Our People in WA
Anthony Brain - BUNBURY LOCAL WITH ARMY IN TIMOR
Private Brain, 21, has deployed with the army on Operation Astute, the Australian Government’s effort to help restore peace in our northern neighbour.
Anthony, an Army Reservist normally based in Bunbury with A Coy, 11/28 Royal Western Australian Regiment, is currently serving with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Dili.
This is Anthony’s first overseas deployment since joining the army eighteen months ago. He’s worked virtually full-time as a reservist since joining up.
“Over here I work as a quartermaster storeman – or ‘Q-ey’ as the army calls them – and we supply everything the diggers use, from toilet paper to printer cartridges to weapons and ammunition,” Anthony said.
“Being in Timor is a fantastic opportunity. It’s busy, but great to be working with good mates.”
Anthony is certainly missing Bunbury’s nightspots and his legion of dedicated ‘alternative’ dance fans but he’s also had a brief moment to invent a few new moves over here.
“Our convoy was delayed on the road to Baucau one afternoon and we were stuck for the night up in the hills, so I put on a bit of a routine for the team with some music and a few glow sticks. It was very memorable.”
Anthony is looking forward to catching up with the family when he gets home: his mother Kate and brother Luke in Australind and his dad Joe and brother Chris in Dalyellup.
Anthony is one of about 750 Australian Defence Force personnel currently serving in Timor-Leste.
The operation is part of the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in bringing stability, security and confidence to the Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.