Brig Justin Kelly, centre left, and Brig Paul Retter, centre right at the handover. Photo by Sgt Troy Rodgers, 1JPAU(P)

DFC PKF hands over the reins

By Cpl Belinda Mepham
AFTER nine months of assistance to the evolving East Timor Government, Brig Justin Kelly is handing over his role as Deputy Force Commander (DFC) of the Peace Keeping Force (PKF).

Brig Kelly said being in East Timor during the past nine months has been life changing.

“It has been fascinating, particularly to watch a government gradually take up the reins of government and to learn the business of running a country,” he said.

“It’s rewarding to be part of the process where UN and UNMISET are passing over authority and responsibility as the government is developing a capacity and a desire to take up those issues.

“The real professional highlight was the Dili riots, we saw the PKF stretched to the limit, but it worked very well and my personal highlight was to actually deal with 29 different countries.”

Brig Kelly said cultures from around the world positively effected his everyday dealings.

“The job is a cultural experience. For example, when the Deputy Commander visits they are generally received in that particular force’s cultural style. In a given week we’d eat at Thailand, Japan, Portugal and Singapore, for example.”

The new PKF DFC is Brig Paul Retter. Brig Retter has been Director General Preparedness and Plans for Army Headquarters, which he said developed the skillsets required for his new role even down to working with other forces.

“There, I guess you can say, I practised a number of years of preparation and training for this position,” he said.

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