Media Room: Media Releases

AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER FAREWELLED BY MATES

Australian soldiers from the 1^st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1), together with members of the Afghan National Army and coalition representatives have bid a final farewell to Corporal Mathew “Hoppy” Hopkins.

Corporal Hopkins was killed as a result of intense contact with Taliban insurgents while conducting operations with the Afghan National Army in Oruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan on Monday, 16 March.

At a solemn Ramp Ceremony held at dusk in Tarin Kowt yesterday, Corporal Hopkins’ mates spoke of an exemplary soldier who would be missed both professionally and personally.

MRTF-1 Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Shane Gabriel said the MRTF had received the worst possible news that an Australian had been wounded and subsequently died as a consequence of heavy contact with the Taliban.

“This hits us all hard. I take Mathew’s loss, as his Commanding Officer, very personally and very deeply. He was an outstanding soldier. He was extremely well known and greatly respected across the Battalion and indeed across the Battle Group here on this operation,” Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel said.

“Today we have the very important but sad responsibility to farewell Mathew from Afghanistan as he begins his journey home to Australia.”

An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) served as an improvised gun carriage and his colleagues marched ahead with troops from other nations lining the route to pay their respects to a fellow soldier who had paid the ultimate price whilst working to secure a safe and stable future for the people of Afghanistan.

In a mark of respect for the Australian soldier, patrol bases fired illumination rounds as the aircraft carrying his casket departed the airfield at Tarin Kowt.

Known affectionately throughout the Battle Group as ‘Hoppy’, Corporal Hopkins was on his second tour in Afghanistan, originally deploying as a Private soldier in 2006 and returning on his current deployment as a section commander. A professional and respected leader, Corporal Hopkins had risen rapidly through the ranks. His quick promotion was a reflection of his skills as both a soldier and a leader.

It is anticipated that Corporal Hopkins will return to Australia in the early part of next week.

Media note:

Vision from the Ramp Ceremony in Tarin Kowt will be fed to the networks in the

Parliament House Press Gallery.

Imagery is available from www.defence.gov.au/media/download

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664