Commando News Edition 17 Dec2019

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COMMANDO WELFARE TRUSTThe Corporal Tim Pereira’s StoryTim was born in Singapore and moved toAustralia with his parents when he was 3months old. He grew up in Melbourne theeldest of three siblings. He excelled at school andconsidered joining the police, however, decided to jointhe Army due to the global issues at the time, as well asa keen interest to travel and experience other cultures.Tim joined the army at age 18, as an Electronic Warfareoperator and was awarded the student of merit on hisInitial Employment Training course. He then studied 2languages, Indonesian and Pashto and first deployed toAfghanistan in 2010 as part of the mentoring taskforce.In 2012 he returned to Afghanistan, this time withthe 2nd Commando Regiment as part of the SpecialOperations Task Group, as a platoon Electronic Warfareoperator. On the 19th December 2012, five days beforehis mid-tour leave, he was on a mission manning therear gun in a Bushmaster Armoured Vehicle. This par -ticu lar mission had been cancelled several times inprevious days due to bad weather and Tim had volun -teered to swap roles in the vehicle with another soldier.Tim had also volunteered to stay and cover the winterrotation instead of returning home with his platoonfrom the previous rotation.During this mission, Tim’s vehicle was involved in acollision due to bad weather conditions, and hesuffered a C4 burst fracture in his spine and wasknocked unconscious. When he regained conscious -ness, he realised he was paralysed from the neck down.At the time he could not breathe and thought he wasabout to die. A medic travelling in the same vehicle,acted swiftly and kept him alive. You can all imagine thisaccident has changed Tim’s life profoundly and perma -nently. The terrible irony is also that Tim should nothave been in country on this day.Post medical evacuation, Tim spent the following sixweeks in Intensive Care in Germany, where his familytravelled to be with him. He had no movement from theneck down and could not speak effectively due to atracheostomy. He was then transferred to Australia andspent six weeks at the Royal Talbot Hospital spinal unitin Melbourne. Once well enough he was transferred tothe spinal rehab ward. The only movement he had wasa slight muscle twitch in his right bicep. Over the next 6months his goal was to be able to strengthen his rightbicep enough to be able to push the joystick on anelectric wheelchair, so he did not have to use chincontrols.Tim spent over 18 months in rehab, and now stillrequires carer and nursing support 24/7. Tim moved toCanberra under a promise that he would always have ajob in Defence if he wanted one. He took up a workopportunity in the Australia Signals Directorate doing afew days a month. Even with his physical limitations hecommenced studying for a degree in computer science.Unfortunately, due to his health situation Tim was dis -charged from the ADF earlier this year (2019). Prior tohis discharge he realised that as a result, he would losehis service residence and decided to purchase his ownhome and seek modifications through DVA which arecurrently being carried out.Tim used his compensation payout to fund the pur -chase of a house and had to take out a significantmortgage to accommodate his special needs andround the clock care, which has placed a significantburden on his Military pension. But even under thispressure, Tim wants to continue donating to the RoyalTalbot spinal rehab ward, which played a significant rolein his treatment and recovery. Tim has never asked forsupport from any institution or person. However, onhearing of his circumstances, the Commando WelfareTrust (CWT) is now funding Tim’s mortgage interestpayments. In addition, the Trustees, on the recom -mendation of the CWT Military Advisory Board madeup of the Commanding Officers and RegimentalSergeant Majors of both 1st and 2nd CommandoRegiments, have pledged to seek support in paying offTim’s mortgage. The CWT is aiming to raise $300,000to reduce his mortgage payments to zero, since welaunched this campaign, we have raised over $125,000towards the target, so we have a way to go.Tim is a deeply private person but has given permis -sion for his story to be made public in order that peoplewill become more aware of the support that is providedcurrently and required in the future to other memberswho have served as part of Special Operations Com -mand (less the Special Air Service Regiment – who havetheir own trust) and their families. The CWT providestimely and rapid support to these people who findthem selves in circumstances that require a special levelof attention and support that is not provided by theAustralian Government or other support agencies.Should you wish to support Tim Pereira, who has paid amassive price in the service of his country, pleasedonate to:The Commando Welfare TrustCommonwealth Bank Martin Place SydneyBSB # 062 000ACC # 14345057Donations to this cause are Tax Deductible.For further information please contact:Steve PilmoreTrust Executive OfficerCommando Welfare TrustM: 0418 314 940E: steve.pilmore@commandotrust.comCOMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 17 I 2019 31
Page 1: AUSTRALIAN COMMANDO ASSN INC.Regist
Page 5 and 6: A WORD FROM THE EDITORG’day all a
Page 7 and 8: SIGNIFICANT COMMANDO EVENTSDECEMBER
Page 9 and 10: PRESIDENT - MAJGEN Greg Melik AO. R
Page 11 and 12: REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE - MV KRAITB
Page 13 and 14: PRESIDENT’S WORDHello all, I hope
Page 15 and 16: ACA Vic has been pretty busy with m
Page 17 and 18: the recruit school on HMAS Cerberus
Page 19 and 20: ACA VIC PILGRIMAGETO THE SHRINE OF
Page 21 and 22: COMMANDOS OUTSHOOT THE SASPresident
Page 23 and 24: The ACA Victoria Dinnerthis year wa
Page 25 and 26: VX133609 LIEUTENANT TOMAS HENRY - Z
Page 27 and 28: COMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 17 I 2019 2
Page 29 and 30: Your dream...www.yachtcharters.com.
Page 31: COMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 17 I 2019 2
Page 35 and 36: AMBUSH & OPERATION PERTHBy Sam Bush
Page 37: FROM THE PEN OF HARRY BELL2nd/9th C
Page 40 and 41: "Rules of Ranging", are still provi
Page 42 and 43: Division, on the beach at Omaha. Th
Page 44 and 45: A squadron of 1st Special Operation
Page 46 and 47: the 11th MEU, whose purpose was to
Page 48 and 49: BROADWALKBusiness BrokersSPECIALIST
Page 50 and 51: AFRICA’S COMMANDOS1st Battalion,
Page 52 and 53: was equipped with a MG 151/20 20mm
Page 54 and 55: Where the enemy fled at the sound o
Page 56 and 57: RLI was formed, and a major influx
Page 58 and 59: and the advantage this gave them ad
Page 60 and 61: found very illuminating and we spok
Page 62 and 63: 60 COMMANDO NEWS ~ Edition 17 I 201
Page 64 and 65: captured Chief Warrant Officer 4 (C
Page 66 and 67: On Cyprus, they know Australia well
Page 70 and 71: VALEWX28219 Graham L (“Dolly”)
Page 72 and 73: VALENX114020 Alex Rex Stubbings25 S
Page 74 and 75: He served breakfasts for homeless p
Page 76 and 77: WO2 KEITH HUGHES FINAL PARADEThe Fa
Page 78 and 79: ADDITIONAL COMMANDO NEWSNew Command
Page 82 and 83:
Franchising AgreementsBuying a fran
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