Shining the light for 1RAR

1RAR Padre Capt Colin Barwise leads the battalion in worship during its birthday celebration church parade. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, 1JPAU(P)

By Cpl Belinda Mepham
1RAR sat beneath Townsville’s bushfire-red setting sun and heard an inspiring message, as earthly as their surrounds on the Aussie Rules oval.

“What will you be remembered for when all is said and done?” was the message from 1RAR’s padre Capt Colin Barwise at a traditional church parade this month at Lavarack Barracks.

To kick-start a week of birthday celebrations, the seed was planted for the members to be proud of who they were and what they served, their history and their futures as a unit and individuals.

Padre Barwise said the service was part of 1RAR tradition.

“The ceremony is tradition but the message is about the men today. A little bit of charisma and contemporary spin at the service was about recognising the changes in the years,” he said.

“1RAR is special because of their role in Defence, they are the pointy part of the sharp end. I have seen them play and work very hard since I came here. It takes courage to do their job. My job is to inspire courageous character in all aspects of their life.”

Padre Barwise said that his previous posting at 5Avn Regt was Gucci with the Black Hawks and the lifestyle unique to the regiment; however, he found the raw attitude of green in 1RAR deserved respect.

“Let alone the physical demands of the job, they face constant endurance and mental fortitude challenges, they work in teams and packs and are very loyal.

“I like to be the impression to the impressionable. To remind the guys what they do deserves honour in their individual lives as well as their job.”

Padre Barwise is a Presbyterian minister but does not consider himself bound by issues about church style.

“Living each day like that is the day you will be remembered for is the battle already won, not debating the religious ideals of various churches.”

Next year when 1RAR deploys to East Timor the unit will have its inspiring padre in tow carrying a candle.

“The candle is about that little light that is so easy to lose when things get tough or difficult to deal with.”