54 MP Pl (SIB) Darwin

By SGT D.R. Able and CPL M.S. Brown

Well well well, it's that time of the year again when the cold weather ceases and the hot weather starts and the pointsmen articles are due. Yes, you read correctly cold weather in Darwin, who would believe that. I can tell you it was freezing up here at 14 degrees in the dry season. The new year started well with some new members getting blooded in the Northern Army. Another busy year at the pointy end of the Army with over 120 investigations lodged

Let's get the sad news out of the way first, 54 MP Pl said goodbye to CPL Josh Donovan and the hilarious ‘Donno' files – may your odd sock days and no sock days at work rest in peace. Donno is now a NT Constable; hopefully he will return as a Reservist to 54 MP Pl and regale us with his antics.

Now for the happy news:

At the beginning of the year CAPT Ruth Weir stepped into the role as PlCOMD 54 MP Pl with relative ease; however, reports from DOCM-A have revealed that her posting will start again as she has spent about a combined four weeks in the appointment. During these four weeks she signed a couple of reports and flogged the Section members at squash. CAPT Weir aka ‘240' ‘ Miss Peachey' and ‘the QANTAS Platinum Card Holder' marched into the busy headquarters and her feet have hardly touched the ground. CAPT Weir has been deployed several times overseas this year which is much deserved and when not on deployment is busy interstate attending what appears to be never ending conferences.

All was not lost though as the PLSM, WO2 Paul Paterson, took control of the headquarter element. WO2 Paterson aka ‘the QANTAS Gold Card Holder' also spent quite a large part of the year away on course, task force Indiana and conferences. He took out the ‘LARRY' award, an award that was sought after by himself alone. This award is awarded to the recipient for the number of brews made for Corporals.

WO2 Andrew Johnston, who is that????? Oh that's right he is a member of 54 MP Pl bludging in Malaysia. No just jokes, WO2 Johnston will not be picked on as he is the only one to send the authors a serious contribution for the pointsmen article from 54 MP Pl. The following are his kind words:

2006 has been another extremely busy year for the investigation Sect in South East Asia. The Rifle Company continue to find new and exciting and often compromising ways to get into trouble with authorities and amongst themselves. The South East Asian way of life is more than happy to accommodate and support rotating RCB for a further 30 years. On a more serious note investigations have been conducted from Bangkok to Orchard Rd ranging from drug matters in Thailand to assaults in Singapore.

On a more positive note, the success of the Sect could not be achieved without the magnificent ongoing support of the rotating 315 CPLs. Those who have been attached more recently know that the work is long and tiring; however, your support and ongoing commitment to vice, patrolling, policing and RCB safety has made my job easier and serious incidents have been few and far between. I would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank all the 315 CPLs and SGTs who have deployed during my tenure here, your efforts do not go un-noticed. Your professionalism and dedication continually raises the profile of Australian Military Police in South East Asia.

Finally, WO2 Dean O'Brien takes over the role in Jan 07, I wish him and his family luck in his new posting and to all members of the Corps, posted or otherwise during the New Year period, good luck for the future and safe travels

Thanks for the touchy feely kind words and well wishes, back now to the nasty side of the fence,

When the QANTAS Gold Card Holder wasn't in loc the Headquarters and 1 Section on occasion were blessed with the presence of WO2 Lee Roberts, aka ‘Stewie' (from the family guy) ‘Stewie' sporadically has been deeply involved in task force Indiana when the Platinum and Gold Card Holders were absent. Stewie loved to let his hair down, especially on his 40th birthday which was celebrated at the Palmerston Tavern. Stewie has not quite been the same since that night. Only a select few know what that is about, next time you see him, be sure to ask. HINT!!!‘LTCOL from the Pilbara'???? Stewie also this year was promoted to the dizzy heights of WO2. Congrats on your promotion.

SGT Kirsty James appeared to have been abducted by aliens for quite a long period of the year; however, she was seen again at her office with a new addition added to her family. Congrats on the birth of your child. She had to hold the fort in Perth whilst Stewie gallivanted around the countryside. On behalf of the members of 54 MP Pl we would like to wish Kirsty and her family all the best in Brisbane next year. Brisbane is only second to Darwin in the ‘busy stakes.' Kirsty should be able to handle her new position with ease.

The longest consecutive year serving Military Policeman ever in Darwin, SGT Duke Able, aka the Sheriff of Robertson Barracks, wore much of the brunt of the deficiencies in manning. The Sheriff spent a pizzly five days away from the Section this year attending a course. The Sheriff also attempted to fix the database himself on a lot of occasions as support from Jodie.Archer1 was not forthcoming. J Subsequently both the Sheriff and Stewie are banned from playing with the database. The Duke is keen for a posting South as he believes ‘the longest consecutive year serving Military Policeman ever in Darwin' record will never be broken. A highlight for the year for the Duke was when he received his first gong ‘the ADM' (PSSST Duke you can take it off now)

The Duke's 2IC, CPL Tony Hagerty, aka ‘Laurie Daley' or ‘Ray Warren' had a successful year. Earlier in the year Laurie passed his Subj 1 for SGT and was graded with an A pass which was great to see. Ray has also spent a lot of the year playing in task force Indiana. Although busy Tony always found the time to argue on Monday mornings to the Section members about how the princesses ‘West Tigers' were robbed in the games that they lost on the weekend just ending. It got to the point on Monday's that there was no requirement to watch the West Tigers game on the weekend, you just had to see what type of mood Laurie was in on Monday. J Tony and his family are moving on to Adelaide and we wish him and his family the best for their new posting.

CPL McIntosh, aka ‘HMAS Humpty Doo' has had a very busy year and like so many from the Platoon has spent very little time in Darwin. Old HMAS Humpty Doo has picked up a lot of investigations from Laurie that required interstate travel for completion. When in Darwin he has done some great work with the local Drug squad to rid the Army of undesirables. His efforts may all be in vain as if you didn't know Army is considering recruiting all of his old ‘buddies'. HMAS Humpty Doo has visions of leaving the Army for a less challenging role in the Navy, just look out for the forming of ADFIS mate.

Darwin this year was blessed with the arrival of two new members who might as well not have been posted here. The first of those two members is CPL Leonard Lewis. Lenny who is second only to the QANTAS Gold Card Holder in the Larry Awards managed to persuade Miss Peachey to send him to Malaysia for what seems forever. On a serious note we all miss Lenny and can't wait his arrival back to Darwin so he can do some work and also work rear details. J

The second of the new arrivals is CPL Matthew Brown. Young Matty, similar to Lenny has rarely been in the work environment since his posting to Darwin in May 2006. Matt has been deployed as a CPP Team Member on OP Astute and has sworn allegiance to the Investigation Stream. Matty has also found an either lucky or unlucky lady named Julie (depending on which way you view it) in Darwin. Julie and Matt intend to be married in December this year in Newcastle. On behalf of 54 MP Pl we wish you both well. PS. Where are the invites we want open bar!!!!!!

Anywho, that's enough I think, afterall, both of the authors have some work to do. To all members of 1 MP Bn we would like to wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. If you intend to visit Darwin over the break stop in for a brew and say G'day.

.