Hot desert nights

SLOW SONG: Country and western singer Stacey Morris sings up a storm in the Middle East.

REALLY ROCKING: Capt John Baines, Stacey Morris, Nicki Gillis and Matt Woodford during the Tour de Force concerts. Photos: CPL Rob Nyffenegger

Volume 49, No. 14, August 10, 2006

On some hot desert nights recently, Australian and United States military personnel were entertained by a series of 11 concerts known as the Tour De Force Middle East 2006.
The shows brought a mixture of variety, comedy, country music and energetic rock to the Australian servicemen and their coalition colleagues throughout the Middle East.

Aniela Hidditch primed the crowd at every venue, entertaining them as she singled out a suitably embarrassed candidate to join her on the stage for some special attention.
Stacey Morris and Nikki Gillis then delivered a set of country songs that slipped senselessly between their original toe-tapping tunes to songs that made the audience think of home and family.

The crowd was also entertained by the excellent homespun Aussie comedy of Clint Paddison, humour which at times had some of the American audience wondering why the Australians were falling over in laughter as they tried to fathom our unique Aussie view of the world.

The finale for each show was the energetic performance of former Australian Idol contestant Lee Harding and his band Bedrock.
Harding mixed it in the moshpit with Australian and American personnel delivering a set of his hits along with some favourite covers.
The Tour De Force concerts are a significant activity for Australian personnel on deployment.

The tours not only provide entertainment but also reassure our service men and women that Australia cares about them and values what they are doing in the Middle East.
“It’s a real privilege to come over here and meet and entertain these amazing Aussies who leave their home and families to come and do the job over here for Australia,” Harding said.
All the artists have been exposed to the conditions in which Australia’s servicemen and women are working.
Bedrock’s drummer Mick Spencer said: “It makes me proud to see the Aussies held in such high regard by the other forces over here and see how hard they work in very tough conditions.

“Along with the constant threat of explosions and gunfire, the heat and dust are unbelievable.”

The Tour De Force concerts continue a real and valued tradition that began in Vietnam.

Musicians and entertainers provide their talents and give up their time free of charge to entertain Australian personnel on operations overseas. Watching the soldiers, sailors and airmen responding to the shows and the sincere appreciation of the artists, lets hope the tradition continues in the years ahead.

 

Rock solid champion

By Michael Brooke

AGAINST all odds LEUT Kate Tindall was recently crowned the NSW Rock Paper Scissors champion and will challenge for the national title later this month.
LEUT Tindall just happened to be at the venue in North Sydney for a drink with friends in July when she decided to enter the competition for a laugh.

Much to her astonishment she won her heat against 24 contenders, followed by the NSW State title over eight finalists, and now finds herself with a shot at the National Championship at the Gold Coast.
“I entered the State competition for a laugh, so imagine my surprise when I won the prize of a free trip to the Gold Coast to compete in the National Championship,” she told Navy News.

LEUT Tindall edged out SBLT Ian Walker in the final to win the NSW State title, but both have earned the right to contest the National Championship later this month (AUGUST).

LEUT Tindall, who recently graduated from HMAS Creswell (CAPT Mark Sander) and posted into HMAS Kuttabul (CMDR Brett Chandler) as a medical officer, said the secret to her success is her unpredictability of deciding at the last moment on what symbol for Rock Paper Scissors to play.

She said Rock Paper Scissors is sometimes mocked as a children’s game or a simpleton’s decision-making tool but it actually requires great mental powers to psych-out your opponent.

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