Our People in VIC
CAPT Damian Eaton - GEELONG SOLDIER PLAYS PART IN TIMOR PEACE
These days Damian, a former student of Western Heights College , is a Captain in the Army, normally based in Sydney with the 1 st Military Police Battalion. However, he has just completed a tour of duty in Timor Leste as the Joint Provost Marshal (JPM) providing specialist advice and guidance to the Commander of Australian forces in the country.
As his first operational deployment, Damian remarked on why he enjoyed being in Timor-Leste.
"This deployment has provided a great opportunity to work with a diverse range of people and organisations, both internal and external to the Australian Defence Force.
"It's a good feeling to be able to put your training into practice and see results. I think we have done some positive work here," Damian said.
For the duration of his time in Timor-Leste, Damian was involved in security and detention operations, and law and order work with the UN police. He was also worked with the force's Military Police section, which saw him out on patrols and involved in security roles throughout the city.
A memorable moment for Damian was when he captained the International Stabilisation Force Soccer Team during the Soccer for Peace tournament held earlier this year.
"Being a part of something that may just make a difference, no matter how slight, is very rewarding. It was a great day and we all had a lot of fun," Damian said.
With an inherent love for all things green, Damian joined the Army in 1997, following in the footsteps of his Grandfather who served with the 2/48 Battalion during the Second World War.
During any downtime, Damian frequented the gym and stayed in touch with family and friends back home via the welfare internet and phones that have been made available to deployed personnel.
Damian, an avid supporter of the Geelong Football Club, looked forward to getting home and settling back into his normal routine, and hoped to see the Cats make their way into the final later this year.
"I have really missed the AFL actually. Looking forward to getting to a game soon," Damian said.
Damian 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.