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Boss Lift to Solomons
In late March, over a dozen employers of Defence Reservists from Western Australia and South Australia flew to the Solomon Islands to see first-hand the benefits Reserve service brings to their employees and to Australia. While in Honiara and its surrounds, the employers had the opportunity to see Reservist soldiers from 13th Brigade contributing to Operation ANODE, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. Highlights of the trip included visits to the Operational Bases, a traditional Village Feast and a fascinating tour of the various battlefields that cost the lives of 26,000 Japanese and 2,000 American troops in World War II. Boss Lift is an exercise organised by the Directorate of Employer and Industry Engagement enabling employers to learn first-hand about what the Australian Defence Force does on exercise and operations. It provides a unique insight into the benefits Reserve service enables employees to bring back to the civilian workplace. For more information on Boss Lift click here.  Reservists prepare for Solomon Islands deployment During February and March, Queensland Army Reservists were in Townsville preparing for deployment to the Solomon Islands as part of Operation ANODE, Australia’s contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Reservists from 11th Brigade participated in six weeks of force preparation training exercises with Tongan troops before deploying in late March. During the training, soldiers rehearsed essential military skills and took lessons in Pidgin and cultural awareness. Commander of 11th Brigade, Brigadier Bruce Scott, said he acknowledged the commitment of his Reserve soldiers and officers who will be taking leave from their civilian jobs, and leaving friends and family for an extended period. “In providing essential support to RAMSI, Army Reservists provide important military capability and bring skills from their own specific civilian backgrounds and experience.” he said. “For example, we have police officers, electricians, mechanics, nurses, teachers, solicitors, plumbers, retail managers and public servants on this operation." “The Australian Defence Force’s ongoing commitment to RAMSI is a positive contribution to the improved stability and maintenance of peace in the Solomon Islands and our Reservists play an integral role in this. Our soldiers are drawn from units throughout Queensland and I am really impressed with how they have settled into their role as part of a larger team." “We will be working alongside military representatives from other nations, providing security and assisting the participating police forces as they maintain law and order.”
On Monday, 7 April, Tasmania Defence Reserve Support staff, a couple of National Office staff and a few dozen local employers braved the crisp Autumn weather and took to the golf course. The course proved to be a challenge for some…whilst others breezed through. Nonetheless the day was a huge success with all employers walking away with a much better grasp of the who, what, why and where of Defence Reserves Support and some even picked up a prize! Defence Industry Golf Challenge Defence Reserve Support (DRS) sponsored lunch and the longest drive at the Defence Industry Golf Challenge held in Canberra on 7 April. DRS staff and Reservists from 5BDE also manned the coffee tent – an Army tent with cam nets, protected by a L119 Hamel Gun and a Unimog truck! Defence won the day – 909pts to Industry 937.5pts. An invitation for two persons from the same employer to participate in an ACT Exercise Executive Stretch event was also auctioned at the Presentation Dinner, and was the most popular item raising $900. A total of $8,770 was raised on the day going to the Department of Veteran Affairs Gallipoli Foundation. | ||||
| South Australian Reservist wins $8000 award On February 19, DRS South Australia presented their 2007 Prince of Wales Award (POWA). The recipient was Corporal Steven Langdon. CPL Langdon is a member of 3/9 Light Horse (South Australian Mounted Rifles) as well as being employed as a policy advisor with the SA Department of Education and Children's Services.
The presentation was made on parade by the Honorary Colonel of 3/9 LH, COL M. Burzacott. The activity CPL Langdon is attending as part of the POWA is a public administration conference being held in Dallas Texas, USA by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).  Photo: names from left to right: LT Duncan Hains Troop Commander, MAJ Antony Simcock LO DRS-SA, Honorary Colonel 3/9 LH (SAMR) COL M. Burzacott, CPL Steven Langdon, Julieann Riedstra - Director, Infrastructure Management Services (DECS) and Karen Humphries.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, has congratulated the record number of fifty six New South Wales employers who were recognised on April 9 for their support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reserves at a ceremony onboard HMAS DARWIN at Garden Island. Click here to view the media release. | ||||
| Reserve Census and Attitude Survey Planning Underway Over 40,000 Standby, Active and Specialist Reservists from Navy, Army and Air Force are being asked to complete the 2008 Reserve Census and Attitude Survey which will be mailed out in June. And they’re being offered two hours pay to do so. But how successful the survey is could depend on how up-to-date Reservists’ entries in the Defence personnel database, PMKeyS, are. The Director-General of Reserves for each Service has urged their Reservists to make sure their details, particularly the mailing address held for them in the database, are current. The survey is designed to track trends common to Navy, Army and Air Force Reservists as well as yield service-specific information sought by Service Chiefs and senior Reserve planners. The core information, common to previous Reserve Attitude Surveys in 2001 and 2004, will enable planners to track attitudinal and societal changes. VCDF Talks of Reserve Capability at Defence Watch Seminar In early March, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie - Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF), highlighted the importance of Reserve service when he addressed a Defence Watch Seminar for civilian employers of ADF Reserves in Canberra. LTGEN Gillespie made it no secret he considers ADF Reserves to be an essential capability element that, in his words, has “become indispensable” – particularly given the high tempo operational environment facing Defence today and in the future.  | ||||
| Employer Support Payment Scheme The Employer Support Payment (ESP) expenditure for March of $2.4m is the highest ever monthly figure recorded. $16.5m has been expended so far this Financial Year. Of that, $2,086,699 (13%) was in relation to service by Naval Reservists, $13,046,656 (79%) related to Defence service rendered by Army Reservists, and $1,399,599 (8%) was in relation to service by Air Force Reservists. Decision Support Tool Development of a Proof of Concept for an ESP Decision Support Tool is currently underway. In addition to improving governance and management of the Scheme, it is envisaged that the Decision Support Tool will benefit customers by providing on-line claim completion, lodgement and progress updates through tracking mechanisms, as well as more effective processing of claims. It is intended to have an operational Decision Support Tool by FY2009/10. If you have any questions regarding the ESP Scheme, please contact our Defence Reserves State and Territory Offices on 1800 803 485. | ||||
| What's happening near you?  April 17 – Corporate Golf Day (Victoria) May 2-4 – New South Wales Exercise Executive Stretch 3 – DRSC National Council meeting (Sydney) | ||||
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