Our People in SA
LEGLESS
Legless shared the stage with Krystal Forscutt of Big Brother fame; comedian Fred Lang; and country-music singer/song writer to provide a series of high-energy concerts, and a taste of home, to Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in Dili and remote areas of Timor-Leste.
No stranger to international travel having toured Japan in 2006 to rave reviews, the Legless girls all agreed that this trip was one they will never forget.
“To be able to do what we do for our soldiers is just amazing. They were just so appreciative to have us there, giving them a break from their normal duties,” said bass guitarist, Constable Shazza.
For drummer, the bride Imaj, it was incredible to meet the troops. “To see what they go through on a daily basis and how hard they work, it was such an eye opener,” she said.
The concerts were held at several locations including forward-operating bases in Gleno and Camp Phoenix in Dili. One particular highpoint was an impromptu acoustic performance at Baucau, where the tour entertainers played songs requested by the soldiers
“When the guys sang ‘I was only 19’ I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up, it just put the entire trip into perspective,” the bride Imaj said.
For Constable Shazza it was the intimate performance at a local Dili orphanage where the table was turned and children performed for the entertainers that stood out the most.
“The orphanage just blew me away, how happy and appreciative of us the children where – brilliant when they got up and showed us what they could do”
It was gaining a greater appreciation of the role of our soldiers deployed on Operation Astute that stood out to guitarist, schoolgirl Amanda.
“I don’t think it’s an easy job for the men and women who are deployed overseas. I respect their sacrifice and discipline. I hope that by providing entertainment to the armed forces we have made their time in Timor-Leste more enjoyable.”
Tour de Force takes entertainers to all theatres of operation where Australian troops are based, brining a little bit of home to the men and women of the ADF who are away from loved ones for extended periods of time. This is the first time an Adelaide band has participated in a tour.
There are currently around 750 ADF personnel serving in Timor-Leste as part of Operation Astute.
The operation is part of the Australian Government’s response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in bringing stability, security and confidence to the Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.
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“I don’t think it’s an easy job for the men and women who are deployed overseas. I respect their sacrifice and discipline. I hope that by providing entertainment to the armed forces we have made their time in Timor-Leste more enjoyable.”
“I’m sure that this experience has made Legless a better band.”