Our People in QLD
WO2 Neville Bullock - AINSLIE SOLDIER PLAYS PART IN TIMOR PEACE
These days Neville, a former student of Campbell High School , is a Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Army with the Townsville-based 31 st Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment. However, he is currently in charge of coordinating the movement of all deployed military personnel into and out of Timor Leste as part of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
Neville, who joined the Army in 1983 is no stranger to serving overseas, having been on five deployments over the years; this one his second tour of duty to Timor Leste.
"My role here is to meet and greet all arrivals that are either new or returning back into the country.
"I also need to ensure that, for the members departing, their flights are booked and to check luggage for any dangerous goods," Neville said.
Having joined the Army for new challenges and mateship, Neville is lapping up his Timorese experience.
"Being here and knowing we are providing some stability to the country, and seeing the progress that has started to develop around Dili itself makes it all worthwhile.
"I enjoy seeing the young soldiers taking pride in their work and seeing the moment when they realise how lucky we are to come from a country like Australia.
"Australians should be very proud of their soldiers knowing that they are represented by such a fine bunch of young and professional men and women," Neville said.
With still three months left of his deployment, Neville is looking forward to getting home and seeing his wife Carron and his daughter Tahlee, but has relished the opportunity of serving overseas again.
"I transferred to the Army Reserves in 2004 after completing just over 22 years in the Australian Regular Army and I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to serve overseas again with the regular Amry.
"It's the friendships you form with other serving members that are like no other," Neville said.
Neville is one of about 1100 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.