In Brief
Volume 11, No. 46, June 29, 2006

Injured soldier returns
A SOLDIER serving with the SFTG in southern Afghanistan has returned to Australia for further medical treatment and rehabilitation. The soldier was wounded during an engagement with anti-coalition militia elements. He was initially treated by his comrades and evacuated to a coalition medical facility for surgery shortly after the incident. CDF ACM Angus Houston said the soldier had returned to Australia for ongoing medical treatment. “Once again the Australian and coalition medical staff supporting our operations in Afghanistan have provided first-class care that has greatly increased the chances of this soldier making a full recovery,” ACM Houston said.

Pay Plan extended
FRONTLINE Defence Services withdrawal of the Pay Plan and removal of electrical and lifestyle goods has been pushed back to June 30. Acting CEO Andrew Williams said the Frontline Board’s decision was based on strong consumer demand and remaining floor stock. “This will be the last chance for Defence service personnel to take advantage of this interest-free repayment scheme,” he said.

Little battler gone
FIVE-year-old Shannon Lawler lost his battle with terminal cancer on June 18. Shannon featured on page 13 of the April 6 edition of Army, when he and his family experienced a day of action and excitement with a joy ride in an assault boat and a Black Hawk courtesy of the TAG – East and 171 Avn Sqn.

Special needs support
DEFCREDIT has presented a cheque of $51,000 to the Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG). The donation was made at the DSNSG annual dinner held at the War Memorial. Defcredit’s fundraising efforts this year showed an increase of more than $15,000 over the monies raised and donated to DSNSG last year. National Coordinator DSNSG Margaret Fisk thanked Defcredit and its members for their support.