By
LEUT Joanne MacKintosh
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Motor
accident victim Chris Beer, with WO Hazel and fireground
staff.
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Photos:
ABPH Jarrad Oliffe
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LEUT
Robert Ratkovic accepting the Chris Beer Award.
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LEUT
Robert Ratkovic has won the 2003 Chris Beer Award for outstanding
achievements and dedication to submarine training in the face
of hardship.
Before 50 guests at Training Authority – Submarines, Fleet Base
West, LEUT Ratkovic was presented with the Chris Beer Perpetual
Shield.
Chris Beer is a young West Australian whose dream of becoming
a submariner was tragically cut short when he was struck down
in a motor accident. He suffered permanent brain damage and profound
disability.
In recognition of the substantial difficulties and often courageous
decisions Chris faced, his parents decided a perpetual shield
would be established in his honour.
During his posting to the submarine school, LEUT Ratkovic was
an integral member of the Submarine Warfare Faculty in the TA-SM
organisation, responsible for training junior officers striving
to be submariners.
LEUT Ratkovic was also selected to represent the Submarine Force
Element Group as a member of the Submarine Presentation Team and
was instrumental in organising numerous high profile conferences.
His performance was described as exemplary. This, however, was
achieved while he supported his wife who suffers a serious, long-term
illness and cared for her and their two young school-aged children.
LEUT Ratkovic also found time to continue university studies.
Before the ceremony, Chris Beer was escorted to the Ship Safety
and Survivability School in the HMAS Stirling Fire Response vehicle
and was enthralled as he watched the members of the HMAS Westralia
ship’s company going through their paces as part of a training
exercise.
On completion of the presentation a barbecue lunch was held at
the Submarine Training and Systems Centre and enjoyed by the Beer
family, LEUT Ratkovic and all TA-SM staff.
