A Stretch of the Imagination

For 16 participants who took part in the Northern Territory’s Executive Stretch Exercise (EES), life will never be the same again. That was the response from employers who took time out to gain a two-day insight into what life is like for our Australian Defence Reservists.

And it didn’t disappoint. Most said they were pleasantly surprised by the level of skill, commitment and confidence of the Reservists they met.

Joining participants from Darwin and Alice Springs were employers from South Australia and Tasmania. Activities included a sea-going activity onboard ANZAC Class guided missile frigate, HMAS Ballarat, an inspection of a P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft attached to Operation Resolute at RAAF Base Darwin and a range shoot at Darwin’s Robertson Barracks.

The heat was turned up in more ways than one with participants undertaking a range of challenging drills - including a demanding obstacle course, rock-wall climbing and abseiling.

Indeed, for quite a number of them, it was a case of the agony and the ecstasy. The “will I” or “won’t I” decision at abseiling down a 13-metre wall inside the Roberston Barracks gymnasium.

The Wall, as they call it, was the moment of truth - the instructors and a safe environment providing the confidence for participants to challenge themselves with only fear itself separating one’s comfort zone from personal achievement.

For Alice Springs-based government business manager, Lynne Lowry, it was a revelation.

“I was absolutely determined NOT to do the abseiling. I am terrified of heights,” she said.

“However the encouragement and professionalism of the instructors and support of my team enabled me to do something I would never have attempted before.”

All participants went away from the exercise with a new appreciation of what Defence Reservists do and a refreshed approach to allowing staff to undertake Reservist duty. Lawyer George Roussos, from Cridlands MB Lawyers, probably summed it up for all of them when he said he was simply “blown away” by the level of professionalism and commitment displayed by Reserve and permanent ADF personnel.

“You see it on TV but when you see it up close, and do it, first-hand, it hits home. I would thoroughly recommend the experience to anyone.”


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Defence Reserves Support Again Sponsors Charity Ball

Sponsors and potential sponsors of the upcoming Defence Charity Ball have joined together on HMAS Diamantina to hear about Legacy’s important work and how the organisation supports Defence families.

More than 50 people attended the “Get the Ball Rolling” Sponsors’ Welcome Function, held recently at the Queensland Maritime Museum.

Defence Reserves Support will again be a Significant Sponsor of the Ball, being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 7 August.

Special guests at the launch included Amanda and Kathryn McGuffick, who have received assistance from Legacy for the past 14 years. Their father, Bryan, was an Able Seaman Marine Technical Propulsion Grade 2 and died while serving in the Royal Australian Navy.

The twin sisters told the audience about the continued support their family has received from Legacy.

“Legacy has been a constant in all our lives,” Amanda said.

“The friendship, support and advice that mum got in those early years really sustained her.

“I have an enduring memory of the Legacy lady calling on us when we were small, and the way she and Mum tried to out-fuss each other.

“But the love and attention that the Legacy lady lavished on Mum and us kids made that little bit of difference, especially to Mum. The Legacy lady was our rock, someone who was there to watch over us, to share Mum’s burden, to help her when there was no-one else.”

Major General Mick Slater, Commander 1st Division and Chair of the 2010 Ball Committee, sincerely thanked the sponsors for supporting Legacy and told the audience about the significant service being carried out by soldiers, sailors and airmen and women around the world.

“You often hear what is going on in Afghanistan; you don’t hear that we have people in a number of other countries in the Middle East,” he said.

“You hear often what’s going on in Timor but don’t realise that we actually have people serving in many south Pacific countries.

“You might hear often about the soldiers that we have serving in the Solomon Islands. They are Reservists, almost all of them are Reservists, and you don’t hear that.

“The Defence Force today is not just an Army, Navy and Air Force. It is about the three Services working together all over the world.”

He reminded attendees that the Australian Defence Force was a volunteer force, filled with men and women “who want to be there”.

“When these people deploy overseas they leave behind a family. That family could be their mother and father, a spouse or children. For the families waiting at home, it is probably far more difficult than for those who are deployed. When you are deployed on operations, you are focused on the job.

“Many, many years ago, mates returned from war having left mates behind. They set up the organisation we now know as Legacy to look after the families of those who didn’t return. This organisation, many years later, is still doing that work.

“This organisation contributes to our fighting capability - I know that if I don’t return from operations then the Legacy organisation will look after my family.

“That’s great comfort for people like me - servicemen and women.”

The Ball Committee is aiming to raise more than $100,000 for the Legacy organisation. Last year, more than 800 people attended the ball.

The naming rights sponsor for this year’s ball is again John Holland.

“Our founder Sir John Holland served with the Royal Australian Engineers during World War II in the Middle East, Greece and the South West Pacific, completing his time with Z Force, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel,” said John Holland’s Strategic Development Manager Wendy McMillan.

“The establishment of the company drew heavily on the values instilled in Sir John during his service in the war - in his words, courage, initiative, fairness and leadership, along with a commitment to innovation in project delivery.

“John Holland is extremely proud of our long-term relationship with the Australian Defence Force and we are particularly pleased to be able to assist in supporting such a worthy cause as Legacy through our sponsorship of the Defence Charity Ball.”

Other sponsors for 2010 include the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and beverage sponsors Frontline, Crown and Pure Blonde.

For tickets and more information about the function visit www.defencecharityball.com.au


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The Defence Reserves Support Council held their autumn meeting on April 17 in Sydney.

The meeting was also a chance to farewell longstanding members Tony Behm and Gracia Baylor.

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Reservist Notches up 50 Years Service

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has recognised its longest serving member - Warrant Officer Geoff Dorward who has completed 50 years of uninterrupted service.

The 67-year-old is a member of No. 28 (City of Canberra) Squadron and has been presented with a 7th clasp to his Defence Long Service Medal by the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin.

Air Marshal Binskin has praised Warrant Officer Dorward’s commitment and longevity in the Air Force.

“I believe that Warrant Officer Dorward is the first Australian airman in the history of the RAAF to reach this most significant milestone (50 years service),” said Air Marshal Binskin.

“I thank him for his many years of dedicated service and his worthy contribution to the Air Force.

“Warrant Officer Dorward is well respected by his superiors, subordinates and peers alike. He has always been a positive role model and influence in all aspects of his service.”

Geoff Dorward, known affectionately as ‘Dags’, enlisted in the RAAF in January 1960 as an Engineering Apprentice. He completed 26 years of full-time service before joining the Active Reserve in 1986.

A keen rugby player, Warrant Officer Dorward represented the Air Force many times over the years, including in the Australian Combined Services team of 1963.

He lists as one of many highlights in his career being a crew chief with the RAAF Hot Air Balloon team and representing the Air Force right through Australia and also in the Philippines.

“That was certainly a high point,” he said - ignoring the obvious pun.

“When I think back, I realise what a fortunate life and career I’ve had with the Air Force.

“In 1960, I had a couple of local offers to be an apprentice but my family and friends suggested I take up an Air Force offer because of the security and stability it offered – and I never looked back.”

As he enters his 6th decade in uniform, Geoff Dorward has spent some time reflecting on the changing nature of the Air Force.

“Things are certainly different now. The Air Force is smaller than it was when I joined up and there’s a greater reliance on the Reserves.

“Technology has made a big difference too. While it’s a definite advancement, it makes it difficult for an old timer like me to keep abreast of changes and reforms.

“But I do my best to keep up!”

Warrant Officer Dorward’s family were at the recent presentation ceremony. His wife Ann, son Bruce and grandson Liam all watched on as Air Marshal Binskin present the 7th Clasp and 3rd Federation Star to his Long Service Medal, representing a total of 50 years of service.

“Warrant Officer Dorward becomes this country’s longest and oldest serving airman. I congratulate him on reaching this milestone,” Air Marshal Binskin said.

After the presentation, Warrant Officer Dorward paid tribute to his family.

“I am at the stage where my children have left home and I also have a very supportive wife,” he grinned.

“Ann always says that when we were married in 1965, she not only married me but she also married the Air Force.

“45 years later, we’re all still going strong.”


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DRS at Xstrata Mount Isa Mining Expo

A Jeep and a patrol boat supplied by coastal surveillance specialists 51 Far North Queensland Regiment (D company) drew hundreds of curious people to the Defence Reserves Support (DRS) Queensland stand at the Xstrata Mount Isa Mining Expo in mid April.

Set up 15 years ago to showcase the wealth and quality of the North West Minerals Province, the expo is the largest of its kind on the East Coast and attracts national and international exhibitors keen to highlight their products to key players including managers, purchasing officers, suppliers and business owners.

2010 was the second year that DRS Queensland has travelled to the event and Operations Manager Narelle Zillmann advised that the DRS staff made the most of the opportunity to engage with such a large audience.

Over the three days, DRS staff fielded numerous questions from employers and Reservists and handed out handbooks and other materials.

“This year we took the opportunity to combine our stand with 51 Far North Queensland’s display. This increased our profile and allowed us to deliver our message to a far wider audience. The public were also able to see first hand the type of training and operations Reservists are undertaking within the region,” Ms Zillmann said.

“Further, our Chairman for the region, Councillor Les Bunn who in his other role is the Deputy Mayor of Mt Isa is extremely well-known within the region. Les’s presence throughout the Expo was extremely important as he was able to maintain and strengthen our ties with businesses throughout the region.”

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