Defence

The official magazine

June 2005

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Treading lightly

Six individuals or teams from across Defence have been announced as the first recipients of the CDF and Secretary's Environment and Heritage Award.

The announcement of the award recipients coincided with World Environment Day on 5 June. A formal awards ceremony took place on 21 June.

A number of high calibre nominations were received, demonstrating commitment to sustainable environment and heritage management, in support of Defence's core business of protecting Australia and its national interests.

This award is designed to highlight the achievements of individuals, units or Groups who have assisted in meeting environmental legislative and policy obligations, and is open to all Defence personnel.

Criteria used in judging the award included demonstrated outcomes/ improvements, employee involvement, establishment of cooperative partnerships, innovation and the integration of environmental and heritage considerations in day-to-day management/activities.

Recipients of the Environment and Heritage Award for 2005 include:

Commander Ross Wendt RAN
CMDR Wendt's commitment to reducing Navy's environmental risks was a key factor in the successful development and implementation of the Navy Off-shore Exercise Environmental Management Plan as well as a range of other environmental initiatives.

CAPT Gavin Cooper While working at the Army School of Military Engineering, CAPT Cooper displayed outstanding initiative in developing a range of training and guidance materials to raise the environmental awareness of Army engineers.

Biofouling Control and Environmental Compliance Section
The team from the Maritime Platforms Division in the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) successfully identified a replacement antifouling compound for use on ships' hulls. This work has been lauded as an outstanding, internationally recognised contribution to the protection of the marine environment.

Fort Direction Security Guards
The team located at the Fort Direction Ammunition Supply Facility in Tasmania demonstrated exceptional commitment and initiative in managing the environmental values at Fort Direction, including providing improved habitat for endangered and significant species, while at the same time ensuring the security of the facility.

Flight Sergeant David Jones and Corporal Christopher Skiba FSGT Jones and CPL Skiba demonstrated exceptional commitment and initiative in developing ongoing procedures and continuous improvement processes for managing the significant environmental and heritage values at Dutson Air Weapons Range in Victoria.

Exercise Wing - Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre The team has demonstrated exceptional initiative and leadership in integrating the consideration of environmental requirements into the exercise planning processes for major exercises. Also featured in the cover story of this month's Defence magazine, the team has been heavily involved in the planning of the joint Exercise Talisman Sabre 05.

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Head shed

Recent senior promotions, appointments and news.

• Robert Campbell has been appointed to the position of Assistant Secretary Information Security Branch, DSD with effect 30 Jun 05.
• MAJGEN Frank Roberts has been appointed to the position of Head National Operations Division (HNOD) in CSIG.
• Rear Admiral Brian Adams, Head Defence Personnel Executive is leaving the RAN after 36 years dedicated service. A farewell was held at HMAS Harman on 22 June to formally mark his transfer to the Naval Reserve and celebrate his distinguished career as a Seaman Officer.
• Brendan Sargeant transferred to the position of Head Strategic Policy in Strategy Group on 14 Jun 05. Ms Lynwen Connick will act as Deputy Director Intelligence - DSD.
• Vipan Mahajan was appointed to the position of Assistant Secretary Business Management with effect 06 Jun 05.
• Commander Geoff Cannon, the Director of Combat Data Systems Centre (CDSC) is leaving the RAN after 40 years service with a farewell on Friday 1 July.

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In the know

Don't miss out on the latest news, events and publications! Here are some of the most recent:

• Defence and Industry Conference 2005 was held in Canberra 20-22 June 2005 and incorporated high level presentations and practical workshops. The theme of this year's conference was 'Getting Down to Business'. The presentations from the conference will be published here
• On 2 June a contract signing ceremony for the provision of 12 Army troop Lift Helicopters and associated equipment between Defence and Australian Aerospace was held. The new Troop Lift Helicopters, to be known as MRH90 helicopters, will enhance the Army's air mobile capability. This new generation of helicopters is expected to commence entering service from the end of 2007.

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In the news

The last of Australia's peacekeeping forces depart Timor-Leste on 24 June signifying the end of Operation Spire for the ADF. The ADF will continue to provide support to the Timor-Leste Defence Force as part of Australia's ongoing Defence Cooperation Program - for more details see the Strategy Group story. Pictured here at the official handover of Forward Operating Base Moleana are the Australian Defence Force representative Major General Ken Gillespie, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Dr Mari Alkatiri and other dignitaries. Photo by LACW Kim Eager

The Minister for Defence, The Hon. Robert Hill, has visited Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai in China to meet with the Chinese Defence Minister, Cao Gangchuan, and other senior defence officials. Australia's defence engagement with China covers a wide range of activities, including senior level visits, strategic dialogue and educational exchanges. The Minister is pictured here reviewing a Chinese Navy honour guard at Shanghai Naval Base on 10 June.

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Spell it out

This month, we focus on some acronyms that are commonly found in a range of formal and informal Defence correspondence, but may not be universally understood.

ASAP

as soon as possible

BZ

Well done

FNA

For necessary action

FYA

For your action

FYI

For your information

IAW

In accordance with

IDC

Interdepartmental Committee or In due course

NB

Note well (nota bene)

NFA

No further action or Notch Filter Assembly

NOTAL

Not to all

OOB

on or before

ORFL

On return from leave

WEF

with effect from

WRT

with regard to

To make the battle with acronyms a little easier, the Australian Defence Glossary (Defence Language Management System) is available on the Defence intranet at http://dlms.dcb.defence.gov.au/. DSTO also has an acronym database that is accessible at http://web-vic.dsto.defence.gov.au/dsto/directories/acronyms/.

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Calendar

5 July
Memorial Service

A Memorial Service in Canberra to honour Indigenous servicemen and servicewomen will be held as part of National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week. The memorial service will be held at midday on Tuesday 5 June 2005 at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Memorial, Canberra (approx. 300m behind the Australian War Memorial, towards Mount Ainslie).

22 July
Scholarship nominations

Call for nominations for the Secretary of Defence Scholarship 2006. The Secretary of Defence scholarship was introduced to enable Defence civilian employees to undertake one year of post graduate research on Defence related subjects. Applications close on Friday 22 June 2005. POC Susan Mitchell on 02 6265 3256.

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