Our People in NSW
MUSN Ben Cobden - NORMANHURST LOCAL IN TUNE WITH TIMOR PEACE EFFORT
These days Ben, a former student of Normanhurst Boys High School , is a Musician with the Townsville-based band of the 1 st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and has travelled extensively with the band since joining the Army in 1991.
"I have been pretty lucky and have travelled to France , China , Papua New Guinea and this is my third trip to Timor.
"It's great to be able to entertain the deployed troops and the people of Timor Leste.
"I really enjoy making people smile with music," Ben said.
The band, made up of 13 talented Army musicians with a variety of musical backgrounds, have been conducting their vital mission in supporting the ANZAC Battle Group troops throughout the country, as well as performing for the local Timorese population.
"The concert at Manatuto was awesome and we had a really great crowd turn out, about 400 plus locals turned up.
"Being here during the Tour de Force and seeing Carl Barron was also a highlight," Ben said.
Upon returning to Australia later this week, Ben will only have the weekend to recuperate before getting straight back into work, with performances around Townsville next week.
There are approximately 1000 Australian Defence Force personnel currently serving in Timor Leste as part of Operation Astute, the Australian Government response to the Timorese Government request for assistance in restoring peace to their country.
The Australians, as part of the International Stabilisation Force, are assisting the Government of Timor Leste and the United Nations Police to provide a secure environment in which the country can conduct its first independent presidential and parliamentary elections since independence.