Scherger’s $600 base tour

By Corporal Simone Liebelt

Members of the RAAF Security and Fire School with paralympian Louise Sauvage and the “Desert Duellers” at RAAF Scherger.

* Officers from the RAAF Security and Fire School raised $600 for the Australian Paralympics Committee by auctioning off a personal tour of RAAF Scherger.

When four officers from RAAF Base Amberley visited remote Cape York recently, the last thing they ever expected was to meet one of Australia’s most successful paralympians.

But not only did they meet wheelchair athlete Louise Sauvage, they gave her and 11 other colleagues a personal tour of RAAF Scherger – all in the name of charity.

The team from the RAAF Security and Fire School – consisting of Squadron Leader Jonathon Durden, Flight Lieutenants Tony Cook and Wayne Ross, and Flying Officer Gary Lyttle – were in the area to conduct reconnaissance of Scherger for a ground defence officer course planned for later this year.

While staying at nearby Weipa, they spotted Louise in a group of travellers who had stopped at their hotel. Known as the “Desert Duellers”, the group were four-wheel-driving from Cairns to Branwell Station to raise money for the Australian Paralympics Committee.

They consisted of volunteers, many of whom were leaders in their chosen field, including event organiser Belinda Green, who was crowned Miss World 1972. Their cause was to assist athletes with disabilities to compete at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Torino, Italy.

As part of the Dueller’s charity tour, they held nightly fundraising events, including “red faces” contests and auctions of donated items.

The Air Force team decided to enter Flight Lieutenant Cook into red faces as a way of introducing themselves to the Duellers.

Happy to volunteer, he borrowed a guitar from the regular performer, got up on stage and said, “us Air Force boys sitting over there are really impressed with what you are all doing to help raise funds for the paralympians, and Louise, you are an inspiration to us, so here’s a song for you”.

He then serenaded her with a rendition of House of the Rising Sun, which received a top score from the judges.
Squadron Leader Durden then asked his teammates to “rack their brains” and come up with an item to donate.

“Unfortunately, we were all travelling ‘light’, so we had limited possessions to contribute to the auction,” Squadron Leader Durden said.

“Flying Officer Lyttle finally came up with the brilliant idea of auctioning a personally-guided tour of the Air Force’s newest bare base.

“This idea proved to be an extremely popular proposition, and after some furious bidding (mainly by the ladies within the group), the hammer fell at $600.”

The next day, the 12 excited winners arrived at Scherger to claim their prize. Acting as the tour guide and comedian, Squadron Leader Durden, supported by his team, led the Duellers on their tour of the base.

“The ladies seemed to particularly enjoy visiting the underground bunkers, and Louise eyed off the 3000-metre runway, commenting that such a facility would have benefited her greatly in the lead-up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games,” he said.

“Despite the general hilarity, the Duellers managed to learn a lot about the Air Force, its bases and its contribution to the defence of the north.

“Hopefully the amount they raised last year will increase this year, helped along in a small way by a chance meeting with four RAAFies in Weipa.”

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