Image Gallery: July 2008
Welcome Home Parade - Brisbane
01 July 2008
The return to Australia of OBG(W)-4 marks the end of the Australian deployment in southern Iraq and ends a significant milestone for Australian military history.
Brisbane hosted the Welcome Home Parade to commemorate the Australian deployment to Iraq and congratulate the soldiers who have taken part in this operation. An asteriated 700 soldiers participated in the parade. The event acknowledged all the deployments and included the Overwatch Battle Group, the Al Muthanna Task Group and the Australian Army Training Team Iraq.
The Australian commitment to southern Iraq included the deployment of an infantry and cavalry battle group for more than three years and a dedicated training team for about four years.
| 20080628adf8242498_014 Private Liam Haven with his mother Deb Haven and father Craig Haven. Private Haven was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device near An Nasiriyah on May 17. He suffered injuries to his upper body and has lost vision in both eyes. The young soldier has made a remarkable recovery and flew in from Perth to return to Brisbane to participate in the parade. He was reunited his mates for the first time since his return to Australia. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_020 Private Liam Haven (centre) celebrates with his mates at the reception after the parade. Private Haven was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device near An Nasiriyah on May 17. He suffered injuries to his upper body and has lost most of his vision in both eyes. Left to right Private Robert Weeks, Private Jacek Magdan, Private Liam Haven, Private Ian Dick, Private Douglas Zamora. The young soldier has made a remarkable recovery and flew in from Perth to return to Brisbane to participate in the parade. He was reunited his mates for the first time since his return to Australia. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_025 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd applauds troops as they march past. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_032 Troops march past Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy and offical party guests. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_040 Children in the crowd squeeze through the barriers to get a better look at the soldiers. They cheer and wave their flags excitedly as the soldiers march through the main street of Brisbane. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_045 A large crowd gathered on Brisbane's main street to watch the soldiers as they marched by. A supporter waved a colourful hand-made banner and looked on proudly as the troops marched past. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_053 A large crowd gathered on Brisbane's main street to watch the soldiers as they marched by. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_070 A large crowd gathered on Brisbane's main street to watch the soldiers as they marched by. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_071 The soldiers marched proudly through the streets of Brisbane in the Welcome Home Parade. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_073 A large crowd crammed Brisbane's main street to welcome home the soldiers. The unexpected size of the crowd and their cheers of a job well done overwhelmed many of the soldiers. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_077 A large crowd crammed Brisbane's main street to welcome home the soldiers. The unexpected size of the crowd and their cheers of a job well done overwhelmed many of the soldiers. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_082 The spectators stood on a balcony of a shopping centre to gain a better view of the soldiers as they marched past. The cheers of support for the soldiers drowned out the sound of the band which lead the parade. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_085 A large crowd crammed Brisbane's main street to welcome home the soldiers. The unexpected size of the crowd and their cheers of a job well done overwhelmed many of the soldiers. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_087 The spectators stood on a balcony of a shopping centre to gain a better view of the soldiers as they marched past. The cheers of support for the soldiers drowned out the sound of the band which lead the parade. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_095 A vast column of soldiers in desert camouflage marched down Brisbane's main street. Many of the soldiers who participated in the welcome home parade had recently returned from Iraq, but there were also many who had served in Iraq in previous years on other rotations. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_096 Private Liam Haven lead the parade guided by two of his best mates Private Daniel Ball (left) and Private Ian Dick (right) all from 6RAR. Private Haven was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device near An Nasiriyah on May 17. He suffered injuries to his upper body and has lost most of his vision in both of his eyes. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080628adf8242498_103 Private Liam Haven lead the parade guided by two of his best mates Private Daniel Ball (left) and Private Ian Dick (right) all from 6RAR. Private Haven was injured by an Improvised Explosive Device near An Nasiriyah on May 17. He suffered injuries to his upper body and has lost most of his vision in both of his eyes. (Date taken: 28 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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