TV crew capture real life

ON THE DOTTED LINE: CN VADM Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN, signs up with TV producers Hal and Di McElroy.

Volume 49, No. 19 ,October 19, 2006

By LCDR Mick Gallagher

“On Friday at 1600 its muck-up time and a bit of fun. My parents live in Canberra so I often visit them on the weekends,” said SBLT Lauren Rago, who is currently undergoing training at HMAS Creswell on the picturesque shores of Jervis Bay, NSW.

SBLT Rago, who had joined the Reserves as a Public Relations Officer and is now training as a PN Seaman Officer, was being interviewed by Kate Mellis of the Channel Nine Today show.
Along with cameraman Dale Warner and sound technician Ron McCloughan, the TV crew had followed the SBLT since 0630 that morning.

SBLT Rago had spent the night in a hutchie, along with other junior officers of Charlie Section, as part of a mock humanitarian relief exercise to develop leadership skills in a mentally and physically challenging environment.

The eager film crew was on hand to catch the action.

“I woke up this morning with a half-eaten biscuit stuck to my face,” SBLT Rago said to LEUT Ian Lumsden, of Defence Recruiting, as she emerged from her hutchie.
It was then that Operations Manager, LEUT Mike Henry belted out his orders.

“Charlie Section you’ve got 30 minutes to get ready, pack your backpacks and march out.”

The group had started the exercise two days earlier at 0300 with a 12km forced pack march, and was still in high spirits.

“We all had the same size pack of approx 20kg, irrespective of age, weight or size,” said SBLT Mardi Richards, who had joined as a direct entry legal officer.

After breaking camp the final part of the exercise was to cross a ravine and provide medical assistance to a villager who had been bitten by a venomous snake.

POPT Dion McCrabb gave his instructions to SBLT Rago, who as team leader had to direct her team, while MIDN Leigh George, a trainee Navy pilot from Kangaroo Island, acted the part of the distressed father from the village who only spoke a few words of English.

“The object is to transfer two medics across the ravine. You have 30 minutes to complete the task,” PO McCrabb said.

Having successfully completed the exercise the members of Charlie Section returned to their quarters to change into the dress of the day.

“It was certainly different and not what I expected,” said MIDN Brad Turner of Perth. MIDN Turner had previously been a submariner acoustic warfare analyst ABAWA(SM) before receiving his commission.
It was then off to morning parade where SBLT Rago took the salute for colours and MIDN Turner piped the “still’ and “carry on” with the bosun’s call.
Classroom instructions then followed with the camera crew still in pursuit.

The Creswell filming will be shown on October 23 when the Today show broadcasts live from HMAS Stuart in Sydney.
It will also coincide with the launch of the new Navy Lifestyle website.

So clear lower deck, gather around the TV, grab the nibblies and sit back for some fun.

.