Clean and drinkable
Solo inspector keeps tabs on Timor water

Environmental health specialist Pte Richard Murray tests for the presence of potentially harmful bacteria in the water supply at FOB Moleana. Photo by Cpl Cameron Jamieson, Army newspaper

From Cpl Cameron Jamieson in East Timor

THERE is a battlefront on every operation that must be won if deployed soldiers are to remain fit to fight.

It is a very serious fight, but very few warriors are in the front line of this particular conflict, and in the case of Op Spire the bulk of the fighting has fallen onto the shoulders of a single digger.

Pte Richard Murray is the deployed environmental health specialist at FOB Moleana.

His job is to ensure that disease is kept at bay so maximum manpower is available for the UN mission, a job that would normally be allocated to someone more senior in rank.

Pte Murray effectively looks after all the UN Security Force bases, including Moleana, Oecussi, Suai and Dili.

He is assisted by local health agencies, which again requires him to liaise at a level beyond his rank.

The end result is that the various bases maintain a good standard of preventative health measures because people know Pte Murry is on the lookout for bad practices.

Troop Commander Log Tp Capt Gary Pope acknowledged the contribution Pte Murray has made to the entire UN Security Force in Timor.

“His job is very diverse,” Capt Pope said.

“He ensures that our water is clean, that we are not harming the environment, and [he] looks at other measures to sustain our force.”

Pte Murray’s ability to successfully fulfil the role is assisted by the support he receives from all his superiors, a situation he is thankful for.

“The job would be a heck of a lot harder if it wasn’t for the level of support I receive,” he said.

“The area and scope of responsibility is manageable because of their assistance.”