Aussie spirit alive and well in Bougainville

WO2 Dave Smith, LST, LCPL Pamela Green, 2 SIGS SQN NZDF and CPL Martyn Kruck fly the flag for Australia Day in Loloho, the PMG's base in Bougainville. Photograph by Simone Heyer-Irwin.

A crab race, thong toss, football match and catwalk model parade were all part of Australia Day celebrations for Australian Defence Force personnel stationed in Bougainville as part of the Peace Monitoring Group (PMG).

Festivities kicked-off early, with the national anthem played down the public address system at 7.45am - no doubt putting all concerned in a patriotic mood.

The lunchtime fashion parade saw models strut their stuff in swimsuit, daywear, evening and bridal categories. True Aussie flavour was added, though, in the form of terry-towelling hats, zinc cream and socks with thongs.

A traditional Australian barbecue meal courtesy of WOCAT - WO2 Nuttal-Jones and his great team of catering staff was followed by an Australian Rules football match between PMG staff and the locals. The locals, of course, walked away with the winners' cup.

With their competitive juices now well and truly flowing, a thong throwing competition was an appropriate way to follow. Participants were asked to toss a thong at least 15 metres off the ledge at Frontline in a bid to capture the coveted 'gold thong'- an honour that eventually went to the Health Section (HS).

For those with a strong stomach the next event - an iron gut competition - served up a real challenge.

The Ground Maintenance Team (GMT) Sergeant won by devouring a cold meat pie, a pile of All Bran, a spoon of Vegemite, a cup of caramel topping and a 'special' liquid courtesy of the cooks.

Between courses competitors were called on to perform sit-ups, push-ups, burps and a 'spin the broom on the end of the nose' exercise.

And for those not entirely put off their food, a 'shrimp on the barbie' dinner was held that evening, along with an auction for crabs to run in a race later that night. Crabs were auctioned off at an average price of $25 apiece, raising a total of $466, and the race was enjoyed by all.

WO1 Tugwell, COFS - LTCOL Connery and the COMD - BRIG Appleton then read Australian poetry, complete with frog croaks, over a makeshift campfire to all the diners.

Australia Day was appropriately rounded off with a movie marathon featuring crowd favourites Two Hands and The Castle.

By FLTLT Emily McNeil