08 May 2005

It's the beginning of a new month and a long time since we have checked in to let everyone know what we have been doing with ourselves.
As you are no doubt aware, we are now at Yakanarra and have started work. But a lot has happened to get us to this point so here is a brief overview of the events leading up to this point.

The two weeks before we left, were spent packing up and loading all our equipment. There was a lot to do so the tempo was quite high and a few extra hours were required of a few people to get the job done. But in the end everything was on the trucks and ready to go when the road party departed on the 02 May.
The road move was complete on the 09 May and the road party was then called upon to begin unpacking and setting up the camp, which began on the 10 May. There were some dramas during setup such as waiting for some tanks to arrive so the septic system could be completed before the main body arrived. The main body having left Sydney on the 16 May, arrived in Curtin later that day and were told they were going to be housed in the old detention centre until the camp was ready for their arrival. The few days spent waiting were put to good use allowing people the opportunity to see the sights of Broome. On the 20 May the main body arrived in Yakanarra and spent the next few days helping to complete camp setup.
The next few weeks were spent establishing the quarry and airfield site, removing vegetation to make way for the removal of soil. The runway was cleared on the 20 May, the quarry was established on the 26 May, and the turkey's nest (pond, bore dam, whatever it is called this week) was completed on the 27 May. During that time there were road repairs and haul road construction. Thanks to Horse (SPR Jason Smith) and his grader expertise the roads are looking pretty good. The airfield is not the only task required of the squadron and plant troop has been supporting the other troops in their tasks as well. Finally not forgetting the transport guys who have been working tirelessly making trips all over the place moving stores and equipment.
This past weekend plant troop got together with the OC and SSM for a BBQ and a couple beers. They were inducted into plant troop with a presentation of troop t-shirts to both of them. This kept the troop out of the trouble spotlight and allowed us to get on with getting the job done and out of here to see our loved ones.

Quarry and Airfield

Yakanarra airstrip

You want the airstrip where?

Duck Pond

panning for gold