Edition 1407 October 19, 2017 · Local engagement also played a role in the mission’s success....

Edition 1407 October 19, 2017

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Edition 1407 October 19, 2017

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Capt Jesse Robilliard

A HUMANITARIAN and disas-ter relief exercise in New Zealand quickly became a real-life response for around 150 members of the Australian Army embarked on board HMAS Choules as a result of an active volcano in Vanuatu.

Troops from 1RAR and 10FSB, including members of 35 Water Transport Sqn were embarked on HMAS Choules for Exercise Southern Katipo.

However, on September 29 the plans changed as HMAS Choules was tasked to Operation Vanuatu Assist 2017, the ADF contribution to the whole-of-government mission to support thousands of evacuees.

OC A Coy, 1RAR, Maj Nick Kelly said his troops were excited to take part in the operation.

“It’s absolutely critical the aid gets there because there are several hundred families who have been displaced,” Maj Kelly said.

“They need to be able to get additional support in the form of humanitarian assistance.”

The Vanuatu government accepted an offer of assistance from Australia around the same time it ordered the evacuation of 11,000 residents from Ambae due to increased activity at the island’s Manaro volcano.

In a true tri-service effort, the bulk of the aid was first deliv-ered to Vanuatu via RAAF C17 Globemaster flights.

Some aid was distributed straight away in Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo while other aid was loaded onto HMAS Choules via the 22 permanent mem-bers of the HMAS Choules Ship’s Army Detachment.

Maj Kelly said ship-borne aid was delivered to Maewo and Pentecost Island via amphibious landing craft, courtesy of 35 Water Transport Sqn.

“The amphibious capability of the ADF provided by HMAS Choules and Army swift water transport was absolutely critical to the operation,” he said.

“The amount of stores we brought ashore would not have been delivered quickly without those landing craft.”

Unimog trucks, G-Wagon four-wheel drives and a water tanker truck were unloaded from amphibi-ous landing craft to assist with the

delivery of aid. Over three days the combined Australian Army, RAN and Royal Tonga Marines workforce delivered 50,000 litres of drinking water and 300 shelter kits, kitchen kits and personal solar lights in addition to tonnes of food aid and other supplies.

Local engagement also played a role in the mission’s success.

Lt Tracey Furlong was the liai-son officer for Exercise Southern Katipo, a role she maintained for Operation Vanuatu Assist.

“Local engagement was really important for getting an understand-ing of what was going on in Ambae, Maewo and Pentecost Island,” she

said. At a practical level, this often involved sharing photos of each oth-ers families.

“I was able to speak to a number of the locals; in particular I spoke to some of the ladies about some of the things we had in common,” Lt Furlong said.

“I showed them photos of my wedding, they showed me photos of all their children.”

Local engagement also allowed for some downtime for the soldiers, sailors and Tonga marines, enjoying a few friendly games of soccer and European handball with locals and evacuees.

Help for Pacific neighbour

October 19, 2017News www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews2

Claudia Harrison

THE ADF will commemorate a sig-nificant event in Australia’s military history, and honour the service and sacrifice of those who fought in the Battle of Beersheba in 1917.

Pte Joel Green, of RA Inf, is look-ing forward to his upcoming deploy-ment to Israel as part of the ADF con-tingent participating in commemora-tive activities on October 31 to mark the centenary of the battle.

Originally from Tasmania, Pte Green joined the Army in 2009 under the Gap Year program before transfer-ring to the Army Reserve. By the end of 2012, Pte Green had re-joined the full time Army.

Pte Green, a guardsman with Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) and a member of the precision drill team, carries out ceremonial tasks such as war memorial half guards and royal guards.

While in Israel for the Beersheba commemorations, Pte Green will be a member of the catafalque party.

In the midst of preparations for the trip, Pte Green said he felt honoured to take part in the anniversary.

“The Battle of Beersheba was the last great calvary charge,” he said.

“It was such an important event in Australia’s military history and I feel humbled to be able to honour the legacy of the men involved. It means a great deal to me to have been given the

opportunity to travel with the Guard, to represent the ADF and not only attend, but participate in the events in Israel as a member of the catafalque party.”

Pte Green said all the highlights of his career have involved travelling.

One of the most memorable expe-riences and his biggest highlight since joining the Army was deploy-ing to Solomon Islands in 2010 with his reserve unit and working with the Australian Federal Police during this deployment.

“I have also done countless exercis-es in the Mount Bundey Training Area. I am looking forward to more overseas deployments and getting the opportu-nity to travel to Israel in a couple of weeks is exciting,” Pte Green said.

Pte Green will join 53 ADF mem-bers, from the Army and the AFG, who will participate in the commemo-rations in Beersheba.

Two key activities the ADF will support include a joint Australian and New Zealand Centenary Service at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Beersheba War Cemetery at 9am and an Australia-only service at the Park of the Australian Soldier at 4.30pm.

The AFG will provide a catafalque party and wreath and flag orderlies for both events.

The Australian Army Band, an Army chaplain and an Army rabbi will also support the services.

Salute to sacrifice

Pte Joel Green rehearses drill movements in preparation for the commemoration of the centenary of the Battle of Beersheba. Photo: Cpl Nunu Campos

Sgt Joey Proctor is assisted by local children on Pentecost Island in Vanuatu to unload humanitarian aid stores.Photo: LS Jake Badior

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OFFICERDefence Force Magistrate1 x Absence without leave – DFDA s 24(1).The member was accused of being absent without leave. The member pleaded not guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. The member was dismissed from the ADF and sentenced to four months’ impris-onment with a two-month non-parole period. Absence was for a period of more than 150 days with a return of service obligation outstanding.

OFFICERDefence Force Magistrate1 x Absence without leave – DFDA s 24(1).The member was accused of being absent without leave. The member pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. The member forfeited seniority in rank and was fined $5000. Absence was for a period of less than two days.

OTHER RANKDefence Force Magistrate

1 x Assault – DFDA s 33(a).The member was accused of assaulting another member in a public place by repeatedly punching him to the head. The member pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. The member was sentenced to 49 days’ detention (with 14 days suspended).NCODefence Force Magistrate

1 x Assault – DFDA s 33(a).The member was accused of assaulting another member in a public place by slapping him on the face. The member pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. The member was severely reprimanded and fined $500 (to be paid in instalments).

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September trial results

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Cpl Max Bree

GOVERNOR-General Gen (retd) Sir Peter Cosgrove made a flying visit to Australian forces deployed to Afghanistan on October 4.

The Governor-General visited Kabul to meet deployed personnel.

“They’re still accepting hazards, still doing a fantastic job, still helping the people of Afghanistan,” he said.

“They might be out of sight, they’re not out of mind.”

The Governor-General met mentors at Camp Qargha, embedded officers at NATO’s Resolute Support mission HQ and support personnel at Kabul Airport.

He said the troops on Operation Highroad presented differently from the soldiers he served with in Vietnam.

“Now that I’m very old I find them to look awfully youthful,” he said.

“There’s not a lot to do with the quality of the person inside the uniform but the training and the way in which it’s applied has gone ahead in leaps and bounds.”

Training wasn’t the only change the Governor-General had observed over the years.

“The Army has gone from the industrial age to the information age,” he said.

“The methods and outcomes of communi-cation these days have changed the battlefield irreversibly.

“The young Australians in uniform are masters of that sort of advance in how you protect people and how you prosecute asym-metric warfare. They do a mighty job.”

Sir Peter said being around military per-sonnel brought back memories of his own service.

“I wish I could join them. Every day I see somebody in uniform, I miss that life,” he said.

“I’m doing the job I’m doing and I feel honoured to do it, but I have the greatest affec-tion for the men and women of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

“Every time I have a chance to award med-als I use the opportunity to salute all of the men and women who are here doing a tough job and doing it so well.”

Vice-regal visit to KabulGovernor-General Gen (retd) Sir Peter Cosgrove walks away from a RAAF C-17 Globemaster in Kabul. Left is Commander JTF633 Maj-Gen John Frewen.Photos: Cpl Max Bree

3October 19, 2017 Newswww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 3

The Governor-General speaks to officers deployed to Kabul International Airport.

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EXPLOSIONS and gun-fire rang out at Iraq’s Taji Military Complex in Iraq in September as the latest

students on the Iraqi Army Junior Leaders’ Course graduated from the 12-week training package.

Australian and New Zealand mil-itary personnel deployed with Task Group Taji (TGT) 5 have been run-ning the course in conjunction with the Iraqi Army’s Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.

The 335 Iraqi Army students demonstrated what they’ve learned throughout the course with a com-plex activity designed to showcase their combined arms skills.

The demonstration began with snipers and simulated mortar fire, followed by infantry soldiers moving in to conduct urban assaults on three objectives.

Engineers breached the doors with explosives before Iraqi Abrams

tanks rolled into the area to fend off an enemy counterattack.

The exercise finished with a demonstration of combat first aid skills and a helicopter medical evacuation.

OC Training Coy Delta Maj Tim Casey said the course progressed from training in small teams, to platoons, to the combined arms training demonstrated at the graduation.

“It was great to see the integra-tion of Iraqi Army armour, aviation, and engineers as well,” he said.

Following the combined arms demonstration, a graduation cer-emony was held where a number of soldiers were recognised for their notable performances during the course.

The recipient of the Top Shot award said his training had developed a variety of his skills, including problem-solving, sniping

and leadership. The Top Medic award recipient said the course had taught him how to be a better soldier.

“Now, rather than just a medic, I am both a soldier and a medic,” he said through an interpreter.

The Junior Leaders’ Course is the third course of this type to be run by TGT, and it continues to be a success.

As well as instructing, the task group’s trainers have been mentoring Iraqi instructors to enable the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy to hold similar courses in the future.

The graduating students will return to their home units with enhanced leadership skills, and a greater understanding of how to conduct combined arms combat operations.

Many will be heading straight into battle as the fight against Daesh continues in some areas of Iraq.

Graduating with a bang

Iraqi junior leaders trained by Australian and New Zealand personnel are now ready for the fight against Daesh.

Iraqi soldiers, left, load a simulated casualty onto an Iraqi Mi-17 helicopter during the Junior Leaders’ Course, while right, an Australian officer prepares to clear Iraqi soldiers’ weapons in for the Junior Leaders’ Course.

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Capt Michael Trainor

IRAQI Army instructors took the lead recently in training selected members of the Iraqi Army’s 2 Bde in precision shooting techniques at the Taji Military Complex.

The Advanced Marksmansh ip Instructor Course was conducted by Task Group Taji (TGT) 5.

Iraqi Army instructors who trained in the basic marksmanship course the week before returned to instruct on the course as mentors for fellow Iraqi personnel.

CO Training Task Unit Lt-Col Giles Cornelia said it was a significant step for-ward for the Iraqi Security Forces.

“The ability for the Iraqis to provide specialist training to their own personnel establishes a solid platform for the future of the Iraqi Security Forces,” he said.

“Having well-trained infantry brigades is absolutely essential for the total defeat of Daesh and long-term stability and secu-rity of Iraq.

“The development of a solid core of

experienced, well-trained and competent Iraqi NCO specialists who can train their soldiers will greatly assist in achieving that.”

The Advanced Marksmansh ip Course is the second of its type run by TGT-5, however this was the first time the course contained a significant Iraqi contri-bution to the training delivery.

Maj John Crockett said the successful inclusion of Iraqi instructors in the train-ing continuum demonstrated the success of TGT’s mission in Iraq.

“What we are seeing here is the payoff of a focus on high quality training by the task group,” he said.

“The inclusion of Iraqi instructors on the course immediately inspired confi-dence in the trainees.

“It demonstrated that the Iraqi Security Forces are rapidly enhancing their combat capability.”

Newly-qualified marksmen will return to their units within 2 Bde ready to take on the remnants of Daesh.

Sharpshooters second to none

An Australian soldier watches as Iraqi Army soldiers conduct marksmanship training at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq.

An Australian soldier watches on as Iraqi soldiers advance in position in the lead up to the Junior Leaders’ Course.

An Iraqi M1A1M Abrams provides support for a Mi-17 helicopter during a simulated casualty evacuation as a part of the Junior Leaders’ Course combined arms training assessment at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photos: AB Chris Beerens

Capt Lucy Saaroni

THE School of Armour has trained and graduated the first ever tank troop leader of 2/14LHR-QMI.

When Lt Tony Mahoney takes up the position in one of the oldest ARA units of the Army, it will symbolically mark a final phase in the application of Plan Beersheba.

“Being part of the new Armoured Cavalry Regt in 7 Bde feels like we are the last piece of a much bigger puzzle,” Lt Mahoney said.

The School of Armour’s Warrant Officer Tank Instructor, WO2 Shaun Clements, said Plan Beersheba – announced in 2011 – restructured Army’s combat brigades into multi-role formations, with each combat brigade con-taining a tank squadron.

“We have worked tirelessly under Plan Beersheba to ensure the Army is equipped with a reconnaissance, lift and tank capability – on track and on time,” he said.

By bolstering each combat brigade with armour power, Wing Sergeant Major of Tactics Wing WO2 Jason Mackay said Plan Beersheba recognised the significant capability of armour in the spectrum of modern operations, from major combat to peacetime military engagement.

“It will be fantastic to see 7 Bde’s capability complete with the M1A1 assets,” WO2 Mackay said.

“Armoured corps units provide shock action, versatility and adaptability to the brigade commander no other capa-bility in Army can provide.”

Lt Mahoney and his troop will have less than a year to prepare themselves before entering the ready year of the Force Generation Cycle with the rest of 7 Bde, where they will provide short-notice contingency response capabilities in Australia and overseas.

“The School of Armour delivers employment-ready per-sonnel to support the next generation of Army’s foundation warfighting capability,” WO2 Mackay said.

“We look forward to training all the future tank troop leaders of 2/14LHR-QMI and other RAAC members who will contribute to the ever-increasing capacity of the Army.”


Making new tracks

Lt Tony Mahoney has the honour of making history as the Armoured Cavalry Regiment’s first tank troop leader.

A tank troop leader delivers orders to her team.

Two ASLAVs fire during Exercise Reaper’s Run.

EACH year, the School of Armour trains more than 1300 soldiers, NCOs and officers in the art of armoured warfare.

“The tactical training we are able to deliver is first rate,” Warrant Officer Instructor Tank instructing on the Regimental Officers’ Basic Course (ROBC) WO2 Shaun Clements said.

WO2 Clements is referring to Exercise Reaper’s Run, the field finale of the ROBC.

An unashamedly comprehensive and intensive live-fire activity, Reaper’s Run is a combined-arms exercise that assesses both cavalry and tank troops within a realistic combat team construct, representing true job standard.

This year’s activity incorporated a platoon of 7RAR infantry, 4/19PWLHR dismounted scouts and an 8/12 Regt fire support officer to represent the real complexity of the roles.

CO School of Armour Lt-Col Josh Gillman said the six-month ROBC and effort that went into coordi-nating Reaper’s Run was a requirement for the stand-ard of excellence that the school produces.

“We invest heavily in our ROBC students so our graduates capably meet the rigorous demands and standards placed on them by the Army; it’s a building block for their entire career,” Lt-Col Gillman said.

The trainees move through the technical stove-pipes of communications, driving and servicing, and gunnery to gain essential skills and qualifications before tying it all together in a tactical setting. This builds in complexity from employing individual vehi-cles, through patrolling, and up to troop-level tactical competence.

When they leave the School of Armour, ROBC graduates become efficient and effective troop leaders of the armoured cavalry regiments.

The OC B Sqn 3/4 Cav Regt at the School of

Armour and Combat Team Commander during Exercise Reaper’s Run, Maj Aaron Cimbaljevic, said troop leaders operated some of the most complex and capable equipment in the Army, under some of the most stressful conditions.

“Each troop leader commands four armoured fighting vehicles [M1A1 Abrams or ASLAVs] worth millions of dollars. They are also responsible for the command and welfare of 16-20 RAAC soldiers and NCOs – arguably our greatest asset of all,” he said.

Tank Lt Natasha James said the balance between the technical and the tactical is what made the ROBC so rewarding.

“I’ve honed my gunnery skills to the point where I am confidently engaging all three weapons systems on the tank simultaneously, which is pretty awesome,” Lt James said.

“But having the crew with me during the train-ing has taught me more than just technique. They’ve taught me so much about how to conduct myself as their commander.

“It’s this applied learning in a controlled environ-ment we haven’t had anywhere else and that will set us up for success when we go to our respective troop leader positions after the ROBC.”

Lt-Col Gillman said the school was adapting its course content and format in preparation for the new platforms the Army would acquire under Land 400.

“The School of Armour is constantly changing to better support a new generation of Army’s foundation warfighting capability,” Lt-Col Gillman said.

“We welcome the Army’s forecasted modernisa-tion plan that will see increasing numbers of infantry trained at the school in M113AS4 APC crew skills and mechanised tactics.

“Our courses will continue to produce the best fighting vehicle crews, regardless of hat badge.”

The comprehensive and intensive Exercise Reaper’s Run is ensuring the School of Armour produces the highest calibre of graduates, Capt Lucy Saaroni reports.


Capt Lucy Saaroni

WHEN the most powerful military in the world looks to the Australian School of Armour for a benchmark of best practice, it is a measure of quiet confidence for the ADF.

Master Sergeant Shawn McCormick is a US Marine Corps instructor on a three-year exchange with the School of Armour in Puckapunyal, Victoria.

“It’s a privilege to be able to share my experience as a US marine with the next generation of Australian Army Armoured Corps leaders,” MSgt McCormick said.

“I’m impressed by the way in which the Australian Army teaches and trains its people. There is a level of investment in the students that is unparalleled.”

MSgt McCormick is referring to the six-month Regimental Officers Basic Course, which employs hundreds of sup-port staff to teach specialist tank and cav-alry skills to junior officers of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.

“The amount of time that the school invests in its students is enviable. I feel these junior officers have an extensive amount of time to practise and perfect their skills.”

As a foreign military instructor embedded within the School of Armour,

the Colorado native is required to use Australian doctrine and training manage-ment plans with the students here.

However, he is able to draw from his extensive operational experience in Iraq and Afghanistan to contextualise lessons and impart practical knowledge that will place Australian troops in excellent stead for future deployments.

“I share the successes and failures we have had as marines, so similar les-sons can be learned in Australia,” MSgt McCormick said.

He said there was a level of US interest in his desire to impart as much operational knowledge as he can to the Australian jun-ior officers.

From enemy tactics, techniques and procedures on mine drills and IEDs, to the culture of practice in command post com-munications, the master sergeant believes what helps Australia will benefit the US in the field.

“There may come a time where these Australian troop leaders deploy to fight side by side the United States,” MSgt McCormick said.

“Their ability to command effectively is important for the US and the quality and quantity of training provided to them here at the School of Armour fills me with great confidence.”

School a shining light of bilateral cooperation

Australian Lt Alex Dawe receives a debrief from US marine MSgt Shawn McCormick during Exercise Reaper’s Run.

7RAR soldiers work in concert with armoured capabilities as part of the combined-arms Exercise Reaper’s Run.Photos: Spr David Newberry

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Commander Joint Health AVM Smart said the main thrust of the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy was that mental health was everyone’s business.

“The number one strategic objective is about leadership and shared respon-sibility. Mental health and wellbeing is increasingly part of our command and leadership training, personnel manage-ment and human performance consid-erations. It is about how we encourage people to look out for each other. It’s about command and managers and supervisors, but it’s also about the individual taking part, and families that support them.

“We all have a role to play in mental health and watching out for each other, so we all need to be aware that mental health problems can develop, and they can be exacerbated by certain factors.”

AVM Smart said everyone had to look at how to create the right situations and right awareness on mental health.

“Probably the biggest part of it is it’s a whole-of-Defence issue,” she said.

“The key here is, it’s about capability, but it’s also about your individual well-ness and long-term life, because there is a life after Defence.”

AVM Smart said this needed to be done because of its capability effect.

“If we need to be ‘Fit to Fight’, or in the case of the APS, ‘Fit to Work’, we also need people to attend to their men-tal health so they are ‘Fit for Life’ – it’s not just about the relatively short period while they’re in Defence, it’s beyond that,” she said.

“Underpinning that then, if you don’t feel you’re quite right, if you feel there are some issues you need to deal with, then present early and deal with them before they get bigger.”

Key messages

DISPELLING the stigma attached to mental health issues is one of the key aims of the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2023.

Acting CDF VAdm Ray Griggs and Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty launched the strategy at Russell Offices on October 10 – World Mental Health Day.

At the launch, VAdm Griggs spoke at a mental health event in 2014 and said that one in five people would experience some form of mental health issue.

“I observed that in that year, I was actually one of those one in five. Interestingly enough, some people said it was inappropriate for me to say that, which I thought was weird,” VAdm Griggs said.

“The whole point of trying to break down the stigma around mental health is being open and honest, and talking about it. Importantly it’s about making sure people feel comfortable they can talk about it.”

He said Defence had come a long way in its approach, but had to “keep pushing hard”.

“There are still people across the organisation who believe their career is over if they raise a concern about their mental health,” he said.

“We’ve got to keep coming back with data and information that shows that’s simply not the case; and we have that already. But it’s not just about data, it’s about convincing peo-ple we, as a senior leadership team, are serious about saying it’s okay to

Fit to fight, fit for life“THE longer you let something go, the harder it will be to treat you,” according to Commander Joint Health AVM Tracy Smart.

“The earlier you come in, the more chance we have of keeping you doing your job,” she said.

“The longer you leave it, the risk of it affecting your career in Defence may increase.

“We encourage all members to seek help early to allow better health outcomes for themselves and those who support them.

“Our job is to get people to be fit to fight. It’s also our job to care for them if they become unfit to fight. But our primary role is to support capability, so we want to get as many people back deploy-ing as soon as possible.”

AVM Smart said the ADF need-ed its members ‘Fit to Fight’, and

anything that prevented that could affect operational capability.

“So that’s our motivation,” she said.

“We’re successful in a large number of cases, nearly 50 per cent, and that’s at the serious end of the spectrum

“Yes, there’ll be some people who present late and end up being discharged, but it’s because they’ve presented late.”

AVM Smart said CA Lt-Gen Angus Campbell told her the mes-sage he wanted to get out was simple. “He said, ‘If you’ve got a mental health problem, put your hand up. You may not be able to go on the next deployment, but the only reason for that is we want to get you well again to go on the deployment after that and the deployment after that’,” she said.

Report it, now

For tips on staying mentally well, see

our health column on mental fitness

Page 25

put your hand up and that our com-mitment flows down through the organisation.”

VAdm Griggs said early identifi-cation and intervention were the key to recovery.

“We have to talk more about recovery, we have to tell more of the stories we know are out there of peo-ple who have been affected by mental health and have come through the other side, and are productive and have continued on with their careers,”

he said. VAdm Griggs said Defence had some excellent mental health pro-grams and services.

“I don’t think there’s an organisa-tion in the country that puts as much effort into mental health programs and management as we do,” he said.

When he attended the recent Invictus Games in Toronto he also took part in a senior leaders’ confer-ence about wounded, injured and ill personnel.

“It was clear to me that things like

our suicide awareness and prevention programs are making a massive dif-ference inside the ADF and they are world-leading in terms of the results,” he said.

VAdm Griggs congratulated the team who brought the new Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy together, saying it struck the right bal-ance between recognising both the similarities and the unique elements of ADF and APS service.

Mr Moriarty echoed that senti-ment, saying he was impressed the strategy represented the range of issues around Defence’s military and civilian workforce.

“It does come down to the prin-ciples of One Defence, that of mutu-al respect and understanding of the particular attributes each part of this amazing organisation bring to it,” Mr Moriarty said.

“It’s important to have a healthy and productive workforce, so we’ve got to look after our people to deliver good Defence outcomes for our country.”

The strategy’s core theme is Fit to Fight, Fit to Work, Fit for Life.

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Registration forms for this conference can be found at the Australian Army History Unit website:www.army.gov.au/our-history/australian-army-history-unit/chief-of-army-history-conference

Payment must be received by 10 October 2017

World Mental Health Day on October 10 was a fitting time for Defence to launch its new mental health and well-being strategy, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

CDF’s annual mental health walk around Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, on October 5 was a resounding success with more than 600 Defence, police and emer-gency service members taking part.

CDF ACM Mark Binskin said it was important to get everyone out and be able to walk and show support, as friends and family, for those suffering from mental health issues.

“A lot of times people feel isolated, they feel lonely and so they’re not feeling like anyone understands what’s going on,” he said.

“They don’t want to reach out – I just want to tell them that’s wrong – everyone here today is here to support them and we can see the demonstration of that with all the walkers.”

ACM Binskin said he was happy with the day’s turnout.

“Getting out with friends and col-leagues and walking and talking about the issues sure beats a committee meeting,” he said.

“I’d just like to thank everyone for turning up, both personally and as CDF.”

SCdt Ashleigh Edmond, of Neville Howse Pl RMC-D, said she and her pla-toon mates were walking to raise aware-ness for mental health.

“It’s relevant to us in Neville Howse Pl because we’re all in recovery, so I guess mental health is definitely a large part of that,” she said.

“It’s just something to be aware of in the general community as well.”

SCdt Edmond said it was good for Defence to hold an event such as this for awareness, because a lot of the time men-tal health was not spoken about.

“This walk gives us a chance to speak to each other and make sure eve-ryone knows there is support out there for them,” she said.

The walk ended in Blamey Square at Russell Offices with a range of welfare organisations providing information and a sausage sizzle to replace calories lost along the way.

Hundreds make strides to further awareness

RMC-D SCdt Ashleigh Edmond, right, with ADF personnel and Defence civilians participate in the CDF Mental Health Walk.


THE new Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2023 is the culmination of a significant

amount work and the next step on the journey for Defence to improve the mental health of its people, according to Commander Joint Health AVM Tracy Smart.

The strategy – with the theme of Fit to Fight, Fit for Work, Fit for Life – consolidates reforms and initiatives, incorporates the latest mental health research and imple-ments a whole-of-organisation approach that recognises the needs of our integrated military and civil-ian workforce.

The strategy acknowledges the similarities and unique elements of the ADF and APS workforce, while recognising the need to implement tailored services and initiatives. Its objectives apply to everyone in Defence, but also reflect the specif-ic and additional challenges posed by military service.

AVM Smart said the importance of the strategy was that mental health and wellbeing was a stra-tegic issue for Defence, not only for serving members and civilian employees, but also for transitioned veterans.

“It’s important we outline our strategy, including some new pro-grams, to show we’re continually improving our approach to mental health and wellbeing,” she said.

“We deliver a really good mental health service in Defence and that’s been validated by the National Mental Health Commission Review that came out earlier this year.”

She said Defence developed its first mental health strategy in 2002, followed by “a lot of work in that space”.

“Then we had the Dunt Review in 2009 and a number of studies

Next step in the journey

More information on ADF mental health services is available on the ADF Health & Wellbeing Portal at www.defence.gov.au/Health/HealthPortal/

The all-hours support line (ASL) is a 24-hour confiden-tial telephone service for ADF members and families – 1800 628 036

1800 IMSICK is a national 24-hour service providing health support for all ADF personnel within Australia. To access the service, call 1800 467 425

Help is here

and then produced our next mental health strategy in 2011, so this is the next step in our journey,” she said.

Joint Health Command’s Director-General Mental Health Rehabilitation and Research, David Morton, said the latest strategy encouraged people to give as much attention to their mental health as their physical health.

“It’s much easier to get people to attend to physical health issues because the mental health ones tend to be a little bit harder for peo-ple to see,” Mr Morton said.

He said consultation had been an important part of preparing the strategy.

“In 2015, we went out to each of the services and visited a range of bases and spoke to command-ers, members and also health providers, and said to them: ‘What would help progress mental health issues?’ A similar process was undertaken with APS employees by

Work Health and Safety Branch.“Then we collated this informa-

tion to formulate the strategy and the action plans that will operate under it over the next few years.”

AVM Smart said a mental health advisory group, which was set up in 2015, also provided input to the strategy.

The group comprises psychia-trists and psychologists and other people from outside Defence who have an interest in mental health and have done some work in the veterans’ space, as well as representatives from the services, Defence Community Organisation, Defence Families Australia, Veterans’ Affairs, and the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service.

“Research we’ve done and a study done with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare looking at suicide rates in ADF and ex-serving members, have been factored in over that journey from 2015,” AVM Smart said.

She described the strategy as an evolution rather than a revolution.

The strategy takes on a One Defence approach that recognises the needs of our integrated workforce.

“We’ve taken other things into account, like Pathway to Change – some of the cultural and wellbeing parts of that as well,” she said.

“It’s more holistic and there are some new ideas, concepts, pro-grams and initiatives that weren’t looked at in the past.”

Action plans for the services, Defence People Group and Joint Health Command will accompany the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy and will outline activities to meet strategic objec-tives. These will be monitored and reported on twice a year.

Commander Joint Health AVM Tracy Smart, Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty and Acting CDF VAdm Ray Griggs launch the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2023 on October 10 – World Mental Health Day. Photos: Jay Cronan

Sgt Dave Morley

FOLLOWING in the positive footsteps of Exercise Telopea Crawl in June, 5 Bde successfully conducted Exercise Telopea Walk at Singleton Training Area from September 9-17.

The exercise consisted of dry training for three infantry companies supported by an admin company, specific engineer squadron-level training and specific dis-mounted cavalry training.

Newcastle musician and 2/17RNSWR rifleman Pte Raimôn Dunn put down his guitar and picked up a Steyr for the dura-tion of the exercise, acting as lead scout for his section, and later his platoon and company.

He said he felt he and his team execut-ed the role “with class”.

“My first time in this position was an awesome experience and was clearly my highlight for the exercise,” he said.

“My favourite part of the exercise was the QRF element during the vital asset protection phase.

“Being on one minute’s notice to move definitely required my head to be in the game and kept me on my toes.”

Pte Dunn joined the Army Reserve two years ago, primarily for self development.

“I wanted to become the best version of myself and I believed the Army would give me that opportunity,” he said.

“I knew the only way to better myself was to put myself in situations where being strong and pushing past my limits was my only option.”

Pte Dunn’s home depot is Bullecourt Barracks at Adamstown.

Unlike Pte Dunn, 5CSSB Health Coy combat medic Cpl Anthony Ly’s role wasn’t that different from his civilian job.

Cpl Ly, who has been in the Army Reserve for 12 years, is a registered nurse when he’s not soldiering.

His role during the exercise involved treating members and providing health support for the exercise.

“As a JNCO, I was looking after the junior medics, by supporting and super-vising treatment conducted by them, and general tasking day-to-day,” he said.

“I commanded the set up and pack up of the resuscitation equipment and worked with the resuscitation team under the direction of the nursing offic-ers, as well as manning the health com-pany gun pit as the gunner.

“Halfway through the exercise I was appointed the company acting ser-geant, dealing with the admin, rations and manning on top of any pre-existing jobs.”

Cpl Ly said he enjoyed working with fellow 8CSSB medics and exchanging knowledge between the two health companies, which had developed a solid relationship.

“They have a strong team with lots of experienced professionals,” he said.

“Working with two ambulances was a highlight, seeing how they are being used to enhance members’ safety, and watching the combat paramedics devel-oping SOPs which improved evacuation times significantly on each call out.

“The medical team was excited to have the new ambulances to train with and HQ was also happy to have these as part of the new kit everyone got to work with.”

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Role executed ‘with class’

Cpl Anthony Ly, above, a combat medic from 5CSSB, treats a casualty during Exercise Telopea Walk, and left, Pte Raimôn Dunn and his team from 2/17RNSWR rehearse their drills during a vital asset protection training exercise as the Quick Reaction Force for Combat Team Charlie. Photos: Capt Greg Smith

THE latest stage of Plan Centaur is set to address issues and constraints in the land maintenance system to deliver lasting reform.

Phase 3 Stage 2 is all about delivering maintenance improve-ments with projects set to include: Development of an Army

maintenance strategy by end of November, improving Army’s ability to articulate its maintenance requirements and enhance effectiveness;

Development of an activity-based equipment management model, concentrating on the Bushmaster PMV, leading to improved demand forecasting and resource efficiency;

Delivery of a statement of work for the Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering’s new technical trade contract for Army;

Enhancement of Vulcan dash-

boards to include equipment demand data from ACMS;

Review of current M1A1 main-tenance practices with recom-mendations to improve opera-tional availability and realise life-of-type savings; and,

Productivity projects includ-ing productivity enhancement training.

Centaur Director General Brig Dave McGahey said Stage 2 pro-jects would bring speedy and sub-stantial benefits to Army and the broader maintenance system.

“This new stage of the program represents the chance to deliver projects that will quickly make an impact,” Brig McGahey said.

“Projects such as the Army Maintenance Strategy and the Activity-Based Equipment Management implementation will improve maintenance system effectiveness, while Productivity

Enhancement Training early next year will train Combat Brigade per-sonnel in changes to improve their maintenance planning capability.

“The Plan Centaur team still needs your input and feedback, so get in touch with us and get involved in Stage 2.”

Stage 1 ended in July and its projects delivered benefits such as: Improved A Vehicle forecasting

in ACMS; A pilot program to reduce

specialist training duplication; Workshop productivity and

effectiveness improvements from LEAN; and,

An alternative model to the Brigade Labour Hire arrangement.

For more on how you can be part of the reform, search the DRN for Centaur or email [email protected]


Capt Anna-Lise Brink

ARMY divers worked with Queensland Police to locate and recover stolen cars from South East Queensland waterways during the annu-al Army Work Diver Concentration exercise from September 13-21.

The 39 divers from 1CER, 2CER, 3CER, 6CER and SME used police sonar to locate suspected vehicle locations in the Logan River before searching underwater in zero visibility.

Getting the cars out was the next challenge according to 2CER Dive Section Commander Cpl Callum Hoffman.

“They’d been in the river for a while and had submerged beneath the sand, so we had to use our dredge and suck up some of the sand so we could get to the axles, tie on lift bags and get them up,” Cpl Hoffman said.

More than 10 cars were recovered, which police say are linked to a number of burgla-ries.

“All the cars will undergo forensic testing, from there we may yield some results and the identification of offenders,” Police Snr Sgt Mitchell Gray said.

“Without the Army’s help it’s probably

something we might not have got around to.”The exercise was a win-win for both police

and the Army.Capt Maddison Cullen, of 2CER, said it

was a perfect scenario for a humanitarian assistance or disaster relief operation.

“The exercise replicates an inundated sea point of departure or city, which historically has occurred in South East Asia; and we’re clearing debris so ships can come in with resupply or humanitarian aid,” he said.

Divers also practised other skills in Gold Coast and Brisbane waterways.

“Our training is based on our tactical oper-ations so conducting surveys of beaches to support beach landing sites, and inland water surveys to support floating bridge operations,” Capt Cullen said.

“At Bribie Island we’re doing some inert demolitions, so completing a navigational swim insertion, placing obstacles on a bridge and then swimming to an RV – without break-ing the surface.

“Diving is an inherently dangerous skillset, so we have activities like this to develop our skills, standardise our practices and pass on any lessons learnt from across our units.”

Diving force in recovery

Centaur galloping along

Main: A 2CER diver searches the Logan River for vehicles with the help of Queensland Police.Top: 2CER divers return to the boat after searching below the surface.Middle: 1CER divers and police with a recovered car.Bottom: 2CER divers enter the water at Karawatha Forest Quarry.Photos: Capt Anna-Lise Brink

DEFENCE has been developing a new tool, PostingConnect, which aims to improve the posting pro-cess for ADF members and their families.

One of the key features of PostingConnect is the ability for members to give access to their partner, or other nominee, to view

the tool and help with posting activities.

PostingConnect will be launched to a pilot audience in Queensland on October 31.

Personnel in the current posting cycle and posting from Brisbane, Cairns, Ipswich, Toowoomba or Townsville are invited to be

part of the trial to help shape a better posting experience for ADF members.

To become involved, contact [email protected]. Find out more by visiting the Posting-In / Posting-Out project page on the Defence Restricted Network.

Improving the posting process

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BACK ON

TRACK

Injured, ill and wounded athletes rediscover their mojo in Toronto

A special four-page lift-out

Cpl Mark Doran

PTE Danielle Close, of 6RAR, was one of the 43 athletes who represented Australia at the Invictus Games in Toronto.

After winning five medals, Pte Close did the unthinkable and gave one away, to track-and-field coach Peter Barrett.

“Peter put his heart into Invictus,” she said.“Four was enough for me and he deserved a

medal as much as any athlete.”Pte Close has multiple sclerosis, but uses sport to

show she is not defined by her illness.During the Games she competed in athletics and

indoor rowing events and won six medals for her committed efforts.

Pte Close said she was exhausted, but still on a massive high after the Invictus Games.

“It was an amazing week,” she said.“It was an electric environment and it was awe-

some to meet hundreds of athletes from other nations who were all keen for a chat.”

In the field events, Pte Close won gold in the women’s IF4 discus with an amazing throw of 34.44m and bronze in the women’s IF4 shot put with 10.02m.

On the track her success continued with a bronze in the women’s IT6/IT7 100m sprint in a time of 13.76sec.

Pte Close said it was an amazing feeling to walk away with five medals after the first two days.

“I was cheering,” she said.“The indoor rowing was on the next day where I

won gold in the IR6 one-minute sprint and bronze in the four-minute endurance event.

“It was the icing on the cake.“It’s not just about the medals though, it’s about

using sport as a means of coping with our mental or physical injuries and our rehabilitation.”

Pte Close said there were a lot of tears and the most memorable moment was when a competing athlete fell over during a race.

“He was wearing a blade prosthetic, which came undone, but he just put it back on and began running again to the cheers of the crowd.

“It was an emotional moment.”Pte Close said she was keen to compete in the

2018 Invictus Games.“I’ve never experienced anything like this before,”

she said.“The main Invictus message is to just get out

there and do it.“If anyone is having trouble with their mental or

physical health they should give the Games a crack.“Everyone is welcoming and it’s an amazing adap-

tive sports program being run by Defence.”

‘Just get out there and do it’

32

THE 2017 Invictus Games closed in Toronto on October 3 with a celebration of spirit, a dose of classic rock and the official handover to the 2018 hosts from

Sydney.The eight-day event, aimed at helping the

wounded, injured and ill with their recovery, was capped by a two-hour ceremony at the Air Canada Centre.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, was joined by former US vice-president Joe Biden, Invictus Games Foundation Chair Sir Keith Mills and other dignitaries who presented participation medallions to the competitors on their way to the arena.

Prince Harry presented a medallion to the team captains after the 17-country parade of nations. During his closing speech he said Toronto had delivered the biggest Invictus Games yet, along with the most incredible atmosphere, which made the competitors feel like the stars they were.

“This is the moment,” he told the athletes.“I told you to be ready to see lives change

right before your eyes, but I didn’t tell you some of those would be your own.

“Let these games inspire you to do some-thing bigger in your family, in your community and across the world.

“Right now, you’re at a high. You thought this was a summit you wouldn’t climb, but you have made it.

“Right here, right now, shoulder-to-shoulder, you are Invictus.”

During the ceremony, highlights from the week attended by more than 75,000 people were shown on video screens, with live performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Coeur de Pirate, Kelly Clarkson and Bachman & Turner between the speeches.

Team United Kingdom’s Mark Ormrod, a triple-amputee Afghanistan veteran, won the award for exceptional performance, determina-tion and dedication, while Team Afghanistan won the above-and-beyond award for sports-manship, commitment and spirit.

Although there is no official tally, Team Australia brought home 51 medals – 16 gold, 22 silver and 13 bronze.

Highlights of the games included the thun-derous action of the wheelchair rugby, the awe-inspiring prosthetic-wearing athletes at the track events and the blur of bicycles during the cycling.

Many will also remember wheelchair tennis player Sqn-Ldr Danny Jeffrey’s performance as he gave the crowd a show by rocking out to AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long to psyche out the opposition in the play-off against the United Kingdom.

Former soldier Kristin Lane became a world-wide media sensation when he took a snooze on the pool deck at the swimming and was woken up by none other than Prince Harry.

Former soldier Michaela Gilewicz made countless strangers cry after being overcome by emotion during the opening ceremony viewed by millions across the world.

People, including members of the Ontario Police Department who provided security and escorts, stopped her in the street to say how she affected them and Prince Harry even tapped her on the shoulder to tell her how he was close to tears as well.

The Invictus Games showcased the very best of Canada’s hospitality as locals embraced the Games, purchased every ticket and cheered on the competitors, as well as engaging with them and their families to hear their stories.

Close to 1500 volunteers worked a total of 80,000 hours to ensure everything ran smoothly for the teams from 17 nations.

The Invictus Games once again inspired the world with displays of remarkable grit, cama-raderie and heartfelt stories of recovery – a reminder these athletes are not defined by their injuries.

Expressions of interest are already being sought for athletes and coaching staff for the Australian 2018 Invictus Games.

More information can be found at defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/2018.asp. Nominations close on October 31.

Cpl Mark Doran was part of the team that travelled to Toronto and reports on all the action.

LIFE-CHANGING

IF YOU are going to run into someone with a wheelchair, it may be best to ensure it’s not a prince.

Cpl Sonya Newman’s first encounter with Prince Harry at the Invictus Games could have become a security incident in Toronto as the two nearly collided in a doorway.

Luckily Prince Harry managed to swerve and then stopped to chat with the Australian athlete.

Cpl Newman said Prince Harry compli-mented her swimming skills.

“He said I swam like a fish,” she said.“He also said he was looking forward to

next year’s games.”Cpl Newman, of 1CSSB, had her right

leg amputated after about 15 operations and contracting a staph infection.

Learning to walk again was one of the most challenging things she had to do.

Cpl Newman said the Invictus Games was a daunting, but exciting experience.

“When I felt the atmosphere at the ath-letes’ village it became real,” she said.

“Then came the nerves and there were a lot of tears at the opening ceremony.

“When I saw athletes from other nations who were more disabled than me, it made me realise I haven’t got it so bad after all.

“There were some amazingly brave people competing in Toronto.”

Cpl Newman competed in the indoor

rowing and swimming events. She attained personal bests in her rowing and even bumped herself up a category from IR4 to IR5 for more competitiveness.

A dramatic change happened when Cpl Newman hit the pool.

Silver medals in the women’s ISC 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle followed by a gold in the 50m backstroke and a silver in the 100m freestyle showed the determina-tion of the Army driver.

Cpl Newman said swimming was her priority sport.

“The medals were nice, but they are only a small part of the games,” she said.

“Competing was the most important part for me.

“The Invictus Games was an emotional roller-coaster so my biggest challenge was maintaining my focus on the events.”

Cpl Newman travelled to Toronto with her partner Jennifer and her children Douglas and Ashley.

She said the most memorable moment was when her children joined her on the podium during the medal ceremony.

“I plan to put in every effort I can to make the games to compete in swimming and wheelchair basketball next year,” Cpl Newman said.

“It was fantastic to share the Invictus experience with my teammates and my family.”

SGT Graeme Marshall, of 51FNQR, competed in athletics, indoor row-ing and powerlifting at the Invictus Games and has been using sport to help with his depression, panic and anxiety disorders.

Sgt Marshall said he was glad to finally arrive in Toronto after the 20-hour flight on the Air Force KC-30.

“Our nine months of preparation were over,” he said.“It became even more real after waking up the next morning and see-

ing all the banners going up and watching the athletes from the other nations arrive.

“The games are bigger each year and show no nation is exempt from having wounded, injured or ill military personnel.

“There were people without visible injuries to others with triple amputations, but everyone still had the warrior spirit and were proud to wear their nation’s uniform.”

Sgt Marshall jumped straight into the competition in the IF4 shot-put where he placed fifth in the final with a throw of 12.27m.

On day two he competed in the discus heats, but did not qualify for the final. Sgt Marshall said his throw was a personal best.

“I couldn’t be happier as it was about a metre better than my previous measurement,” he said.

“My discus was also close to a personal best with 32.89m, but again it was a very strong field with the winner throwing over 41m.”

On the third day Sgt Marshall competed in the men’s heavyweight powerlifting and the IR6 indoor rowing. With a lift of 122.5kg it was again a competition personal best, 17.5kg more than his last.

Sgt Marshall said although he was an experienced powerlifter, his first lifts went pear-shaped because he did not properly prepare.

“I was focused and fired-up for my third and did what I had to do to finish 12th,” he said.

“The atmosphere was like a rock concert with music, smoke and lights, but the announcer was a powerlifter who understood the sport, as were the officials, so we were in good hands.

“All the competitors cheered everyone else as we normally do, but with the Invictus spirit it was even louder.”

Sgt Marshall’s four-minute endurance indoor rowing event was below expected, but his one-minute sprint effort showed his determination and focus as he achieved another personal best and finished sixth in a field of more than 40 rowers.

He said the Games were a roller-coaster.“I focused on three sports and five events for the last nine months, but

nothing was certain until the team was announced in June,” he said.“I was second guessing myself and pushing to the next level to ensure

I made the team.“Although I’m still recovering, I will need to assess if I will be a part

of the Invictus Games next year or if I’ve gained enough to be able to move forward on my own.

“If I do I’ll try a sport that takes me out of my comfort zone to make it more mentally and physically challenging.

“The best part of the Invictus experience was the level of camaraderie.“No one cared what your injury was and everyone was friendly, open

and caring.”

‘Best part was camaraderie’

‘Competing was the most important part for me’

Above, LCpl Samantha Gould competes in the indoor rowing at the Mat-tamy Athletics Centre in Toronto.

Above right, Chris Rapson pushes his limits to win the men’s 200m sprint heat. Photos: Cpl Mark Doran

Right, Sgt Peter Rudland has a training run before competition in Toronto, Canada. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

Sgt Graeme Marshall participates in the shot-put competition at York University athletics track.

Capt Emma Kadziolka participates in the discus competition at York University athletics track as part of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. Photos: LS Jayson Tufrey

Spr Curtis McGrath

brings the ball up

during a wheelchair

rugby match against New

Zealand.

LCpl Gary Wil-son competes in the men’s IF7 shot-put final. Photo: Cpl Mark Doran

Cpl Sonya Newman starts a swimming heat at the Sports Centre, Toronto, Canada.

www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews October 19, 2017

A special four-page lift-out

Game on Down Under

THIS year I have had the absolute privilege of working with an exceptional group of people: our Invictus Games team. From the

first training camp in January through to the closing ceremony in Toronto a few weeks ago, our team has been truly inspirational.

The 2017 Invictus Games brought together more than 550 athletes from 17 nations.

Their stories are unique and the journeys they are on are so important. Their individual and collective courage is there for all to see.

In the space of 10 months, as they underwent preparations for this amaz-ing event, I witnessed a profound change in a number of the members of the Australian team. The increased confidence they now have in them-selves and the optimism about their paths forward leaves me in no doubt about the tenacity of the human spirit.

The Invictus Games redefine the meaning of triumph. It’s not about

VCDF VAdm Ray Griggs

victory, it’s not about the medals and it is not about backing a champion team. It’s about personal achievement; it’s about getting to the start line. It’s about watching a triple amputee take to the pool, being urged on by thousands of cheering spectators, then emerging with a beaming smile and a real sense of accomplishment.

To say it is inspirational is really an understatement.

Adaptive sports generally, and Invictus specifically, provide our wounded, injured and ill with renewed purpose. Participation presents a chance to change direction and the opportunity to help rebuild.

Together with other initiatives like the ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills pro-gram, adaptive sports give our people different recovery paths that can com-plement and enhance more traditional treatments. We recognise the funda-mental importance of these different pathways.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ to recovery because the experiences and individual circumstances of our people are unique.

The reasons current and former ADF members take part in the Invictus Games are varied, encompassing eve-rything from combat wounds to sick-ness and mental health injuries.

Crucially, there is no hierarchy of injuries; nobody is more important than any other team member.

At the end of the day it is the road forward that is more important than the road that has been travelled, as hard and as challenging as that road has been.

In this regard the Invictus Games has been a great mechanism to help break down the stigma of mental

health.One of the things that has struck

me throughout this year is the courage and support of the incredible families. People so often forget that families are on the recovery journey as well, and for them it is sometimes harder than it is for the serviceman or woman.

But as they go about their work largely unsung and unheralded, it is impossible to ignore the tremendous effect they have on those they support. That’s why it was good to see family and friends of our athletes in Toronto in such numbers, and with such a great spirit.

Another unsung group are the coaches, team management and sup-port staff. This is simply no ordinary sporting team.

It has to be about the competitors and the families all the time, and this requires real and sustained commitment.

The team this year has been excep-tionally well supported.

Whether you are a competitor, family member, coach, medical practi-tioner or simply someone who has had the privilege of watching it all come together – you cannot help but be changed by the Invictus experience.

If you or someone you know would benefit from the Invictus experience, remember that regardless of whether you are a current or former serving member, there are opportunities to get involved.

Nominations are now open for athletes and coaches to form the 2018 Australian Invictus Games team, with more information available at defence.gov.au/Events/InvictusGames/2018.asp.

As they say, game on Down Under.

Australian co-captains Capt Emma Kadziolka and Sgt Peter Rutland and their families wave the Invictus flag, which will be brought to the games in Sydney in 2018. Photo: Cpl Mark Doran

The Australian Invictus Games team and staff members at Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, Canada. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

4www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews October 19, 2017

PILBARA Regt personnel have conducted recon-naissance and surveillance (R&S) training while

staying in the remote Aboriginal community of Jigalong in northern Western Australia.

For 11 days, 86 members of the regiment delivered on their two specified tasks under the RFSU modernisation: training R&S sol-diers for border protection opera-tions and conducting deliberate Indigenous engagement as part of the Army Indigenous Strategy.

Jigalong, a community of 400 on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, is the cultural and adminis-trative hub for the Martu people of the East Pilbara.

Jigalong, along with Roebourne near Karratha, has been the focus of the regiment’s effort to establish and build meaningful and lasting relationships with key Indigenous communities in the region.

CO Pilbara Regt Lt-Col Stuart Purves said while the regiment has visited and worked with most of the dozens of communities across the Pilbara and Gascoyne over the past 36 years, the unit has made a significant shift in its strategy in the past year.

Rather than delivering initiatives thinly across an area larger than Victoria, the unit has identified two communities that are culturally sig-nificant and pivotal to the delivery of services, and is investing a sig-nificant amount of effort in them.

“It is impossible to build trust and demonstrate commitment to a community if you visit it occasional-ly and are not willing to invest time and effort to improve their quality of life; this is the same whether you are in Afghanistan or remote Australia,” Lt-Col Purves said.

During the visit the unit, along with locals participating in the community development program, installed three solar water pumps provided by the WA government.

Training Warrant Officer from Newman, WO2 Bruce Morris, got

a community fitness program up and running, while the unit medical staff also assisted the Role 1 facility in the town to better facilitate the delivery of health services to the community.

The unit also plans to further develop the car body clean up cur-rently underway with a project where the RAEME mechanics will work with interested locals to repurpose or reuse parts from several derelict engines to get one engine working again.

While all this visible work is going on in the community, in the area surrounding the town clan-destine soldiers were put through their paces in a full mission profile activity.

The scenario saw an RFSU squadron attached to an interagency task force combating illegal fauna trapping.

Played by unit roleplayers, backpackers Helga Overbrau and Helmut Schmidt replicated a fauna trafficking syndicate busted by law enforcement agencies recently, and were under persistent surveillance for the three days.

Via surveillance on campsites, trapping sites, the local airfield and the community general store, the R&S patrols not only provided val-

uable information to the fictitious task force, but also put together imagery that can be used by law enforcement agencies.

Veteran of three Operation Resolute deployments Cpl Marcie Thompson said the training was realistic and challenging.

“We are used to conducting surveillance at a distance, so the requirement to conduct close recon-naissance and surveillance is testing our ability get good imagery while remaining clandestine,” she said.

Increased presence in the com-munity has seen an uptake in inter-est in the Army from locals.

Lt-Col Purves said two com-munity leaders were already well progressed towards enlistment as honorary sergeants in the unit and four other candidates came forward after working with or observing the unit for the week.

“Jigalong is the Pilbara Regt’s main effort for contributing to clos-ing the gap and Indigenous capacity building in the East Pilbara, we believe that we can generate recruit-ing from our efforts, but the initial focus is on improving the delivery of health, wellbeing, sense of com-munity and commitment to country initiatives – recruiting will naturally flow from there,” he said.

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Remote connection

The Pilbara Regt is creating lasting bonds with the Aboriginal community of Jigalong while its members conduct reconnaissance and surveillance training.

Pte Wendy Hagen poses with some Jigalong locals.

ASM Pilbara Regt WO2 Harlen Marks plays with local children at Jigalong Remote Community School.

From left, Pilbara Regt soldiers Cpls Sam Pratt and Jason Hibbert, and Sgts Tim Hall and Botha Morton with local participants in the Community Development Program in front of the recently installed solar water pumps.

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MORE than 40 young Aboriginal men from the Clontarf Foundation got a close-up look at life in the

Army.The Year 10 boys from nine Clontarf

Academies across WA spent three days at Irwin Barracks, Karrakatta, as guests of Army Reserve’s 13 Bde.

An initiative of the Defence Work Experience Program, the activity is part of the Army’s engagement with both the Indigenous and youth sectors.

“Army has a proud, positive and historic connection with Aboriginal Australia and it is important to help close the gap of Indigenous disadvan-tage,” Capt Elodie Wilson, of 13 Bde, said.

The boys learned about the differ-ent type of work soldiers carry out, were taught how to operate weapons using the Weapons Training Simulation

System; visited the Army museum and took part in physical training Army style.

Capt Wilson said Army’s supportive team environment appealed to many young people seeking a challenge.

“One of the most important things these young men will take away is that regardless of their strengths or weak-nesses, all aspects of an individual are valued and vital to any team performing at its best,” she said.

Clontarf Regional Manager WA – South West Michael Lay said the boys benefitted from being able to “touch and feel” the Army lifestyle.

“It was a great opportunity for the boys to broaden their horizons,” Mr Lay said.

“They became more confident as the activity progressed and now have a better understanding of the career path-ways into the Army.”

Boys get taste of Army lifeTroops show Aboriginal youth what a job in the green involves, Maj John Liston writes.

Cpl Nicholas Kossman, a vehicle mechanic from 13CSSB, explains the sort of work he does with Jaydon Winmar, 15, who wants to learn a vehicle mechanical trade.

PTI Cpl Scott Williams supervises a battle PT session at Irwin Barracks with boys from Clontarf.

Capt Blake Bishell, 2IC of A Sqn, 10 Light Horse Regt, with boys from Geraldton Senior College: left to right, Dahkoa Clark, Nathaniel Carter, Cassius Merritt and Leon Bellotti.

October 19, 2017Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews18


THE band of 1 Regt, RAA, delighted audiences and built relationships with Indigenous communities during a whirlwind tour across regional and

remote Queensland in September.Exercise Bandit saw the 32-piece band

give 29 musical performances during a 16-day, 2500km roadtrip through Dalby, Wondai, Cherbourg, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Woorabinda, Biloela and Rockhampton.

The main aim was to bond with the community and to engage with hundreds of school children through concerts and workshops.

Many students met soldiers for the first time, leaving them inspired to a possible future Army career while also giving the school’s musical education programs a lift.

Bandmaster WO1 Hemi Anning said the tour highlights were performing to Aboriginal communities in Cherbourg and Woorabinda and entertaining members of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program (AACAP) contingent based in Toomelah.

“Cherbourg and Woorabinda were estab-

lished as Aboriginal missions in the early 1900s with the Indigenous people losing a lot of their cultural identity,” WO1 Anning said.

“The band’s attendance enabled support for Army’s Indigenous Strategy to assist with closing the gap and improving Indigenous participation rate across the Army through opening up future engagement opportunities within each community.”

The Indigenous community at Woorabinda welcomed the band with traditional dancing.

“It was an absolute honour to receive the official welcome from the Woorabinda com-munity,” WO1 Anning said.

“I was impressed with the traditional dances. There was real community spirit, respect and togetherness on display.”

The exercise had a large fundraising component, raising $2000 and awareness for Mates4Mates, an organisation that helps cur-rent and ex-serving military members injured during their service.

The band also helped raise $600 for the Dalby public school which was severely dam-aged by fire on Anzac Day.

Tour hits high note1 Regt RAA Band performs for schools and assists musical programs across regional Queensland communities, Musn Robert Goedecke and Gnr Sagi Biderman report.

Musn Rowan Chapman, above, performs with 1 Regt RAA Band at Woorabinda State School during their regional Queensland tour. LCpl Bronwen Allan, right, high fives and entertains students at Biloela High School during Exercise Bandit. Photos: Gnr Sagi Biderman

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MILITARY skills and athletic prowess were put to the test in a massive week of Commander’s Trophy events at 7 Bde from September 11-15.

Units went head-to-head in the King of the Mountain, obstacle course race, military skills compe-tition and athletics carnival with the brigade’s infantry battalions dominating most of the events.

The minor units put up a tough fight though, which RSM 7 Bde WO1 Ian D’Arcy said was good to see.

“The events were competitive,” WO1 D’Arcy said.“Being an infantryman myself, I like to see our

combat service support and combat support elements of the brigade give the infantrymen a run for their money.”

The week began with the King of the Mountain race in which 6RAR took home the unit trophy and dental officer Maj Anthony Craig the individual medal.

During the two-day military skills competition, a section from each unit went back to soldiering basics. The 11 challenges included weapon-handling skills, navigation, first-aid, prisoner-of-war handling and quick-decision exercises.

The aim was to test and validate soldiers’ founda-tion warfighting skills ahead of the brigade entering the ready phase of the force generation cycle next year.

Gnr Kellie Gill competed for 1 Regt and said it was great revision.

“They’re every soldier’s basic skills so everybody should have a rough idea. Between a group of eight to nine, they should all be able to complete the tasks suc-cessfully,” she said.

Hundreds of soldiers crowded the Gallipoli Barracks obstacle course to see the teams weave, duck, crawl and climb over the walls and ropes.

The race was made even tougher with time penal-ties for incorrect technique.

The end result was close, but 8/9RAR won both the obstacle course race and military skills competition.

The athletics carnival was where minor units shone

with 2/14LHR-QMI squeezing past 7CSSB by four points to take out the championship.

Tpr Kate Walters helped 2/14LHR-QMI to the trophy, placing first in four events including the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump.

“I gave it my best. I used to do athletics so a bit of pride kicked in,” she said.

“Sportsmanship was excellent. All the girls I ran against were amazing and everyone was cheering; I loved it.”

WO1 D’Arcy congratulated all the participants of the week’s activities for their efforts.

“There has been an improvement in the standard of skills but also in the willingness to participate and individual endurance as well,” he said.

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7 Bde units compete across different disciplines for the Commander’s Trophy, Capt Anna-Lise Brink reports.

Prowess put to the test

King of the Mountain: 6RAR

Military Skills Competition: 8/9RAR

Obstacle Course Race: 8/9RAR

Athletics Carnival: 2/14LHR-QMI

Unit champs

LCpl Paul Heinrich, of 7CSSB, runs out of the bear pit during the 7 Bde obstacle course challenge.

Pte Zayla Arthur, of 7CSSB, climbs a wall in the obstacle course competition at Gallipoli Barracks.Photos: Capt Anna-Lise Brink

A 1 Regt RAA soldier treats a casualty during a first-aid challenge in the military skills competition.

A DIORAMA depicting a bloody battle in the Vietnam War has been restored to its former glory thanks to volunteers at the Puckapunyal District Neighbourhood Community Men’s Shed.

Maj Leo Lorenzo said the dio-rama was originally built by former serving members of 102 Fd Bty RAA, depicting the scene in which the unit withstood heavy enemy fire in the early hours of May 13, 1968, during the opening phases of the Battle of Coral.

“Australian units withstood heavy enemy attacks during which a mortar platoon and two gun posi-tions were partly over-run,” Maj Lorenzo said.

“The Australians drove off the enemy after fierce close-quarter actions. The battle lasted more than two hours. The task force suffered 11 killed in action and 28 wounded.

“In one mortar platoon, five soldiers were killed and eight were wounded from a total strength of 18 men. One howitzer and two mortars were damaged. The enemy left 52 dead strewn throughout and around the fire support base.”

The diorama is housed at the Army’s School of Artillery at

Puckapunyal and the Men’s Shed volunteers leapt at the opportunity when Master Gunner of Artillery WO1 David McGarry asked for help with the restoration.

Given the town’s relationship with the Army, the Men’s Shed is not surprisingly staffed by many Defence members and their fami-lies.

With the 50th anniversary com-memoration ceremonies approach-ing in early 2018, the collaboration made for a good fit.

“The refurbishment project

required the Men’s Shed to rebuild the table top, build and paint the backboard, repair water damage to the top lid and install LED light-ing,” Maj Lorenzo said.

“The project was recently completed and the deputy chair of the RAA Historical Company Col Ahearn (retd) made a visit to the Men’s Shed to review the work and show his appreciation.”

Personnel and families who would like more information about the Men’s Shed can call coordinator Deb Kaak on (03) 5735 7719.

Display ready for 50th anniversary

The recently restored diorama.

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THE government is working on a trial to evaluate the mental health benefits of assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Dan Tehan said the trial would inform future policy considerations to help the government meet the mental health needs of veterans.

“Anyone who has had a dog knows they can be loyal friends and many veterans have told me having a dog has been incredibly beneficial for their mental health,” Mr Tehan said.

“The government now wants to investigate whether this benefit can be supported by evidence from a trial.

“More than 30,000 Australian

veterans have an accepted service-related disability for PTSD and the government is committed to tackling the mental health challenges facing veterans and their families.”

The treatment of PTSD is free for anyone who has served one day in the full-time ADF.

“This has led to encouraging results with more veterans seeking help for PTSD – and getting that help,” Mr Tehan said.

Mr Tehan said the trial was being planned to guarantee the safety of the human and animal participants as well as the general public.

Assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD

THE travelling roadshow of Australian War Memorial artefacts to commemorate the centenary of WWI may

have finished its national tour in April, but it made a long-lasting impact on many Australians.

A t t he Aus t r a l i an Even t Awards 2017, the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience (SACE) won several national awards and was voted Australia’s Favourite Event for the year.

The once in a lifetime exhibi-tion was the flagship event for the government’s Anzac centenary national program. It was a part-nered event supported by Defence, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Australian War Memorial.

Over a two-year period, the exhibition was set up in 23 rural, regional and metropolitan loca-tions, providing more than 368,000 visitors the opportunity to view priceless artefacts presented in a highly immersive manner over 199 live public days.

ADF Liaison Officer to SACE Lt-Col Matt Vertzonis said more than a thousand ADF personnel directly engaged with visitors in the delivery of the experience.

“It was an absolute privilege to undertake the liaison officer role for the entire tour and work with so many committed people from the Army, Navy and Air Force,” Lt-Col Vertzonis said.

“Whether permanent force members or reservists, there were

Anzac tour resonates with public


‘Every single person involved

with SACE demonstrated a professional,

can-do and respectful attitude.

– Lt-Col Matt Vertzonis, ADF Liaison Officer to

SACE

After opening to audiences in 23 centres across the country, the Spirit of Anzac Experience has been voted Australia’s Favourite Event.

so many people who contributed to SACE’s success, not only in the public eye, but also behind the scenes – in the areas of logistics, administration and coordination.

“Every single person involved wi th SACE demonst ra ted a professional, can-do and respectful attitude.

“There can be little doubt this was one of the primary fac-tors leading to SACE being voted

NINE serving members of the ADF deployed to Edinburgh, Scotland, in August to participate in the 2017 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The seven pipers, one drummer and a band coordinator came from Army and RAAF units and were invited to the Tattoo to represent Australia as part of the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Pipes and Drums contingent.

They conducted 28 shows in one of the world’s most iconic military cer-emonial displays.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and interna-tional military bands and artistic per-formance teams on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.

More than 217,000 people saw the Tattoo live on the esplanade.

The Tattoo is also televised in 30 countries, allowing a further 100 mil-lion people see the event worldwide.

ADF members Cfn Ben Weadon, left, Musn Jess Jeffery, Capt Glynn Potter, Capt Aaron Kogler, LACW Nicole Koenig, Cpl Luke Greene and WO2 Andrew Iverson performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, watched by 100 million people around the world.

Living the pipe dream

Cpl Adam Cameron-Taylor and Musn Jonathan Apps salute during the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience held at Sydney Exhibition Centre.Photo: LS Tom Gibson

Australia’s Favourite Event in 2017.

“It has also positively enhanced the reputation of the ADF in the minds of visitors, many of whom have little contact with serving personnel.”

C o m m a n d e r A u s t r a l i a n Defence College Maj-Gen Simone Wilkie , who was appointed the Deputy Envoy of the SACE Executive Committee, echoed these comments and reflected her own thanks to all involved.

“Defence and the other SACE partners appreciate the profes-sionalism and creative talent Imagination Pty Ltd brought to this event,” she said.

“Contracted by the SACE partners to design and deliver the experience, their team embraced the project with a real passion – it was not ‘just another job’ to them.”

“On behalf of the ADF, I con-gratulate Imagination for not only achieving the Australia’s Favourite Event award, but also for winning two other category awards for SACE – the Best Exhibition, and the Best Achievement in Design, Look and Theming – as well as for being runners up in two further categories.

“Well done to all ADF mem-bers who were involved with this unique event. You can all be justly proud of your individual and col-lective contribution to Australia’s favourite event.”

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DISASTER relief and tsunami preparedness was recently the central focus of a small con-tingent of ADF personnel in

Suva, Fiji, recently. Known as Exercise Long Reach,

participants across government and non-government agencies from both Australia and Fiji converged to dis-cuss tsunami preparedness in an open forum.

The Disaster Management Information System Officer, from the Fijian National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Mereisi Rukulawe, said the integrated civil-military seminar was invaluable.

“NDMO’s main function is to coordinate all the supporting agencies involved in a disaster in Fiji,” she said.

“Bringing together everyone who may be involved in a disaster and not only learning about each of them, but developing relationships to continue improving our disaster management practices has been extremely beneficial.”

ADF representatives provided planning assistance and advice to NDMO, Fijian Security Forces, and other government and non-government agencies.

“Personally, one of the main takeaways is how I can help strengthen information management, as this is one of our major challenges at the moment,” Mrs Rukulawe said.

Exercise Long Reach is ensuring Fiji is ready next time disaster strikes, Maj Brad Richardson reports.

Prepared for anythingOctober 19, 2017Features www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews22

“Capturing and monitoring all the information that can assist in the plan-ning process pre-disaster has been really useful.”

Facilitating the seminar from HQ 1

Div/Deployable Joint Forces HQ was Lt-Col Pat O’Neill who said Tropical Cyclone Winston provided recent examples to support the planning.

“All the work was focused on find-

ing practical solutions to questions and challenges raised by the NDMO and other agencies,” Lt-Col O’Neill said.

“Engagement with local organisa-tions and empowering and supporting

our Fijian partners enabled us to sup-port them in building solutions that were unique and practical to Fiji.

“The Fijian participants took own-ership of discussions and the outputs because they understood the problem and what solutions would work.

“‘Are you ready?’ became the slo-gan for raising awareness of tsunami preparedness within Fiji and a central theme for the workshop.”

The Republic of Fijian Military Forces (RFMF) has a focus on dis-aster response and has developed a contingency plan to support the Fijian government, according to RFMF Lt Josateki Lesuduaduakilakeba.

“This was my first disaster relief exercise and I have learnt a lot, espe-cially about logistics within disaster response,” he said.

“We have a number of logistical considerations that we need to work on to fully support the government during a disaster and this exercise is a good stepping stone to achieve this capability.

“Working with the ADF, especially Capt Matt Rosenthal, has been really helpful with his logistic background.

“We need to do more to keep going and to prepare Fiji, especially since our nation has so many isolated islands that are affected following a disaster.

“The workshop was another step towards Fiji preparing for a tsunami and other natural disasters.”

Makereta Masioliva, front left, Lt Josateki Lesuduaduakilakeba, Sub-Leut Osea Natuva, and back, Capt Matt Rosenthal, Neumi Radobui and Lloyd Ahtack work together on logistics planning as part of Fiji’s preparedness and response to a tsunami.

Look forward

10795271_DHA_x4_Half_Page_FA.indd 4 11/08/2017 5:14 pm

October 19, 2017 Funwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 23

Stealth RaidersBy Lucas Jordan303ppVintage Books Australia 2017RRP $35 Reviewer: Sgt Dave Morley

BY 1918, diggers were war weary and look-ing at ways to avoid the senseless heavy casualties earlier troops suffered in 1916 and 1917.

A few enterprising and daring soldiers took it upon themselves to try to achieve their commanders’ aims with minimal losses so, without orders or approval from their officers, they went out in small groups hunt-

ing the enemy. Initially operating only at night, they snuck out of their posts and made their way through waist-high crops along the Western Front to capture German soldiers and bring them back for interrogation.

A by-product of this was they also killed dozens of Germans, instilled fear in others, and often advanced the frontline by hundreds of metres.

This book is adapted from the author Lucas Jordan’s PhD thesis and he has left no stone unturned in his painstaking research to bring to life the stories of these few brave diggers.

It is well illustrated with black and white and colourised photos, as well as detailed

maps of the areas in which the stealth raiders operated.

Because these mainly low-ranking blokes operated without orders, their efforts have gone largely unrecorded in official histories, which makes this book all the more readable.

If you’ve become weary of all the WWI coverage over the past three years, this one will reignite your interest.

Army has one copy of this book to give away to a lucky reader. Email [email protected] with Stealth Raiders in the subject line to be in the running.

Daring diggers defy directions

October 19, 2017www.defence.gov.au/news/armynewsPeople24

Air dispatcher Pte Katelyn Navarro checks off incoming cargo at the Combined Air Operations Terminal at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Photo: Cpl Sebastian Beurich

Cpl James Woo plays the bagpipes during the UK Army Mercian Regt’s 10th birthday at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo: AB Chris Beerens

WO1s Mick Meagher, left, and Grant Hampel, centre, along with CPO Phil Black, gear up for the AFL grand final while deployed to Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East. The two Tiger fans were no doubt happy with the result. Photo: Cpl Max Bree

North Queensland Cowboys supporter Capt Raoul Cernaz, deployed to Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East. Unfortunately his team lost its NRL grand final encounter with the Melbourne Storm.Photo: Cpl Max Bree

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WITH mental health in the spotlight this month, it’s timely to seek advice from the experts on how

to maintain mental health.The senior psychologist with the

Regional Mental Health Team at the Joint Health Unit, Southern NSW, Maj Nicole Walker, said she was presented with a range of symptoms from people seeking assistance, but the most com-mon tended to be workplace stress and relationship issues.

Maj Walker said ADF members tended to spend a great deal of time away from family and friends, which is expected and anticipated, but could still result in issues at home or in their personal lives.

“While the members themselves may be aware of this particular aspect of their role, quite often their spouse is left to tackle and manage the day-to-day issues that frequently arise as a normal part of life,” she said.

“This can cause stress for the mem-ber due to the lack of ability to assist, the competing demands of work and home, and the guilt they may experi-ence as a result.”

Maintaining physical fitness and getting sound sleep also assists in maintaining good mental health.

“Exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health for many reasons and to reduce both depressive and anxiety symptoms; the old adage of a health body leads to a healthy mind is actually true,” Maj Walker said.

“Firstly, reconnecting with our external environment; secondly, par-ticipating in activity with other like-minded people; and thirdly, simply

maintaining physical health to cope with the effect stress has on the body.

“Sleep is a good indicator of how well stress is being managed.

“The key to sound sleep is routine, like going to bed and getting up at the same time on most days of the week, ensuring the sleep environment is con-ducive to good sleep, such as a com-fortable bed, low temperature, dark room, reduced noise and effectively managing stress.”

Maj Walker said relaxing and tak-ing part in enjoyable activities, as well as being in positive relationships, also helped with maintaining mental health.

“We all need to have more than just work in our lives. Being able to put work aside and engage in an activity we simply enjoy doing ensures bal-ance and helps with stress manage-ment,” she said.

“Humans are social beings; we like to be around other humans.

“Forming and maintaining positive social relationships as well as relation-ships with family have been shown to have a strong effect on our ability to manage stress.”

Maj Walker said the theme of the new Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2023 – “Fit to Fight, Fit to Work, Fit for Life” – suggested people needed to actively engage in positive life management from a holistic perspective in order to enable their ability to perform their roles.

“We are not simply ADF members; we take on many different roles and a positive contribution in one area of our life is likely to lead to a positive con-tribution to other roles,” she said.

Exercise has a positive effect on mental health, Sgt Dave Morley reports.

Healthy body, healthy mind

KEEP IT SIMPLE: Do what you like doing GO STEADY: Increase your activity levels gradually STAY CONNECTED: Where possible, join a group PLAN: Develop a routine that suits you BREATHE: Incorporate the outdoors, reconnect with

your environment REST: Get a good night’s sleep

Exercising in groups and, where possible, outdoors, helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Photo: LS Bradley Darvill

123October 19, 2017 Healthwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 25

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Sgt Dave Morley

FOOTBALL fans can look forward to some serious action when ADF players meet in Sydney for the ADF Football Federation (ADFFF) National Championship.

Once again the best of the best from across the services will meet on Cromer Park, Manly, the home of Manly United FC from November 3-9.

ADFFF vice president Maj Steven McNaughton said it would be a gruel-ling week for the expected 240 play-ers, coaches, officials and support staff.

“Not only will the three Services be vying for the silverware, but also the Kiwis attend to show the Australians how they play,” he said.

“Not since the Socceroos entered the Asian Football Confederation, leaving behind the White Ferns in the Oceania Confederation, have the military footballers competed in an Australian arena together in this format.

“This time they will bring their Air Force squads and an Army female squad to compete.”

Kiwi contingent commander FSgt Dan Young said everyone was excited at the prospect of competing at this level.

“Particularly our female competi-tors who will have the busiest draw with five teams competing and all eager to be a part of it,” he said.

Last year’s championship resulted in a marked upward trend of female participation and it is expected the same will continue at this championship.

The 2016 National Championships, held at the same venue, resulted in Air

Comp headed for NSW

Force wining the overall services tro-phy after edging out Army.

By winning the men’s and veterans’ competitions, Army could only win the women’s competition, which was

not enough for Air Force to be toppled from the top spot. Maj McNaughton said with the Kiwis involved this year, it should bode well for all services with the extra games.

“This is great news for the Navy, in particular, who will be keen to get back into the winners’ circle, a place familiar to them,” he said.

“Winning and silverware aside, the

main goal of ADFFF for this event is to promote teamwork, instil a sense of pride in their respective Service, and for members to showcase their skills at the highest level within the ADF.”

However, an important role of the ADFFF is selecting the ADF squads.

Maj McNaughton said these squads had been important over the years, representing the ADF in places like the UK, extensively through Asia and New Zealand.

“This year will be no different with the teams expected to once again rep-resent the ADF throughout the 2017-18 year,” he said.

“Testimony to this is the recent relationship that has been formed between the ADFFF and Australia’s football governing body, the Football Federation of Australia.

“As a result, this year’s ADFFF squads will be involved in curtain-raiser games against quality State opposition before an A-League and W-League match during the Remembrance Day weekend rounds.

“This is a massive deal for the ADFFF and is another opportunity for our Defence members to showcase a part of life in the services in front of a large civilian audience.”

All ADFFF National Championship games are free to the public and game times generally start from 1-9pm each day except November 6.

The biggest matches of the cham-pionships will be Air Force v Army men on November 5 and a big double header on November 7 with Army v Navy women and men.

For further details of the game times go to the ADFFF Facebook group by searching for the Australian Defence Football Federation.

Leut Kiz Welling-Burtenshaw

BEING an ADF Rugby Union (ADFRU) representative provides mas-sive benefits to servicemen and women that include international/interstate tours, state-of-the-art training, network-ing opportunities, camaraderie and a sense of belonging that is second to none.

What many don’t realise is that these incredible benefits extend beyond its players and are available for referees and coaches, too.

With the ADFRU playing calendar

growing, the organisation is looking to bolster its referee contingent, welcom-ing current or new referees.

Sqn-Ldr James Hagan, has been a referee for ADFRU for 11 years and has been supported with many training courses through his tenure thus far.

He has enjoyed the benefits of the position and encourages others to get on board in what he describes as an excellent way to maintain a healthy lifestyle; build fantastic friendships and be involved in a sport he loves.

“When my playing career was coming to an end due to injuries and

numerous deployments, I decided to turn to refereeing as a way to stay involved in rugby,” he said.

“This has provided me with some amazing opportunities, including par-ticipating in a number of overseas tours to referee international matches.”

ADFRU referees are provided with all the gear required, a clear training path and opportunities to develop through practical and theoretical application.

Contact Sqn-Ldr Hagan or [email protected] for more information.

Stay in the game as a rugby referee

October 19, 2017Sport www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews26

Pte Courtney Holmwood passes the ball down the line during the finals of the Nirimba Cup soccer competition held at Randwick Barracks, Sydney.Photo: AB Nicolas Gonzalez

Sqn-Ldr James Hagan referees the annual Army v Navy men’s fixture at the ADFRU Championships at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane.

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Sgt Dave Morley

ADF cyclists from across Australia will converge on Canberra from October 21-27 for the 2017 National Cycling Carnival (NCC).

ADF Cycling president LCdr Andrew Willett said the annual carnival combined road, track, BMX, cyclo-cross and mountain bike disciplines.

“Each of the disciplines will be graded to ensure maximum participation from introductory to advanced levels, with the majority of NCC events to be conducted either within, or in proximity to, Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra,” he said.

“ADF Cycling’s primary objective for the NCC is to promote the sport of cycling, in all its disciplines, in Defence and to bring its members together in the spirit of participation and competition.”

LCdr Willett said another objective of the NCC was to provide an opportunity for ADF Cycling members to develop skills in their respective cycling disciplines.

“A number of cycling skills clinics will be con-ducted during the week-long NCC, with these being open to riders of all skill levels and competencies, from novice to elite,” he said.

“Participants will be strongly encouraged to uti-lise the expertise that will be available, in order to develop individual skills applied to cycling.”

Cpl Mark Doran

PTE Talisha Quinn, of 6 CS Bde, is one of the two ADF women named in the Jillaroos squad of 24 ahead of the 2017 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

She will join Air Force’s ACW Meg Ward, of 17 Sqn, as World Cup debutants in the matches com-mencing in Sydney on November 16.

Pte Quinn, who plays for the Cronulla Sharks, was selected for the squad after her performances with the Australian Women’s Rugby League side in Port Moresby in a showdown against the Papua New Guinea Orchids on September 23.

The Jillaroos ran away with a 42-4 victory in the historic showdown in which Pte Quinn and ACW Ward both scored tries.

The Jillaroos kick off their World Cup cam-paign against the Cook Islands on November 16 at Cronulla’s Southern Cross Group Stadium.

The team has a short turnaround before a final Pool A clash against England on November 19.

Should the Australians make the December 2 decider, they will fulfil a dream to play in a World Cup final double-header at Suncorp Stadium prior to the men’s match.

Private to join JillaroosCyclists converge on Canberra

27October 19, 2017 Sportwww.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 27

Capt Bryce Turner

AT THE 6RAR Combatives Tournament, combatants proudly represented each of the companies across five weight classes.

The grand prix tournament used modi-fied submission-grappling rules within the confines of a mixed martial arts cage.

As a result, the battalion crowned five champions and a champion company.

The battalion has invested significant time and effort this training year in enhanc-ing resilience and building esprit de corps through the medium of combatives training.

This has included regular continuation training in infantry integrated combat, recently renamed as Army Combatives Program Level 3, and through the approved ADF sport of jiu jitsu, supplemented with some training in judo and freestyle wrestling.

Maj Ben Gooley highlighted much of the success of the training and competition was due to the access to training through the Integrated Combat Club – Brisbane, led by WO2 Aaron Johnston.

“The ICC provides the opportunity for

soldiers to hone their grappling and striking techniques as part of routine PT, sub-unit training and brigade sport,” Maj Gooley said.

“WO2 Johnston developed weekly training program where soldiers can par-ticipate in combat sports for PT under the supervision and instruction of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Lineu Vilanova and Muay Thai coach Tony Lorente, as well as supporting training in Infantry Integrated Combat and Military Self Defence for units across 7 Bde.”

All combatants displayed impressive skill and sportsmanship and were well sup-ported and encouraged by their team mates in the audience.

Cpl Dan McDonagh, coach of the D Coy Team, emphasised the relevance of the training.

“Every unit in the Army, down to every section, knows who their fastest runner is, but if you ask them ‘who is the best fighter?’ or ‘who is the best shooter?’ They won’t know,” he said.

“So what are you training to do? Close combat is the ultimate decider.”

Champion Coy – D Coy

Lightweight Champion – Pte Beau Thurgood (D Coy)

Welterweight Champion – Pte Michael Westoby (D Coy)

Middleweight Champion – Pte Chris Biermann (D Coy)

Light Heavyweight Champion – Pte Dan Gabrielli (D Coy)

Heavyweight Champion – Pte Jackson Pain (B Coy)

Grappling for victory

Champions

Pte Michael Westoby and LCpl Michael Holthouse wrestle for hand control.

Pte Alexander Torres wins

his first bout of the

tournament.

Pte Steven Murdoch

works for a takedown on

Pte Jesse Dickson.

Pte Talisha Quinn passes for the ADF team.

Maj Jeremy Ross rides his road bike.

© Image courtesy of Department of Defence

Assisting serving and ex-servingADF members and their familiesin times of injury, illnessand crisis.

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Current and former ADF personnel compete against the world

FOUR-PAGE LIFT-OUT

TRUE GRIT

October 19, 2017

SPORTLCpl Samantha Gould scores a try during the wheelchair rugby play-off match for the bronze medal against the United States at Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletics Centre as part of the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada.Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

Edition 1407 October 19, 2017 · Local engagement also played a role in the mission’s success....

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