A TRIP TO REMEMBER

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4 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews Study tour goes to South Korea CA’s Scholarship recipients depart for Korean War tour Cpl Nick Wiseman THREE junior NCOs have been selected to take part in an intensive overseas study tour of Australian campaigns in South Korea. LBdr Justin Donnelly, of 4 Regt RAA, LCpl Danielle Mayo, of 33 Dental Coy, and LCpl Shane O’Mara, of 2/14LHR(QMI), started their adventure in Canberra at a small ceremony on April 18. CA Lt-Gen David Morrison awarded the scholarships to the three in recognition of their outstanding performances as Australian soldiers. “You now have the opportunity to travel through South Korea over Anzac Day when the Battle of Kapyong was fought,” he said. “I look forward to seeing what you have learnt and the photos from the tour.” The CA presented the trio with history books to keep them entertained on the journey and assist them with their research assignments. Each member will research two participants during the war, as well as a battlefield. They will spend a week in South Korea as part of the fifth CA’s “I’m an Australian Soldier” Scholarship and visit battlefields and shipwrecks, and participate in the Anzac Day dawn service. Accompanying the group on the tour will be veterans who will guide them throughout the tour and give them first-hand insights. LBdr Donnelly said he was looking forward to the experience and taking the information back to his unit. “Not only do we get to visit the battlefields but we get to share that experience and learn first-hand from veterans who fought there,” he said. “You don’t often get this type of opportunity. “Keeping this knowledge to myself would just be greedy. I’ll be able to teach many what I have learnt and I’m sure my CO will want a detailed report on my trip.” Joining the group for the Canberra ceremony was the South Korean Defence Attaché, Col Dae-hee Ahn, who provided the trio with a selection of items to help with the tour including a travel guide and magazine on his country. LCpl Mayo was told she would be heading to South Korea when she was called into her CO’s office while preparing for an official unit function. Assuming she had done something wrong but unable to pinpoint what it was, she was surprised to be told she had won the CA scholarship. Arriving in her CO’s office, LCpl Mayo said she was asked if she had ever travelled to South Korea before. “I replied no and when asked if I would like to I said of course I would,” she said. “My CO congratulated me and then told me I had won the CA schol- Study tour: From left, LCpl Danielle Mayo, LBdr Justin Donnelly and LCpl Shane O’Mara are in South Korea for a study tour after being selected for the CA Scholarship. Inset, South Korean Defence Attaché Col Dae-hee Ahn presents each recipient with a guide book. Photos by Cpl Nick Wiseman arship and would be travelling to South Korea. I felt honoured and privileged to get such a great opportunity.” The CA scholarship was created to promote the study of military history and recognise and reward junior soldiers who achieved in the core values of the “I’m an Australian Soldier” initiative. LCpl O’Mara said he was looking forward to the tour, having a keen interest in military history. “The Korean War is one of those battles that slips in between the cracks,” he said. “This will be a really good opportunity to look into it and get a deeper understanding of it.” Army April 25, 2013 Embossed: VC recipients Cpls Dan Keighran and Mark Donaldson tour the War Memorial after launching their special edition medallions (pictured inset). Photos by Lauren Black Soldier On launches VC medallion set AUSTRALIA’s four living Victoria Cross (VC) recipients and sole living George Cross (GC) recipient banded together in support of the nation’s wounded servicemen and women to launch a limited-edition series of medallions for charity Soldier On at the Australian War Memorial on August 17. Joined by CA Lt-Gen David Morrison, the group officially launched the set, which features the images of WO2 Keith Payne (ret’d), Cpl’s Mark Donaldson, Ben Roberts-Smith and Dan Keighran and Const Michael Pratt. The series, “In the Service of Others: For Valour and Gallantry”, recognises those who have performed extraordinary acts of valour and gallantry through their duties for the nation and community. Soldier On patron-in-chief Cpl Donaldson said he hoped the medallions would inspire others to acknowledge the sacrifices of those wounded in the service of the nation. “Australians are becoming increasingly aware of the impact and sacrifices of our military personnel,” he said. “It is clear the public wants to help and these medallions are a way for them to support our wounded.” All profits generated by the limited edition sets will go to Soldier On to support Australian servicemen and women who have been physically and mentally wounded on operations. Soldier On CEO and founder John Bale said it was an amazing day. “It’s a tremendous honour to have Australia’s four living VC recipients and sole living GC recipient get behind the project,” he said. “I hope the community also gets on board by securing these unique medallions.” Each medallion is minted from brass and finished in highly polished nickel, and also contains a replica of the medal the individual was awarded and their citation. Cpl Keighran said it would take a while getting used to seeing his face on one of the medallions. “Being part of this initiative and giving back to the Defence community is very important to me,” he said. The medallions are available as a complete set and individually with only 1000 of each available to purchase. For more information on the medallions go to the Soldier On website at www.soldieron.org.au or call (02) 6123 2950.
Army April 25, 2013 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews 5 Ready to roll: (L-R) Pte Connor Lovelock, Pte James Hardstaff and LCpl Matthew Martin, of the 2 Cav Task Group, patrol the outskirts of Robertson Barracks during their pre-deployment training. Below, (L-R) Pte Kris O’Brien-Sutherland and Lt James Byers control a check-point during the training. Photos by Cpl Mark Doran Cavalrymen take lead Soldiers from the 2 Cav Task Group get ready to deploy to TK Cpl Mark Doran “Training and preparing in Darwin’s tropical heat and humidity had been a big challenge. THE 2 Cav Task Group is training for its deployment to Afghanistan as part of the transition to Afghan security leadership in Uruzgan. Force concentration is at Robertson Barracks near Darwin and the mission rehearsal exercise was held at the High Range Training Area near Townsville earlier this month. CO 2 Cav Task Group Lt-Col Michael Bye said his mission in – Cpl Joshua Shirdon, Afghanistan was effectively twofold. 7RAR “We will be providing the force- vide the advisory and support role protection elements needed to com- to the ANA and ensure the ANA 4th plete our various tasks associated Brigade is capable of transitioning with the provincial reconstruction to independent operations later this team, including support to other year. government agencies,” he said. “The next six months will be the “Our other main task is to pro- crown of a sustained effort by the Australians in Uruzgan province and Tarin Kot. “Everyone who is deploying is very conscious of the fact that the way we leave Afghanistan is just as important as what we have done previously. “We are focused on completing our mission professionally while maintaining good relations with our coalition partners and the ANA.” Cpl Joshua Shirdon, of 7RAR, is part of the Security Forces Advisory Team and said it was a fantastic opportunity to be a part of the historic deployment. “Training in Darwin’s tropical heat and humidity was a big challenge after coming from the cold climate of Adelaide,” he said. “It was mentally demanding and drained you physically, but our drills are squared away – we will be good to go.”
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A TRIP TO REMEMBER

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