Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
03 January 2006
Troupe entertains troops in Middle East
A dedicated group of Australian entertainment artists spent the 2005 festive season performing a series of live concerts in the Middle East for Australian soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel deployed to the area as part of Operation CATALYST, Australia’s contribution to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Iraq.
The 2005 Christmas-New Year "Tour de Force" concert tour was sponsored by the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment (FACE). FACE maintains the longstanding tradition of Australian performing artists entertaining troops deployed on overseas operations.
The Tour de Force concert lineup included singer Little Pattie (who is also Patron of FACE), country singer Beccy Cole, "Australian Idol" finalist Hayley Jensen, model Bessie Bardot, Adelaide comedian Lehmo and rock icon Angry Anderson. The performers donated their services to ensure the troops were not forgotten while on duty far from home. The artists on the Christmas-New Year "Tour de Force" had musical and vocal backing by the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Little Pattie said, "I feel I’m here to continue a time-honoured tradition, which is of Australian performers performing for Australian forces no matter where they are in the world. No matter what your politics are, whether you agree or disagree about our involvement, it’s something every professional artist should do in their career."
Little Pattie was just 17 when she performed for Australian Service personnel during the Vietnam War -- the youngest Australian performer to do so at the time.
| 20051222adf8180462_105 Australian Idol finalist Hayley Jensen, backed by the Royal Australian Navy Band, sings for Australian Defence Force personnel during a concert for troops assigned to Operation CATALYST in the Middle East. (Date taken: 22 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051227adf8180462_030 Hayley Jensen and the Royal Australian Navy Band in concert at the Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad. (Date taken: 27 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051227adf8180462_032 Beccy Cole and the Royal Australian Navy Band in concert at the Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad. (Date taken: 27 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051227adf8180462_043 Comedian Lehmo performs at the Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad. (Date taken: 27 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051227adf8180462_046 Angry Anderson and the Royal Australian Navy Band in concert at the Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad. (Date taken: 27 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051227adf8180462_052 Angry Anderson and the Royal Australian Navy Band in concert at the Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad. (Date taken: 27 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051227adf8180462_055 Angry Anderson, Beccy Cole and the Royal Australian Navy Band in concert at the Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad. (Date taken: 27 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051227adf8180462_059 Hayley Jensen looks out over the suburbs of Baghdad from the roof top of the former Baath Party headquarters while touring to entertain Australian troops in Iraq. (Date taken: 27 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_088 Singer Hayley Jensen performs with members of the Royal Australian Navy Band. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_092 Australian country and western singer Beccy Cole entertains troops in Iraq. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_093 Australian country and western singer Beccy Cole with backing vocalists and musicians from the Royal Australian Navy Band. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_096 Bessie Bardot and master of ceremonies Geoff Barker on stage entertaining Australian troops in Baghdad. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_097 Australian comedian Lehmo entertains Australian troops in Baghdad. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_099 Australian singing legend Little Pattie, with backing musicians and vocalists from the Royal Australian Navy Band, entertains Australian troops in Baghdad. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_102 Australian singing legend Little Pattie entertaining troops in Baghdad. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_109 Australian rock 'n roll legend Angry Anderson entertains troops in Baghdad, with backing from the Royal Australian Navy Band. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_112 Australian rock 'n roll legend Angry Anderson entertains troops in Baghdad, with backing from the Royal Australian Navy Band. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_115 Country and western singer Beccy Cole entertains Australian troops in Baghdad. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_116 The line-up on stage at the end of a concert for Australian troops in Baghdad: Hayley Jensen, Angry Anderson, Little Pattie, Beccy Cole, master of ceremonies Geoff Barker, Bessie Bardot and Lehmo, with the Royal Australian Navy Band. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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| 20051229adf8180462_120 Angry Anderson and Beccy Cole with members of the Royal Australian Navy Band at the end of a concert for Australian troops in Baghdad. (Date taken: 29 December 2005) Low-res | High-res |
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