Toasting the award winners are WGCDR Jo Ebsary, FLTLT Bronwyn Davies, Chief of Air Force, AIRMSHL Errol McCormack, Mrs Faye McCormack and MC, FLGOFF Emma Brown.

The outstanding achievements of members of the Royal Australian Air Force were recognised on 29 March at the second annual RAAF Awards Night.

There was an air of celebration at the High Court as more than 100 RAAF personnel and invited guests gathered for the prestigious awards.

Part of Air Force Week activities, the awards night was hosted by Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Errol McCormack, proudly wearing the new Air Force Blue uniform.

Upon welcoming guests to the RAAF Awards, AIRMSHL McCormack stressed the importance of recognising excellence and celebrating the achievements of 'our people'.

Master of ceremonies, Flying Officer Emma Brown then gave a brief history of the RAAF before paying tribute to recipients of Chief of Air Force Commendations, Queen's Birthday Honours and Australia Day Honours.

AVM Titheridge and AIRMSHL McCormack with the major award winners.

And without further ado, the awards ceremony began, with recipients making their way to the stage to accept their accolade and pose for a quick photograph.

The 2001 RAAF Annual Heritage Awards were a major part of the evening's proceedings. While other awards presented were the AVM Dietz Memorial Quality & Achievement Medallion, Air Vice-Marshal B.A. Eaton Memorial Award, the Lipshut Bursary and the RAAF Proficiency Awards.

A highlight of the awards night was the launch of Mr Arthur Sandell's 2000 Heritage Award-winning book Dicing with Death by RAAF Historian Dr Alan Stephens.

RAAF Air Command Band member CPL Paul Kellett.

And the RAAF Air Command Band provided the perfect musical backdrop to a very successful - and highly enjoyable - evening.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, AIRMSHL McCormack thanked Wing Commander Jo Ebsary 'and her team' who made the night possible.

2001 AVM Tony Dietz Memorial Quality & Achievement Medallion:
The military winner of the 2001 AVM Tony Dietz Memorial Quality & Achievement Medallion was Warrant Officer Allan Kulij of Headquarters 81 Wing.

This medallion recognises WOFF Kulij's instrumental role in developing the LOGEVAL system that positively contributed to the safety and quality of logistic support at Tactical Fighter Group.

The civilian winner of the medallion was Mr Alan Richards of 3 Control and Reporting Unit RAAF Base Williamtown and recognises his service to HQ78 and 81WG in the development of the automated quality assurance audit system now supporting Tactical Fighter Group's logistic activities.

The AVM Tony Dietz Memorial Quality & Achievement Medallion, inaugurated in 1985 and named in honour of the former Chief of Air Force Technical Services, is sponsored by the Deputy Chief of Air Force. Medallions are awarded in two categories, military and civilian, with each recognising outstanding service in logistics support, including acquisition, of technical equipment.

AVM Eaton Airman of the Year:

CAF, Mr Sonnie Lipshut and LAC Luke Walker.

Leading Aircraftman Luke Walker was announced the Airman of the Year and received the Lipshut Family Bursary, an undergraduate degree scholarship for airmen donated by the Lipshut family.

The Airman of the Year Award perpetuates the memory of one of the RAAF's most highly decorated officers, Air Vice-Marshal Brian Eaton. The trophy is awarded to a member of the rank of corporal or below for contributing to enhancing the Air Force's image in the community, achieving the goals of their squadron, unit or section and maintaining high standards of airmanship, team spirit and personal qualities.

LAC Walker is a Communications Centre Watch Supervisor at headquarters northern command. He has been with headquarters northern command for the last three years, during which he has displayed outstanding initiative, devotion to duty and exceptional organisational and leadership skills.

He has ensured those he supervises are well trained and that all tasks are completed to a high standard. In addition, he has many attributes that set him apart from his peers, such as his volunteer work with St Johns Ambulance and sporting activities like organising a three-day SIDS fundraiser between Darwin and Katherine.

LAC Walker is currently completing a double degree in accounting and information systems however, having received the Lipshut Family Bursary, will take the opportunity to transfer to, and complete, a nursing degree.

President, ACT Branch of the RAAF Association, WGCDR Ron Christie (Ret'd), 24 Squadron's WOFF Steve Corbally and CO, SQNLDR Rick Subotkiewicz.

2000 RAAF Proficiency Awards:
No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron was awarded the Air Force Association Trophy. This trophy is awarded to the most proficient Active Reserve Squadron which has achieved a high capability in meeting set and unforecast objectives.

24 Squadron, formed in 1940, was a flying squadron at Amberley until 1951 when it became a Citizens Air Force pilot training squadron at Mallala in South Australia.

In 1960 the Squadron moved to Edinburgh and became a ground training unit. Today it comprises around 150 active reserve personnel and 40 specialists with a mission of enhancing ADF capability with reserve personnel.

During 2000, Squadron members sought new markets for their skills, ensuring reserves remain relevant in an ever-changing permanent Air Force environment.

The Squadron provided logistics support for the retirement of the RAAF's Dakota aircraft, established a technical training section following review of technical airman training, increasing Operations Officer support to 92 Wing and ARDU and developing a training program facilitating an airfield engineering capability.

Additionally, the Squadron supported Operations Warden and Tanager with personnel deployed to Timor, Darwin, Tindal, Townsville and backfilling at Edinburgh.

AVM Alan Titheridge, 92 Wing Logistics Operations' CPL Mark Stacey and WGCDR Martin Ball.

The Markowski Cup was presented to 92 Wing Logistics Operations. Donated to the RAAF by Mrs Mary Markowski in memory of her husband, Squadron Leader Thomas Markowski, the Cup is awarded to the most accomplished RAAF unit.

Number 92 Wing Logistics Operations provides operational logistics support, like aircraft maintenance, systems development and administration, to Maritime Patrol Group and 92 Wing.

With just on 150 personnel they have reduced R2 Orion service time from 24 days to 18, saved 950 man hours with savings in excess of $800,000, provided personnel to improve the Wing's Engine Build-up Section and established an aircraft battle damage repair capability.

92 Wing Log Ops members were truly deserving of an award that recognises proficiency, particularly given their achievements were attained with around 80 per cent of constrained established personnel.

Australia's busiest and second oldest Air Force base, RAAF Base Richmond, home of

General Manager, Celsius Hawker Pacific Airframe Group, Mr Robert Hunter, CPL Edward Lee and FLTLT Sunil Narayan from RAAF Base Richmond and AIRMSHL McCormack.

RAAF Air Transport, was awarded the Hawker Siddeley Trophy. This trophy is awarded to the most proficient RAAF Base, which has demonstrated high achievements against a range of selection criteria.

The base was particularly busy last year due to its involvement in the Sydney Olympics and Paralympics for Operation Golden Flame and Operation Gold, which saw more than 500 people deployed to RAAF Richmond.

There were also deployments to East Timor as part of Operation Tanager and Operation Warden, personnel and airlift support to the Solomon Islands as part of Operation Plumbob and Operation Orbit and to Bouganville as part of Operation Belisi.

In addition to operational commitments, RAAF Base Richmond participated in 15 off-base ceremonial activities including the Welcome Home from East Timor parades, INTERFET ticker tape parade in Sydney and ceremonial activities for the retirement of the E-Model Hercules aircraft.

All commitments were met while the base continued its local operations and base support responsibilities. The dedication and commitment of all members of RAAF Richmond have been recognised with this award.

AIRCDRE Ian Whisker, WGCDR Neil Hart, SGT Robert Cooper from 3 Squadron and AIRMSHL McCormack.

In 1982, the Fighter Squadron Branch of the Air Force Association presented the RAAF Maintenance Trophy to recognise engineering and maintenance excellence and the contribution members make towards completing tasks successfully. On Thursday night, the RAAF Maintenance Trophy was presented to No. 3 Squadron, whose role is to conduct effective operations and operational training, with an emphasis on the air-to-air role.

No. 3 Squadron's recent achievements include successful deployments to exercise Willoh in New Zealand, exercise Arnhem Thunder, Pitch Black and Desert Cobra. No. 3 Squadron has also prepared for exercises in Singapore.

Throughout all exercises, the Squadron successfully maintained tactical fighter groups short notice OPD while also initiating techniques employed in the MASOR introduction which were implemented across tactical fighter groups units.

Additionally the squadron provided F/A-18 displays for a range of celebrations as Australians love a fly-past.

36 Squadron's FLGOFF Jan Michel Belza and CPL Kimberley Smith with AIRMSHL McCormack.

No. 36 Squadron was presented with the Duke of Gloucester Cup, donated in the 1940s by His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester to reward proficiency in meeting set objectives including administration, dress and bearing.

Formed in 1942, 36 Squadron's mission is 'combat ready airlift to deploy and sustain Australia's operations'.

Wing Commander John Oddie, Commanding Officer at No. 36 Squadron since July 2000, has overseen the Squadron in meeting and exceeding all directed response times to achieve operational deployments, medical evacuations, and rescue tasks.

The Squadron has continued to develop higher order military skills in the 12-month period, ensuring the Australian Defence Force has the most suitable, reliable and operationally flexible combat airlift force.

No. 36 Squadron integrated flying and maintenance elements just over a year ago and have recently restructured around a command structure that matches the capability provided under higher direction.

Heritage Awards:
Since 1921 artistic, photographic and written records have formed an integral part of the Air Force's heritage. However, it was not until 1987 that a series of annual Heritage Awards for art, literature and photography, enhancing historical records was established.

Over the past 14 years, the collection of books, paintings and photographs acquired by the Air Force has made a significant contribution to preserving and promoting our heritage. This year's winners have all made a significant contribution preserving and documenting the RAAF's Heritage.

To Shadow the Seas, by Mr John Birt, won first prize in the Heritage Awards' art category.

Mr James Walker's painting 77-52 won second prize in the Heritage Awards' art category.

Dirty Work - FSGT Peter McIntosh's photograph of the new C130J-30 Hercules won first prize in the Heritage Awards' photography category

Heritage Award - Art:
The winner of the first prize for art was Mr John Birt, for his painting, To Shadow the Seas.

Mr Birt of Melbourne has had a long-standing interest in military aviation and RAAF history. His award-winning painting depicts a P2V-5 Neptune of No. 11 Squadron being prepared for a patrol on a wet overcast day at RAAF Richmond in November 1954.

Mr James Walker was awarded the second prize for art for his painting, 77-52. Mr Walker of Launceston, Tasmania is no stranger to the RAAF Heritage Awards. This is the third time Mr Walker has submitted a prize-winning entry. The painting 77-52 depicts a Meteor MK8 aircraft of No. 77 Squadron in 1952. The aircraft is shown leaving the sand bag revetments at Kimpo Airfield in South Korea.

Heritage Award - Photography:
The first prize for photography was presented to FSGT Peter McIntosh of 37 Squadron for his photograph of the new C130J-30 Hercules. FSGT McIntosh, a Loadmaster with No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Richmond, took the opportunity to take this impressive photograph as the aircraft landed at the dusty Murray Airfield in South Australia.

The 2001 Heritage Award for Literature was awarded to Mr Frank Korbl for his book Ex-Luftwaffe MBE. For the better part of a decade, Mr Korbl carried out research on his own family background, the history of various air bases and historical events in order to write his memoirs. Mr Korbl decided to write his memoirs at the insistence of the many friends he made while serving in the RAAF and before his 'cerebral computer' ceased to work.

Dr Alan Stephens, Mr Frank Korbl and CAF.

'There is very little written about what everyday people actually did,' Mr Korbl said.

'I attempted to write history as I have experienced by living though the times.'

Mr Korbl's acceptance speech touched the hearts of all those present. Upon receiving his award, he said the day would go down in his diary as a red-letter day.

'I am thrilled and honoured and also humbled,' Mr Korbl said. 'I would like to thank the Air Force for providing me with this once in a lifetime opportunity and the Chief and the judges for having selected my book. My thanks also to my good friends Ken Llewellyn and Noel Tanswell...'

'My profound gratitude is extended to my dear wife Stella who spent long hours proofreading and my son Harry for setting up the computer. The years I was privileged to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force and working at Air Force office were the happiest of my life. I am certainly floating on cloud nine tonight.'

Story by Rebecca Bullivant
Photographs by WOFF Ken Rowland