Every year the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Queensland branch provides the opportunity for 100 company directors and business leaders to discover a region and industry within the State.

Previously, the AICD Outback Forum has put areas such as the Sugar Cane Industry under the microscope. This year, the Forum traveled to Townsville to the Army’s Ross Island facilities and Lavarack Barracks for a first-hand look at the training and facilities offered by the country’s largest logistical organisation.

“The Outback Forum was a once-off both for Defence Reserves Support and the AICD,” said DRS-QLD State Manager Major Rosina Handley.

“With a membership base from industry, commerce, the professions, government, and not-for-profit organisations and more than 24,000 members, the AICD is Australia's peak body for directors. So this year’s Forum to Townsville was a great opportunity for the DRS to educate.

“The head of the Queensland AICD branch, Richard Moore recently went on Exercise Boss Lift to Malaysia and after doing three days of activities was gob smacked by his experiences there,” said Major Handley.

Mr Richard Moore, said the Forum was an effective promotion of the benefits to businesses of employing Reservists and that he would be forging closer ties with the DRS in the future.

“The people who went on the Forum were directors and business leaders from some very serious businesses, some of which had previously worked with Defence but many of the members had underestimated the value that Reservists can bring to their companies,” Mr Moore said.

“Everyone came back from the Forum with a greater understanding of the ADF. The training facilities that we were shown were state of the art — from the laser weapons training to the night vision training facilities. And we also learned a lot about how the Army manages the social considerations of employing people Australia-wide and moving them around the country that was directly applicable to our businesses’ needs.

“The Forum raised our awareness of the skills that Defence training can bring to our workforces — self-discipline, leadership, communication and risk assessment for example, are skills that are directly applicable to the needs of every kind of business.

“Many of the members told me afterwards that they hadn’t previously considered the plusses of employing Reservists. The Forum highlighted for all of us the competence and professionalism of the Reserves as well as benefits of having Reservists on staff.

"I’ll be joining the DRSC QLD Committee to promote those benefits and to make closer, positive connections between businesses and Defence,” Mr. Moore said.

Holding the Forum up at Townsville gave AICD members the chance to visit Ross Islands Barracks and have a look at water transport assets as well as military aircraft including the Blackhawk, Chinook, Multi-Role Helicopters and a RAAF Caribou at Townsville RAAF Base. They also got some hands-on experience of Army training at the Army’s weapons training facility and a ride in a Landing Craft Medium (LCM-8).

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The global financial crisis featured prominently on the agenda at the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) get-together in Tasmania last month.

Delegates from Australia and overseas heard the CEO of AHRI, Serge Sardo and keynote speakers Chairman of the Tasmanian Chambers of Commerce Andrew Scobie, General Manager – HR for Luxottica, Rhonda Brighton and Tasmanian Treasurer, the Honorable Michael Aird MLC discuss innovative solutions and the necessity for training and leadership during an economic downtown.

DRS-TAS State Manager, Major David Zehmeister, spoke at the conference about the benefits of Reserve service and to draw delegates’ attention to Reserve-friendly workplace policies.

The conference and exhibition is an annual event jointly sponsored by Tourism Australia and Defence Reserves Support. AHRI Organiser, Carlie Newman, hailed the event as a resounding success even if attendance may not have been as high as in previous years.

“Defence Reserves Support sponsors the conference in five Australian states and our relationship with DRS is very important,” Ms Newman said.

“Businesses have been hard hit by the global financial crisis and the fact that training is one of the first areas to be cut during a downtown does account for the smaller number of acceptances we received this year.

“Numbers of participants are only just starting to rise again after a very slow start to the year but under the circumstances we were pleased with the attendance for the Tasmanian conference.

“The annual event remains a really good opportunity to raise employers’ awareness about the Reserves. I know I had very little idea about what Reservists did when I first began working with AHRI,” she said.

DRS-TAS Operations Manager, Lyn Winters, said conference delegates responded well to informative promotional material.

“In addition to handing out our Employer Handbook to every delegate, our trade stand at the exhibition featured all the usual promotional materials. AHRI is an excellent opportunity for us to speak directly to key decision-makers,” she said.

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The highlight of the annual business calendar in Tamworth, Regional NSW is the Joblink Plus Quality Business awards, which despite the economic downturn, was the most successful in the history of the event with 700 people filling the Tamworth Entertainment centre.

Defence Reserves Support was a proud sponsor of the event, enabling the inaugural Tamworth Defence Reserve Employer of the year category (State Award) and other regional Employer Support Awards to be presented at the event.

With a significant Defence presence in the town through the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Basic Flying Training School and the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers, Independent Federal Member, Tony Windsor MP, was delighted to present the Reserve Employer Awards at the event, and spent some time with the nominated employers to better understand the benefits that Defence Reservists provide to the business community.

Over 400 businesses were nominated for the 24 awards, of which 16 businesses were nominated for the Reserve Employer category. The award recipient was Hunter New England Area Health – Linen Service, for their outstanding support to a Defence Reserve employee who was deployed to Iraq in 2008 and required a subsequent 10 months leave before returning to civilian duties to recover from an injury sustained whilst deployed.

The other finalists were Alliance People Solutions, Northern Inland Credit Union and Cargill Beef.

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The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, has congratulated the eight employers from the Hunter Valley who were recognised last week for their support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserves.

The function, held at the RAAF Base Williamtown Officers’ Mess, and organised in conjunction with the New South Wales Committee of the Defence Reserves Support Council (DRSC), recognised the employers who have actively supported their Reservist employees in rendering Defence service.

Dr Kelly offered his congratulations to all the award recipients.

“Our Reserve forces significantly enhance Defence capability, particularly their support of current operations,” said Dr Kelly.

“Without the ongoing support of employers such as those represented at the Awards, it would not be possible for Reservists to effectively coordinate their civilian and Service occupations.

“Working closely with employers to develop a mutual understanding as well as providing financial and other support is critical. These awards clearly demonstrate the value Defence places on the importance of the relationship with employers.”

List of winners:

Henry Kendal High School – State Award
Tafe NSW Belmont Electrical Section – Certificate of Appreciation
New South Wales Fire Brigades – Cooks Hill - Certificate of Appreciation
Hunter New England Mental Health Services – Certificate of Appreciation
Wilson and Oliver Engineering – Certificate of Appreciation
Austpower Engineering Pty Ltd – Certificate of Appreciation
DMO – Certificate of Recognition
MAS National Australia Apprenticeship Centre – Certificate of Recognition

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DRS Northern Territory (DRS-NT/K) gave a handful of employers a taste of military life in late September.

Participants were flown in on a Friday evening and stayed at Larrakeyha Barracks. On Saturday morning they were up bright and early for a tour of the Barracks followed by boarding an Armidale Class Boat.

Participants were then transported to Mount Bundy Training Area (approximately two hours from Darwin) where they joined NORFORCE Training Teams. They were shown tanks, Armoured Personnel Carriers and other equipment used by 1 Brigade in their pre-deployment training.

That night they used night vision equipment and stayed the night in hootchies with the NORFORCE teams.

On Sunday afternoon the group returned to Darwin and were shown around Robertson Barracks and RAAF Base Darwin on the way back to Larrakeyah Barracks.

That evening DRS-NT/K and NORFORCE held a barbeque for the participants. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Goldston, Commanding Officer NORFORCE attended as well as DRSC Committee members.

The group departed back to their home locations on Monday morning all very impressed with the level and quality training that was being made available to the Reservists.

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This year’s Women Chiefs of Enterprises International (WCEI) conference, sponsored by Defence Reserves Support was a huge success.

Defence Reserves Support representatives Deanna Nott and Squadron Leader Del Gaudry spoke at the event, with the goal of strengthening the link between Defence and the business community.

“Without the support of civilian employers, it is very difficult for Reservists, our part-time members, to contribute to Defence’s capability,” said Deanna Nott, Director of Communication for the Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division.

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These days West Pennant Hills man Steven Markowskei is a long way from his normal work at the Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga. He’s now working at a joint AusAid/Army Primary Health Care Facility in Sungai Geringging village near Padang in Sumatra. It’s part of his other job as a doctor in the Army Reserve.

Captain Markowskei joined the Army Reserve for the experience and to give something back to the community and this is his third deployment.

“It’s an excellent experience overall,” he said. “I get to see a lot, learn a lot, and see things from a different perspective than from a comfortable city hospital.”

In Sumatra Captain Markowskei is a Resuscitation Medical Officer and treating acutely injured and sick patients. He says the locals are really grateful for what the Australians are doing.

“It’s been a real privilege to help out and the locals are genuinely appreciative of the care the Australians are providing,” he said.

Captain Steven Markowskei is currently serving on Operation Padang Assist with the Australian Defence Force’s Joint Task Force 629. As part of the operation, Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen are working day and night to provide health care, purified water, and to deliver aid supplies to the people of Padang and the surrounding areas of West Sumatra in the wake of the devastating earthquakes that recently rocked the Indonesian province.

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There will always be a need for doctors to help the serving members of the Navy, Army and Air Force and for Doctor Sam Hay, a Major in the Australian Army Reserves, helping to provide the best possible care for them is something he is proud to be a part of.

“I joined as a sponsored undergraduate into the Australian Regular Army back in 1996 while still completing my medical degree,” Sam said.

“I was attracted to the Army because of the teamwork, skills in remote areas and the notion of serving your nation.

“The fact that I would get paid to study was a definite sweetener,” he said.

The leadership and management training opportunities are something Sam feels has especially helped him both in his Army career and working as a GP.

“I really relish the challenges and opportunities Army has provided me,” Sam said.

“I have learnt to practise medicine in remote areas and become very flexible and adaptable in challenging situations.

“These opportunities have taught me how to work with minimal resources and still provide quality outcomes.

“I now feel prepared to handle almost any situation that comes my way, in both my military and civilian roles, knowing I can find a solution and get on with the job at hand,” Sam said.

While still working full-time with the Army, Sam was part of several deployments. It was in Aceh where he faced some of his biggest career challenges.

“I got there six weeks into the operation and was tasked as the Senior Medical Officer for the 1st Health Support Battalion Hospital, supporting the local University Hospital there,” Sam said.

“This was the first time I had been asked to step up to this role and it was daunting.

“I not only had to ensure we were delivering the right services but also, as this was a diplomatic role liaise with the other countries involved to make sure we were all working together to get the best outcome.

“It was a real eye opener and very much outside my comfort zone, but I really relished the challenge it presented,” he said

“My Army training really came to the front.

“I think that the leadership training and challenging opportunities you are involved with, that you don’t get in the civilian structure, are what makes working in the Services so attractive,” Sam said.

There are many opportunities available for both full-time and part-time Medical Officers in the Navy, Army or Air Force.

If you are interested in finding out more visit www.defencejobs.gov.ay or call 13 19 01.

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The Employer Support Payment (ESP) expenditure for the month of September and the progressive expenditure for FY 09/10 are detailed in the table below.

Information on ESP is available on this website however should you require additional information or clarification on any aspect of the Employer Support Payment scheme that is not already covered by our website, you may email an enquiry to esp@defence.gov.au.

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