Show of good manners
ON October 22, my 85-year-old father-in-law, wife and I attended the Air Show at RAAF Base Richmond.
After paying for the entry and having bags inspected, a young male Defence person identified that my father-in-law was elderly and limited in movement. He immediately offered to take us all in a Defence Force car to the entrance of the Air Show display area, as it is in excess of a 1km walk.
My father-in-law gratefully accepted this offer. My wife and I are very able people and offered to walk to allow other elderly people a seat in the car. The young officer insisted we ride with my father-in-law and that he would return for any other elderly people after he dropped us off.
When we got to the entry, he insisted we come back to the drop-off point at the end of the day and get a Defence person to make a call to have us collected and returned to the entry. We did this and it all went like clockwork, without any hesitation.
All people concerned could not have been more helpful. This level of consideration was not expected but very much appreciated.
Throughout the day, Defence personnel were very pleasant and forthcoming with help. In these times, it is very rare for people to think of others in this way. I wish I had taken the young officer’s name so I could let you know who he is. We feel so very proud of our Defence people.
A big thank you to all.
Steve and Gail Olliffe
Wilberforce, NSW
Fair play for ADS
IN ACCORDANCE with DEFGRAM 354/2006, dated July 11, 2006, ADF Sport has been renamed Australian Defence Sport (ADS), allowing Defence APS civilians to participate and compete at various levels, including international events.
It seems to me more and more benefits previously exclusive to ADF members are becoming available to non-uniformed personnel, and surely for some will further negate incentives to stay in the ADF.
Is the reason for including APS staff in what was previously ADF sport because less ADF members are able to participate due to serving overseas and/or increased workloads as a result of further civilianisation, restructure and increased capabilities?
Or is it an attempt to foster greater cohesion and emphasis on being an all-inclusive ADO, as opposed to ADF? If so, when will APS benefits such as flex days be available to ADF members? As a uniformed member, this latest erosion of our benefits would appear counter-productive.
CPL Ken Astrup
Combat Support Unit–Wagga
Director Coordination–Air Force GPCAPT Rob Lawson responds:
Prior to the issue of DEFGRAM 354/2006, participation in ADF sport was already available to Defence APS personnel. However, this participation was restricted to competing at the local level, or acting as officials, coaches or administrators at local, national and international level.
A number of ADF Sport Associations have been lobbying for several years to extend the scope of APS participation to include competition at the national and international level. In some instances, this desire to expand the involvement of APS personnel has been as a result of low or reducing numbers of ADF members choosing to participate in the sports in question, but mostly it has been aimed at further raising the standard and strength of competition within those sports.
CDF’s and the Secretary’s recent decision to allow the full participation of Defence APS personnel in what is now known as Australian Defence Sport acknowledges the broader benefits to the organisation that come from a fitter Defence workforce and the development of a Defence team spirit through participation in sport at all levels.
Thanks for coming
THE F/A-18 Hornet’s appearance at Jamestown just “blew” everyone totally, as we had kept it a secret until its arrival.
People nearly went hysterical and the children’s excitement was something never to be forgotten. It was a great public relations exercise for the Air Force and the Defence Force. I am sure the aircraft’s appearance has created a lot of goodwill, as country people often feel neglected and forgotten. Some 10,000 spectators, some great flying and thankfully good weather made the event hugely successful. Sincere thanks from the Flying Group.
Jim Best
President, Jamestown Flying Group
Editor’s note: ARDU provided a Hornet fly-over at the Jamestown mini air show, 200km north of Adelaide.
