Paper trail blazer

Corporal Kylie Whillas is a clerk working at Headquarters CJTF 629, the Australian-led military contribution to the Government of Indonesia's disaster relief operations in Sumatra following the disastrous Boxing Day 2004 earthquake and tsunami. Corporal Whillas has turned her hand to a range of tasks, including cash office duties and advising personnel on conditions of service. This is her first deployment overseas, and she is grateful to be able to contribute to the Task Force's mission.

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By Corporal Cameron Jamieson - filed 08 February 2005

No matter where or when the troops deploy, you can be sure of one thing - there will be a mountain of paperwork to deal with.

And keeping abreast of the paperwork needed to keep a disaster relief effort going is a challenge, to say the least.

A 16-year veteran of full and part-time service, Corporal Kylie Whillas hasn't lost a paper fight yet.

Deployed to the Australian-led task force headquarters in Medan, in the Northern Sumatra province in Indonesia, she has had to negotiate an obstacle course of clerical tasks in order to play her part in Operation Sumatra Assist.

"I was first assigned to the cash officer, raising documents to ensure there was an auditable trail," she said.

Now she runs the gamut of endless questions about pay, leave and entitlements from the Australian troops.

But she doesn't let it get her down - she is grateful to be deployed on the operation.

"It means a lot to be part of the ADF team helping the victims of the disaster," she said.

"It's part of the reason why we train - to put our training into practice and make a difference."

Service at the task force headquarters has its difficulties though.

Based in the reception rooms of an Indonesian hotel, the long hours of work in a windowless environment can impact on an individual's ability to focus on the task at hand.

But Cpl Whillas has found a few secrets to keep her spirits up.

"You realise by watching television the extent of the destruction, and that keeps you motivated," she said.

"We also have a good sense of humour here, which really helps.

"Funny things will happen during the day - they may be only small things, but they help to get us through the hours."

Another source of motivation is the passing contact she has with the Indonesian civilians staying in the hotel.

"The local people here have been friendly, and their response has always been positive," she said.

"They have all been happy to see us here, and despite the language barrier their smiles and facial expressions speak volumes about their appreciation for the Australian presence."