Roulettes spread safety message

The Roulettes gather around Linda Stevens to help her promote bike safety awareness just before take-off time.

The AFG has been confirmed as a permanent unit as a result of its success promoting the ADF.

The 120-strong unit was primarily raised to support activities associated with the Centenary of Federation for a two-year period.

Supervising Officer of the AFG Lieutenant Colonel David Stevens said the motivation of the AFG personnel was largely responsible for its success.

'Leadership has also played a role; and support provided by the system to ensure we have had the resources. Having regularly paraded with the Governor-General, provided ceremonial support overseas and guarded Buckingham Palace, as one of the first overseas contingents to do so - these have been factors contributing to our high profile,' he said

'Nationally, the guard has participated in almost every Federation event, from outback Australia to the capital cities. Most of the members have been with the guard for two years, and now it's an ADF fixture, members can expect to be posted for a further two years.'

The AFG will continue to be based at ADFA.

The full-time status of the unit is a direct result of support by Australian heads of State and military leaders.

Guard Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Kjellgren said positive feedback had been received from Prime Minister John Howard, the Service Chiefs, Governor-Generals past and present, and other political leaders.

The CO hand-over parade on 12 December involved Chief of the Defence Force Admiral Chris Barrie, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston, the reviewing officer, and representatives of Service Chiefs Army and Navy, Captain Peter Lockwood and Colonel Mike Lovell.

Outgoing OC Major Paul Randall has headed the unit since its formation on 7 March 2000, when the guard welcomed home troops at the INTERFET parade.

'The role of the guard has developed over the past two years and subsequently broadened with support for departmental public relations, recruiting and Australian schools,' Maj Randall said. 'Highlights of my command include our tour of the UK and a job the guard performed in Tasmania for the Centenary of Federation. Members of the public have emailed our web site about what a great job they believe we are doing.'

New OC Major Greg Rowlands said he was looking forward to the challenge given the unit's permanent establishment. 'The personnel issues will be the key in managing a unit this size, with diverse backgrounds; and changes to the unit may be structural, but for the moment I'm just getting across the issues within the guard to date,' he said.

Story and photograph by POPH Chris Woods