The Top Ender Magazine June July 2021 Edition

Robertson Barracks
Family Group
Our mission is to provide a range of
great opportunities to help kids make
new friends and create a comfortable
environment for spouses to meet
and connect.
We support families from all services in the
NT, with activities for all ages!
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Submitted by Samantha Maloney
Centre Coordinator
RBFG
How to make Anzac Biscuits
You’ll
Need
1. Preheat oven to 170C
1 1/4 cup sifted plain flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup caster sugar
3/4 cup Desiccated Coconut
150g unsalted butter, chopped
2 tbsp golden syrup
1 1/2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp Bicarbonate Soda
2. Place flour, oats, sugar and coconut in a large
bowl and stir to combine
3. In a small saucepan place the golden syrup
and butter and stir over low heat until the
butter is completely melted.
4. Mix bi-carb soda with 1½ tablespoons of
water, and add to the butter/syrup mixture.
Turn off heat and stir.
5. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix
together until combined. Roll tablespoons of
mixture into balls and place on baking trays
lined with non stick baking paper. Press them
down slightly to flatten.
6. Cook for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
What’s On at RBFG
Monday
Coffee & Catch Up
Wednesday
various week-to-week activities
Friday
Playgroup 0-5 year olds
Saturday
Lego Club - all ages / Kids Club 6-
15 year olds / Brunch out and
about
Plus monthly lunches and dinners
for adults
Chat with the Chaplain
Happy Dry Season to you all! I hope you’ve been able to get
out and about and are enjoying this wonderful time of the
year in the Territory. My name is Mitchell Herps, I’m a full-time
Air Force Chaplain at RAAF Base Tindal. My wife, Emma, and I
have been at Tindal since the beginning of 2019.We have felt
incredibly welcome and have enjoyed the many adventures
that the Top End has to offer.
When I arrived in the Territory, I knew that Chaplaincy would bring about
some incredible opportunities. Interestingly, when I joined the Air Force as a
Chaplain, I didn’t think I would ever become a Workplace Welfare Dog
Handler to Mac. We have Military Working Dogs within Defence, but Mac is
most certainly not one of those.
What is a Workplace Welfare Dog? Great question! Mac is a Yellow
Labrador Retriever who spent the first 4 years of his life with Guide Dogs
Victoria as an ‘Ambasadog’, and was one of the faces of the organisation for
community outreach events and fundraisers.
Mac then came to me through a newly developed (and still developing)
program within Air Force Chaplaincy. The benefits of Therapy Dogs in
schools, hospitals and nursing homes have been well documented, and these
benefits have translated well into the workplace. The Workplace Welfare
Dog program was born and launched between Air Force and Integra Service
Dogs, who are based in Canberra.
So, with all that in mind what does an Air Force Chaplain do with a dog like
Mac? I get to take Mac everywhere with me. Mac’s even had the privilege of
meeting our Prime Minister, our Minister for Defence and our Chief of Air
Force, which was a welcomed surprise on all counts.
When I attend a meeting and Mac walks a lap of the room, he brings a
sense of calm. He’s with me when an Air Force member is going through a
time of crisis and need. He’s by my side at 7:30 in the morning when I take
him to the Gym for a physical training session. I often hear excited voices -
‘Mac’s here!’ It’s times like this I am extremely proud to have Mac by my
side.
Sure, Chaplaincy with a WWD is a little bit different. But beyond the morale
boost, Mac has enabled me to build connections. Defence Chaplains have a
great opportunity to do life with the members of our Defence Force. At the
end of the day, we’re here to care and support you the best we can. I’m just
lucky that I get Mac to help me do it. If you see
me out and about – feel free to come and say
hi and meet my little mate, Mac.
Written by Mitchell Herps
Chaplain
RAAF Tindal
ADF Chaplains in the NT
Navy On-call: 0409 662 823
Shaun Foster HMAS Coonawarra
Australian Christian Churches
0400 514 375
Kelvin Harris Fleet North/HMAS Coonawarra
Anglican
0457 712 743
Army On-call: 0427 713 963
Glen Elsegood 8/12 Regiment
Anglican
0429 345 167
Joel Vergara Regional Support
Roman Catholic
0409 778 462
Chris Lindsay 1 CER
Presbyterian
0418 428 337
Garth Mayger 1 CSSB
Roman Catholic
0419 869 187
Phil Riley HQ1 BDE
Anglican
0407 283 050
Steve Maggs 5 RAR
Baptist
0408 684 783
Roger Cowan 1 AVN
Baptist
0429 891 274
Airforce Darwin On-call:
0477 308 064
Airforce Tindal On-call:
0427 890 054
Mitchell Herps RAAF Tindal
Anglican
0438 493 232
Andrew Knox RAAF Tindal
Anglican
0457 803 372
Angela Stanfield RAAF Darwin
Anglican
0417 953 396
All three services provide a 24/7 on-call number
for emergencies. Each Unit/Ship/Base has its
own chaplain who can assist. If you chaplain is
not available, please contact the on-call number
for your Service. Denominational or faithspecific
ministry can be arranged as required.
28 The Top Ender | Tri-Services Magazine Incorporated JUNE/JULY 2021 29