Our People in the ACT
Chris Collins - WANNIASSA SOLDIER DOING HIS BIT FOR TIMOR-LESTE
These days Chris, a former student of Lake Tuggeranong College, is a Private with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which is based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.
The 23-year-old is a rifleman serving with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in the fledgling new nation of Timor-Leste.
“We assist Timor-Leste authorities and the United Nations police patrol towns, provide security for engineers and do other general escort duties,” he said.
This is his second overseas deployment after joining the Army last year, having previously served in Iraq.
“I’ve enjoyed the challenging experience, seeing a different culture, being with the boys and patrolling at night,” he said.
He comes from a proud military family. Chris’s grandfather was a ‘Rat of Tobuk’ with the 2nd/3rd Anti-Tank Regiment in World War II.
“I joined the military because I wanted to serve the country, deploy overseas and get the experience,” he said.
“My most memorable moments in Timor-Leste are spending time with the New Zealand soldiers, flying in their helicopters and playing soccer with the locals,” he said.
When he is not trying to improve the lives of Australia’s overseas neighbours, Chris enjoys four-wheel driving, watching Saint Kilda in the AFL and the Brumbies union side.
“A big thanks to my mum for the packages and to my whole family for all the support they have given me. Merry Christmas to my family and friends, especially my Nanna, Dorrie Collins,” said Chris.
“When I get home I’m looking forward to Mum’s cooking, having a hot shower, a comfortable bed, air conditioning and catching up with friends,” he said.
Chris is one of about 850 Australian Defence Force personnel currently serving in Timor-Leste as part of Operation Astute.
The Australians, as part of the ISF, are assisting the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations Police to provide a secure environment for all Timorese-Leste people.