Our People in NSW
Chris Denny - Camden reservist on ops in Timor
CAMPBELLTOWN’S Chris Denny will miss Christmas at home this year but is having the part time of his life in Timor Leste with the Australian Defence Force.
The former John Therry Catholic High School student, from the Macarther area of New South Wales, has taken leave from his role with New South Wales Health to deploy with the Army for Operation.
The 42-year-old father of three girls; Maddison, 21, Sienna, 17, and Jorja, 15, is enjoying the experience and plying his trade in an operational setting.
“I am currently located at Forward Operating Base Phoenix and will move with the rest of the personnel from here to our final base, closer to the port in Dili, to assist in the return of Australian equipment and personnel,” he said.
“I am a Sergeant in the Force Communications Element -7 and my role is Information Systems Manager (ISM) to manage all computer systems in country for defence. I have really enjoyed the chance to do my job in an operational setting and the opportunity to see another country,” Chris added.
Timor Leste is Chris’s second deployment after deploying to the Solomon Islands in 2008.
“I joined the ADF in 2002 with 142 Signal Squadron and am now posted to 8 Signal Regiment. I joined to serve my country like my father and grandfather did. My father was a member of the CMF (Commonwealth Military Forces) and both my grandfathers served in World War II,” he said.
Chris said meeting the president of Timor Leste, running in his first 10km fun run and visiting Balibo were his trip highlights.
Though he admits he has worked with some amazing people, on the lighter side he cracks a wry smile when he explains what he has put them all through.
“I am involved in CrossFit five-days-per-week, run boxing classes three-days-per-week and am involved in running PT sessions,” he added.
Chris said he misses his girls very much and can’t wait to get home for a belated Christmas with them.
He also intends to sit down for a coffee and burger wrap at Food.Drink in Camden, have a couple of red wines with friends and get back on the mountain bike at his next opportunity.
Timor Leste began an exciting new chapter in its history when the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF) ceased security operations on 22 November.
After more than six years of supporting the Timor Leste security forces, the ISF role has changed to the redeployment of its people and equipment to Australia and New Zealand. ISF troops started to depart Timor Leste in late November and bases will be remediated for handover by mid-2013.