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Main Sections: In the know | In the news | Defence personnel honoured in Australia Day awards | How to contribute | 
Operation Pakistan Assist 
HMAS Parramatta in the Persian Gulf 
Successful Hellfire missile tests on Tiger helicopter |
In the knowThird annual defence industry congressThe Australian Defence Magazine's (ADM) third annual defence industry congress of will be held in March this year. The event will bring together leading experts from across Defence and Industry to examine developments in the past year and what must now happen for an efficient, sustainable future. The agenda will consider key challenges for the ADF for 2020, future capability and the implications of the DMO as a prescribed agency. It will also look at a NCW capable ADF and critical projects such as the Battlespace communications project and AWD. The two-day congress will be held on 14 and 15 March 2006. Guest speakers at the event will include:
To view the full programme or to register for ADM2006, simply visit www.informa.com.au/ADM2006 or email registration@informa.com.au International Women's Day 2006On Wednesday, 8 March 2006, the Secretary of Defence and the Defence Equity Organisation are hosting a presentation to celebrate International Women's Day. This day provides an opportunity to recognise the achievements of women and their contribution to society. International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history and is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. IWD is commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a public holiday. The Defence celebration will take the form of an address delivered by Ms Audrey Fagan APM, ACT Chief Police Officer in the Australian Federal Police. The Secretary of Defence will be opening the event. Defence personnel are invited to attend the Defence International Women's Day celebration, which will commence at 1200 in the R1 Theatrette in Russell Offices. Following the presentation, a light lunch will be served in the R1 Theatrette anteroom. Expressions of interest are required by 27 February 2006 for catering purposes, and should be passed to Kate Anderson, Defence Equity Organisation, tel: (02) 6265 7802 or e-mail: kate.anderson@defence.gov.au. [ top of page ] In the news10 February
Mr Brad Sinnatamby, auction winner of a day with the Navy, is coached in firing a .50 calibre machine-gun on board HMAS Manoora during the Exercise Ocean Protector media day.
Exercise Ocean Protector 2006 has been successfully completed, proving to be a huge success for both the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces as the annual combined maritime exercise honed their core warfighting skills during operations off the New South Wales South Coast. "The overall performance from the task group ... was exceptional. We have set a high standard which we will endeavour to maintain throughout the course of Exercise Tasmanex," said Captain Stephen McDowall, the Commander of the Australian Surface Task Group. Exercise Tasmanex, a joint live firing exercise involving contingents from the Australian and New Zealand Navies and Air Forces, will follow. Held off the East Coast of Australia from 13 to 24 February 2006, Tasmanex will further develop maritime safety, seamanship and warfare skills.
1 FebruaryFrom 1 February 2006, new mothers in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will now be able to spend more time with their young families, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Bruce Billson, announced today. "Women in the ADF will have access to an additional two weeks of paid maternity leave, boosting the current entitlement from 12 to 14 weeks," Mr Billson said. "The women in our Defence Force play an outstanding role in the service of their country and deserve as much support as possible in their role as mothers with young families." 8 FebruaryThe 2006 Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (ADFPP) was launched by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald. The program, which has been running for the past five years, gives Senators and Members of Parliament a taste of what it is like to serve in the ADF. "Parliamentarians spend time at the working level with both Defence and civilian personnel in the ADF, allowing them greater insight into the conditions of service and an understanding of the current responsibilities of the ADF, while ADF members have the opportunity to understand how a political office operates. "In gaining this type of experience, parliamentarians will be able to contribute to debate on Defence and National Security issues in a more informed manner," Senator Macdonald said. 10 FebruaryThe Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Bruce Billson visited Darwin bases in Darwin, met with ADF members from the Army, Navy and Air Force, and received briefings from senior military officers. This included a familiarisation tour at Headquarters Northern Command, hosted by Commander Northern Command, Commodore Campbell Darby RAN, and an overview of the newly formed Joint Offshore Protection Command. "While much of the public attention focuses on international deployments, ADF members in the Northern Territory are protecting our national interests every day," Mr Billson said. [ top of page ] |
Defence personnel honoured in Australia Day awardsIn this year's Australia Day Honours list, 67 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members were presented with awards by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, the Hon Deanne Kelly. "On behalf of all Australians, I extend the Government's congratulations to the Australian Defence Force members honoured in the Military Division of the Australia Day awards," Mrs Kelly said. ADF members were presented with:
Across Defence, Australia Day medallions were also presented within each Service and Group to recognise meritorious service during 2005. For more information about the Australia Day Honours, see www.itsanhonour.gov.au [ top of page ] |
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