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11 Bde Soldiers Honoured

Conspicuous Service Medal


Warrant Officer Class One David Brown (photos tagged)

Warrant Officer Class One David Brown was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal in the 2009 Australia Day Honours list and was presented with the award at a ceremony at Jupiters Casino on 11 Sep 09. WO1 Brown was presented the award by Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO Governor of Queensland. The citation reads as follows:
For meritorious achievement as the Chief Clerk of the Headquarters 3rd Brigade in support of operational readiness for deployment to Timor Leste in 2006. Warrant Officer Class One Brown has exhibited exceptional devotion to service as the Chief Clerk of Headquarters 3rd Brigade. His outstanding analytical ability, planning skills, tireless and exemplary commitment, initiative, and strong leadership ensured a high level of personnel readiness across the 3rd Brigade, critical to the success of the short notice deployment of the Brigade, in particular to Timor Leste in 2006. His ongoing efforts have also mad an enormous contribution to the operational capability of the 3rd Brigade. His professionalism, leadership, personal drive, enthusiasm and dedication to duty have brought credit to himself and the Australian Army.

WO1 Brown was posted to 11 Bde Recruiting Cell on 19 Jan 09 as the Formation Recruiting Liaison Officer.


OH&S Award


Warrant Officer Class Two Bruce Ferguson (photo tagged)

By Cpl Jane Ashby-Cliffe
ARMY metalsmith WO2 Bruce Ferguson has taken out a prestigious OHS award for identifying a high risk associated with the fitted gas welding system at ALTC.
The Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) awarded WO2 Ferguson Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety at a presentation dinner at Parliament House on September 24.
While instructing in the Metalsmith Cell at ALTC's Armoured and Construction Wing in 2008, WO2 Ferguson was concerned when he witnessed flashbacks in the welding training bays.
He said the potential for explosion was dangerously high and needed to be rectified.
"I checked the manifold system and discovered the pipes were not the correct diameter," he said.
"This was affecting the gas flow into the weld bays and causing the flashbacks.
"I knew I had to act quickly as a flashback can blow the tip off the torch and explode."
WO2 Ferguson's innovative solution was to introduce oxy trolleys to each welding bay.
The trolleys hold oxygen and acetylene cylinders, which provided a safe and secure means of gas flow into the bays to allow training to continue.
"At no time was it an individual effort, and without the help of the
metalsmith team and my superiors it would not have been possible," WO2 Ferguson said.
"I can't express enough the importance of OHS within Defence and encourage all personnel to be proactive. It's every individual's responsibility."
Earlier this year WO2 Ferguson received a commendation at the Defence OHS Awards and is now nominated for the National Safe Work Australia Awards in 2010.
WO2 Ferguson was posted to 11 CSSB as the ASM on 19 Jan 09.
(photo and story courtesy of the Army Newspaper)


Rotary Pride of Workmanship Award


Major Dana Alexander - DQ HQ 11 Bde (photo tagged)

Major Alexander was recently awarded a Pride of Workmanship Award from the Rotary Club from Port of Townsville. The award reads as follows:

Dana is a Major in the full time Defence force and her role at HQ 11 Brigade is one of the most important and demanding positions within the formation. She is required to undertake a range of tasks reporting to senior officers on personnel, equipment, maintenance and availability. She implements the current administration policies and changes from the current white paper. She has always shown a high level of understanding, diligence to her position and care an attention to those who work with her. She holds a high standard for herself and influences those around her to portray likewise. Her function at the HQ is pivotal to the day to day operations of 11 Bde.

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Kokoda Track

Below is the personal story of a recent successful assault on the Kokoda Track by SGT Sheather and colleagues (photos tagged):

There's a lot to love about the Reserves; meeting amazing people, making new friends and enjoying countless new experiences. I recently had the pleasure of combining all three when I walked the Kokoda Track.
I travelled with CPL Dani Johnson, also of 9 RQR, in a group organised by WO1 Huck Berry, 31/42 RQR. This wasn't a typical organised tour. Soon dubbed 'Huck's Dodgy Tours', the group included two regular Army (ARA), 10 Army Reservists (Gres), 1 ARA retired and 1 Army cadet; hailing from units in Brisbane, Townsville and Perth. There is a level of trust we enjoy in the military that many outside the military may not understand, or maybe it's blind faith, but many of us had never met Huck, we just trusted in him to take us over the Owen Stanley's and safely home. Which of course he did.
Huck spent almost 30 years in the ARA and has walked the Kokoda Track several times. Where else but the Army could you have such a long career, still be fit enough to undertake such adventures and still have able-bodied and trusting friends to go with you?
The Army is all about mateship. The spirit of the track in one word. The Kokoda campaign is the greatest example of part time and full time soldiers working together and every story is woven with the strings of mateship. Some friendships formed on the track, some during training back in the country towns of Australia, some from childhood. All with the same mantra 'never let your mates down'. This same spirit of mateship got our motley crew over the mountains. The Track is hard, gruelling, and torturous; it is breathtaking beauty in heartbreaking terrain. But none of us gave up, no one complained. I know for me it was a constant physical struggle but I never lost sight of the reason why I was there, to walk in the footsteps of some of our greatest war-time heroes. And I never lost sight of my fellow trekkers (usually Dani) up in front, or Huck watching us like a shepherd with his flock. That spirit of mateship, of 'never let your mates down', is what kept me going, one step at a time, tripping over tree roots, falling down embankments, crawling up mountains. The easy camaraderie of the military, that instant familiarity, or should that be instant making fun of, got all of us through from Owers Corner to Kokoda village.
Before enlisting in the GRES 12 years ago I was an overweight housewife. My Kokoda journey was a personal triumph, as it is for most trekkers. But it is also testament to what is achievable with the mates you make in the GRES.
SGT Suzie Sheather, 9 RQR

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Exercise Executive Stretch

EMPLOYERS GET A TASTE OF RESERVE LIFE (photos tagged)

Ration packs, a rifle shoot, and an attempt to finding their way around in the dark using night vision equipment were the order of the day for 18 employers who turned out for Exercise Executive Stretch held in Rockhampton over the weekend.

The employers, who included representatives from a diverse range of organisations including the Queensland Ambulance Service, Q Mag, Plantability, Allenstown Upholsterers, Campco, and QRS, were put through their paces by serving members of Central and North Queensland's Army Reserve unit 31st/42nd Battalion.

Defence Reserve Support Council Chair Leigh Turnbull said that the employers had enjoyed the opportunity to see Reservists in action, and get a taste of some of their experiences and responsibilities.

"A day like today is an opportunity to expose employers to some of the very basic aspects of military life that highlight things like self-discipline, personal responsibility, and physical fitness," he said. 31st/42nd Battallion's Captain Robert Grant said that employers were often surprised to see the level of responsibility taken on by Reservists.

"It's important for employers to be able to see the different levels of responsibility that their employee might have. Simple examples are the safety supervisors on the range. They are all senior soldiers, but may not have that level of responsibility at work," he said.

"It is often quite an eye opening experience for business people to see how the skills might translate into a civilian professional environment."

Brian McGowran, from McGowran Lawyers, said he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"It's certainly made me aware that Reserve service could be of benefit in terms of personal discipline and experience," he said.

The day was an initiative of the Defence Reserve Support Council. Anyone interested in Army Reserve service should all 13 1901.



For further information, contact Kate Ames on 0407 183 027.

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Army Reserve - Flexible Employer

When Rebecca Higgot isn't studying for her Masters in social work at university, she is a troop commander in the Australian Army Reserve.
As a General Service Officer in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals she is responsible for a diverse range of tasks including planning activities and training for her troops.
"My job involves writing risk assessments, administration instructions, and planning our training weekends which we have at least once per month," Rebecca said.
The training weekends are normally conducted at High Range and allow soldiers to practice working as detachments to set up radio transmission stations and establish communications in the field.
"On a Tuesday night we parade at the unit where we usually do PT [physical training] and once a month we carry out a weapons shoot."
"The worst part of the job is when you're dirty and cold in the field but it builds your mental stamina," Rebecca said.
Originally from Western Australia, Rebecaa transferred from a signals unit in the west to the Townsville-based 141 Signals Squadron at the beginning of last year.
"I went inactive for 12 months because I was moving interstate and getting married."
"Army Reserve is really flexible when it comes to work, family and study commitments."
Rebecca was keen to be in a job where she felt she was really achieving something and became interested in joining the Army Reserve when her brother spent time in East Tinor on peacekeeping missions with the Australian Army.
"Signals is definitely a good corps for people to get into because there are heaps of opportunities to deploy, spend time out in the field, and get out there and do something."
""The unit here is great and we get to do lots of social and physical activities like adventure training."
Army Reserve officers undertake initial training run by the Royal Military College of Australia. The training consists of five residential training blocks conducted at different locations around Australia as well as training at their parent unit.
The training is flexible to accommodate civilian employment commitments and allows personnel to utilise leave allowances and university breaks. It includes training in military skills; command, leadership and management; and platoon commander skills.
Ideally, officers complete the course within 18 months, with a maximum time frame of 3 years. Upon completion Army Reserve officers are commissioned as Lieutenants capable of commanding a platoon of 30 soldiers on operations in the Australian Army.

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Sunshine Coast Town Swells with RRF


Words: Private Glen Porteous and Private James Drew
Photos: Private James Drew

When seventeen bikies roared into Kenilworth showgrounds during the 11 Brigade Reserve Response Force (RRF) evaluation exercise in late June, many thought it was part of the role play.

It was actually the American Motorcycle Club Sunshine Coast Chapter pulling in to take a short break from a local ride but it raised lots of interest for exercise participants and members of the public.

Motorcycle club President Glen Tierney said the riders were in the middle of a campaign of Give Me 5 For Kids, a community based appeal that raises money for local childrenšs hospitals.

"We had our national rally here and pulled in for a stop. One of our passengers is young girl with Wills Tumor, a type of cancer and we decided to take her for a ride," he said.

There was also another community winning hearts and mind operation going on, but this time it was headed up by 11 Brigade's Peter Jeffrey who took to the main street of Kenilworth, meeting and greeting locals during the RRF activity.

"Clearly this exercise has benefited the Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Ambulance and the Kenilworth Community," Brigadier Jeffrey said.

The Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce capitalised on the exercise with fundraisers as the town's population nearly doubled.

Kenilworth residents Barry Ware, Mike Blackhall and Phil Grove kept stray officers happy with a sausage sizzle to raise money for the voluntarily run information centre and
Carol Miller, Di Donovan, Pat Hampstead and Veronika Spicer put on a cake stall which lured in many hungry soldiers with their mouth watering chocolate cookies.

Veronika Spicer thought it was wonderful the military and police used Kenilworth as a training area.

"I think everybody's very happy that they're here and if they buy a cup of coffee and do those bits and pieces it's wonderful," Ms Spicer said.

Despite rain sodden conditions and ankle deep mud that failed to damper the spirits of the determined soldiers, the RRF training weekend gave a chance for a shakedown of operations and test the skill of the soldiers in trying conditions.

Operations Commander Major Luke Hughes, was pleased with the RRF weekend exercise and the training it provided.

"Around 180 military personnel attended and we learned a lot from this exercise," Major Hughes said.

"I can see areas we can improve and what I want to do is meet the capabilities that are expected of us and to do this each and every time," he said.

Photo Caption 1: 11BDE_1
(left) Cpt Andy McCarthy, Shirley Moreland, Chaplain Gary Stone (women from left) Carol Miller, Di Donovan, Pat Hampstead & Veronika Spicer - by James Drew

Winning hearts and minds: Captain Andy McCarthy and Chaplain Gary Stone sample the local cakes with all money raise going to support the information centre.

Photo Caption 2: 11BDE_2
WO2 Brett Mellish, Captain Buzz Sarlin, Barry Ware, Mike Blackhall & Phil Grove - by James Drew

Kenilworth residents Barry, Mike and Phil keep the officers happy with a sausage sizzle to raise funds to support the local information centre.

Photo Caption 3: 11BDE_3
Sunshine Coast Police Inspector Mark Henderson & Major Luke Hughes of 9Royal Queensland Regiment - by James Drew

Inspector Mark Henderson and Major Luke Hughes lead the exercise from their main Kenilworth showground headquarters.

Photo Caption 4: 11BDE_4
(Back from Left) Lft Peter Tuton 9RQR - Doug - Mumbles - Dave - Mator - Izzy - Kerls - Club President Glen - Srg Neill Dunn 25th49th - James Drew

The Sunshine Coast Chapter of the American Motorcycle Club dropped in on 11BDE's RRF activity, only to be mistaken by some as role players for the exercise.

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News Article

Below is a link to a recently published article regarding Major Hertslet, OC A Coy 9 RQR:

The Sunshine Coast Daily
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100 Spartans

100 Spartans by Dec 08
11 Brigade has passed the COMD test. The 100th Spartan Award was submitted by QUR on 2 Dec 08. The current total is 104!

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Fitness Requirements