By Cpl Jonathan Garland

THE Joint Amenities Unit (JAU) detachment is still the best place for ADF members returning to Australia from East Timor to do their duty-free shopping.

OIC JAU detachment Maj Peter Jenkins said the unit also provided recreational facilities for Australian personnel in East Timor.

“Things such as gym equipment, televisions, videos, satellite dishes, sporting equipment – things that make life a little more easy for soldiers,” he said.

The detachment has a Mack truck and shipping container in addition to a permanent shop location in Dili, so they can service the regions on a fortnightly basis.

“Staff take the truck and container and operate on a temporary basis for two or three days out in the battalion areas.”

Among the biggest selling items are electronics, such as video recorders, cameras and compact disc players, but flowers for the loved ones back in Australia are also a popular choice.

“We run a service through Interflora and Army Amenities actually subsidises that service – that account alone would probably be close to $1million.

“To give you some idea of the total sales we’ve done, since the start of operations in East Timor the shop has turned over almost $9million.”

JAU operates the service in East Timor on behalf of Frontline and Army Amenities Unit.

.