24 March 2006
Minister for Defence visits Operation Acolyte team

The Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson recently paid a visit to the Headquarters of Joint Task Force 636.

JTF636 is the task force assigned to assist the Commonwealth Games organizers and Victorian government agencies as part of Operation Acolyte.

Operation Acolyte involves 2,600 Australian Defence Force personnel from across the three services, performing a range of specialist roles such as security, ceremonial and general support.

The troops are being 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 word Acolyte is Latin for ‘helper’ or ‘assistant’ and was chosen to symbolise the ADF’s supporting role in the staging of the Commonwealth Games.

20060317adf8185016_0167 The Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson (second from left) talks with the Commander of Joint Task Force 636, Brigadier Andrew Smith (right) while the Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy (left) and Mr Colin Sharp, the head of the Army’s Land Systems Division, look on. (Date taken: 17 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060317adf8185016_0250 Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson autographs a Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games shirt for Major Brian Nally, a staff officer at Headquarters Joint Task Force 636. (Date taken: 17 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res