Operation ASTUTE: Stories from Timor
Related:
Stories from Timor
NZ Troops perform Haka for outgoing Commander in East Timor
28 October, 2009
New Zealand soldiers serving in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor have given outgoing commander Brigadier Bill Sowry an emotional Haka as a final farewell gesture.
Captain Wayne Burroughs from the New Zealand Navy said Brigadier Sowry was well respected by the New Zealand troops and wanted to farewell him with a traditional Haka.
“We presented a taonga (gift) pounamu mere which is a greenstone warriors club in recognition of his outstanding leadership and command of New Zealand forces whilst he was in command of the ISF,” Captain Burroughs said.
BRIG Sowry, who led the ISF for nine and a half months, thanked the New Zealand troops he had led.
“The Kiwi troops in the International Stabilisation Force provide it with colour, you provide it with culture, you provide it with heart and you provide it with soul,” Brigadier Sowry said.
“You have served your country with great honour and with great skill.
“You have leapt into the hearts of the East Timorese people in a way only a few can hope to in the course of a lifetime.
“You are soldiers with heart and for that I am grateful to have served with you.”
Captain Burroughs said there had been a noticeable change in safety and security in the country over recent months.
“Over Brigadier Sowry’s time we have seen a transition from on street patrolling by the troops to more assistance and capability building for the local community,” Captain Burroughs said.
As part of these improvements, policing responsibilities in three districts and governance of the police academy has been handed back from United Nations Police to East Timorese police.
The new ISF Commander is Royal Australian Navy Commodore Stuart Mayer who is the first naval officer to command the ISF.