R R

D

RUSTYSCAFE

WARREGO HWY

��

��

��

��

��

CALLING ALL DEFENCE FORCE PERSONNELIF YOU ARE BASED AT AMBERLEY OR BEING TRANSFERRED TO AMBERLEYYOU NEED TO ESCAPE TO THE LEAFY SURROUNDS OF...

��

��

��

��

��

GATTON IPSWICH

4 SOLD IN

4 WEEKS4 SOLD IN

4 WEEKS

$129,950$129,950PRICED TO SELLLot 51 - 5,120m

2

LIFESTYLE 27 Army February 19, 2009

Mouth-watering drinksCarbohydrate-electrolyte drinks, also known as sports drinks, rehydrate the body and can restore nutrients to the system. Vincent Kouwenhoven and Lauren Nugent explain the ingredients for a better performance.

SPORTS drinks are the most well- researched supplements used in sport. They are designed to deliver carbo-hydrates and fluids to the body in a

rapidly absorbable form. They contain carbohydrate and electrolytes,

and may contain other ingredients such as vita-mins, minerals and herbs.

Carbohydrates provide a quick fuel source for the muscles and brain and also contribute to the flavour of the sports drink.

Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and sometimes magnesium are added to sports drinks with sodium assisting in fluid absorption and stimulation of thirst receptors to encourage the athlete to drink more.

Will they help me?Sports drinks have been shown to

improve performance for athletes training for more than 60 minutes

of intermittent high-intensity exercise. However, water is also a very good hydrator which should be used in con-junction with sports drinks in training and competition.

Dehydration can cause loss of concentration, impaired skill acquisition, muscle

cramps, fatigue, constipation, poor recovery and poor performance.

Dehydration can also cause an increase in heart rate and body temperature, as well as an increased perception of how hard the exercise feels, especially when exercising in the heat.

Are they bad for my teeth?Sports drinks are acidic, which is one of the

factors contributing to tooth enamel erosion. Other acidic fluids include fruit juice, soft drink, wine, beer, tea and coffee.

The use of sports drinks alone is unlikely to cause dental erosion as saliva will quickly buffer the acids. Dentists recommend squirting sports drinks in the back of the throat and drinking water immediately following the sports drink to minimise contact with teeth.

What type should I drink?There are many drink options available such

as sports drinks, sports waters, cordials and ener-gy drinks.

Sports drinks are recommended in combina-tion with water for exercise over 60 minutes of reasonable intensity. Sports waters have less car-bohydrate and electrolytes. However they may be suitable for an activity of between 45-60 minutes.

Cordials, soft drinks and energy drinks are all very high in carbohydrates which may cause gas-trointestinal upset and carbonated drinks decrease

fluid intake. These drinks are not recommended during physical activity.

The selection of a suitable sports drink is based on taste preferences, sweat rates, amount of sodium in sweat, duration and intensity of exercise and availability.

When and how much?Sports drinks can safely be used before,

during and after exercise. It is important to

start training well hydrated and keep drinking throughout the session to maintain this.

How much fluid you should drink is based on your age, weight and level of activity, and is best discussed with a PTI for advice.

If you are unsure if you should drink or not, definitely drink.

Lauren Nugent is an accredited dietitian and sports dieti-tian and Vincent Kouwenhoven is a corrective exercise specialist.

Drink it down: Sports drink improve performance in athletes training over long periods.

W

HEALTH

Mouth-watering drinks

Strong and fast Above 40˚CDry and red

HEAT ILLNESS & INJURYRecognising

Heat stroke

NormalNormalNormalsweating

SKIN PULSEBODY

TEMPERATURE

Heat stressOccurs when hotweather puts strainon the body

NormalIn normalrange

Usually cool and moist

Heat crampsPainful spasms ofabdomen, arm or legmuscles following exertion caused by loss of salt in sweat. Eat regular meals containing salt

Damage to vital organs caused by the body’s core temperature rising >40.6C. Caused by the inability of the body to cool itself Become confused, combatative or unconscious,

uncharacteristic change in mental state.

Hyperthermia, or overheating of the body, can be mild and temporary, but in advanced stages it can be life threatening

Normal or rapid Usually normalCold and clammy

Heat exhaustionFatigue or collapse caused by overload of the heart trying to pump blood to the skin for cooling

DPS.NOC0445/06

For terms & conditions & to register your interest visit www.spect.com.au/NRAS

or Call 1300 784 246

Advising Defence Personnel for 27 years

Get financially fit. For life.Brand new properties from $290,000 with 10 year rental guarantees

National Rental Affordability Scheme - Commenced 1st July 2008Funded by State and Federal GovernmentsExpressions of Interest for Stage 1 Now Open - Limited Opportunities Available

Expressions

of Interest

REGISTER

NOW!

10 Year Rental Guarantee

Access to $8,000 p.a. government incentive

Higher than market rental return

Properties available in capital growth areas

Hassle-free property management & maintenance

Full tax depreciation write-offs

��

Spectrum is a Licensed Real Estate Agent, Registered

Tax Agent & Accredited Mortgage Consultant

Spectrum’s wealth creation strategies consider:

��

��

��

��

��

By Barry Rollings

WO1 Scott Upston likes to make a “strong impression” but his transla-tion of the phrase is very different to yours and mine.

A veteran of sports such as power-lifting, bodybuilding and power sports, he finished equal first in his first Oz Strongman National Championships in Brisbane in the middleweight (under 100kg) division in November.

The titles were decided in six indi-vidual events. These included carrying a variety of heavy loads to test endur-ance, repetition lifts with a 100kg log, pushing a large vehicle and also flip-ping large tyres for 25m.

WO1 Upston, RSM 1 MP Bn, fin-ished with two first places, two sec-onds and two thirds.

He said he “nailed” the tyre flip and vehicle push, which helped him into a share of the glory and put him in equal first place with Ryan Phillips of Queensland.

He had been sitting in second place for most of the competition and was trailing the leader going into the final event.

“I was four points away from the leader, sitting in second, happy with my efforts and my placing,” WO1 Upston said.

“The final event consisted of a tyre flip (the tyre weighed 200kg) followed by pushing a H3 Hummer for 25m.

“I left nothing in the tank and my closest competitor finished 8sec behind me. This allowed me to gain the four points to finish equal first.”

Feats of strength have long appealed to WO1 Upston, who first began weight training at 15. Now 37 and in his 19th year of soldiering, he said that even as a senior soldier he was “still out there, challenging my-self and having a go”.

“I want to try and get the message out there to all soldiers that age is not a limiting factor; it’s about constantly challenging yourself,” he said.

And a challenge is something that this fitness enthusiast is up for.

He was successful at local and state level in bodybuilding, culminating in a national title in 2001.

In 2002, he changed his focus to power sports, which consisted of bench press, arm curl and deadlift dis-ciplines. That year he won a world title in the US and reached a world ranking of 13.

With little opportunity to continue this in Australia, he switched to pow-erlifting which consists of the squat, bench press and deadlift.

“Again, I was fortunate enough to achieve success at a local and state level, then go on to win an Australian title in 2006,” WO1 Upston said.

“I was selected in the 2006 Australian powerlifting team for the Oceania titles but without success.”

WO1 Upston believes the Oz Strongman would hold appeal for some fellow soldiers. “There are a few soldiers out there who participate in this sort of training,” he said.

“Strongman would interest many soldiers because it is about varied and different training routines.

“Training sessions can vary from your standard gym routines – squats and deadlifts – to event training which can include lifting rocks, carrying stones, log presses, flipping tyres and pushing or pulling cars/trucks.

“I recently ran JNCO training, and conducted a PT session where I held an intro to some of the strongman dis-ciplines for both male and female sol-diers. It was a successful activity which the soldiers found challenging. It ena-bled the group to push themselves and support their mates.

“Strongman is not for everyone but it can provide some variation to Battle PT and add variety to a PT lesson. Soldiers who are, or possibly could be interested in the sport, would gain a lot from the camaraderie and the motiva-tion to continually challenge yourself.

“In the strongman culture, actions speak louder than words. You either lift it or not; there is no room or time for egos.”

More information is available by going to www.ozstrongman.com.au or by emailing [email protected]

Strongest man in Oz`Age is not a limiting factor; it’s about challenging yourself’

SPORT 29Army February 19, 2009

Power house: WO1 Scott Upston with his Oz Strongman trophy and medal. Photo by Bill Cuneen

Army Army CClalassifi edsssifi edsPh: 02 6266 7605Ph: 02 6266 7605

Fax: 02 6265 6690Fax: 02 6265 [email protected]@defencenews.gov.au

Display your pride with a sticker

I SERVED AS AN AUSTRALIAN PEACE KEEPER

I SERVED AS AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER

I SERVED AS AN AUSTRALIAN PEACE KEEPER

All the latest tour combinationsavailale (not all shown)

Special orders taken POAChq or money order, order not

sent until Chq cleared (all prices include P&H within Australia)

Small $8 - Medium $10Large $13

www.displaymypride.com

Display your pride with a sticker

I served as an Australian Peace Keeper

I served as an Australian Soldier

I served as an Australian Peace Keeper

All the latest tour combinations available (not all shown)

Special orders taken POA.Chq or money order, order not sent

until Chq cleared.(all prices include P&H within Australia)

CrossFireAustralia P/L

DG6 DG6 PackPack

www.crossfi re.com.auinfo@crossfi re.com.au

• Extractors• Performance Exhausts• Standard Mufflers &

Brakes• Shocks & Suspension

• Car Servicing• Road Worthy Certificate

44 Pickering StEnoggera

Ph: 3355 3455‘we’ll beat any price’

GOLD & SILVER BULLION HAND EMBROIDERYCap and pocket badges,

presentation frames (any size), flags, banners.

Cloth embroidery, nametags, clothing supplied.

Obligation Free Quotes

Jakal EnterprisesPO Box 85, Happy Valley SA 5159

Ph: 08 83543003 Mob: 0418 805991 or 0417842884

[email protected]

Nothing,sas good as

JETPETSANIMAL TRANSPORT

“Your pet’s comfortalways comes first”AUSTRALIA WIDE

DOOR TO DOOR

BOARDING FACILITIES

CRATE HIRE & SALE

PLEASE ASK FOR YOUR DEFENCE DISCOUNT

FREE CALL

1300 668 309(03) 9339 4300

SE Qld Darling Downs.

Est 15yrs, 2 full time staff. Located on busy hwy - well established client base with repeat

customers.Approved for 7day trading, currently

51/2 days. Good lease 3yr option.WIWO lge stock of Australian Timbers. Stock at trade $47,000 plus SAV.

Ph: 0417 702 211

Custom Made Furniture & Giftware

Business for Sale

kwikkerb.com.au

Exclusive Kwik KerbBusiness OpportunitiesNow Available

EARN $1200+ IN A DAY*

*conditions apply

• Training & Free Support• Huge Brand Recognition• Proven System for 21 Years• You Keep All of the Profits!

1800 773 231

RENTAL- Melbourne 168 Toorak Rd South Yarra

- opp Fawkner Park - 5 mins to St Kilda Barracks

Quiet 1st fl oor apartment available unfurnished, 3 large bedrooms, 2.5

bathrooms, large kitchen, large living/dining area

opening to balcony, 2 secure undercover car parks, pet

friendly. Tram Stop outside property. $800 per week.

Call Wendy 03 9486 2121or 0418 389 074

www.users.bigpond.net.au/parkside

30 SPORT Army February 19, 2009

THE ADF Golf Association expects to announce its representative teams later this month for the first two fix-tures in a busy 2009 calendar.

A group of emerging players will play New Zealand in Auckland in March, while the ADF’s Combined Services gun side will head to Victoria in March to take on a Golf Australia Seniors Order of Merit (ASOOM) side and back-up to play the Victorian Golf Association team in the same week.

The ASOOM match will be hotly contested again after the 2007 and 2008 events were drawn. Both teams will be out to gain the upper hand and break the deadlock.

The Arafura Games at Darwin’s

Marrara Golf Club follow in May, with a Combined Services match against a Golf Queensland team at Brisbane Golf Club in June.

The 20th annual match against the NSW Golf Association will be held at a first-class Sydney venue in September, with the 2009 ADF National Championship rounding out the 2009 calendar in Canberra from December 7-11.

Director for the national tourna-ment Wg-Cmdr Trevor Owens said the squad for the New Zealand and the ASOOM/VGA matches were in the process of being finalised.

At the ADF nat ional t i t les at Canberra’s Federal course in

December, Pte Trudi Petrie, 7CSSB, repeated her 2006 performance and led the field home by seven shots from defending champion Bdr David Schwartz, 20STA.

“Pte Petrie again showed great concentration, quiet determination and played consistantly to record gross rounds of 73, 74, 71 and a final round 78 that was played in pouring rain all day,” Wg-Cmdr Owens said.

“Bdr Schwartz’s opening round of 70 (two under par) set the scene for a defence of his 2007 title, though he was unable to retain that form.” He said Bdr Schwartz did manage to lead Sgt Steve Rotherham, 5RAR, home for the Army championship.

“Navy’s Leut Darryl Whitehead successfully defended his 2007 Navy win by one shot from PO Ike Bamford, while Sgt Greg Fraser made it three in a row as Air Force cham-pion from Sgt Peter Reinke.

“AB Virginia Vale was the leading female with Dave Elliott taking out the APS title.

“In what is the hardest event to win, WO Murray Widdeson defend-ed his 2007 ADF net championship, while Capt Ben Magi, RMC, was suc-cessful in the overall regional handi-cap championship to win the WO2 Peter Medlicott Memorial Trophy.”

Wg-Cdr Owens said that the event went well despite the wet conditions.

DEFENCE’S best biathlon athletes have been invited to contest the inau-gural Sir Roden Cutler VC Splash ‘n’ Dash charity event from 7.30am on March 8 in Manly.

Apart from Army, Navy and Air Force teams, special invitations have been issued to members of the fire brigade, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Services, police, ambulance and nurses to put their best teams for-ward.

Sir Roden Cutler Charities and the Manly Lifesaving Club will salute the Services, Australia’s carers and those they care for, honour Sir Roden Cutler’s military career, and raise money for Sir Roden Cutler Charities’ Carer Car program – and specifically establish a Carer Car and pick-me-up service in Manly and on the peninsula.

The biathlon, for teams and individ-uals, will consist of a 2.5km run start-ing at Manly’s Lt Roden Cutler statue and culminating in a 1km ocean swim off Manly Beach.

The teams event will have two cate-gories, one for the members of all serv-ices, including police and fire brigade; and the second for business houses, schools and sporting clubs.

Perpetual team trophies will be awarded to the winning team in each category. The trophies depict Sir Roden Cutler in uniform.

For those who are more splash than dash, the biathlon will be followed by the annual Manly Wharf Hotel Ocean Swims of 1km and 2kms along the shoreline at 9am and 10am.

With a record Services presence on and around the course including fire engines as race markers, a guard of honour of Lifesavers, a six riflemen ‘starting gun’, water cannons at sea and Air Force flyovers planned, this event promises to be one of the biggest spec-tacles on the surf event calendar.

“Manly Lifesaving Club is proud to celebrate the life of Sir Roden Cutler VC, a great Australian who went to school just 100m from our patrolled beach,” Manly LSC president Robbie Williams said.

For further details visit www.manlylsc.com.au or www.sirrodencutlercharities.org.au, or con-tact Sarah Mason at [email protected] or 0412 147 416.

On course: Pte Trudi Petrie, 7CSSB, (above) on her way to taking the national title, while Capt Ben Magi, RMC, (left) shows the style needed to be regional hancicap champion. Photos by Cpl Andrew Hetherington

Driving towards 2009

Splash in to raise money

DMO DMO MILITARY RESERVESexciting opportunities Australia wide!

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE

Exciting opportunities are available for Military Reservists in the following trades/ specialisations: » Project Managment » Logistics » Finance » Administration » Technical Trades » Engineering (mechanical & electrical) » Aircrew

DEFENCE MATERIEL ORGANISATION | www.dmojobs.gov.au or call 1800 DMO JOBS (1800 366 562)

Maybe it is time to try something a bit more exciting

– like shooting. The SSAA offers a variety of target rifle, clay target, handgun and hunting opportunities.

So get off the muddy field and get on target!

Go to our website and click ‘Free Shooting Sports Pack’ for an information kit and a couple of free magazines. Enter promo code: army08

www.ssaa.org.au

Had enough of footy?

FREEMAGS

VIN

CEN

T K

OU

WEN

HO

VEN

CEO

0415

188

761

32 F

insb

ury

Stre

et, N

ewm

arke

t QLD

405

1

PH:

0733

5648

40 •

F: 0

733

5263

10E:

vin

niek

@pt

train

.com

.au

• W

: pttr

ain.

com

.au

BE

CO

ME

AP

ER

SO

NA

LT

RA

INE

R

��

on ��Can you use the Career Transition

Assistance Scheme?

��

Are you passionate about fi tness?Cert III & IV

Australia’s #1 Quality TrainingCollege for Fitness

SAVE 22%On becoming a Fitness Trainer Today.

Call Vincent Kouwenhoven

RTO 31801

SPORT 31Army February 19, 2009

THE field may have lacked quantity but there was no lack of quality when the inaugural Australian Defence Mountain Bike (MTB) Championships were run and won over the Australia Day long weekend in Canberra.

The titles were held as part of the Australian National Mountain Bike Championships at Stromlo Forest Park.

The inaugural champions were: Cross country, men, Cpl Damien Enderby (RAAF); women, Phillipa Rostan (APS); downhill, men, Pte Cameron Shilton, 3CER; women, Cpl Sarah Booth (RAAF).

“A combination of factors meant the field of riders was much smaller than anticipated but the competition was just as fierce,” one of the organisers, Flt-Lt Brendon Mulloy said.

“Defence riders participated in the same grades as Australia’s finest moun-tain bikers and put in a good showing overall.

”In the five days of the national cham-pionships, five separate MTB codes were contested, of which Defence riders com-peted in three.”

For Defence mountain bikers, the inclusion of downhill, mountain cross, tri-als and short-course cross country racing opened up new areas of competition.

“The cross-country course began with a punishing climb followed by a technical descent that challenged the riders,” Flt-Lt Mulloy said.

“The course then opened up and allowed the fitter riders to take the lead.”

The downhill course was described by Pte Cameron Shilton as “pretty rough and demanding and punished anyone who wasn’t focussed”. Both Spr Michael Kenny and Pte Clint Sellen fell victim to injury and were left with no option but to retire.

Pte Shilton rode a steady race to place 59th overall in the elite men, and despite having a spill on one of the obstacles put in a big effort to finish only 30sec behind the nation’s fastest riders.

It should be a big year for mountain biking with the Australian Defence MTB Endurance Championships still to be run and the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships being held at Stromlo Forest Park from September 1-6.

No stone unturned

On a roll: Pte Cameron Shilton on his way to winning the downhill event of the Australian Defence Mountain Bike Championships at Stromlo Forest. Photo by Adam@Free Wheel Magazine

A NUMBER of ADF members are making their mark at the elite level of civilian skydiving competition as interest in the sport of parachuting within the ADF continues to grow.

Participation at the recreation-al and competitive levels contin-ued at civilian drop zones over summer despite the disappoint-ment felt by jumpers when the Army Parachute Championships, scheduled for December, were cancelled at short notice.

The cancellation was brought about as a result of a number of logistical issues and in the interest of ensuring staff at the Parachute Training School had the oppor-tunity of an adequate rest period following a particularly busy and gruelling year.

Recently, Capt Rebecca Lacey won a gold medal for intermediate level canopy accuracy (precision landing) at the North Queensland Parachuting Championships, and with her team of civilian skydiv-ers, took out silver in the four-person freefall formation event.

Capt Lacey is a RASigs officer who has just been posted from 3CER to RMC. She is attracted to skydiving because it’s one of the few sports in which men and women compete on equal footing.

“The most challenging aspect of the lead-up training was keep-ing the team focussed on the com-petition goal while still having fun and enjoying the experience without getting too serious.”

The ADF will be well repre-sented at two upcoming national competitions and record attempts.

Maj Chad Hodgens and Sqn-Ldr Sean Walsh, both former national champions, have begun training as members of an eight-way formation skydiving team that will compete at the Australian skydiving championships at Picton in March. Several other Army per-sonnel are preparing for an assault on the canopy formation record to be held at Nagambie in March.

The record is a formation of 25 people, in which two Army members participated. It is antici-pated there will be a larger Army

presence at the upcoming record attempt in which it is hoped to achieve a 36-way formation.

The eight-way freefall forma-tion event requires team members to link together in as many dif-ferent pre-determined formations as possible while racing against the clock. For Maj Hodgens, the appeal is its strong emphasis on teamwork.

“The degree of synchronisa-tion required to be competitive at this level – in one of the most technical, precise and dynamic

forms of body-flight – means that you have to be perfectly attuned to your team mates,” he said.

“When you get it right, eight-way formation skydiving is clock-work at 240km/hr. It’s nothing short of exhilarating.”

Skydiving is an Army approved sport, and qualifications can be attained through a week-long UAT activity. For further information, contact WO1 Phil Thamm, [email protected]. More information about the sport can be found atintranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/AASPara

Jumps go on for skydivers

Free falling: Capt Rebecca Lacey (blue helmet) practises with her silver-medal-winning four-person freefall team over Innisfail in North Queensland. Photo by Mick Hardy

February 19, 2009

Uplifting: WO1 Scott Upston, equal middle-weight strongest man in Oz, lifts an Atlas stone, weighing between 120-150kg. Photo by Bill Cunneen

TOP GEARAll downhill for mountain bikerSEE PAGE 31

LCpl David Harvey - Department of Defence€¦ · Edition 1206 February 19, 2009 LCpl David Harvey GRIM TASK By WO2 Graham McBean IT IS difficult to believe that Australian soldiers

Documents