Our People in VIC
James Ferron - Frankston
After being in the Army a little over a year, Trooper James Ferron, has had his first real chance to be apart of an Australian Defence Force Operation with the call up of Brisbane based 7th Brigade to assist in Bundaberg after flooding ravaged the Queensland town.
As part of Operation QLD Flood Assist II, the 21 year old from Frankston was keen for the opportunity to get his hands dirty and help out the community moving debris from the local school, clearing roads, cleaning houses and generally helping out the locals that have lost so much.
“I’ve enjoyed being able to come up here and help people out. It feels good doing some hard work and then seeing the locals really appreciate it, even asking for photos with us” said Trooper Ferron.
When the floods hit areas of QLD the decision was made to stand up a Joint Task Force and one of the key elements of this was the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (2/14 LHR) led Emergency Support Force which deployed via road from Brisbane at short notice straight after Australia Day.
“The unit was supposed to have a parade in Brisbane on Australia Day but the weather meant the parade was cancelled and we instead got ready to move to the disaster area” said James.
James, who is a trained Australian Light Armoured Vehicle driver, sacrificed seeing his girlfriend who still lives in Victoria to deploy with the rest of his section up to Bundaberg.
Being right into his footy, James is looking forward to getting back into it upon his return to Brisbane with his local club and the 2/14 LHR unit team.
“Sometime in March we’re hoping to head down to the Kapooka 12’s which is basically a round robin event with other Defence Force teams” said James.
The Defence personnel of the Emergency Support Force will remain in the Bundaberg area, under the direction of the local Disaster Management Team, until the region is able to once more rely on the local services within the region.