New name for our organisation Defence Reserves Support's parent organisation has changed its name! Reserve Policy Division has become Reserve and Employer Support Division (RESD). The Directorate of Reserve Support will become the Directorate of Employer and Industry Engagement (DEIE). The change, approved by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, has been made to reflect our change in strategic direction. Our focus is on helping you – Reservists and employers of Reservists. Remember to contact us on 1800 803 485 if you have any queries or visit our website, which will soon be upgraded with many exciting new features.   ADF Charity Ball Roaring Success Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston with MC and Bollywood star Tania Zaetta and Mihiata Bruce A touch of Bollywood in the form of Tania Zaetta has led to $85,000 being raised at this year's Australian Defence Force Charity Ball in Brisbane. The glamour girl, a household name to Australian audiences for the past 15 years following the hit TV show Who Dares Wins and her recent appearance on Dancing with the Stars, encouraged the audience to open up their wallets and spend big during the event's fabulous charity auction. Tania, the ball's gracious Master of Ceremonies, shared many stories with the audience, and even got into a tussle with some soldiers from Gallipoli Barracks and the Army's School of Administration and Health Military Unarmed Combat Training Team. “It was an honour for me to be part of the Defence Force Ball in Brisbane. It gave me a chance to mix with many of you from the Army, Navy and Air Force,” said Tania. “I've worked very closely with certain sections of the Defence Forces with some of the action training that I used to do on Who Dares Wins. “People can’t believe all the action stunts I've done on my TV shows and in my films but it's nothing compared to the Australian Defence Force – you do it for real to save lives and protect our country. I have the utmost respect for all of you.” Special guests Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and Head of Boeing Australia, David Withers, joined Tania, country singing sensation Beccy Cole and more than 550 ball-goers, all eager to help raise money for Legacy Queensland and the Starlight Children's Foundation.      Behind the Scenes - Our Talent Readers will probably have seen them while reading Business Review Weekly, The Weekend Australian Magazine or one of the many popular business and specialty magazines that adorn news stands around Australia. So who are they? They are the Defence Reservists who have volunteered to be the face of an advertising campaign promoting the benefits of Reserve service. Volunteer personnel from the three services have temporarily swapped their jobs and Reserve work to be the talent in these ads. The support available to employers under the Employer Support Payment Scheme is highlighted in the ads, as well as the other benefits that flow back to business through employees receiving first rate training and leadership development in the Navy, Army or Air Force. In this month’s e-newsletter, we talk to three of these committed individuals and learn the things motivating them to put on a uniform and serve their country. Come inside and meet Lieutenant Jen Evans, Private Chris Spinks and Seaman Diver Daniel Morgan.   Report on the Review of the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 As previously advised, the consultation process for the review of the Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 has been completed and the report is now being prepared. Three key issues have emerged from the consultation process. The first is the provision of sufficient advance notice to employers and Reservists when service is required. Insufficient notice adversely impacts upon the capacity of employers to replace Reservists called away on deployments. Having a legitimate point of contact within Defence for employers to speak to about their concerns was also raised as a matter requiring attention. The third area, the clarification of what is meant by the terms "protected" and "unprotected" service, will also be addressed in the report’s findings. Continue to monitor the Defence Reserves Support website and the e-newsletter for information as it becomes available! Australia – best practice in Reserve Protection and support for employers Earlier this year, we reported on the way New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom protect the employment of Defence Reservists and support civilian employers of Reservists. It was apparent Australia leads the world in these two very important areas, enabling our Reserve personnel to meet the increased demand upon their services. Australia’s Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 and Employer Support Program has been carefully considered by several of our allies. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Grigsby, Deputy Director Office of Reserve Service Protection, traveled to New Zealand recently to discuss how a comparable scheme could operate in support of New Zealand’s Reserve forces and employers. Visitors from the United Kingdom will also be in Australia soon to have detailed discussions about how the Australian experience can be applied to support Reserves and employers in the UK. It’s reassuring to know that the way we are supporting our Defence Reserves and employers is a model for many other countries in the world! High Distinction – James Cook University! QLD’s first university to introduce Student Reservist Support Guidelines The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Lindsay, recently announced that Queensland's James Cook University (JCU) had become the State's first university to formally adopt Student Reservist Support Guidelines.     Golf Anyone? – Adelaide, 29 October 2007 Would you like to join other employers and Defence personnel on the golf course and learn about the evolving partnership between the ADF and employers of Reservists while practicing your swing? Places filling fast, so register your interest now, phone (08) 8305 6136.   October – What’s happening near you? National 20/10/2007 - 21/10/2007  Defence Reserves Support Council National Conference Queensland 20/10/2007  Employer Awards incorporated with National Conference Dinner Point of Contact: Defence Reserves QLD General Enquiries (07) 3233 4289 or 1800 803 485   South Australia 18/10/2007 - 21/10/2007  Ex Miners Axe 07 – 24 Sqn - Cultana   South Australia 27/10/2007 - 28/10/2007  RAAF Air Show (RAAF Edinburgh)   South Australia TBA  Mini EES Point of Contact: Defence Reserves SA General Enquiries (08) 8305 6136 or 1800 803 485   Tasmania 26/10/07 - 28/10/07  Exercise Executive Stretch Point of Contact: Defence Reserves TAS General Enquiries (03) 6237 7140 or 1800 803 485   Western Australia 30/10/07  Health Specialists Function (TBC) - dinner function Point of Contact: Defence Reserves WA General Enquiries (08) 89311 2341 or 1800 803 485 South Australia – a State on the move!! Defence Reserves in South Australia have been very busy over the last two months! Here is a taste of what employers and Reservists have been up to! Flight Lieutenant Heather Dodd: Australian Defence Force Reservist of 2007 A gala event was held recently at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre recognising South Australia’s future leaders and outstanding nurses and midwives. FLTLT Heather Dodd, a Registered Nurse currently working in the Trauma Theatres at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, was awarded the auspicious Australian Defence Force Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award in recognition of her achievements as a Defence Force Reservist Nurse. Heather works in the operating theatre at RAAF Edinburgh as well as being on call for the Fly Away Surgical Team (FAST) To read more about Heather’s career as a Defence Force Reservist click here. A “Fun Run” way of flying the flag! Members of the Adelaide-based Army Reserve unit, 9th Brigade waved the flag for potential members when they ran in the Annual City to Bay Fun Run on 16 September. One hundred runners decked out in special Army/Defence Reserves Support t-shirt pounded the pavement with 23,000 other runners for 12 kilometres to the Bay. 9th Brigade has been fielding a large number of calls from prospective members after seeing th Army runners displaying such high levels of fitness and fun! Thinking of stretching yourself out of your comfort zone? Exercise Executive Stretch may well be the answer for you! Each year these exercises are conducted to give employers a taste of the training, fun and camaraderie offered by the Defence Reserves. Each state conducts Executive Stretch in various forms, some half days culminating in a dining-in night or a full weekend of challenging and individual tasks with BBQ lunches!