Defence

Defence Support Group

Welcoming the Defence Support Group

Defence Support Group (DSG) staff from around Australia recently celebrated the formation of the DSG and simultaneously welcomed Deputy Secretary Defence Support, Mr Martin Bowles, as the Group's new leader. Janette Laracy explains.

Mr Mick Morris, Corporate Management Branch, longest serving DSG member, and Ms Samantha McKay, shortest serving DSG member, cut the cake at the launch in Canberra with Martin Bowles (right), Deputy Secretary Defence Support.
Photo by Dean Gilbert

A range of celebrations were held in Canberra and across the regions. At Campbell Park Offices in Canberra, Mr Bowles hosted an afternoon tea and was joined by the Secretary, Mr Ric Smith, the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Angus Houston, with around 450 DSG staff also attending.

The Secretary and CDF both spoke at the afternoon tea, with Mr Smith outlining that the rationale behind the formation of DSG was to create one cohesive group that provides broad-ranging support to members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Defence civilians.

ACM Houston addressed DSG staff by commenting that he too had an active role in the formation of the DSG. He stressed the important role that DSG plays in ensuring the ADF is effectively supported and able to fulfil its mission.

"The positive reputation the operational side of Defence enjoys is, in part, due to the excellent support and services DSG provides," he said.

He reminded staff of the direct effect DSG's work has on Defence's capability, such as the support to exercises that regional staff provide throughout Australia.

Mr Bowles addressed the congregation of DSG staff in Canberra, and recorded a message on DVD which was played at the regional celebrations throughout Australia.

He said that since joining Defence on 4 September, he has been getting out to meet as many DSG staff as he can throughout the regions, and would continue to do so in the coming months. He also touched on the restructure and emphasised the need for all DSG staff, military and civilian, to work together to provide the operational capability and support services essential to Defence's efficiency and effectiveness.

A key message from Mr Bowles was the need for continuous improvement.

"One of the challenges we in DSG face is to find the balance between striving for efficiencies and providing support to Defence," he said.

"Together we will undertake our support functions in an environment of continuous improvement. We need to learn from our mistakes and, if something needs to change to improve, then we need to go ahead and make those changes."

Other celebrations included DSG military and civilian staff along with members of our contracted workforce at Williamtown and Singleton in DSG's central northern New South Wales region; Anglesea Barracks in Hobart, Tasmania; Royal Australian Air Force Base Townsville; Cairns in north Queensland; and a range of sites in South Australia, including Edinburgh Parks, Keswick Barracks, Edinburgh and Woomera.

Janette Laracy is Executive Officer, Communication and Governance, DSG.

For further information on the structure of the Group and its services, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/

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