Award finalists come to grips

Flight Lieutenants Nicholas Linnett and Mick Corlett along with Naval Warrant Officer Kevin McDonnell talk with selection board member Major Gary Dodd. Photos by ABPHOT Kel Hockey

Award finalists cram together during a scenario called the lifeboat in which they have to all fit inside a 150cm x 30cm box.

Four Air Force personnel are in contention for the Prince of Wales Award.
They are Squadron Leader Alan Gilbey (No. 21 Squadron); Flight Lieutenant Mick Corlett (Airfield Defence Wing, RAAF Amberley); Flight Lieutenant Nicholas Linnett (Airfield Defence Wing, RAAF Amberley); and Flight Lieutenant Kevin Wode (No. 28 Squadron).

They were among 15 finalists from around Australia who attended Randwick Barracks for the recent Prince of Wales Award (POWA) selection weekend.

Sponsored by the Defence Reserves Support Council, the prestigious award recognises individual Reservists’ excellence in both their military and civilian workplaces.

The award includes travel to Canada, the US or the UK for training with civilian and military counterpart organisations.

POWA Scheme coordinator Major Damian Hanigan said at the selection weekend the “national selection board put the candidates through their paces on a number of tasks, including teamwork exercises”. He said, “We were impressed by the finalists’ enthusiasm and commitment to the Reserves.”

Winners will be announced on October 14.

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