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Pte
Alison Hoban, 10HC, practices her rappelling technique at
the Defence on Display show’s 23m rappelling stand.
Photo by Capt Phil Pyke
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Interactivity
in Tassie
By
Capt Phil Pyke
AS THE Tasmanian show season drew to a close, the ADF display, Defence
on Display, was hailed a success.
Travelling
the three major shows at Burnie, Launceston and Hobart, an estimated
80,000 people viewed the interactive ADF displays throughout October.
Defence
on Display was also the first time the three services had joined
together to demonstrate the capabilities of the ADF Reserves in
Tasmania.
OPSOR
– CSICT Maj Colin Riley said the aim of Defence on Display
was to provide interactive displays for the public to participate
in and get a “hands on” view of the ADF.
“The
highlight of the displays was the 23m rappelling stand,” he
said.
“For
a gold coin donation to Camp Quality, members of the public could
undertake instruction with the Army Adventure
Training
Wing before going up in a cherry picker and rappelling 23m.”
Interestingly,
ADF members observed a number of men standing back watching while
their girlfriends took up the challenge to have a jump.
9 Bde
was well represented with 12/40 RTR, 16 Fd Bty, and 144 Sig Sqn
hosting strongly patronised stands.
Other
Tasmanian-based Army units providing displays were 2FSB with 10HC,
44 Tpt Sqn, 6 Sup Pl, 33 MP Pl in addition to Navy and RAAF Reserve
units.
The
end of the busy season for Defence on Display culminated in an attack
on the main Hobart show arena by staff cadets from the University
of Tasmania Coy (RMC) as a part of the evening entertainment.
Supported
by other Tasmanian ADF Reserve units, the attack was followed by
the AAB-Tasmania in concert on centre stage and a spectacular fireworks
display.
“Units
from the Army, Navy and Air Force, plus cadet units, put a strong
effort into Defence on Display.
“This
effort made the ADF display at the three shows very successful and
a number of positive comments and expressions of interest were received
from members of the public.”
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