Our People in SA
Gavin McClintock - Mt Gambier
Mt Gambier’s Gavin McClintock will soon be home after a four-month deployment to the Solomon Islands.
The self-employed handyman and general builder is also a Captain in the Army Reserve, and he has been part of the Australian contingent to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
RAMSI has been in the Solomon Islands at the invitation of the Solomon Islands Government since 2003 to assist with bringing stability to the country.
It’s Gavin’s second deployment to the Solomons, having previously served there as a platoon commander in 2007-08.
“My role here is second-in-command of an infantry rifle company. It includes soldiers from Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“I also support operational planning, plan the patrols and undertake watch keeper duties.
This time round Gavin also commanded the company for a month. Not many Captains get that chance.
“It has been great performing my duties without any interference, and being trusted by a number of key stakeholders, including Army, RAMSI and Police, to make the right decision in an operational environment,” he said.
Gavin joined the Army Reserve at Mt Gambier in 1983 and has also travelled to New Zealand, Britain, France, Belgium, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia in his Army Reserve uniform.
“I joined to be part of the team and because of a family connection to military,” he said.
Gavin is now looking forward to holiday with his wife Mardi and children Eleanor and Lewis when he returns to Mt Gambier — and then back to his normal job.