Water bottles safe
PLASTIC
water containers are safe to use, according to Food Standards
Australia and New Zealand, the peak authority for food and drink
packaging in Australia. The assurance comes after a recent widespread
email (and subsequent media articles) claiming plastic water bottles
could release deadly cancer causing chemicals if reused, refi
lled or heated. Staff from the Defence Health Services Branch
and Air Force Ground Safety Agency researched the issue and found
no scientifi c evidence to support the allegations. For more information,
see Defgram 559/2003 dated October 24.
Medication
advice
PERSONNEL requiring repeat
prescription medication over the Christmas period are advised
to stock up early. ADF health centres strongly recommend that
to avoid being disadvantaged, those affected should discuss their
requirements with a medical offi cer or pharmacist before the
Christmas closures and peak posting and leave periods.
Regulation
changes
FEMALE members can now wear
clear and moderate shades of red lipstick and will be able to
wear cuffl inks on new long-sleeved shirts under changes to the
dress regulations. A blue/white shirt being developed by Joint
Materiel Agency will have buttonholes to allow the wearing of
cuffl inks, providing the same regulations that apply to males
are observed. In its next revision, the Dress Manual will be amended
to refl ect the changes.
Support
centre opens
THE recent opening of the Air
Force’s Capability Management System (CMS) Support Centre at RAAF
Base Amberley is a signifi cant milestone in the implementation
of the CMS across the Air Force. The aims of the CMS include improving
situational awareness of current and future capability issues,
and better understanding the factors that affect Air Force’s ability
to deliver its current and future capability. The Support Centre
provides a focus for the retention and dissemination of corporate
knowledge and ensures a consistent support approach across FEGs
and HQs. A CMS Help Desk facility provides a fi rst point of contact
for any CMS support queries or diffi culties that cannot be addressed
by the local CMS specialists. The Help Desk operates from 8am-5pm
weekdays on (07) 5461 1240.
SF
launch
TWELVE commandos parachuted
into Sydney Harbour from a Hercules and two Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighters
staged a fl yover at the launch of Defence’s new Special Forces
Direct Recruiting Scheme at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.
Until now the Special Forces members have been drawn from people
already serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force. The direct entry
scheme fulfi ls the Government’s pledge to boost the Special Forces
by 334 new members. It will target young men aged between 19-30.
Jobs
for partners
A PILOT scheme is under way
aimed at improving retention rates by helping the partners of
ADF members fi nd work. The Services Workforce Access Program
for Partners (SWAPP) will run for 12 months. Among other things,
it will provide access to: professional recruitment agencies;
assistance with transition work and job placement through the
Job Network system; up to 25 hours childcare, a child, while the
partner seeks employment; and training that has been identifi
ed for an immediate job prospect. For details, visit the DCO web
site at www.dco.dod.gov.au.
