Support offered to employers of Defence Reservists has been the focus of this year’s Women Chiefs of Enterprises National Conference at Parliament House in Canberra.

Defence Reserves Support was the main sponsor of this year’s conference, which involved 120 senior businesswomen from across Australia.

The 'Enterprising Women' conference, was hosted by television presenter Helen Dalley and included speakers such as Commissioner for Victorian Police Christine Nixon and the National Breast Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sue Murray.

Head Reserve and Employer Support Division, Major General Greg Melick AM RFD SC and Group Captain Jenny Lumsden were keynote speakers at the conference luncheon.

Major General Melick spoke about Defence Reserves Support’s services and the rights and obligations of employers. He also spoke about the significant role Reservists have played in Australia's military over the past 100 years.

Group Captain Lumsden gave an overview of her fascinating military and civilian careers. In her part-time military role, Group Captain Lumsden is the Chief of Staff for the Director General Health Reserves – Air Force. Her civilian career is equally as challenging - she is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Intensive Care at Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The audience learnt that Group Captain Lumsden joined the Air Force Reserve more than two decades ago at the lowest rank possible - aircraftswoman. In November 2007 she became the first woman promoted to the rank of Group Captain within the Air Force Reserve. During her military career she has been on numerous deployments both in Australia and overseas, most notably in East Timor and Iraq where she was awarded a Chief of Defence Force Commendation for her efforts. She has completed Aeromedical Evacuations with patients from around the world, including Bali after the second bombing in 2005.

To read more about Group Captain Lumsden’s amazing career and the significant support that she has received from her employer, click here.

Women Chiefs of Enterprises International outgoing National President Roz MacAllan said the Enterprising Women conference was an outstanding success with many attendees already planning to come to the 2009 event. The next conference is planned for Brisbane in October 2009. For more information about the organisation visit www.wcei.com.au

If you are interested in learning more about how employers can benefit from having Reservists on their staff call 1800 803 488 or visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves

Air Force Reservist, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Blair, of 22 Squadron, enjoyed a unique role reversal when his civilian employers participated in Exercise Executive Stretch (EES) last week.

Flight Lieutenant Blair had the opportunity to ‘bark instructions’ at his civilian employers, Shaun Bailey and Robert Regan, as they negotiated the gruelling Army Obstacle Course at Holsworthy Barracks.

“It was all in good fun,” said Flight Lieutenant Blair, 30, a logistician who has recorded eight years full-time service and three years in the Reserve.

Mr Bailey and Mr Regan employ Flight Lieutenant Blair as a junior lawyer at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, which is one of Australia's powerhouse law firms.

The partners from Corrs Chambers Westgarth were among a group of 30 New South Wales employers who participated in Defence Reserves Support’s EES.

Flight Lieutenant Blair said EES allowed the employers to gain a better understanding of the leadership challenges and skills their employees develop during military service.

“EES exposes employers to the skills gained in the military that also have benefits for the civilian workplace,” he said.

“EES provided the employers with a unique opportunity to see Defence Reservists conduct military construction, hydrographic survey and civil-military cooperation throughout the weekend.”

The employers, including 15 from Wagga Wagga, tackled a range of tasks and leadership challenges including the use of basic infantry tactics and ADF equipment such as Night Vision Goggles and navigation tools.

The employers also tested their fitness and endurance over an army obstacle course under the supervision and guidance of RAAF and Army Reservists.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly AM MP said he believed the employers would gain valuable insight into the advantages of employing Reservists.

“This experience is a fantastic opportunity to witness the benefits that Reserve Service can have in the civilian workplace,” Dr Kelly said.

“EES highlights the skills Reservists gain from being in the ADF and how those skills can benefit civilian employers.”

 

As South Australia and Tasmania shook off the winter chill, the heat was on in Malaysia for a group of employers visiting their Army Reservist employees in the jungle outside of Johor Bahru in October.

Exercise Boss Lift saw 19 employers visit the soldiers and officers from 9th Brigade units in South Australia and Tasmania who are on the current Rifle Company Butterworth rotation (RCB 83).

As part of Boss Lift, the employers had the opportunity to meet with their Reservist employees and to see them training and living in a jungle environment.

A number of briefings were conducted which set the scene for the visit. Introductory lessons were given by a number of personnel, including the three Platoon Commanders on the current rotation. Briefings included the history of Rifle Company Butterworth, Malaysian culture and heat management in the tropics.

The three-day visit didn’t give the employers a lot of time to acclimatise to the weather, however they were able to see how well adapted their employees had become to the hot and humid conditions.

As part of the RCB 83 rotation, the soldiers also spent time learning about Malaysian history, culture and language. A part of their training has seen them train with the Thai Army in a combined exercise and they will use specific training facilities in Singapore before returning home in early November.

RCB 83 soldiers have also had specific jungle training from their Malaysian counterparts which included jungle survival skills where they were taught to survive without full kit, how to trap and cook food and how to build a safe and dry shelter.

Commander of 9th Brigade, Brigadier Steve Smith, travelled with the employers and met with his soldiers in the field as well as spent time with their employers.

Brigadier Smith said the opportunity for employers to visit provided a welcome morale boost for all the soldiers and gave their bosses a unique insight into the many roles of the Army Reservist.

“The employers have had a first-hand opportunity to see how well trained and capable their employees are,” said Brigadier Smith.

“They have had the chance to learn more about some of the harsh environments the soldiers train in and have gained a greater understanding of the pressures involved in being an Army Reservist.

“The skills the soldiers learn and develop during this type of training are easily transferred to the civilian workplace.

Determination, resilience, self-discipline and leadership are some of the skills today’s Army Reservists can easily apply in their full-time jobs.”

Employer Support Payment Scheme Expenditure

The Employer Support Payment (ESP) expenditure for the month of September and the progressive expenditure for FY 08/09 are detailed in the table below.