What's New

The RAADC Defence Intranet site has achieved a significant milestone in the last few days. The site, which was first established late in 2003, has had over 20,000 hits in just over five and a half years. This figure does not include about 3,500 hits inadvertently deleted when the inexperienced Web Manager accidently zeroed the counter in the early days of the site. Given the small size of the Corps, this is a significant amount of interest being shown by those who can access the site and while it is not possible to guage the interest from outside of Defence, its presence on the Internet has resulted in a few contacts from external parties.

Corps History Update

LTCOL Sven Kuusk has advised that as at mid Aug, he is about 75% of the way through the process of writing the Corps history.

The publication has reached almost 600 pages and LTCOL Kuusk's comment was that he is not surprised that previous efforts to write the history have faltered.

If you have not provided previously requested information, please assist by doing so as soon as possible.

LTCOL Sven Kuusk is in the process of writing the history of the RAADC and wishes to include the details of all members of the Corps, as at 2008.

Please provide LTCOL Kuusk with the details listed below as soon as possible so that he can proceed with meeting publishing deadlines.

LTCOL Kuusk's email address is skuusk@bigpond.net.au Should you have any questions with regards to this information, please do not hesitate to contact LTCOL Kuusk directly.

Details required are:

Unit
Service and or PMKeyS Number
Rank
Name
Initials
Current posting eg Tech, DA, Hyg etc
Honours and Awards or Commendations
Overseas deployments Where and when

THE SOLIDERS MEDALLION

8489198 LANCE CORPORAL ALISON ROLLES


Lance Corporal Rolles, Royal Australian Army Dental Corps, is awarded
the Soldiers Medallion for exemplary service to 1st Combat Service
Support Battalion. Lance Corporal Rolles has proved to be a capable
leader who at all times reflects the qualities of a junior non commissioned
officer. Lance Corporal Rolles has demonstrated initiative, commitment
and motivation which have resulted in excellent results in the execution
of her duties. Her dedication to her duties has enabled her to achieve
excellent results above the standard of her current rank.

Her dedicated initiative, application and determination have earned her
high regard from her superiors and the respect of her peers. Her actions
have brought great credit upon herself, The Royal Australian Army
Dental Corps and the Australian Army.



10 Nov 08

Changing of the guard - new Head of Corps RAADC

PASSING ON THE BATON

To all members of the RAADC,

I wish to announce that I have received a letter from MAJGEN Symon, Deputy Chief of Army, relinquishing my appointment as Head of Corps and appointing LTCOL Susan Atkins as the next Head of Corps of the Royal Australian Army Dental Corps with effect 15 May 2009. As you already know LTCOL Atkins has been performing most of the functions of HOC since Feb 2009 when I was advised by JHC that I could no longer continue with the appointment under my new employment arrangements. Now that the change has been formalised LTCOL Atkins can now bear the title and take full recognition for the additional effort that she has already willingly undertaken.

I thank every member of the Corps for the support they have given me as HOC and I know that LTCOL Atkins will now receive that same level of support. Just remember that the HOC appointment is an extra regimental appointment so we don't have the luxury a fulltime leader like we did prior to 2000. This puts the onus on each and every member of the Corps to take every opportunity to advance the Corps' interest at every level. We have a long and proud tradition and it is up to all of us to ensure that the Corps prevails. Whilst we have down sized in recent years our reason for existence remains unchanged and structural changes on the drawing board are promising for a strong and secure future for the Corps.

I have held the HOC position for over seven years now and while it is with some considerable sadness that I relinquish the appointment, I have been proud to have had the privilege to lead such a wonderful Corps. The people within the Corps are what has made the role the most fulfilling and I have been constantly amazed at the enthusiasm and dedication of every member of the Corps at every level and location. Colonels do not wear a lanyard unless in a Corps appointment. I took my lanyard off upon receiving the DCA's letter and I must admit that I feel somewhat undressed as I sit here typing this without my burnt orange lanyard getting in the way. Lanyard or not, I am still a member of the Corps and my allegiance will always be there even long after I eventually take the uniform off. This is not a goodbye, just a sincere thankyou. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you either in the work place or at future Corps or Corps related activities.

Please ensure that this is widely disseminated to reach those members whom I have inadvertently missed in my address list above.

Kind regards,

Geoff Stacey
COL