PM expresses gratitude
Parliamentary reception for Operation Sumatra Assist personnel

Vital link: Gnr James Leaf, 110 AD Bty, during the leadership reaction course at Majura Range in Canberra, where the battery did some lead-up training for Talisman Saber. Photo by Pte Andrew Hetherington

Flying the flag: Members of HMAS Kanimbla’s Ship’s Army Department were among those who attended the reception. From left: Cfn Nathan Goodwin, Pte Neal Jendra, Pte Adam Dudgell and WO2 Michael Giampino. Photo by AB Kade Rogers

PRIME Minister John Howard has honoured ADF personnel who served on Operation Sumatra Assist at a reception at Parliament House in Canberra.

Mr Howard thanked the personnel for their contribution and described Australia’s response to the Boxing Day tsunami that devastated Aceh as “one of the proudest moments in Australia’s post war experience as a nation”.

“We responded speedily, we responded generously and we responded effectively,” the Prime Minister said.

“And the effectiveness of the response and the speed of the response was really the work of so many men and women who are gathered here today.

“You are publicly and warmly and unconditionally thanked for what you have done in our name.”

Mr Howard also expressed the heartfelt condolences of a grateful nation for the nine service personnel who lost their lives during the operation.

Army members at the reception included Cpl Paul Wilkinson, of 1JSU, who played a vital part in the establishment of communications to and from the airport and hospital in Banda Aceh.

Asked how he coped with the horrors of the tsunami’s aftermath, he said, “You get on with the job and don’t look around too much.”

Following the reception there was an opportunity for a group of soldiers from 1CER to attend Question Time in the gallery as guests of the Senate President, Senator Paul Calvert.

Senator Calvert interrupted Question Time to formally acknowledge and congratulate 1CER for their work.

“I know I speak for all senators in saying you all made us so proud in undertaking such a difficult humanitarian exercise in the best traditions of the ADF,” Senator Calvert said.

Senator Calvert’s remarks were accompanied by cheers of “Hear, hear” from the more than 70 senators in the Chamber at the time.

CO 1CER Lt-Col Ian Cumming said the Senate’s sentiments made him feel privileged.

“I’m very proud and humbled that the Senate should recognise the engineers in this way,” he said. “It’s also something special for the men.”

The sappers were given a private tour of Parliament House and had an informal visit at the office of their Northern Territory Senator, Nigel Scullion.

Senator Scullion said it was impossible for ordinary people to fully understand the challenges the sappers faced.

“No-one should ever be asked to complete the tasks that were asked of the combat engineers, yet they fulfilled this most awful of requests with professionalism that amplifies our proud Anzac tradition,” he said.

“There is no doubt the role played by 1CER was significant in preventing a shocking human tragedy becoming even worse.”