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Private Rhys Clout - MAROOCHYDORE SOLDIER BRINGS PEACE TO DILI STREETS

The hot, humid and impoverished streets of the Timor-Leste capital Dili are a long way from the beaches of the Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast , but for Rhys Clout, they have become a familiar scene as he and his colleagues work hard to bring stability back to the troubled capital.

Rhys, an infantryman from the Townsville-based 1 st Battalion, is attached to Golf Company and currently serving with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force in Timor-Leste. For Rhys and his Golf Company mates, their work in Dili has seen them taking on the role of infantrymen, patrolling the streets to provide a strong security presence through liaison with the local communities.

These presence patrols have been designed to rebuild confidence among the local population by reassuring them that there is security and they can go about their daily business without fear.

Rhys, who only joined the Army last year, is enjoying his first tour of duty in Timor-Leste.

"It's great to be part of a company and be able to help the people here.

"We patrol regularly and chat with the locals, play sport with the kids and just provide a presence in general so they can feel safe," Rhys said.

With 150 NZ defence personnel as part of the ANZAC Battle Group, Rhys says it has been a great opportunity to be able to work with our Kiwi neighbours in this role.

"I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the New Zealanders, where we patrolled on the back of the open wagons. It was pretty cool, they are a great bunch of people," Rhys said.

The soldiers also conduct searches for illegal weapons in an effort to reduce their availability.

On returning to Australia later this year, Rhys looks forward to seeing his family, friends and girlfriend and sharing stories of his experiences with them.

Rhys is one of about 1100 Australian Defence Force personnel currently serving in East Timor 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.