Come hell or high water

By Mark Tanzer
Volume 11, No. 40, April 6, 2006

Heavy lift: 3CER members clean up the Inclusive Education Centre. Photo by Sgt John Carroll.

DRENCHED in pouring rain north of blacked-out Cardwell, I listened closely as an RACT corporal gave orders to convoy drivers about to cross a flooded creek in a desperate attempt to get humanitarian supplies to Innisfail.

Cpl Tim Owens, 9 Tpt Sqn, 3CSSB, inspired confidence with his cool “we can do this” attitude. The drivers, sheltering under a damaged awning at a service station, were wet and tired, but keen to complete the mission that night.

Engines running, their Mack and Unimog trucks were loaded with food, water and other supplies needed by people in the shattered region. If anything, the soldiers were frustrated – they wanted to push through as fast as they could.

Other 3 Bde packets had got through that day, but Cpl Owens’ night-time convoy would face the challenge of dangerously rising post-cyclone floodwaters.

Finally, we hit the last check-point. Cpl Owens got out and spoke to the police, who were reluctant to let anyone past. He told them of his vital supplies, of his soldiers’ skills and of the capabilities of his vehicles – and they waved him through. I could have cheered.

The police stopped me and photographer Cpl Rachel Ingram as no 4WD was allowed past. They were already trying to rescue the driver of a civilian 4WD vehicle trapped in the floodwaters.

We turned back, but Cpl Owens’ convoy made it into Innisfail that night before the Tully River went over. The drivers had fought floodwaters, hands clenched on the wheel against the force of the raging torrent.

They were soldiers on a mission, in the finest traditions of the Australian Army.