Our People in WA
Bombardier Hayden Reeves - DENMARK (WA) SOLDIER BRINGS PEACE TO DILI STREETS
Hayden, a Bombardier with the Townsville-based 4th Field Regiment, is currently serving with the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force in Timor-Leste. For Hayden 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.
Hayden, who joined the Army in 2002, is a section commander with 2 Platoon, Golf Company of the ANZAC Battle Group in Dili.
"My role is to command the section throughout the patrols and ensure we achieve our tasks.
"It is great to experience the Army at its most diverse and trying to find the balance between winning hearts and minds (amongst the Timorese) and providing security," Hayden said.
After joining the Army for a change in lifestyle and for personal development, Hayden said he wasn't totally prepared for the cultural differences between Australia and Timor-Leste.
"Arriving into Timor-Leste and driving down the street to our headquarters certainly was an eye-opener. There is such a stark contrast between here and home in Denmark.
"This experience has been and will continue to be very memorable. I have learnt so much about a new culture and how important it is to help each other."
The Australian soldiers also conduct searches for illegal weapons in an effort to reduce their availability.
On returning to Australia later this year, Hayden looks forward to catching up with his family and friends, his fiancé Adrianne, also in the Army, and getting back into his favourite past time - harness racing.
Hayden 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.