ADF fishes for new recruits

Proudly promoting a career in the ADF at the Tunarama Festival held in Port Lincoln in January are ADFRU - Adelaide team members (from left) FLTLT Christopher Wilde, CPL Mark Wilmore, CPL Trent McIntosh, LSCD Rod Wewer and SGT Lindsay Nelson.

Tuna flew, beer kegs rolled and muscles strained as members of the ADF invaded the South Australian fishing town of Port Lincoln in January to compete in tests of strength as part of the 2002 John West Tunarama Festival.

The five-man Australian Defence Force Recruiting - Adelaide (ADFRU-A) team was also there to promote the benefits of a career in the Australian Defence Force, part of its extensive recruitment drive throughout the Eyre Peninsula region.

Held from 24-28 January, the annual Tunarama Festival gave participants and spectators alike an opportunity to witness the camaraderie displayed by ADF members.

Flight Lieutenant Chris Wilde and Corporal Trent McIntosh flew the flag for the Air Force as part of the (ADFRU-A) team. The pair was ably supported by Sergeant Lindsay Nelson (Army), Corporal Mark Wilmore (Army) and Leading Seaman Rod Wewar (Navy). FLTLT Wilde, who led the team, said that by participating in this year's event, he hoped to demonstrate to potential recruits that 'you can be part of the Forces and still have fun, still be a normal person'.

He and his charges put their money where their mouths were, competing in unique events like the John West tuna toss, where competitors were called on to throw a 90kg bluefin tuna as far as possible, the super keg roll, tug o' war, wheat sheaf toss and a triathlon.

The ADFRU team experienced a fair degree of success, too, edging out defending champions the South Australian Police to win the triathlon. FLTLT Wilde backed up to finish third in the jetty-to-jetty swim across the harbour, attributing his fast time to the fact that scenes from Jaws had been filmed in that particular body of water. FLTLT Wilde said the festival was also a success from a recruiting perspective, with team members 'losing count' of the number of application forms they handed out.

Story by Ben Caddaye