Our People in VIC
Adam Bourke - SALE RESERVIST PLAYS PART IN TIMOR PEACE
These days Adam, a Theis employee, is a Corporal in the Army Reserve with the Watsonia-based 3 rd Military Police Company. However, he is currently providing specialist military police support to the Australian Commander of the International Stabilisation Force in Timor Leste's capital, Dili.
Adam, who joined the Army Reserve in 1998 is enjoying his first tour of duty to the emerging country where his role sees him out on the streets of Dili regularly.
"My role encompasses a variety of tasks, from providing advice to the Commander, to escorting VIPs - including the Australian Ambassador - to forming part of a close personal protection team and also general garrison policing duties.
"It's great being proactive in our patrols and trying to stop or minimise disturbances around the city.
"The kids always love coming up to us or waving when we go past. They have the biggest smiles on their faces when they see us," Adam said.
Apart from his daily duties, Adam - a Richmond Tigers tragic - has taken on another initiative in an effort to bring joy to the local kids of Timor by introducing an Auskick AFL clinic and giving them a taste of Aussie Rules Footy.
"I thought about the concept whilst out on the road one day. We passed a few Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps and I wondered what the kids did during the day to keep themselves amused.
"Then we spent some time in Balibo and I just happened to have a footy with me and started kicking it around with a few of the guys. Kids came out of nowhere and started playing with us.
"They just loved it. I thought then and there that this could be something and that we could really do a bit to encourage them to get involved," Adam said.
Adam approached local schools and orphanages to spread the word that he was going to conduct some 'Auskick' clinics and then liaised with members of the UN who used their contacts back in Australia to get some sponsorship.
As a result, Adam and his team of helpers managed to get support and sponsorship from AFL Auskick in Victoria and sub branch of Malvern, in the form of goal posts, footy jumpers, footballs and 100 back packs full of goodies to give to the kids.
"The response has been great. We had the first Auskick clinic last Sunday (29 Aug) and had about 15 kids turn up for training.
"They have picked up the skills pretty well and hopefully will become fairly proficient so they can have a go at playing a real game," Adam said.
Another aspect of the initiative is to fundraise for the Mary McKillop foundation.
"Ideally we would like to set up a bank account over here in Timor Leste where that money can go and then be donated to the Mary McKillop foundation, which provides support and practical assistance for orphans and children of Timor Leste in the area of education," Adam said.
With less than two months left of his deployment, Adam is looking forward to getting home and seeing his wife Amy and two children Michael and Tiffany.
Adam is one of about 1100 Australian Defence Force personnel currently serving in Timor Leste 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.