Getting all the pipes sorted

LCpl Christen Dummett taking some porcelin time. Photo by Cpl Sean Burton, Army newspaper

From Cpl Sean Burton in the Solomon Islands

If you’re serving in the Solomon Islands on Op Helpem Fren, chances are LCpl Christen Dummett will send you round the bend – the s-bend that is.

LCpl Dummett is one of two RAE plumbers and gas fitters working flat out with the Operation’s Military Engineer Group, to establish a camp for 2000 military and police personnel at the previously dormant Guadalcanal Beach Resort.

He said he was finding Op Helpem Fren challenging compared to his previous operational service.

“When I went over to East Timor last year most of the work was maintenance issues but over here its starting from scratch, so we’ve got to get it right and get the job done as best we can,” he said.

Having worked previously as a civilian plumber in Melbourne, LCpl Dummett said he has been surprised by the challenges facing him in Solomon Islands.

“As a plumber this is not what I’m used to, this is very rural, a lot of pumps and getting your hands dirty from septic tanks.

A lot of people can’t do it but it doesn’t bother me and at the end of the day someone’s got to do it.

“Setting up this new camp has had very specific problems for us as plumbers.

“There are major water issues. We’ve got some semi-structures but the old sewerage system is a nightmare.”

When asked what was the best and worst part about being an Army plumber he smiled mischievously and joked that the best part was having a bit of control over the higher ranked people.

“We had to turn HQ’s toilet off yesterday. They didn’t like that too much, especially coming from a lowly LCpl and his digger offsider.

“But seriously, plumbing’s a great trade. For this first week I’ll be doing water and sewerage work but next month I might be roofing.”

As sappers buzzed around, building a fence to secure the new camp in Solomon Islands, LCpl Dummett was obviously happy.

“The variety in trade is excellent. I get to do water, sewerage, gas, roofing and metalwork and get trained in a lot of different areas.

“The money is good and there is a lot of opportunity in the Army.

“Working with the septic tanks is the worst thing about this job. You can literally end up in the shit.”

Looking ahead, and with help from his offsider Spr Matt Ritchie, LCpl Dummett said the job would get done.

“It’s a big ask, but it has to be done.”

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