Defence

The official magazine

April 2006

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One year on

Defence remembers Sea King tragedy

Nine Australian Defence Force (ADF) men and women tragically killed in the crash of a Navy Sea King helicopter on 2 April 2005 have been remembered in a number of memorial services in Australia and in a dedication held on the Indonesian Island of Nias on 2 April 2006, one year after the accident.

The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, MP, attended a Naval Aviation service at HMAS Albatross in Nowra and a commemorative service at Defence Headquarters in Canberra.

In Indonesia, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson, MP, accompanied by the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, and the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, attended a ceremony at the site of a permanent memorial on Nias Island. They joined Indonesian dignitaries and community members, and family members of the Navy and Air Force victims, in remembering the sacrifice of those killed. Indonesian Major General Dadi Susanto addressed the ceremony on behalf of the Indonesian Minister for Defence.

The Ministers and Defence officials at the commemorative services paid tribute to the nine ADF personnel who lost their lives and expressed condolences to those gathered in Nias as well as at home in Australia.

In the news

From a proud past to a better future

The Defence Heritage Strategy was launched on 27 March 2006 by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. Sandy Macdonald, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, the Hon. Greg Hunt, MP, at the historic Royal Military College, Duntroon.

Defence currently manages 125 sites that are included on the Commonwealth Heritage List and over 200 sites on the Register of the National Estate.

The strategy sets the agenda for the new approach to Defence heritage management, with a focus on delivering positive heritage outcomes. It was prepared by Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group's Environment and Heritage Branch, in consultation with the Australian Heritage Council and the Department of the Environment and Heritage.

'This is a significant step forward in ensuring heritage sites owned by Defence are managed appropriately on behalf of the Australian people, now and into the future,' Senator Macdonald said.

The strategy illustrates Defence's continued investment in the conservation of its heritage sites for the benefit of future generations.

For a copy of the Defence Heritage Strategy, contact Shelley James, Assistant Director Heritage and Biodiversity Conservation on (02) 6266 8098.

For more information on the Defence Heritage Strategy visit http://www.defence.gov.au/environment/heritage/.

Post–Cyclone Larry—ADF supports Katherine community

Operation Larry Assist, the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the disaster recovery effort in northern Queensland, is now being felt over most of the cyclone-affected region.

Using a mix of aircraft and vehicles, troops from the Townsville-based 3rd Brigade and the Cairns-based 51st Far North Queensland Regiment have been providing relief supplies—including tarpaulins, water, generators and food—to outlying communities in the Greater Johnstone Shire.

While still caring for patients that have been evacuated to RAAF Base Tindal, Air Force personnel continue to stay on call and await any further requests for assistance.

The ADF remains proud to be making a meaningful initial contribution to the national response, led by Emergency Management Australia, to this natural disaster.

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