Our People in SA
Dave Ralston & Paul Erskine - Nurioopta
Nurioopta’s Dave Ralston of Barossa Machinery Services recently volunteered for a long weekend with a difference.
Hewas one of 22 employers taken by the Australian Defence Force to visit their Army Reservists in the Solomon Islands in early March.
Dave took part in Exercise ‘Boss Lift’ to see what his own workshop supervisor, Army Reservist Paul Erskine, was doing on Operation Anode.
“I wanted to show support for him and other reservists, and experience what Paul and his mates were doing,” Dave said.
“Paul’s key skills such as organisational ability, discipline and being able to manage and lead a team have obviously been enhanced by his Army training.”
Paul, a Corporal, has specialised as a vehicle mechanic in his Army Reserve role.
Dave received briefings from senior Army Reserve officers, saw displays of equipment and skills by reservists, and got to shoot the Army’s Steyr rifle during the action-packed four-day trip.
The reservists the bosses visited were largely drawn from the South Australia/Tasmania-based 9 Brigade.
Exercise ‘Boss Lift’ is an initiative of the Cadet, Reserves and Employer Support Division in conjunction with Defence Reserve Support.
Boss Lift takes bosses to see their employees working in an operational environment to show them the value of having reservists in their workforce.
All reservists are volunteers and have to volunteer again to serve overseas. Their bosses are compensated financially while they are away on duty.