Australians and Japanese rock Timor

 

By Cpl Jonathan Garland
A GREAT deal of engineering is universal, so it is hardly surprising the engineers of several countries are working together in the multi-national environment of East Timor.

Works Officer 5/7 Bn Engineer Gp-Capt Jonathan Large said his soldiers were working alongside Japanese and Fijian engineers.

“We've done quite a lot of work with the Japanese Engineer Group and had some sporting and social interaction as well,” he said.

“They've come here with some equipment we don't have – a crushing plant – but their hauling vehicle isn't as good as our Mack truck.

“So we've come to an arrangement with them that we've hauled more than 2000 cubic metres of river gravel to their compound, they've crushed it, then each of us gets half.”

The Australians plan to work alongside the Japanese engineers on critical points of the Maliana to Bobonaro road and there is talk of putting some Australian assets under their control for cultural and technical exchange.

Social and sporting activities have included a formal dining-in night and a soccer match, which the Australians won 2-1.

There are six Fijian field engineers attached to the Australian group, which has proved extremely useful for work in East Timor.

“The interesting thing is that they cross-train their field engineers as carpenters and electricians, so that's added another string to our bow and given us more capacity to do work around the AO.

“The integration has been great - there's been a real effort to work with them on projects, rather than give them tasks to complete alone.

“They've got to know the guys and it's been really beneficial for all of us.”