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Soldiers
queue for East Timor posting
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The
water’s fine: One of the new houses built for the Australian
contingent.Photo by Cpl Damian Shovell
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By
Cpl Damian Shovell
EAST Timor’s Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) now rates as one
of the best postings outside of Australia.
CO DCP Lt-Col Grant Sanderson said the days of the DCP being the poor
cousin to Australia’s commitment to UN operations in East Timor
were over. With the end on Op Spire approaching, the DCP’s 26
personnel will soon be the biggest Australian presence in the country
with one-year unaccompanied and two-year accompanied postings available.
Additionally the accommodation at Dili’s new secure housing development
that will soon include eight more married quarters and, “now
we’re the rich snobs on the hill with the houses, pool and gym,”
Lt-Col Sanderson joked.
The open plan “Darwin-style” married quarters, with three
bedrooms and a study, are nestled in a protected compound featuring
a 20m pool, gym, tennis court, kids playground and even a bar –
all a stone’s throw from one of Dili’s beaches.
The Dili lifestyle has improved in recent years, with a host of entertainment
venues and interaction with Australian expats and government personnel
adding to the experience for accompanied members’ families.
Lt-Col Sanderson said these factors, combined with high-standard schooling
facilities and East Timor’s safe environment, had unsurprisingly
prompted most posted to the DCP to request posting extensions at the
end of their tenure.
“Almost every soldier I have here is putting in a posting extension
– no one wants to go home,” he said.
“This is a really challenging and fulfilling job and ultimately
there are few jobs in which you are able to work independently with
a foreign nation – and bring your family.”
Lt-Col Sanderson said accompanied postings were restricted to Dili
for at least another five years, but the Brigade Advisory Detachments
had an equally unique experience in living and working within East
Timorese battalions.
The positions available extend generally to officer and SNCOs, with
a limited amount of positions available to lower ranks.
“Everyone I’ve got working at the coalface enjoys being
here – it’s a challenging, worthwhile job. Anybody who’s
prepared to put in 12 months unaccompanied or 24 months accompanied
with his or her families should go and ring their career manager.” |
