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Our People in VIC

GNR Ronan Arkle - CRANBORNE SOLDIER BRINGS PEACE TO DILI STREETS

The hot, humid and impoverished streets of the Timor-Leste capital Dili are a long way from the cosmopolitan streets of Cranborne, Melbourne but for Ronan Arkle they have become a familiar scene as he and his colleagues work hard to bring stability back to the troubled capital.

Ronan, an artillery Gunner with the Townsville-based with 4th Field Regiment, is currently serving with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force in Timor-Leste. For Ronan and his gunner 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.

Ronan, who only joined the Army last year, is happy to already be serving overseas in his role of helping the local Timorese.

"It would be great for the locals to be able to live without threat or fear.

"It is such a rewarding feeling to know that we are actually helping, even if it appears to be the smallest thing. It's great to be able to put our training into action," Ronan said.

Ronan believed the patrols provided a great opportunity to get out and meet the locals face to face, get to know them and let them know what they are doing.

"The kids are always happy to see us and come up and yell 'mister mister' and shake our hands.

"I think they can see that we are trying to help them," Ronan said.

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

Ronan is looking forward to getting home later this year and catching up with family and friends where he is sure to share some interesting stories.

Ronan 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.