22 September 2020
The support the ADF is providing on Operation COVID-19 Assist will now never be forgotten thanks to The Australian War Memorial (AWM).
AWM commissioned photographer and former Army photographer, Gary Ramage, has spent seven days taking photos and videos of ADF personnel on operation in NSW.
“Recording what’s happening is vital to understanding the important role the ADF plays in society,” Mr Ramage said.
“As time passes, we will start to forget much of what happened during Operation COVID-19 Assist and the support that Defence provided to governments across the country.
“My job is to ensure that doesn’t happen and that we will remember.”
The photographer started his military assignment at the biggest checkpoint on the NSW/Victoria border, Albury, before heading to the remote checkpoints in the Snowy Mountains.
“I was impressed by the range of experience on the checkpoints – from personnel yet to complete initial military training to Navy officers with 20 and 30 years’ experience,” he said.
The AWM photographer was provided access to the ADF’s support of NSW Police quarantine activities at Sydney Airport and hotels where personnel were assisting with the reception and repatriation of civilian travellers from overseas and Victoria.
He also captured imagery from Pier One Hotel where the ADF is providing security for personnel returning from overseas deployments.
The NSW Commander of Operation COVID-19 Assist, Brigadier Mick Garraway, said it was important to highlight the good work Defence was doing in the community.
“This is a unique operation involving all services as well as permanent and reservist personnel,” Brigadier Garraway said.
“The value we place on the few images taken during the 1919 Spanish Flu pandemic highlights the importance of the war memorial’s work in documenting the events of today.”
The video and stills captured by Mr Ramage are expected to form part of future AWM national collection.
