2010 Paulatim Magazine - RAAMC Association

Ex ANZAC Exchange 09
From August until November, I was fortunate enough to partake in
Ex ANZAC Exchange 2009, an International exchange exercise with the
New Zealand Defence Force were 30 selected Australians Defence
members exchange roles with NZ members IOT experience the different
cultures and traditions of each others services.
Our journey began in Sydney where we were inducted into the ANZAC
Series, and briefed on what we may expect. We then flew to New
Zealand where upon arrival; we were dispersed to our new units
respectively. I was separated from all the other Australians, and sent to
Waiouru, in the North Island.
Waiouru is a military camp, nearly 800m above sea level, and the
place in which all recruits and army cadets are sent to do their basic
training. I worked as a medic in the Health and Emergency Services
Centre (HESC), which provided primary care facilities, but also with a
resus capability. My anxiety and nerves were completely put to rest
immediately, as the HESC unit, and in fact everyone in Waiouru, made
me feel so at home and part of the community.
My work day consisted of sick parades, med boards and due to the fact
out patients were almost solely recruits, plenty of immunisations!
About a month into my trip, I was involved in an exercise to
“Sione Latu”, designed to simulate a natural disaster. It involved a fair
portion of the NZDF, and was definitely a highlight of my trip
experience wise. As the medics, we were sent out on recons within the
community of Sione Latu, to treat the “locals” for such things as cholera
and dehydration; and help deliver aid such as shelter and water.
We would then return and report back to command on the numbers and
degree of devastation within the villages. It seems ironic that only a few
weeks later, the disaster at Samoa occurred, so what a fantastic
opportunity it was for everyone to have had such good training on this
simulated exercise almost identical in nature.
base, conducting scenarios on a frequent basis. In this, old cars were
obtained, and “volunteers” agreed to be placed in them, moulaged up.
The firies and ambo medics would then arrive at the scene, followed by
extrication and treatment of our patients. On one of these occasions,
I myself agreed to be a patient; a terrifying experience I hope never
to have again. Even though it was only a scenario, it gave me a new
perspective on MVA’s and what it would be like for my patients,
as I sat trembling on the other side of the “Jaws of life”.
Our time in New Zealand also involved a lot of road trips and
sightseeing. Every weekend I was taken and shown another town
– be it the Zorbs in Rotorua, or the hot pools of Taupo, or skiing down
the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, I fell in love with the country and all it has
to offer. Towards the end of the trip we were lucky enough to have a
week off to travel the south island, where we partook in the terrorizing
feats of bungee jumping and white water rafting.
I feel truly blessed to have had this opportunity, and never in my
wildest imagination would I ever have expected it to have been as
incredible an experience as it was- I don’t believe it possible to talk my
time in NZ up enough! To look back and remember how nervous and
terrified I was to be so far form home, not knowing a single soul,
I simply can not praise enough how beautiful and welcoming the people
at the HESC were. They became my family away from home.
They never looked down on me if I had a question to ask about
something I did not know, and from this my clinical knowledge and
experience grew. From suturing legs to packing pilonidal cysts,
I learnt so much in my time at the HESC, and made some amazing
friends for life.
The ANZAC series provides an excellent chance for New Zealand and
Australia to work together and further strengthen our bonds. I for one
can not wait to work with the NZDF again, and hope some day in the
near future, to return and work there once more.
PAULATIM
On my return back to Waiouru, we worked closely with the firies on
By: PTE K. Mason – (3 HSB)
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