magazine ›
Issue 1, 2010
ADF stars
at Military
Tattoo
Australia Day
honours list
Page: 16-19
Major Brendan Kellaway leads the Australian Federation Guard at the Sydney Football Stadium during the lead-up
to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo - an event that celebrated 60 years of valour, mateship and glory. See pages 12-13.
Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
Defence
magazine
Editor:
Michael Weaver
Phone: 02 6265 7117
Deputy Editor:
Jack Foster
Phone: 02 6265 1949
Imagery Support:
Public Affairs Branch
Defence Magazine is produced by the
Directorate of Internal Communication,
Public Affairs Branch.
ISSN 1446-229X
Design and layout:
Graphics Services
Defence Publishing Service
DPS: JAN016/10
How to contribute to
Defence Magazine
Contact Michael Weaver
or [email protected]
Phone: 02 6265 7117
http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/
PHOTO OF THE MONTH:
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and the Minister for
Defence, Senator John Faulkner, present the Chief of the
Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Angus Houston,
with a congratulatory card for achieving 40 years of
service in the Australian Defence Force. The visit to
Defence Headquarters was organised as a surprise event,
with ACM Houston’s wife, Mrs Elizabeth Houston, also
presented with a bunch of flowers for her support to her
husband during his military career.
Photo: Steve Dent
Editorial
Firstly, welcome to 2010. Now, a question.
What’s changed?
This year, Defence embarks upon its most significant period of change to find
better ways of doing the job. Suffice to say, change will be a major part of the year
ahead as the Strategic Reform Program moves into its implementation phase.
But enough of that for now, as we intend to fill an entire edition on reform in April.
Change is the theme for this first edition of 2010 and we hope you notice a few
subtle changes to the pages of Defence Magazine. It would also be remiss of us
not to use this space to inform you further of our contribution to reform.
Late last year, Defence Magazine and Defence Publishing Service signed an
agreement to design, print and distribute 10 editions of the magazine each
year. We no longer need to rely on external contracts and can now use the
skills of Defence’s talented graphic designers and directors who have extensive
knowledge of the industry, but most importantly, have experience within Defence.
Whether the end product has improved is for you to judge – and we want your
feedback via our online survey – but we definitely wouldn’t have entered into
the agreement if we didn’t firmly believe we could do the job more efficiently.
An added bonus is that we’ve saved money in the process.
There will be many more stories such as this emerging from the width and
breadth of Defence and we aim to give due recognition to them as best we can.
The photo below however, depicts the perfect example of one thing that hasn’t
changed, and illustrates an impromptu moment that provides due recognition
for one of Defence’s most enduring leaders.
- Michael Weaver, Editor
CONTENTS
Inside this edition
Columns
14
Secretary: In-stride adjustment
10
Chief of Defence Force: Turning the tide in Afghanistan
11
News
4
Snapshot
24
38
Pictorial: Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney 12
Stalwart bows out of public affairs arena
14
Defence celebrates disabilities
15
Australia Day honours list
16
Features
Navy: Countdown to new expeditionary capability
20
Ministerial and Executive Services: Better advice to ministers
22
Greg Combet: Minister heralds climate of change
24
People in Defence: Families first in ADF survey
26
Army: Army adapts to thirst for improvement
28
Records Management: Change sparks new era 29
People Strategies and Policy: Workforce intelligence 30
Spotlight on Reform: Science and Technology stream
32
Defence Signals Directorate: Defending cyber security
33
DMO: Better advice – better project management
34
Joint Logistics Command: Improvements locked and loaded
36
Army: Indigenous soldiers graduate in Northern Territory
38
Operations: Role of peace-keepers in the Solomon Island
40
The Last Word: Former Director General Public Affairs, BRIG Brian Dawson
42
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3
news
Snipshot
Snapshot
Share your story
Seven years for Orion
Are you a current serving ADF member
and from a culturally or linguistically
diverse background? Then you are
encouraged to sign up for the ADF
Multicultural Recruitment Strategy
Alumni Program.
Air Force’s AP-3C Orion aircraft have
marked seven years crucial support to
Australian and coalition forces in the
Middle East.
Defence Force Recruiting is aiming to boost
the numbers of people from culturally diverse
backgrounds in the ADF and make the idea of a
career in the Services more attractive.
The new Alumni Program will support members
from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds to speak at schools, universities
and community events about their experiences
in the ADF.
In coming weeks, Defence Force Recruiting will be
providing more information regarding the Program.
If you want to help raise awareness about life in
the ADF, then you are encouraged to volunteer for
the alumni program.
For more information, please email DFR.alumni@
defence.gov.au
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal (AIRMSHL) Mark
Binskin said the Orions had flown more than 1750
missions involving 16500 flying hours supporting
Operations Bastille, Falconer, Catalyst and Slipper.
“This milestone is a great tribute to the men and
women of Air Force’s Surveillance and Response
Group who have worked long hours flying and
maintaining the Orions,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.
“Maintenance staff have often worked in 50C-plus
temperatures to achieve a very high aircraft
availability rate.”
The RAAF Orion detachment in the Middle East
includes approximately 88 people and two aircraft.
AIRMSHL Binskin said that AP-3C Orions were
among the best intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance aircraft in the world, and could
transmit real-time surveillance pictures, providing
essential situational awareness to commanders on
the ground.
“Many of our AP-3C Orion people have done
four and in some cases five deployments to the
Middle East,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.
“I understand the impact this has on personal
lives and I thank their families and friends in
Australia for the vital support they provide.”
LEFT: Officer Cadet Jahan Barr has signed
up for the ADF Multicultural Recruitment
Strategy Alumni Program.
4
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
Soldiers meet with
Afghan elders
The Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG)
and Afghan partner forces recently met with village
elders and religious leaders in Chenartu, north-east
of Tarin Kowt.
LEFT: AP-3C Orion ‘Lara’ commences
a night mission over Iraq. The aircraft
has just marked seven years of
service to Australian and coalition
forces in the Middle East.
During the meeting, village leaders and
representatives were consulted to gain an
understanding from the community of their key needs
and ideas for development proposals.
The Commanding Officer of the SOTG hoped to
continue to reap the benefits of the combined
operations with Afghan partners,
“Our partner force bring with them a unique
understanding of local conditions,” he said.
signing an overarching Memorandum of Agreement
between Defence and Engineers Australia.
Female leadership
tops agenda
A program promoting female leadership
in the Royal Australian Navy is being
expanded into 2010, and will for the
first time include a women’s mentoring
program for 50 Navy women.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and
Science Greg Combet said the Navy Women’s
Leadership Program was the first of its kind in
the Australian Defence Force and had involved
28 women in 2009.
“The Program provided the opportunity for female
leaders, from the rank of Leading Seaman to
Commander and APS equivalents, to participate
in five Australian Women and Leadership Forum
events,” Mr Combet said.
He said the Government was committed to
improving opportunities for women in the ADF to
undertake leadership roles.
“The female officers, sailors and public servants
who completed the program provided extremely
positive feedback and have indicated strong
enthusiasm and motivation to implement their new
skills in the workplace.”
Mr Combet said the Program followed the
objectives of the Chief of Defence Force Action
Plan for the Recruitment and Retention of Women
in the ADF, and was being run as part of the New
Generation Navy initiative in a bid to improve the
Navy’s culture, leadership and structure.
Professional
recognition for
Defence engineers
Defence engineers can receive
formal recognition from Australia’s
peak professional body for engineers
following the renegotiation and signing
of an agreement between Defence and
Engineers Australia.
The renewed agreement provides opportunities
for all Australian Defence Organisation engineers
to undertake funded professional development to
achieve Chartered or Engineering Executive status.
The signing of the agreement continues the strong
collaboration between Engineers Australia and
Defence. The new all-of-Defence agreement also
provides direct savings to Defence, arising from
discounts negotiated with Engineers Australia.
The agreement is win-win for Defence and
Engineers Australia, as it provides follow-on
benefits to the broader community. Defence and
the broader community receive direct benefits from
having upskilled engineers. Defence also retains
its engineers as they further their professional
development, and Engineers Australia increases its
membership base.
On 18 August 2009, the Chief of the Defence Force,
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and the-then
Acting Defence Secretary, Stephen Merchant,
confirmed Defence’s commitment to the Engineers
Australia professional development program, in
For more information on these new arrangements,
including how Defence members can obtain
Chartered or Engineering Executive status, refer
to http://www.defence.gov.au/defence_
engineers_pdp/
Soldiers return home
from East Timor
More than 70 soldiers from Townsvillebased 2nd Battalion Royal Australian
Regiment have returned home to
Australia following a successful
deployment to East Timor.
Another 180 soldiers will also soon return and be
replaced by soldiers from the 8/9th Battalion RAR
based in Brisbane.
The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner,
applauded the achievements of the returning
personnel in assisting one of Australia’s closest
neighbours.
“I congratulate the soldiers returning to Australia
on the success of their mission,” Senator Faulkner
said.
“The improved security conditions that have
emerged during the deployment of these soldiers
has enabled the ISF mission to evolve.
“Our soldiers now perform fewer direct security
tasks and increasingly focus on capacity-building
and training of the East Timorese Defence Force.
“This shift could not have been considered were
it not for the excellent work completed by these
service men and women.”
“Conducting these operations in close cooperation
with our partner force allows us greater clarity and
understanding of the community’s needs.”
New Submarine office
A new Australian Submarine Program Office will
be established in Adelaide next month to manage
submarine availability required by Government.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and
Science Greg Combet said the new office was a
vital step towards achieving the submarine output
Government expects.
The Office will commence work in March and operate
as an integrated product team of Navy, Defence
Materiel Organisation and Australian Submarine
Corporation personnel led by DMO’s Director General
Submarines Commodore Bronko Ogrizek.
HMAS Success inquiry
A fresh inquiry into a range of equity and diversity
issues on board HMAS Success was launched in
February.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal
Angus Houston, said that while he remained
confident that the military justice system was
working well, aspects of the system needed to
improve.
The Chief of the Defence Force also announced
the appointment of the Hon. Roger Gyles AO QC to
conduct a new Commission of Inquiry into a range of
matters arising from equity and diversity issues on
board HMAS Success.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral (VADM) Russ Crane said
that appropriate behaviour from personnel ashore
and at sea was fundamental to the New Generation
Navy program.
“Equally important is my commitment to ensuring
that all my personnel have access to a fair, robust
and just inquiry system and that they are supported
throughout the process,” VADM Crane said.
NEWS
Snipshot
Snapshot
International Counter
IED award
Two Defence personnel have received
the Technical Cooperation Program
(TTCP) Award for their collaborative work
to improve information exchange on
integrated Improvised Explosive Device
(IED) protection programmes between
Australia and other partner nations.
Ninety-three years after they fell in the Battle of
Fromelles, the first of 250 Australian and British
soldiers have finally been buried with full military
honours at a ceremony in France.
The Australian public is being encouraged to pause
and reflect on the sacrifices of those who serve in the
Armed Forces.
RIGHT: Defence Secretary
Dr Ian Watt (left) and Chief
Defence Scientist Professor
Robert Clark (right) congratulate
Tim Heenan on his work to
improve information exchange on
integrated Improvised Explosive
Device protection programs
between Australia and other
partner nations.
The soldiers are being buried in individual graves
in the purpose-built Fromelles (Pheasant Wood)
Military Cemetery. The new cemetery is the first
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has
constructed in more than 50 years.
The burials took place throughout February and have
been conducted by members of both the British and
Australian Armies.
Troops back home
from Afghanistan
Medical officers
boosted
The ADF has entered a new partnership
designed to increase professional
development opportunities for Defence
medical officers.
their awards at ceremonies held in Adelaide and
More than 700 members of the Second
Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force
(MRTF-2) have returned home after an
intensive eight-month deployment to
Afghanistan.
Canberra recently.
“They have helped to expand our mentoring and
General David Hurley signed an agreement with
The Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Robert
Clark, presented Tim McKay and Tim Heenan with
Professor Clark praised the work of both Dr McKay
and Mr Heenan in synchronising efforts across the
TTCP CIED Science & Technology (S&T) workstreams, to provide increased levels of protection
against the IED threat to coalition forces deployed
on current operations.
Tim Heenan said that he was honoured to have
had the opportunity to work with DSTO, and their
international Defence Science colleagues.
“We know of a number of specific instances
where CIED work undertaken within DSTO has
saved the lives of Australian soldiers deployed on
operations,” Mr Heenan said.
6
Full military honours
in Fromelles
training effort of the Afghan National Army, build
the security capacity of the Afghan Government,
and delivered more reconstruction activities for the
International
Women’s Day 2010
Touch footy funds
for Haiti
Defence will join in the International
Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations on
12 March, with guest speakers set to
speak at the Australian Defence Force
Academy (ADFA).
The response to the devastating
January earthquake that claimed the lives
of thousands of Haitians has been
remarkable to say the least. And recently,
it was Defence’s turn to lend a hand.
General (MAJGEN) Paul Alexander, said the Active
IWD is a global day celebrating the economic,
The dark and threatening skies did not prove a
Learning Module would provide ADF Medical
political and social achievements of women in the
deterrent for more than 40 personnel who united to
Officers with additional training to diagnose and
past, present and future—a day when women are
raise money for the victims with a game of touch
treat common mental health issues.
recognised for their achievements.
football.
“The program will be accredited under the Royal
To celebrate, Defence will hold an event for
women and men at Adams Hall at ADFA. A range
With teams representing Navy, Army, Air Force, and
Australian College of General Practitioners,”
MAJGEN Alexander said.
of stalls will showcase IWD supporters such as
An ADF version of the AGPN’s Online Lifestyle
Women’s Information Referral Service, Defence
Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant
the Australian General Practice Network (AGPN)
that will ensure the ADF continues to provide top
quality health care to its personnel.
local community,” Defence Minister Senator John
The first is an accredited online mental health
Faulkner said.
training pack. The Surgeon General, Major
“This progress was made in a difficult and
challenging environment. Our troops worked under
the threat of road-side bombs and attacks by
insurgents.”
Alongside the Afghan National Security Forces
(ANSF), the MRTF confiscated 90 weapon caches,
provided security support for the Afghan National
Elections, and expanded the security presence in
the Mirabad Valley, Baluchi Valley and the Chora
“This ongoing work within DSTO, and the wider
district.
TTCP community, is critical to the continued
“Australia’s focus remains on mentoring the ANSF
success of Defence’s CIED program, which draws
in order to build their capacity to take responsibility
on staff from across all three Services, the
for the security in Oruzgan province. This work is
Capability Development Group and the DMO.”
proceeding well,” Senator Faulkner said.
ABOVE: Defence personnel at Russell Offices participated in a touch football competition and sausage sizzle to raise
funds for the Red Cross Haiti Appeal. Some of the winning side (L-R) Corporal Aaron Rawnsley, Sergeant David Walsh,
Corporal Simon Dawson and Sergeant Matthew Hinse. Photo: LSIS Paul McCallum
Management Program is also being considered.
MAJGEN Alexander said the program covered risk
factors for chronic disease; nutritional advice and
Community Organisation, Defence Force Recruiting,
padres/chaplains, Defence Housing Australia and
Defence Special Needs Support Group.
information to help maintain a healthy lifestyle,
The theme for the day is Engaging Everyone in
while a family-oriented program could also be
Gender Issues and will feature a seminar, followed
modified to offer guidance on the unique pressures
by prominent speakers including Vice Chief of the
facing ADF families including frequent relocations
Defence Force Lieutenant General David Hurley,
the Public Service, it was a genuine Departmental
effort.
From the first tap, all matches were evenly poised
with the ball travelling from end to end as teams
battled for ascendancy.
While lacking the star-studded line-up of recent
telethons, matches were played in good spirit with
players giving their all before shaking hands and
sharing a cool drink.
The TTCP presents awards annually to scientists
The mostly Townsville-based MRTF-2 is being
and deployment.
Professor Kerryn Phelps and Dr Michael Flood.
A sausage sizzle was held to help raise funds
from all five member nations who are working on
replaced with Brisbane soldiers from the Army’s
7th Brigade.
“This partnership will further strengthen the ADF’s
Funds are available for regions to also get
with crowds braving the weather to watch their
specific collaborative projects.
commitment to our people providing advanced
involved, so for more information contact Gender
colleagues in action.
For further information go to: http://www.dtic.
A welcome back ceremony for MRTF-2 will be held
training for medical officers and first-class health
Diversity Policy Officer Rose Hays no later than
All proceeds raised from the event will be donated
mil/ttcp/
in Townsville on 10 April 2010.
care for personnel,” MAJGEN Alexander said.
2 March.
to the Red Cross for the victims of Haiti.
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
A commemorative event to open the cemetery is
scheduled for the 94th anniversary of the Battle of
Fromelles on 19 July 2010.
Mr Combet said the Government was hopeful that
anthropological, archaeological, historical and DNA
information will lead to the identification of some of
the men.
“While identification of the remains is an extremely
complex process, I remain hopeful that we will be
able to identify a number of those that we have
found,” said Mr Combet.
The battle on 19 July 1916 was the bloodiest 24 hours
in Australian history with 5,533 Australian soldiers
killed, wounded or missing.
Centaur found,
relatives sought
The discovery of the wreck of the Australian Hospital
Ship Centaur (AHS Centaur) will enable families of
the Australians on board the ship to know the resting
place of their loved ones, 66 years after it was sunk
north east of Brisbane.
A phone hotline has been established to assist
relatives of those who were on board the ship when
it was sunk in 1943. Relatives can now contact
1800 019 955 to receive information about a
memorial service which will be held in March.
A website also has details about the memorial
service. It includes details of how relatives can
register to receive more information about the
memorial service. The website can be found at
http://www.army.gov.au/AHS_Centaur.asp
On the morning of 14 May 1943, the Australian
Hospital Ship Centaur was sunk by a Japanese
submarine east north east of the coast of Brisbane.
The wreck of the ship was found by search teams
on Sunday 20 December 2009. The project to find
the remains was funded jointly by the Federal and
Queensland Governments and with assistance from
the Department of Defence.
NEWS in review: december – january
Snapshot
BELOW: The crew of the No. 38 Squadron Caribou A4-140 pose for a photo
before they prepare to take off from RAAF Base Richmond for the last time.
From left: Avionics Technician Corporal Nick Bordujenko, Pilot Wing Commander
Tony Thorpe, Flight Engineer Sergeant Scott Jones, Pilot Flying Officer Matt
Sullivan and Aircraft Technician Dan Amiet. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
Entertainers put
on show for troops
While many took the opportunity
to take time off in December and
January, the news emanating from
Defence continued to flow at its
usual pace. The following two pages
highlight some of the significant
events that occurred while we were
in stand-down mode.
17 December - ADF personnel serving in
East Timor have enjoyed a pre-Christmas
concert led by Australian musicians and
entertainers as part of the 17th Force
Entertainment Tour.
Australian singer-songwriter John
Schumann, best known for his song I Was
Only 19, said the Tour was something he has
wanted to do for a long time.
Final flight for Caribou
“It is terrific to be here with this community of
men and women who selflessly represent our
interests overseas,” Mr Schumann said.
30 November - The Australian War Memorial
received one of the recently-retired Caribou aircraft
after it made its final flight from RAAF Base
Richmond.
One aircraft was also received by the RAAF
Museum at Point Cook.
“Australia’s Caribou have had an illustrious
career over the last 45 years, and their record is
a testament to all who worked on and flew the
aircraft,” Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel
and Science Greg Combet said in tribute to the
Caribou.
As an interim measure, the Caribou fleet has
been replaced by the King Air aircraft, providing a
modern and efficient transport capability.
PNG Diggers laid
to rest
1 December - The remains of four Australian
8
Lieutenant Logan was killed the following year by
a Japanese sniper during the 2nd/12th Battalion’s
attack on Giropa Point at Buna.
The ceremony at PNG’s Bomana Cemetery featured
an honour guard provided by the Australian Army,
with Australia’s Federation Guard firing volleys
over the graves and the Last Post played by a
bugler.
Minister farewells
troops
4 December - Defence Minister John Faulkner
farewelled 140 ADF personnel as they deployed to
operations in Afghanistan and East Timor.
soldiers killed during WWII have been laid to rest
The deploying members form part of the Force
at a cemetery in Papua New Guinea.
Communications Unit 3 (FCU 3) and the Force
Lance Sergeant James Garrard Wheeler and
Communications Element 3 (FCE 3) and will provide
Lieutenant Talbot Logan were buried beside
communications and information systems in
“A lot of these guys have families and I watch
them line up at the telephones at night to call
home. I think you really have to come here and see
that to understand it emotionally.”
Comedian Gary Bradbury, who served in the
Australian Army from 1986 to 1993, praised the
troops for their sense of humour.
“In the Army everyone has a pretty good sense of
humor and I was always around guys who would
want to make wise cracks,” Mr Bradbury said.
“They like a laugh even though they are doing a
tough job.”
The tour, known as Tour de Force, is organised to
bring cheer to Service personnel who are deployed
overseas.
Navy missile launch
18 December - HMAS Melbourne demonstrated
the Navy’s updated naval air defence capability
with the firing of a Standard Missile (SM 2) off
Jervis Bay.
two unidentified sets of remains marked with a
support of operations Slipper and Astute.
headstone Known Unto God.
Senator Faulkner also visited the Sydney-based
Lance Sergeant Wheeler and Lieutenant Logan
2nd Commando Regiment to see demonstrations of
were a two-man Australian Artillery Forward
commando capability and to meet with soldiers.
Observation Party from 51st Battery, 2/1 Field
“The commando war roles and domestic counter
Regiment (RAA) acting in support of the US Army.
terrorism capability demonstrations I have seen
Lance Sergeant Wheeler was killed during fighting
here today certainly highlight their critical role and
“This missile firing was the first time a SM 2 has
been fired from an Adelaide class frigate,” Mr
Combet said.
around Soputa-Sanananda Track in December 1942.
unique capabilities,” Senator Faulkner said.
“The missile was prepared, launched and
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
LEFT: Standard Missile 2 Acceptance Test and
Evaluation firing in the East Australian Exercise
Area on HMAS MELBOURNE, the first firing of its
kind. Photo: ABIS Andrew Dakin
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and
Science Greg Combet said the SM 2 would be
further enhanced throughout the next year.
supported in flight before engaging a target.”
Mr Combet said Melbourne was now equipped
with two modern missile systems to combat antiship missiles and aircraft.
“HMAS Melbourne is an Adelaide class guided
missile frigate (FFG) that has completed the
multi-million dollar FFG Upgrade Program and
has recently undergone additional SM-2 related
alterations to its combat system,” Mr Combet said
Army band rocks
Middle East
07 January - The 1st Battalion’s Royal Australian
Regiment Band finished a three-week tour to the
Middle East, performing rock concerts, Christmas
carols and jazz sessions for the troops.
Musical Director Major Dan Hiscock said the
tour was a culmination of almost six months of
planning.
“We worked on programs, arranging charts, coming
up with not only the concerts, but also music trivia,
karaoke and all the different contingencies that we
might be faced with,” Major Hiscock said.
“Kabul, which was our first stop, was bitterly cold
and we struggled with that.
“Instruments aren’t designed to be played in zero
or sub-zero temperatures…but it worked out
okay.”
Heron takes to
Afghan skies
13 January - The first Australian-leased Heron
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has started initial
operations in Afghanistan.
The UAV will help deliver high resolution, real-time
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
information to ADF commanders.
With a maximum speed of more than 180 kph, the
one-tonne aircraft can operate for more than 24
hours at altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.
Working under a one-year contract with the option
to extend, the UAV was selected after a detailed
examination of available off-the-shelf ISR systems.
It is expected to be fully mission capable in the
Prince William
visits Holsworthy
20 January - His Royal Highness Prince William
joined officers and soldiers for a live fire exercise
at NSW’s Holsworthy Barracks.
Drawing on his military training at RMA Sandhurst
College in the UK, the Prince headed to the
Marksmanship Training Range to fire an Australianissue F88 Austeyr rifle and the F89 Minimi machine
gun.
Reportedly on target, Prince William then made
a personal request to meet privately with Special
Operations Command soldiers.
The Prince also visited Admiralty House for lunch
with the Governor-General Quentin Bryce before
travelling to Redfern to meet with Aboriginal
elders.
coming months following an initial training period.
Prince William last visited Australia in 1983 when
he was just nine-months-old.
New Wedgetail
agreement
BELOW: His Royal Highness Prince William chats
with soldiers from Alpha Company 3rd Battalion Royal
Australian Regiment (3 RAR) at Holsworthy Barracks.
19 January - A new five-year, $800 million
contract has been signed to support the Air Force’s
new fleet of Wedgetail aircraft.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and
Science Greg Combet said the contract with
Boeing would create more than 100 jobs in the
Newcastle area.
“It will also provide continued and new
The band then visited Camp Holland at Tarin
Kowt to host a carols by candlelight concert on
Christmas Eve followed by a rock concert that
afternoon.
employment for more than 100 personnel at
They also travelled to Kandahar for a series of New
Year concerts. Commander of Australian forces in
the Middle East Major General Mark Kelly said the
tour had been a great success.
Mr Combet said Boeing would also receive
“It has been appreciated by all JTF 633 personnel
who were able to see them perform, as well as
many of our coalition partners,” Major General
Kelly said.
enhance surveillance, air defence, fleet support
Amberley over the next 12 months, which will have
positive flow-on effects for local businesses,” Mr
Combet said.
maintenance, engineering and training support
from Boeing Defence Australia.
When fully operational, Wedgetail aircraft will
and coordination operations. Defence will
eventually acquire six Wedgetail aircraft at a cost
of more than $4 billion Australian dollars.
SECRETARY’S COLUMN
In-stride
adjustments
For the first edition of Defence Magazine this year, it seems timely to
discuss the changes we may be facing in 2010, both big and small,
and the views that I have on how best we are to manage them.
I would also like to acknowledge the many
implementation. The details are soon to go before
end goal will not change, but we must reach
changes (for the better) that have taken place
Government, and until they are approved, we are
it in a flexible way. One of the useful phrases I
across Defence in the past 12 months, and the
unable to talk to you fully about them.
have learned since I arrived in August last year is
people that have worked hard to ensure these
I am sure that this is frustrating for many of you,
“in-stride adjustment” – those small changes you
changes have been successful.
as well as for our industry partners and suppliers.
make in the course of a journey or mission that
One important change has been the way Defence
I am expecting, however, that this situation will
help you reach your endpoint.
has started to turn around some perceptions of our
soon be resolved and that an extensive program
Engaging with Defence people will be critical in
ability to manage our finances. We are now seen
of communication will commence about the
making those adjustments – we will talk to you
to be better in a financial and budgetary sense.
implementation details and impact of the SRP once
about what is happening and what we expect, and
We have done some hard work and as a result
Government agrees the details of the plans.
we will rely on your engagement and feedback in
our image has improved. This is an important step
I understand the importance of communication in
making crucial decisions about where to adjust
managing change effectively and we are looking
our plans.
There are others worth highlighting, and that is
for ways to improve internal communication in this
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the
what this edition of Defence Magazine is about. It
organisation.
interview on pages 24-25 with Defence’s Minister
We face problems in achieving this given
for Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet.
Defence’s size and complexity, but effective
It is a frank and useful discussion about what he
change will not take place unless we focus more,
sees lying ahead for Defence in the area of his
as leaders, on communicating with our people.
portfolio. This includes better services in ADF
This was very clear to me in my role as Secretary
Health, improving the recruitment and retention of
There are articles from PSP (p26-27) about using
for the Department of Finance and Deregulation.
women in the ADF, and improving processes and
the Defence Families Survey information for
People need to understand the context and drivers
links between DMO, DSTO and the relevant parts
workforce planning and change. A more personal
for change if they are to support and participate
of Defence.
angle on change can be seen in an interview with
actively in it.
Insights such as this into the thoughts and
Another important characteristic of an effective
priorities of our Ministers are valuable to all of us
change program is flexibility. In the coming years,
and a reminder of the wider context in which we
we must have the commonsense to allow for
operate every day, and will help us keep our eye on
adjustments when they become necessary. That
the end goal.
forward.
focuses on people in Defence who have made an
assessment that our business could be improved
in some way or another, gaining efficiency
and delivering a better service to the ADF, the
Department and the Government.
graduates of the Defence Indigenous Development
Program (p38-39), who discuss how their
involvement has impacted on their lives.
Much of the progress we have made toward a
more efficient business in the past 12 months has
not been about the Strategic Reform Program – but
in the coming years the SRP will feature as the
most important change program ever attempted by
this organisation.
CDF, myself and the members of the Defence
Committee are aware that we are not yet in a
position to share with you the full details of the
work that has been done to prepare us for SRP
10
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
“One of the useful military terms I have learned since
I arrived in August last year is “in-stride adjustment” –
those small changes you make in the course of a journey
or mission that help you reach your endpoint.”
– Secretary of Defence, Dr Ian Watt
CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE FORCE’S COLUMN
Turning the tide
in Afghanistan
As we begin a new year in Defence, we are celebrating a wonderful
individual achievement with the naming of Trooper Mark Donaldson
as Young Australian of the Year 2010.
I think Trooper Mark Donaldson, VC, is a very
worthy recipient of this great honour, and I am very
pleased that he has received further recognition for
his bravery under fire.
I don’t think Mark would mind that I also
consider his naming as Young Australian of
the Year to be representative of all the wonderful
young people that we have in the Australian
Defence Force (ADF).
In this month’s column, I have chosen to highlight
the progress we are making in Afghanistan. I think
it is important to bear in mind that, to a large
extent, the people that are out there delivering
these excellent outcomes are our young people.
They are very dedicated and courageous in serving
our nation and have a great generosity of spirit.
That’s why I think it is very appropriate that our
nation’s current Young Australian of the Year is a
serving member of the ADF.
Trooper Donaldson is a wonderful ambassador,
not only for the ADF, but more importantly, for our
nation. I am very proud of him, and indeed, I am
very proud of all our young people on operations
doing the hard yards for Australia.
place that will enable the people of Afghanistan
to build a better future.
Central to this strategy is: an innovative counter
insurgency approach; a focus on protecting the
people of Afghanistan; and the need to train the
Afghan National Security Forces so they can
independently manage their own security.
I also welcome the 37,000 additional Coalition
troops and more than 50,000 Afghan Security
Forces that will join this operation in 2010. This
builds on last year’s almost 30,000 additional
American troops. I think we now have the right
leadership, the right strategy and the right level of
resourcing in order to turn the situation around.
In terms of recent ADF mission progress, I am very
pleased that the Australian contingent in Tarin
Kowt has adapted well to the change in campaign
focus to population support and protection. This
has been very evident during the past few months
with joint Australian and Afghan operations in the
Mirabad Valley region.
On all of our operations, I have no hesitation
in saying that our people continue to perform
exceedingly well. They are proving flexible,
adaptive and responsive to a wide range of
challenges and are meeting our commitments
diligently and compassionately.
A recent operation, called Pelatel Man’a, involved
the Oruzgan-based ANA 4th Brigade, Mentoring
and Reconstruction Task Force-2, Dutch soldiers,
and other ISAF partners. This operation located
more than 30 weapons caches, containing rocketpropelled grenades and mortars, Improvised
Explosive Device components and thousands
of rounds of small arms ammunition. These
operations are critical to our training mission.
In terms of our largest and most complex
operation, I am of the opinion that the tide
is now turning in Afghanistan. Following the
60-day assessment by Commander International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF), General
Stanley McChrystal, last year, there is now a
comprehensive civil/military strategy being put in
In fact, the Afghan Platoon commander with
the 2nd Infantry Kandak, said the operation has
boosted his soldiers’ confidence, reinforcing
their belief that they can defeat the insurgency.
Additionally, our Special Operations Task Group
(SOTG) recently held shuras with community
leaders to assess their security needs and
requirements for humanitarian assistance.
Also involved in the mission were SOTG medics
who conducted several health clinics, treating
approximately 200 people in three valleys.
“On all of our operations,
I have no hesitation in
saying that our people
continue to perform
exceedingly well. They are
proving flexible, adaptive
and responsive to a
wide range of challenges
and are meeting our
commitments diligently
and compassionately.”
– Chief of the Defence Force,
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston
These recent operations have highlighted the
benefits of engaging with the local population. In
2010 we will continue to foster positive relations
with locals and bolster their confidence in seeking
assistance from ISAF and the Government of
Afghanistan. This approach is working very well
and we are slowly creating the conditions required
to transition security to Afghan security forces.
This transition will be a key consideration for
our operational planners as we monitor progress
during the coming 12 months.
defence magazine
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11
PICTORIAL
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- ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
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Tattoo honours for
Federation Guard
7
By Andrew Stackpool
Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) obtained a
double honour recently when it mounted guards
at the opening and closing ceremonies of the
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The AFG performed a tri-service Guard of
Honour and Royal Guard that saluted the visiting
dignitaries, including the CDF and GovernorGeneral, each night.
Some 130 members of the AFG’s 170-strong unit
participated in the Tattoo. Of these, 106 were on
parade as the AFG, 15 were seconded to a joint
Australian/British contingent and the remainder
undertook other ceremonial duties.
Officer Commanding Major Brendan Kellaway
described the Tattoo as a spectacular event.
“Australia’s Federation Guard has now served
alongside the most exclusive drill, pipe and
drum units in the world.
“We formally opened the Tattoo with a 100-rifle
volley and then a Royal Salute. We also led the
Grand Finale each night, which was an honour
and experience that our sailors, soldiers and
airmen will not forget,” MAJ Kellaway said.
While the Tattoo celebrated 60 years of valour,
mateship and glory between the defence forces
of Australia and the United Kingdom, 2010 also
marks the 10th birthday of the AFG - Australia’s
premier ceremonial unit.
to visiting heads of state, and a variety of
ceremonial performances, both in Australia and
overseas.
Coming from the three services, the AFG’s men
and women bring with them a diversity of skills
and backgrounds. All members of the Guard
must meet the selection criteria, which are a
pass for service fitness tests, a BMI of less than
30 and a recommendation from their former
Commanding Officer.
4
1
The top 10 reasons why ADF members should
consider a tour in the AFG are:
8
› travel around Australia and the world
› interact with the men and women of the
sister services
› the pride of being part of the ADF’s premier
ceremonial unit
› undertake adventure training and personal
development programs
5
› challenging, exciting and rewarding
2
experiences not available to other units in
the ADF
› opportunities to study
› the chance to join the ADF’s precision drill
team
› welcoming all visiting heads of state and
government to Australia
The Guard was first stood up in March 2000 to
provide ceremonial support to the Centenary of
Federation; hence the name, and that year, also
supported the Olympic Games in Sydney.
› provide some family stability following
It has since provided a wide range of Royal,
Vice Regal and other special guards, welcomes
› honour Australia’s military history and
any high-tempo posting or operational
deployment, and
6
9
traditions.
3
12
1. Members of the Australian Army Band perform in the Edinburgh Military
Tattoo at the Sydney Football Stadium. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
3. Members from the Military Band of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army
perform in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
5. Members from The New Zealand Army Band perform in the Edinburgh Military
Tattoo. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
8. Members from the Royal Australian Navy Band perform in the Edinburgh
Military Tattoo at the Sydney Football Stadium. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
2. Members of the Middlesex Country Volunteers, from the United States of
America, perform at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
4. Members from Switzerland’s Top Secret Drum Corps perform in the
Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Sydney Football Stadium. Photo: LACW Casey
Gaul
6. Members of The OzScot Highland Dancers perform in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
9. Members from the New South Wales Police Mounted Detachment perform
in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
7. The full cast of the Military Tattoo at the end of the show. Photo: LAC Luke Morris
defence magazine
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13
NEWS
Stalwart bows out
of public affairs arena
ABOVE: Commanding Officer of
HMAS Stirling Captain Brett Dowsing
congratulates Vic Jeffery after almost
30 years of service to Fleet Base West.
Photo: Defence Public Affairs-WA
By Jack Foster
Riding the media storm during the 1997 rescue of British sailor
Tony Bullimore remains a career highlight for Defence public affairs
stalwart Vic Jeffery, retiring after nearly three decades of peaks and
troughs at HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.
14
Taking part in a non-stop round-the-world race,
Other career highlights include seeing the first four
lone yachtsman Tony Bullimore was found
female RAAF pilots to graduate at No. 2 Flying
by HMAS Adelaide days after going missing,
Training School at RAAF Base Pearce, handling the
reportedly surviving on chocolate in a small air
commissioning of HMAS Collins in Adelaide, and
pocket underneath his capsized vessel.
the opening of Stirling’s submarine escape training
“We had the eyes of the world on HMAS Adelaide
facility and submarine school.
Traced back to summer holidays spent watching
and other support elements of the ADF for a week
“I have been lucky enough to watch Stirling’s
Royal Australian Navy corvettes port close to the
in 1997,” Vic said. “I was getting phone calls in
growth from a fleet support facility to the
once sleepy town of Rockingham, Vic’s Garden
the middle of the night from foreign journalists
magnificent fleet base and environmental
Island career has also allowed him to pursue a
with thick accents from across the globe.
showpiece it is today,” Vic said.
passion for naval history in the region.
“The HMAS Stirling switchboard recorded 895
Nearly a year after the Bullimore rescue, Vic said
calls to our public relations office and 477 outgoing
managing the media in the days following the
“One of my proudest achievements was creating
calls in a 44-hour period. That of course did not
HMAS Westralia fire, during which four Navy
include the out-of-hours calls from the UK and
personnel died, were professionally some his
France.”
darkest.
“It is a history of Garden Island and the Navy in
His efforts during the rescue earned Vic an award
“In company with HMAS Stirling’s Commanding
WA and not part of the Naval Historical Collection.
for excellence from the Public Relations Institute
Officer, Commander Alan Johnston, we were
It is very popular with tours and school groups and
of Australia.
holding back the media hordes on that terrible day
is obviously something I am extremely proud of.”
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
and night, and the subsequent follow up,” Vic said.
“There were many acts of gallantry and mateship
aboard Westralia and I must admit it’s never far
from the surface.”
the Western Australian Naval Museum and
Environmental Centre at Garden Island,” Vic said.
Defence supports
people with disabilities
Defence celebrated International Day of People with Disability
with a series of events across the country on 4 December 2009.
• HMAS Newcastle celebrated the day with
the Hunter Orthopaedic School – the ship’s
nominated charity. The school provides support
for 40 local students with disabilities from
pre-school to Year 12. Through Operation Think
Big, which included a black tie event on board
the ship, HMAS Newcastle raised more than
$53,000 for the school and purchased a 12-seat
Ford Transit school bus, including maintenance
coverage for three years.
• Defence Support Liverpool Military Area
(DS-LMA) at Holsworthy Barracks celebrated
with a morning tea attended by more than 40
staff and raising $84 for Vision Australia. Kristy
Quigg, Defence Disability Network member
and host of the morning tea, spoke about what
the day meant. Kristy explained her disability
and that, thanks to support from Defence, she
was able to be a valuable team member at
DS-LMA. Kristy highlighted that disabilities
can be temporary or permanent and range from
physical disabilities to things that may not be
outwardly visible. Kristy is looking forward
to the 2010 event and potentially expanding
the celebrations to the whole of Holsworthy
Barracks.
The day also marked the first anniversary of the
launch of the Defence Disability Action Plan and
provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements
thus far, including the establishment of the
Defence Disability Network and also Defence
participation in the Stepping Into… Program.
The Defence Disability Network is open to APS
and ADF with and without disabilities. Network
members are not required to disclose their
disability status – the only criterion for joining is
that you be committed to progressing disability
issues in Defence.
The Stepping Into... Program provides work
experience to university students with disabilities.
In addition to providing experience for students
with disabilities, it has also benefitted Defence by
developing the supervisory skills of staff.
Placements are Canberra-based and occur during
the mid-year or end of the year university holidays
for a period of four to eight weeks.
Fairness and Resolution (FR) Branch would like
to hear from Defence areas and staff interested
in joining the Defence Disability Network, or
participating in the Stepping Into… Program.
Further information is on the Fairness and
Resolution Branch Intranet site.
ABOVE: CDG Celebrates - Chief Capability Development Group
Vice Admiral Matt Tripovich (centre) celebrated International
Day of People with Disability with Defence Disability Network
members Virginia Dixon and Scott Monson.
One opportunity
can change a life
Capability Development Group (CDG) celebrated
International Day of People with Disabilities with a
group morning tea.
Chief CDG Vice Admiral Matt Tripovich highlighted
the story of Director Capability Support Scott
Monson, whose former supervisors Colonel Neil
Greet and Lieutenant Colonel Bob Gibson supported
him to undertake specialist training to improve his
communication skills to manage a stutter.
Scott addressed the crowd, saying that while he
never saw his stutter as a disability, he certainly
understood what it was like to be treated as
somebody different and to be judged solely on his
inability to speak fluently.
Scott also spoke about dealing with perceptions
and how some people automatically judged his
abilities as a stutterer. Scott emphasised that
his supervisors saw underlying capabilities and,
although the stutter was not caused by Defence,
they supported him undertaking training that could
improve his ability to communicate effectively at
all levels.
Scott summed up the impact of this support with
the statement “one opportunity can change a life”.
Since undertaking this Defence-supported training,
Scott has become a confident speaker who has
enhanced his contribution at work and developed
personally. He can now confidently present his
ideas and is establishing a program to help teens
who stutter.
VADM Tripovich commended Scott and his former
supervisors for their forward thinking. The rewards
of this foresight have been reaped by Scott and
by Defence in the enhanced contribution Scott is
able to make. VADM Tripovich closed the event by
emphasising the support that Defence provides its
people and their families, saying: “If we don’t look
after each other, who will?”
ABOVE: The ship’s company of HMAS Newcastle presented a new school bus to the Hunter Orthopaedic School.
defence magazine
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15
NEWS
Commodore Ian Richard Middleton AM RAN - ACT
Lieutenant Colonel Timothy David Griggs CSC - ACT
For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy in a range of demanding
Command and management appointments and particularly as the Australian Navy
Surface Force Element Group Commander.
For outstanding achievement as Deputy Director Combat Support in Land
Development Branch, Capability Development Group, since January 2005.
Commodore Robyn Margaret Walker AM RAN - ACT
For exceptional service as a medical officer in the Australian Defence Force.
Brigadier Ian Ross Errington AM CSC - ACT
For exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force as a Project Director
in the Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq and as Head of
Australian Defence Staff in Jakarta.
Brigadier Andrew Alexander Nikolic AM CSC - ACT
For exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the field of
operations and international policy.
Colonel Bruce McEwan Murray AM - VIC
For exceptional service to the Army in the fields of career management,
personnel and training, in particular as the Commanding Officer of the School
of Military Engineering and as the Commanding Officer of the Soldier Career
Management Agency.
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Nicholas James AM - ACT
NON OPERATIONAL
AWARDS
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
in the Military Division
Lieutenant General David John Hurley AC DSC - ACT
For eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as Chief of Capability Development
Group, Chief of Joint Operations and Vice Chief of the Defence Force.
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
in the Military Division
Vice Admiral Russell Harry Crane AO CSM RAN - ACT
For distinguished service as Deputy Chief of Navy and as Chief of Navy.
Major General Anthony Peter Fraser AO CSC - ACT
For distinguished service to the Army in the fields of aviation and project management as
Director General Army Aviation Systems Branch and Head Helicopter Systems Division in
the Defence Materiel Organisation.
Major General David Lindsay Morrison AO - NSW
For distinguished service to the Army in the fields of training and education, military
strategic commitments and force structure and capability, in particular as Commander
Australian Defence College, Head Military Strategic Commitments and Deputy Chief
of Army.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
in the Military Division
Rear Admiral Trevor Norman Jones AM CSC RAN - ACT
For exceptional service as the Director General Navy Capability, Performance
and Plans and as the Director General Military Strategic Commitments.
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Alan Skidmore AM - NSW
For exceptional service as the Air Commander Australia, as the Director General-Air
Joint Operations Command, and as the Joint Force Air Component Commander.
For exceptional service and leadership as the Staff Officer Grade One Personnel
of Headquarters 1st Division from 2005 to 2007 and as Commanding Officer of the
2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment from 2007 to 2009.
Wing Commander Jason Gregory Murray AM, NSW
For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Air Force in the fields of project
management, aircraft engineering and technical training.
Wing Commander Simon Cullen Sauer AM CSC, QLD
For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Air Force as Staff Officer Force
Protection at Headquarters Combat Support Group and as Commanding Officer,
Royal Australian Air Force Security and Fire School.
Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
Captain Raymond John Leggatt CSC RAN - NSW
For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer HMAS Watson and as the
Training Authority Maritime Warfare.
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
For outstanding achievement as Staff Officer Grade One and Acting Director
Supply Chain Operations, Headquarters Joint Logistics Command, Melbourne.
Lieutenant Colonel James Angus McTavish CSC - NSW
For outstanding achievement as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters,
Army Recruit Training Centre.
Wing Commander Philip Blair Arms CSC - NT
For outstanding achievement as Deputy Director, Aircrew Sustainability Project.
Wing Commander David Russell Ashworth CSC - ACT
For outstanding achievement as Commanding Officer Number 1 Recruit Training Unit.
Wing Commander Nicholas Clarke CSC - ACT
For outstanding achievement as the Staff Officer Grade 1 Satellite Communications in
the Directorate of Communications and Network Operations within the Chief Information
Officer Group.
Major Peter Sean Francis Carnes CSC - VIC
For outstanding achievement as the Staff Officer Grade Two Simulation Operations
in Army Simulation Wing, Land Warfare Development Centre.
Major Wayne Lee Gough CSC - QLD
For outstanding achievement as the Chief of Plans, Unit-level Mission Rehearsal Exercises,
Combat Training Centre Live, Combat Training Centre.
For outstanding achievement in providing logistics support as Commanding Officer
10th Force Support Battalion.
Group Captain Gary James Martin AM CSC - ACT
For outstanding achievement as the Director C-17A Transition Team during
the introduction of the C-17A Globemaster III aircraft into service.
Commander Paul Karpo Mandziy CSC RAN - ACT
For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Manoora.
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Charles Brumley CSC - VIC
For outstanding achievement over time as a Staff Officer in the
Force Development Group of the Land Warfare Development Centre.
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gerard Flanagan CSC - QLD
“Even though I have been singled out, I feel the award is a reflection of the pride
Australians have for their men and women in uniform,” Trooper Donaldson said.
“Not many other professions or trades demand as much of its members, and the
contribution they make to society is unique.”
Trooper Donaldson was awarded the Victoria Cross for acts of bravery in
Afghanistan. His actions ensured the safety of his comrades, and saved the life
of a coalition force interpreter.
For outstanding achievement as the Catering Services Manager, Fleet Logistic Support
Element, HMAS Cairns in the provision of Catering Services and training.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
in the Military Division
Group Captain Alan David Holtfreter CSC OAM - NSW
Commander Michael Dermot MacNeill OAM RAN - NSW
Colonel Cameron Leigh Purdey CSC - ACT
Trooper Donaldson described the award as a great honour.
Petty Officer Richard Allan Currie CSC - QLD
For meritorious service in the field of Military Air Traffic Control capability.
For outstanding achievement as the Commander’s Education, Training and
Development advisor at Headquarters Training Command-Army.
The honour comes a year after Trooper Donaldson became the first Australian
Defence Force member in almost 40 years to be awarded the Victoria Cross –
Australia’s highest military honour.
For outstanding achievement as the Warrant Officer Engineer at Number 37 Squadron.
For outstanding achievement as the Officer-in-Charge of the Rotary Wing Section in
the Directorate of General Technical Airworthiness and as the Chief Engineer of the
Naval Aviation System Program Office.
Colonel William Parker Monfries CSC - NSW
Trooper Mark Donaldson VC hopes being awarded the 2010 Young Australian of
the Year earlier this year will inspire all Australians to do more for their country.
Warrant Officer Paul Robert Martin CSC - ACT
Captain Scott Jeffrey Lockey CSC RAN - ACT
For outstanding achievement as Commanding Officer, 42nd Battalion,
Royal Queensland Regiment and Rotation 15 of Combined Task Force 635,
Operation ANODE.
16
Lieutenant Colonel Henry William Marr CSC - VIC
VC winner named
Young Australian
of the Year
For meritorious service to the Royal Australian Navy in the field of Simulation and
Systems Support and Development, HMAS Watson, Commanding Officer of the
Australian Joint Acoustic Analysis Centre and as Director of the Air Warfare System
Centre, HMAS Albatross.
Major Ruth Margaret Hayes OAM - VIC
For meritorious service as the Employment Category Process Manager, Army Logistic
Training Centre and for service to the Australian Army Catering Corps.
Warrant Officer Brendan Andrew Woodsell OAM - WA
For meritorious service in the field of Combat Systems and as an outstanding
Warrant Officer in the Royal Australian Navy.
Warrant Officer Class One Raymond John Holze OAM - NSW
For meritorious service as the Unit Sergeant Major while employed at the Defence
National Storage and Distribution Centre.
Warrant Officer Class One Craig Thomas Howe OAM - NT
For meritorious service as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 10th/27th Battalion,
The Royal South Australian Regiment from 2006 to 2007 and the 5th Battalion,
The Royal Australian Regiment from 2008 to 2009.
Warrant Officer Class One Peter George Marsh OAM - NT
For meritorious service as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 9th Battalion,
The Royal Queensland Regiment from 2005 to 2006 and the 1st Battalion,
The Royal Australian Regiment from 2007 to 2008.
Trooper Mark Donaldson, VC, can now add the title of Young Australian of the Year after the
honour was bestowed at the 2010 Australia Day www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
awards.
17
defence magazine ›
NEWS
Warrant Officer Class One David Anthony Quirk OAM - VIC
Chief Petty Officer Neil Ian Chaplin CSM - WA
For meritorious service as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Combat Engineer
Regiment, Squadron Sergeant Major of the 21st Construction Squadron and Engineer Task
Group, 2nd Reconstruction Task Force, and as Career Manager Royal Australian Engineers.
For meritorious achievement as Deputy Marine Engineering Officer (Chief Artificer)
in HMAS Farncomb.
Warrant Officer Kevin Patrick Leahy OAM - QLD
Chief Petty Officer Benjamin Mark MacQueen CSM - NSW
For meritorious service to the Royal Australian Air Force in the field of ground engineering.
For meritorious achievement while employed as Chief Boatswain onboard the
Landing Platform Amphibious HMAS Manoora.
Warrant Officer Anthony James Lock OAM - NT
Flight Sergeant Adrian James Lee CSM - NSW
For meritorious service in the field of aircraft maintenance and in establishing
revised Royal Australian Air Force maintenance governance requirements.
For meritorious achievement as the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge
of Avionics Section at Number 3 Squadron.
Chief Petty Officer Kelvin Harris OAM - WA
Corporal Simon Lawrence Majewski CSM - NT
For meritorious service to the Anzac Class ships and as the Chief Petty Officer
in charge of Propulsion Systems onboard HMAS Toowoomba.
For meritorious achievement as a Section Commander and Acting Platoon Sergeant
within the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment and in the development,
training and deployment of the first Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team.
Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)
Commander Wendy Anne Bullen CSM RAN - ACT
For meritorious achievement as the Navy Graded Other Ranks Pay Case Coordinator
in support of Navy personnel.
Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Kohlmeyer CSM - VIC
For meritorious achievement as the Senior Instructor-Ordnance and Staff Officer Grade
One Development, Army Logistic Training Centre.
Wing Commander Stephen Trevor Mallett CSM - QLD
For meritorious achievement as Staff Officer Technical Capability at Headquarters
Combat Support Group, Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley.
Lieutenant Commander Scott Anthony Houlihan CSM RAN - NSW
For meritorious achievement and exceptional devotion to duty as the Port Services
Manager, Fleet Base East, HMAS Kuttabul.
Major James William Robins CSM - ACT
For meritorious achievement as Head of the Intelligence Section of the Counter
Improvised Explosive Device Task Force.
Major Selina Rowland CSM - ACT
For meritorious achievement as the Senior Instructor External Training Wing,
Royal Military College, Duntroon.
Public Service Medal (PSM)
Mister Kevin Douglas Slade PSM - NSW
For outstanding public service in the fields of hydographic charting and nautical
information.
OPERATIONAL AWARDS
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Lieutenant Colonel Shane Leslie Gabriel DSC - NT
For distinguished command and leadership in action while Commanding Officer, Mentoring
and Reconstruction Task Force 1 in Afghanistan from October 2008 to June 2009.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
in the Military Division
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart David Yeaman AM - QLD
For exceptional service as the Commander, Reconstruction Task Force Rotation Four,
during Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan from April to October 2008.
Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
LEFT: Corporal Ann Young from the Second Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force,
applies some tomato sauce to her Australia Day barbecue lunch at Camp Holland,
Afghanistan. Photo: SGT Mick Davis
RIGHT: HMAS Stuart celebrates Australia Day with a barbecue and cricket on the flight
deck whilst on patrol in the Gulf of Oman. Photo: LEUT Stuart Cayzer
Captain Paul William Graham DSM - NT
Commendation for Distinguished Service
For distinguished leadership in action as Officer Commanding Operational Mentoring
and Liaison Team 1, on Cemetery Hill West, Chora, Afghanistan 23 - 25 November 2008.
Captain Michael Joseph Noonan RAN - ACT
Lieutenant Jacob Alexander Kleinman DSM - NT
For distinguished performance of duties as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task
Force 633, Middle East Area of Operations from September 2008 to March 2009.
For distinguished leadership in action as Officer Commanding Operational Mentoring
and Liaison Team 3 in Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 and 18 March 2009.
Commander Jonathan David Sadleir RAN - ACT
Sergeant Adam John West DSM - NT
For distinguished leadership in action as a platoon mentor on Operation SLIPPER
with Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1 in southern Afghanistan.
Corporal Leon David Gray DSM - NT
For distinguished leadership in action while a section commander in 2 Platoon, Combat
Team Tusk, Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1, in action in the Chora Valley,
Afghanistan on 29 December 2008.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew John Hocking - ACT
For distinguished performance of duties as the Lead Planner, Coalition Joint Plans Branch
and as the Australian Senior National Representative on Headquarters International
Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Major Michael Lee Murdoch - QLD
Brigadier Michael John Arnold CSC - VIC
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
in the Military Division
For outstanding achievement as the Commander Joint Task Force 662 on Operation
VICFIRE ASSIST in February and March 2009.
Corporal Michael Anthony Cole OAM - NT
Warrant Officer Class Two Nathan Cole - NT
For meritorious service as the Senior Combat Engineer Mentor for the 4th Kandak
Battalion, Afghan National Army in Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1 in
Uruzgan Province.
For distinguished performance of duties in action as the Gun Line Section Commander,
Royal Australian Artillery Troop and Second-in-Command, Kajaki Gun Troop in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Jack Kade McEwan - QLD
For meritorious achievement as the Senior Engineering Officer at Number 11 Squadron.
For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while acting as an Operational
Mentoring and Liaison Team member at Kakarak on 4 January 2009.
Conspicuous Service Medal
Squadron Leader Adam Joshua Loong CSM - NSW
Lance Corporal David William Cox MG - NT
For distinguished performance of duties in action while a sniper team leader in Mentoring
and Reconstruction Task Force 1 in the Chora Valley, Afghanistan on the 23 November
2008.
For meritorious achievement as ‘B’ Flight Commander at Number 2 Operational
Conversion Unit.
For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while a rifleman and combat first aider
in Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1 at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009.
For meritorious achievement as the Battle Group Intelligence Officer, ANZAC East Timor
Battle Group Four.
Warrant Officer Class One Paul Michael Casey CSM - ACT
Lance Corporal Giancarlos Brasil Taraborrelli MG - NT
For meritorious achievement as the personnel establishment subject matter expert
in the Army Headquarters Organisation Section Review Team.
For gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances while an Operational Mentoring
and Liaison Team member at Kakarak, Afghanistan on 16 March 2009.
Warrant Officer Class One Birralee Ann King CSM - TAS
Distinguished Service Medal
Major Mark Anthony Scully CSM - ACT
For meritorious achievement as the Staff Officer Grade Two Employment Management,
Directorate of Workforce Management-Army.
Squadron Leader Stephen William Clarke CSM - QLD
For meritorious achievement as a Qualified Flying Instructor within Number 82 Wing.
Squadron Leader Nicholas Simon Elliott CSM - SA
For meritorious achievement as the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant of the
3rd Combat Service Support Battalion.
Warrant Officer Class One Colin Friar Speirs CSM - QLD
For meritorious achievement as the Electronics Counter Measures Warrant Officer
of the Army Explosive Hazards Centre.
Medal for Gallantry (MG)
Sergeant John Matthew Lines MG - NT
Major David William McCammon DSM - NT
For distinguished leadership in action while Officer Commanding, the Operational
Mentoring and Liaison Team, Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1 from
October 2008 to June 2009.
Captain Brendan Fredrick Hayward CSM - NSW
Commendation for Gallantry
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
For distinguished performance of duties while the Operations Officer, Reconstruction Task
Force Rotation Four during Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Thomas Bao-Jin Price - NT
For distinguished performance of duties as a combat first aider in a mass casualty
situation in the south of the Baluchi Valley, Afghanistan on 12 January 2009.
Corporal Bernard Ronald Ryan - NT
For gallantry in action while an advanced medical technician in the Operational Mentoring
and Liaison Team, at Kwajeh Ahmed, Afghanistan on 24 March 2009.
Corporal Scott Philip Tampalini - NT
For gallantry in action while an Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team member in
Afghanistan at Chora 19 December 2008, Kakarak 16 March 2009 and Sorkh Morgarb 18
March 2009.
Corporal Nathen Fane Albion Webb - NT
For gallantry in action while a section commander in 2 Platoon, Combat Team TUSK,
Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 1, in the Chora Valley Afghanistan on 29
December 2008.
18
For distinguished performance of duties as the Commander of Task Group 633.1
and Commanding Officer, HMAS Parramatta, Middle East Area of Operations from
August 2008 to January 2009.
Note: In addition to the above gazetted awards, the following awards have been received,
but the recipients cannot be identified for security reasons.
1 x Star of Gallantry
3 x Distinguished Service Cross
6 x Distinguished Service Medal
2 x Conspicuous Service Medal
1 x Commendation for Gallantry
6 x Commendation for Distinguished Service
defence magazine
›
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
19
NAVY
COUNTDOWN TO NEW
EXPEDITIONARY CAPABILITY
2010 Sea Power Conference
By Michael Brooke
In 2014, the ADF will take into service a new expeditionary
capability that will literally tower overhead like a giant colossus.
The arrival of the 27,000-tonne HMAS Canberra,
the RAN’s first amphibious ship (LHD), will
mark the delivery of the initial elements of a
transformational capability that will form the
centre-piece of the ADF’s new expeditionary
capability.
The amphibious assault ship and her landing craft
will, in one step, replace the entire current ADF
amphibious shipping capability and exceed its
capacity for personnel, vehicle and aviation force
protection.
With her sister ship, HMAS Adelaide, and in
due course with a strategic sealift ship and
replacement heavy landing craft, the ADF will
possess the heart of a world-class amphibious
warfare capability.
The enormity of the challenge of integrating this
new capability has been realised by the ADF which
will take delivery of the LHDs in 2014 and 2016.
Chief of Navy VADM Russ Crane said the LHDs will
form a key part of the ADF’s broader amphibious
deployment and sustainment system.
The opportunities and challenges were discussed
by more than 250 senior ADF officers as well
as foreign military delegations and defence
strategists at the 2010 Sea Power Conference in
Sydney recently.
A single LHD with 1000 embarked force bunks,
dedicated amphibious command and control
facilities, six helicopter operating spots and
hangers for more aircraft will rapidly embark a
combat team as its landing force, a small joint
amphibious task group HQ, a small aviation
element and other vital enablers such as medical
and logistic capability. This will have enormous
flexibility and utility in humanitarian aid, disaster
relief and evacuation contingencies.
The three Service chiefs told the Sea Power
Conference, entitled Combined and Joint
Operations from the Sea, that a new amphibious
capability not only poses many challenges but
will need to be a centrepiece of both Navy and
Army, requiring changes in thinking, priorities and
training.
“This is a great achievement with the steel being
cut by Navantia seven weeks ahead of schedule,”
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and
Science Mr Greg Combet said.
Lt-Gen Gillespie said that Army needed to prepare
itself for the arrival of the first LHD in March 2014.
He said the ADF must be ready for this leadingedge expeditionary capability which is essential
to an expeditionary maritime strategy in the
Australian context.
“This large-scale platform improvement must
be accompanied by an equally large cultural and
doctrinal change if our nation is to best benefit
from this significant investment in capability,” he
said.
“Under the project the Spanish shipbuilder
Navantia is the design authority and is
subcontracted to BAE Systems Australia to
construct and fit out the hulls of two large
amphibious ships for the ADF,” Mr Combet said.
“Within Army we are currently having the
necessary broad-based debate about what
change is required to maximise on our emerging
amphibious capability.
“I am pleased to report that the LHD project is
on schedule, with whole of ship design reviews
completed and the keel laying of LHD 01 taking
place exactly one year to the day from first steel
being cut.
VADM Crane said the LHD ships’ company is
testament to this with a significant number of
soldiers permanently posted to the ship as well as
members of the Air Force.
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
Chief of Army Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie
and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin
spoke in detail about the challenges for the Army
and Royal Australian Air Force.
second LHD hull (Nuship Adelaide) at Navantia’s
shipbuilding yard in Ferrol, Spain.
VADM Crane said the future ADF amphibious
capability will be a truly joint capability.
“This maritime contribution to a joint campaign
is integrated joint expeditionary capability that
delivers rapid intervention and manoeuvre from the
sea and into the littoral,” he said.
20
“This has been recently discussed between the
Chief of Army and me, and we share the aspiration
to have landing force elements embarked
whenever a LHD puts to sea.”
The Commonwealth has contracted BAE Systems
Australia to provide two large Amphibious Ships
(LHDs) that will form part of the ADF’s broader
amphibious deployment and sustainment system.
CN said that the key elements of expeditionary
maritime power projection are maritime strike and
a littoral manoeuvre capability.
ABOVE: United States Commander Navy Sea Systems Command, Vice Admiral Kevin M. McCoy, meets with Chief of
Navy Vice Admiral Russ Crane at the 2010 Royal Australian Navy Sea Power Conference at the Sydney Convention Centre.
Photo: ABIS Hayley Clarke
ABOVE: Midshipmen on board HMAS Kanimbla look at a model of the new Landing Helicopter Dock ship.
Photo: LS Helen Frank
“To ensure that the amphibious capability
continues to develop and maintain a high level
of readiness, the optimum balance for embarking
landing force personnel is required,” VADM Crane
said.
“If we are to remain the best small Army in the
world then we need to be able to demonstrate
an ability to adapt, prepare, sustain and excel
as a component of a future ADF and regionally
dominant amphibious capability.”
The discussion about how the ADF can best
integrate its new expeditionary capability
coincided with the announcement that Navantia of
Spain has commenced construction of Australia’s
“After completion of LHD 01 and 02, both hulls will
be transported to Australia.”
The superstructures will then be constructed, fitted
out and integrated with the hulls at BAE Systems
Australia’s Williamstown dockyard.
“Once the hull arrives at Williamstown dockyard,
the combat system will be installed by SAAB
INSET: Members of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian
and foreign Defence Forces at the 2010 Royal Australian
Navy Sea Power Conference held at the Sydney Convention
and Exhibition Centre. Photo: ABIS Hayley Clarke
Systems Australia, which will also integrate the
combat management system,” Mr Combet said.
“The communications system will be supplied by
L-3 Communications.”
The next milestone will be the launch of LHD
01 in Spain in March 2011. LHD 01 will arrive
at Williamstown dockyard in 2012, with LHD 02
arriving in 2014.
defence magazine
›
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
21
MINISTERIAL & EXECUTIVE support
QUALITY, TIMELY
AND TARGETED ADVICE
Article submissions are welcomed from all areas of
Defence. All articles should have relevance to the
By Michael Weaver
Improving Defence’s parliamentary workflow
10,000 pieces of advice were processed by
MES in the form of ministerial submissions
and representations.
Managing this complex workload is a challenge
according to Assistant Secretary Ministerial and
Executive Support (MES) Ms Karen Creet. While
the feedback from the Ministers is generally
positive in terms of the quality of advice, there is a
concern that some of the material that is presented
to Ministers is not necessary, sometimes it is
directed to the wrong Minister, and the timeline for
consideration is too short.
“While the development of quality and timely
advice is core business for Defence, more
consideration needs to be given towards the
nature of advice to be provided, the need for that
advice, and the best means for it to be conveyed,”
Ms Creet said.
Working with the ministers’ chiefs of staff and
advisers, the MES team developed initiatives
to reduce the volume of paperwork so that
advice is relevant to the respective minister and
submissions include critical information only.
One of the main areas identified to lessen the
flow of paperwork is to reduce the need for copies
“As a rule though, we are seeking to reduce
the significant burden on ministers that comes
with them being copied in to a large volume of
paperwork that is not of direct relevance to their
particular duties,” Ms Creet said.
Ministerial submissions are required where
there is a need for ministerial approval, at critical
milestones on a project or the development of an
issue where there are major sensitivities. Email
updates or a meeting with advisers should be
considered as this may be sufficient to keep the
relevant office informed.
In addition, our departmental liaison officers
are well placed to provide specific guidance
to action areas on the best means of getting
information to Ministers, and to assist on the
nature of advice required.
provided in 2008/09 financial year, action areas
have now been directed to only copy the other
Minister or Parliamentary Secretary by exception.
However, Ms Creet said judgement must also be
exercised to ensure the reduction in paperwork
does not compromise the ministers’ ability to
perform their duties.
“Clearly there will be a need to exercise judgement
on this matter and there will be instances in which
those drafting or signing the submission will seek
to err on the side of caution.
22
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
To improve the quality and reduce the
quantity of paperwork going to ministers,
as a rule, advice should always be:
› Defence Legal
authors should consider how the content of their
Minister for Defence Personnel,
Materiel and Science
the wider community.
› Succinct and direct
The editorial team has introduced monthly themes as
a way of streamlining content and providing cohesion
› Accurate
- Pay and superannuation
to each edition. The 2010 themes are as follows:
Ministers are sometimes frustrated when
› Timely
- Equity and diversity policy
a submission within their allocated portfolio
› Necessary.
- Personnel support
Who needs to know?
- Housing policy
responsibilities is addressed to another minister,
potentially delaying the consideration of advice.
› Well-coordinated
› Considered
Before drafting advice, originators should
answer the following three questions:
- Health
› Is the advice really necessary? Why does
the Minister/Parliamentary Secretary
need it?
- DMO
of Ministerial and Parliamentary Liaison Services,
› Who should receive this advice?
are available to provide advice on allocated
› What is the best means to convey the
advice: ministerial submission, email,
phone call, meeting?
-Industry capacity, structure,
policy and engagement
In some instances the minister is only aware of an
issue when advised by his ministerial colleague, or
provided an information copy of a submission when
they should have been the primary addressee.
Staff across MES, in particular the Directorate
portfolio responsibilities and the requirements of
our two Ministers and the Parliamentary Secretary.
Regular updates on the website also reflect the key
preferences of the ministers, along with policy and
procedures for ministerial advice.
Division of Portfolio
Responsibilities between
the Ministers and the
Parliamentary Secretary
“Defence is a large and complex organisation,
and knowing which minister is responsible for
a particular matter can sometimes be difficult
to determine, but it is imperative that we get
this right,” Ms Creet said.
› Defence Materiel and Industry Policy
- Tendering and Contracting
- Sustainment issues
- Skills policy
- Equipment Disposal
› Defence Science and Technology
Organisation
Parliamentary Secretary
for Defence Support
Minister for Defence
› Garrison services and administration
of Defence estate policy
› General
› Facilities, infrastructure and property
-Oversight of all aspects
of Defence portfolio
› Reserves policy
- Lead on all Cabinet submissions
One of the other major challenges in supporting
our ministers is ensuring that advice is addressed
to the minister who has responsibility for
the subject matter based on their allocated
portfolio responsibilities.
article will affect Defence personnel at all levels and
- Recruitment and Retention
– Assistant Secretary Ministerial and Executive Support (MES) Ms Karen Creet
Which Minister?
or achievements of a particular Group or Service,
- Workforce planning
of advice to be sent to other ministers for their
information. With some 3000 information copies
› Military Justice System
Themes for 2010
“While the development of quality and timely advice is core
business for Defence, more consideration needs to be given
towards the nature of advice to be provided, the need for
that advice, and the best means for it to be conveyed.”
whole of Defence and, while describing the activities
Advice to ministers
› Personnel policy
Ministerial and Executive Support (MES) Branch has reviewed the parliamentary workflow in conjunction
with the Ministers’ offices, and has identified processes that will improve the provision of advice to our two
Ministers and the Parliamentary Secretary.
During the last financial year more than
Tell your story in
Defence Magazine
Issue Theme
Issue 1 (FEB) Change
Issue 2 (MAR) Innovation
Issue 3 (APR) Governance / Reform
Issue 4 (MAY) Leadership
Issue 5 (JUN) Enablers
Issue 6 (JUL) Community
Issue 7 (AUG) Developing Our People
Issue 8 (SEP) Diversity
Issue 9 (OCT) Collaboration
Issue 10 (NOV/DEC) Year in review / Open
Where possible, monthly themes should be adhered
to by contributors. Should your Group or Service
have a message with relevance to the whole of
Defence that does not match the applicable monthly
theme, please contact the Editor on (02) 6265
7117. If the subject of an article means it requires
timely publication in a particular edition, this may
be accommodated provided the editorial team is
contacted early enough.
Deadlines for submissions
All submissions should be made to the editor team
› Cadets
via email to [email protected] by
the deadline nominated for each month:
DEFENCE MAGAZINE SURVEY
› Operations and Intelligence
› Asia-Pacific Civil Military Centre of
Excellence (APCM-COE) and Asia Pacific
Centre Military Law
Defence Magazine seeks your input to help create
› International Policy
› Honours and Awards
Issue 3 (APR) 2 APR for publish week of 26 APR
a product that reflects the views of its readers.
› White Paper Implementation
› Nature of Service Review
Issue 4 (MAY) 5 MAY for publish week of 24 MAY
take no longer than five minutes to complete, and
› Force Structure
› Defence education and training
Issue 5 (JUN) 2 JUNE for publish week of 21 JUNE
will help shape the look and feel of Defence’s
› Strategic Reform Program
› ADF Parliamentary exchange program
› Budget and Finance
› Assist the Minister for Defence on
Information Technology
› Strategic Policy
We have put together a quick survey that will
primary corporate publication.
The survey is online only and can be accessed
from the following link:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/defencemagazine
› Defence estate policy and major projects
Issue Deadline
Issue 2 (MAR) 3 MAR for publish week of 22 MAR
Issue 6 (JUL) 2 JULY for publish week of 26 JULY
Issue 7 (AUG) 4 AUG for publish week of 23 AUG
Issue 8 (SEP) 3 SEP for publish week of 20 SEP
Issue 9 (OCT) 1 OCT for publish week of 25 OCT
Issue 10 (NOV/DEC) 12 NOV for publish week of 6 DEC
minister defence personnel,
materiel and science
The year ahead:
Three key areas of Greg Combet’s Defence portfolio include personnel,
materiel and science. Here he outlines the year ahead in each of these
areas:
Minister heralds
Personnel:
“We are looking to improve services in ADF health, to increase
diversity across the ADF and examine how the ADF can better support
Defence families.
CLIMATE
of CHANGE
By Michael Weaver
ABOVE: Greg Combet chats with Corporal Paul Walkington (left) and Corporal Rory Algate (right), with
Caribou tail behind, while visiting Defence and BAE Systems facilities in Townsville. Photo: Mark Brennan
Much has changed since Defence’s Minister for Personnel, Materiel and Science The Hon. Greg Combet made his first public
speech as the newly-appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement in January 2008.
Not only has Mr Combet’s appointment since
industry with stronger incentives to perform
also provide better notice to Navy and ships’ crews
changed, so too has the breadth and depth of
and innovate.”
of the planned location of maintenance patterns,
issues in his portfolio, which also includes the
An example of this was announced at the Pacific
Mr Combet said.More broadly, Mr Combet
non-Defence aligned role as Minister Assisting the
2010 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney.
foresees SRP challenges in the area of shared
Minister for Climate Change.
The initiative under the Start Sustainment program
services, and he is very encouraged by current
With change also in the air for the Department
involves reforms to the naval ship repair sector. Mr.
participation and cooperation across Defence to
of Defence, Mr Combet has little time to test
Combet said they will help shape Defence and its
produce efficiencies in this area.
the water in what has been heralded as an
relationship with the ship repair industry for the
“I think we can achieve a great deal if the three
election year.
next decade.
Services and the Defence Department work
Mr Combet will this year oversee some major
The principal element of the reform program is the
together, with a clear focus on systems reform,
establishment of long term performance based
cultural change, organisational development and,
contracts for repair and maintenance activities in
most importantly, leadership,” Mr Combet said.
lieu of the current arrangement that is based on
“The entire organisation has to get right behind
objectives dealing with future capability
development and acquisition, as the Department
begins building the force of 2030.
There will also be short and long-term measures
introduced to ensure the Minister’s core areas
of personnel, materiel and science remain robust.
And then there’s the Strategic Reform Program (SRP).
each and every maintenance activity.
These reforms will lead to greater certainty in the
naval ship repair sector allowing for increased
investment and better performance. This is good
To ensure SRP success, Mr Combet told Defence
for jobs, good for the taxpayer and good for the
Magazine that new relationships are being forged
Navy, Mr Combet said.
between Defence and industry, which will produce
far greater savings than mere budget cuts.
in the Smart Sustainment initiative by the batching
of our requirements.
SRP is seen as a strategic reform program and not
The Australian Government spends $150 million
per annum on major surface ship repair and
“A shift to long-term, performance-based
maintenance. We would expect to see significant
contracting, for instance, could deliver significant
savings from this reform because the companies
efficiencies at reduced cost. This will deliver real
who win these three large, long term contracts
efficiencies to the Defence Materiel Organisation
will be able to invest in their infrastructure, capital
and at the same time give more certainty to
equipment and their workforce. This initiative will
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
“In the materiel and science portfolio, the Mortimer reforms will streamline DSTO/
DMO contributions to capability decision-making.
“Finally, I want to deliver further programs and support services to
Defence families during this time of high operational tempo, when so
many of our personnel are away from their partners and children.”
“By bringing the DMO and DSTO into the capability development cycle earlier, we will
improve the process, reduce risk and ensure closer links between all parts of Defence
involved in capability development.”
Government as a whole, are absolutely convinced
that without these reforms, our future capability
plan as announced in the White Paper is
unachievable. We are equally convinced that the
targets.”
cuts tend to reward inefficiency. It is important that
“We’re looking to deliver a multicultural recruitment strategy, which
will outline some ideas on how we might expand diversity in the ADF.
“Minister Faulkner and I, and indeed the
ADF and the Department can achieve the reform
long-term reform envisaged, mainly because such
Materiel and Science:
Alignment is critical if these reforms to succeed.
Organisation will reform the Navy’s Major Fleet
Unit Repair and Maintenance program as outlined
ABOVE: Penny Davidson of Defence Families Australia, Greg Combet and former National
Convener for Defence Families Australia Nicole Quinn inspect a completed DHA home ready
for a family to move in. Photo: Mark Brennan
“CDF and I launched his Action Plan to recruit and retain more women
in the ADF. I would like to see this plan implemented this year. We
got off to a strong start with Navy committing to expand its Women’s
Leadership Program, and include a mentoring program.
the Secretary, the CDF and the Service chiefs.
Under these reforms, the Defence Materiel
“Budget cuts across the board will not deliver the
a strategic savings program,” Mr Combet said.
24
awarding a contract under a panel arrangement for
“Since the Government delivered the Dunt Review into Mental Health
and Transition Services, Joint Health Command has been working very
hard to drive reform and change in the mental health area. This year
I would like to see us deliver on these recommendations with more
mental health staff engaged and a stronger focus on regional mental
health support.
”It is important that SRP
is seen as a strategic
reform program and not a
strategic savings program”
– Minister for Defence Personnel,
Materiel and Science,
the Hon. Greg Combet.
MAIN: Greg Combet and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral
Russ Crane chats with Petty Officer Clearance Diver Steve
Flint about the function of the wrist-mounted computer,
used for the communication of a diver’s vital signs to the
surface. RAN Clearance Diver Able Seaman Dave Wyatt
watches on in the background. Photo: LSPH Brenton Freind
defence magazine
›
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
25
PEOPLE IN DEFENCE
As a result of this insight, commanders will be
coached and guided on ways to improve the quality
of their communication with families and minimise
the impact that service has on ADF families.
Many spouses and partners want commanders to
have for their own families, and support and
Almost half of all respondents are married
or partnered to Army members. Monitoring
and managing the impact of longer deployments
enable members to fulfill both their family and
on Army families is one focus of the Army
Service commitments. Through the CDF’s Action
People Plan. Army has recently increased its
standard time for deployments from six to eight
months. This change is designed to support
individuals to be at home for longer periods
between deployments.
better acknowledge the responsibility members
Plan for the Recruitment and Retention of Women,
improvements to work flexibility will benefit both
women and men in the ADF.
Additionally, misinformation and lack of
information about policies and entitlements
Families first
in ADF survey
By Samantha Atkins
Defence recently released results of
the inaugural Australian Defence Force
(ADF) Families Survey. Through the
survey, Defence asked families to share
their thoughts and experiences on a wide
range of Service-life topics, including
life satisfaction, communication and
engagement, and deployments.
shared how they feel about deployment lengths
Sponsored jointly by Chief of the Defence Force
(CDF) and Director General Defence Community
Organisation (DGDCO), Mr Michael Callan, the
inaugural ADF Families Survey was mailed to the
homes of all permanent ADF members classified as
having dependants.
examples include:
Survey responses reflect the experiences and
attitudes of 5,749 ADF families including spouses
and partners of ADF members, dual ADF couples
and single-parent ADF members.
Summary of
survey findings
ADF family respondents provided insights about
how they and other members of their families
adjust to the demands of service. They have
26
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
and tempo, their relocation experiences, and
communication with Defence (both at the
strategic and regional levels). They also provided
great insight on how the ADF work and family
domains interact.
Respondents provided very constructive feedback
on what families value and need most to help
them adapt to the ADF way of life. Some notable
›› being made to feel welcome in units and on
Defence establishments
›› provision of family-oriented activities and
facilities on Defence establishments
›› having open, reliable and consistent means of
communication with commanders, particularly
when the serving member is deployed
›› predictability of deployment departure and
return dates
›› being well informed of support services,
member and family entitlements, and conditions
of service policies, and
›› being well-informed about who to contact at
the unit or other organisational level for help or
information if they need it.
appeared to be a major source of concern for
families, highlighting how important it is for ADF
members to help their spouses and partners access
and understand such information.
The existing online eLearning course, Getting the
most out of PACMAN for Partners and Families,
is specifically designed to assist ADF families
to access the information about ADF pay and
conditions of service. This course will be more
How findings
are influencing
People initiatives
Deployments: Although support for deployments
lasting for longer than six months was not
high, around 44 per cent of respondents were
willing to accept a period of six months or less
between deployments.
Findings showed that respondents who had
attended pre-deployment briefings were
significantly less likely to experience difficulties
in coping with the challenges of having their
ADF spouse or partner absent from home. This
highlights the value of pre-deployment preparation
for families.
Pre-deployment briefings are available to all ADF
families – commanders and members need to
encourage their spouses, partners or other next-ofkin to come along to these briefings.
channels, and at the same time work will continue
Families and retention: Consistent with findings
from the Defence Attitude Survey and the ADF
Exit Surveys, the results showed that families
on removing the complexity of the pay and
are important to retention. Intention to leave the
conditions package.
ADF was significantly more likely among families
heavily promoted through family communication
reporting high work-family conflict and where
spouses and partners were pressuring ADF
members to leave.
The feedback provided by members and
their spouses and partners is already being
used to develop and improve DCO services,
such as absence from home support and the
aforementioned self reliance strategy. The results
are also shaping the 20-year ADF Housing and
Accommodation Strategy so that more flexible
housing options are available to ADF families.
Further information
The 2009 ADF Families Survey General Report
and Summary of Results can be downloaded
from the following sites:
›› via the PSPG Intranet site
›› Internet - http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/
For enquiries regarding the survey findings,
please contact:
›› Ms Jenny Reich, Director Strategic Personnel
Policy Research, on (02) 612 72201 or by
emailing [email protected], or
›› Ms Samantha Atkins, Project Manager,
on (02) 612 72159 or by emailing
[email protected].
Life satisfaction: How respondents rated their
satisfaction with various aspects of their lives was
very encouraging.
Findings indicate that respondents were, generally,
a high-functioning group of people who were
likely to at least have good potential to cope with,
and adapt to, the unique pressures of the ADF way
of life.
Characteristics of the respondents:
›› 84.7% were spouses and partners of ADF members,
11.1% were dual ADF couples, and 4.2% were single parents
To build on this strength in families and
further help families adjust to the ADF way
of life, DCO is in the process of implementing a
self reliance strategy. This features a community
capacity building initiative that aims to help
ADF families develop the skills needed to form
social and community support networks in their
posted locations.
›› Almost half (49.4%) of the married/partnered respondents were
Communication and engagement: Findings
showed that families value lots of communication
with unit and ship commanders, particularly around
the stages of deployment and leading up to other
periods of absence.
›› 42.5% of the respondents were aged between 31 and 40 years.
married to/partnered with Army members
›› 48.5% of the respondents were in full-time employment, while
31.2% were part-time or casual
›› Almost half (46.8%) of the married/partnered respondents had
spouses/partners with 16 or more years of service
The average age of respondents was 36.
›› 10.5% of the respondents were male
›› 28.3% of respondents were residing in NSW, 25.3% in QLD,
and 13.3% in the ACT at the time of the survey
›› 30.0% of the respondents reported having a Certificate
or Diploma level qualification, while 38.0% reported having
a Bachelor degree or Post-Graduate qualification
›› 11.8% of respondents reported that they were not living with
their spouse/partner and/or other dependants for service reasons
(classified as Member with Dependants (Unaccompanied)
›› 67.8% of respondents reported having dependants other
than a spouse/partner defence magazine
›
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
27
ARMY
Army ADAPTS to thirst for improvement
By Jack Foster
When the Deputy Chief of Army, Major General (MAJGEN) Paul Symon, recently
discussed the Adaptive Army initiative, he was struck by the comment from one
of the officers who said: “It’s a great time to be in the Australian Army”.
“You can tell that the mood for change has
well and truly found its way right through the
organisation,” MAJGEN Symon said. “There is a
strong desire to adapt.”
A key characteristic of the initiative is that Army
must continually review and change its ways to
remain fit for a changing environment. It means
new approaches to training and education, better
use of technology and better management of land
material.
“There was very much a concern that our
adversaries were adapting faster than us and we
have positioned ourselves to turn that around very
quickly,” MAJGEN Symon said.
“We’re changing a lot right now and I think there
is a real thirst for improvement. I also think we’re
empowering our soldiers.”
Effecting such significant change comes with its
challenges, none bigger than matching rhetoric
with reality.
“With any change, senior leadership will talk
about it and communicate it, that’s their job,”
MAJGEN Symon said.
“But we must match the rhetoric with what people
see on the ground as quickly as possible.”
MAJGEN Symon said recent changes to Army’s
force structure have been critical to being seen as
delivering results not just talking about it.
“The force structure changes we’ve made were
done extraordinarily quickly and efficiently,”
MAJGEN Symon said.
“These structural changes among other things
provide a unified approach to individual and
collective training under a single command, and
more closely aligns Army’s training continuum with
its preparation for operations.”
Other changes set in Adaptive Army include a
renewed focus on drug and alcohol awareness,
mental health programs, as well as continued
reform of the promotion board system—now
giving personnel opportunities to be promoted into
specialist rather than generalist streams.
Underpinning the Adaptive Army will be Defence’s
Strategic Reform Program (SRP) and the effort to
deliver the force of 2030.
MAJGEN Symon said the Adaptive
Army framework would be utilised
to incorporate SRP implementation
into business-as-usual work
practices.
“The SRP and Adaptive Army are
intertwined,” MAJGEN Symon
said.
“We will ensure that Adaptive
Army reforms are led, managed,
and communicated within the
Defence-wide SRP.
“Reform in the Army will be
strongly encouraged from the
bottom up, where these and
other practical ideas thrive.
28
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“We’re changing a lot right now
and I think there is a real thirst
for improvement. I also think
we’re empowering our soldiers”
– Deputy Chief of Army Major General Paul
Symon
“I want to get to the stage where the SRP is
embedded in all the Adaptive Army streams.”
Penned as key priority for 2010, MAJGEN Symon
said that smarter, more efficient administration
systems would be dependent on harnessing new
technology.
“We have to hit that sweet spot between
Defence administering its people effectively
and empowering our people to take personal
responsibility for their own administration,”
MAJGEN Symon said.
Working with new technologies found in Web 2.0
will also be central to a changing Australian Army.
“We’ve now got a Facebook presence, we’ve
got content web management systems for
collaboration and internal communication and
we’re using blogs to provide forums for our
people,” MAJGEN Symon said.
“Army is not afraid of these mediums.
“This is an exciting time for Army as we evolve and
continue to achieve operational excellence.”
RECORDS MANAGEMENT
CHANGE SPARKS NEW ERA
FOR DEFENCE RECORDS
By Jack Foster
Finding even the most obscure file is set to become a simpler task thanks
to initiatives penned in Defence’s first Records Management Strategy.
Released late last year, the Strategy comes
after a 2007 report found deficiencies with
recordkeeping in Defence and that the organisation
did not comply with critical Government legislation.
First Assistant Secretary Ministerial Support and
Public Affairs Neil Orme said the new Strategy
was the beginning of an ambitious journey to
fix records management across the Groups
and Services.
“A best practice records
management framework will
support our commitment to
providing timely, quality and
accurate advice and support
to Government”.
– First Assistant Secretary Ministerial
Support and Public Affairs Neil Orme
“Full compliance with relevant Government
legislation will reflect positively on our
Department, and in turn assist to protect our
reputation,” Mr Orme said.
He said that records were an essential part of
transparent and accountable government, helping
to provide evidence, explain actions, justify
decisions and demonstrate the process followed.
“The Strategy captures the scope, current
situation, risk and implementation of the work
needed to bring Defence recordkeeping up
to Australian and international standards for
electronic document and records management,”
Mr Orme said.
“A best practice records management framework
will support our commitment to providing timely,
quality and accurate advice and support to
Government.”
Some of the key initiatives include a mid-2010
upgrade and roll-out of the electronic Document
and Records Management System (DRMS), and
the release of the revised and now easier-to-read
records management policy document, POLMAN3.
Senior records/information managers will also
be appointed, and will act as champions to drive
significant cultural change in Defence.
Defence has more than100 kilometres worth
of physical files stored at various Defence
repositories across the country. Mr Orme said
approximately 200 kilometres of other records are
ABOVE: Aisles of files at Defence Business Support’s
Queanbeyan warehouse.
not stored appropriately, proving almost impossible
to locate or retrieve in a timely manner.
To help with this problem, another of the
Strategy’s key initiatives is the implementation of
an easy-to-use electronic content management
system that enables long-term preservation of
archived records.
Mr Orme said that these and other technologies
have shifted the responsibility for records
management from the professional to the end user.
“In the past, the processes of classifying, storing,
securing, retrieving and destroying documents
have largely been left to professional record
keepers,” Mr Orme said.
“But technology has made record managers
of each of us and we are all responsible.
“Everyone in Defence should know about their
record management responsibilities, and I strongly
encourage all personnel to complete the online
Responsible Recordkeeping course on CAMPUS.”
defence magazine
›
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
29
people strategies and policy group
E
C
N
E
G
I
L
L
E
T
THIEN
WORKFORCE
llen
By Commander Wendy Bu
FIRST IN
There are several major WI projects in the 2010
external labour market trends and developments
market shortfalls, the impact of technology, and
Work Plan reflecting Defence priorities.
affecting Defence’s ability to attract and retain its
investigations into short-term issues such as increased
WI projects include assessment of internal
desired workforce.
separations in critical categories. Major projects
Defence workforce issues, current and future, and
Examples of WI are long-term studies of labour
underway in 2010 are detailed in the table below:
The commander faces key questions in any operation: what are the threats,
what are my choices and which choice has most to recommend it? Military
intelligence informs their decisions.
Defence Employment Offer
Like the operational commander, Defence relies on quality intelligence about
its workforce and its competitors – or workforce intelligence – to ensure the best
decisions are made. Like the operational commander, a workforce intelligence
failure can threaten current or future capability, in this case people capability.
ADF Recruiting Success
Defence has a range of products
about its workforce, from workforce
reports to attitudinal surveys and the Defence
Census. However, there are important gaps
in Defence’s knowledge which limit its
ability to deal effectively with threats to its
workforce capability.
Given an increasingly competitive market for the
skilled people Defence requires, the 2009 White
Paper directed Defence to develop an integrated
workforce intelligence model. The establishment
of the Directorate of Workforce Intelligence in
Workforce Planning Branch of People Strategies
and Policy Group reflects this direction.
What is workforce
intelligence (WI)?
WI is the synchronised process of defining,
gathering, analysing and disseminating
quantitative and qualitative information that
supports decision-making on people matters.
The aim is to provide better evidence to decisionmakers, enabling them to more cost-effectively
address current or emerging workforce issues.
WI fills gaps in knowledge, prevents duplication,
directs effort to areas of priority, exposes
key projects to all stakeholders, and aligns
effort across Services and Groups to reflect
executive direction.
30
Workforce Intelligence Projects
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
Defence Impacts of
Economic Resurgence
in WA – Focus on Navy
Development
of the Workforce
Intelligence
Capability
Remuneration Benchmarking
In 2009, a WI Project Team was established to
develop and implement a Defence WI capability.
Senior HR officers in each of the Groups and
Services are members of the WI Steering
Group and the new Directorate of Workforce
Intelligence was established by end-2009. A
draft work plan outlines the priorities for WI
and takes into account higher level planning
requirements, committee directives and
outcomes, and the yearly planning cycle.
Strategic guidance
Aligning with White Paper and Strategic Reform
Program requirements, the People in Defence
vision and blueprint defines success for Defence
People Capability. This, in turn, guides activities,
including WI, to achieve this vision.
Another key document within the hierarchy
of Defence People Strategies and Plans is the
Defence Strategic Workforce Plan 2010-20
(DSWP2010-20). Building on the previous iteration,
the DSWP2010-20 identifies a range of workforce
issues, challenges and risks which may be
encountered by Defence in achieving and meeting
Defence People Capability requirements and
achieving Force 2030.
The DSWP2010-20 outlines action items and
generates WI research tasks to address these
issues and actively support Defence in meeting
strategic people goals. The DSWP2010-20 also
introduces a workforce planning cycle to provide
systematic guidance for considering workforce
issues in strategic and operational planning – to
ensure timely decision making based on robust WI.
To identify the major factors - internal and external to Defence – which impact on the numbers of new
recruits joining the ADF, and model these factors to enable Defence to predict future recruiting success
over a rolling five-year period.
To examine the expansion of the mining industry, with a degree of focus on Chevron’s Gorgon project,
and its effect on the WA and national economies. The project will also identify potentially adverse effects
across occupations within the ADF and the impact on already critical categories.
To identify, regularly update and refine external remuneration benchmarks for the ADF and Defence APS,
so that Defence can understand its market position and refine its employment offer to meet capability
needs in an increasingly competitive employment market.
ADF Initial Mandatory Period Of
Service (IMPS) Attrition Project
To evaluate attrition in the ADF in the initial period of service, and propose ways to improve capability
and the return on investment in the recruitment and training of ADF personnel.
Defence Census 2011
To gather accurate data from all Defence personnel on their personal and family situations which can
be used to support personnel decision making.
Attitude Survey Benchmarking
ABOVE : Mr Alexander Grant and Ms Julie Ryan discuss
their workplace at Russell Offices in Canberra.
Photo: ABPH Jo Dilorenzo
To identify, regularly re-validate and, as necessary, refine the key elements of the Defence
employment offer which will ensure that Defence can recruit and retain the workforce required
to meet its capability needs.
HRMeS Update
A previous article (Defence Magazine, Issue 8,
2009) outlined the implementation and role of a
new Defence HR Metrics System (HRMeS).
It provides an electronic dashboard which enables
senior managers, HR professionals and analysts to
monitor a large range of HR measures, or metrics.
HRMeS is a key WI tool, as its metrics assess the
delivery and impact of Defence’s employment offer,
including the brand promises, on the workforce.
Workforce intelligence informs the development
of new metrics, which in turn allow early
identification of new workforce issues which may
be the subject of further studies.
To acquire external benchmark data on attitudinal measures included in the Defence Attitude Survey, so
that Defence results can be compared those of other organisations. This will allow ongoing assessment
of the competitiveness of Defence’s employment offer.
Over time, knowledge increases and the ability
to understand developments in the workforce,
and take effective early action, improves. As WI
projects mature, the ability to develop predictive
metrics will also increase.
The future
The work to date on WI and HRMeS
provides a solid basis for growth in HR
knowledge and expertise which will enable
better, timely, evidence-based decision-making
in workforce matters.
The result will be a greater capacity to attract,
retain and sustain the workforce Defence needs,
and to proactively identify and mitigate workforce
risks which will inevitably arise.
defence magazine
›
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
31
SPOTLIGHT ON REFORM
Changing the way
we do business
Reforms to the Defence
science and technology
program
As one of 15 streams within the Strategic Reform
Program, the way Defence conducts its science
and technology (S&T) business is under the
spotlight.
The science and technology stream, led by the
Chief Defence Scientist Professor Robert Clark,
has designed a number of significant reforms
intended to provide a more efficient, effective and
transparent delivery of S&T.
As lead agency for Defence S&T, the Defence
Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has
been tasked with implementing the S&T stream
reforms, which focus on four key areas:
› Future proofing Defence
› Enhanced governance
› Reforms to business and funding models
› Supporting non-Defence National Security
Director General Science Strategy and Policy Dr
Lynn Booth oversees DSTO’s implementation of the
S&T Stream reforms. She says that the SRP has
provided DSTO with a unique opportunity.
“The Strategic Reform Program has helped DSTO
understand how we need to position ourselves for
the future. We’ve been able to look objectively at
the way we do our business and to identify how
we as an organisation can more efficiently deliver
high quality S&T support to Defence,” Dr Booth
said.
“For Defence, the S&T reforms will ensure more
timely and transparent delivery of S&T outcomes.
These will be underpinned by a cutting edge
research program, which will maximise the ADF’s
effectiveness in operations, as well as maintain a
leading Defence capability into the future.”
Future proofing Defence
DSTO is undertaking a series of activities to
strengthen S&T investment in early stages of the
capability life cycle. This will reduce the potential
risk (e.g. timing and cost) in later phases of
acquisition or platform upgrades.
32
www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine
Research into future technologies will build
skills, capacity and capability within DSTO to
enable delivery of key S&T outcomes to support
operations, acquisitions and force-in-being, as well
as shape Defence’s future capability.
A significant number of these reforms are
complete. Key achievements include:
›
›
reinvigorating and strengthening DSTO’s
Corporate Enabling Research Program (see
Figure 1)
DSTO’s National Security program aligns with
Defence priorities and resources, with a focus
on critical non-Defence S&T that only DSTO can
provide.
Delivering benefits
DSTO has identified a number of benefits,
including:
› a research program into forward-looking
enabling technologies that will enhance future
Defence capability
establishing strategic partnerships with
Australian and international partners
› simplified S&T planning, managing and reporting
Enhanced governance
› greater transparency of DSTO’s program, process
DSTO is enhancing its governance arrangements to
provide greater visibility and independent oversight
of Defence S&T, greater accountability and a more
transparent S&T program.
A key achievement is the establishment of the
DSTO Advisory Board, whose role is to provide
advice and support to the Minister for Defence
Personnel, Materiel and Science and to the Chief
Defence Scientist on strategic issues relating
to the effective delivery of S&T to Defence. The
board, chaired by former Secretary Dr Allan
Hawke, has met four times to date.
Reforms to DSTO’s
business and funding
models
DSTO has made changes to its business and
funding models designed to simplify processes and
to improve consistency and coordination across
the organisation, with a view to enhancing the
effectiveness of DSTO’s scientists. This reform
has already realised efficiencies through reducing
planning and reporting overheads.
processes
and performance, and
›
better use of strategic partnerships to deliver
S&T for Defence.
Most of the S&T reforms are now in place, with
the remaining items due to be completed within
the next few months. While the stream is expected
to formally close once the reforms are complete,
DSTO will continue to drive and implement further
reforms necessary to deliver future S&T support to
Defence. This will include adjusting S&T business
to take into account any impacts from activities
undertaken by other streams during the reform
program.
Figure 1
DSTO’s Corporate Enabling Research Program
initiatives
cyber warfare
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
electronic warfare
over the horizon radar
antisubmarine warfare
Supporting non-Defence
National Security
systems integration
DSTO is delivering an S&T program that meets the
needs of non-Defence National Security agencies
and which leverages S&T capabilities developed
through DSTO’s Defence research program.
signatures, materials, power and energy
force protection and counter-improvised explosive
devices
micro unmanned airborne systems
undersea warfare
chemical, biological and radiological protection
DEFENCE SIGNALS DIRECTORATE
DEFENDING CYBER
SECURITY.................................
Defence has opened its new
Cyber Security Operations
Centre (COSC), aiming to better
protect Australian government
information and networks from
cyber threats.
DSD briefed the potential target agencies on the
threat and the likely execution of the attacks,
suggesting mitigation strategies to protect their
websites and information.
Defence Minister John Faulkner said the new
Centre, based in the Defence Signals Directorate
(DSD), is a key part of a national cyber security
initiative set by Government.
“CSOC operations and response teams react to
significant threats to government information and
networks,” Ms Moore said.
“Cyber security is one of the Government’s top
national security priorities,” Senator Faulkner said.
“Cyber intrusions on government, critical
infrastructure and other information networks are
a real threat to Australia’s national security and
national interests.
“Any technology can be turned to serve malicious
purposes – and the more pervasive and accessible
a technology is, the more easily it can be abused.”
A prime example of a cyber attack on government
occurred in September last year when the online
group Anonymous attempted to launch attacks
against the websites of the Prime Minister’s
Office and the Department of Broadband,
Communications and Digital Economy.
The Prime Minister’s Office website was only
disrupted for a very short period of time however,
Director of the CSOC Lynn Moore said the unit
draws on expertise and high-powered computing
resources to understand cyber threats.
“We also assist agency information communication
technology staff to developing mitigation
strategies.”
Senator Faulkner said the new Centre would
fit naturally with DSD’s important role as the
Commonwealth national authority on information
security, providing government with protective
security advice and assistance.
“The Cyber Security Operations Centre will employ
around 130 highly skilled information technology
experts, engineers and analysts drawn from the
DSD,” Senator Faulkner said.
There will also be representatives from the
Defence Intelligence Organisation and the ADF
and scientists from the Defence Science and
Technology Organisation as well as representation
from the Attorney-General’s Department, ASIO and
the AFP.
CYBER SECURITY:
› In 2009, DSD received more than
220 reported incidents and tipoffs relating to the Australian
government
› The most common incidents against
Defence networks involved spoofing
and phishing
› Spoofing is a way of attacking a
computer program, in which the
program is modified
› Phishing is the criminally-fraudulent
process of attempting to acquire
sensitive by using information,
such as usernames, through the
use of socially engineered emails
that appear to be genuine (know
as spoofing) to convince the user
to open it and download malicious
software.
TOP: Officers get familiar with equipment at the Defence
Signals Directorate Cyber Security Operations Centre.
BOTTOM: The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, at
the opening of Defence’s new Cyber Security Operations Centre
in Canberra.
........................................................
Air-to-air imagery of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter –
one of the projects that benefitted from successful remediation.
DMO
Better advice better project management
By Terry Oldfield
Defence projects are traditionally
tough, however the Defence Materiel
Organisation (DMO) is ensuring that
the successful management of these
projects is a critical contributor to the
ADF’s reputation as one of the best
equipped defence forces in the world.
The DMO is currently managing more than 200
projects with an annual expenditure of some $5
billion, with responsibility resting with the Chief
Executive Officer of the DMO, Dr Stephen Gumley.
To meet the Government’s expectations and the
ADF’s goals, Dr Gumley demands assurance that
his project teams can deliver to plan, with better
advice being a focus in planning for success.
As a result of the implementation of the
Government-agreed recommendations of the
Defence Procurement and Sustainment Review
(also known as the Mortimer Review), Dr Gumley
commenced providing independent, quality advice
on the cost, schedule, risk and commercial aspects
of new projects being considered for Government
approval.
“Better performance will be the result of a number
of factors coming together,” Dr Gumley said.
“The expertise and high work rate of our people
across Defence and DMO needs to be reflected
in the best advice we can give Government about
the costs and risks of investment decisions. From
there, we need to manage projects in a way that
delivers on the agreed outcome of Government’s
deliberations.”
Dr Gumley and his executives sit on various higher
Defence committees. They advise on commercial
aspects of all projects and alert the Government,
through its committees, of issues that need
to be considered. Consequently, DMO senior
executives need to be certain of the quality and
comprehensiveness of any project proposal and to
have an understanding of the key issues.
This requirement for accountability and governance
was a strong focus of the Mortimer Review and
is also a key element of the Strategic Reform
Program for Defence.
In response to the Mortimer reforms, the Capability
Development Group and the DMO are working
on initiatives including mechanisms for DMO’s
advice to be clearly presented to Government.
Other reforms being implemented include project
directives to clearly outline the Government-agreed
scope of a project, and charters for managers of
the most complex acquisition projects and support
products.
Within DMO, the CEO is progressively putting in
place a set of initiatives to deliver strengthened
independent reviews, more robust senior line
management of projects and enhanced advice to
government. Core elements include a framework
of assurance checklists, comprehensive briefings
to DMO senior executives and independent and
robust reviews of projects, submissions and
business cases.
The assurance process starts with the project
manager. A checklist process seeks the project
manager’s specific assurance on feasibility,
schedule, cost, programming, legal, business and
commercial matters associated with any first or
second pass capability proposal.
The checklist also seeks to ensure that appropriate
management planning for implementation has
been considered and documented, including
appropriate consultation and the availability of
necessary resources. As part of the Capability
Committee review process, project managers
are required to personally and comprehensively
brief the senior executive prior to the relevant
committee meeting.
An equally robust process ensures thorough
senior executive review of Cabinet and Ministerial
submissions in order to provide Government
with accurate and succinct information. As the
executive leading the largest number of DMO
projects, the Acting General Manager Systems in
DMO, Shireane McKinnie, stressed the need for
consistent and reliable information and a wholeof-life approach to project implementation. A high
quality submission ensures Government trust and
confidence.
Independent and line management project reviews
provide the next layer of assurance. The DMO has
established gate reviews as a key process through
which senior line managers oversee projects.
These reviews incorporate both Mortimer Review
recommendations and the functionality previously
undertaken by the DMO Domain Assurance Boards.
The focus of the gate reviews is on the future
performance of the project, particularly its
achievement of its agreed objectives and its
capacity to adjust proactively to a changing
environment. Gate reviews also provide advice and
“The expertise and high work rate of our people across
Defence and DMO needs to be reflected in the best
advice we can give Government about the costs and risks
of investment decisions. From there, we need to manage
projects in a way that delivers on the agreed outcome of
Government’s deliberations.”
- Chief Executive Officer of the DMO, Dr Stephen Gumley
assistance to the project manager on actions and
the project, they provide a different perspective
formally identified as projects of concern.
strategies to improve project outcomes.
and help to avoid ‘group think’. Importantly they
provide Government and Defence with greater
Listing a project as a project of concern is decided
General Manager Programs Warren King, who
chairs many of the key gate reviews, emphasises
confidence in the rigour of the project management
that to successfully identify and manage project
process.
risk, project managers must not see these reviews
The gate review board’s considerations are also
list, preferably through remediation but also, if
as an inquisition. The objective in gate reviews is
underpinned by external reviews of projects in
necessary, by cancelling the project or the contract
to assist the project manager to improve project
the lead up to board meetings. These reviews
involved.
outcomes.
canvas stakeholder views, identify issues and
provide a level of assurance on the quality and
Successful remediation has been achieved for
Project managers should come prepared to discuss
project issues and concerns and to seek analysis
comprehensiveness of information. Their findings
and feedback that will provide the best capability
are used to focus board considerations on the
and commercial outcomes.
major issues confronting a project.
“There can only be two sins in the review – for a
Projects of concern
Helicopters.
project manager not knowing the current status of
The vast majority of major projects are executed
Warren King works closely and collaboratively with
their project, or failing to disclose information fully
as planned. Given the high level of complexity
General Manager Systems, project managers and
that characterises many Defence projects, a
industry to successfully resolve difficulties and
The reviews have been strengthened with the
small number of projects with cost, schedule or
return them to the standard management regime.
inclusion of independent members from outside
other difficulties may require a greater level of
The progress with projects of concern is reported
Defence, drawn from both the public and private
management oversight, focused particularly on
directly to Minister Combet on a monthly basis.
sector. These members bring high levels of
their remediation.
expertise, commercial acumen and independence
All these initiatives reflect the DMO’s commitment
The Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel
to continuous change and improvement and are
and Science and the DMO have implemented a
excellent examples of the ways in which the DMO
framework of intense management, oversight and
is becoming more businesslike and commercial in
reporting for these troubled projects, which are
its approach to project management.
and accurately,” Mr King said.
to gate review boards and help to ensure
objectivity.
With no line management accountability for
34
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by Minister Combet on the advice of CEO DMO.
The sole reason for including a project on the
list of Projects of Concern is to get it off that
projects such as AIR 87 Armed Reconnaissance
Helicopter, LAND 106 M113 Upgrade and, more
recently, SEA 1390 Phase 2.1 FFG Upgrade. A
notable cancellation was the SEA 1411 Seasprite
defence magazine
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35
joint logistics command
LEFT: The DIDS Mediation Team: (L-R) CDRE Clint
Thomas, Denis Bevans, Adrian D’Amico (Deacons),
John Glenn (Kiah Consulting), David Frith, Marion
Abada (Deloitte), MAJGEN Grant Cavenagh.
BELOW: At the DIDS Contract Signature on 8
October 2009: (L-R) Wayne Pollock, John Glenn, Steve
Eastwood, David Frith, Adrian D’Amico, Rosemary
Parsons, Lindsay Cailes, MAJGEN Grant Cavenagh,
CDRE Clint Thomas, Dr John Barclay, Ian Johnson, Ian
Sharp, Mark Jenkins, Mark Lincoln, Natasha Flanigan,
Marion Abada.
Improved
logistics locked
and loaded
By Natasha Flanigan
›› opportunity for increased equipment availability
ABOVE: The Defence National Storage and Distribution Centre at Moorebank is the centre of Defence joint logistics, providing
warehousing, distribution and maintenance services to the Australian Defence Force on a regional and national level.
due to increased workshop throughput with
Services and directly contribute to the following
mean time to repair for mainly land materiel
key Defence objectives:
reduced to less than 30 days
Improved and sustainable logistics
services for Defence have been
locked in following the signing of a
substantial contract change between
the Commonwealth and contractor BAE
Systems Australia (BAESA).
In a year of change for the Defence Integrated
Distribution System (DIDS) contract, the two
parties were involved in a lengthy period of
mediation and negotiation.
Since its inception in 2004, the DIDS contract has
delivered distribution services to Defence, taking
over from the previous ADF Line Haul service;
warehousing services across the majority of
Defence Warehousing facilities and maintenance
of primarily land materiel.
In 2008, BAESA acquired the original DIDS
contractor, Tenix Toll Defence Logistics (TTDL), and
announced that TTDL would be integrated within
the BAE Systems Australia Land Business.
The mediation presented a unique opportunity to:
›› clarify rub points in the contract
›› move to a performance based focus
›› shift to a transaction based fee structure
›› introduce improved and more efficient
distribution arrangements
›› redesign the materiel maintenance processes
to improve performance of the materiel
maintenance system
›› rewrite the contract to the contemporary
Australian Defence Contracting standard, and
›› remove adhoc charges.
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“Signing of the DIDS contract amendment reflects
on the dedication of the DIDS Remediation Team,
lead by Commodore Clint Thomas (Director General
Supply Chain) and marks an important milestone
in the life of this contract,” Commander Joint
Logistics MAJGEN Grant Cavenagh said.
“I am confident that we have secured an
arrangement with BAESA that offers great benefits
to Defence and will provide an excellent platform
for future Defence logistics services through to the
White Paper solution.”
›› 30 per cent reduction in cost of spares in
spares model enabling utilisation of current
directed contingencies
Defence arrangements and Standing Offers
›› incorporation of Regional Service Stations
providing better support to Army 1st and 2nd
line resources
›› savings to Defence through removal of
adhoc charges relating to use of information
technology and management systems
›› multi-million dollar savings in insurance costs
›› contractor use of the MIMS Maintenance
Logistics Major General Grant Cavenagh (now Air
usage and repair costs
Business Unit, BAE Systems Australia Mr Ian
Sharp signed a substantial amendment to the DIDS
contract that marked the resolution of all historical
contractual issues and ensures that Defence has a
sustainable logistics contract in place to continue
Benefits to Defence
The key benefits to Defence that have been
negotiated through this process include:
›› 8 – 10 per cent reduction in distribution per
kilogram costs, based on reduced rates for most
commonly used routes and services
deliver logistics support to operations,
Australian Defence Force exercises and
Module, providing Defence full visibility of fleet
Vice Marshal Margaret Staib) and Director Land
›› to enable Defence to continue to
support of maintenance activities, through new
On 8 October 2009, former Commander Joint
to support Defence through to the transition of
36
existing arrangements to the eventual White Paper,
storage, distribution and material maintenance
solution.
Benefits will flow to all Defence Groups and
›› consistent use of Defence Transaction Processor
across the Defence warehousing network
›› a new pricing model that directly links costs and
savings to policy and decision making, providing
control and visibility to Defence, and
›› inclusion of an efficiency incentive program.
›› to continue the good work in Defence’s
logistics and inventory compliance, assurance
and performance, and
›› to provide a solid platform on which to deliver
the Strategic Logistics Reform Program.
Transition to new
arrangements
Transition to the new arrangements occurred
progressively throughout 2009 and in the main
was relatively seamless to customers. In fact, the
new distribution rates were applied throughout
The DIDS Remediation
and Transition Teams
The DIDS Remediation Team was awarded a CDF
Commendation for its great achievement for Defence.
Director General Supply Chain Branch Commodore
Clint Thomas led the team from the outset with
great support from lead negotiator John Glenn
(Kiah Consulting), specialist legal advice and
support from Adrian D’Amico (Deacons), DIDS
Contract Manager David Frith, and Denis Bevans
providing contract management expertise from
a Joint Logistics Unit perspective with Marion
Abada (Deloitte). The team as a whole produced an
outstanding result.
The contractual achievements of the remediation
team were translated into actions by the DIDS
Transition Team, lead by Natasha Flanigan and
including Dennis Bevans, David Hooper, Lieutenant
Colonel Glenn Taylor, Lindsay Cailes and Ian
2009 and new maintenance arrangements were
Johnstone. The DIDS Transition Team called upon
gradually implemented across the Joint Logistics
the expertise and cooperation of many personnel
Units through an extensive joint training and
across Joint Logistics Command to implement
implementation program conducted with BAESA.
these significant changes.
defence magazine
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37
DEFENCE INDIGENOUS
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Indigenous
soldiers a
force to be
reckoned
with
Norforce
soldiers await
their opportunity
to perform a
horsemanship
display for
visiting family
and staff on
the Defence
Indigenous
Development
Program
graduation day
at the Katherine
Rural College
in the Northern
Territory.
Ten NORFORCE soldiers from remote indigenous communities across the Northern Territory have graduated from the
pilot Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) at the Katherine Rural College.
One of the graduates, 19-year-old Private (PTE)
Harvey Ladd was mentored by local police in
his home community of Tenant Creek, and found
the program a great opportunity to improve his
employment prospects.
“I wanted to get away from some of the troubles
back in the community, like the grog, it’s got a lot
of people fighting,” PTE Ladd said.
“Most of all, I wanted the knowledge to become a
policeman.”
One of the more senior members of the sevenmonth pilot Defence Indigenous Development
Program (DIDP), 31-year-old Private Cedric Blitner
realises his opportunities in life have been limited
with poor language, literacy, numeracy skills, and
little belief in himself.
seven-month journey, most of it spent away from
the familiarity of their traditional country.
Kimberley coastal regions, has been an invaluable
asset for the initiative’s pilot year.
The Program’s successful graduation of 10 soldiers
with improved language, literacy, and numeracy
standards, self-confidence and general life skills
could never have been achieved without the
experiences of its architect and shepherd, the
North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE).
NORFORCE Commanding Officer Lieutenant
Colonel (LTCOL) Chris Goldston is proud of the
program’s achievements and his unit’s hand in such
an important concept.
With nearly 30 years of history training and
working with indigenous Australians, NORFORCE’s
experience in the outback, Northern Territory, and
LTCOL Goldston was a Kimberley Squadron
commander working on the ground with many
of the soldiers he now commands early on in his
Defence career. He understands first-hand the
warrior ethos that attracts young indigenous males
“This is my chance to make something of myself.”
Looking at the framed photos of family on his
bedside table, PTE Blitner said he thinks often
about his wife and kids waiting for him back in the
community.
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“The unit has always offered an opportunity for
military service through RFSU employment, and
has long nurtured relationships with remote
communities, but this hasn’t improved soldier
career progression within the military or at home.”
“We are shaping the next generation of potential
young leaders from these communities, through
the continuum of Army Cadets, RFSU employment
and initiatives such as the DIDP,” LTCOL Goldston
said.
“I don’t want to let them down again,” PTE Blitner
said.
38
“Throughout our unit’s history, we’ve succeeded
in providing effective training, but had difficulty
adequately addressing the poor education
standards that are limiting the opportunity of many
of our soldiers to advance in their lives,” LTCOL
Goldston said.
The DIDP is now addressing this shortfall, and
the resulting graduates will be equipped with
the tools, experience and qualifications to seek
long-term employment in their communities and
promotion in the army.
“I was shaking at the knees sometimes trying new
things, but now it’s nothing,” PTE Blitner said.
The changes in PTE Blitner are just one of the many
experiences from the soldiers graduating from this
to proving their manhood through service in the
unit.
ABOVE: The Defence Indigenous Development Program’s recruiter Major John Lotu holds the graduation cake up for
Norforce soldiers to cut at the Katherine Rural College in the Northern Territory.
MAIN: In the time-honoured style of graduating military officers, the Norforce soldiers throw their hats into the air
and cheer to mark the end of class formalities for the Defence Indigenous Development Program at the Katherine
Rural College in the Northern Territory.
INSET: Norforce soldiers graduating from the Defence Indigenous Development Program ‘dress-right’ during their
final parade for the seven-month program at the Katherine Rural College in the Northern Territory.
All photos: Gunner Shannon Joyce
NORFORCE’s experience and influence will see
many similar success stories such as Privates
Blitner and Ladd come to fruition through the DIDP.
defence magazine
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39
OPERATIONS
More than
hearts and minds
in Solomon Islands
By the Civil Military Liaison cell in the Solomon Islands
One of the most highly-coveted roles
in peace-keeping missions across
the world is easily that of the Civil
Military Liaison (CML) Operator.
However, if you were to ask many soldiers
to define the role of CML, they will mumble
something about “winning hearts and minds”
before swiftly changing the subject.
Five people who know the ins and outs of the
job are Army Reservists Lieutenant Brett Fowler,
Sergenat Francesco Mazzella, Signaller Julieanne
Horsman and two full-time Senior National
Officers, Tongan Lieutenant Semisi Tapueluelu
and Papua New Guinean Captain Nonge Serum,
the current CML Team for Operation Anode in the
Solomon Islands.
Operation Anode is the Australian Army’s
contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission
to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). After political
problems and ethnic fighting left the nation
vulnerable, soldiers and police from 15 countries
in the Pacific region were invited into Solomon
Islands by the Government to help restore law and
order.
The Army’s role was not to provide aid, rather
to help maintain a stable environment while
programs to build local capacity and long-term,
sustainable skills of Solomon Islands police and
Government are implemented.
The CML team operates out of the main RAMSI
base, located on the island of Guadalcanal,
home to approximately 110,000 people. The
ABOVE: A Verahoi child at a RAMSI outreach meeting.
LEFT: Captain Nonge Serum and Lieutenant James Tapueluelu paint faces during an outreach meeting at Verahoi.
team’s role in Operation Anode is to help build
a strong relationship between RAMSI’s military,
international police, the local police (Royal
Solomon Islands Police Force) and the Solomon
Islands community.
Combined Task Force - 635
A key part of the CML team’s role in building
these relationships within the community are its
involvement in village/community talks – known as
RAMSI Outreach. These talks take the CML team
to villages throughout the country, where they can
explain the work of RAMSI, its role in the country,
and talk through the country’s progress as it moves
forward following a period of much turmoil.
These Outreach sessions are always lively, and
community questions cover anything from the
purpose of RAMSI’s mission, to when RAMSI will
leave the country. Other activities such as facepainting or volleyball will usually be incorporated
with RAMSI Outreach meetings to encourage
community engagement.
The RAMSI military’s CML is also involved in a
weekly Auskick (AFL) clinic in Honiara, which
has helped build strong relationships with the
community. The social nature of the role, as
well as the frequent travel opportunities, makes
the CML position one of the most sought-after
positions in overseas deployments.
ABOVE: The Civil Military Liaison Cell (L-R): Sergenat Francesco Mazzella, Papua New Guinean Captain Nonge Serum,
Lieutenant Brett Fowler, Tongan Lieutenant Semisi Tapueluelu and Signaller Julieanne Horsman.
40
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RIGHT: Sergeant Francesco Mazzella and Tony Inben,
an elder from New Valley Guadacanal.
The Army component of RAMSI comprises of troops
from four contribution nations which make up the
Combined Task Force 635: Australia, New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
detective with the Western Australian Police
greatly assisted my CML role. It has helped me
Force, SGT Francesco Mazzella, a 49-year-old
interact at all levels with villagers in the different
high school teacher and father of three, and SIG
communities, from the Chief of the village through
Julieanne Horsman, a 25-year-old journalist from
to the small pikininis (kids).”
Sydney. The three were selected from a large pool
This is LT Fowler’s second overseas deployment,
of applicants based on their personalities and
having previously served at Rifle Company
diverse backgrounds.
Butterworth in Malaysia, while for the deployment
All three undertook Solomon Islands Pijin lessons
is a first for SGT Mazzella and SIG Horsman.
during pre-deployment training, which has been
“My civilian work as a teacher at Bunbury Senior
an important factor in their positive reception by
High School has given me some great skills for
the locals.
working here with the Solomon Islanders,” SGT
alongside many of his fellow New Zealand military
Each of the team are Army Reserve soldiers
Mazzella said.
colleagues.
who have taken leave from their normal jobs to
“I’m also proud that I’m playing a part in Australia’s
Every time the CML team engages with the public
participate in the deployment to Solomon Islands.
role in helping out one of its closest neighbours.”
it is aiming to win hearts and minds, but not for
They have found they often utilise skills from their
However, it is the multi-national focus of the
the sake of being perceived as good guys, rather to
team that boosts its effectiveness. During patrols
assist the overall RAMSI mission of building long-
civilian jobs for the Army work.
ABOVE: Signaller Julieanne Horsman with some young local girls at
Gilbert Camp.
Photos: Trooper John Bain
“It is a great gig, because it means I get to see a
lot of this beautiful country while doing something
I love; talking to people,” SIG Horseman said.
“My job outside of the Army Reserves as a
and community meetings, Solomon Islanders see
lasting capacity and confidence within the police
detective with WA Police regularly involves me
different uniforms from throughout the Pacific,
and Government of Solomon Islands. And this work
speaking with victims, witnesses and offenders of
reflecting the truly regional nature of the mission.
is much more than just smiling and waving; it is an
The Australian group working as part of the CML
team consists of LT Brett Fowler, a 26-year-old
serious crime,” LT Fowler said.
New Zealand’s military Padre, Captain James
important weapon that is highly beneficial to the
“The people skills I have gained from this have
Molony is a regular attendee with the CML patrols
overall operation.
defence magazine
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41
THE LAST WORD
Breaking from cover
Outgoing Director General of Defence Public Affairs Brigadier Brian Dawson is now heading for NATO
headquarters in Brussels on promotion to Major General. Before he left he talked to Steve Ridgway
about his time in the Public Affairs hot seat.
BRIGADIER (BRIG) Brian Dawson applied to join the
“But in many ways the job itself was essentially a
Army during his Year 11 at Rochester High School,
normal staff officer job. As DGPA, just like any staff
in northern Victoria, at a time when Australians
officer, I would need to be able to write and speak,
were greatly divided over the Vietnam War. “At the
to process and prioritise information.
time, it was one of the most unfashionable careers
I could have chosen,” BRIG Dawson said.
The future infantry and special forces officer won a
scholarship to Duntroon in 1973 and, right from the
beginning, he and his classmates were taught the
good insight into the realities of the Middle East
— and Middle East operations remained the focus
of most big issues during my term in the DGPA job.
RIGHT: Former Commanding Officer of Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 Lieutenant Colonel Chris Websdane chats with
former Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 - Iraq Brigadier Brian Dawson during a tour of Camp Terendak, Tallil, in 2008.
Photo: CPL Michael Davis
Winning hearts
and minds
public affairs, all that learning had to be turned on
Integrated
organisation
its head. Like the redcoats of old, BRIG Dawson
Defence Public Affairs is an integrated
was now obliged to stand up in public and take
organisation where military and civilians work
much anyway. But as more troops were committed,
whatever was coming.
closely together — and there are more civilians
we could become more open about the non-
Job offer
than military in the Canberra headquarters. But
special forces elements. We weren’t just trying
protecting and promoting Defence’s reputation is
to win hearts and minds on the ground but be as
“I was on duty in Basra in 2008 and the Chief of
a 24/7 occupation, driven by the media’s own TV,
transparent as possible to the Australian public
Army rang to offer me the job,” BRIG Dawson
radio and newspaper deadlines, not to mention
through the media,” BRIG Dawson said.
said. “I’d been an infantryman, then involved with
the burgeoning social media such as Facebook,
“The men and women of the ADF have been
special forces for some of my career but never
Youtube and the blogosphere. No-one is ever
doing great work for a number of years in the
public affairs — in the SAS you want the opposite.
far from their mobiles, which are never, never
Middle East Area of Operations in general and
The job offer was definitely a mould-breaker!
switched off.
Afghanistan in particular. We needed to facilitate
“I was prepared to take it on but, beyond media
“I had worked in integrated uniformed and civilian
telling their story as best we could.
training at Staff College and the normal formal
organisations before so the essentials remained
“Rather than just talk about helping ordinary
training, I knew it would mean acquiring a whole
the same. The key is recognising the skills that
Afghans, we could actually show more of what
new set of skills — and, after a working life not
people have and leveraging off those skills,
Australians were doing on the ground, like
telling people what we were up to, even a new
leveraging off their strength. In my experience
repairing mosques and schools, running health
military value of camouflage and concealment.
But almost 40 years later, in the world of Defence
way of thinking.
when they are willing contributors to a shared
Defence senior leadership and in constant contact
endeavour.
with Minister’s offices. It would mean new insights
“In fact I’ve found the best advice in public affairs
the ramifications of ‘big’ policy — as well as a
number of pitfalls for the unwary.
“Being DGPA has meant having to stay as current
as possible to meet the demands of the media’s
24 hour cycle, the need to be politically aware, but
also remembering I was a professional military
officer.
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-
Former Director General Public Affairs
Brigadier Brian Dawson
involved our special forces so we couldn’t say
with units — letting them see for themselves —
was an important initiative, and I am sure it will be
developed in future.”
Internal Defence communications was also
was often counter-intuitive. The real art is to
part of BRIG Dawson’s remit. In late 2009 his
recognise the linkages and effects of a particular
communications task group identified 51 ideas for
course of action that are not immediately apparent.
deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations
also enabled us to change the way we interfaced
ABOVE: Brigadier Brian Dawson outside the headquarters at
Camp Victory in Baghdad during 2008.
Photo: Capt Cameron Jamieson
way over there, is an impossibly old major aged at
least 30.
“But, in the Ministerial Support and Public Affairs
organisation where I worked, the demographic was
the other way round. Only 10 staff out of 290 were
under 25 while 179 were aged 35 or over. Even
the way they communicated was different. The
oldest had learned to write using a proverbial slate
when Sir Robert Menzies was Prime Minister. The
youngest have never not had internet.
“Most organisations develop ‘stovepipes’ to define
areas of responsibility, accountability and cope
with complexity. These ‘stovepipes’ are there for
good reasons, but they inhibit communications. We
need to seek opportunities to tunnel through the
walls of the organisational stovepipes to enhance
communications and to develop a wider sense of
team. Building a common purpose is the key.
“Above all, our solutions should not make even
more work for people who already have a lot to do.
“A major aim now is to improve the userfriendliness of Defence’s internal website which
is currently organised more by organisation than
by function. Information can be hard to find unless
you already knew where to look — a structural
Catch-22. We must make our intranet easier to use
so key information is more easily available.
walking around, even simple posters in the breakout areas.”
The future
Europe will certainly bring more changes for the
Dawson family but there are positives they are all
looking forward to.
“My son Callum wants to go walking in the
Alps, my daughter Caitlin wants to see European
circuses, my wife Jacqui wants to shop in Paris
— and I will be seeing a bit more of my family in
daylight.”
The job of Australian Military Representative in
Brussels will involve working closely with NATO
members on areas of shared interest especially
Afghanistan. NATO is bilingual: English or French
are both spoken. Documents have both English and
French versions. “Unfortunately for me, I failed 4th
Form French, but I will now need to make an effort
to learn quickly,” BRIG Dawson said.
“There will be lots of meetings, lots of liaison and
reporting back to Russell, and lots of dinners,”
BRIG Dawson said. “Developing and maintaining
relationships with the representatives of NATO
countries will be an important part of the job.”
The former Chairman of Defence Aussie Rules
“Defence-wide internal comms is very different
“Work on this has already started. I hope that
in the coming months things will be much easier
to find.
from soldiering in 3RAR. As a young soldier your
“But, while the net now has a key role, it can never
his favourite game for a while. “I will need to track
be the only communication system. There will
down Aussie Rules on cable somewhere,” he said.
always need to be meetings, management by
“Here’s hoping.”
improving the situation.
“But the changing character of the ADF
with the media.
“Many of our operations in the early 2000s
clinics or building bridges. Embedding journalists
most people want to do a good job and work best
“It meant I would be working closely with the
into the Department-Government relationship and
42
“Coming back from operations also meant I had a
“Embedding journalists
with units - letting them
see for themselves - was
an important initiative,
and I am sure it will be
developed in future”
LEFT: Former Director General Public Affairs Brigadier
Brian Dawson answers questions on the return of
Australian Defence Force explosives detection dog Sabi in
Afghanistan during a media doorstop at Russell Offices.
Photo: Kevin Piggott
world is limited to your platoon and your mates.
Your immediate boss is a young lieutenant and,
(from 2001 to 2007) is also hoping to see some
top-level sport, but he might have to miss out on
defence magazine
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43
magazine ›
Next month's issue
(theme: Innovation)
>
Defence Systems Integration
>
Geospatial Analysis Centre
>
Navy’s Navy Continuous Improvement program
>
Air Force in Exercise Red Flag
Due out March 26