Morning tea in the Great Hall

By AB Kade Rogers

SQNLDR Angus McDonell, left, and FLTLT Andrew Mac Williams with Opposition Leader Kim Beazley at the Operation Sumatra Assist morning tea in the Great Hall of Parliament House on Monday June 20.

Photo by AB Kade Rogers

One of the proudest moments for the ADF was celebrated last Monday as personnel who served in Operation Sumatra Assist were guests of Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley at Parliament House in Canberra.

“The response to the tsunami was one of the proudest moments in Australia’s post war experience as a nation.” Mr Howard said.

“We responded speedily, we responded generously and we responded effectively. And the effectiveness of the response and the speed of the response was really the work of so many men and women who are gathered here today.”

“...You are publicly and warmly and unconditionally thanked for what you have done in our name.”

Mr Howard also reflected the heartfelt condolences of a grateful nation for the nine service personnel who lost their lives during the operation, and paid special respect to CMDR George McGuire, Commanding Officer of HMAS Kanimbla and his crew.

Following the address ABBM David Gates of HMAS Kanimbla said, “It’s good to be recognized for what we done.”
Confronted with the horrors of the tsunami’s aftermath, determination and an unwavering sense of teamwork bonded those who contributed to get the job done.

“You just deal with it I guess,” CPL Paul Wilkinson, of 1JSU, who played a vital part in the establishment of communications to and from the airport and hospital in Banda Aceh, said.

“You get on with the job and don’t look around too much.”

“I think it makes it easier to deal with it as a group,” ABSN Georgina Carlisle, of HMAS Kanimbla, said.

“We all had each other on the ship and that helped us get through.”

Nursing officer SQNLDR Angus McDonell from 72 SQN said how happy he was to see many familiar faces.

“It’s great to be able to catch up with mates from the three Services and talk about old times,” SQNLDR McDonell said.

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