Starting the day with a ration pack for breakfast and donning camouflage gear before diving into the “Bear Pit”, the preface to the punishing scramble over, round and under obstacles in a bayonet course that is routine training for Reservist infantry is not the usual way the 47 employers on Wagga Wagga’s Exercise Executive Stretch (EES) spend their weekends.

Getting down and dirty with a weapon on their shoulders gave these managers, solicitors, journalists and others from a variety of industries a first hand look at the rigours of Defence Force training. This and the other exercises throughout the weekend — sleeping rough in a Hoochie, abseiling, braving the high wire, weapons training and keeping watch on “patrol” — contributed to a memorable event that expanded the knowledge base and experiences of all who took part.

Solicitor Julie Bradley hadn’t known quite what to expect when she signed up.

“I knew David Coates from the gym we both go to and he suggested that someone from the practice might like to come along,” Julie said.

“This was my first experience with Defence and the Reserves in particular. I had no idea how well-integrated Reserves were in the Defence Force. I had thought it was just a weekend a month and Tuesday night training sessions and that was about it. But I found out that Reservists helped out a lot after the Victorian bushfires and that they actually serve overseas along with the regular forces in peacekeeping and even in wars.

“It was fascinating to see the level of training they go through. They really do it tough. The weekend as a whole was challenging, well-disciplined and superbly well-organised and it gave me a much better idea about the Reserves. My aching muscles certainly appreciated a hot bath on Monday night but after what I found out on the weekend I’m going to recommend Reserve Service to our junior clerks. The skills they learn in the Army such as respecting their superiors, and being prompt and self-disciplined team players are valuable things for their civilian jobs as well.”

Like Julie, many of the participants on EES had no prior experience with the Defence Force Reserves. And, like Julie, after the weekend the employer’s knowledge of the skills and experience that a Defence Reservist has often results in the participating employer holding a much more informed and positive view of hiring a Defence Reservist if the opportunity arose in the future.

“It was the most wonderful 48 hours I’ve ever spent,” said Wagga Advertiser photographer Hayley Hillis.

“I haven’t stopped talking to people about it. It far exceeded any expectations I had and was a really uplifting experience.

“Exercise Executive Stretch was a great name for this weekend because it really stretched us outside our comfort zones,” Hayley said.

Both Hayley and Julie said that they were impressed by the level of professionalism of the soldiers guiding them through the program.

“I’m five foot two, 49 years old and weigh 47 kilos and I thought ‘My legs are never going to reach those pegs on the High Wire Confidence Course’. It was tricky. Terrifying! And I thought ‘There’s just no way.’

“For most average people, an active weekend might be a bit of walking or cycling or a jog or whatever but Exercise Executive Stretch was a different order of magnitude altogether. Who'd bother with a theme park when the Kapooka Executive Stretch would have to be the best gig going? With the encouragement from the Kapooka people, I did all the stuff that I just wasn’t expecting that I’d be able to do. They were so patient, knowledgeable and encouraging that I always felt safe and well looked-after.

“I’d never even picked up a rifle before and was a bit dismayed when my weapons training marks up on the screen seemed lower than most. The guy who was supervising the shoot then explained to me that lower scores are best and I ended up discovering that I wasn’t a bad marksman and actually got the highest score in the first shoot that we did.

“There were so many highlights of this weekend for me that it’s really difficult just to single one out. We all felt a huge sense of achievement as well as gaining an incredible insight, admiration and respect towards the Defence Reserves. My Dad who died earlier this year was an Army Reservist for a long time and he would’ve been so proud to know that I went on this weekend and managed to do all the activities they organised for us.”

Almost 40,000 Australians are Defence Reservists in the Navy, Army and Air Force. As the operational tempo of the Australian Defence Force has increased over the past few years, reliance on Reservists has also increased. Defence Reserves Support activities such as Exercise Executive Stretch seek to further develop community and employer support for Defence Reservists, leading to an enhanced availability of the personnel for Reserve service in support of Australia’s national and international interests.

BACK TO TOP

One of the highlights of the Defence calendar in Victoria has again proved to be a great success.

On 30th August, about 2800 people made their way around Melbourne’s picturesque Albert Park Lake in the Defence Lake Attack Fun Run/Walk. Defence Lake Attack is a community event where Defence raises money for charity. This year’s recipients are the Compassionate Friends Victoria, Legacy Victoria, Kidsafe Victoria and Red Kite. 2009 was the Fun Run’s 27th year and it’s expected that more $200,000 will be raised.

The event was for serious and recreational runners along with groups and families who walked the route. There was a large contingent of school, community and business groups participating, including many Defence units and teams. They were entertained during the day by a Roulette (part of the RAAF’s elite formation aerobatic display team) and also by a vintage aircraft flyover and the RAAF Band.

Defence Reserves Support (DRS) was again a sponsor of Defence Lake Attack, using the day to promote the Reserves to employers. DRS had a large display at Albert Park Lake with staff spending the day talking to the public and also a large number of Defence contractors and suppliers.

"The event this year attracted a growth in all categories and very pleased to note a 100% increase in Defence members competing in the Defence and Emergency Services category," said Defence Lake Attack Manager, Commander John Goss.

"It was a most successful day with registrations up by 20%. Comments from people at the event highlighted the good spirit and safe environment created by Defence Lake Attack."

This year’s beneficiaries include:

Compassionate Friends Victoria, an organisation that offers friendship and understanding to families following the death of a child;

Legacy Victoria which provides assistance to the families of Australian Defence Force members who’ve died during service, and supports Defence personnel and their families after operational service;

Kidsafe Victoria which promotes child injury prevention and educates the community in preserving and protecting the lives of children;

Red Kite which supports children, young people and their families who are dealing with cancer through a range of support, assistance and services.
.
BACK TO TOP

Ration packs, a rifle shoot, and an attempt to finding their way around in the dark using night vision equipment were the order of the day for 18 employers who turned out for Exercise Executive Stretch held in Rockhampton recently.

The employers, who included representatives from a diverse range of organisations including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Q Mag, Plantability, Allenstown Upholsterers, Campco, and QRS, were put through their paces by serving members of Central and North Queensland’s Army Reserve unit 31^st/42^nd Battalion.

Defence Reserves Support Council Regional Chair Leigh Turnbull said that the employers had enjoyed the opportunity to see Reservists in action, and get a taste of some of their experiences and responsibilities.

“A day like today is an opportunity to expose employers to some of the very basic aspects of military life that highlight things like self-discipline, personal responsibility, and physical fitness,” he said.

31^st/42^nd Battalion’s Captain Robert Grant said that employers were often surprised to see the level of responsibility taken on by Reservists.

“It’s important for employers to be able to see the different levels of responsibility that their employee might have. Simple examples are the safety supervisors on the range. They are all senior soldiers, but may not have that level of responsibility at work,” he said.

“It is often quite an eye opening experience for business people to see how the skills might translate into a civilian professional environment.”

Brian McGowran, from McGowran Lawyers, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“It’s certainly made me aware that Reserve service could be of benefit in terms of personal discipline and experience,” he said.

BACK TO TOP

Most people working 4000 km away from their boss would shudder when they are told s/he is going to spend four days watching them at work.

Not so for those Army Reserve soldiers from Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB 87) whose employers visited them in Malaysia during Exercise Boss Lift.

“It’s exciting to see a familiar face from home and it’s great for my boss to come and see the other side of my life,” Private Sophi Thorjussen said. Sophi is a 20 year old storeman in both civilian and Army Reserve employment from the northern Perth suburb of Clarkson.

Exercise Boss Lift — a Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division initiative designed to encourage employer support for the Reserve Forces through a four-day visit to Malaysia — is an acknowledgement by the Australian Defence Force of the importance of employers in providing important military capability through their Reservist employees.

And it’s the human resource managers that feel a lot of the pressure.

“It’s hard to balance our employees’ work in the Army Reserve during the current skills shortage as they have skills that are important to both jobs,” Lindsay Van Jager, HR Manager for British Aerospace Australia Logistics said.

“Boss Lift provided me with a different perspective on full-time service with the Army,” WA Police HR Director, Darian Ferguson said. “You can look at it as a loss of the employee but then you look at the skills and discipline they bring back to the civilian workplace”.

Twenty employers left the office behind for a close-up look at the Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) in action at the Malaysian Army’s combat training ground near Johor Bahru, in the country’s south.

“Normally you don’t get to see the nuts and bolts of the Army and we saw what they do really well,” Tweed Heads Fire Station Officer Chris Perrin said.

The group reflected the diversity of the Australian employment landscape. Participants were drawn from businesses large and small, local and state government, mining, manufacturing and service industries, and police and emergency services. Most held positions within senior and middle management or ran small to medium enterprises and could not afford to take too much time away from work. But it was an important opportunity for all.

“This was a once in a life time experience and I have a much better understanding of the Army Reserve by seeing all this training,” Boost Juice franchise owner Paul McAllister said.

Despite the diversity of the members, formwork company manager Gary Clarke said the group was very cohesive and got along.

“If it was just a lucky dip of who came and who didn’t, it turned out well. It just shows that Reservists are in every corner of society,” Mr Clarke said.

Reservists are an important part of Australia’s military capability, with one third of the Army being made-up from the Army Reserve. Many employers only learnt this fact during Boss Lift. For this deployment all but four of the 120 soldiers are Reservists.

“The visit has changed my attitude. I now realise how Reservists are used. I thought it was about training and readiness, just in case; rather than being actively involved in operations,” Mr Van Jager said.

Stan Mania, MD of a plumbing and manufacturing business held a similar view.

“I used to think that Reservists were just ‘weekend warriors’, but they are much more than that,” he said.

Lance Corporal Matt Bannister, a section commander in Rifle Company Butterworth, and a Senior Constable at Cottesloe Police Station, also appreciated the visit by the WA Police representatives.

“It was good for employers to see what we do and to go through the different aspects of a soldier’s work because through their generosity we are able to come out here to Malaysia,” he said.

Gary Clarke believes it is important that he and the other employers pass on to others what they have observed and encountered during Boss Lift.

“We’ve had such a positive trip so we will be talking to people about our experiences. We have so many people who will listen to us as employers,” he said.

WA District Fire Officer Brad Stringer and his employer colleagues gained first-hand experience of the type of work that their civilian employees do when they serve as a Reserve soldier.

“Now I understand what he does, his timeframe to do his (Army) job and the workload it entails,” Mr Stringer said. “I also see how it benefits himself and what the Army and community gets from his service.”

This experience has given others a deeper understanding of the training, skills and capabilities that Reservists use when they return to their civilian job.

“I am incredibly impressed. I came with limited knowledge of the Army and can see that the teamwork factor required is excellent preparation for anyone in our firm because we also work in teams,” Charissa Maxwell from commercial lawyers Freehills said.

“You can see that when one person falls out, the whole team does too.”

The participants were given hands-on lessons in tactics, shooting, survival skills and eating from an Army ration pack. They saw the troops in the jungle during a platoon attack which demonstrated the application of teamwork, leadership, and tactics.

“I was blown away. All the demonstrations were relevant and made the whole event very meaningful,” Keith Hood, Chairman of exploration company Ridley Resources said.

During the last day of the exercise the Boss Lift participants went to Singapore to visit the Changi Prison Chapel. At Fort Canning they walked through the bunker complex that commanded the Allied forces during the Battle of Singapore.

“If you were a multi-millionaire your money couldn’t buy this [Boss Lift] experience,” Chris Perrin said.

But the last word should go to one of the Diggers, Lance Corporal Tom Wayne, 27, a corporate account executive from East Fremantle.

“I have been [for a total of] 12 months away with the Army and it has never been a problem for my boss to allow me to go. To be able to give him a trip over here is my way of saying thank you and a way of helping him to better understand what I do and why I love it,” Lance Corporal Wayne said.

Women with an optimistic perspective on the world will speak to delegates at this year’s Women Chiefs of Enterprises International (WCEI) conference in Brisbane.

The conference, titled ‘Intelligent Optimism: Women Looking Forward’, is being sponsored by Defence Reserves Support. Master of Ceremonies, Libbi Gorr, will bring a unique blend of journalism and humorous observation to the event.

More than 150 women are expected to attend the event, being held at the Stamford Plaza.

WCEI Queensland State President Myra Berzins said she expected the event would predominantly attract Chief Executive Officers of significant business and government enterprises and other senior business women.

“We hope this conference will provide much food for thought for Australian business women,” said Ms Berzins, who is the Managing Director of Cable Laying Products.

“The conference program is filled with extremely intelligent and successful women, including Brisbane City Council CEO Jude Munro and the University of New South’s Joint Director (Economics) Regina Betz.

“Our speakers will provide insights on how they look forward with optimism, especially at a time when the world is facing extreme economic and environmental challenges.”

This year’s Diamond sponsor is Defence Reserves Support.

Defence Reserves Support representatives Deanna Nott and Squadron Leader Del Gaudry will speak at the event, with an aim of strengthening the link between Defence and the business community.

“Without the support of civilian employers, it is very difficult for Reservists, our part-time members, to contribute to Defence’s capability,” said Deanna Nott, who, in her civilian work, is the Director of Communication for Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division.

“We have sponsored this event so we can explain to the business women that employing a Reservist can help their bottom line.

“Reservists bring a diverse range of skills to workplaces, including leadership, problem solving and the ability to work under pressure.”

To register for the WCEI conference, visit www.wcei.com.au

The Australian Defence Force has such a dynamic and effective Reserve thanks to supportive civilian employers, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said at this year’s Defence Charity Ball.

More than 700 guests attended the Ball at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“There are a number of employers here tonight who support our Reserves. Now, quite simply, without that support, we would not have as dynamic and effective a Reserve force as we currently have and that’s across all three Services. Our Reserves right now are on operations,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“There are a lot of people who are on continuous full-time service, particularly in the Royal Australian Navy, in fact 500 of them. It is quite definite that on occasions we could not deploy operational capability without Reserves.

“Same is true of the Air Force and it’s particularly true of our Army. We have Reserve special forces in Afghanistan right now. We have also had great success with our Reserves in the Solomon Islands in recent times.”

Air Chief Marshal Houston thanked the employers for their support and generosity.

“It’s quite simple. You enable our Reserves and our Reserves enable our operations and without them we couldn’t do the job we are doing. I thank you very sincerely,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

Air Chief Marshal Houston also asked guests to give generously to the Ball’s charity, Legacy, and they did.

The event, which was hosted by celebrity MC and the Today Show’s Karl Stefanovic, raised more than $80,000.

“Legacy was formed out of the carnage of World War I where we lost about 70,000 soldiers on the Western Front,” Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

“Australia has lost 102,000 people on military operations over the years.

“From World War I to the present day in Afghanistan, Legacy has been there to support the Australian Defence Force and the veteran community.”

Air Chief Marshal Houston also thanked the Ball’s sponsors - John Holland Group, Boeing, Defence Reserves Support, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, TAE, Frontline and Fosters.

“Being in the Reserve, I have been able to experience things I would not have been able to in my normal day-to-day life.”

Steve McGregor: Army Reservist and Senior Parking Patrol Officer / Ordinance inspector with Holroyd City Council

Corporal Steve McGregor is one of 40,000 Australian Reservists living a double life. Just like many Local Council employees, Steve is employed in a civilian role while also serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserve.

Steve signed up to the Army Reserve in October 2000. Both his father and father in-law were in the ADF and this strongly influenced his decision to join. He also wanted to experience Army life, but having a young family made joining full-time difficult. The Reserves provided the perfect balance.

After starting as an Infantryman he worked his way up to his current role as Section Commander for 11 Platoon Charlie Company 1st Military Police Battalion. Steve has been with the Military Police for approximately seven and half years and posted as the Section Commander for approximately four years.

“Being a Reserve member I have gained experience and have been able to experience things I would not have been able to in my normal day to day life,” Steve says.

“Meeting new people and gaining friendships that will last a life time is another one of the benefits of being a Reservist.”

Steve’s civilian job is with the Holroyd City Council as the Senior Parking Patrol Officer / Ordinance inspector (Ranger). Basically, Steve’s role enforces all Local Government Laws and Bylaws.

The Council is very supportive of Steve’s Reserve commitments. They have allowed him to attend courses which have helped to further his career with the ADF. Additionally, after starting with the Council in February 2006, Steve was released for Reserve Service in March 2006 to deploy to Melbourne to provide security for the Commonwealth Games.

“I keep my current manager and team leader informed of all courses that may come up and future deployments but like all jobs I will still have a few hoops to jumps through to have this time off if and when the opportunity to deploy overseas in the future.”

There are many memorable moments throughout Steve’s Reserve career. One that stands out is assisting on ANZAC Day 2009.

“Driving in the ANZAC Day march through Sydney with elderly retired serving members on board; the amount of cheers and calls of ‘thank you’ received from the general public and young children directed not just at you but to the retired serviceman.”

“To sum up my career in the Defence Reserves it has been a wonderful experience. I believe that the skills I have gained in the Defence Force have been used in my civilian life and have made me a better person.”

BACK TO TOP

The Employer Support Payment (ESP) expenditure for the month of August and the progressive expenditure for FY 09/10 are detailed in the table below.

Information on ESP is available on this website however should you require additional information or clarification on any aspect of the Employer Support Payment scheme that is not already covered by our website, you may email an enquiry to esp@defence.gov.au.

BACK TO TOP