Fired up
Australian Army Band-Brisbane percussionist Corporal Neil Reeves takes in the action at Brisbane’s annual River Festival.

By Andrew Stackpool

An F-111 streaks across the sky over Brisbane for the annual River Festival.

Crowds watch a Roulettes aerobatics display.

Photo by CPL Steve Duncan

The Roulettes pull into a steep climb over Brisbane.

Photo by CPL Steve Duncan

IT WAS that time of year again in Brisbane and the anticipation of the annual River Festival began to build as F-111s buzzed the skies, rehearsing for the main event.

On that special day in Brisbane, the ADF holds its annual recruiting display at the Piazza on the riverbank, just south of the city. The latest equipment from all three services and several ADF bands were all in the one location with a common goal – to find new recruits.

My band played through the lunchtime period and finished soon after.

I had my day planned a week before. The boat show was on across the road at the convention centre and I had been given permission to stay in town to join the festivities.

After seeing the boat show for several hours and seeing large amounts of boats that I could not possibly afford, it was time to find my way into the best possible position for the fireworks display that night. I had all of my camera gear with me – backpack full of lenses, accessories and a tripod.

After travelling for quite some distance along South Bank River Walk, I soon realised that finding a good position was not going to be as easy as I had thought. I then saw a couple of policemen cornering off the goodwill pedestrian bridge and thought they might know a few good spots.

They suggested I ask for roof access at some nearby buildings, so I set about to see if it would be possible.

On the way, I found what I thought to be one of the best vantage spots right on the river, so that’s where I stayed for the next three hours until the show started.

The Roulettes entertained the crowd for quite some time – a great show.

I could hear the call on the radio – 60 seconds until the first fly over. People were jostling for position.

Out of nowhere came a huge glow from behind me. All of the surrounding buildings lit up with great clarity. The air shook as the roar of the F-111 engines engulfed the entire area. I pushed the infrared remote on my D70 camera, hoping that the shutter was now fully open and capturing everything I could see.

The F-111 continued its display, with flames thundering out behind it. People around me were cheering – some screaming – and looking with amazement. As the F-111 disappeared across the water, the fireworks began and the music started.

A fantastic display from the F-111 team – something truly awe inspiring. I hope we can continue to put on such a fantastic display for years to come.

 

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