Briefs

12,000 up for awards
Malaysian medal

As many as 12,000 current and former Australian servicemen and women who served in Malaysia from 1957 to 1966 will be awarded a commemorative medal by the Malaysian Government.

The Malaysian Government has produced the award, titled Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM), in recognition of their “distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice or loyalty” in contributing to the freedom of independence of Malaysia.

For more information or a copy of the application form, call the toll-free medals’ hotline on 1800 111 321 or go to www.defence.gov.au/dpe/dpe_site/honours_awards/.

• Medical support staff
  Team’s stay extended
  
  Specialist ADF medical support in Iraq will be extended by three months to June, the Defence Minister, Senator Robert Hill has announced.
  
  Australia has a 20 person team in Iraq and it will be rotated. RAN personnel are among the team.
  
  Senator Hill said on March 10 that Australia will continue to provide a specialist Defence Force medical team until the end of June.
  
  He said the medical team is one of the key Australian detachments working in Iraq and the extension recognises the important work the team is doing in the re-building of Iraq.
  
  The extension will involve a rotation of deployed ADF medical personnel many of whom are Reservists.
  
  
• Research scholarship
  Postgraduate study
  
  Each year the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) awards a scholarship to a Australian Defence Force member to undertake postgraduate research, usually at the university college, Australian Defence Force Academy.
  
  The scholarship may be awarded to any permanent member of the ADF who can demonstrate the ability to research and produce a paper at an advanced level, in a field relevant to the needs of Defence.
  
  The scholarship provides the benefits of 12 months full-time postgraduate study on full salary, including an allowance of up to $15,000.
  
  Previous scholarship winners have pursued research in Defence-related topics such as strategy, security, information operations, enterprise architecture and network centric warfare. DEFGRAM 124/2005 has recently been released calling for nominations for the CDF Scholarship.
  
  Applications close on May 27.
  
  For further information, you should refer to DI(G) PERS 05-28 (complete revision) for the Chief of the Defence Force Scholarship.
  
  Any questions relating to the scholarships can also be addressed to the Assistant Director Leadership Skilling, on (02) 6265 3355, or email susan.selleck@defence.gov.au.
  
  
• Induction ceremony
  Welcome to RAN
  
  At a special induction service at Defence Recruiting at Parramatta in Sydney 11 new appointees were welcomed into the RAN by DNOP CAPT Tim Barrett.
  
  Four will become pilots – Ian Baxter, Carlo Filingeri, Mark Read and Ben Martin with Michael Wisniewski to train as an observer.
  
  Adrian Gantley has joined as a qualified nursing officer and five will become seaman officers – Ben Baldwin, Robert Curtis, Brendan Naylor, Scott Baxter and Candice Poole.
  
  
• Environmental awards
  Nominations open
  
  The creation of an annual CDF/Secretary Environment and Heritage commendation is set to boost environmental management within Defence.
  
  Applications for the inaugural issue of the commendations close on April 20.
  
  They are open to Defence personnel who have contributed to the reduction of environmental risk through exceptional environmental and heritage management.
  
  Military and APS members, units and groups are encouraged to submit applications detailing their success in creating positive environmental outcomes.
  
  The presentation of the commendations by CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove and Secretary of Defence Ric Smith will coincide with the UN World Environment Day on June 5.
  
  For further information visit http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/environment or contact Ms Helen Blain on (02) 6266 8166 or helen.blain@defence.gov.au.
  
  
• Learning experience
  Geelong visits Fiji
  
  During a recent stopover in Suva, Fiji, sailors from HMAS Geelong were able to give students from three different local schools a unique chance to explore the ship first hand. For many of the students, it was their first opportunity to see a war ship up close.
  
  ABBM Peter Ramage led the tour for the international school students, aged eight and nine years old, whilst final year students from Marist Brothers Suva and Cathedral Secondary School were given a more detailed understanding of a career at sea with inspiration provided by AB Ramage and ABMT Dan Rushby.
  
  The Commanding Officer LCDR Doornbos also hosted an official luncheon with a number of local dignitaries and staff from the Australian High Commission attending.
  
  During the stopover, the sailors also had a chance to do some exploring too, taking in some of the sights of the port, as well as the outer coastal areas.

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