By
Teena Cardillo
 |
|
Colour
bearer Flight Lieutenant Craig Montgomery receives the Governor-General’s
banner from Major General Michael Jeffery.
|
|
Photo
by SGT Dave Grant
|
THE
Officers’ Training School (OTS) at RAAF Base Williams, Point
Cook has been presented with the Governor-General’s Banner
in a ceremony that paid homage to its outstanding service.
Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery made the presentation
at the RAAF Chapel of the Holy Trinity at Point Cook on October
27.
Best-laid-plans went somewhat awry, as Melbourne received half
its average October rainfall the evening before, making the parade
ground unusable.
On the day, squally winds and virtually horizontal rain forced
the shelving of plans for a considerable parade. In a show of
adaptability, participants slid smoothly into the alternative
wet-weather arrangements.
Twelve former OTS commanding officers and family members of the
first CO – Wing Commander P.J. McMahon, a World War II Catalina
pilot – witnessed the awarding of the banner.
Colour bearer Flight Lieutenant Craig Montgomery accepted the
banner on behalf of the 1000 staff and more than 8500 students
that have been associated with OTS in its 54-year history.
MAJGEN Jeffery remarked on the school’s achievements and
professionalism.
“OTS has represented a centre of excellence in teaching and
application since the days of the first commanding officer,”
he said.
“OTS continues to build on its proud inheritance. Many staff
and graduates – pilots, navigators, administrators, logistics
and air defence personnel – have been posted or attached
for operational deployment in East Timor, Bougainville and the
Solomon Islands, while others have served or are currently serving
in the Middle East.
“This banner stands as a symbol of pride and achievement,
recognition of OTS’s superb, sustained contribution to our
nation in peace and war, I know you will never let it, or what
it stands for, down.”
Commanding Officer OTS Wing Commander Chris Davis said the awarding
of the banner marked a long period of achievement in the provision
of training of Air Force officers.
“I am extremely proud and privileged to be the CO at this
prestigious occasion,” WGCDR Davis said.
“[It is] a testament to the hard work and high standards
that have been maintained both here at Point Cook and during the
infancy days of officer training at Rathmines.”
The Governor-General’s Banner for OTS was approved in 2001.
OTS was established at RAAF Station Rathmines in 1950 and moved
to Point Cook in 1961. It has conducted more than 30 different
courses. The school is earmarked for future relocation to RAAF
Base East Sale.
