ADF Health October 2005 - Volume 6 Number 2ObituariesFive Defence Health Service personnel were among the nine people killed in the crash of a Navy helicopter on a humanitarian mission in Indonesia, 2 April 2005
Lieutenant Matthew Davey RANR
During his undergraduate years at Australian National University, Matt was involved in judo, ballroom dancing, community theatre, and the International Physics and Biology Olympiads. While at Flinders University in Adelaide, he joined the Reserves. In 2001, he started as an intern at Canberra Hospital. Over the next 2 years he became interested in chemical, biological and nuclear warfare, and developed a website on the topic. He learned to paraglide. He developed an interest in intensive care medicine, and in 2003 was appointed as an intensive care registrar. In 2003, a tangle in his lines caused him to fall 100 feet while paragliding, resulting in a burst fracture of a lumbar vertebra and a malleolar fracture. He was concerned about his ability to serve with the Navy with his back injury, but was determined to return to active service. In 2004, much to his joy, Matt was posted to East Timor. He served there in an acute resuscitation unit that was involved in the resuscitation and triage of both Timorese and Defence Force personnel. He received a United Nations Force Commander’s Commendation for his services and returned to Australia enthusiastic to serve again. Matt was keen to go to Iraq or the Gulf, but when the tsunami struck in Indonesia he saw his opportunity to serve and be challenged medically and provide humanitarian aid. On returning from Aceh, on the day he arrived home, he was asked to return to help with the earthquake relief. Matt willingly agreed to return, excited that he would be at the acute end of the humanitarian medical aid. On 2 April, he worked hard all day and had already performed one mission before Shark 02’s final flight. Like all of our late shipmates that day, Matthew embarked on that flight without hesitation, dedicated and keen to serve others who were in desperate need. Matt would have been disappointed with his life finishing this early. He had so much he wanted to achieve, on both a personal and professional level. David Lamond
Sergeant Wendy Jones RAAF
Her Service career began in 1990, entering into the medical assistant mustering, and included two tours of No 6 RAAF Hospital and the Health Services Flights at Pearce, Darwin, and Amberley. She deployed to East Timor for Operation Warden and received the Australian Active Service Medal - East Timor Clasp and the International Force East Timor Medal. She also deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, and was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with Iraq 2003 and International Coalition Against Terrorism Clasps. Wendy died as she had lived, with courage and selflessness - a life of great service. To us who do this work, she represents the best of what we do and we will carry this forward with us. Tracy Smart
Squadron Leader Paul McCarthy RAAF
Paul’s next posting was to RAAF Pearce, which he chose for rather unconventional reasons - the surf conditions. It was at Pearce that Paul demonstrated his inspirational leadership skills, not only in managing the challenges facing him as Officer In Charge but also in his unwavering support to unit members in all matters, be they work-related or personal. Those at Pearce also remember the little things he did for them: making tea and coffee for the ladies in the orderly room or bringing them flowers; making fruit juice for the staff at break times; and buying personalised bags for military staff members to hold their flying gear. There is no doubt that Paul was the consummate RAAF medical officer. He was always one of the first to put up his hand to volunteer for anything, the tsunami response being no exception. Paul’s eagerness to help and his excellent reputation as a mature and highly competent aviation medical officer saw us hand pick him to be our Aeromedical Evacuation coordinator on the ground in Sumatra, a position usually performed by someone of a higher rank. When he died, Paul was doing exactly what he wanted and felt he needed to do, and exactly where he wanted to be doing it. May we all be able to say as much when we pass on. Tracy Smart
Flight Lieutenant Lynne Rowbottom RAAF
Lynne’s career in the RAAF was almost over before it began, following a severe training accident in 1997. In the long and painful period of rehabilitation that followed, no one would have blamed Lynne for giving up. That she did not is testament to her determination and dedication to continue to serve, not just to serve at a large health facility but deploying on operations as part of a health team. Lynne’s courage and persistence paid off handsomely, first with her posting to an operationally active health facility in Townsville, and then with her distinguished service as part of the AME team in East Timor in 2003. For her service she was awarded the Australian Active Service Medal - East Timor Clasp. When the call came to help those in need following the earthquake in Nias, Lynne answered with a resounding "yes". As we know, this act of humanity resulted in the ultimate sacrifice - Lynne laid down her life to help others. But she was doing what she had trained to do, and indeed what she had fought for so hard and so long to be allowed to do. Tracy Smart
Petty Officer Stephen Slattery RAN
When Noelene, Steve’s wife, asked me to speak about Steve, I decided to ring around to many of Steve’s workmates and ask them to share a fond memory or possibly sum up his personality in a few words. One comment that came out time and time again: "Slatts was Slatts." This was always said with the same chuckle or a knowing smile that would creep over a person’s face. Those of us who knew and loved Steve understood the deeper meaning of those simple but very significant three words. Steve will be remembered for many things:
Most of all, Steve will long be remembered for his love of a good story. Leeanne Nightingale
|
|
|
Lieutenant Matthew Davey joined the Army Reserves in 2000, but became more interested in the Navy, where he saw better opportunities as a doctor, and the chance to play with bigger machines. 
Sergeant Wendy Jones, a 40-year-old medical assistant from RAAF Base Amberley, was a commanding officer’s dream. She was one of those "glues" that holds units and teams together. You could always rely on Wendy to cover all those unglamourous and often unseen tasks that make the difference between success and failure. She was clearly a superb medical assistant and led by example in that field, supporting and mentoring her junior colleagues. Her community spirit extended beyond the Air Force and included such undertakings as Relay for Life in support of the Cancer Council, where Wendy was the backbone of the unit’s effort last year and covered more miles than anyone. 
Squadron Leader Paul McCarthy, a 30-year-old medical officer, joined the Air Force in 1995 as an officer cadet medical undergraduate. Paul was first posted to RAAF Richmond and then to RAAF Williamtown where his colleagues remember his sense of humour, his willingness to help out and be part of the health team, and that nothing was too much trouble. They also remember shaking their heads in disbelief when he set up a rowing machine in his office to get in extra training between patients for the Atlantic Rowing Challenge (in which he and his partner Army Captain Patrick Weinrauch finished second). 
Flight Lieutenant Lynne Rowbottom joined the Air Force as a nursing officer in 1996 at the age of 34, with many years of nursing experience. All remember her as dedicated, professional, a skilled instructor, and someone who sincerely cared, not just about her patients but about her fellow staff members. She treated everybody equally, regardless of rank or whether they were uniformed, public servants, or contractors. Colleagues also remember her marvellous sense of humour, for example, the time she presented scripts to the pharmacy, signed by a busy medical officer, for items such as brandy for medicinal purposes, or dehydrated water for injection. 
Petty Officer Stephen Slattery will long be remembered as a committed and popular member of the Medical Branch who will be sadly missed, but happily remembered by his peers and subordinates alike. 