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Major Rob Brennan with Kawungan State Primary School Principal Steve Case.
Malaysian soldiers demonstrating how to set traps. |
Jungle Week for
Kawungan Principal |
When Kawungan State Primary School Principal Steve Case talks to his sixth year teacher Rob Brennan, he normally just walks the 100 metres to Rob’s classroom.
But last week Steve traveled 8,000kms to the middle of the Malaysian jungle to meet Rob and his 113 Army Reserve soldiers as they were learning about jungle survival. This is certainly a long way from Kawungan, a suburb south of Bundaberg in Queensland.
The trip was all part of Boss Lift – a Defence program designed to encourage employer support for the Reserves – where 20 bosses like Steve, mostly from South East Queensland, were flown to Malaysia to meet their employees during their Army Reserve service.
“As long as I’ve known him, Rob has been in the Army Reserve,” said Steve. “I know he has to be away from time to time – this time for three months – but we have always been able to get around it by planning ahead and booking a supply teacher while he’s away.
“Rob is now a Major so I was very keen to see how he responded to being in command. He’s a very relaxed bloke at school and now I know there’s very little difference in the field from back home – but he is able to articulate where the boundaries are!
“I was so impressed by his ability to relate to ‘Generation Y’ with respect, his clarity in communicating with them – and how they respond positively. Not only was he outcome driven but the quality of the outcomes.
“Having seen him in command of over 100 soldiers, I know I’ll now be giving him more strategic involvement when he’s back at school – in planning, strategic development, trusting him with budgets and so on.
“After watching him for two days I was even wondering about how he’d find school after this time away. But Rob is sure he wants to get back to the classroom and the kids.
“On this trip I have been so impressed with not just Rob but all his Reserves! I think that encouraging them should be a corporate responsibility. I’ll certainly be reporting back positively to my fellow district principals.”
But being away for three months has meant Rob has missed some major family milestones. “I missed my youngest son's Year 12 Graduation ceremony, my youngest daughter’s and eldest son’s birthdays, my eldest daughter’s first part-time job and our family Christmas, as well as the swearing-in of my eldest son as he joined the Regular Army.
“This Christmas I never felt so isolated – but, thanks to wi-fi internet, my family had set up a laptop at the Christmas table. My parents were there too so I talked to them all over Christmas lunch.”
Soldiers like Rob have to volunteer to be in the Reserve and then have to volunteer again to serve overseas. As well as choosing to serve overseas they can also volunteer for major events within Australia such as security duties at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.
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| Allan Wallish - Passions of Paradise |
Would you like your ‘office’ to be the Great Barrier Reef? What if your work involved showing this natural wonder to local and international tourists?
That’s the life and business that Alan Wallish has been running for nearly two decades from his base in Cairns, North Queensland.
‘Passions of Paradise’ is an appropriately named reef-cruise company that is a strong supporter of Australian Defence Force (ADF) Reservists.
“Our general manager Scott Garden is an Army Reservist and the company is really keen to support him in his service” said Mr Wallish, the company’s Managing Director.
“When Scott joined us about five years ago, I knew that he needed every Tuesday afternoon off to fit in his Reserve responsibilities. ‘Passions of Paradise’ has received that goodwill back in spades.”
“The training and discipline Scott receives from the Army is a real asset to our business. As a manager and leader in our company, he is organised and focused – which is exactly what we need.”
Through employing a Reservist and by chairing the recently-established Australian Marine Training Network, Mr Wallish has been appointed to the Defence Reserves Support Council (DRSC) in far north Queensland.
The DRSC works to heighten awareness of the Reserve component of the Australian Defence Force among civilian employers. It encourages them to support employees who are, or who may wish to become, Reservists.
Alan Wallish has also participated Boss Lift – a Defence program designed to encourage employer support for the Reserves. Boss Lift gives bosses of Reservists an insight into what happens on exercises and deployments. It also highlights the benefits and strengths that Reservists bring to the workplace.
“I went to Darwin for four days and it was a real eye-opener,” said Mr Wallish.
“In just a short space of time we were exposed to a broad range of activities including ground and airborne exercises. Seeing air-to-air refuelling up close was a particular highlight.”
Mr Wallish says his company, which operates a 25-metre catamaran to the Great Barrier Reef, gets an unexpected benefit from its support of Reserve employees.
“It’s easy to get obsessive in this business. You live and breathe it – sometimes for 18 hours a day,” he reflected. |
Scott Garden (left) and Allan Wallish.
“That’s why it’s important to have solid interests outside of work. In Scott’s case his Reserve service, including time spent on exercises sees him come back to work energised and revitalised.
“It’s fantastic, seeing that it’s something that he loves doing so much.”
‘Passions of Paradise’ claims the Employer Support Payment, currently more than $1100 a week, to help cover Scott’s absence on Defence duties.
After a qualifying period, businesses can apply for the payment to help offset the costs of an absent staff member.
This ensures business continuity and can assist in maintaining cash-flow. Find out more about the payment here.
The company also employs several former ADF members, both Regulars and Reservists.
Mr Wallish describes them as having a maturity in the workplace that is both an asset to the business and an encouragement to other staff.
“These team members are all in their 20s but their Defence training and discipline means they follow instructions to the letter and stay with a task until it is completed,” he said.
“It’s all about getting the job done." |
| DRS takes a stand with Local Government |
In early December, Defence Reserves Support attended the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly in Melbourne.
The Australian Local Government Association is the national voice of local government, representing more than 609 councils across the country.
The National General Assembly brings together several hundred delegates from councils across Australia to move and debate resolutions of concern to local government.
Speakers include prominent local government leaders, national political leaders and leading Australian experts and academics from fields of interest and relevance to local government.
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Defence Reserves Support staff Claire Crosthwaite and Sheila Shaw with ALGA Chief Executive Adrian Beresford-Wylie. Mr Beresford-Wylie is also a member of the Defence Reserves Support National Council. |
Claire Crosthwaite, Sheila Shaw and Defence Reserves Support Council Victorian Chair Leigh Purnell. |
Reservists return from Solomon Islands
More than 140 Army Reservists from New South Wales returned home safely from a successful four-month deployment to Solomon Islands in time to celebrate Christmas with their family and friends.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, welcomed home the Reserve soldiers who deployed as part of the Australian contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), where Australia and her Pacific partners are helping the local government to bring peace and stability through improved law and order.
Signaler Mark Hoad received a hero's welcome from his parents as well as the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr Mike Kelly, when he returned home.
Warrant Officer Gail Couley, of Oakdale, in Sydney's west, receives a hearty congratulations from Commander of the 5th Brigade, Brigadier Paul Brereton, after being awarded the Australian Service Medal following her deployment with the Army to Solomon Islands. |
Employer Handbook – designed to help
A new version of the Employer Handbook, Everything you need to know about employing Reservists, has been released.
Copies of the handbook, which includes information on how to develop leave policies within your organisation, are available from Defence Reserves Support offices in each State and Territory, as well as through Reservist employees.
The Employer Handbook is designed to help employers of Reservists understand their rights and obligations to Reservist employees and also to inform employers about the support services available to them.
It includes comprehensive sections about the Employer Support Payment Scheme and the Office of Reserve Service Protection.
To request a copy, call 1800 803 485 or complete your details here.
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| Employer Support Payment Scheme |
Employer Support Payment Scheme Expenditure
The Employer Support Payment (ESP) expenditure for the month of December 2008 and the progressive expenditure for FY 08/09 are detailed in the table below.
| Details |
Month of December 2008 |
Progressive Total FY 2008-2009 |
|
Expenditure ($M) |
Percentage |
Expenditure ($M) |
Percentage |
| Navy Reservists |
$0.35 |
16% |
$2.0 |
15% |
| Army Reservists |
$1.90 |
77% |
$10.2 |
75% |
| Air Force Reservists |
$0.22 |
7% |
$1.4 |
10% |
| Total |
$ 2.47 |
100% |
$13.6 |
100% |
Principal source of income
Last edition we covered part of the criteria required for Principle Source of Income (PIS), including the consideration of payments of ESP. In this edition we will cover relying on PSI documentation and re-establishing PSI requirements.
Relying on PSI Documentation
If a claimed period of Defence service is within six months of a previous period of continuous Defence service (for which an ESP payment was received or which was counted towards the annual qualifying period – a self-employed Reservist can rely for up to three years on the supporting documents that were previously provided.
If relying on previously provided supporting documents, there is no requirement to re-submit these supporting documents, unless requested to do so by the approving ESP delegate.
However, each period of Defence service is considered discretely. So, an approving ESP delegate is entitled to re-assess evidence accepted by a different ESP delegate for an earlier claim and may make a different decision relating to acceptance of the evidence and approval of the current claim.
Re-establishing PSI
A self-employed Reservist may choose to provide new supporting documents with any claim, even if within the three-year period detailed above. If the new evidence is accepted by the approving ESP delegate, a new three-year period would apply.
If there has been a gap of six months or longer between periods of continuous Defence service (ie periods that are at least 5 consecutive days in duration) – new supporting documents must be provided with the subsequent claim for Defence service in order to re-establish PSI.
If a self-employed Reservist has relied on previously provided supporting documents, the Reservist must submit new supporting documents to re-establish eligibility after three years. The three-year period for the use of documentation runs from the end of the specified assessment period that the information covers.
The new documents must relate to a new period immediately prior to the Defence service now being claimed. They must cover the same requirements as previously:
- Evidence that the business or company is bona fide.
- Evidence that the business or company is trading or operating.
- Evidence that the business or company provides the Reservist's principal source of income and has done so for a continuous period of at least the previous six months.
- If self-employed on a part-time basis – evidence of normal work hours (this should, whenever possible, cover a two month period).
Standard advice on evidence from Financial Advisors/Accountants
A statement from a financial adviser or accountant should specify the amounts of income earned, derived or received from all sources over a specified period of at least six months prior to the member’s Reserve service (a statement that a Reservist receives his or her principal source of income from the business, without income details, is insufficient).
An extract of paragraphs 64 – 80 of Defence Instruction (General) PERS 05-42 should be provided to the financial adviser or accountant to ensure the figures are calculated in accordance with the requirements of the Defence Determination.
Further Assistance
Should you require additional information or clarification on PSI or any other 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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| Reservist rubs people up the right way |
Reservists come from all sorts of backgrounds. In civilian life they are doctors, truck drivers, child-care workers and, in Mick Blundell’s case, masseurs.
He’s the first to admit it’s an unusual occupation to bring to the Reserves. And how it came to be is a story in itself!
“I was in the Permanent Air Force and when I came out was looking for a new interest. My wife had a bad shoulder, so I enrolled in a massage course. My concern for her welfare became a new career,” he grinned.
Sergeant Mick Blundell was an Air Force cook for more than 13 years. He was posted to Sale, Wagga Wagga and Williamtown, as well as attachments to various Australian Defence Force exercises including Kangaroo ’89 and Operation Tandem Thrust.
His final posting was to 27 Squadron at Townsville, which was then acting as a forward operational base for the multi-national force preparing for peacekeeping operations in East Timor. It was here that Sergeant Blundell’s cooking skills were really tested.
“We were cooking three meals a day for 1300 troops from right around the world,” he said.
“There were contingents from the United States, Italy, Kenya and several Asian countries, as well as Australian forces.
“We were cooking a hundred kilograms of rice three times a day, which was fine, except that the Thai troops preferred it gluggy and their Korean counterparts wanted it served fluffy. It tests your resourcefulness,” he reminisced.
After he left full-time service, Mick Blundell transferred straight into the Reserves, but needed another interest. That’s where his wife’s sore shoulder became a career turning point.
“I was rubbing it as often and as well as I could, but knew I wasn’t doing the best job possible,” said Mick.
“So I enrolled at the ‘College of Natural Medicine’ in Townsville, initially to learn the basics of massage.”
From that, ‘Xanadu Massage Therapy’ was born eight years ago. Mick now specialises in remedial, sport, acupressure and trigger-point massages.
“I also get a lot of satisfaction out of relaxation massages – I call them ‘grease and oil changes’ where I make sure clients’ problems are dealt with as they come up.
“I get a lot of repeat business this way and it underlines to me that a pinch of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Mick Blundell splits his time between the massage table and the Personnel Transition Flight at 23 Squadron at Amberley, south-west of Brisbane. |
Sergeant Mick Blundell.
“I tend to do a week of massage, then a week or so of Reserve service,” Sergeant Blundell said.
“The difference between the two is tremendous, although it’s all about helping people achieve their best and getting good outcomes.”
Being self-employed, Mick receives the Employer Support Payment (ESP) when away from his business.
After a qualifying period, businesses can apply for the ESP to help defray the costs of an absent staff member. This ensures business viability and assists in maintaining cash-flow. It is adjusted twice a year and is currently worth more than $1100 per week.
There are no restrictions on how a business spends the payment. Find out more about it here.
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The final word goes to Mick’s wife Tracey, whose bad shoulder led him to become a masseur in the first place.
“Mick has magic hands,” Tracey said.
“And my bung shoulder? What bung shoulder? It’s been great for years now.” |
| Flexibility of Navy Reserves a bonus when studying |
Employer support and the flexibility of Reserve service has led to Leading Seaman Julie Jackman achieving her goal of completing a Bachelor of Education.
Leading Seaman Jackman, who transferred to the Navy Reserve four years ago after discharge from the Permanent Navy, works as a Reservist at the Regional Reserve Pool South Queensland in an administration role. This position has provided her with invaluable flexibility – an advantage which she says helped her to complete her degree.
“Without the flexibility of my immediate boss and the Reserves in general, I would not have been able to study and work at the same time. It would have been virtually impossible,” she said.
“The flexibility of the Reserves is its major selling point. Members can organise Reserve service around their family and civilian job responsibilities. The pay is also an incentive, being tax-free.”
Leading Seaman Jackman said she believed it was important for Navy to ‘serve’ its Reservists by providing a high level of customer service, thereby ensuring that if Reservists want to participate in Reserve work they are given as much support as possible as they manage their civilian job commitments with their Reserve commitments.
“Reserve managers need to ensure they understand that Reservists have many responsibilities and that they provide a high level of communication, support and flexibility for the personnel who volunteer to serve,” she said.
Apart from her studies and working at the Regional Reserve Pool, Leading Seaman Jackman has been involved in many exercises, including being part of a shore patrol with foreign ships and being part of the slipping and berthing parties for ships such as aircraft carriers. Her biggest highlight, however, was organising a trip for Reservists, full-time defence personnel and civilians to walk the Kokoda Track in 2007.
“The trek was amazing and we successfully completed it much to everyone’s pride and satisfaction. |
Leading Seaman Julie Jackman.
It was great to do something together and share our skills with others and show them how proud I am to be a Reservist.”
For now Leading Seaman Jackman is hoping to receive a teaching job offer early next year with a view to one day changing over to Training Systems Command Officer so that she can ultimately provide services to Navy as a teacher. | |
© Department of Defence 2010 | Content approved by Reserve & Employer Support Division
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