10 March 2006
Search of the Commonwealth Games Village

Defence, as part of the overall Australian Government contribution, is working alongside the Victoria Police to provide security for the Games, as well as providing a range of ceremonial and general support to Melbourne 2006 (M2006) Corporation and the Office of Commonwealth Games Coordination, the Victorian Government's Games organisers.

This support is known as Operation Acolyte. Acolyte is Latin for Helper or Assistant and was chosen to symbolise Defence supporting role in the staging of the Commonwealth Games.

Operation Acolyte will include approximately 2,600 Australian Defence Force personnel, from across the three services, performing a range of specialist roles to provide security, ceremonial and general support. These extra troops will be accommodated at, and working from, existing Defence establishments in and around Melbourne including: Simpson Barracks, Watsonia; Maygar Barracks, Broadmeadows; RAAF Williams, Laverton and Point Cook; and, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

The Department of Defence, through Operation Acolyte, will assist in providing world class support to ensure a safe, secure and successful staging of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

20060211adf8222937_04 Sapper Adam Exelby and his explosive detection dog Kylie are responsible for clearing vehicle at the Commonwealth Games Village of explosives. (Date taken: 11 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060212adf8261939_011_th.jpg Sapper Ben Anderson of the Engineer Task Group conducting a search of storm water drains at the Games Village. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060212adf8261939_012 Sapper Ben Anderson descends into the stormwater drainage system at the Games Village as part of the operational serach of the venue. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060212adf8261939_013 Sapper Ben Anderson descends into the Games village drainage system. Operation Acolyte, Defence Supoort to the Melbourne 2006 (M2006) Commonwealth Games has commenced its operational searches of games venues. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060212adf8261939_014 Sapper Steven Foulds checks a small tunnel in the storm water system at the games village as part of the operational search of the venue. Operation Acolyte, Defence Support to the Melbourne 2006 (M2006) Commonwealth Games has commenced its venue searches. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060212adf8261939_015 Sapper Steven Foulds checks a small tunnel as part of the search of the drainage system. Operation Acolyte, Defence Support to the Melbourne 2006 (M2006) Commonwealth Games has commenced its operational searches of games venues. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060212adf8261939_016 Sapper Steven Foulds of the Engineer Task Group checks his emergency oxygen supply before entering a drain. Operation Acolyte, Defence Support to the Melbourne 2006 (M2006) Commonwealth Games has commenced its operational searches of games venues. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060212adf8261939_017 Sapper Steven Foulds of the Engineer Task Group descends into a storm water drain to conduct a search. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060212adf8261939_018 Sappers Steven Foulds(left) and Ben Anderson (right), prepare to search the drainage system at the Games Village. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060212adf8261939_019 Sappers Steven Foulds (left) and Ben Anderson, test the air quality before entering the drainage system at the Village. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060212adf8261939_020 Sapper Steven Foulds prepares test gear before a drain search at the Village. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060212adf8261939_021 ADF Engineers begin the tedious task of searching the Commonwealth Games Village for any thing out of the ordinary. (Date taken: 12 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060214adf8212771_004 Lance Corporal Timothy Scully (left) and Corporal Paul Hodson from 3 Military Police Company watch over activity at a vehicle control point. (Date taken: 14 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060214adf8212771_007 Lance Bombadier Gary Davies, 7 Security Task Unit, Operation Acolyte check the engine of a bus transporting athletes for anything suspect at a vehicle control point. (Date taken: 14 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060214adf8212771_010 Sapper Adam Exelby and his explosive detection dog Melanie take a break at a vehicle control point. (Date taken: 14 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060215adf8212771_002 Private Leslie Brooks 26 Transport Troop washing up after a busy shift transporting personnel around the various M2006 Games venues. (Date taken: 15 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060215adf8212771_004 Private Michael Cooper (left) and Private Peter Lovell carry the moral of Operation Acolyte personnel - the games experience bags - on their shoulders. The bags contain useful equipment and information books as well as a commemorative medallion. Each member of Operation Acolyte is issued with a bag. (Date taken: 15 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060215adf8212771_005 Private Peter Lovell happy with the Commemorative medallion that is issued to personnel working on Operation Acolyte, Defence support to Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 15 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060215adf8212771_006 The brassard and medallion for JTF 636 Operation Acolyte. (Date taken: 15 February 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res