26 March 2006
Defence in support of the Commonwealth Games

The Australian Government contribution to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games has included extensive support by approximately 2,600 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.

This contribution has included Defence personnel supporting the Victoria Police to provide security for the Games, as well as providing a range of ceremonial and general support to the Melbourne 2006 Corporation and the Victorian Government Office of Commonwealth Games Coordination.

ADF support has been provided under the operational title of Operation Acolyte.

The title, Acolyte, is Latin for "helper" or "assistant" and was chosen to represent the ADF's supporting role in the staging of the Commonwealth Games.

Operation Acolyte has involved 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 have been accommodated at, and have been working from, Defence establishments in and around Melbourne including Simpson Barracks, Watsonia; Maygar Barracks, Broadmeadows; RAAF Williams, Laverton and Point Cook; and Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

20060324adf8115969_010 Major Ron Stepnell (centre), an Army Reserve Officer has worked as a Defence Liaison Officer at the Commonweatlh Games Operations Centre. He has worked alongside (left) Andrew Watson, a Team Leader from the Metropolitan Ambulance Services and (right) Commander Ian Hunter from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. (Date taken: 24 March 06) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060324adf8115969_024 Lieutenant Colonel David Arden, a Defence liaison officer at the Commonwealth Games Operations Centre talks to Victoria Police liaison officer Senior Sergeant Jorg Bukowsky. (Date taken: 24 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060324adf8115969_038 The Commonwealth Games Operations Centre. (Date taken: 24 March 06) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060324adf8115969_041 The Commonwealth Games Operations Centre. (Date taken: 24 March 06) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060324adf8115969_045 Defence Public Relations Officers Commander Steve Dunning and Major Phil Pyke work alongside Australian Government public affairs officers Fiona Bokulic and Scott Kelleher in the Commonwealth Games Communications Centre. (Date taken: 24 March 06) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060324adf8115969_047 Defence Public Relations Officers Commander Steve Dunning and Major Phil Pyke work with Communications Project Manager Maria Ciancio in the Commonwealth Games Communications Centre. (Date taken: 24 March 06) Low-Res | Hi-Res