ANZAC Day 2024 Oratory - Gareth McCray OAM

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces became known as ANZACs. Anzac Day is a commemoration of the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April in 1915.

Gareth provides a moving reminder of the sacrifices made by all Veterans over the years including WW1 and up to the present day.

Air Chief Marshal (retired) Mark Binskin AC is a highly decorated and respected senior executive and leader in the national security, defence and aerospace sectors. Most recently he was Chief of the Defence Force of Australia from 2014-2018, and earlier as Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011-2014) and Chief of Air Force (2008-2011).

He currently has appointments to Senior Positions with many Defence related Organisations

As Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin successfully led the Australian Defence Force, comprising 80,000 permanent and reserve personnel, to significantly improve capabilities and responses to major global events and championed organisational change across areas of national security, culture, diversity and leadership performance. He oversaw the First Principles Review of Defence and delivered the successful implementation of the One Defence approach.

Mark Binskin has provided specialist advice to the highest levels of governments, industry leaders and international stakeholders and his aerospace knowledge and expertise is extensive. He has over 3,500 hours in single seat fighter aircraft including the A4G Skyhawk, Mirage 3, F-16C and F/A-18 Hornet.  He continues to be active in general aviation, is a warbird owner and holds Commercial, Remote and Recreational Aviation Australia pilot licences.

Mark has completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Introducing Wing Commander Philip Eldridge.  In Phil’s words, his initial claim to fame is that he successfully navigated an interesting and (at times) exciting childhood in Sydney’s western suburbs.  A visit to the RAAF Richmond Air show in the 80’s sealed his fate. At the time he was a student of the excellent Hurlstone Agricultural High School, but had less than optimal academic focus resulting in barely scraping a pass in his HSC.

Phil joined the RAAF in November 1987 as a Direct Entry Pilot, graduating from No. 149 Pilots Course in December 1989. Posted to fast jets, he commenced his fighter training at 76 Squadron. This was followed by F/A-18A conversion in 1991 with his first tour, at 75 Squadron, beginning in 1992.

Fighter Combat Instructor course in 1994 was followed by tours as 75 Squadron Fighter Combat Instructor, 81 Wing as Standardisation Officer, Fighter Combat Instructor Course Director and Executive Officer 77 Squadron.

In 2005, Phil separated from Defence but served in the RAAF Active Reserve at 2 Operational Conversion Unit for the next 8 years. He then re-engaged in the RAAF in 2015 through the Specialist Aircrew scheme.  Phil resumed his career as Executive Officer once more at 2 Operational Conversion Unit seeing out the FA-18 Classic before transitioning to F-35s in 2020.

Aviation highlights in his career are many but include over 3600 hrs in the Classic Hornet, operational flying tours in Operations Falconer (2003) and OKRA (2016), and now flying the F35A Lightning - which is a beast!

Warrant Officer (retired) John McDougall.  John had an Air Force engineering and flying career spanning 25 years.  John completed three tours on Caribous in Vietnam between August 64 and April 68.  Also, John was deployed frequently to the difficult flying environment of Papua New Guinea.  He had many other notable deployments over his career including Kashmir, Sumatra, Sacramento and Idaho.

He joined the RAAF in 1960 as Apprentice Engine Fitter.  Within a very short time after graduation from technical training, he was serving on the first deployment of Caribous with RAAF Transport Flight in Vietnam.  John’s stories about the dangers, trials and tribulations of the first few months and then his ongoing deployment for 3 Vietnam tours are fascinating and inspiring.  His first 2 tours were as an Engine Fitter and his third tour was as Aircrew performing the very diverse and challenging duties of a Caribou Loadmaster/Engineer.

Following this, John became an Instructor for Pilot and Loadmaster / Engineer Conversion courses.

John was then posted to 482 Squadron. Amberley.  Numerous deployments were made from there including four months in Sacramento doing Cold Proof Load Testing on F111-C aircraft and accepting four ex United States Air Force F-111A model aircraft to replace four that the Australian Air Force had lost.

In 1983, John was posted to Number 1 Sqn. as Warrant Officer Engineer.  He had numerous deployments from there including Bomb Comp at Mount Home Air Force Base Idaho, then to Eglin Air Force Base Florida for aircraft trials.

An Oratory from Gareth McCray OAM for ANZAC Day 2023

Brian Richards, ex Australian Air Force Engine Fitter and Vietnam Veteran Caribou Loadmaster/Flight Engineer.

Brian graduated from the RAAF School of Technical Training in 1959.  He signed up for 15 years when only 16 years old.

By August 1963, Brian had completed 4 years in aircraft maintenance jobs and then signed on as a Loadmaster on DHC4 Caribous.  Brian departed for Toronto, Canada in March 1964 for Conversion course and to participate in ferrying the second three Caribous to Australia.  The ferry flight took 4 weeks, arriving RAAF Base Richmond, June 1964.

In August 1964, Brian was posted for 12 months to RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam as a Loadmaster, Caribous.  It was the first deployment of Caribous into Vietnam and the establishment of operations placed the unit under huge pressure where resourcefulness and hard work made what became known as Wallaby Airlines a very successful and renowned unit amongst Aussies and Allies. 

In September 1965, Brian travelled to Toronto Canada again to ferry another Caribou to Richmond.

Brian began another testing adventure in January 1966 when he joined the newly formed RAAF Detachment A, PNG.

He then resumed his Air Force career as an Engine Fitter, culminating in March 1971 with a posting to RAAF School Technical Training as a Technical Training instructor.  He was back where he started but this time imparting his knowledge.

Brian discharged from the RAAF in January 1973 at the end of his 15 years.

He then work with Transavia, building the Transavia Air Truck and then became a Cummins Diesel instructor.

In 1977, Brian joined the NSW Bush Fire Brigade and is still a member.

Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO DSC   Recent Chief of Air Force Reflects

Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO  DSC  joined the Royal  Australian Air  Force as an Academy  Cadet in January 1980, winning the Flying Prize for his year.

Mel’s early career was spent in a variety of flying positions on Mirage and F/A-18 aircraft, before qualifying as a Fighter Combat Instructor in 1989, followed by a period of executive appointments in Fighter Squadrons.

In 1997, Mel attended the Royal Air Force Staff Course, graduating with a Master of Arts  in Defence Studies from King's College in London, before taking up a post as Deputy Director in the Aerospace Development Branch.

In 2001, Mel took command of No 75 Squadron and led the Squadron in the Middle East on Operations BASTILLE and FALCONER.  In 2003, he was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of his performance as Commanding Officer 75 Squadron on Operation FALCONER, and 75 Squadron was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation.

On promotion to Group Captain in 2004, he was appointed Director Aerospace Combat Development before accepting appointment as Officer Commanding Number 81 Wing in January 2006.

Promoted to Air Commodore in 2007, Mel became the Director of the Combined Air Operations Centre in the Middle East Area of Operations, before returning to Australia to various Senior appointments including Director General Air Command Operations, Commander of Air Combat Group and then Air Commander Australia in 2012.

In 2015, Mel was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments.

After appointment to further very senior roles including Chief Joint Operations, he was appointed Chief of Air Force in July 2019.

Air Marshal Hupfeld is married to Louise, and his interests include mountain biking, running, fishing, light aircraft, and sailing.

Acknowledgement: This account by Mr Neil Lindsay was recorded by AVM  Peter Scully (retired) on 5th December 1996.

In Part 3 of this series, Neil talks about:

His time as a Prisoner of War in Germany

His association with the Great Escape

His forced march through Germany in bitter weather before his liberation and return home.

Acknowledgement: This account by Mr Neil Lindsay was recorded by Air Vice Marshal  Peter Scully (retired) on 5th December 1996.

In Part 2 of this series, Neil talks about:

Australian aircrew on RAF stations.  

83 Squadron on Lancaster Bombers

106 Squadron and operations over Europe in Lancaster Bombers.   An account of Flying with Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar  who was best known in connection with the famous Dambusters

This is a 3 part Podcast on the WW2 flying history and prisoner of war history of Flight Lieutenant Robert Neil LINDSAY.  Neil flew with Bomber Command and after being shot down was a Prisoner of War in Germany. 

The story in the recordings by Neil Lindsay in this Podcast were told to Air Vice Marshal Peter Scully (retired) on 5th December 1996.

Neil Lindsay was born in 1917 in Melbourne.   Joining the RAAF was an enormous change for Neil as, prior to enlisting in December 1940, he had completed an agricultural degree and was working as a Jackeroo on Corona Station, north west of Longreach in Queensland.

He completed an Observers Course before embarking for Edmonton in Canada in March 1941.  Here he joined other men training under the Empire Training Scheme. 

He completed various courses as a member of No 2 Air Observers School and left Canada the following September for the United Kingdom.  He then had various postings including Number 14 Officer Training Unit and 83 Squadron before he arrived at 106 Lancaster Squadron 8th October 1942. 

At the time, Guy Gibson was the Commanding Officer.  Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar was a distinguished bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.

At 1859 hours on the night of 12/13 March 1943, Lancaster R5749 took off from Syerston, in Nottinghamshire, detailed to bomb Essen, Germany. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it failed to return to base. The aircraft was shot down in the target area and six of the crew members were killed and Neil was taken prisoner.  Neil was listed as an Air Bomber for the mission. 

After his release on 15 April 1945 Neil gave a statement to authorities who were trying to piece together the experiences of POWs.   In part his statement says:

“the aircraft exploded at 20,000 feet after the bombing run was completed. It was hit by flak about 5 minutes previously when passing over Dorsten, and there were no outward signs of damage after a quick check by the Engineer and the Pilot.  I was the only one hit and that was in the legs. After the bomb run everything seemed alright then there was a bright yellow flash in my face and the next thing I can recall was that I was sailing through the air. I pulled my parachute cord and landed in Essen where I was picked up by the Germans. They told me the others had been killed in the crash.”

His records note that he was firstly at St Lambertus Krankenhaus Esson from 12 March to 27th March 1943.  It was here he was treated for his injuries.  He was subsequently moved to Dulag Frankfurt,  Luft Heydekruge,  Luft III Sagan and Marlag Milag. 

Luft III Sagan was famous for escaping activities unlike other camps where escaping was a minority activity.  In the 22 months after the camp opened, the Germans logged 262 escape attempts: most had failed.

Neil arrived at Stalag Luft III on 18 March 1944 just days before the notorious “Great Escape” on 24 March.   He was not part of the escape owing to his relative late arrival at the prison and the continuing effects from the wounds that he suffered when his Lancaster crashed.

On the night of 24 March 1944, 76 Allied prisoners of Stalag Luft III German prison camp in Sagan, 100 miles southeast of Berlin, escaped through a tunnel named "Harry."  Within days most were recaptured.  An outraged Hitler had 50 of them shot, an appalling abrogation of the Geneva Convention, to which Germany was a signatory. Twenty-three were reincarcerated. Only three made it all the way to freedom—a Dutchman and two Norwegians, all flyers with the British Royal Air Force.

Five of the murdered prisoners were nominally Australian, although only three wore RAAF uniform.   

For Neil, Christmas 1944 at Stalag Luft III was bitterly cold: 6 inches of snow fell in the night turning the camp into a white wonderland.  The men had been saving tin cans and the like and flattening them to make decorations for the huts.  The Messiah was performed by a choir of 80 with a full orchestra in the church/theatre which was situated in the centre compound.  Food for Christmas was very scarce as supplies had not been getting through and then came a miracle when a few days before Christmas a batch of Red Cross parcels arrived with canned turkey, plum pudding, cigarettes, cigars, candles.  In the western compound Santa in a red and white suit arrived to the sound of sleigh bells.  Two men were dressed as reindeers and Santa tossed bundles of mail to the POWs.  Mail had been allowed to accumulate for some time so that Santa had gifts for all.   It was one of the “not to be forgotten” days at Sagan.

All camps had talented men from musicians, Actors, Singers and those that taught classes in anything from theology, Latin to history and much more.  The men were able to sit for exams which gained many of them entry into higher education when they returned home. 

After his release in April 1945, Neil spent two weeks in hospital before boarding a ship on 8 August bound for Australia, arriving home a month later.   He was discharged from the RAAF on 7 January 1946. 

After discharge he returned to the United Kingdom.  There is a record of the questionnaire he, as with all POWs, answered after their return to Australia lodged at the National Archives of Australia.   Interesting reading.

Neil had married Joan Winifred Bardwell at Oakham, Rutland in April 1942. He and Joan came back to Australia in September 1950 travelling on the Himalaya with their two daughters, Margaret Ann and Joanna May.

Neil died in January 2001 predeceased by Joan the previous December.

His name appears on the magnificent POW Memorial at Ballarat.

In this 3-part Podcast, Neil personally relates his story.  The sound quality is a little poor.  It is a significant part of Australian history and deserves listening to.

Part One Intro

In Part 1 of this series, Neil briefly talks about:

1.    his early adult life before joining the Australian Air Force on 6 Decenber 1940,

2.    his training days in Australia in preparation for the war against Hitler,

3.    his adventures in Canada for aircrew training, and

4.    his final very intense preparations in the UK before starting flying: 

“We went straight from our training unit to Lancasters.  I went onto 83 squadron where I did my first three operations as a navigator and bomb aimer and seemed to cope OK”.

Listen in to Neil:  The sound is poor quality but listenable.  It is a significant part of Australian history and deserves listening to.

Introducing Ray and Pauline James

Ray and Pauline James are a husband and wife team who collaborate marvellously to provide RSL services to Veterans.  Ray is active as an RSL Member in many appointments including President of RSL NSW.  Pauline had contributed uniquely as State Manager for RSL NSW Auxiliaries.

They together produce an astounding contribution to veterans that is uniquely impactful.  The outline follows of each of their contributions to our Australian way of life.

Introducing Ray James OAM President of RSL NSW

Ray is also appointed to the following Associated Entities: Director RSL National Chair of RSL Custodian Pty Ltd ANZAC House Trust Anzac Memorial Trust Australian Forces and Overseas Fund RSL Life Care

A Vietnam veteran, Ray James served over 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy, with another 26 years in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

He also served with the Transport Investigation Branch and NSW Police Force.

Ray has held senior positions at RSL sub-Branch and District Council levels and is currently a member of Ingleburn RSL sub-Branch.

He is also chair of RSL Custodian Pty Ltd and Vice President of the NSW Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

Introducing Pauline James  OAM. State Co-Ordinator, RSL NSW Auxiliaries.

Pauline has been a great Vietnam Veterans supporter for many years.  She lost three cousins in Vietnam and one more later.

Pauline James was born in Coonamble, country New South Wales, the oldest of 7 children. 

Pauline was introduced to the life of Veterans and their needs from a young age. Her grandfather, uncles and cousins served in various Wars. Many lost their lives. Pauline married a Vietnam Veteran in the early 1970s and has witnessed first hand the struggles of those who serve.

In 2009, Pauline became an active member of Ingleburn RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary.

Pauline was elected in 2011 as Western & Southern Metropolitan Councillor on the RSL NSW Central Council of Women’s Auxiliaries and then in 2014 was elected Deputy State President.  And in 2016, she became the State President.

Pauline was the State Co- Ordinator of RSL Auxiliaries in 2019 when the auxiliaries included male members for the first time in the auxiliaries history.

During her time in these various positions Pauline has dedicated a large amount of her time to building up membership within the RSL Women’s Auxiliaries across NSW. She has also raised awareness of Veterans issues to the broader community.

 In 2014 Pauline commissioned the ‘Lest We Forget Quilt Project’.  Pauline with her team of ladies supported the Invictus Games held in Sydney in 2018 by donating specially made quilts.  Pauline also introduced Thank You for Your Service Quilts in 2019.

Lest We Forget

“We may not have made a Rembrandt or Norman Lindsay, but what we have made has been made with love and respect for our service men and women”.

Pauline says “I look back and think about how as a young Navy Wife I boldly fronted the council at Redfern and got a building to start the first Navy playgroup, which was a great success”.

Introducing Air Commodore Tim Alsop

Air Commodore Tim Alsop currently serves as Commander Air Combat Group, based at RAAF Williamtown, near Newcastle, NSW. Air Combat Group is responsible for the development and preparation of Australia’s Air Combat force for operations. It encompasses some 2000 personnel, six aircraft types and a special operations Combat Control capability.

Tim joined the RAAF in 1993, after completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne. He trained as a pilot and has served at all three operational F/A-18A squadrons, as well as instructing on PC-9/A, Macchi and Hawk 127 training aircraft.

He currently flies the F-35A Lightning II.

In 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan with the Australian Special Operations Task Group as the Offensive Air Support Planner. Later that year, he moved to the United Kingdom and completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course and a Masters of Arts with Kings College London.

As the embedded Director of the 609th Combined Air and Space Operations Centre, in 2018, Tim oversaw the planning and execution of all Coalition air power in the US Central Command area of responsibility, encompassing Syria, Iraq, the Arabian Gulf and Afghanistan. The geostrategic landscape during that period can best be described as ‘quite complex.’

In 2019, he completed another 12 months of study at the Australian War College and became a Fellow of the Defence Strategic Studies Course.

AIRCDRE Alsop is the Patron of both the Air Force Nordic Biathlon Association and the Royal Victorian Aero Club’s Young Eagles program – a volunteer organisation that encourages youth to pursue a career in aviation through regular presentations and free introductory flying.

Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz AM, CSC, DSM, Air Commander Australia, is responsible to the Chief of Air Force for effectively preparing air combat forces.

Glen joined the Australian Air Force in 1987 and went on to complete pilot training in 1991. Following lead-in-fighter training, he transferred to Amberley for F-111C conversion and joined No 1 Squadron.

In 1997, Glen instructed on the PC-9 advanced trainer and Macchi lead-in-fighter and then in 2001 returned to 1 Squadron where he undertook the inaugural F-111 Fighter Combat Instructor Course and was promoted into the position of Weapons and Reconnaissance Flight Commander.

In 2003 he served in the Combined Air Operations Centre in support of Operations FALCONER, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

Glen later served as Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, introducing the Super Hornet to Australian Service.

Some very interesting postings followed as Director EA-18G Growler Transition, Commander Australian Air Task Group Middle East Region and command of No. 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley.

On promotion to Air Vice Marshal in July 2020, Glen assumed very senior roles of First Assistant Director-General, Expeditionary and Transnational Intelligence Division, Senior Ranking Australian Defence Force Officer within the Australian Signals Directorate, Deputy Chief of Air Force and now Air Commander Australia.

Welcome to Wing Commander Tim Ireland, Commanding Officer No 77 Squadron

Tim was born in Bega, NSW, in 1980.  He grew up in the country towns of Cowra and Port Macquarie before enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1998, graduating with distinction from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2000.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Physics) from the University of New South Wales, graduated from 190 Pilot’s Course in 2002, F/A-18A Hornet Operational Conversion in 2005, became a Qualified Flying Instructor in 2008, and converted to F-35A Lightning II in 2020.

He was awarded Category A qualification on the F-18A in 2017, has flown more than 50 missions and 350 combat hours over Iraq and Syria, and is an F-35A Mission Instructor and is Mission Command Qualified.

Tim has served at all operational fighter squadrons.  He was a Flight Commander at No 3 Squadron during 2012-2015, and Executive Officer of No 75 Squadron during 2015-2017.

Tim deployed to Afghanistan as an Air Liaison Officer on Operation SLIPPER in 2008. He subsequently deployed twice to the Middle East Region throughout 2015-2016 on Operation OKRA as Executive Officer Strike Element of the Air Task Group.

Tim has staff officer experience in Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and Air Force Headquarters as the Deputy Director Air Combat Transition Office 2018-2019.

He was Executive Officer, No 81 Wing before taking command of No 77 Squadron in December 2020. He has been selected as Staff Officer to Chief of Air Force in 2023.

Wing Commander Ireland is married to Sarah, an Air Force Legal Officer, and they enjoy caring for their rescue greyhound, Audrey. He is also keenly interested in travel, keeping fit, and music.

Introducing Brian Lawrence. ex Air Force Warrant Officer 

Brian joined the Air Force in January 1961 and qualified as an Engine Mechanic and then as an Engine Fitter.  He was posted to No 2 Aircraft Depot.

In July 1964, Brian was posted to 38 Squadron and then onward to Vietnam.  Besides 1ots of paperwork and passports, he was issued with a World War 2 tin hat, pocket knife and lanyard

On arrival at Tan Son Nhut Airport, Brian was amazed at the number of aircraft on the ground.  In his words “Thousands”.  He said “A Caribou was there to take us to Vung Tau.  We soon got rid of our old tin hats and were taken to the United States Army store and issued with Yankee tin hats and new M14 rifles with 4 magazine’s”.

Work was 7 days a week at first to maintain the aircraft.  Later when more troops arrived a night shift was started. 

After many adventures, trials and tribulations in Vietnam, Brian returned to 38 Squadron in Australia.  He was again selected to go back to Vietnam in September 1965 but he then had the opportunity to go to New Guinea instead. 

On return from New Guinea, he was posted to No 3 Aircraft Depot at Amberley working on Sabre Aircraft.

Brian elected discharge in January 1967 and then reenlisted in July 1969.

In January 1972, Brian was posted to 482 Squadron Amberley working on Phantom Aircraft. 

In July 1973, he was attached to McClellan Air Force Base for the acceptance and the second ferry of F111’s to Amberley.

He retired as a Warrant Officer Engineer.

Introducing John Lindner, A Life of Adventure and Excitement as an Air Force and Commercial Transport Pilot.

John joined the RAAF as a trainee pilot in 1961.

Following graduation, he was posted to 38 Squadron on DC-3 Dakotas.

In 1964, John participated in the first ferry of the new Caribou aircraft from Canada to Australia. 

He then joined the second Caribou Ferry later in 1964 but this aircraft was delivered to Vung Tau via Greenland, Iceland, and Europe. 

John then joined the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam in Vung Tau mid-Oct 1964, among the pilots of the first group.   His tour in Vietnam provided plenty of adventures and on the edge flying.  He finished this tour in June 1965.  

John then did a 3rd Caribou Ferry in August 1965.  This time he flew across the Pacific.  

John says “Between Honolulu and Canton Island, we had to shut down an engine due to loss of oil from the propellor and then proceeded for 7 hours on one engine to Canton Island”.  Stressful!!

In Sept 1966, John began flying the C-130E Hercules at 37 Squadron, Richmond.   Beginning October 1966, John then participated in two ferrying flights of C130s from Atlanta to Richmond.   He then flew the C-130E until he left the RAAF in late July, 1969.

John then began a life of civilian flying:  Twin Otters in the Arctic for Interior Airways of Fairbanks, Alaska.  Qantas 707s but left after a big lay-off of pilots in late 1971. Beech Queen Airs for Masling out of Cootamundra and a Cessna Golden Eagle, based in Cardiff, Wales, for a wealthy Welshman.

In August 1973, Qantas began taking furloughed pilots back, and he moved on to DC 4s.   

In May 1774, John moved to Auckland and joined Air New Zealand.   He was with them nearly 20 years on the DC-8, then the DC-10, and then the 747.  He gained a command in 1986 and flew then as a Captain on the 747 until leaving Air New Zealand in late 1993.

John spent the next 10 years flying the 747 for various small operators around the world, and retired from big aeroplanes in mid 2003.

A life full of variety and challenges.

Introducing Air Commodore (retired) Kevin Henderson, Master Defence Studies.

Learning to fly on Tiger Moths and Chipmunks at Newcastle Aero Club while he was still at school, Kev had his pilot’s licence 12 months before he was legally able to drive a car. 

Kev completed the RAAF pilots course in 1962 after which he gained experience on the Dakota transport aircraft. 

Kev was a 22 year old flying officer when he flew into Vung Tau, South Vietnam in a Caribou short field transport aircraft as part of the original RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam.  This tour was eye opening and challenging and he returned to Richmond in 1965 a changed and much more mature person than when he left in the previous year. 

After Vietnam, Kev flew two ferry flights of Caribou across the Pacific – earlier ferries had been across the Atlantic. 

In late 1965, he flew in Papua New Guinea establishing Caribou operations there.

A posting to 37 Squadron followed, flying the new C130E Hercules until 1970. Ken spent a lot of this time on freight shuttles and medevac flights between Vung Tau and Richmond.

1970 saw Kev on posting with the United States Air Force at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina flying the Hercules C130E tactically.  He later used that experience when he became Commanding Officer of 36 Squadron in 1979 to introduce the new C130H.

Kev spent two years with the Army’s Headquarters 1 Division at Enoggera in the mid 1970s as the Army’s first Divisional Air Liaison Officer.

Kev also spent three years in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in the mid 80s as Air Attache. 

His long and broad career saw him retire in 1992 as one of the RAAF’s most experienced tactical air transport operators.

Introducing WARRANT OFFICER RAYLEE SCOTT, AM.

Warrant Officer Raylee Scott joined the Royal Australian Air Force as a Switch Board Operator in 1986 and then re-mustered to an Electronic Data Processor Operator.  Raylee later became a Communication Information Systems Controller.

In 1996, Raylee was posted to the RAAF Network Operations Agency where she was a founding member of the implementation team installing what became the Defence Restricted Network and the Defence Switched Network around Australia.

Raylee also had postings to Defence Support Group, where she worked on the strategic communication networks. and worked as a System Administrator at Williamtown, Wagga Wagga, and Townsville along with several expeditionary roles with deployable networks.

In 2008, she was posted to Headquarters Joint Operations Command where she worked for several years as the team leader for Multinational Communications Interoperability Program which focused on Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief with Pacific Nations.

In 2012, Raylee was posted to No 1 Combat Communications Squadron Amberley Flight, and in 2015 she took up the position of Squadron Warrant Officer. Most recently she was posted to Air Force Headquarters Cyber Warfare and Networks where she was the Mustering Capability Advisor.

In 2019, she was appointed Wing Warrant Officer 44 Wing at RAAF Base Williamtown followed by Force Element Group Warrant Officer Air Mobility Group.

During her career, Raylee’s deployments include; Operation Relex 2001, Operation Falconer 2003, Operation Catalyst 2005, Operation Slipper 2010 and 2011, Operation Southern Indian Ocean 2014, Operation Okra 2014 and Operation Accordion 2017.

Raylee was admitted as a Member (AM) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day 2022 Honours List.  In addition, she has received an ADF Gold Commendation, an Air Force Silver Commendation, an ADF Bronze Commendation and a Meritorious Unit Citation.

In 2022, Raylee assumed the role of Air Command Warrant Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Air Commander Australia.

Raylee enjoys the challenges, innovation and new perspective that prevails in transforming the RAAF into a technologically-advanced 5th generation Air Force. 

Introducing Flight Lieutenant Suska Denham

Flight Lieutenant Suska Denham commissioned into the Royal Australian Air Force as a direct entry through Officers’ Training School in 2017.  She joined as a Security Police Officer and completed her Initial Employment Training at the Defence Force School of Policing, Holsworthy Barracks.

After posting to No. 1 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown, Suska performed the role of Base Security Officer before transitioning to the Squadron Operations and Plans Officer in 2019. During this time, she completed a number of broadening qualifications including a Diploma of Security Risk Management.

Suska deployed on Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 as the Officer-in-charge Force Protection Flight, Rockhampton.

In 2020, Suska was posted to No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Base Tindal, as the Officer-in-Charge Security Flight Tindal. This role has direct responsibility to the Regional Security Commander Northern Territory for the management of Security Forces encompassing Air Force Security Military Working Dog Handlers and Security Operations personnel, the Military Working Dog capability, Air Force Gap Year, Protective Security and Governance, and Weapons Training Section.

In 2021, Suska was selected as the Aide-de-Camp to Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Vincent Iervasi, followed by Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie.

Flight Lieutenant Denham deployed on Operation COVID ASSIST19 as the Operations Officer for Joint Task Force 629.

After completing her posting at Headquarters Air Command, RAAF Base Glenbrook, Suska posted to the Joint Military Police Unit as the Executive Officer for Joint Military Police Station Brisbane, Gallipoli Barracks Enoggera.

Flight Lieutenant Denham holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours Class 1) and prior to joining the Australian Defence Force was a teacher with the NSW Department of Education and Training. Whilst at university, she participated in a Global Exchange Program teaching English as a second language in Kerala, India.

  Introducing Wing Commander (retired) Michael (Mick) Stone.  Mick joined the Air Force as an apprentice in 1968.  He became an electrical fitter at Williamtown working on Mirage and Sabre aircraft.   In 1971, Mick went to Butterworth Malaysia working on Search and Rescue Hueys. This was his first involvement with helicopter aircrew: most were Vietnam veterans.

In 1975, Mick was selected for pilot training. He was then posted to United Nations Emergency Force 2 flying helicopters on peacekeeping duties in the Sinai Desert.

After that Mick continued flying helicopters in Australia until he was trained as a flying Instructor for new pilots. He then became a Flying Instructor on Hueys and the newly introduced Squirrel chopper.

In 1985, there were more helicopter adventures in the Sinai Desert but this time as an instructor.

Following this, Mick was posted to Fort Rucker Alabama as one of the first 2 Black Hawk instructors and then to introduce that helicopter into the RAAF at 9 Squadron.

Mick resigned from the Air Force in 1990 and took up a position with Lloyd Helicopters as a Search and Rescue captain at Williamtown flying Bell 212 helicopters.  Mick was recruited to the Active Reserve as an Operations officer and Range Safety Officer.

In October 2001, Mick re-joined the Air Force and took up various position in the Air Transport world including Commanding Officer 285 SQN Richmond.  285SQN was a new concept  The squadron’s responsibility was to conduct all training, both ground and aircrew, that occurred at Richmond.

Age retirement forced Mick to leave the Air Force in April 2006.  He was again recruited for full time service in 2007 as Operations Officer C130s  in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

He was farewelled from the RAAF on 1 April 2018, 50 years and 2 1⁄2 months after joining and 1 day before his 67th birthday.

Introducing Group Captain Jason (Easty) Easthope, recent Chief of Staff, Air Combat Group

Easty joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the age of 18 and began flying jets at only 19 years of age.  In 2002 he transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force where he spent most of his time flying and instructing on the F/A-18 Classic Hornet.

Easty flew F18 Hornet-02 in a single-ship display as a celebration of and a fitting end to the aircraft’s career of more than 35 years and 408,000 flight hours.

His first operational posting was on the A4k Skyhawk with No 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force,  based at Ohakea.

During his first tour on Skyhawks he exercised throughout South East Asia flying with the Singapore, Malaysian, Thai and Indonesian Air Forces. 

In 1996 he went to the UK on exchange for 3 years with the Royal Air Force flying Jaguars. He conducted many exercises, operating the Jaguar in Norway (off the snow!), Germany, Denmark, Italy, France, Malta, Spain, Jordan, Oman, USA, Canada and Alaska.  Whilst flying with the Royal Air Force, he was required to conduct operations in support of UN and NATO forces.

In 2002 he transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force

Easty has over 6000 military flying hours, mostly in single seat fast jet aircraft, and will pretty much fly anything with wings.

Military jet aircraft flown include; F/A18 Hornet, SEPCAT Jaguar, McDonald Douglas A4K Skyhawk, BAe Hawk Mk1 and 127, Aermacchi 339C and Albatros L-39C.

Easty has Commanded two Fast Jet Squadrons during his career. He was CO of Number 2 Squadron RNZAF early 2000s, a Skyhawk squadron –which was actually based at Naval Air Station Albatross, Nowra; and of course Number 77 Squadron RAAF Williamtown 2018-2020 flying the F/A-18 Classic Hornet.

Easty enjoys the opportunity to give adventure seekers a small taste of military or high performance flying while conducting adventure rides in aircraft like the Strikemaster, L39 Albatross, Extra300. He is also a qualified low level aerobatic display pilot and enjoys show casing various aircraft at air shows around Australia.

Easty is happily married to Gillian (his school sweet-heart!) and has adult boys.

Unsurprisingly, in his spare time, his hobby is flying planes.

Introducing Wing Commander Don Pollock. 

Don joined 41 Pilots Course, RAAF in 1961.  Previously he had been an Industrial Arts Teacher in NSW. 

After graduation Don was posted to Transport Aircraft and in 1964 joined the first Air Force contingent to Vietnam on Caribous.  He has some tales to tell about those early days in Vietnam.  A lot of “by the seat of your pants get the job done”, short or almost non existent runways, plenty bullets, long hours, lots of flying, often scary, and a very different social life.  

From Vietnam then to New Guinea.  Similar flying to Vietnam except no bullets.

Don had a big change of pace in 1967 when he became a flying instructor on jets.

After that a few more adventures were in store on choppers at RAAF Fairbairn including how Don describes it as “one and a half crashes”.

Don then had a series of postings on choppers and finally Air Force Staff College.

 From 1979 to 1982, he was Advisor to Chief of Air Force on Air Transport Operations.

Don resigned from the Air Force in 1982 with the rank of Wing Commander.

His time after leaving the Air Force reads like a whirlwind from School Teacher to Managing Snack Bars to Ag Pilot (more crashes) to Flight Instructor, managing many Air Displays and Flight Safety.

Don’s other Interests are Bushwalking, Gold Prospecting, Aviation History, Aviation Stamps, Flying Displays, Collector of Aviation Memorabilia, Skiing (Cross Country), Reading History and Survival training.

Air Commodore Chris Sawade, CSC, joined the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1974 and on graduation from pilot training he was posted to fly helicopters with No 5 Squadron.

Between 1976 and 1988, Chris completed operational and flying instructional tours throughout Australia, the South West Pacific and the Middle East, flying Huey and Squirrel helicopters and CT4 and Macchi Trainers.

In 1988, Chris was posted to No. 38 Squadron where he served as Training Flight Commander and Executive Officer flying Caribou.

He served as the Australian Member of the Air Standardization Coordinating Committee located with the United States Air Force Headquarters in Washington DC from 1997 to 2000.

Chris Sawade was promoted into the position of Deputy Director Aviation Capability Improvement Team in February 2003. In March 2004 he took over the position of Director of Flying Safety - ADF / Director of Air Force Safety.

He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2006 for his efforts in the introduction of the Safety Management System into the Air Force.

In January 2006 he was appointed to Officer Commanding Air Training Wing.

Air Commodore Sawade was then appointed as Commander of Combat Support Group in  2008.

From March to November 2012, he deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations as the Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force 633 covering an area of joint operations from Afghanistan, through the Middle East and Indian Ocean to the Seychelles.    He was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his efforts in that position

He retired from the Permanent Air Force in Feb 2013 and took up the Reserve position as Head of Air Shows

23 January 1979!  I would be involved in a momentous day with a complete stranger, a compatriot aviator.  As with all momentous events, there was no inkling as to how the day would unfold.

Introducing Air Commodore (retired) Chris Beatty DFC. AFC.  A Notable Flying Career

Chris’ flying career started when he learnt to fly light aircraft with the Air Force cadets at Parafield in 1963.   He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1966 graduating on No 64 Pilots.  

In 1968, Chris saw a significant expansion of the Australian Forces in Vietnam which included No 9 squadron’s helicopters.  Half of his pilots course were converted onto helicopters and all posted to fly Iroquois helicopters in South Vietnam.  The Squadron was based in Vung Tau Phuoc Tuy Province as part of the 1ST Australian Task Force. 

In Vietnam, Chris flew both Assault and gunship versions of the Huey sometimes under interesting combat conditions.  

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as a helicopter Gunship pilot with No 9 Squadron in the Vietnam conflict

In 1975, Chris had a three year assignment as a flying training advisor to the newly established Singapore Air Force.

Chris has flown in three aerobatic and formation display teams including the Roulettes as Roulette 4 on Macchi jets and was leader of the 1981 Chinook Diamond Jubilee Display Team.  

He introduced the RAAF Balloon into service in 1990. 

He left the permanent Air Force in 1987 to take up a position as Chief Pilot for Bell Helicopter but rejoined the RAAF in 1989.  

He spent five years in the Operational Requirements/Force Development Branch of the ADF which included a three year assignment to the Pentagon in USAF Plans and Operations Division.  

Throughout his military career he held a number of senior appointments most notably as the Director of Flying Safety for the Air Force and ADF and the Commanding Officer No 12 Chinook Squadron.  He was awarded an Air Force Cross flying Chinooks with No 12 Squadron.

In 1999 he was promoted to Air Commodore to take command of the RAAF’s Combat Support Group which was responsible for operating Dili and Bacau airfields during the East Timor campaign.   

His final assignment was as the Commander Air Forces Training Command. 

Group Captain Peter  (Spike) R Davies, CSC,  Chief of Staff, Air Combat Group

Peter Davies enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in May 1988 as a direct entrant Air Defence Officer.

Following Air Defence Controller Course, he served with No 3 Control and Reporting Unit  and No 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit before qualifying as a Fighter Combat Controller in 1992. After instructing at 3 Control and Reporting Unit, Peter was selected for Airborne Warning and Control System training with No 8 Squadron RAF, qualifying as an Boeing E-3D Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System Weapons Controller and Fighter Allocator.

Peter commanded No 1 Radar Surveillance Unit from 2009 to 2012, receiving a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2013 Australia Day honours. He later commanded No 41 Wing, responsible for the Air Defence Ground Environment, Over-the-Horizon Radar and emerging space surveillance capabilities.

Peter’s operational service includes flying as AWACS aircrew on NATO operations for the independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina, completing over 100 missions and receiving the NATO Medal with Former Republic of Yugoslavia clasp.

Staff appointments include wing-level appointments, Capability Development Group, Headquarters Surveillance and Response Group, and Air Force Headquarters.

Peter also has overseas experience serving with the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force.

He is a Distinguished Graduate with a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the United States National War College at Fort McNair, Washington DC.  GPCAPT Davies is married to Catherine and has three adult children.

Introducing Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Retired)

Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus (Allan) Houston was born in West Kilbride, a very small place to the south-west of Glasgow in Scotland overlooking the Firth of Clyde.

His father was a Royal Air Force officer who was shot down at a place called Handzame in 1943. He was captured by Belgian collaborators and was handed over to the Germans. He became a prisoner of war in Stalag Luft III, “The Great Escape” camp.

Sir Angus saw an Australian Air Force life of Rotary Wing Flying in many types and operated in many challenging and sometimes dangerous roles.

Sir Angus was promoted to Air Marshal and took over as Chief of Air Force on 19 June 2001. Over four years, he led an extensive change in culture to put ‘People First’. He was also the first Chief of Air Force to achieve a zero fatal accident rate during his tenure.

Sir Angus was promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal and appointed as Chief of the Defence Force in July 2005. During this time, he oversaw the successful deployment of 65,000 defence force personnel over 58 different operations.

Sir Angus retired from the military, as Chief of the Defence Force, in July 2011 after 41 years of service.

On his retirement from the Defence Force, the Government appointed Sir Angus as Chair of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board which provided strategic advice to the Australian Government in relation to the planning and implementation of the Anzac Centenary 2014-2018.

In 2012, he was appointed as Chair of Air Services Australia, a role he held until mid- 2018 and Chair of the Defence SA Advisory Board, replacing the role held previously by General Peter Cosgrove.

In 2014, Sir Angus was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to lead Australia’s efforts to help recover, identify and repatriate Australians killed in the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 disaster. 

Today, Sir Angus continues to work in a number of major roles including as Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast and Chair of the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

Sir Angus is also the Patron/Ambassador for numerous not-for-profit and charitable organisations, which he generously provides his time.

Sir Angus is married to Liz and they have three sons and three granddaughters.

AUSTRALIAN HONOURS 1980 - Awarded the Air Force Cross for an open sea rescue in gale force winds in 1979.

2001 - Centenary Medal for outstanding service as Chief of Air Force.

2015 - Knight of the Order of Australia for extraordinary and pre-eminent achievement and merit in service to Australia, through distinguished service in the Australian Defence Force, continued commitment to serve the nation in leadership roles, particularly the national responses to the MH370 and MH17 disasters, and in a variety of roles in the community.

Air Marshal (retired) Geoff Brown AO

Air Marshal Geoff Brown joined the RAAF in February 1980 after completing an Engineering degree.  

He graduated from No.111 Pilots' Course in 1981  and has since had many and varied flying roles.

He has operated Chinooks,   been a Flying Instructor, been a member of the Roulettes aerobatic display team, operated Hornets in the roles of squadron pilot, flight commander and executive officer and Commanding Officer 3 Squadron.  

He then completed F-111 conversion and assumed the position of Officer Commanding No.82 Wing in December 2000.  

In 2003 he commanded all F/A-18 and C-130 operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia and a Legion of Merit for his service in the operation.  

He commanded Air Combat Group throughout 2006 and then  from Jan 2007 until Jun 2008 he was Director-General Capability Planning in Air Force Headquarters.  He was the Deputy Chief of Air Force from 30 June 2008 to 3 Jul 2011.

Air Marshal Brown was appointed Chief of Air Force on the 4 July 2011 and served in that role until July 2015. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) during his term as Chief of the Air Force. 

His main sporting passion is Sailplane racing.  

AIR VICE-MARSHAL (retired) Bob RICHARDSON AO AFC

Bob Richardson qualified as an RAAF fighter pilot in 1962, and flew Sabre aircraft with 77 Squadron in Malaysia, Singapore, and Labuan North Borneo for nearly three years during the Indonesian Confrontation crisis.

He was also attached to 79 Fighter Squadron in Thailand four times for SEATO air defence operations.

After a tour as a flying instructor, he qualified at the United Kingdom Empire Test Pilots' School in 1968, and subsequently spent 13 years on experimental and developmental test flying activities and supervision at the RAAF Aircraft Research and Development Unit, including several years on Sabre, Mirage and Macchi acceptance testing.  

He was actively involved in the evaluation of the Mirage replacement, culminating in the selection of the F/A 18 Hornet fighter in 1981. He was the first Australian to fly the prototype Hornet in 1980.

He was promoted to Director-General Manning-Air Force 1988, after which he completed the 1991 Royal College of Defence Studies course in London. He was then appointed Air Officer Commanding Training Command in 1992, leaving early in late 1983 to be the sole military author of the 1994 Defence White Paper ‘Defending Australia’ for the Keating Government, working directly to Defence Minister Robert Ray. After further appointments as Chief of Air Force Personnel and Budget and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, he transferred to the Air Force Reserve in 1997 and retired after 41 years in 2002.

Bob flew over 5000 hours in 25 RAAF, Army and foreign military aircraft, and 250 hours in sailplanes.

Air Marshal Gavin Neil "Leo" Davies, AO, CSC is a retired Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force.  

Born and raised in country Victoria, Air Marshal Leo Davies was attracted to aviation from primary school and consequently pursued the Air Force for pilot training.

He joined the RAAF in 1979, as a navigator and flew P3B and P3C Orions for six years, learning a lot about airmanship and real world maritime operations.   He then retrained as a pilot,  flying F111s of all types. He commanded No. 1 Squadron  and No. 82 Wing.

In Sep 1990, Leo was posted to the 523rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base to fly F-111D with the USAF and then back to Amberley in Dec 1992. 

In 2007, Leo was posted on operational deployment to the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in the Middle East. 

Air Marshal Davies was posted as Air Attache to Washington DC in June 2010 and on returning to Australia became Deputy Chief of Air Force in December 2011.  He was promoted into the Chief of Air Force position on 4 Jul 2015. 

He retired from the RAAF in 2019.

Air Marshal Davies has been awarded an Officer in the Order of Australia,  a Conspicuous Service Cross, a Singapore Meritorious Service Medal,  the US Legion of Merit - Commander and the French Legion of Honour.

Air Marshal Davies retired in Sep 2019 after 40 years in uniform and he says he owes a heck of a lot to his wife Rhonda, daughter Erin and son Jacob.

Air Vice Marshal DAVE ROGERS AM RAAF (Retd)

Dave Rogers from Cadet Under Officer in to Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.   

In between these two events he had many different adventures from:

Flying Sabres on operational missions during Confrontation with Indonesia.

Serving in Ubon, Thailand as part of Australia's contribution to SEATO and Vietnam.

Instructing on Vampires in Perth.

Completing the first F-111 training in the USA.

Converting to the F-4E Phantom and flying the delivery flight from St Louis to Amberley.

Commanding Officer of 6 Squadron on the F-111 and the newly-modified RF-111 reconnaissance version.

Ejecting from the F-111 near Auckland NZ.

Going back to the USA as the Hornet Project Manager in Washington DC.

And in 1994 his final appointments were on promotion to  Air Vice Marshal being appointed as Deputy Chief Air Staff and  Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (Development) until he retired in July 1998.

Since then he has served as Patron of the Pathfinders, 30SQN Beaufighters, a five year term as the Chairman of the Air Force Cadets National Council and other organizations. He is currently enmeshed in the historic car movement in the ACT.

Introducing Group Captain Terry Wilson, AM AFC

Terry grew up in the Swan Valley.  Vampires from Pearce Air Force Base constantly flew overhead and along with the prevalence of lots of material about World War II air exploits (not to mention Biggles books), Terry was bound to be very keen on all things aviation.

Terry graduated the dux of his Air Force apprentice engine fitter course in December 1960,

In 1964, Terry start his long-coveted pilot training.  He felt at home when he got to do flying training on the same Vampires from his childhood.

Terry’s squadron flying on Sabres started out at RAAF Butterworth with 3 Squadron.  Terry was lucky enough to be one of two ‘boggies’ selected to fly one of of eight 3 SQN Sabres from Butterworth back to Williamtown in February 1967.   

His Sabre flying at Butterworth also involved detachments to No 79 Squadron at Ubon in north-east Thailand, associated with the Vietnam War.

After conversion to the Mirage in 1968 Terry continued flying fighters through until the end of 1973 when by then he was a Category A Mirage Fighter Combat Instructor.

Surprise, surprise, Terry then moved to a career on Iroquois helicopters.  He was awarded the Air Force Cross for flood rescue work.

In November 1977 Terry started a six-month stint on peacekeeping helicopter operations in Egypt as Executive officer with AUSTAIR UNEF at Ismailia on the Suez Canal in Egypt.

In late 1981 Terry began working as the chief planner and commander-elect for a possible ADF deployment to a peacekeeping operation with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai. When that deployment was confirmed in early 1982, Terry had to form a new joint unit comprising eight Iroquois helicopters and get it to the Sinai to be ready by 25 April 1982.

Terry was made a member of the Order of Australia for his work on this operation.

Terry then became Commanding officer of No 9 Squadron at RAAF Amberley.

After leaving the RAAF in October 1990, Terry spent six years at the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation in Canberra.  He then moved to a senior management position in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Terry was then asked to be Head of Flying Operations for Impulse Airlines (now Jetstar Airways).

Since 2008 Terry has been a volunteer member of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).

Introducing Warrant Officer Gerry Mapstone OAM.

Gerry joined the RAAF 1966 and in 1967 became an Airfield Defence Guard and was posted to South Vietnam.

On arrival in Vietnam, having previously lead an Aussie life, Gerry was told that the weather was fine and there was only light to moderate ground fire.

He was given the opportunity to become an Iroquois Door Gunner with 9 Squadron.  His duties were to assist in medical evacuation, loading and unloading of stores and personnel and to protect, by the use of twin M60 machine guns, his side of the aircraft. He flew missions such as sniffer missions, psychological warfare, leaflet dropping, VlP missions, Command and Control, Special Air Service patrol insertions and extractions and generaI hash and trash.

The highlights of that time were flying in support of the Tet Offensive near Saigon and the battles of Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral. 

Gerry particularly enjoyed dustoffs as he felt that 9 Squadron did some great work retrieving soldiers and civilians from the battlefield and taking them to safety and to hospitals.

In early 1973, he again joined 9 Squadron who had returned from Vietnam.  9 Squadron were known as the nomadic ninth as they shifted from one place to another.  Main tasking was Army operations, Search and Rescue, and Survey operations from Sumatra to lrian Jaya.  Gerry also flew in Papua New Guinea with the Pacific lsland Regiment. 

Gerry flew in weather from the tropics to the snow.

ln 1974, he was involved in flood rescues all around lpswich, Brisbane and the areas up to Toowoomba.  The rescues consisted of rooftop rescues, ferrying people and goods to and from areas which were inundated and “flying past our families who were trapped by floodwaters in the married quarters”.

Operations were often dangerous but it was satisfying work.  “We lost a pilot in a crash in lrian jaya in the seventies”.

I was twice posted to United Nations Emergency Force in Sinai Egypt.  

These are snippets to the life of a helicopter crewman.  Listen to Gerry for his accounts of a dangerous but thrilling life.

Air Commodore Nick Osborne

Recent Commander Surveillance and Response Group

AIR COMMODORE Nick Osborne joined the RAAF in 2002 having served 20 years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot. While in the New Zealand Air Force he flew Skyhawk and Macchi jets and served on exchange at RAAF Pearce flying Macchi and PC-9 aircraft.

During his flying career, he accumulated over 5500 hours mostly in jets. He joined the RAAF following the disbandment of the Air Combat Force in New Zealand.

During his time in the RAAF, Nick flew Hawks at Williamtown, and from 2008 to 2010 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of 76 Squadron.

Following a three year tour as the Executive Office of 78 Wing, he was posted to Headquarters Air Command where he served as the Director of Capability.  Nick was posted to Surveillance and Response Group as Chief of Staff in October 2018 before taking up the position of Commander Surveillance and Response Group on 28 May 2021.

Nick served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo in 2000.

He also served in Afghanistan as the Commander of the Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft detachment in Kandahar in 2012/13.

Nick Osborne enjoys supporting the All Blacks, he coaches and umpires netball, and is President of the ADF Netball Association. He is married to Sue and has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz AM, CSC, DSM, Air Commander Australia, is responsible to the Chief of Air Force for effectively preparing air combat forces.

Glen joined the Australian Air Force in 1987 and went on to complete pilot training in 1991. Following lead-in-fighter training, he transferred to Amberley for F-111C conversion and joined No 1 Squadron.

In 1997, Glen instructed on the PC-9 advanced trainer and Macchi lead-in-fighter and then in 2001 returned to 1 Squadron where he undertook the inaugural F-111 Fighter Combat Instructor Course and was promoted into the position of Weapons and Reconnaissance Flight Commander.

In 2003 he served in the Combined Air Operations Centre in support of Operations FALCONER, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

Glen later served as Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, introducing the Super Hornet to Australian Service.

Some very interesting postings followed as Director EA-18G Growler Transition, Commander Australian Air Task Group Middle East Region and command of No. 82 Wing at RAAF Base Amberley.

On promotion to Air Vice Marshal in July 2020, Glen assumed very senior roles of First Assistant Director-General, Expeditionary and Transnational Intelligence Division, Senior Ranking Australian Defence Force Officer within the Australian Signals Directorate, Deputy Chief of Air Force and now Air Commander Australia.

Introducing AIR VICE-MARSHAL JOE ‘VINNY’ IERVASI, AM, CSC,   

Air Vice Marshal Joe Iervasi completed flying training in 1989, and converted onto the FA-18 Hornet in 1991.

He then, during his Air Force career as a fighter pilot, served in junior pilot roles through to Flight Commander appointments and then Commanding Officer of 3 Squadron.

A notable posting was on exchange to 5 Squadron RAF flying the Tornado F3.  He deployed on Operation Deny Flight enforcing the no fly zone over Bosnia-Herzigovnia (1995).

In staff and command appointments, Air Vice Marshal Iervasi served with Capability Systems, 81 Wing as Senior Operations Officer and Officer Commanding, and Chiefs of Staff positions to Air Combat Group and to the Vice Chief of the Defence Force.

Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi was promoted to Air Commodore and deployed to the Middle East as the Director, US Central Command 609th Combined Air Operations Centre at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

He returned to Australia in July 2014 and was appointed to the position of Director General Air Command Operations and Director General Air where he commanded global air operations including Operation OKRA.

This posting was followed in December 2016 with a two year appointment as Commander Air Warfare Centre.

In December 2018, on promotion to Air Vice-Marshal, he was appointed Commander Joint Task Force 633 and deployed again to the Middle East this time stationed in Al Minhad Air Base, in Dubai.

Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi took up his current role as Air Commander Australia in Jul 2019.

Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi has over 3000 hours flying fast jets. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Masters of Management in Defence Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies

He has been awarded the Medal in the Order of Australia (2009), Australian Active Service Medal, Afghanistan Medal, Defence Long Service Medal with Third Clasp, and the Australian Defence Medal. He was appointed as a Member in the Order of Australia in 2016 and in June 2020 was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement as the Commander Joint Task Force 633.

Introducing AIR COMMODORE BENJAMIN SLEEMAN, CSC, DSM,   Deputy Air Commander Australia

Ben Sleeman joined the Australian Air Force in January 1990 and after attending the Defence Force Academy proceeded to pilot training.

Ben then completed fast jet training and was posted to 75 Squadron in Tindal on the F/A-18 Hornet.  

In 1999 Ben completed 26 Fighter Combat Instructor Course.

Ben then deployed on Operation Slipper with 3 Squadron in early 2002.  In 2003 he deployed again on Operations Bastille and Falconer.

In 2004, Ben was promoted to Squadron Leader and completed postings at 75 Squadron as a Flight Commander and then Executive Officer.

Ben was promoted to Wing Commander and in 2011 he attended the US Air Force Air War College in Alabama, graduating with a Master of Strategic Studies.

In 2013 Ben assumed command of 77 Squadron, during which he deployed on Operation Okra.

Ben was then posted as the Director of the Air and Space Operations Centre in Joint Operations Command on promotion to Group Captain in June 2016.

In January 2018 Ben assumed command of 81 Wing, overseeing the transition of the Wing from the F/A-18A to the F-35A aircraft.

In December 2019, Ben was promoted to Air Commodore and again deployed to the Middle East Region as Combined Air Operations Centre Director in Qatar at USAF 609th Air Operations Centre.

In November 2020 Ben assumed his current role as the Deputy Air Commander Australia based at RAAF Glenbrook.

Introducing Michael Lea who is the current Collection and Content Manager at the Anzac Memorial.

Michael has been a professional museum curator and collection manager for over thirty years. He has worked on numerous exhibitions and with a variety of collections in several cultural institutions including the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney, the Australiana Fund and the Anzac Memorial, Sydney. As a keen student of Australian history, he is in the final stages of writing up his PhD thesis at the University of Sydney.

Michael is going to talk about his Father’s history in the Australian Air Force during WW 2:  His father was Flying Officer Clement Victor Lea who trained in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS).

His father served in an RAF squadron which was part of the Second Tactical Air Force.  He completed 42 operational sorties including those on D-Day.

He largely flew the North American Mitchell Bomber with 98 Squadron: RAF, Dunsfold.

Michael’s father had some exciting and dangerous moments in his life whilst operating Mitchell bombers:

On his fourth op with the squadron, now as a Warrant Officer, a piece of flack smashed the perspex before his eyes during a raid on construction works in the Beauvoir area of Normandy, France.

“We were just turning from the target when a piece of flak smashed a glass panel of the bomb sight and sent a shower of glass splinters into the compartment.  This piece of molten shrapnel was kept for many years as a souvenir.”

Despite the drama of this experience, he was again in the air at 18.15 for a second operation on the same day, in the same aircraft which received two more holes due to “heavy accurate flak”.

Michael’s dad was also involved in D-Day operations.  His Log book notes sightings of  jet aircraft during an operation.  CVL remembered that one jet flew so fast that it was out of sight in seconds.

Just before Dad left the squadron, a Flt Lt PA Stanford, the squadron’s Navigation Officer wrote in his log book in the section headed “Proficiency Assessments”:

“This navigator has been the leading navigator on many operations, his bombing has been of a high order and he has been an asset to the Squadron both operationally and on the ground.”

Listen as Michael explores with you his Fathers World War 2 experiences.

Introducing Squadron Leader (ret) Ian Woods.    Ian gained substantial experience on Caribous during his time in the Air Force.  Caribous were of the famed Wallaby Airlines operated by the Air Force during the Vietnam war and revered elsewhere as one of the best Short Take Off and Landing aircraft in history.

Ian learnt not only a lot about Caribous during his time but they were the catalyst for the gaining of a bit of wisdom.

From Ian:  “I flew over seven hundred hours in the first twelve months.  I also learned quite a lot about what Navigators did.  A Caribou Squadron included maintenance and administrative personnel. Good insight into what it takes to keep pilots in the air and an understanding that helped keep my feet on the ground, even when my head was elsewhere.”

“I found the need to figure out how to collaborate with people and manage circumstances whilst staying within service limits turned out to be the most valuable lesson the Air Force taught me.  In the beginning it was a baptism of fire, but in the end, I had learnt enough to be able to live the courage of my convictions.  I often thought to myself – just keep living the attitudes and values of your life in Rockhampton and the Air Force instilled and you will get there.”

“I found flying in Papua New Guinea really challenging.  Being a co-pilot to pilots with wartime service put me on a steep learning curve. Good for flying experience.”  I also was posted to Air Movement Training Development Unit where I experienced the bigger picture of flying transport aircraft.”          End of quote.

Ian left the full time Air Force in 1977 to join TAA in Melbourne as a Fokker co-pilot.”  

Ian explored continuing to fly Caribous as a Reserve Pilot.  Not easy to do.  It was a new concept for this era.  Meanwhile Ian left TAA to join QANTAS in Sydney.

Quite unexpectedly Qantas arranged secondments to Singapore Airlines and the opportunity to relocate to Singapore for 3 years was accepted.

Ian then blinked and all of a sudden it was his 65th birthday.  He got an email from Civil Aviation Safety Authority asking if he was interested in joining them.  He started working for CASA two months later.

These days Ian is helping develop Policy and Rules for operating large aeroplanes.  Quote” Something I would not have been qualified to do if I had not been a Project Officer at Air Movement Training Development Unit and a Caribou Examiner.

“Funny how life turns out. PER ARDUA AD ASTRA.”

Introducing Wing Commander (ret) Chris Mirow:      

“We dropped out of the overcast at about eight hundred feet.  I glanced to my right and Fergie was nicely tucked into echelon.  I waved him out to combat and looked ahead to get my bearings.  It looked like Keddah Peak disappearing up into the clouds just up to the north and we were rapidly closing the Malaysian coast.  I was thinking that we had been well positioned by our Ground Control Intercept controller so that we could turn to join for a right initial and special Visual approach to runway one eight at Butterworth.  But something didn’t look right.  As we crossed the coast I looked down and thought, this isn’t bloody right!! 

Listen to Chris’ podcast to hear the rest of this challenging situation.

Chris Mirow also tells us about his life flying Sabres and Mirages in the Australian Air Force. 

His Sabre flying consisted of operations in Williamtown, Malaysia and in Thailand, on air defence related to the Vietnam War.

His Mirage flying included an aerobatic display team to mark the 50th anniversary of the RAAF.

In May 1971, Chris was posted to Vietnam and attached to the Eleventh Brigade of the twenty third Infantry Division as a Forward Air Controller.

Chris will tell you that they were later to be more than disappointed with their welcome home to Australia.

He continued his fighter operations for some years including becoming a Fighter Combat Instructor, possibly the pinnacle of fighter flying.

Introducing Squadron Leader (ret)  Peter Armstrong.  The Australian Air Force needs personnel who can adapt to whatever type of demanding operations that they are chosen for.  Peter Armstrong, and his mate Peter Bradford, who features in a fellow Podcast, represent the best in pilots who were chosen to fly many different aeroplane types and operated them in a manner that excelled.

In this Podcast, listen in as Peter Armstrong describes is life flying Iroquois helicopters in Vietnam where the sound of the Huey was not only a welcome sound but on occasions for Army personnel was the difference between life and death.

Peter also talks about his stint on C130 Hercules followed by stints on fast jet instruction, Boeing 707s, DC8s and then to Qantas.

Pete joined RAAF in Aug 68 and ended up on the first all through jet training on the Macchi which was brand new.

He left the Air Force in May 85 after which I joined the  Air Force Reserve with 33Sqn again and requalified as Qualified Flying Instructor on Boeing 707s.

He retired from the RAAF Reserve in October 94

Pete then worked in Qantas as a Boeing 747 simulator instructor for 3 years before becoming Second officer flying Kerry Packer’s DC8.  He then rejoined Qantas as simulator instructor on Boeing 767s and Airbus A330s until retirement.

RAY SEAVER: KOREAN WAR FIGHTER PILOT

Ray was born in Forbes 1931 during the depression.

By 1950/51, Ray was working as a Cadet Engineer in the Blue Mountains Shire but found it did not suit his temperament when he saw an Air Force advert recruiting Pilots.  He joined the Air Force and was sent for Pilot Training.  In July 1952, he was awarded his Wings and was posted to Fighters learning to fly Mustangs and Vampires.

Ray was then posted to 77 Squadron, Iwakuni, Japan via Hong Kong, for further training on twin engine Meteors and then to Korea.  Korea was blistering cold after Australia.

At this stage he had less than 300 hrs flying and felt like Aero Club pilots had more hours.

77 Sqn operations were out of a very busy military airfield.  Their accommodation was in tents of 6 people each and was heated by a big central burner but was still freezing. 

The new arrivals of which he was one were largely about 21 years old and were there to learn the Art of War though interdiction.  We had very little knowledge of why were in Korea.  We had all lived sheltered lives and here we were fighting a war.

We either bombed, rocketed or straffed – all very challenging for novice pilots.  If they were shooting at us in the dive we could see the “golf balls” going past us, hopefully

On the dives, misjudging the height and hills could lead to ground collisions, which happened.  Sometimes if we pressed in to adjust our aim we would get hit by debris from the explosions.  Additionally you could get target fixation and fly into the ground.

Enemy aircraft were sometimes a problem that needed good tactics to survive.  Ray has a few good stories about encountering Migs.

Crashes and deaths were a fact of life but people in 77 Sqn just kept getting on with it.

When you flew 40 combat missions with 77 Sqn, you had earned a medal from the Americans.  When you flew 80 missions with 77 Sqn, your medal was upgraded.  But then the powers that be in Australia decided against Aussies accepting foreign decorations and banned us from wearing them.

Listen to Ray as he talks mainly about life in Korea.

 Introducing Squadron Leader (ret) Peter Bradford. 

The Australian Air Force needs personnel who can adapt to whatever type of demanding operations that they are chosen for.  Peter Bradford, and his mate Peter Armstrong, who features in a fellow Podcast, represent the best in pilots who were chosen to fly many different aircraft types and operated them in a manner that excelled.

In this Podcast, listen in as Peter Bradford describes is life flying Iroquois helicopters in Vietnam where the sound of the Huey was not only a welcome sound but on occasions for Army personnel was the difference between life and death.  Then listen again as Peter describes his stint on C130 Hercules followed by stints on fast jet instruction, VIP BAC 1-11, DC8s and then to Qantas.

In Peter’s words:  As I age, I sometimes have to pinch myself to realise what a fortunate life I have had.

For a boy from the bush and humble background, flying Prime Ministers, Governor Generals, Heads of State,  and the late Duke of Edinburgh who was endorsed on the BAC1-11.  I was to offer him to fly the aircraft. I also admit to flying Prime Minister Mugabe for 5 days. 

I accepted an offer of a position with QANTAS. Instructing on the B747-200/300 was a challenge.  In 1990, I was given the opportunity to line fly on the B744.

At the beginning of 1996 the opportunity to leave QANTAS and crew a Douglas DC-8 for Kerry Packer  was too good to refuse. What an adventure!! Saw lots of Las Vegas.   Not long after the death of Kerry,  I returned to QANTAS. 

In my 77th year, a fortunate life indeed.

Introducing Brad Manera, the Senior Historian and Curator of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney.

His career began at the Western Australian Museum and has included foundation curatorial work for the National Museum of Australia, gallery development at the Australian War Memorial and the World Heritage listing submission for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum.

A keen public historian, he has led battlefield tours around the world and featured in a range of documentaries.

His latest book, In That Rich Earth (2020), is a study of the battlefields on which men and women of New South Wales have served from colonial times to the present.

Today the Anzac Memorial stands proudly as one of the state’s most significant cultural and commemorative institutions, continuing in its original purpose as a war memorial and as a place of commemoration, remembrance, education and reflection. 

The Anzac Memorial holds a significant historical collection of approximately 7,000 objects that tell the personal stories of servicemen and servicewomen, and their families. The collection includes the heritage building and its sculptures, as well as objects of material culture, such as medals, badges, uniforms, field equipment, photographs, documents, manuscripts, framed works and books.

Air Marshal Ray Funnell, AC is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force. He served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1987 until 1992.

A graduate of RAAF College, he began his career flying Sabre jet fighters in Australia and South East Asia in the 1950s and 1960s.

From 1972 to 1975, he commanded No. 6 Squadron, during which time the General Dynamics F-111C swing-wing bomber entered Australian service.

He held senior staff posts in the early 1980s. In 1986, he was promoted to Air Marshal and became the inaugural Vice Chief of the Defence Force.

Appointed Chief of the Air Staff in July 1987, Ray was closely involved in the development and dissemination of air power doctrine.

He retired from the RAAF in October 1992 following his term as Chief, and was founding Principal of the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies from 1994 to 1998.

Since then, he has served on various Federal Government committees on immigration and detention.

Introducing Huck Ennis DFC (Garry Ennis)

Huck says:  “I spent 15yrs growing up on Tamborine Mt, riding a horse to school, the longest being some 9 miles from Camp Cable to Logan Village aged 8yo.  Thank God I am a Country Boy."

After, becoming an Apprentice in the Post Master General's Department in 59, I lasted 2 years and joined the Air Force.”

In 1961, Huck joined the RAAF, 10 Squadron, as a Rad Tech Air.

In 1965 he applied for Pilots Course, graduating to Fighters in 1966.

He spent the next 5 yrs as a Single man bouncing between Williamtown and Butterworth flying Sabres and then Mirages. 

He was posted to Vietnam in 69 as a Forward Air Controller, flying the O-1 Birddog, then OV-10.

Huck was awarded the British DFC for his efforts.

Posted to RAF College of Air Warfare at Manby, Linc, to undertake the 6 month course in Weapons Employment!

Joined Aircraft Research and Development Unit, Laverton as the Weapons Officer to assist in assessing two Mirage Projects.

Huck spent the next about 10 years flying and on projects associated with Fighters.

He resigned in 1996 to join Pel-Air Target towing out of HMAS Albatross Nowra.

CAPT the Hon PETER COLLINS AM RFD QC

Peter Collins joined the ARES (then CMF) aged 17 yrs and served 5years finishing as a Commando officer. His then CO was the legendary Harry Smith SG MC ( Delta Company commander at Long Tan). He earned his Parachute wings in 1969. 

He joined the Naval Reserve in I975 where he would serve 37 years, mostly in Intelligence and Legal. 

After leaving the NSW Parliament in 2003, he became the first reservist to act as Fleet Legal Officer for five months in 2003&2004. 

In 2007 , he became the first former Minister-State or Federal- to see active service in Iraq where he led an ADF legal team in Baghdad. 

He also served as Honorary Colonel of 1st Commando Regiment, the first postwar Special Forces unit in the Australian Army, from 1995-2000.  He is the only serving Naval officer- permanent or reserve-to have this honour accorded by the Army. 

He wrote the history of Australian Commandos STRIKE SWIFTLY in 2005.

He left the Navy as a Captain in 2012. 

His lifelong interest in the ADF includes his time as a television journalist at ABCTV where he was the first journalist to fly in the F-111 in Australia; also flying in the Navy’s A-4 Skyhawk and S-2Tracker; several types of naval helicopter. 

He has been aboard over 250 warships, Australian and foreign; this includes four carrier landings and catapault launches on US carriers. He witnessed the last broadside fired from a battleship off the Australian coast ( USS NEW JERSEY 1988). 

He went to sea on the two most recent classes of Australian submarine; also to sea on 33 other surface warships. 

The Services run in the Collins family:

Grandfather Charles Collins served in battleships 1904-8; uncle Keith served in HMAS ANZAC off Korea; cousin Gordon survived HMAS VOYAGER sinking off Jervis Bay in 1964. 

Peter’s father Ron served with No 22 Squadron ( Richmond NSW) as a Navigator in Beaufighters 1944-46 operating from Morotai through to the Occupation of Japan.  Ron Collins was demobilised as a Flying Officer in 1946 after returning from Japan. 

Introducing Wing Commander (ret'd) Pete Bennetts

In 1966, Pete Bennetts joined the Australian Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller.  Air Traffic Control is a vital function in keeping the Air Force Fleet safe and operational.  It is often edge of the seat work and on occasions extremely demanding.

He served as an Air Traffic Controller at many locations including Sydney International. 

He was well promoted and served in many senior officer postings including Examining/Standardisation Officer, Operational Requirements, Senior Air Traffic Control Officer,  Air Force Office, Monash/Mt Eliza Business School, Joint Services Staff College and Management Development Branch.  He retired from the RAAF in 1993

He then worked with the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Services Australia until he again retired in 2005.

He then started a career in volunteering, joining Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, National Seniors Australia (Coffs Coast Branch) and Air Force Association Coffs Harbour & District Branch.  As with his Air Force Career, he was very active, earning respect and many accolades and awards, gaining a NSW Government Community Service Award in 2019.

Onya Pete

Introducing Flight Lieutenant Peter Nuske 

In 1961, Peter started work as a trainee Metallurgist at BHP Newcastle.  

Peter could see Mirages taking off at Williamtown and in 1967, he joined the RAAF as a trainee pilot and graduated to fly Canberra Bombers.

Peter was posted to 2 Squadron in Phan Rang, Vietnam in 1969.  He flew 233 bombing missions.

In 1970, he returned to Williamtown for fighter training, and got married.  He was posted to 76 Squadron on Mirages. He completed an Advanced Navigation course and then joined 77 Squadron.

After this, he completed the much sort after Fighter Combat Instructor course,  and then instructed new fighter pilots at Operational Conversion Unit Williamtown.

In 1976, he flew an F15 Eagle at Williamtown.  Yes an F15 at Williamtown.

In 1977, Pete resigned and bought a banana plantation in Coffs Harbour.  He also built his own house using recycled materials.

Pete then took a job managing a galvanising plant in Coffs Harbour and commenced a degree in Mathematics and Computing.  Subsequently he joined Commonwealth Public Service in Coffs Harbour, finished his degree and secured a job in Canberra as an IT programmer.

In 2002, he took retirement, built a home in Coffs, restarted a previous job as a contractor, commuting Coffs – Canberra for 12 months before in 2005 taking permanent retirement at Coffs.

Over the last 12 years he has been a Rural Fire Service volunteer, and 3 years ago joined Veterans Centre Mid North Coast as Secretary.