Our People in NSW
Rodney Auld - SINGLETON MUSICIAN LOUD AND LIVE IN DILI
Rodney, lead guitarist with the band Jonah's Road, was one of a group of musicians from Australia who volunteered their time and talent for the "Tour de Force", performing eight concerts in four days.
"You could tell the troops were really grateful for even a short break from their daily duties," Rodney said. "The soldiers are doing a really important job and I hope in some small way our concerts helped show they are appreciated back home."
Jonah's Road closed out each of the concerts in Timor treating the troops to the band's individual country pop rock sound.
"We've been playing together for over six year now and we didn't hesitate when we were asked if we wanted to come on this tour to Timor Leste. A lot of our friends in the music industry, have toured with Tour de Force and they had a great time, so when this trip came up we jumped at the chance."
"Getting a glimpse of what our soldiers are doing in Timor Leste has been an amazing experience," Rodney said, "As a song writer you're always looking for inspiration and new experiences and this tour has certainly provided that for me."
Also performing with Rodney and Jonah's Road were comedian Carl Barron, didgeridoo player Adrian Ross and model Allira Cohrs. "I met these people for the first time a week ago and I've now made some life long friends."
"I experienced what few outside the Australian Defence Force get to experience. I lived on an operational base, flew in a helicopter and ate where and what the soldiers eat. I also got to do what I love and that's play music and entertain people."
Tour de Force takes entertainers to all theatres of Operation where Australian troops are based, bringing a little bit of home to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are away from loved ones for extended periods of time.