Sharing values and goals Anzac style
AIR MAIL - by Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ray Woolnough
Volume 48, No. 21, November 16, 2006
Greetings, Airmen and Airwomen of the Air Force. From the onset, I apologise for not travelling as much as I have done in the past during this reporting period.
Once again, the ‘ugly head’ of administration had to be dealt with. Besides the usual meetings, I attended the National Police Remembrance Day service at Saint Christopher’s Cathedral, in Canberra, on September 29. This was in remembrance of all police officers from all states who have died in the pursuit of justice. As an ex-police officer myself, I found the service very moving.
On October 16, I attended the Chief of Air Force Advisory Committee (CAFAC) meeting where the new supplier mustering concept was discussed. You may be aware of the information ‘logistics flyer’ that is making the rounds, telling you what is happening and asking for suggestions on what to name the two new musterings. I think it is a fantastic innovation, and urge those in the supplier and clerk supply musterings to fully embrace this, be open-minded and help in coming up with appropriate new names for the musterings.
I was invited by WOFF Keith Gell, Warrant Officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, to attend their WOFF Conference at RNZAF Base Auckland from October
9 to 14.
Although their Air Force is substantially smaller than ours, they virtually have the same values, vision and goals we have. They too are a values-based organisation, and have slogans such as ‘Best in all that we do’ and ‘Working smarter, not harder’. The catch-phrase for this conference was ‘Alignment for the future’, and 90 WOFFs attended. It was tremendous and I learnt not only about their Air Force, but about them as people. I also had the chance to meet their Chief of Air Force AVM Graham Lintott, Warrant Officer of the Defence Force WO1 John Barclay, and Warrant Officer of the Navy WO Neil Roberts. These are great people with great people skills. The hospitality shown by all concerned was fantastic.
On October 17, CAF and I, accompanied by our wives Anne and Sheryl, and in the company of dignitaries from Rolls Royce and senior Air Force representatives, attended a dinner function in Canberra.
The occasion was the presentation of the Rolls Royce Eagle Trophy. This trophy was introduced in 1996 to recognise outstanding achievements in the technical and engineering specialisations.
This year, the award went to a most deserving airman, SGT Tony Griffin from AOSG, RAAF Base Edinburgh. Tony was accompanied by his wife Cathy, SQNLDR Marty Nussio and Mrs Amy Nussio. Tony was not only presented with a magnificent perpetual trophy that will be on display at his headquarters for 11 months, but was also presented with a CAF Commendation. Congratulations are again extended to Tony and his family for his achievement.
I accompanied CAF on a visit to No. 28 (City of Canberra) Squadron at HMAS Harman in Canberra. CAF spoke to those in attendance and presented WOFF Geoff Dorward, WOFF Training Flight, his second Federation Star to his Long Service Medal. A tremendous achievement – congratulations Geoff.
SGT Lloyd Schneider and CPLs Peter Hockings and Jason Smith from the Ground Defence Training Section, HMAS Harman, deserve a special mention. Having conducted weapon handling tests earlier in the year, they took CAF and his entourage for their biannual weapon shoots at the range on October 20. The manner in which they conducted the shoots was not only most courteous and professional, but enjoyable at the same time. To you fine gentlemen, thank you and well done.
Last, and by no means least, I would like to congratulate the following people on being awarded Air Force Commendations: FLTLT Garth Andrews, FSGT Kent Saunders, SGT Peter Miller and Mr Vincent Martinovich.
Till next time, keep on smiling.
