Parading for a job well done

Navy personnel returning from deployment are recognised for their efforts during a parade in Townsville.

Photo: CPL Neil Ruskin

Townsville people turned out in force earlier this month to pay tribute to Australian Defence Force personnel who have served overseas on operations at an official welcome home parade.

Prime Minister John Howard, Defence Minister Robert Hill and Member for Herbert Peter Lindsay joined Vice Admiral Russ Shalders and Service Chiefs, families and friends in officially welcoming home the personnel who have recently returned from operations.

Senator Robert Hill said the Defence Force had deployed on a number of peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world, each time working closely with other nations in often difficult and potentially dangerous situations.

“Today’s tri-service parade is recognition for a job well done - all Australians should be proud of the efforts of the men and women of our Australian Defence Force,” Senator Hill said.

“The ADF has made an outstanding contribution to the lives of the people of a number of nations such as the Solomon Islands and East Timor, as they work towards building a new future for their countries.”

Senator Hill said that the parade was an opportunity for the people of North Queensland to welcome home ADF personnel deployed on operations in Bougainville, the Middle East, Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as those protecting the North West approaches to Australia.

“The ADF has a reputation for compassion, professionalism and discipline that has been proven on battlefields and in peacekeeping missions all around the world,” Senator Hill said.

Soldiers, sailors and airmen joined forces for a march-past along The Strand in Townsville.

An Air Force Caribou aircraft and Army Aviation helicopter flyover supported the parade.

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