Media Room: Media Releases

TROOPS ENTERTAINED WITH A LITTLE BIT OF HOME WHILE AWAY

Australian troops deployed to East Timor as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), were treated to a series of concerts last week by Australian entertainers and sports people as part of Tour de Force 15, the fifteenth Forces Entertainment Tour to visit East Timor. The concerts were held for both Australian and New Zealand defence personnel who are currently deployed to East Timor.

The entertainers included Mark Furze (from Home and Away) and his rock band, Falcon Road, as well as Melbourne comedian, Matthew Hardy. MC’s for the night, and with their own version of entertainment, were Amazon (Shari Onley) and Destiny (Karen Harding) from the television show, Gladiators, and Waratahs / Wallabies rugby player Adam Freier.

“I have really enjoyed meeting the troops, hearing their stories and also touring with a very unique team,” said Adam Freier.

The performers were maintaining a show-business tradition that pre-dates the Vietnam War.

“This has been a great opportunity to give the troops a well deserved break, and for me, to experience the military lifestyle and to see a part of the world I would not have seen otherwise,” said Mark Furze.

Aside from the concerts, the entertainers have enjoyed a taste of the military lifestyle, including physical training sessions, a ride in an M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier, Blackhawk flights over the mountains to outlying bases as well as the opportunity to experience a very different culture.

“I have an enlightened perspective of an industry, plus a nation, that I would have otherwise never known of,” said Matthew Hardy.

Brigadier Bill Sowry, Commander of the ISF, said the tour was a valued break from the daily routine for the men and women on deployment in East Timor.

“These eight people have given up their own time to entertain us here in East Timor, and they have returned to Australia with a greater understanding of military culture and our role over here as part of the ISF,” Brigadier Sowry said.

Media note: Still imagery is available at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664