The Top Ender Magazine December 2022 January 2023 Edition
This edition of The Top Ender Magazine features an exclusive interview with original Blue Wiggle and army veteran Anthony Fields! Along with fascinating feature articles, you can find community recommendations, stories, competitions and more!
This edition of The Top Ender Magazine features an exclusive interview with original Blue Wiggle and army veteran Anthony Fields! Along with fascinating feature articles, you can find community recommendations, stories, competitions and more!
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haileyburyrendall.com.au<br />
THE TOP ENDER TRI-SERVICE MAGAZINE<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>2022</strong> / <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
COVER IMAGE: Anthony Field dressed in his Blue Skivvy as part of <strong>The</strong><br />
Wiggles. © <strong>The</strong> Wiggles<br />
COMMITTEE MEMBERS<br />
Chairperson Deborah Herring | chair@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
Vice Chairperson Emma Thom | chair@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
Treasurer Hannah Davey | treasurer@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
Secretary Madison Collier | secretary@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
Public Officer Paul Carter | public.officer@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
General Members Amanda Letcher, Masela Draper, Emily Nichols, Kristy<br />
Lewis, Ian Anderson, Clare Corvia, Stella Taylor<br />
CONTACT US<br />
More than<br />
keeping a brilliant the<br />
game in check.<br />
More than an<br />
award-winning<br />
teacher.<br />
author.<br />
Phone: 0419 274 735<br />
Postal: PO Box 35874, Winnellie NT 0821<br />
Email: admin@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
WWW.THETOPENDERMAGAZINE.ORG.AU<br />
COMMUNITY CO-ORDINATOR<br />
Charlene Carter | admin@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
ARTICLES & CONTRIBUTIONS<br />
Deb Herring | articles@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
GRAPHIC DESIGN<br />
Emma Thom | creative@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTIONS<br />
advertising@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
Published bi-monthly<br />
All Rights Reserved.<br />
Printed by Zip Print of Darwin, Northern Territory.<br />
In the spirit of reconciliation, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> acknowledges the Traditional<br />
Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and<br />
community. We pay our respect to their elders, past and present, and extend that<br />
respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.<br />
Our Middle School Captain, Ethan, is a<br />
shining example of the Haileybury Rendall<br />
School At Haileybury student. Rendall Well respected School, weamongst encourage the<br />
community, Driven everyone and to Ethan’s determined, pursue their organised passions—even Haileybury and disciplined Rendall our<br />
approach School teachers, students like to life, Jye. asAs like well a Emily proud as hishave Nykinia charming their andsights<br />
personality, Yaruwu woman, canJye’s be displayed love for running everything has<br />
set on success. Be it as a talented and<br />
he seen does. her Calm compete in the in classroom the Indigenous as a keen Marathon<br />
competitive gymnast or pursuing her love<br />
student Project. When and collected she’s noton running the court longas distance, a<br />
qualified for youstorytelling can find basketball her running as areferee, Territory Indigenous Ethan Young dreams Education Author of<br />
being Award classes. a winner, doctor Teachers inEmily the like future. Jye is writing areFor what now her makes though, future ouras<br />
he aschool talented is focused the shining all-rounder. on enjoying example We school ofcan’t educational lifewait to the to see<br />
fullest how excellence the andnext we in the think chapter Territory. that’s unfolds. a great call.<br />
THE TOP<br />
ENDER<br />
TRI-SERVICES MAGAZINE INC<br />
DISCLAIMER: <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated welcomes manuscripts, photographs or<br />
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FEATURES<br />
04 INTERVIEW WITH ANTHONY FIELD<br />
06 CYCLONE TRACY<br />
14 TOBRUK DIARY<br />
19 LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS<br />
20 NEPTUNE PORU - PART 3<br />
SUPPORT<br />
11 LEGACY CENTENARY<br />
13 EVERYMAN’S WELFARE SERVICE<br />
16 NT VOICES BY DVLS<br />
24 ADF TRANSITIONS<br />
26 DEFENCE MEMBER AND FAMILY SUPPORT<br />
27 PRINCES TRUST AUSTRALIA<br />
28 DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS<br />
30 DEFENCE FAMILIES OF AUSTRALIA<br />
31 OPEN ARMS - ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION<br />
37 MATES 4 MATES<br />
42 CHAPLAIN’S CHAT<br />
46 VETERANS LEGAL SERVICE BY DCLS<br />
58 DEFENCE HEALTH<br />
09 FROG HOTEL<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
10 MOTHER TERESA ANZAC DAY AWARD<br />
10 PINK LADIES LUNCH<br />
11 NT OFFICERS BALL<br />
13 SHUTTER SHOTZ<br />
16 CHINESE NEW YEAR<br />
20 DARWIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT<br />
22 NT CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS DSM<br />
32 NETWORK TINDAL<br />
32 PILBARA REGIMENT FAMILY GROUP<br />
34 ROBERTSON BARRACKS FAMILY GROUP<br />
34 LARRAKEYAH NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE<br />
CONTENTS<br />
35 BILLEROY HOUSE<br />
35 SAINT BARBARA’S DAY<br />
35 150 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN ARTILLERY<br />
36 COMMITTEE NOTICEBOARD<br />
38 LUKE GOSLING<br />
40 VETERAN GAMING AUSTRALIA<br />
41 THE PILATES WAY<br />
43 BOMBING OF PEARL HARBOUR<br />
43 BROTHERS’N’BOOKS<br />
47 GROM<br />
49 TOWARDS ZERO - HOLIDAY TRAVEL<br />
50 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS<br />
52 CREATIVE COMMUNITY SERIES<br />
66 HANDY DIRECTORY<br />
SPOTLIGHT<br />
INTERVIEW WITH ANTHONY FIELD - PG 4<br />
CYCLONE TRACY - PG 6<br />
TOBRUK DIARY- PG 14<br />
LAST MINUTE XMAS GIFTS - PG 19<br />
CHRISTMAS FUN RUN - PG 50<br />
CHRISTMAS AT THE WATERFRONT - PG 50<br />
COMPETITIONS<br />
THE WIGGLES GIVEAWAY - PG 5<br />
WIN WITH OUR SPONSORS - PG 18<br />
COUPLES DATE NIGHT - PG 18<br />
TINDAL & PILBARA WIN - PG 33<br />
YOUTH DRIVING LESSONS - PG 48<br />
PRINCES TRUST GIFT PACK - PG 52<br />
YOUTH MAGAZINE PHOTO - PG 61<br />
KIDS ART PACK - PG 62<br />
SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITY PACK - PG 62<br />
LIFESTYLE<br />
SEVERE WEATHER SEASON - PG 08<br />
TIME TO TRAVEL - PG 17<br />
RESTAURANT REVIEW - PG 51<br />
PETS IN DARWIN - PG 56<br />
CONTROLLING CANE TOADS - PG 57<br />
ELLA BACHE FANNIE BAY - PG 59<br />
KIDS + TEENS<br />
FAMILY GO-KARTING DAY - PG 48<br />
YOUTHWORX NT - PG 60<br />
YOUTH WEEK - PG 61<br />
WET SEASON ACTIVITIES - PG 63<br />
KIDS PUZZLES - PG 64 & 65<br />
FROM THE COMMITTEE<br />
WELCOME<br />
Welcome to our very first full-colour edition! And<br />
welcome to those of you who have recently posted to<br />
the <strong>Top</strong> End!<br />
We have squeezed so much into this final edition of<br />
<strong>2022</strong> with lots of competition prizes, last minute gift<br />
ideas for Christmas, wet season activities to do at home,<br />
events around Darwin and Tindal, plus an exclusive<br />
interview with the OG Wiggle... Anthony Field!<br />
We hope you are all coping in the heat and carve out<br />
some quality time with family during this reduced tempo<br />
period.<br />
From the entire committee, have a happy and healthy<br />
festive season!<br />
UPCOMING<br />
SUBMISSION DEADLINE<br />
If you wish to submit an article, event, photo,<br />
advertisement or would like to contribute some<br />
ideas for the next edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong><br />
<strong>Magazine</strong>, please contact us. Submission Deadline<br />
for February/March edition is: 15th <strong>December</strong><br />
<strong>2022</strong>.<br />
DISTRIBUTION DAYS<br />
Distribution Day is a chance for you to meet our<br />
community and make new friends, while we label<br />
the magazine for posting. Light refreshments are<br />
provided and children are always welcome. Follow<br />
us on Facebook or visit our website to find out<br />
more.<br />
COMMITTEE MEETINGS<br />
Come along to our next committee meeting or<br />
focus group where we finalise article selections,<br />
discuss community work and magazine planning.<br />
You can input as much or as little as you like. Light<br />
dinner is provided and children are always welcome.<br />
Focus Group: TBC - first week February<br />
Meeting: TBC - Tuesday 24th <strong>January</strong><br />
Contact admin@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
for further details.<br />
DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong> JANUARY <strong>2023</strong><br />
FAREWELLING<br />
Thank you to Daniel Campbell, Deb Muir,<br />
Katie Bowman and Jaymee Coverdale for<br />
their contributions, as they depart our<br />
committee for new and exciting pursuits!<br />
<strong>The</strong>se exceptional people gave their valuable<br />
time and talents to further develop our<br />
publication. We are very grateful and wish<br />
them all well in their future postings!<br />
INTRODUCING<br />
As we farewell some familiar faces, we also<br />
welcome some new ones!<br />
Please join us in welcoming Masela Draper,<br />
Emily Nichols, Kristy Lewis, Stella Taylor,<br />
Clare Corvia, Char Carter and Paul Carter<br />
and Ian Anderson to our volunteer<br />
committee.<br />
GET<br />
INVOLVED<br />
$100<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
CONTRIBUTOR<br />
VOUCHER<br />
Got a story? We want to hear it!<br />
Visit our website and discover all<br />
the ways you can get involved with <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> to<br />
support your local Defence community today.<br />
We welcome all contributions from our Defence<br />
Members and their families. We’re looking for stories<br />
about Defence life, history, helpful guides to living in<br />
the NT, family experiences, travel adventures and<br />
more. If you have something you’d like to share in<br />
the next edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>, submit it today.<br />
One lucky community contributor will receive a<br />
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If you would like to volunteer with us, there is no<br />
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available to our volunteers, please visit www.<br />
thetopendermagazine.org.au/volunteer<br />
W2 W<strong>The</strong>W.T <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> H E | TTri-Services O P E N<strong>Magazine</strong> D E RIncorporated M A G A Z I N E . O R G . A U<br />
DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 3
THAT’S RIGHT...<br />
IT’S OUR FAVE OG WIGGLE...<br />
Between international tours and a busy schedule of fun projects, we<br />
somehow managed to knock on enough doors to chat with Anthony<br />
Field about his Army experience, mental health advocacy and incredible<br />
journey with <strong>The</strong> Wiggles. It doesn’t take long to realise that Anthony is<br />
incredibly humble and has a fantastic sense of humour that shines<br />
through his loveable character as the blue Wiggle.<br />
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO JOIN THE ARMY?<br />
My life always seems to cycle around Elvis... I was watching GI Blues and thought it looked<br />
like fun, so I enlisted as a Rifleman on the 13 July 1982, then I went to Kapooka and<br />
released it was nothing like the movie! I remember the first comment from my Recruit<br />
Instructor; “you’re not smoking w**d on Bondi Beach now, Recruit Field”. I’m lucky I had<br />
a sense of humour and never took it to heart - I loved it.<br />
WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF TRANSITIONING<br />
FROM THE ADF?<br />
I transitioned from Army in1985. In those days, you only had a 3-year obligation and I was<br />
loving Army life, but I had played in a band called the “Cockroaches” before enlistment<br />
and they wanted me back.<br />
I played the pipes and drums in parades for the Battalion and I remember a CPL<br />
Royston writing on my farewell plaque;“there’s nothing out there for you!” [laughs]. I<br />
was planning to join the NSW Police Pipe Band while playing with the ‘Cockroaches’,<br />
but it closed down just before I transitioned, so I went to study Early Childhood<br />
Education at University. It was not an easy decision for me to leave at the time - I<br />
loved every minute of life in the Army and I have fantastic memories.<br />
WHAT SKILLS/LESSONS DID YOU LEARN IN THE MILITARY<br />
THAT YOU STILL USE REGULARLY?<br />
I still carry my bags in my left hand so I can salute people randomly!<br />
I also learned to play bagpipes in Army, which was a great tradition and<br />
honour in the Infantry. We played at parades and funerals. <strong>The</strong> best<br />
thing I learned was self-discipline and knowing that your actions and<br />
decisions can affect the team, which also includes working<br />
collaboratively in a group to help the team progress. My mates from 5/7<br />
RAR have stayed in contact, which has been really meaningful for me.<br />
<strong>The</strong> success of <strong>The</strong> Wiggles is based on showing the team how to<br />
tour well, pack light and work as a team to perform as a group.<br />
We all know how important it is to be reliable and resourceful.<br />
We have a structure a bit like the CoC, which has been so<br />
successful and our team have worked with us for 25 years because<br />
they know they will be treated well. Sometimes we have veterans<br />
working with us on tour and they have so many random skills<br />
(forklift etc) and work harder than anyone! We recently had an<br />
Army Engineer help us with one of our Wiggles projects.<br />
As a Private Soldier in Army, I did what I was told and learned as many skills as I<br />
could. But, when I left defence, I realised that I had to think for myself, which was a<br />
big transition for a Private and I felt a bit unsure until I found my feet at University.<br />
WIN<br />
Tell us your favourite Wiggles song for a chance to win!<br />
ANTHONY<br />
FIELD<br />
TERMS: Open to NT-Based Defence children up to 6 years old. Closes 10 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. Five winners will be notified by email/phone and announced in the next<br />
edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>. Five Prize packs valued at over $90 each kindly donated by Anthony Field and <strong>The</strong> Wiggles. Enter online by visiting www.<br />
thetopendermagazine.org.au/win<br />
HOW DID YOU GO FROM ARMY TO<br />
CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT?<br />
I’ve always loved music, especially Rock n Roll!<br />
My sister suggested that I study pre-school<br />
teaching, so I became qualified and then<br />
gathered a few guys at University to join in<br />
with my kid's idea. It was a beautiful accident.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was apparently ‘no market for it’ and<br />
ABC originally said that we would be lucky to<br />
sell 500 tapes...<br />
We then went to visit a lady in Double Bay<br />
to ask her to manage us, and she replied;<br />
‘what am I going to do with 4 guys, a guitar<br />
and a dinosaur?’. After that, we just did it<br />
ourselves and started organically.<br />
WHAT DO YOU DO TO UNWIND<br />
AND MANAGE STRESS?<br />
I always use music to relax and manage stress.<br />
I play tenor banjo, bagpipes, mandolin and<br />
folk instruments. I can sometimes play for 3<br />
hours per day, and it feels like I don’t have a<br />
problem in the world.<br />
I suffer from anxiety and depression, and<br />
there have been many times that I would<br />
have to stop the car on tour and get out. I<br />
would often curl up in a ball and I suffered<br />
really badly with panic attacks. I’m medicated<br />
now, but music helps me so much. I had<br />
PTSD from Boarding School, so certain things<br />
trigger me, and I have learned to talk about<br />
things when they start affecting me.<br />
TELL US ABOUT YOUR MENTAL<br />
HEALTH ADVOCACY AND YOUR<br />
BOOK “HOW I GOT MY WIGGLE<br />
BACK?”<br />
<strong>The</strong> book was written when my mental and<br />
physical health was on track, but I started on<br />
the rollercoaster again. I feel like it’s important<br />
to remember that life is transient, and<br />
happiness and sadness can pass. I now ask<br />
myself; what can I do to help myself? I find solutions to feel better<br />
so I can manage my mental health.<br />
WHAT IS A COMMON QUESTION THAT PEOPLE ASK<br />
YOU?<br />
Are you going ok today, Anthony? I have a very supportive team<br />
and generations of fans who thank me and lift me up - it’s such a<br />
positive job!<br />
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?<br />
I’m inspired to be honest with myself and other people. I like<br />
seeing great people doing great things, but it doesn’t have to be a<br />
famous person. I love being Australian. I love our country and our<br />
sports. I love our military personnel who get the job done without<br />
much praise. I especially loved the Salvation Army van coming out<br />
field and giving us tea and biscuits. It was always so inspiring to me<br />
- I wanted to be them [laughs]! <strong>The</strong>y don’t do it to be thanked,<br />
they are just good people.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS?<br />
I have trusted a lot of people in business who may not have had<br />
the right intentions. I like to be open and trust people, but it takes<br />
me a while to get over being betrayed.<br />
FUNNIEST MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE?<br />
We have had a lot of funny moments on the road!<br />
Paul Paddick (Captain Feathersword) is hilarious. One time, he<br />
took Greg’s microphone and substituted it for the microphone<br />
with a helium voice before we went on stage. We were in fits of<br />
laughter for a long time!<br />
At another performance, the girl who plays Dorothy the Dinosaur<br />
was sick and my brother stepped in at short notice. He had<br />
absolutely no idea what he was doing and the head fell off, but he<br />
stayed on stage dancing around while Jeff was following him trying<br />
to put the head back on.<br />
Not that long ago, I was buying jellybeans at<br />
David Jones when a lady mentioned that I<br />
looked just like the blue Wiggle and I<br />
probably wished I had his salary too!<br />
[laughs]. It was funny, but extremely<br />
awkward.<br />
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU<br />
HAVE EVER RECEIVED?<br />
From my Dad; “don’t be hard on yourself”,<br />
which is good advice for everyone. You don’t<br />
always get it right and sometimes you stuff<br />
up.<br />
WHAT CAR DO YOU DRIVE?<br />
I drive a big Jeep Gladiator and I love it!<br />
When I was in the Army, all the guys had<br />
Torana’s. We’d talk about fixing up the SLR<br />
5000 to be the coolest of the Rifleman. My<br />
first girlfriend’s mum was not impressed with<br />
my Torana...<br />
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR<br />
RECENT COVER ALBUM?<br />
ReWiggled was released on March 11th and<br />
it’s really good to listen to. So many Aussie<br />
artists have covered <strong>The</strong> Wiggles songs, so<br />
we thought it would be fun to return the<br />
favour; Elephant, Thunderstruck, Bohemian<br />
Rhapsody. We had so much fun making it<br />
because we really challenged ourselves and it<br />
was a lot of work to get it right. We have a<br />
large adult following who has grown with us<br />
and still love <strong>The</strong> Wiggles.<br />
FAVOURITE WIGGLES SONG?<br />
My favourite Wiggles song is Rock-a-Bye<br />
Your Bear. It’s probably the first one that kids<br />
do with their parents and the audience really<br />
get into it.<br />
WHO IS YOUR HERO?<br />
Musically, Elvis. My Dad is my hero in life.<br />
HOW DID IT FEEL TO WIN TRIPLE J’S HOTTEST 100 IN<br />
<strong>2022</strong>?<br />
It was such a great achievement for us and a very emotional<br />
moment. I don’t normally get emotional about awards, but that<br />
one really meant something to me. It’s hard to comprehend that<br />
2.2 million Australian’s voted for us and recognised our<br />
contribution to Australian music. I had a tear and Murray was<br />
bawling his eyes out.<br />
FAVOURITE BAND / SONG / STYLE OF MUSIC?<br />
We always use this song before we go on stage - Cannibal by<br />
Buster Poindexter. It’s definitely an 80s party song and I love the<br />
energy it creates.<br />
FAVOURITE PLACE IN AUSTRALIA?<br />
Uluru, I love it - it’s so rugged and has the power to recharge your<br />
body. It’s so historical and spiritual... A place where you really feel<br />
something.<br />
FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE TOP END?<br />
I have always enjoyed exploring Darwin. I also love the outback<br />
and everywhere in between. It’s so different to living in Sydney. I<br />
love the mixture of cultures and being barefoot. Darwin is still so<br />
down to earth, and people can really be themselves without<br />
judgement.<br />
A sincere thank you to<br />
Anthony Field for his<br />
time taken to chat with<br />
us and the generosity of<br />
<strong>The</strong> Wiggles to donate<br />
competition prizes for<br />
our defence<br />
community!<br />
Interviewed by<br />
Deb Herring<br />
Committee Member<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>
REFLECTING ON<br />
CYCLONE<br />
TRACY<br />
Just before Cyclone Tracy in 1974, I<br />
was working at the Commonwealth<br />
Employment Office in Darwin, while<br />
my husband was the Navigator in<br />
training on HMAS Arrow - Sub<br />
Lieutenant Andrew Birtchnell.<br />
When we were visiting Darwin several years ago, we visited<br />
the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory<br />
(MAGNT) to see the Cyclone Tracy exhibit and noticed that<br />
neither of our names appeared on the list of evacuees from<br />
Darwin, so I thought our story may be interesting for the<br />
upcoming 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy in 2024.<br />
Although I was on the plane with other family members from HMAS Arrow, I<br />
disembarked in Brisbane when the plane refuelled before the remaining passengers<br />
continued onto Sydney, hence why my name does not appear on the evacuation list.<br />
At that time, Andrew was in the Army Hospital at HMAS Moreton in Bulimba QLD<br />
for about one week and was then transferred to the Navy Hospital at HMAS Penguin<br />
in Mosman NSW while he recovered. Fortunately, Andrew made a full recovery and<br />
remained in the Navy until retiring as a Commander in 2000.<br />
Most of our possessions and LandCruiser miraculously arrived in NSW some<br />
months later in a convoy driven by Sailors - thank you to those people who packed<br />
everything we owned and delivered it to us!<br />
Andrew returned to Darwin for the Inquiry on HMAS Arrow and visited our house<br />
which had been reroofed and repaired. When we visited again in 2016, the house<br />
across the street was still there and looked exactly the same as it did in 1974,<br />
however our old house was a concrete parking lot, and the mature frangipani tree<br />
was all that remained. Thankfully, we have some photos of our very short time in<br />
Darwin just prior to Cyclone Tracy.<br />
We have returned to Darwin several times since Cyclone Tracy, and we recently<br />
visited Darwin for a brief visit after touring the Kimberley in August <strong>2022</strong>. What a<br />
fabulous city Darwin is today - especially the terrific Museum and the Waterfront<br />
precinct!<br />
Andrew was posted to HMAS Arrow as the Navigating<br />
Officer in August 1974, after returning from 6 months of<br />
training in the UK. When Arrow was redeployed from<br />
HMAS Waterhen in Sydney to Darwin, we had already been<br />
apart for 6 months, so we decided to get married which<br />
would allow me to accompany him to Darwin. We were<br />
married in August 1974, just five days before HMAS Arrow<br />
departed Sydney for its new assignment in Darwin on 21<br />
August 1974.<br />
As the youngest married couple of the four patrol boats, we<br />
were allocated an older house located at 4 Searcy Street,<br />
Darwin (I believe this was originally the XO’s House). This<br />
later proved to be a very fortunate twist of fate for us as the<br />
house was well constructed and survived the cyclone almost<br />
intact. Most of the other families we knew were living in the<br />
new housing estate at Stuart Park, which was pretty much<br />
destroyed during the cyclone. It was terrifying no matter<br />
where you were in Darwin that night.<br />
I had just turned 22 and was taking shelter in our Darwin<br />
home by myself during the cyclone, with the assumption<br />
that the Navy Patrol Boats were safely moored at the<br />
cyclone buoys in the vicinity of Darwin Harbour and<br />
Stokes Hill Wharf.<br />
Early on Christmas Day 1974, the Secretary of the Captain<br />
(NOCNA - Naval Officer Commanding Northern Australia),<br />
arrived at my doorstep to notify me that my husband was in<br />
Darwin Hospital and was ‘okay’. I still remember his words;<br />
“the Arrow sank”.<br />
Our undamaged LandCruiser was parked under our house,<br />
so I gave him the keys and he said he would return for me<br />
when he could. <strong>The</strong> rest of Christmas Day and the weeks<br />
following are memories I will never forget.<br />
Over the years since Cyclone Tracy, we have read several<br />
accounts about HMAS Arrows’ crew on Christmas Eve,<br />
however I’d like to clarify one particular story - the crew<br />
member who was washed up alive on the beach at Stokes<br />
Hill Wharf was my husband, the trainee Navigating Officer.<br />
Andrew remembers choosing to jump overboard and then<br />
being dragged underwater by the tangle of lines (ropes) but<br />
somehow, he was miraculously washed through the wharf<br />
and onto the shore.<br />
I was later told by Barry Spencer (the Coxswain of HMAS<br />
Arrow), that a man walking his dog early on Christmas<br />
morning approached the crew sheltering on the wharf and<br />
told them that one of their men was on the beach. When<br />
he said “the one with the beard”, they suddenly realised that<br />
the trainee Navigator was missing. <strong>The</strong>y hurried over the<br />
rocks and found Andrew lying motionless on the beach.<br />
Andrew was rushed to the Emergency Department at<br />
Darwin Hospital having almost drowned. Very fortunately, he<br />
had partially inflated his lifejacket when he decided to jump<br />
overboard rather than risk climbing onto the wharf at the<br />
terrible moment when Arrow struck the wharf.<br />
Fred (<strong>The</strong> Captain’s Secretary) returned mid-morning and<br />
took me to Larrakeyah military base where I joined other<br />
navy personnel and their families who were all camped<br />
outside in a state of utter disbelief. We were all a bit dazed<br />
and overwhelmed by what had happened over the last12<br />
hours.<br />
In the afternoon, I was taken to Darwin Hospital to visit<br />
Andrew in the Intensive Care Unit. He was on oxygen,<br />
scratched, bruised and a bit groggy, but alive. He was<br />
evacuated from Darwin within a short period of time, which<br />
I am fairly certain, was the first military plane out of Darwin.<br />
When I returned to Larrakeyah later that afternoon, we<br />
were very relieved to see one of the patrol boats cruise<br />
into the Harbour after choosing to head to sea during the<br />
cyclone. With limited shelter available, we all slept under the<br />
stars that night and I spent the next morning sorting out our<br />
possessions and storing our household items under our<br />
partial roof. I was evacuated on the first Navy 748 plane with<br />
other defence family members and a number of Navy<br />
personnel who were also injured.<br />
Written by Jennifer Birtchnell<br />
Community Contributor<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Images:<br />
HMAS Arrow Wreck Image Credit: Commonwealth of Australia ©<br />
Defence Image Library<br />
All other images supplied by Jennifer Birtchnell<br />
References:<br />
https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-news-veterans/hmas-arroweye-storm<br />
https://www.abc.net.au/news/emergency/2014-12-24/cyclone-tracy/<br />
5981404<br />
THE CHRISTMAS<br />
CYCLONE<br />
Cyclone Tracy was originally reported as a category four cyclone, however some<br />
meteorologists today believe it may have been a category five shortly before it<br />
made landfall.<br />
At midnight on Christmas Day wind gusts greater than 100 kilometres per hour<br />
began to be recorded. <strong>The</strong> centre of the cyclone reached East Point at 3:15am and<br />
made landfall just north of Fannie Bay at 3:30am.<br />
Tracy was so strong it bent a railway signal tower in half. <strong>The</strong> city was devastated<br />
by the cyclone. At least 90 per cent of homes in Darwin were demolished or badly<br />
damaged. Forty-five vessels in the harbour were wrecked or damaged. In addition<br />
to the 65 people who died, 145 were admitted to hospital with serious injuries.<br />
Within a week after the cyclone hit, more than 30,000 Darwin residents had been<br />
evacuated by air or road, more than two-thirds of the population at that time.<br />
Cyclone Tracy remains one of Australia's greatest disasters.<br />
6 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 7
NORTHERN AUSTRALIA<br />
TO TAKE PRECAUTION AHEAD OF THE<br />
SEVERE WEATHER<br />
SEASON<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bureau has released its long-range forecast for the<br />
coming severe weather season – and communities should<br />
prepare now as there's an increased chance that the first<br />
tropical cyclone in the Australian region is likely to be early<br />
this season. Northern Australia, including the <strong>Top</strong> End, should<br />
also be prepared for an early start to the rain this wet season<br />
after various meteorological phenomena have aligned.This is<br />
all a result of a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) across<br />
the Indian Ocean, and now a third La Niña event in a row.<br />
Sea surface temperatures are currently warmer than average around<br />
much of the Australian coastline and are expected to remain so until<br />
mid-late summer. We're also seeing these conditions across the<br />
eastern tropical Indian Ocean (around north-west Australia), which has meant<br />
we've seen a negative IOD for many months. A negative IOD increases the<br />
chances of above average rainfall across much of southern and eastern Australia<br />
during winter and spring, which has proven true this past year.<br />
Meanwhile in the Pacific Ocean, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation has entered<br />
a La Niña phase again for the third year in a row. This is characterised by<br />
warmer than average waters around northern Australia, and cooler than average<br />
across the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Three La Niña events is a<br />
rather uncommon occurrence and has only previously occurred three times<br />
since Bureau records began in 1900. <strong>The</strong>se were 1954-57, 1973-76 and 1998-<br />
2001. La Niña typically increases the chance of above-average rainfall for<br />
northern and eastern Australia and sees an earlier start to the northern wet<br />
season, plus an above-average number of tropical cyclones in a season.<br />
WET SEASON: NOVEMBER - APRIL<br />
During the <strong>2022</strong>-23 season, the forecast is for around a 60% chance of an<br />
above average number of tropical cyclones in the Northern Region.<br />
(source: Bureau of Meteorology)<br />
When a negative IOD coincides with a La Niña event like we're experiencing<br />
this year, we have the recipe to potentially see very wet conditions and<br />
widespread flooding. We saw this in 1974, the wettest year on record in<br />
Australia, and again in 2010-11. This year, <strong>2022</strong>, has evolved similarly as many<br />
regional and metropolitan areas have experienced record-breaking rainfall and<br />
flooding, including areas of south-east Queensland and the Northern Rivers of<br />
New South Wales earlier this year, and more recently- Sydney, which broke its<br />
annual rainfall record on 6 October.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Australian tropical cyclone season runs from 1 November to 30<br />
April.According to the Bureau's official tropical cyclone outlook, there<br />
is an increased chance of tropical cyclones developing earlier in the<br />
season. Typically, Australia has an average of 9 to 11 tropical cyclones<br />
each year, with around 4 crossing the coast in an average season. This<br />
season we have a greater than 70% chance of at least 11 tropical<br />
cyclones, which is the long-term average impacting the Australian region.<br />
In the event of a natural disaster or<br />
emergency resulting from cyclones,<br />
floods or fires,Australia’s Defence<br />
Force are often called upon to assist<br />
State and Territory Governments<br />
through Defence Assistance to the<br />
Civil Community (DACC).<br />
This is one area that the Bureau’s<br />
dedicated Defence Weather Services<br />
(DWS) team of Meteorologists<br />
provide valuable support to Defence.<br />
<strong>The</strong> DWS team provides reliable,<br />
tailored and accurate weather<br />
information prior and during<br />
significant weather events. <strong>The</strong><br />
Bureau's National Security and Space<br />
Program also provides Defence with<br />
a quarterly Global Seasonal Outlook<br />
to support planning in structure,<br />
posture, preparedness and<br />
prioritisation.<br />
This enables Defence personnel and<br />
assets to respond to DACC taskings<br />
in a timely and professional manner.<br />
Written by Krystelle Venn<br />
Senior Meteorologist<br />
Townsville Defence Weather Services<br />
Office for the Bureau of Meteorology.<br />
FROG HOTEL<br />
<strong>The</strong> wet season brings LOADS of amazing<br />
frogs to our garden and I love creating a<br />
frog village to encourage breeding. My kids<br />
also love looking for frogs throughout the<br />
garden and watching them transform from<br />
eggs to tadpoles and then to frogs! <strong>The</strong><br />
transformation is amazing to watch and it’s<br />
a great way to learn and bond as a family of<br />
all ages.This is a super fun wet season<br />
activity for kids during the school holidays.<br />
We have created frog hotels since arriving in<br />
Darwin many years ago, so I thought it might be<br />
time to share some ideas:<br />
MATERIALS:<br />
• PVC Pipe in various widths (30mm - 100mm<br />
works well)<br />
• PVC Bends or Adapters to suit pipe widths<br />
• Bowl, shell pool or shallow bucket (seal holes<br />
with silicone)<br />
• Various sized rocks and pebbles<br />
• Plants with lots of green foliage<br />
• Silicone, saw and scissors<br />
Image Credit: Holman Industries. https://www.<br />
holmanindustries.com.au/how-to-make-a-frog-hotel/<br />
Image Credit: May Gibbs. https://maygibbs.org/news/<br />
mini-frog-hotel/<br />
References:<br />
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/biodiversity/<br />
threatened/publications/factsheet-frogs-australia<br />
https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/<br />
wildlife/2020/04/a-guide-to-making-a-frog-hotel-withfrog-expert-jodi-rowley/<br />
PROCESS:<br />
• Find a shady spot in the garden to set<br />
up your frog hotel<br />
• Cut about 8 PVC pipes into various<br />
lengths, adding bends and adaptors to<br />
create various sized openings for frogs<br />
to explore.<br />
• Place the pipes into the bowl and<br />
secure the base of the pipes by<br />
layering with pebbles and rocks<br />
around the base.<br />
• Add water to the base over the rocks.<br />
• Wait and enjoy the experience of<br />
watching frogs enjoying your ‘hotel’.<br />
You can also use a shell pool or plastic<br />
tub with a small amount of water in the<br />
base, adding some pebbles, larger rocks,<br />
PVC pipes and plants to climb over and<br />
explore.<br />
Written by Amanda Metcalfe<br />
Defence School Mentor<br />
Wanguri Primary School<br />
FROG<br />
POPULATIONS<br />
ARE DECLINING!<br />
Australia has many different frog species, with<br />
over 200 described and probably more to be<br />
discovered. However,Australia's frog<br />
populations are declining, as are populations<br />
worldwide, for reasons that are as yet<br />
unknown.This is a disturbing trend, because<br />
the presence of frogs is a good indication of a<br />
healthy environment.<br />
Frogs are cold-blooded animals belonging to a<br />
group known as amphibians. Usually, they start life<br />
as tadpoles in an aquatic (water) environment, and<br />
transform into frogs to become terrestrial (landbased)<br />
animals. About 4000 frog species have been<br />
identified worldwide, with 214 known in Australia.<br />
Many of Australia's frogs are found nowhere else in<br />
the world.<br />
Although a few Australian frog species, such as the<br />
green tree frog, are flourishing in human<br />
environments, many species have suffered dramatic<br />
population declines since the 1980s. Fifteen species<br />
of Australia's frogs are currently endangered, twelve<br />
are listed as vulnerable and four have become<br />
extinct. Of particular concern is the disappearance<br />
of frogs from pristine habitats.<br />
Image Credits: Amanda Metcalfe<br />
HAVE YOU SEEN<br />
THE FROGID APP??<br />
Australia’s frogs need your help<br />
Take part in Australia’s biggest frog<br />
count! Recording frog calls with the<br />
FrogID app will help provide our<br />
scientists with valuable data for the<br />
protection and conservation of frogs.<br />
Download the FrogID app, create<br />
FrogID account, find, record and help<br />
match your frog<br />
calls.<br />
For more<br />
information and<br />
family-friendly<br />
frog activities,<br />
head to: https://<br />
www.frogid.net.<br />
au/<br />
8 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 9
MOTHER TERESA CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL WINS<br />
ANZAC DAY AWARD<br />
ANZAC DAY<br />
AWARD NOMINATIONS<br />
In 1923, Legacy made a promise to help veterans’ families carry on with<br />
their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one. It was a simple<br />
promise that Legacy keeps today; providing the same stability, guidance<br />
and assistance that a partner would normally provide to his or her family.<br />
100 YEARS OF KEEPING THE PROMISE<br />
In the trenches of the Western Front during World War I, a<br />
soldier said to his dying mate “I’ll look after the missus and kids”.<br />
This became known as <strong>The</strong> Promise.<br />
NT winner!<br />
Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School<br />
students interviewed local peacekeeper<br />
veterans from their community. <strong>The</strong><br />
students were then inspired to create a<br />
school Peace Garden, to acknowledge<br />
peace and service. <strong>The</strong> whole school<br />
community was involved in designing and<br />
constructing the garden and we are proud<br />
that we won the State Prize for the<br />
ANZAC Day Awards in <strong>2022</strong>.<br />
Written by Clare Corvaia<br />
Defence School Mentor<br />
Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School<br />
Stay tuned to the DVA Anzac Portal<br />
for more information about the <strong>2023</strong><br />
round.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)<br />
is proud to host the Anzac Day Schools'<br />
Awards. This national competition recognises<br />
the work of students, teachers and schools to<br />
engage with veterans and honour Australia's<br />
wartime history.<br />
Judging criteria<br />
Awards are selected by a panel of judges.<br />
Entries are judged on the following criteria,<br />
which are evenly weighted:<br />
• Commitment to the annual theme.<br />
• Engagement with veterans or currentserving<br />
members of the Australian<br />
Defence Force (ADF) - in person,<br />
virtually or using primary source<br />
materials such as video interviews with<br />
veterans or letters from service<br />
personnel.<br />
• Evidence of student-led learning.<br />
• Quality of research using credible<br />
primary and secondary sources.<br />
• Innovative learning activities.<br />
• Demonstrate understanding and<br />
empathy through reflection.<br />
• Overall quality and presentation of<br />
entry compared to others.<br />
Judges will be looking for high-quality entries<br />
that show evidence of:<br />
• extended learning and engagement over<br />
a long period (as opposed to a single<br />
assembly)<br />
• engagement over multiple classes or<br />
year levels.<br />
Reference: DVA (Department of Veterans' Affairs)<br />
(<strong>2022</strong>), Anzac Day Schools' Awards, DVA Anzac<br />
Portal, accessed 01 Oct <strong>2022</strong>, https://anzacportal.<br />
dva.gov.au/research-education/competitions/anzacday-schools-awards<br />
LEGACY CENTENARY<br />
TORCH RELAY<br />
In <strong>2023</strong>, Legacy will be celebrating their centenary with <strong>The</strong><br />
Legacy Centenary Torch Relay <strong>2023</strong> presented by Defence<br />
Health, marking 100 years of service to those who have<br />
sacrificed.<br />
THE LEGACY CENTENARY TORCH RELAY ROUTE<br />
<strong>The</strong> relay begins on ANZAC Day 25th April <strong>2023</strong> in Pozieres,<br />
France. It will then travel to London, England where it will<br />
continue its tour throughout Australia, stopping at all 45 Legacy<br />
Clubs worldwide.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Legacy Centenary Torch Relay <strong>2023</strong> is a 6-month campaign to<br />
pay homage and acknowledge veterans’ families, saluting their<br />
sacrifice. <strong>The</strong> torch will travel over 50,000km, through 100 stops,<br />
carried by approx. 1,500 torch bearers to raise over $10 million.<br />
Realising the dire circumstances of the tens of thousands of<br />
veterans, widows and children left behind, those who returned<br />
set out to help them. In 1923, Major General Sir John Gellibrand<br />
formed the Remembrance Club in Hobart. Another returning<br />
soldier, Lieutenant General Sir Stanley Savige, was inspired to<br />
establish a similar club in Melbourne which was named Legacy.<br />
In responding to the needs of families of veterans for almost 100<br />
years, Legacy, in conjunction with the network of Legacy Clubs<br />
throughout regional and metropolitan Australia, stands proudly as<br />
the only veteran service organisation in Australia dedicated solely<br />
to the care and support of our veterans’ families.<br />
THE CANCER COUNCIL NT<br />
Defence Health is joining Legacy Australia on our journey<br />
in celebrating and commemorating our centenary year.<br />
To find out more, download the Official “Legacy 100th<br />
Torch Relay” App from the App Store and Google Play.<br />
PINK LADIES<br />
On the 14th of October, I attended the Pink Ladies<br />
Long Lunch for <strong>2022</strong>.This is the third time I have<br />
attended this awesome yearly event, where<br />
everybody gets dressed up in pink.We enjoyed a<br />
delicious lunch, a free glass of pink champagne (or<br />
lemonade) on arrival and lots of silent auctions and<br />
a raffle to raise funds.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re was also a Burlesque performance by Tina Colada,<br />
and we were entertained by Ange Coles, a local singer<br />
and guitarist who performed during the luncheon.<br />
Over $180K was raised this year, which is an awesome<br />
result and the proceeds will help to fund cervical cancer<br />
clinics, especially in remote areas (including Tindal).<br />
LONG LUNCH<br />
Written by Masela Draper<br />
OCTOBER 14 <strong>2022</strong><br />
NT OFFICERS BALL<br />
Written by Masela Draper<br />
Committee Member<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong> annual NT Officers’ Ball was held<br />
on Saturday 15th of October, in a large<br />
marquee behind the Darwin Casino.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme this year was “Royal” to<br />
commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s<br />
Platinum Jubilee. Even with the Queen’s<br />
passing, the committee chose to<br />
continue with the “Royal” theme as a<br />
tribute to Her Majesty’s reign.<br />
For anyone new to the NT, the Northern<br />
Territory Officers’ Ball is a key social event in<br />
the <strong>Top</strong> End Defence calendar. It provides<br />
an opportunity for tri-service officers and<br />
partners to come together from all NT<br />
bases and celebrate the unique lifestyle we<br />
experience together in the <strong>Top</strong> End.<br />
<strong>The</strong> evening was hosted by Captain Moses<br />
Raudino, with Brigadier Foxall also giving a<br />
short speech.<br />
It was a magical night with<br />
no storms or rain, which<br />
was handy for the ladies<br />
attending! <strong>The</strong> food and<br />
company were fantastic, the<br />
venue was superbly<br />
decorated, and the Army<br />
Band was excellent - a good<br />
time was had by all!<br />
As 83% of Cancer NT’s funding is raised through events<br />
like this, it is a great opportunity to support the work they<br />
do and learn more about how they support the ADF. In Committee Member<br />
the next edition of the <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>, we will be showcasing<br />
Cancer NT and their amazing work for the defence<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
community in the <strong>Top</strong> End.<br />
10 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 11
C R E A T I V E V E T E R A N S S E R I E S<br />
Shutter Shotz<br />
Shutter Shotz came to fruition<br />
because of Anthony’s desire to<br />
share his passion for<br />
photography.<br />
As a former member of the ADF,<br />
Anthony got to move around the<br />
country quite a bit and was lucky<br />
enough to witness some<br />
spectacular sights. So much so, he<br />
had to capture them on his Sony<br />
Alpha A3300 camera! He enjoys<br />
creating beautiful artwork whilst<br />
continually developing his skills and<br />
believes that it doesn’t feel like<br />
work when you find a passion or<br />
hobby that you love, especially if<br />
you can earn money from your<br />
passion!<br />
I asked Anthony what region/<br />
subject he found most interesting<br />
and why:<br />
“I would have to say that Western<br />
Australia has been the most<br />
interesting region so far.<strong>The</strong> sheer<br />
beauty of the beaches, seascapes<br />
and landscapes should be seen by<br />
everyone. I’m inspired by nature<br />
and the natural beauty of the many<br />
places on earth. I have a<br />
photography ‘bucket list’ that<br />
keeps growing, which I hope to<br />
tick off eventually.”<br />
Anthony’s favourite inspirational<br />
quote comes from Ansel Adams<br />
(American landscape photographer<br />
and environmentalist known for his<br />
black-and-white images of the<br />
American West): "Photography is<br />
more than a medium for factual<br />
communication of ideas. It is a<br />
creative art."<br />
Anthony feels that this hobby is<br />
one of his best stress relievers;<br />
shifting the focus away from the<br />
daily routine creates an inner peace<br />
which can only be found in nature.<br />
Anthony’s hero is his grandfather, a<br />
Vietnam veteran, who inspired him<br />
to continue the family’s defence<br />
legacy - one of his proudest<br />
moments was marching beside his<br />
grandfather on ANZAC Day.<br />
Written by Charlene Carter<br />
Community Coordinator<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Find Anthony’s artwork on basic canvas, floating frames, acrylic<br />
and metal, with a defence discount using code: VETERAN10<br />
Terms: Proof of eligibility is required<br />
https://shutter-shotz.square.site/<br />
https://www.facebook.com/anthonyhfoto/<br />
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL<br />
TO LIVE, TO LOVE, TO GROW IN CHRIST<br />
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School is an innovative, challenging, supportive and contemporary learning environment. We<br />
encourage all in our community to reach their full potential and acknowledge and celebrate their efforts and achievements.<br />
Gsell Street, Wanguri 0810 | 08 8927 3411 | admin.holyspirit@nt.catholic.edu.au<br />
EVERYMAN’S<br />
WELFARE SERVICE<br />
<strong>The</strong> EVERYVET’S team is raising<br />
money to purchase a custom-built<br />
trailer that will have multiple uses.<br />
Firstly, we will use the trailer to conduct<br />
a ‘Backyard Blitz’ style program for the<br />
community. We will do one-off property<br />
repair, maintenance, and minor<br />
construction projects for those less<br />
fortunate in the community, especially<br />
veterans or widows of veterans. <strong>The</strong><br />
trailer will have interior shelving to hold<br />
tools such as lawn mowers, whipper<br />
snippers, drills etc, for which we are also<br />
fundraising to purchase.<br />
Secondly, we will use the trailer for<br />
veteran camping trips. <strong>The</strong> trailer will be<br />
able to have the interior shelving<br />
removed to allow for it to be filled with<br />
swags and other camping gear to allow<br />
us to get away from the hustle and<br />
bustle of city life. It will have the<br />
capacity to put canoes or other<br />
adventure craft on top.<br />
In addition, the trailer will also be used<br />
by EWS Rep’s during major military<br />
exercises, such as at Shoalwater Bay,<br />
where it will be utilised to carry stores<br />
and goodies for the troops in the field.<br />
This will mean that less time will be<br />
spent doing runs to resupply in local<br />
shopping centres, which can take up a<br />
whole day.<br />
Other features of the trailer will be a<br />
pull-out BBQ for sausage sizzles during<br />
our activities, fridge, battery bank and<br />
solar panels. Side awnings on the side of<br />
the trailer will give us a place to rest out<br />
of the sun and will feature additional side<br />
walls to make an enclosed space for<br />
sleeping in.<br />
For more information on Everyman’s<br />
Veterans League and our activities visit:<br />
www.everyvets.org.au<br />
You can donate online to support this<br />
project - https://www.everymans.org.au/<br />
donate-now/<br />
CONTACT<br />
Everyman’s Welfare Service<br />
12 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 13<br />
02 6053 5288<br />
PO Box 8 BANDIANA MILPO VIC 3694<br />
admin@everymans.org.au
TOBRUK<br />
THROUGH THE EYES OF LANCE CORPORAL<br />
DENIS WILLIAM HORAN<br />
Denis Horan was a farmer's son, from the<br />
Mallee region in Victoria. He was raised<br />
during the great depression and had<br />
experienced his fair share of life’s<br />
difficulties and struggles.<br />
One standout achievement which was no small<br />
feat - when Denis was just 14 years old (in 1933)<br />
under the leadership of his inspirational teacher,<br />
Ellis Bankin, he rode a bicycle from the Mallee to<br />
Melbourne return on dirt roads!<br />
Keeping in mind this was during the great<br />
depression when food and money were scarce.<br />
However, that didn’t stop the crowds turning up<br />
to cheer them on, even giving them food along<br />
their journey. It was a true show of the<br />
Australian spirit, helping others, and was an<br />
inspirational story for that time. Bankin<br />
reportedly stated; “the trip gave the boys extra<br />
equipment for life”.<br />
Undoubtedly, this life experience contributed to the<br />
grit and determination shown by Lance Corporal<br />
Denis Horan (Service Number:VX47991) during the<br />
Siege of Tobruk with 2nd/24th Infantry Battalion.<br />
Denis enlisted on 23 July 1940 and began his journey<br />
after saying goodbye to his sisters. Denis wasn’t alone,<br />
he had enlisted with his 2 friends from the Mallee, Len<br />
Brown and Les Wright. <strong>The</strong>re are a few images of<br />
Denis and Les, and we can only imagine the trouble<br />
they would have caused together. Unfortunately, Les<br />
Wright was the only man to come home from this trio.<br />
Lance Corporal Horan survived Tobruk and was<br />
evacuated in October 1941. Unfortunately, on the<br />
voyage away from Tobruk, the ship HMAS Nizam was<br />
met with disaster, as 20 men were swept overboard.<br />
Denis was one of these 20 men, and one of very few<br />
to be rescued alive, with many not recovered and lost<br />
at sea. His injuries were too severe, and he<br />
succumbed to them later that day. Denis was laid to<br />
rest in Alexandria, Egypt.<br />
Lance Corporal Denis Horan's descendants would like to honour<br />
his memory with the following memorable and sometimes<br />
humorous highlights from his diary entries:<br />
Dec 6th 1940 - Ashore. Very dirty & a few<br />
peculiar smells. Les, Len & myself had good day.<br />
7th April - Planes machine gunned us & later<br />
were shelled. Soon learnt to flatten out. Just<br />
been issued with beer when shells came, didn’t<br />
spill any.<br />
9th April - Next day we relieved 23rd. Was under<br />
our first fire. Went forward to within 500 yards<br />
of enemy tonight.<br />
Wed 16th - Good few giving themselves up. No<br />
food for 3 days & no water for 2.<br />
Thurs 17th - Some shells landed close today,<br />
thought my birthday had come early.<br />
Friday 25th April - Anzac Day. Our artillery<br />
shifted & are sending Jerry some love. He<br />
returned it this morning.<br />
Mon 12/5/41 - Just after last entry (30th<br />
April) dive bombers came over. <strong>The</strong>n a barrage &<br />
then the troops. <strong>The</strong>y forced a way in a fair way<br />
& dug in. On patrol one night & was under<br />
machine gun fire for half hour. Len Brown killed<br />
& Les wounded.<br />
24/5/41 - Was up line for 2 more days. 23rd<br />
attacked Jerry. <strong>The</strong>y came right through a<br />
section of us, with tanks & carriers. We got all<br />
the back wash. Awful seeing cobbers getting<br />
knocked.<br />
5/6/41 - We all have greatest admiration for 23rd<br />
after their attack. I didn’t think any man could live in<br />
the barrage they went through.<br />
19/6/41 - Enemy quiet. I went out 5500 yards on<br />
patrol last night & found out a few things. Bren<br />
carrier just got shelled. Haw Haw calls us the Tobruk<br />
Rats. No mail for 3 weeks. Boat broke down.<br />
25/6/41 - Quiet. Plane dropped pamphlets telling us<br />
to surrender & so forth. Mail arrived. On another<br />
patrol tonight.<br />
1/7/41 - Shot a gazelle & am sending antlers home.<br />
Very good eating. First fresh meat for 3 months.<br />
17/7/41 - D Coy patrol went out 5 miles and got<br />
stuck into some Italians, with good results. Jerry has<br />
two search lights which he tries to pick up the<br />
patrols with. Just like I imagine Pentridge (old<br />
Melbourne Prison) to be, only the prisoners are playing<br />
up more & very soon will escape.<br />
4/8/41 - We are resting now. I have been recommended<br />
for a stripe.<br />
Monday 25/8/41 - And all’s well. I am now a Lance<br />
Corporal.<br />
Oct 15th - Recommended for second stripe. Won’t be<br />
long before we go out. Birthday quiet. Weather rotten.<br />
Dust storm.<br />
Image Credits: Provided by Norm Letcher<br />
<strong>The</strong> total losses in the 9th Division and attached troops<br />
from 1st March to 15th <strong>December</strong> amounted to 832<br />
killed, 2,177 wounded and 941 prisoners<br />
Reference: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/tobruk<br />
$100<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
CONTRIBUTOR<br />
VOUCHER<br />
Submitted by Norman Letcher<br />
and Amanda Letcher<br />
Descendants of Lance Corporal Denis<br />
William Horan<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
14 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 15<br />
Image: Sands of the Lybian Desert
Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) is observed on<br />
Sunday <strong>January</strong> 22nd <strong>2023</strong>, starting the Year of the Rabbit.<br />
Have you heard about the NT Chinese Museum?<br />
<strong>The</strong> NT Chinese Museum provides a comprehensive account of the<br />
Chinese people in the <strong>Top</strong> End of the Territory from 1874 to the<br />
present day through photographs, memorabilia, heritage objects and<br />
family history.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Museum presents a story of grit and determination and the<br />
contribution of the Chinese people to the development of the<br />
Northern Territory. A particular focus is the impact of World War II:<br />
the bombing of Darwin, the fate of China Town and the contribution<br />
by the Darwin Chinese people in their service to Australia.<br />
Stay up to date with Chinese New Year events and activities!<br />
Join in the family fun day for Darwin's community to participate and<br />
experience Chinese New Year cultural activities and entertainment. Come<br />
down and enjoy the special Chinese dishes on offer and learn finer points of<br />
Chinese cooking from local celebrity chefs!<br />
DarwinChineseNewYearFestival<br />
CHINESE<br />
NEW YEAR<br />
<strong>The</strong> NT Chinese Museum welcomes<br />
school groups and contact by researchers.<br />
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, contact:<br />
museum@chungwahnt.asn.au<br />
Admission fees<br />
• Adult $4.00<br />
• Concession $3.00<br />
• Children $2.00<br />
• Family (2+2) $10.00<br />
chungwahnt.asn.au | 25 Woods St, Darwin<br />
HOW NT VOICES<br />
CAN CHANGE CANBERRA POLICIES<br />
Jasmine Stanton is a former Navy officer and Army Reservist,<br />
and is now the Director of Australia’s Defence and Veterans<br />
Legal Service (a free, nationwide body). She lived in the NT<br />
as a very young child and has been assisting NT veterans to<br />
participate in the Royal Commission.<br />
<strong>The</strong> voices of NT veterans and their families must be heard in<br />
Canberra to help right past wrongs and create life-saving changes.<br />
In recent months the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran<br />
Suicide has held hearings in Darwin. <strong>The</strong>y provided a crucial<br />
opportunity for Territorians to shape Australia’s response to a<br />
national crisis.<br />
Thankfully, the Royal Commission is now creating some change at a<br />
national level. After receiving the inquiry’s interim report, the Federal<br />
government apologised for “policies, processes and cultures that<br />
have… been counterproductive, causing distress to our Defence and<br />
veteran communities”. Crucially, the government has also accepted a<br />
number of the Royal Commission’s initial recommendations.<br />
THE FIGHT GOES ON<br />
However, the struggle to uncover the truth and prevent further<br />
injustices is far from over – and Territorians have a crucial part to play<br />
in that process. Until 13 October <strong>2023</strong>, the Royal Commission will<br />
continue to accept submissions from everyday Australians with<br />
firsthand experience of the mental distress experienced by current<br />
and former ADF members. I am keen to help Territorians make<br />
submissions to the inquiry.<br />
SPEAKING UP IS HARD<br />
Speaking up is often extremely difficult - and engaging with a Royal<br />
Commission can be especially daunting. Worse still, too many<br />
veterans and serving Defence Force members are unaware of the<br />
services that are available to help them speak up about issues being<br />
examined by the Royal Commission. <strong>The</strong> Defence and Veterans<br />
Legal Service, for example, is a specialist nationwide body that<br />
provides free, independent and confidential legal support to them<br />
and their families.<br />
If you are considering making a submission to the Royal Commission,<br />
contact the Defence and Veterans Legal Service on 1800 33 1800 for<br />
free, confidential and independent legal help. You will not be alone;<br />
about 50 Territorians have already sort our assistance to ensure their<br />
voice is heard in Canberra.<br />
Written by Jasmine Stanton<br />
Director<br />
Defence & Veterans Legal Service<br />
TIME TO TRAVEL<br />
School Holidays are here and many of you will choose to use your time off to go<br />
on an adventure or explore the Outback on your way to your next posting.<br />
So whether you need a road trip soundtrack, travel recommendations, tide information or ways to<br />
keep entertained on the long drive, we’ve got you covered!<br />
WORTH THE VISIT<br />
SPOTTO<br />
Scan the QR Code to<br />
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We asked our committee what places Month High / Low Rainfall<br />
Have a look for these things when you’re out and<br />
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16 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated Tourism NT/Sean Scott<br />
DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 175
Christmas<br />
W I N<br />
W I T H O U R S P O N S O R S<br />
WIN WITH SPONSORS<br />
We get it. Our sponsors get it. Defence life is haaard going, especially in the Territory. That’s why we’ve partnered<br />
with some of our favourite local businesses to provide you with some extra special treats!<br />
So, go on, treat yourself! Enter today and you could win one of the following awesome prizes!<br />
LAST MINUTE LOCAL GIFT GUIDE FOR<br />
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BETTER WORLD ARTS CHRISTMAS BALL<br />
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1 x $100 Hair Voucher<br />
integrity hair<br />
Julie is the queen of making you feel relaxed and at<br />
ease while you get a fresh new look! Located<br />
temporarily at the Carpark next to Mass Meeting<br />
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1 x $50 Shopping Voucher<br />
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Located in Millner, Jape Homemaker Village<br />
hosts a wide range of brands.<br />
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Unique wooden boards - From $30<br />
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2 x Deluxe Pedicure<br />
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TERMS: Total Prize Pool valued at $560. Open to NT-Based Defence members, veterans and their immediate families aged 18 and up. Entrants are<br />
permitted to apply for multiple prizes. Closes 10 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. Enter online by visiting www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/win<br />
Winners for each prize will be drawn at random. Winners will be notified by email/phone and announced in the next edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>.<br />
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TERMS: Open to NT-Based Defence members, veterans and their immediate families aged 18<br />
and up. Closes 10 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. Enter online by visiting www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/win<br />
Winners for each prize will be drawn at random. Winners will be notified by email/phone and<br />
announced in the next edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>.<br />
‘Tis the season for celebration with<br />
special surprises from APOD.<br />
This <strong>December</strong>, APOD members can<br />
unlock a gift box filled with an amazing<br />
giveaway every day for 12 days and make<br />
Christmas even more unforgettable for you<br />
and your loved ones.<br />
APOD business partners Garmin,Ampol,<br />
Samsung, Quiksilver, Beaurepaires, Sunglass<br />
Hut, Ergoflex, Endota Spa, Hertz, RVCA,<br />
Daily Blooms and a mystery partner are<br />
participating in this giveaway to recognise<br />
the defence and veteran community this<br />
Christmas.<br />
To enter the giveaway, visit the APOD<br />
Christmas Giveaway page on www.apod.<br />
com.au.<br />
HOW TO ENTER:<br />
Every day for the first 12 days in <strong>December</strong>, one gift box<br />
will be enabled on the APOD Christmas Giveaway page.<br />
So, on the 2nd day there will be 2 gift boxes enabled, 10<br />
gift boxes enabled on the 10th day and so on for 12 days.<br />
To see the offer giveaway, click on the gift box that’s<br />
enabled.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n login using your APOD details.<br />
Complete each action on the page. This qualifies you to<br />
get into the draw to win your preferred offer giveaway.<br />
Come back next day to unlock the next giveaway and<br />
enter. You may enter each giveaway as many times you<br />
want. Unbox all 12 boxes for most chances to win!<br />
On 15th <strong>December</strong>, APOD will announce the 12<br />
giveaway winners.<br />
Detailed T&Cs are mentioned in the APOD Christmas<br />
Giveaway page.
PART THREE<br />
HELPING TO MAKE YOUR<br />
COMMUNITY SAFER AND SECURE!<br />
Last time we interviewed Neptune, there was<br />
something fascinating on the horizon...Are we<br />
ready to hear what Neptune have been<br />
working on? We are excited to share that<br />
Neptune Holding Group has recently launched<br />
the Northern Territory Public Order Response<br />
Unit (PORU)!<br />
What is PORU?<br />
<strong>The</strong> primary role of the Public Order Response Unit is to help<br />
alleviate and mitigate risks to public safety across the NT, which<br />
includes anti-social behaviour, community hazards and vulnerabilities.<br />
This model is strategically designed to complement existing public<br />
services, including Police, Ambulance, Transit and Public Housing<br />
Safety, and Larrakia Nation. We are focused on public safety and<br />
protection of public assets, personal equipment, infrastructure and<br />
information.<br />
Why introduce this new branch?<br />
This has been under development for 12 months after we<br />
recognised that there was a gap in security services, and we wanted<br />
to develop a model that helped alleviate some of these pressures.<br />
What has helped you to develop and implement PORU?<br />
Our team is agile, resilient and community focused, and we believe<br />
that the foundation of our success and growth is based on our<br />
ability to communicate and engage respectfully to achieve an<br />
effective outcome. Every team member within the unit is ex-military<br />
or has a law enforcement background, which has helped us to<br />
develop and implement robust systems and processes.<br />
We also organised a series of trials in various suburbs to test our<br />
model before the official launch. <strong>The</strong> trials have been highly<br />
successful, and the canines have also been a massive help. We’ve<br />
managed to build a positive reputation with many people in these<br />
communities who are ‘living rough’ and also the younger generation<br />
who witness and replicate anti-social behaviours. We take the time<br />
to identify the reason for their behaviour and alleviate some of the<br />
risks to the public by building relationships, as well as connecting<br />
vulnerable people with services that can help them.<br />
Essentially, we have empowered our highly talented and highly<br />
skilled group of individuals to utilise the life skills they have<br />
learned during their time in the military, making our team the<br />
highest-quality security unit in the NT.<br />
Neptune is 100% veteran owned and most of our workforce are ADF veterans! It’s important for us to continue the sense<br />
of ownership we felt when we served in the Defence Force, which is now focused on protecting our local community.<br />
How do you provide strategies to enable young people to move<br />
forward and change their behaviours, so they’re not caught up in<br />
the cycle?<br />
When we were building the Public Order Response Unit, we engaged with<br />
every service possible to make sure that all those stakeholders understood<br />
our vision for what we wanted to achieve – we are not trying to take any<br />
jobs. We regularly communicate with Larrakia Nation, NT Housing and<br />
other community service providers about strategies to alleviate the<br />
challenges we face in these areas. If we can reduce low-level behaviour<br />
before it escalates, the NT Police can focus their resources in the areas they<br />
are most needed, rather than dealing with antisocial behaviour. This is why<br />
our service is so valuable as part of a holistic approach to community safety<br />
and prosperity.<br />
What happens if you are unable to de-escalate a situation?<br />
We do everything we can to resolve and de-escalate a challenging situation,<br />
however we are required to contact NT police if a situation escalates. <strong>The</strong>re<br />
is a common misconception that security officers can’t do anything to detain<br />
a member of the public, however we are highly trained to respect our<br />
professional boundaries and have detained people during the trial phase<br />
when required.<br />
Where do most of your requests come from?<br />
At the moment, we are contacted by Shopping Centres and other security<br />
companies when they need us. <strong>The</strong> general public cannot contact us<br />
directly.<br />
Many groups, especially the ‘rough sleepers’, have asked us to do welfare<br />
checks, which we do regularly. In the 20 weeks we have been operating, we<br />
have created a lot of connections and gathered a significant level of intel that<br />
we communicate to organisations, which is beneficial for their service<br />
delivery as well. That is one of the biggest benefits about multi-organisation<br />
collaboration - our intel has helped other organisations to go out and<br />
support those in need.<br />
Have you witnessed a change in anti-social behaviour?<br />
Most people understand when their behaviour isn’t appropriate, and they<br />
know it’s better for them to listen to us than potentially be arrested. If we<br />
can diffuse, de-escalate and connect these people with services in a<br />
supportive way, we can continue to increase public safety and that also<br />
means that we’ve done our job. Of course, we sometimes approach people<br />
who like to push boundaries, but they’re getting used to seeing us around<br />
these areas and our positive reputation makes it easier to ask someone to<br />
stop their behaviour, which they generally do. .<br />
We have also been asked to provide security and surveillance support<br />
around Darwin International Airport to reduce the number of vehicles<br />
being stolen, and I’m happy to report that no thefts have occurred since<br />
the time we started.<br />
Most of our services are focused on building relationships and trust in the<br />
community, so the response has been positive. We estimate a 50%<br />
reduction in antisocial behaviour in our areas of operation, which indicates<br />
that we can achieve our overall mission to create a safer community.<br />
Where to with PORU from here?<br />
Using personnel from our current team and in conjunction with local<br />
personnel who understand the environment and cultures, we are now<br />
looking at implementing a team in Alice Springs. We aim to mitigate some of<br />
the risks by implementing local personnel who understand the area of<br />
operation. We will model the success of the Darwin units to develop<br />
systems and processes throughout Katherine and Alice Springs where it’s<br />
also needed, which will cement our future as a reliable and reputable<br />
response system across the NT.<br />
Interviewed by Char Carter<br />
Community Coordinator<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
UP, UP AND<br />
AWAY...<br />
Did you know that Darwin<br />
Airport became Darwin<br />
International Airport on the 14<br />
<strong>December</strong> 1991?<br />
<strong>The</strong> 14th of <strong>December</strong> marks 31 years<br />
since Darwin International Airport<br />
opened the Northern Territory and all<br />
that it offers, to the rest of the world!<br />
People visit the Northern Territory,<br />
whether for pleasure or business, and<br />
explore some of the amazing secrets<br />
on offer across our different regions.<br />
Written by Amanda Letcher<br />
Committee Member<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Images: shutterstock.com<br />
https://www.iangandersonphotography.com<br />
References:<br />
https://www.darwinairport.com.au/news/darwinairport-terminal-celebrates-25-years<br />
20 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 21
WELCOME TO<br />
BEAUTIFUL DARWIN!<br />
We know posting is never easy! <strong>The</strong> stress of the<br />
relocation, meeting new people, finding where the local<br />
shops and restaurants are. It’s a lot to take in.<br />
Fortunately, Marrara Christian College and NT Christian<br />
College can take a bit of this stress out of your move to<br />
the NT.<br />
Meet Alice Kempster, their Defence School Mentor. Alice’s<br />
husband has served for over 20 years, so she certainly knows the<br />
ups and downs that come with being an army wife and mum.<br />
With 4 kids of her own, she understands exactly what it’s like for<br />
kids to have to transfer between schools, having to find their feet<br />
and make new friends.<br />
For more information contact Marrara Christian College<br />
on (08) 8920 2000, admin.mcc@ntschools.net or visit<br />
mcc.nt.edu.au or ntcc.nt.edu.au<br />
“Marrara Christian College is a place where young people<br />
are loved, valued, disciplined, encouraged and nurtured<br />
throughout every stage of their education. This is achieved<br />
through the provision of a challenging, broad-based<br />
Christian curriculum which is delivered by dedicated<br />
teachers, working in close partnership with students and<br />
their families,” says Principal Joel van Bentum.<br />
Marrara Christian College and NT Christian College are part<br />
of the NT Christian Schools family which have schools in<br />
Darwin, Palmerston, Coolalinga, Alice Springs, Nhulunbuy and<br />
Gäwa and are part of the Christian Education National (CEN)<br />
network.<br />
Part of Alice’s work entails assisting and encouraging students as<br />
they transition into their new school, access support programs<br />
and adapt to changes that arise throughout the year due to<br />
parent deployment, training exercises and unaccompanied<br />
postings. She also assists families and helps them integrate into<br />
their new community and transition between schools and the<br />
different education systems.<br />
If you’re looking for a school, another stress relief is that Marrara<br />
Christian College and NT Christian College are conveniently<br />
located on one campus, the College accommodates for children<br />
from ELC all the way to Year 12. <strong>The</strong> Early Learning Centre,<br />
Kingdom Kids, is open to enrolment for children from 3 to 5<br />
years of age with convenient operational hours from 7am to<br />
6pm. In the NT, children begin their full-time schooling<br />
in Transition from 5 years old (must turn 5 before 30th June of<br />
enrolment year). For over 40 years, Marrara Christian College<br />
has provided high quality Christian Education for students from<br />
Transition to Year 9 with NT Christian College being their<br />
Senior Years Education Provider for Years 10-12.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Marrara Campus is centrally located to all Service Residence<br />
locations and close to RAAF Base Darwin and Robertson<br />
Barracks. <strong>The</strong> school bus service is easily accessible from the<br />
Larrakeyah Barracks and HMAS Coonawarra, with routes that<br />
cover Darwin and Palmerston. For those that need it, there is<br />
also Outside School Hours Care services available after school.<br />
Marrara is also the sporting hub of Darwin with the Marrara<br />
Sporting Complex minutes away. Here you will find everything<br />
from netball, rugby, soccer, athletics, gymnastics and so much<br />
more. Making your child’s after school sports activities easily<br />
accessible from the College.<br />
22 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 23
ADF TRANSITIONS<br />
Deciding to transition from service into civilian<br />
life is a significant move in your career.<br />
Your transition journey might include moving<br />
from the ADF into paid civilian employment,<br />
joining the reserves, retirement, undertaking<br />
further study, volunteering or stepping back<br />
from Continuous Full Time Service.<br />
Early engagement with the transition process is crucial<br />
to understand your options and set you up for success.<br />
You can access programs at any time throughout your<br />
career and up to 24 months after your transition is<br />
complete.<br />
Moving through your transition and managing change<br />
can be challenging. ADF members and their families<br />
are our most important capability for the defence of<br />
Australia and its national interests. If you are looking to<br />
maintain connectivity with the ADF, you could<br />
volunteer or transfer into a Reservist role.<br />
ADF members and their families can contact the Defence<br />
Member and Family Support Helpline on 1800 624 608 for<br />
information and advice to support their member through<br />
Transition and understand how this change will impact on their<br />
family.<br />
When you are ready to begin exploring what transition might<br />
look like, reach out to an ADF Transition Centre (ADFTC).<br />
Through an ADFTC, you are connected to a Transition Coach.<br />
Coaches work with you and your family to design and develop a<br />
Game Plan. This individual Transition Plan is tailored to your<br />
circumstances and post-transition goals.<br />
Defence encourages all members to engage with a Transition<br />
Coach during their career and attend an ADF Member and<br />
Family Transition Seminar.<br />
Image: ADF families learning about available supports at an ADF Member and Family Transition<br />
Seminar. Credit ADF Transitions.<br />
Image: Transition Coaches work with members and their families to develop a post-transition plan.<br />
Credit ADF Transitions.<br />
ADF MEMBER AND FAMILY TRANSITION<br />
SEMINARS<br />
Ready to start the ball rolling? It is recommended you attend<br />
a transition seminar within 12 months of your intended<br />
transition date to help you be as prepared as possible.<br />
You do not need to be actively transitioning to attend a<br />
seminar.<br />
All members and their families are encouraged to educate<br />
themselves and consider transition preparation by learning<br />
about the supports available. Family members are welcome<br />
to attend seminars and are encouraged to do so.<br />
Seminars ensure that you and your family are wellequipped<br />
to navigate your move to civilian life. <strong>The</strong>y<br />
provide practical information on programs and<br />
services from:<br />
• Transition coaches (coaching aligned with your<br />
needs, including career transition)<br />
• Joint Health Command (JHC)<br />
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)<br />
• Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation<br />
(CSC) (military superannuation)<br />
• ADF Financial Consumer Services Centre<br />
• Education institutions<br />
• External Service Organisations (ESOs).<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are also Navy, Army and Air Force information sessions focused on increasing your understanding of how to work<br />
flexibly across the ADF Service spectrum through the ADF Total Workforce System.<br />
ADF member and family transition seminars are accessible throughout the year in both face-to-face and virtual formats.<br />
For more information about transition seminars (including how to register), download the ADF Member and Family<br />
Transition Guide or visit Defence’s website at www.defence.gov.au/dmfstransition<br />
SNAPSHOT OF THE DEFENCE FORCE TRANSITION<br />
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE<br />
Defence provides an extensive range of programs to assist<br />
you to prepare for and navigate this journey depending on<br />
the needs of yourself and your family.Your Transition Coach<br />
can help you determine which program is right for you.<br />
DEFENCE MEMBER AND FAMILY SUPPORT<br />
Defence Member and Family Support provides services and<br />
support to ADF members and families to manage all stages of<br />
military life, including transition.<br />
To access our support services contact the all-hours Defence<br />
Member and Family Helpline on<br />
1800 624 608.<br />
JOB SEARCH PREPARATION WORKSHOP (JSP)<br />
A face-to-face or virtual workshop including how to build your<br />
resume skills and apply for jobs. <strong>The</strong> workshop provides<br />
ongoing access to a library of resources.<br />
CAREER TRANSITION TRAINING (CTT)<br />
Financial assistance for education and vocational training to<br />
support your post-transition goals.<br />
CAREER TRANSITION COACHING (CTC)<br />
Intensive individualised specialist coaching to help identify<br />
motivators, skills and career options and develop the tools to<br />
pursue these goals.<br />
PERSONALISED CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT<br />
PROGRAM (PCEP)<br />
Provides up to 3 months of career development and job<br />
placement support. PCEP includes six individual coaching<br />
sessions with an employment specialist.<br />
TRANSITION FOR EMPLOYMENT (T4E)<br />
T4E supports ADF members who require additional supports<br />
through their transition journey.<br />
ON THE JOB EXPERIENCE (OJE)<br />
Provides opportunities for members to undertake work<br />
experience in their chosen post-transition field.<br />
FUNDING FOR FINANCIAL ADVISORY SERVICES<br />
A financial contribution of up to $1000 for professional<br />
financial advice to assist ADF members and their families plan<br />
for financial security after transitioning.<br />
PARTNER EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM<br />
(PEAP)<br />
Provides funding to assist ADF partners with finding<br />
employment, or re-establishing professional licences, after<br />
relocating.<br />
APPROVED ABSENCE (AA)<br />
Permanent members can apply for Approved Absence leave<br />
for transition-related activities such as time to search for<br />
accommodation, job interviews, appointments and more.<br />
Veterans’ Legal Service<br />
we offer free legal information and advice for<br />
veterans and their families on most areas of law:<br />
Contracts<br />
Credit & Debt<br />
Social Security<br />
Human Rights<br />
Discrimination<br />
Unfair Dismissal<br />
Consumer Rights<br />
Adult Guardianship<br />
Employment Rights<br />
most non-criminal matters<br />
Drop-in service<br />
every Thursday from 10am<br />
Mates4Mates Palmerston<br />
A1/11 Palmerston Circuit<br />
free & confidential<br />
for veterans by veterans<br />
freecall 1800 812 953<br />
info@dcls.org.au | www.dcls.org.au<br />
24 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 25
Defence Member and Family<br />
Support<br />
PRINCES TRUST<br />
LAUNCH LAB<br />
ADF members and families are invited to join us for an afternoon of fun and information. A<br />
range of community groups and organisations will be there to provide information about the<br />
support services assistance and activities available in the area. <strong>The</strong>re will be displays by local<br />
groups, along with a variety of fun craft activities and games for the kids.<br />
Throughout November, Princes Trust Australia facilitated a number of free<br />
online workshops as part of their new Launch Lab initiative for veterans and<br />
partners! <strong>The</strong> aim of Launch Lab is to support ADF families to have the<br />
confidence, enterprise capabilities and networks they need to pursue selfemployment<br />
and prepare for the rapidly changing world of work. I attended<br />
both of the veterans sessions and found the group to be supportive, engaging<br />
and encouraging, regardless of the variety of enterprise pathways, skills and<br />
experience.<br />
Under the new Launch Lab initiative, Princes Trust Australia have designed<br />
four action-packed sessions to help you think critically about your business<br />
idea, strengths, capacity, and the world of work at large.<br />
›› Philosophies of Success<br />
›› Contemporary Work<br />
›› Motivation and Values<br />
›› Affect and Communication<br />
Please contact PTA or subscribe to their regular emails<br />
for program updates and launch dates.<br />
DID YOU KNOW?<br />
Princes Trust Australia also have a<br />
defence community business directory<br />
that is a great resource in addition to<br />
APOD for supporting defence community<br />
enterprises. Check out the PTA website<br />
for a comprehensive list:<br />
https://www.princes-trust.org.au/defencemembers/business-directory<br />
Written by Deb Herring<br />
Committee Member<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
Stay Connected<br />
1800 624 608<br />
memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au<br />
defence.gov.au/members-families<br />
Welcome to the <strong>Top</strong> End<br />
Defence Member and Family Support is hosting a community connection expo.<br />
WHERE<br />
WHEN<br />
MORE<br />
INFO<br />
Welcome to Katherine!<br />
WHERE<br />
WHEN<br />
MORE<br />
INFO<br />
Darwin Convention Centre<br />
Saturday 11 February <strong>2023</strong>, 9.00am – 1.00pm<br />
dmfs.darwin@defence.gov.au<br />
Join the DMFS Darwin mailing list<br />
by scanning the QR code<br />
Defence Member and Family Support is hosting a community connection expo.<br />
RAAF Base Tindal Gymnasium (basketball court)<br />
Thursday 19 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>, 12.00pm – 4.00pm<br />
dmfs.tindal@defence.gov.au<br />
Join the DMFS Tindal mailing list<br />
by scanning the QR code<br />
DMFS_AusDefence<br />
DMFS_AusDefence<br />
DefenceMemberFamilySupport<br />
dmfs-darwin.eventbrite.com.au<br />
dmfs-tindal.eventbrite.com.au<br />
Di Elson<br />
Area Manager NT<br />
Defence Member and Family Support<br />
ARE YOU NEW TO<br />
THE TOP END AND<br />
LOOKING FOR<br />
EMPLOYMENT?<br />
HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT PARTNER<br />
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?<br />
<strong>The</strong> Partner Employment Assistance Program (PEAP) provides<br />
funding to improve the employability of the partners of ADF<br />
members when they are relocated.<br />
Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) is responsible<br />
for the policy, management and day-to-day administration of<br />
the PEAP through its Community Support Program (CSP)<br />
team. Funding is available to eligible ADF partners when<br />
families relocate to a new location on posting, or when ADF<br />
members transition for medical reasons, which includes<br />
professional employment services up to $1500 per posting.<br />
For more program information and fact-sheets, head to:<br />
https://www.defence.gov.au/adf-members-families/relocation/<br />
partner-employment-assistance-program<br />
Defence Member and Family Support are here to help. Reach out to the Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608 at any<br />
26time <strong>The</strong>for <strong>Top</strong> advice, <strong>Ender</strong> support | Tri-Services or<strong>Magazine</strong> connection Incorporated with your local community. Our website has information on ADF member and family content<br />
DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 27<br />
so be sure to bookmark our URL and follow us on social media to keep up-to-date on planned events.
END OF YEAR REFLECTION FROM<br />
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER<br />
From COVID and an election, to the death of Her<br />
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the ongoing Royal<br />
Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, <strong>2022</strong><br />
has been a big year for everyone across the country.<br />
Here in the <strong>Top</strong> End, these events have also affected us<br />
but throughout it all, our commitment to veterans and<br />
families has never wavered.<br />
In September, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh provided<br />
the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Defence<br />
and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report and tabled the Government’s<br />
formal response in Parliament. <strong>The</strong> Interim Report made 13<br />
recommendations falling across a number of themes; simplifying<br />
legislation, improving claims processing, reducing the claims backlog<br />
and a group of recommendations relating to the sharing of<br />
information and general administration. <strong>The</strong> Government has<br />
already implemented one of the recommendations (recommendation<br />
5), agreed to nine, agreed in principle to one, and noted two others.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Government’s response can be found on the DVA website and I<br />
urge you to read it. In relation to the claims backlog, DVA has also<br />
increased transparency for veterans and families by publishing<br />
claims processing information online.<br />
In August, Minister Keogh, the DVA Secretary Ms Liz Cosson AM<br />
CSC, and DVA staff paid tribute to Corporal Reg Hillier, 1RAR, on<br />
Vietnam Veterans Day. Reg was the only Territorian killed in the<br />
Vietnam War. We also commemorated all those who never came<br />
home at a moving service conducted by Veterans Australia NT at<br />
Reg Hillier House in Bees Creek.<br />
During his visit to Darwin, Minister Keogh visited the new site for the<br />
Darwin Veterans’ and Families’ Hub in Stuart Park. This site is in<br />
addition to the Palmerston site and will be a wonderful asset with<br />
Mates4Mates providing services to support veterans and families at<br />
both sites. Services include a range of social connection activities,<br />
advocacy, mental health, employment, education and skills, and<br />
referrals. To keep updated on the Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs and<br />
their services, follow the Mates4Mates Northern Territory Facebook<br />
group.<br />
This year we also celebrated other great achievements and<br />
anniversaries, such as 75 years of Australia’s involvement in<br />
peacekeeping operations. We acknowledged the tens of thousands<br />
of military, police and civilian personnel who have been part of<br />
peacekeeping operations across the world since 1947. Our<br />
commitment to peacekeeping reflects our country’s spirit of always<br />
being ready to lend a helping hand. We acknowledge the families and<br />
loved ones of our peacekeepers too - thank you for your service.<br />
Another highlight this year was the return of ADF Exercise Pitch<br />
Black and Kakadu to the Northern Territory. Exercise Pitch Black saw<br />
the Northern Territory host approximately 2,500 personnel and up<br />
to 100 aircraft from around the world. Participants came from<br />
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia,<br />
Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea,<br />
Singapore, Thailand, UAE, US and UK. Significantly, Germany, Japan,<br />
and the Republic of Korea participated fully for the first time.<br />
Exercise Kakadu saw more than 15 vessels, 30 aircraft and around<br />
3,000 personnel from more than 20 countries participate. As a proud<br />
Territorian, it was wonderful to showcase this amazing part of<br />
Australia we call home, while supporting the ADF to conduct these<br />
important exercises.<br />
While Christmas and New Year is a time of celebration and<br />
spending time with loved ones for most, it can also be a time of<br />
grief and loneliness for others. In the spirit of the season, we hope<br />
you can extend your festive tables and spare an extra minute to say<br />
hello to your neighbours, friends and loved ones or find a way to<br />
spread some extra cheer.<br />
If you find yourself in need of extra support during this time Open<br />
Arms — Veterans & Families Counselling provides support for<br />
current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families. Free and<br />
confidential help is available 24/7 on 1800 011 046 or visit www.<br />
openarms.gov.au.<br />
For those posting out of the Territory in <strong>2022</strong>, be sure to make<br />
contact with your local veteran or defence family community group<br />
in your new posting location. DVA is accessible in most major towns<br />
with our Veteran Support Officers providing services on more than<br />
50 bases around Australia. If you would like to book an appointment<br />
on base, you can email VSO@dva.gov.au<br />
From everyone in the Darwin DVA team, we wish you a safe and<br />
merry festive season. DVA will offer limited services over the<br />
Christmas/New Year period, with the Darwin offices reopening on 3<br />
<strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. You can contact 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) or<br />
visit the website www.dva.gov.au for further information on available<br />
services.<br />
Written by Louise Ruhl<br />
A/G Deputy Commissioner, NT<br />
Department of Veterans’ Affairs<br />
7 TYPES OF REST<br />
When we hear the word ’rest’ it is common to associate it with<br />
sleep or doing nothing. But have you ever wondered why, even<br />
after a good night’s sleep, you still feel tired? <strong>The</strong>re is a chance you<br />
have a deficit of rest in another area of your life.While sleep is<br />
primarily a physical type of rest, Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith, who<br />
explores this concept through her Ted Talk:<strong>The</strong> 7 types of rest<br />
that every person needs, identified rest as belonging to seven<br />
separate categories or themes that we need to fulfil in order to<br />
feel vibrant, happy and energetic on a regular basis.<br />
It’s also an easy misconception to think that going on a holiday will solve the<br />
problem of tiredness, but oftentimes we set ourselves a full itinerary to<br />
make the most of our time away. Unless a vacation includes restorative<br />
activities, we can return from it feeling more tired than when we left. So,<br />
let’s take a look at the seven types of rest:<br />
1. Physical: <strong>The</strong>re are two subcategories that help us achieve this type of<br />
rest. Passive physical rest, which includes sleeping and napping to allow<br />
our body to recover through a lack of activity, and active physical rest,<br />
which helps us relax our muscles and improve circulation by doing<br />
things like gentle stretching, walking and yoga. For those who do lots of<br />
physical exercise, these additional activities are crucial for muscle<br />
recovery and gain.<br />
2. Mental: We are constantly processing information and making<br />
decisions for the means of survival, without the added requirements of<br />
work, family, social life and other commitments. If you find yourself<br />
unable to switch off when you get to bed, you are likely in need of<br />
mental rest. Listening to a sleep talk-down, writing a to-do list for the<br />
next day, and journaling whatever thoughts are floating through your<br />
mind can help with quietening the mind in preparation for a restful<br />
sleep. We may also need a break from decision fatigue, and it can be<br />
beneficial to delegate tasks to others when you need support.<br />
3. Spiritual: If you are a follower of a faith-based or spiritual practice, you<br />
may include meditation or prayer time into your day, but if you aren’t,<br />
spiritual rest can include having relationships with people or places that<br />
are uplifting and enhance your sense of belonging and connection.<br />
Partaking in a project that gives you a sense of purpose and links you<br />
with likeminded people and community is another great way to refill<br />
this bucket.<br />
4. Emotional: Emotional rest is to allow yourself space to take a break<br />
from giving all of our energy and reserves to others. We might not<br />
want to acknowledge how we are truthfully feeling or ask for support<br />
with the things that weigh heavily on us. But doing so creates space for<br />
deeper relationships, new insights and a moment to breathe. We don’t<br />
need this depth and vulnerability in all of our relationships, just having<br />
one or two trusted people really helps. This could be a chaplain, peer<br />
worker, counsellor or trusted friend.<br />
5. Social: Your amount of social rest may vary depending on whether you<br />
are an extravert or introvert, but the important thing is knowing what<br />
fuels you and what drains you. If you know you prefer time to<br />
yourself and your day is full of time with people, be sure to schedule<br />
some time-out. Likewise, if you are a social person, try and spend<br />
more time with the people who you enjoy being around.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Veteran Health Check is a simple, yet<br />
comprehensive assessment that has been<br />
specifically designed to help identify any<br />
physical or mental health concerns veterans<br />
may have post separation from the ADF.<br />
<strong>The</strong> early years after transitioning out of the<br />
ADF are when veterans are most at risk, and<br />
this will help you act on any issues or<br />
concerns early and stay well as you move<br />
into civilian life.<br />
DVA’s Non Liability Health Care (NLHC)<br />
provides access to free mental health<br />
treatment for anyone with one day full-time<br />
ADF service and certain reservists for all<br />
mental health conditions, whether related to<br />
service or not. Prior to making an<br />
appointment, please check with your treating<br />
professional if they accept the DVA White<br />
Card as payment.<br />
6. Creative: Creativity isn’t reserved for people who are<br />
good at art – this is necessary for everyone, especially<br />
decision makers or those who require innovative<br />
thinking and logical reasoning on a daily basis.<br />
Immerse yourself into environments that bring a<br />
feeling of wonder and awe; museums, art exhibitions,<br />
beautiful architecture or the great outdoors are places<br />
that inspire creativity. When was the last time you sat<br />
outside and watched a sunset, played a musical<br />
instrument or strolled through a garden?<br />
7. Sensory: We now live in a world where we are<br />
surrounded by screens, bright lights and noisy<br />
soundscapes. Taking time to unplug and properly<br />
switch off each day, sometimes multiple times a day,<br />
can improve productivity by calming the nervous<br />
system. Give yourself an hour before bed each night<br />
to dim the lights and ditch the devices, which helps to<br />
wind down and prime our bodies for sleep.<br />
If you have been experiencing symptoms such as ongoing<br />
tiredness, sleep issues or changes in mood and mindset we<br />
encourage you to have a chat with a health professional to<br />
discuss factors that may be impacting your lifestyle. For an<br />
easy self-assessment, check out the Healthy Sleeping tool<br />
available through Open Arms – Veterans & Families<br />
Counselling High Res app. Find out more at https://www.<br />
openarms.gov.au/living-well/sleep-well.<br />
Yours in Health,<br />
Written by Siân Howell<br />
Community Support Advisor, NT<br />
Department of Veterans’ Affairs<br />
28 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 29
A warm hello to fellow Territorian families.<br />
My name is Georgia Usher and I am the new<br />
National Delegate for Defence Families of<br />
Australia for the Northern Territory and<br />
Kimberley regions.<br />
My partner and I are both ex-serving RAAF members, after I<br />
transitioned to civilian life a few years ago. During my time in<br />
the service, I was posted to RAAF Darwin, East Sale,<br />
Amberley and Canberra. We now call Darwin home and<br />
continue to feel connected to our wonderful Defence<br />
community. I am also a mum of two and am thrilled to have<br />
the opportunity to represent DFA as the National<br />
Delegate for this region.<br />
My background is security advisory and audit, where I have<br />
worked with a number of State and Federal Government<br />
agencies. An integral part of my experience has been focused<br />
on providing advice and education to audit agency staff<br />
regarding negotiation and achieving outcomes for clients and<br />
legislative compliance.<br />
View our<br />
Advocacy Map<br />
by scanning<br />
the QR code<br />
My DFA role will allow me to connect with ADF members,<br />
spouses and families who are experiencing the same<br />
lifestyle challenges that I have experienced as a serving<br />
member and partner. I can’t wait to get out and about over<br />
the next few months and meet the families who are<br />
representing our ADF. I look forward to making a difference<br />
and helping families who need DFA’s assistance.<br />
DFA is the Ministerially-appointed national advisory body for<br />
families of current serving ADF members. As advisors to<br />
Government and Defence, we advocate for ongoing<br />
improvement in the policies and practices which impact<br />
Defence families.<br />
At the heart of this work are the interests of families like<br />
yours. Our work in advocating for positive policy change is<br />
informed by your needs and experiences. If you would like<br />
to discuss the advocacy work that DFA is undertaking or<br />
have a matter that you believe should be brought to our<br />
attention, please do not hesitate to contact me.<br />
In the meantime, please follow us on social media for<br />
updates on our advocacy work, or go to our website at dfa.<br />
org.au to find out more about what we’re currently working<br />
on.<br />
Written by Georgia Usher<br />
National Delegate<br />
DFA NT & Kimberley<br />
With the festive season upon us, most ADF<br />
members like to enjoy a well-deserved break<br />
over stand-down, so it’s likely that many<br />
personnel will increase their alcohol consumption<br />
to relax after a busy year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ON TRACK with <strong>The</strong> Right Mix app has been<br />
designed for serving and ex-serving ADF personnel and<br />
veterans.<br />
MANAGE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION<br />
<strong>The</strong> app will help you manage your alcohol consumption<br />
by tracking your drinks and providing information on the<br />
impact it may have to your budget, fitness and wellbeing,<br />
with the following features;<br />
• Track your drinking and spending in real time or<br />
add drinks to previous sessions.<br />
• Set a budget for a night out and get a reminder<br />
when you've reached your budget.<br />
• Learn how much exercise you need to do to burn<br />
off the alcohol you've consumed.<br />
• Get a personalised wellbeing score based on the amount you drink.<br />
• Track your drinking, wellbeing and spending through weekly and monthly<br />
graphs.<br />
• Find out where to get professional help if alcohol is impacting on your daily<br />
life.<br />
• Email your ON TRACK drinking history to yourself or a health clinician.<br />
AUSTRALIAN GUIDELINES<br />
<strong>The</strong> Australian Guidelines covering alcohol use are set by the National Health and<br />
Medical Research Council (NHMRC).<br />
<strong>The</strong> 2020 Guidelines recommend we do not drink any more than four standard<br />
drinks on any one day, and no more than 10 drinks per week. Alcohol affects<br />
everyone. How it affects you depends on how much you drink, your health, your<br />
age and other factors.<br />
Listen to your friends and family - have they commented on how much you’re<br />
drinking? If so, your drinking might have become a problem, even if you don’t feel<br />
like it has.<br />
IS YOUR<br />
ALCOHOL<br />
CONSUMPTION<br />
ON THE RIGHT TRACK?<br />
FIND SUPPORT<br />
For free and confidential counselling, book<br />
an appointment with your GP or call Open<br />
Arms on 1800 011 046. Support is available<br />
24/7 for veterans and their family. For<br />
immediate danger, call 000.<br />
Contact Defence Families of Australia<br />
Get in touch with us:<br />
DefenceFamiliesofAustralia<br />
@defence_families_<br />
of_australia<br />
@DefenceFamilies 0418807548<br />
Defence Families<br />
of Australia<br />
nt@dfa.org.au<br />
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RISKY DRINKING<br />
Heavy drinking is associated with heart disease, cancer, liver disease and dementia,<br />
and a range of mental health conditions because people often drink in an attempt<br />
to manage the symptoms of post traumatic stress (PTSD), depression or anxiety.<br />
Having more social connections, getting better at problem solving and learning to<br />
manage unpleasant feelings are really important ways of changing your drinking<br />
behaviour. You might like to consider other enjoyable and rewarding activities you<br />
can do instead of drinking.<br />
Extracted from Open Arms<br />
https://www.openarms.gov.au/resources/<br />
apps-and-online-resources/right-mix-app<br />
References:<br />
https://www.openarms.gov.au/living-well/drink-responsibly<br />
https://www.openarms.gov.au/signs-symptoms/alcohol-andsubstance-use/alcohol-use<br />
30 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 31
NETWORK TINDAL<br />
TINDAL TREATS & PILBARA PRIZES<br />
WIN FOR CHRISTMAS<br />
AWARD WINNERS<br />
FOR <strong>2022</strong> ARE:<br />
Tindal Kites Whistling<br />
Best and Fairest - Rachael Smart<br />
Runners up - Kayla Wruck<br />
PLAYERS PLAYER - Lizz Ferrie<br />
Tindal Black Mixed<br />
Best and Fairest - Regan Parks<br />
Runners up - James Murphy<br />
PLAYERS PLAYER - James<br />
Murphy<br />
Tindal Kites Soaring<br />
Best and Fairest - Angela Giles<br />
Runners Up - Sarah Griffin<br />
PLAYERS PLAYER - Angela Giles<br />
Tindal Kites High School<br />
Best and Fairest - Riley Prime<br />
Runners up - Addison Covill<br />
PLAYERS PLAYER - Caitlyn<br />
Hordern<br />
At the start of <strong>2022</strong>, the Tindal Kites Netball Club<br />
was founded; we built the club from the ground up,<br />
which included designing uniforms, getting club<br />
sponsorships and building our teams...<br />
We started the year off with three Indoor Netball teams,<br />
consisting of two ladies teams and one mixed, playing fast 5<br />
games they may only be six-minute quarters, but in wet<br />
season that's more than enough! <strong>The</strong> indoor season goes for<br />
8 weeks, then the real competition starts.<br />
Throughout term 2 and 3, the Tindal Kites played in the<br />
Katherine Netball Association Competition, where we had<br />
two ladies teams in B Grade, a mixed team, Middle Primary<br />
team (for year 3 and 4 students) and a High School team.<br />
It was quite the competition this year with the High School<br />
team finishing 4th, Tindal Kites Whistling finished 7th, the<br />
Tindal Black Mixed team finished 4th and Tindal Kites<br />
Soaring finished 3rd!<br />
When it came to finals, unfortunately only one Tindal team<br />
made the Grand final, and Tindal Kites Soaring took out the<br />
<strong>2022</strong> Premiership beating Katherine's Pink Buffalo's 20 to 14!<br />
Tindal’s own Angela Giles took out Best on Ground for the<br />
final, as well as Runner Up for Katherine Netball Assocation<br />
Best and Fairest... She also cleaned up with the Tindal<br />
awards, taking out both Best and Fairest and Players Player<br />
for Tindal Kites Soaring <strong>2022</strong> – Congratulations Angela!<br />
<strong>The</strong> next indoor season has just started and to say it's a<br />
sweaty job playing netball in the wet season is an<br />
understatement, but it sure beats playing in a dress on a<br />
Saturday morning in the dead of a southern winter!<br />
Written by Natasha Reece<br />
Chairperson<br />
Network Tindal<br />
Network Tindal Incorporated<br />
(NTI), is a volunteer<br />
organisation that coordinates<br />
support and multiple<br />
community groups operating<br />
within the RAAF Base Tindal<br />
community.<strong>The</strong> vision of NTI is<br />
to create community<br />
connections that support the<br />
physical, social, and emotional<br />
wellbeing of our community<br />
whilst being posted to a remote<br />
and isolated location with<br />
limited access to other services.<br />
We have recently applied for a number of grants for Tindal youth and events, however we were not successful in securing<br />
any additional funding for Defence community events, so our committee have decided to have some fun with competition<br />
prizes and options for the Tindal and Pilbara defence communities! Prizes will be posted to our lucky winners!<br />
SELF-CARE WELLNESS PACK<br />
Treat yourself to a stay-cation at home and create<br />
your own day spa of relaxation.<br />
Valued at $50 per pack.<br />
SPA TREATMENT VOUCHER<br />
Enjoy some pampering at <strong>The</strong> Rejuvenation Hub<br />
(Tindal) and Revive Beauty & Wellness Spa (Pilbara)<br />
Valued at $150 per voucher.<br />
WOOLWORTHS GIFT CARD<br />
Spend and save this festive season with a Woolies<br />
gift card for those extra treats!<br />
Valued at $100 per voucher.<br />
CAMPING VOUCHER<br />
Get ready for your next adventure at Katherine<br />
Camping (Tindal) and Karratha Sports (Pilbara)<br />
Valued at $100 per voucher.<br />
YOUTH DRIVING LESSON<br />
Sponsored under our Towards Zero Grant from the<br />
NT Government. Redeem at Drv4Lyf Katherine<br />
(Tindal) and Drive Safe Karratha (Pilbara)<br />
Valued at $75 per lesson.<br />
MOVIE TICKETS<br />
Watch the latest blockbuster at Katherine Star Cinema<br />
(Tindal) and Karratha Red Earth Arts Precinct (Pilbara)<br />
Valued at $50 per voucher.<br />
SCHOOL HOLIDAY<br />
ACTIVITY PACK<br />
Includes markers, activity books, a puzzle, art crafts, tie<br />
dye, play doh, cookie cutters, kids easy recipe book,<br />
baking set, rock painting kit, seedling set, bubble wand,<br />
holiday bingo game, small Lego set, bracelet making<br />
set, mystery egg and Sunnylife Inflatable Outdoor<br />
Octopus Sprinkler.<br />
Valued at $150 per pack.<br />
ENTER NOW AT<br />
THETOPENDERMAGAZINE.ORG.AU/WIN<br />
THE PILBARA<br />
REGIMENT FAMILY GROUP<br />
Getting out and exploring the natural wonders in our region is one thing<br />
families in the Pilbara Regiment love to do.<br />
Recently we got together to enjoy the natural phenomenon of Stairway to the Moon<br />
at Hearson’s Cove. This event only takes place a few months of the year, when the full<br />
moon rises over a low tide and creates an effect that looks like you could literally walk<br />
on stairs to the moon. <strong>The</strong> September occurrence was not long after Father’s Day, so<br />
we celebrated with a BBQ on the beach and the kids could decorate stubby holders as<br />
presents for dad. Thanks to DMFS for supplying the craft items for that activity.<br />
All our depots are ramping up for Christmas with various social events planned. We<br />
also continue to provide morning tea at Karratha’s Mintu Wanta Mess every second<br />
Friday and would love to see lots of members there.<br />
Written by Kylie Thompson<br />
PRFG now has a website. For more information<br />
on who we are and what we get up to, please<br />
visit: https://sites.google.com/view/pilbararegiment-family-group/home<br />
TERMS: Total Tindal Prize Pool valued at $675. Total Pilbara Prize Pool valued at $675. Open to Tindal and Pilbara based Defence members, veterans and<br />
their immediate families aged 18 and up. Entrants are permitted to apply for multiple prizes. Closes 10 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. Enter online by visiting www.<br />
thetopendermagazine.org.au/win<br />
Winners for each prize will be drawn at random. Winners will be notified by email/phone and announced in the next edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>.<br />
Rejuvenate Your Wellbeing now in two great locations:<br />
4 Jones Place, Tindal | 6/10 Palmer Street, Katherine<br />
0 4 3 8 5 7 6 9 4 0<br />
SUBMIT YOUR STORY<br />
We're looking for stories about Defence<br />
life, history, tips about living in the NT,<br />
family experiences, travel adventures and<br />
more! Submit your story, image, recipe,<br />
artwork, review or recommendation today!<br />
One lucky Community Contributor will receive a $100 gift<br />
card in every edition! We welcome all contributions from<br />
Defence members, their families and local organisations.<br />
SUBMIT: www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/submissions<br />
32<br />
Community Support Coordinator<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
PRFG<br />
<strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 33<br />
$100<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
CONTRIBUTOR<br />
VOUCHER
WEEKLY SCHEDULE<br />
Monday 9am - 11am Coffee Catch Up<br />
Tuesday 9am - 10am Hippy Program<br />
Wednesday 9am - 10am Zumbini<br />
Friday 9am - 11am Playgroup<br />
CONTACT<br />
Sam Maloney,<br />
Centre Coordinator<br />
www.rbfg.com.au<br />
BILLEROY HOUSE<br />
VETERAN SUPPORT<br />
During September, Billeroy House received a call from our RSL<br />
Secretary about a veteran who was in Darwin Private Hospital.<br />
He had a difficult couple of months due to ill health and was due<br />
to be transferred into Palliative care. <strong>The</strong> person who was<br />
nominated as his Next of Kin was overseas at the time, so it was<br />
requested that Dan supported the veteran as he did not have any<br />
family in Darwin. Dan accepted the nomination as Next of Kin<br />
and Executor.<br />
Dan & Kristy (one of our amazing volunteers who visited twice<br />
daily with drinks and treats) had visited the veteran in care on<br />
most days. Darwin RSL would like to sincerely thank Kristy for supporting the veteran<br />
during this time, and thanks to Adam Mendam for assisting Dan with cleaning and<br />
removing the veteran's personal possessions from his unit.<br />
It was the veterans wish to have a simple funeral and Darwin RSL agreed to support the<br />
cost if the veteran’s personal funds were not sufficient to cover expenses.<br />
This veteran did not understand what his service meant to his country. He did not<br />
understand what was available to him through veteran support services, such as DVA.<br />
Dan supported him to become recognised with DVA, however, he passed away 2 days<br />
after funding out that his service had been recognised - a special thanks to Dan Tellam<br />
for his unwavering support and advocacy for defence veterans and families.<br />
Earlier this year, another veteran passed away without being recognised as a DVA veteran;<br />
his family received no support from DVA.<br />
We cannot stress enough, the importance of registering with DVA. DVA is there to<br />
support veterans. If a veteran is not recognised with DVA, their family receives no support<br />
in the event of illness or death. If there is one thing to learn from these recent<br />
unfortunate events; please REGISTER with DVA and make sure you have a current will.<br />
DISABLED CHAIR LIFT<br />
<strong>The</strong> Billeroy House disabled stair lift chair in now back in<br />
service after spending $700 on a new battery. We had to<br />
redesign a battery facility as the new batteries are bigger<br />
and more reliable. <strong>The</strong> Navy provided the help we needed<br />
to restore the chair lift at no charge. <strong>The</strong> service included<br />
a new bracket to allow an electric bicycle battery to be<br />
fitted to the chair so we will never have a problem with<br />
sourcing batteries in the future.<br />
SAINT<br />
BARBARA’S<br />
DAY<br />
04 DECEMBER<br />
St. Barbara, (died c. 200 CE; feast day<br />
<strong>December</strong> 4), was a legendary virgin<br />
martyr of the early church. Respected as<br />
one of the 14 Auxiliary Saints (Holy<br />
Helpers), she is invoked in<br />
thunderstorms and is the patron saint of<br />
artillerymen and miners.We<br />
acknowledge the 4th of <strong>December</strong> as<br />
Saint Barbara’s Day.<br />
According to legend, dating to the 7th<br />
century, she was the daughter of a pagan<br />
who kept her guarded in a tower to<br />
protect her from harm. When she<br />
professed Christianity and refused marriage,<br />
the father became enraged and took her to<br />
the provincial prefect, who ordered her to<br />
be tortured and beheaded. <strong>The</strong> father<br />
himself performed the execution and, upon<br />
his return home, was struck by lightning and<br />
reduced to ashes.<br />
Written by Amanda Letcher<br />
Committee Member<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
References:<br />
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Barbara<br />
Photo: Narelle Woodhall<br />
LARRAKEYAH<br />
NEIGHBOURHOOD<br />
HOUSE<br />
WEEKLY SCHEDULE<br />
Monday 9am - Bumps and Bubs<br />
Tuesday 9am - Playgroup<br />
Thursday 8:45am - Movement<br />
Friday 9am - Coffee Out and About<br />
CONTACT<br />
Keylie Wilton<br />
Centre Coordinator<br />
www.larrakeyahhouse.com.au<br />
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK<br />
“Larrakeyah Neighbourhood House<br />
Community Group” and “Reading<br />
Between the Wines”<br />
Larrakeyah Neighbourhood<br />
House were honoured to<br />
support Veterans’ Health Week<br />
recently and we organised a<br />
Laksa cooking class with<br />
Darwin Adult Short Courses. It<br />
was a very interactive class, led<br />
by their amazing Chef Jenny.<br />
Thank you to everyone who<br />
attended, I hope you’re<br />
continuing your healthy cooking<br />
journey.<br />
As the end of the year approaches,<br />
it’s always bittersweet saying<br />
goodbye to ADF members and<br />
good friends as they move onto<br />
new posting locations. But, there’s<br />
always a build-up of excitement<br />
moving to a new location, exploring<br />
what it offers and meeting new<br />
people. We can’t wait to welcome<br />
everyone into our community in<br />
<strong>2023</strong> and wish everyone a safe and<br />
Happy Holidays.<br />
UPCOMING EVENTS<br />
Billeroy House Morning Tea every<br />
Wednesday at 1000hrs<br />
Billeroy House Christmas Fun Run<br />
Friday 02 <strong>December</strong> <strong>2022</strong><br />
Billeroy House 4th Birthday<br />
celebrations, Fun Run and BBQ<br />
Breakfast<br />
Friday 03 March <strong>2023</strong><br />
FUNDRAISING GIFTS<br />
Our fundraising stubby coolers are the perfect Christmas<br />
gift for $10 each!<br />
Written by Dan ‘Tank’ Tellam<br />
Wellbeing Advocate Officer Level 2, Coordinator<br />
RSL Billeroy House Veterans & Families Community Centre<br />
08 8942 0381 | billeroyhouse@rsldarwin.org.au<br />
OPENING HOURS<br />
Mon - By appointment<br />
Tue - By appointment<br />
Wed - 1000hrs to 1400hrs<br />
Thu - 1000hrs to 1400hrs<br />
Fri - 1000hrs to 1400hrs<br />
150 YEARS OF<br />
AUSTRALIAN<br />
ARTILLERY<br />
On 5 Nov <strong>2022</strong>, members of 9th<br />
Regiment, Royal Regiment of Australian<br />
Artillery congregated at Randwick<br />
Barracks as one of six guards to celebrate<br />
Australian Artillery's 150 years of service<br />
to Australia.This parade was scheduled for<br />
2021, however due to travel restrictions<br />
resulting from the COVID pandemic, the<br />
parade was postponed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> parade also celebrated the<br />
presentation and consecration of the new<br />
Banner of Her Late Majesty, Queen<br />
Elizabeth II.<br />
Written by 9th Reg RAA<br />
Community Contributor<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>
COMMITTEE<br />
NOTICEBOARD<br />
NEW TOP ENDER HEADQUARTERS<br />
A HUGE thanks to Char, Kristy, Masela, Paul and Amanda<br />
for helping with the relocation of our office from the Sahara<br />
Room to the DEB Officers Mess. We also wish to<br />
acknowledge the help and support of DEB Base<br />
Management Services for offering a new location and<br />
assisting with the relocation of our office equipment.<br />
you're<br />
a winner!<br />
Congratulations to our October/<br />
November Competition Winners:<br />
VETERANS’ HEALTH WEEK FUN<br />
This year’s theme for Veterans’ Health Week was ‘Eat Well’ and the<br />
Mates4Mates Palmerston team had a great time teaching local<br />
veterans and families all about the importance of nutrition, as well<br />
as some new cooking skills.<br />
Veterans heard from a nutritionist on why maintaining a healthy balanced<br />
diet is so important for our physical and mental health, as well as enjoying<br />
a sushi-making class and a curry cooking class.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Annual Veterans’ Health Week Table Tennis Masters also took place<br />
over three weeks, with Peter taking out the title for the second year in a<br />
row!<br />
TOP ENDER VALUES<br />
Our committee have some BIG goals for <strong>2023</strong> and we are excited<br />
to continue the <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>’s incredible 26-year legacy<br />
with a number of new initiatives and a refresh of our<br />
organisation’s values. We are...<br />
Collaborative – working together with a range of stakeholders to<br />
increase our relevance and reach into defence community, while<br />
balancing an open-minded approach to strengths, weaknesses,<br />
synergy and inclusion.<br />
Enterprising – being creative and seeking new ways to connect<br />
with a broad demographic through new opportunities, while also<br />
empowering other organisations through positive engagement and<br />
promotion to develop a thriving defence eco-system.<br />
Dan Keighran Signed Book<br />
Alex Duffield - Dewi Rohler<br />
Steven Cotten - Mark holland<br />
Graham King<br />
Couples Date Night<br />
James Notaras<br />
MTA Travel Voucher<br />
Samantha Murphy<br />
Territory Wellness Voucher<br />
Sweta Tamrakar<br />
SHE Nails Deluxe Pedicure<br />
Jessica Halbert<br />
Kayla Wruck<br />
Integrity Hair Voucher<br />
Melissa Mackenzie<br />
$100 Jape Homemaker Village Voucher<br />
Madeleine Brown<br />
Rejuvenate Massage - Tindal<br />
Jeremy Little<br />
Lawn Mowing Voucher<br />
Azeema Perkins<br />
Princes Trust Australia<br />
Care Package<br />
Jessica Pham<br />
Officeworks Kid’s Art Pack<br />
Mikelangelo Valenzuela<br />
Image: VHW Sushi Cooking Class<br />
JOIN MATES4MATES FOR HOLIDAY FUN<br />
Mates4Mates will be holding a vast program of family-friendly<br />
events throughout the summer holidays! <strong>The</strong> activities will be<br />
available to all veterans, Defence Force members and their<br />
families. To find out what’s on, email nt@mates4mates.org.au or<br />
visit www.mates4mates.org<br />
Mates4Mates will be closed from Friday, 23 <strong>December</strong> <strong>2022</strong> to<br />
Monday, 2 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. <strong>The</strong> Palmerston centre will re-open<br />
on Tuesday, 3 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
If you need support over the holiday period, there are many<br />
organisations that offer 24-hour support.<br />
Lifeline: 13 11 14<br />
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467<br />
Open Arms: 1800 011 046<br />
HOW TO COPE WITH THE HOLIDAYS<br />
<strong>The</strong> holiday season can be a challenging time for veterans and their<br />
family members who have been impacted by service. Post-traumatic<br />
stress disorder (PTSD), isolation and other challenges related to the<br />
holidays can be overwhelming or trigger an increase in symptoms.<br />
Holidays can bring out the best in people but can also cause stress and<br />
tension. Shopping centres become more crowded and noisier, and an<br />
increase in social activities can cause an exacerbation in anxiety and<br />
depression. While some might find it difficult to acknowledge the<br />
challenges of the holiday season and find it hard to reach out for help as a<br />
result, there is support available.<br />
If you are feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to take time for yourself and step<br />
away from any situation if needed. Remember, you are just as deserving as<br />
anyone else in celebrating the holidays and you can use this time to<br />
engage in self-care and activities that are important to you and those you<br />
care about.<br />
Three tips for mentally preparing for the holiday season:<br />
1. Communicate with loved ones. While discussing your mental health<br />
requires you to be vulnerable, it will allow your family or friends the<br />
opportunity to support you where they can and help them to<br />
understand what you are experiencing<br />
2. Seek professional support. Talk to a mental health specialist, for<br />
example a psychologist, counsellor or social worker, to develop an<br />
individualised plan that will provide effective strategies for you to use<br />
over the holiday period.<br />
3. Create a self-care plan. Find the things that help ‘fill your cup’ and give<br />
you a better headspace to deal with the stress of holidays. This might<br />
be daily visualisations, exercising, taking time out in nature, or making<br />
a plan of events to attend, ensuring you don’t feel overcommitted.<br />
Written by By Tamsin Wallace<br />
Mates4Mates Psychologist<br />
NEW HUB ON TRACK<br />
Mates4Mates is happy to report that the refurbishment and building<br />
works on the new Stuart Highway Veteran and Family Wellbeing<br />
Centre is on track to open in <strong>2023</strong>. This new centre will house<br />
Mates4Mates and their regular activities and services as well as other<br />
key providers to offer support to veterans, Defence Force members<br />
and their families.<br />
Transparent – ensuring that our reporting and relationships are<br />
transparent with a strong focus on integrity.<br />
Humanistic – understanding and respecting the needs and views<br />
of others based on various life experiences, while being<br />
approachable and willing to grow in our own self-development.<br />
Advancing – focusing on finding solutions, creating new systems,<br />
advancing forward and developing skills to improve operations<br />
and efficiency, which develops capability and trust with internal<br />
and external stakeholders.<br />
Youth Driving Vouchers<br />
Raymond Dunleavy<br />
Anna Lindsay<br />
RoadTrip Kits<br />
Tammy Hosken - Chloe Ellis<br />
Grady Humphries - Joanne Bahr<br />
William Bunyan - Jessica Halbert<br />
Ange Padman - Natasha Holzberger<br />
Angela Gordon - Joshua Stary<br />
Image: NT Administrator visit<br />
WELCOMING A SPECIAL GUEST<br />
IN PALMERSTON<br />
Recently, Mates4Mates was thrilled to welcome Her Honour the<br />
Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AO,<strong>The</strong> Administrator of the<br />
Northern Territory, to the Palmerston centre. Her Honour spent<br />
time with veterans listening to their stories and hearing more about<br />
how Mates4Mates is helping veterans and their families find support<br />
and mateship through the centre.<br />
Any veterans, Defence Force members and their families looking for support or more<br />
information can email nt@mates4mates.org.au or visit www.mates4mates.org<br />
36 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 37
THE FORGOTTEN<br />
AUSTRALIAN PATROL OFFICERS - KIAPS<br />
But the 300 remaining Kiaps alive today want recognition<br />
for their fallen comrades, not themselves. Many Kiaps I<br />
have met don’t want praise, but still fight for their fallen<br />
mates. In Darwin, we’re honoured to have Kiaps like<br />
Graham Watts and Mike Press pictured here celebrating<br />
ANZAC Day.<br />
As Graham told me, he “‘was only comfortable recognising<br />
the earlier Kiaps who had preceded us from the end of<br />
World War Two as they did the hard yards, pioneered the<br />
patrol tracks into the unknown villages and set up policies<br />
and procedures for us to follow. <strong>The</strong>y were the heroes, and<br />
we followed in their footsteps.”<br />
Backing our Veterans<br />
this Federal Budget<br />
with $3.6 million<br />
to build supported<br />
accommodation<br />
Image: Graham Watts and Mike Press KAIPS<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is a good chance you may have never heard of the Australian<br />
Patrol Officers called “Kiaps” who provided basic services like<br />
security and administration to Papua New Guineans over decades,<br />
and the likely reason is that Kiaps have never been given even an<br />
obscure corner of our Australian story.<br />
Kiaps were Australian government officials who patrolled Papua New<br />
Guinea’s remote regions from 1878 to 1978.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y helped administer rural Papua as an Australian territory inherited from<br />
Great Britain, and New Guinea as a League of Nations mandate and then a<br />
United Nations trust territory.<br />
<strong>The</strong>irs was a dangerous job.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Kiaps’ mortality rate was as high as four times that of Australians serving<br />
in the Vietnam War.<br />
Of the 2,000 Kiaps who served, 88 died from violence, disease, aircraft<br />
crashes, volcanic eruptions, and executions by the Japanese during WWII.<br />
But the fallen Kiaps received no recognition.<br />
<strong>The</strong> government didn’t even repatriate their remains, which their families had<br />
to do if they could afford it.<br />
Too long left in the shadows of our collective memory, the Kiaps who did<br />
not return deserve some recognition. It was not until 2013 that federal<br />
Minister for Education Jason Clare, the then-Home Affairs Minister, awarded<br />
them the Police Overseas Service Medal, thirty-five years after the last Kiap<br />
came home.<br />
Mike Press, who spent 18 years patrolling the Southern<br />
Highlands and West and East Sepik Provinces, recalls: “My<br />
many patrols involved law and order, census taking,<br />
promoting health and hygiene, with nurses and health<br />
workers often accompanying our patrols, and economic<br />
development... We built roads by hand and improved<br />
agriculture by setting up vegetable nurseries.”<br />
Papua New Guinean leaders have recognised the Kiaps’<br />
contribution to their country’s development.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se included the Bougainvillean politician and diplomat Dr<br />
Alexis Sarei and former prime ministers Sir Julius Chan and<br />
Sir Michael Somare, who invited some Kiaps to stay after<br />
independence.<br />
What the Kiaps did for PNG is today called nation-building.<br />
While there remain sensitivities given the legacies of<br />
Australia’s colonial past in the Pacific, the shared historical<br />
legacy of the Kiaps’ work can strengthen our indispensable<br />
partnership with Papua New Guinea.<br />
“I have always appreciated your ever-ready helping hand. I<br />
will always remember you … with great respect ... On<br />
behalf of the Government [of Papua New Guinea], the<br />
people and myself, thank you.” Dr. Sarei said in his tribute to<br />
his Kiaps.<br />
It’s time that Australia also said thank you.<br />
One way to show the Kiaps the nation’s gratitude would<br />
be to build a memorial in Canberra commemorating those<br />
who died during their service. Most surviving Kiaps support<br />
this initiative and ask for nothing extravagant or expensive,<br />
only a nook of the national imagination for their mates.<br />
Luke Gosling OAM MP is the Federal Member<br />
for Solomon, representing Darwin and<br />
Palmerston in the federal Parliament in<br />
Canberra. He served in the Australian Defence<br />
Force for 13 years, and worked in Timor-Leste,<br />
Afghanistan and Cambodia.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Scott Palmer Services<br />
Centre will be established in<br />
Darwin to support veterans<br />
and first responders who<br />
are homeless or at risk.<br />
It will be co-located with the<br />
new $1 million Darwin Men's<br />
Shed and linked in with<br />
employment, health and<br />
counselling services to help<br />
those who have done so<br />
much for this country to get<br />
back on their feet.<br />
Authorised by L. Gosling, ALP NT, 3/266 Trower Road, Casuarina, NT 0810<br />
38 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 39
VETERAN GAMING AUSTRALIA<br />
VGA<br />
Written by Sam Harris<br />
CAN PILATES HELP ME LOSE WEIGHT?<br />
What has been happening with Veteran Gaming Australia<br />
(VGA) since our last feature in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>?<br />
Care Packages<br />
VGA supply gaming well-being packages to help veterans stay socially<br />
and emotionally connected during times. <strong>The</strong> care packages contain a<br />
selection of gaming equipment including, new PC and accessories,<br />
Playstation 4s, Steam gift cards, Game Pass subscriptions and<br />
accessories (such as headsets, keyboards, mouse and controllers), all<br />
of which help in providing enhanced communication means for<br />
veterans to enjoy their favourite games. To date,VGA have given out<br />
eight care packages within the veteran community.<br />
Tournaments<br />
Tournaments are competitive events in which Veterans compete<br />
in specific games for the title of top team. With the added<br />
benefits Veterans may have from sitting down and playing a game<br />
socially, tournaments held allow a greater depth for Veterans to<br />
get to know one another, greater communication & critical<br />
thinking strategies as they try to outwit the other opponents. <strong>The</strong><br />
competitive environment while playing boosts self-confidence of<br />
the gamers and allows further career opportunities to present<br />
themselves from both the VGA and Veterans Twitch streams held<br />
throughout the tournaments. Cool gaming and technology prizes<br />
are regularly on offer throughout these tournaments which also<br />
help boost self-confidence throughout.<br />
VGA is always looking for ways to connect veterans with events<br />
and their industry idols, so if you are wanting to find out further<br />
information or would like to help, please visit: https://<br />
veterangamingaustralia.com.au/become-a-sponsor<br />
Education<br />
VGA has been providing education to parents and children on<br />
how to create safe spaces around technology and digital gaming to<br />
ensure that healthy gaming and wellbeing is at the forefront. We<br />
know that technology and digital gaming can have so many<br />
positives when utilised in a healthy way and we love empowering<br />
parents and their children with the knowledge to help them<br />
maintain Technology & Healthy Gaming practices. Some of the<br />
ways we convey this information is through our Youtube and<br />
Twitch channels, as well as discussions throughout family game<br />
sessions and community events. We are also exploring options to<br />
implement new programs into schools to provide education on<br />
technology use with our lived experience in Healthy Gaming &<br />
Technology – stay connected for future updates!<br />
CONNECT WITH US<br />
VGA Email - enquiries@veterangamingaustralia.com.au<br />
VGA Website - www.veterangamingaustralia.com.au<br />
VGA Care packages -<br />
veterangamingaustralia.com.au/care-package-application<br />
VGA Air Assault -<br />
veterangamingaustralia.com.au/air-assault-application<br />
Specialised Studio<br />
Private, Duet and<br />
Small Groups<br />
As a Pilates teacher I often get asked;“Will Pilates help me lose weight?”<br />
<strong>The</strong> short answer is no.<br />
Before I launch into how Pilates or exercise may or may not contribute to your weight loss<br />
journey, it is important to understand that the most effective long-term approach is 80% diet<br />
and 20% exercise. However, this may differ from person to person depending on health<br />
conditions and circumstances.<br />
When it comes to exercise and weight loss, it’s simple – exercise increases the number of<br />
calories your body “burns off” (refer to the Centre of Disease Control website). Pilates does<br />
not burn massive amounts of calories in comparison to other physical activities and may<br />
not contribute significantly to reducing adipose (fat) tissue, but it does benefit your weight<br />
loss journey in so many ways.<br />
Pilates should prioritise accuracy of movement over speed or intensity and may consist of<br />
lower repetitions and/or resistance levels compared with other types of training, which results<br />
in less calorie burn. When you are participating in a good Pilates session, we go for quality of<br />
movement over quantity!<br />
Pilates may indirectly help improve your weight loss journey in several ways, such as;<br />
›› increases physical capacity to move, especially helpful for those who are relatively<br />
inactive and/or managing injuries or health conditions.<br />
›› builds confidence and strength in movement and physical activity<br />
›› improves cognitive and psychological mindset and increases motivation in other<br />
behaviours through achievement of personal and physical goals<br />
›› enhances knowledge and body awareness of correct and safe movement (transferable to<br />
other physical activities)<br />
›› improves skills and courage to try (or return to) other physical activities previously<br />
avoided<br />
›› tones muscles<br />
›› improves posture and appearance of the body (a ‘placebo’ of weight loss). <strong>The</strong> body<br />
looks quite different when it stands tall, with the spine is lengthened and shoulders back.<br />
A major factor of weight loss is what you eat. Your food intake needs to be sufficient in<br />
calories, nutrients and minerals to fuel the many different systems of your body, inside and<br />
out. If not, your body may not work properly. Be cautious of fad diets - their marketing may<br />
appear to be fabulous, but it may not offer scientific or safe evidence to support your needs.<br />
For information around healthy eating and safe weight loss<br />
visit eatforhealth.gov.au.<br />
If you have concerns about our weight, I encourage you to<br />
speak to your GP or consult a qualified specialist, such as a<br />
dietician or psychologist.<br />
Written by Lizzi Webb<br />
Diploma of Professional Pilates Instruction,<br />
B Ex & Sport Science, BA (Dance), APMA<br />
Level 4<br />
<strong>The</strong> Pilates Way<br />
VGA Facebook - facebook.com/groups/veterangamingaus<br />
Images: <strong>The</strong> Pilates Way, Lizzi Webb<br />
References:<br />
VGA Discord (Platform & Game Specific Chats, Movie Room, Voice chats) -<br />
Move better, feel better, live better!<br />
www.thepilateswaydarwin.com<br />
discord.gg/QJTpqRd5ea<br />
Centre for Disease Control - https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/<br />
VGA Youtube - youtube.com/channel/UC3uQeXOl-Ob3mvHu3WDRfNw<br />
VGA Shirt Order - Password: VGAFAMILY -tacticallyjaded.com.au/<br />
physical_activity/<br />
0424 261 264 | 5/74 Winnellie Rd, Winnellie<br />
www.thepilateswaydarwin.com | thepilatesway@live.com.au<br />
collections/veteran-gaming-australia<br />
40 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 41
CHAPLAIN<br />
CHAT<br />
This year sees the first big posting cycle across<br />
defence since COVID-19 halted all non-essential<br />
relocations. For many, this may be their first move<br />
from or to the NT. Each posting relocation brings<br />
great opportunities for something new; new<br />
friends, new sights and at times, new challenges.<br />
For the defence member, this is a normal part of<br />
career growth and progression. For our loved<br />
ones, this becomes a time of great uncertainty,<br />
both in the nature of the good things to come, but<br />
also for the loss of established networks.<br />
One thing I have noticed - at the core of change is the<br />
opportunity for ongoing growth of personal and family<br />
resilience. At a personal level, one needs to love yourself as<br />
you are. Over time, the relational and work things you can do<br />
will change and your personal resilience will improve.<br />
For those of you coming to the NT with families, it is likely that<br />
two aspects of this posting will create the most challenges.<br />
Firstly, the remoteness from the rest of Australia, and for some,<br />
the separation from their interstate support network of family<br />
and friends. <strong>The</strong> second aspect is that the majority of NT<br />
based defence members are posted to operational positions<br />
that require members to be away from home for extended<br />
periods. I would suggest that this challenge provides the<br />
perfect opportunity for defence families to engage in the full<br />
range of local services and supports available to them,<br />
including military unit open days, family days, involvement with<br />
local DMFS supported family centres and connection with<br />
other support agencies (ie; Open Arms, Mates4Mates etc).<br />
On a final note, for those members and their families who are<br />
Christian, this period is a time to reflect on the birth of Christ.<br />
May his blessings be upon you and your families as you move<br />
around this season. For those of other faith traditions, may you<br />
find strength and comfort from within your faith. And for all<br />
defence members and their families, please know that you are<br />
always very welcome to reach for and receive support from<br />
the Defence Chaplaincy network, regardless of your faith.<br />
Festive blessings,<br />
Written by CHAP Garth Mayger<br />
Roman Catholic Army Chaplain<br />
1 CSSB<br />
WE REMEMBER<br />
BOMBING OF<br />
PEARL HARBOR<br />
Sunday, <strong>December</strong> 7, 1941, was supposed<br />
to be a day of rest for the military soldiers<br />
at Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor naval base on the<br />
island of Oahu, but the Japanese naval<br />
forces had been planning an attack for<br />
months.At 7:55am, 350 Japanese fighter<br />
planes launched a series of bombings in<br />
two waves without warning and attacked<br />
the United States Pacific fleet (naval<br />
vessels) moored in the harbor, which<br />
prevented a U.S. counter-attack.<br />
Thousands of lives were lost that day.<br />
Following both attacks, 19 U.S. naval vessels<br />
were sunk or damaged; 188 aircraft were<br />
destroyed. In all, 2,280 servicemen and women<br />
were killed, 1,109 were wounded. Sixty-eight<br />
civilians also lost their lives. <strong>The</strong> attack lasted<br />
just under two hours.<br />
<strong>The</strong> day after the attack, the United States<br />
declared war on Japan, officially entering World<br />
War II. In the nearly four years that followed,<br />
the U.S. Navy sank all of the Japanese aircraft<br />
carriers, battleships, and cruisers that<br />
participated in the Pearl Harbor attack.<br />
Extracted from Kids National<br />
Geographic<br />
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/<br />
article/pearl-harbor<br />
BROTHERS<br />
’N’BOOKS<br />
In a rut? Read a book!<br />
Brothers N Books is an online community of book reviews designed to<br />
encourage a supportive environment for shared experiences, wellbeing<br />
and personal development. Brothers N Books raise funds to implement<br />
fully stocked libraries into defence hospitals and community centres, as<br />
well as an epic annual readathon to raise funds for Legacy, with a goal of<br />
donating $50,000 in <strong>2022</strong>! <strong>The</strong> power of defence community and<br />
mateship is enough to drive social change - it starts with one book!<br />
BOOK REVIEW:<br />
Book - Greenlights; Autobiography by<br />
Matthew McConaughey<br />
My background - From an early age I was<br />
able to choose my own adventure,<br />
without much nurture or guidance but<br />
with strong values and work ethic. I lost<br />
my mum at an early age and with a<br />
business owner as a father, I had to figure<br />
out a lot on my own. Fortunately, like<br />
McConaughey, I did get a strong values-based upbringing (although the values did<br />
differ, as well as the freedom to discover the outdoors and adventure.<br />
<strong>The</strong> books advice - Matthew McConaughey’s story, his ‘bumper stickers’, ‘notes<br />
to self’ and ‘prescriptions’ really resonated with me - ‘live life so that you can look<br />
forward to looking back’ is by far my favourite bumper sticker. His life experiences<br />
and how they moulded his view on the world, plus what he learnt to work for<br />
and what he learnt to let pass, really clicked with me. I strongly recommend<br />
listening to the Audiobook version, to get a more engaging and comedic<br />
experience.<br />
Results - More motivation to maximise my life experiences, to get off the couch<br />
and do STUFF.<br />
I have more inspiration to work hard for what I want and more wisdom to not<br />
let the small things get to me;‘an honest man’s pillow is his piece of mind’.<br />
GET YOUR<br />
MERCH<br />
N E W T S H I RT<br />
SISTERS N BOOKS - RRP $50<br />
Available in the online store:<br />
https://brothersnbooks.com/store/<br />
Written by CAPT Dylan Conway<br />
6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment<br />
Editor at BrothersNBooks<br />
42 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 43
25 REASONS<br />
TO BECOME A<br />
FAMILY DAY<br />
CARE EDUCATOR<br />
Darwin’s Outdoor &<br />
Lifestyle Centre<br />
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3 5 6 B a g o t R o a d , M i l l n e r | 0 8 8 9 2 3 1111 | h o m e m a k e r v i l l a g e . c o m . a u<br />
SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER<br />
STARTS 8AM<br />
ALAWA HALL, LAKESIDE DRIVE<br />
BRING ALONG YOUR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS FOR<br />
OUR RECYCLING PROGRAM:<br />
Plastic bottle caps (clean please), Plastic ONLY bread tags, Dishwashing liquid<br />
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droppers, jars and pumps, and flexible plastic skin care packaging.<br />
NB: Cardboard bread / bag tags break easily, please put them in a used envelope<br />
to recycle them at home.<br />
If it’s not on list, please don’t be offended if it is refused... not everything is<br />
recycled!<br />
Sponsored by Charles Darwin University<br />
To register for a FREE stall, contact esther@uselessplastic.org<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are multiple reasons why people love being Family<br />
Day Care Educators with Kentish:<br />
• Be home with their children while generating income.<br />
• Want to have the flexibility of being self-employed.<br />
• Are enthusiastic about working with young children.<br />
• Prefer to work in a home setting, rather than an early learning<br />
centre.<br />
• Flexible work hours to suit their lifestyle.<br />
• Ability to set their own fee rate.<br />
• <strong>The</strong>y have partners working shift work, can offer hours that<br />
suit them, rather than standard business hours. E.g., working<br />
weekend, offering overnight care to other shift working<br />
parents.<br />
• Love the flexibility of taking holidays when they want.<br />
• Know there is a strong demand for FDC educators all the time<br />
and they will rarely have vacancies.<br />
• Opportunity to positively influence the lives of young children.<br />
• Create stability in a child’s life and shape their lives.<br />
• Love dynamic and rewarding work.<br />
• Are lifelong learners and have a passion for sharing their<br />
knowledge.<br />
• Are needed by busy parents juggling work, children, and home.<br />
• Become an important part of their children’s families and the<br />
community.<br />
• Get to explore the city and have interesting outings with the<br />
children.<br />
• Know that being an FDC educator is a noble profession.<br />
• Kentish provides supportive and caring environment.<br />
• Kentish has numerous cultural and heritage programs for both<br />
the children and the educators so they get to learn about<br />
Aboriginal art and culture firsthand.<br />
• Weekly playgroup facilitated by Kentish.<br />
• FDC educators automatically become Kentish members and<br />
have access to all Kentish celebrations.<br />
• FDC educators have access to fully qualified childcare team<br />
leaders and coordinators.<br />
• Kentish has Child Care Centres and access to relief educators<br />
when FDC educators are on holidays.<br />
• Kentish provides regular activities and get-togethers with other<br />
FDC educators.<br />
• Kentish provides all the documents and templates to run your<br />
FDC business.<br />
For more information visit www.kentish.org.au or email<br />
admin@kentish.org.au
VETERANS LEGAL<br />
SERVICE<br />
Rachael Bowker, Executive Director of DCLS, said she is very<br />
excited about the new collaboration of services and what it can offer<br />
local veterans in the Northern Territory community.<br />
FIRST OF ITS’ KIND IN NT<br />
Twelve months ago, after seeing a need for specialised legal<br />
assistance, Darwin Community Legal Service (DCLS)<br />
announced an exciting new partnership with the<br />
Mates4Mates program to deliver free legal advice sessions<br />
for veterans and their families.<br />
Applying a network and wellbeing model, the DCLS<br />
Veterans’ Legal Service is a collaboration with Mates4Mates<br />
and other Ex-Service Organisations (ESO’s) to support over<br />
10,000 veterans and families in the NT.<br />
<strong>The</strong> DCLS Veterans Legal Service (‘DCLS VLS’) is one of two known<br />
community-based Veteran’s Legal Services in Australia. <strong>The</strong> other is<br />
provided by Townsville Community Law, which is another<br />
community based legal service with a very similar service profile to<br />
DCLS.<br />
Both Townsville and Darwin are garrison cities for Navy, Army and<br />
Airforce personnel, with strong participation in the Defence Force<br />
Reserves and large ex-service cohorts.<br />
Coordinated by our Community Lawyer, Matthew Gardiner, this<br />
program is offered by members of the DCLS legal team who have a<br />
defence force background and a heightened understanding of the<br />
complexities that veterans and their families face.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Veterans Legal Service provides free legal information, advice<br />
and representation on most areas of law, including:<br />
Discrimination<br />
Social Security/Centrelink<br />
Employment<br />
Credit and debt<br />
Consumer issues and<br />
complaints<br />
“<strong>The</strong>re is a significant gap in the provision of free<br />
legal services for veterans and their families” “We<br />
are pleased to be able to partner with Mates4Mates<br />
to close this gap and that we have the expertise<br />
within DCLS to be able to offer this service” -<br />
Rachael Bowker<br />
<strong>The</strong> Veterans Legal Service operates on a walk-in<br />
basis every Thursday from 10am at Mates 4 Mates<br />
office in Palmerston located at Unit 1A/11<br />
Palmerston Circuit.<br />
This free and confidential service offers general civil<br />
legal advice for veterans, by veterans.<br />
Anyone wanting more information can freecall 1800<br />
812 953 or email info@dcls.org.au<br />
This program benefits Territorians due to the large amount of<br />
service personnel and ex-service personnel who currently fall<br />
through the gaps when it comes to pro-bono legal services.<br />
Since its’ inception in 1991, DCLS has expanded its geographical<br />
coverage and the range of matters for which it provides assistance,<br />
and is proud that in their 30th year of operation they have<br />
expanded their scope of services to further support the community.<br />
DCLS’ Veteran’s Legal Service has established ongoing relationships<br />
with local ESO’s, service organisations and continues to develop<br />
relationships throughout the defence community. Currently the<br />
service receives referrals from service organisations, such as unit<br />
padres and other family support groups.<br />
<strong>The</strong> DCLS VLS approach aims to expand and improve veterans’<br />
access to legal assistance services, especially by:<br />
• Destigmatising access to legal help for working on every-day<br />
and larger problems<br />
• Enculturating how legal help can be used by veterans and family<br />
members, who aim to help others, and<br />
• Enabling veterans and family members to further their own<br />
wellbeing through activities that contribute to positive change,<br />
including having their voice, improving responses and<br />
contributing to reform.<br />
For the first time, the 2021 Census asked a question about military<br />
service.<br />
<strong>The</strong> key findings included that:<br />
• <strong>The</strong>re were 581,100 people who had served in the Australian<br />
Defence Force (ADF), which equates to 2.8% of the Australian<br />
population aged 15 years and over.<br />
• One in twenty (5.3%) Australian households (dwellings) had at<br />
least one person who had served in the ADF (that is, at least<br />
one person who was either currently serving or had previously<br />
served in the ADF).<br />
• 13% of previous service members needed assistance with the<br />
core activities of self-care, mobility or communication.<br />
• Three in five (60%) previous service members had a long-term<br />
health condition.<br />
GROM<br />
FIRST AID<br />
Throughout my life, I have always encouraged riders to<br />
seek out new training opportunities and enjoy their<br />
motorcycles more. Motorcycles are fun and I have many<br />
great memories associated with life on two wheels, but<br />
it’s important to continuously develop skills and<br />
knowledge for safe riding.<br />
Most of my professional work has required a current first aid<br />
qualification and knowledge of how to respond in emergency<br />
situations, which is a necessary proficiency that we can’t get<br />
away from. It is part of life to continue developing our skills, but<br />
it seems less ‘painful’ when we personally see value in the final<br />
goal, we believe in the principles being taught and we can apply<br />
it to our day-to-day activities - you may already consider the<br />
acronym WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?)...<br />
In my opinion, the benchmark of a proficient training facilitator<br />
is their ability to deliver fun-in-training, whilst still hitting training<br />
targets and engaging with a group of learners. I have been in<br />
many courses over many years where an element of fun was<br />
missing, and the level of discussion and unnecessary complexity<br />
detracted from training outcomes. In many training scenarios,<br />
the facilitator simply follows the process to achieve training<br />
outcomes without understanding the audience. Fun in training<br />
is important as it assists greatly with making learners feel<br />
comfortable; comfortable learners absorb more.<br />
This realisation was my take-away from a recent CPR<br />
requalification course. I thoroughly enjoyed the course - it was<br />
time conservative, inclusive and pitched at the appropriate level<br />
of learner understanding. It was focused on practical skills,<br />
whilst delivering theory in simple and understandable chunks.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s plenty of evidence to support the benefits of repetitive<br />
practice with establishing automatic mind and muscle memory<br />
responses. <strong>The</strong>se automatic responses are critical in a medical<br />
emergency, where there may be a requirement to perform<br />
effective CPR. Life and death situations are complex and<br />
become more challenging when the patient is someone you<br />
personally know.<br />
Attending a medical emergency is a highly stressful situation,<br />
and I can say this with some experience. Unfortunately, I have<br />
assisted a few riders with injuries where poor choices have<br />
been made on a motorcycle. I never expect to apply my first<br />
aid skills or to empty my first aid kit during a social ride, but<br />
accidents can happen. <strong>The</strong>re is always a potential risk when you<br />
participate in a group ride with other riders who have varying<br />
skills, experience and attitudes towards safety.<br />
Riders face many possible emergency situations as they are far<br />
more vulnerable than being a passenger in a vehicle. It’s<br />
important to respond correctly to a right-of-way violation,<br />
where a vehicle crosses the path in front of a motorcycle. It can<br />
easily result in a medical emergency for the rider and, most<br />
likely, the driver will walk away. Are you prepared to apply lifesaving<br />
skills that you learned through current first aid training?<br />
It is difficult for riders to predict an accident until emergency<br />
braking and human error are better understood. Using your<br />
brakes at a set of lights with an appropriate amount of warning<br />
rarely requires a great amount of thought or emergency<br />
braking. However, when the riding scenario alters in response<br />
to an unpredictable threat, the rider's ability to react with hard,<br />
effective, emergency braking is a complex challenge without the<br />
necessary skills. Emergency braking is not a skill that most riders<br />
train for, and a rider’s survival or complexity of their injuries will<br />
ultimately be dictated by the rider’s real-time ability to make<br />
autonomous, precise actions, whilst trusting their bikes braking<br />
performance implicitly. Riders need to target ‘worst-case<br />
scenarios’ and practice emergency braking through ongoing<br />
rider training in a safe and controlled environment.<br />
In first aid and road safety, knowledge is power.<br />
Ride safe,<br />
Written by GROM<br />
Community Contributor<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
46 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 47
FAMILY<br />
GO KARTING<br />
DAY<br />
<strong>The</strong> weather was hot but the wheels were hotter as 40 participants<br />
took to the track at <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong>’s Family Go-Karting day<br />
held at Hidden Valley on Sunday 25th of September. It wasn’t just the<br />
weather that was hot, the competition between kids and parents was<br />
on fire too!<br />
Vroom! <strong>The</strong> engine comes alive as the pit master pulls the starter cord. <strong>The</strong><br />
smell of petrol and anticipation fills the air. Ripples of clicks as visors come<br />
down. Hands clutch the wheels a little tighter. A quick test of the brakes<br />
and they’re off!<br />
Participants were asked to describe their go-kart experience:<br />
“Did you see me? I was sooo fast! I overtook so many people!” said a dad<br />
enthusiastically as they exit. Crowds of kids looking excitedly at the<br />
leaderboard to find out their rank. Breathlessly bickering about who overtook<br />
who and who was the fastest.<br />
“Stay hydrated with some water!” Charlene squeaked over the chatter.<br />
“Sanga’s are ready” shouted Mark … what a great event, what a great feed and<br />
what a great day!<br />
“Can we do this again?” asked my boys as we drove home - Jessica and David<br />
“We came out to Darwin Go Kart track to have a bit fun; I’m not<br />
a big go-karter myself but I can tell it is a load of fun. <strong>The</strong><br />
adrenaline was pumping but as my confidence increased so did<br />
my competitive nature and that is when the fun really began!! It<br />
was a blast.” - Paul<br />
“It was amazing, unbelievable, adrenaline is going through the<br />
roof” - Ashley<br />
“It was good, someone hit me, I spun out!” - Adam<br />
<strong>The</strong> event was partially funded by <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
and an NT Government Towards Zero grant, focused on<br />
improving road safety awareness and driving skills. Special<br />
thanks to Char for hosting the event and a big shoutout to<br />
Paul and Mark for cooking the BBQ goodies donated by<br />
Woolworths!<br />
Written by Charlene Carter<br />
Community Coordinator<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
“We had such a great time at the Go Karting event. <strong>The</strong> boys had an opportunity<br />
to channel their Mario Kart heroes resulting in father/son rivalry on (and off)<br />
the track which lasted for hours after the event. We may even need to<br />
return to the track for a rematch in future! We then topped up our own fuel<br />
tanks (pun intended) with a beautiful BBQ sausage sizzle lunch which we all<br />
enjoyed. Thanks <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> for hosting such a great event.” -<br />
Liana<br />
“It was exhilarating, there’s no other word for it” - Dewy<br />
“It was amazing, so much fun, I loved it! I tried to drift.. it didn’t work!” -<br />
Ryan<br />
WIN DRIVING LESSONS<br />
DRIVING LESSON VOUCHERS<br />
We will be giving away 2 x 1 hour driving school<br />
vouchers for young drivers within the defence<br />
community across Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine<br />
in the next 5 editions. Each voucher is valued at $75<br />
and will be provided as a voucher to the winners’<br />
preferred driving school.<br />
• A1 TERRITORY DRIVING SCHOOL<br />
• ONE2ONE DRIVING SCHOOL<br />
• ABC DRIVING SCHOOL DARWIN<br />
• ACHIEVE DRIVING ACADEMY NT<br />
• DRV4LYF KATHERINE DRIVING SCHOOL<br />
Terms: Apply to win a one hour driving lesson. Strictly open to defence<br />
youth. Two winners will be selected at random. Entries close 10 <strong>January</strong><br />
<strong>2023</strong>. Apply now at www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/win<br />
48 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 49
RESTAURANT REVIEW<br />
CHAR RESTAURANT<br />
Admiralty House, <strong>The</strong> Esplanade | admiraltyhouse.com.au<br />
Starter/Appetiser: Popcorn Chicken Karaage and Wagyu Beef Meatballs<br />
What we loved about the dish: This was a good size starter that sets the scene of<br />
the meal to come. <strong>The</strong> combination of flavours blended beautifully to make every<br />
mouthful a pure delight, we were left wanting more and we weren’t disappointed.<br />
Main Meal: Roast Pork Belly with Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes and Pan Roasted<br />
Duck Breast with Rocket n Pear Salad<br />
What we loved about the dish: <strong>The</strong> chef has designed these dishes so that the jus<br />
brings the plate together to enhance the individual flavours of each dish. <strong>The</strong><br />
flavours of the duck were sensational, especially when combined with the rocket,<br />
pear and balsamic salad! <strong>The</strong> pork belly was roasted to perfection, so it simply<br />
melted in the mouth and you can never have too many of those roasted potatoes -<br />
hello, duck fat!<br />
Dessert: Panna cotta<br />
What we loved about the dish: Together we enjoyed the panna cotta as a shared<br />
dish to round out the night; it was a light easy eating dessert and not to be missed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> flavours and textures include delightfully preserved lemon, delicious puree, a<br />
subtle hint of citrus lime and a toasted crumble – a true gift from the Dessert Gods!<br />
Bookings Essential<br />
Price Range: $$ - $$$<br />
Fully Licenced<br />
Recommended for: Couples, Date Nights, Friends,<br />
Colleagues, Meetings, Special Events.<br />
Gluten-Free Options<br />
Dairy-Free Options<br />
About the Setting<br />
We first noticed the ambient hum of quiet chatter inside as we were<br />
directed to our seats, not near the window but with good views of<br />
outside. <strong>The</strong>re is optional seating outside, gently lit with soft lights<br />
through the trees. Service was fabulous, as was the music which was<br />
set at a level where it didn’t interfere with conversations. <strong>The</strong> staff<br />
were inviting, friendly and more than happy to assist with our dining<br />
experience.<br />
Reviewed by Charlene & Paul Carter<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
DARWIN<br />
WATERFRONT<br />
DARWIN<br />
WATERFRONT<br />
MEMBERSHIP<br />
<strong>The</strong> Darwin Waterfront<br />
Membership loyalty card<br />
gives unlimited access to<br />
the Wave Lagoon for 12<br />
months, plus a minimum<br />
10% off at more than 30<br />
participating Waterfront<br />
restaurants and shops!<br />
Family<br />
(2 adults, 3 children)<br />
$125 per year<br />
Adult<br />
(over 15 years)<br />
$50 per year<br />
Child<br />
(under 15 years)<br />
$35 per year<br />
Seniors<br />
$20 per year<br />
CHRISTMAS AT THE WATERFRONT<br />
Come and see our brand new<br />
Christmas tree - the largest in the <strong>Top</strong><br />
End!<br />
• 25 November: Christmas Tree<br />
lighting event and carols<br />
• Santa at the Beach Shack:Thursday,<br />
Friday & Saturday night<br />
• Movie nights in the Wave Pool: 8<br />
<strong>December</strong> & 15 <strong>December</strong><br />
• Candlelight Christmas: 9<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
• Movie nights at Stokes Hill Wharf:<br />
11 <strong>December</strong> & 18 <strong>December</strong><br />
• Santa & Prawn Jetski Show at<br />
Stokes Hill Wharf: 11 & 18<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
• Kids activities: 17th – 22nd of<br />
<strong>December</strong> (9am – 11am daily)<br />
• Christmas Pool Party: 20<br />
<strong>December</strong><br />
SHUTTLE BUS<br />
Did you know there is a free<br />
Shuttle Bus for the Darwin<br />
Waterfront?<br />
Shuttle stops:<br />
Stop #1 Stokes Hill Wharf<br />
Stop #2 Darwin Convention<br />
Centre (Rear Car Park)<br />
Stop #3 Vibe & Adina Hotels<br />
Stop #4 Waterfront Parklands &<br />
Recreation<br />
Stop #5 Wharf Two Residential<br />
(Anchorage Court)<br />
Stop #6 Cruise Ship Terminal<br />
(outside the terminal gates)<br />
Stop #7 Deckchair Cinema<br />
(between 4pm to 9pm only)<br />
Stop #8 Indo Pacific Marine<br />
50 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 51
C R E A T I V E C O M M U N I T Y S E R I E S<br />
Colour & Grace<br />
C R E A T I V E C O M M U N I T Y S E R I E S<br />
Poppy Patch Creative<br />
@colourandgrace1<br />
An entrepreneur at just 14 years old,<br />
Gracelin Fowler is an inspiration not<br />
just for teens, but for anyone<br />
considering creating a business from<br />
their hobby - Gracie is an inspiration<br />
to all entrepreneurs.<br />
I’ve always said, “if you aren’t happy doing<br />
what you’re doing, find what you love and<br />
do that” and Gracie epitomises this motto.<br />
Her joy for business and the expansion of<br />
her enterprise, together with the<br />
confidence which comes from her success,<br />
demonstrates that when you put your<br />
heart into what you do, anything is possible.<br />
“it’s not a job when you love what you do…”<br />
- Char Carter<br />
Here’s what we found out about this<br />
talented young defence teen:<br />
TELL US ABOUT COLOUR & GRACE<br />
AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT:<br />
I started Colour & Grace four years ago<br />
when my mum was looking for some<br />
earrings to match a dress she had. She<br />
couldn’t find the right pair of earrings<br />
anywhere, so I researched how to make<br />
earrings and started experimenting. I made<br />
some beautiful earrings to match mum’s<br />
dress, then people wanted to buy them. I<br />
then started selling my earrings at the<br />
Mindil Beach Markets, and most recently<br />
started clay earring therapy workshops.<br />
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DEVELOP A<br />
SIDELINE BUSINESS?<br />
I always received lots of questions at the<br />
markets about how I made the earrings, so<br />
I decided to show people through the clay<br />
earring workshops. <strong>The</strong> workshops are very<br />
relaxing and allow people to wear their art<br />
proudly.<br />
YOU’VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOUR<br />
YEARS,WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR<br />
BIGGEST SUCCESS?<br />
My biggest success was starting my own<br />
business at such a young age. I am now 14<br />
years old but started when I was 10 years<br />
old. I learnt how to talk to customers,<br />
handle money, process payments and<br />
manage a business budget. People are<br />
genuinely surprised when they come to a<br />
workshop and discover that a 14-year-old<br />
is teaching them how to make earrings,<br />
but the feedback has been excellent.<br />
DO YOU HAVE A STORY THAT STICKS<br />
IN YOUR MIND ABOUT THE SUCCESS<br />
OF YOUR BUSINESS?<br />
I also design custom orders and was very<br />
excited to create a matching set of<br />
beautiful ivory and pink earrings for five<br />
bridesmaids. <strong>The</strong> bride contacted me and<br />
discussed a design, and together we made<br />
the perfect earrings. I was very nervous<br />
making such special earrings, but they<br />
turned out perfectly.<br />
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR<br />
BUSINESS?<br />
I love interacting with people and seeing<br />
the delight on their faces when they find<br />
the perfect pair of earrings. I love my loyal<br />
customers. I have one lady in Perth who<br />
places a big order a few times per year, as<br />
she loves the colours and designs I create.<br />
My earrings are fun, fresh and exciting.<br />
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST<br />
CHALLENGES FOR YOUR BUSINESS?<br />
My biggest challenge is not being able to<br />
access things I need for my business due to<br />
my age. For example, to have a square card<br />
reader account, which I use for credit card<br />
payments, you have to be 18 years old.<br />
Also, I can’t access a debit card to purchase<br />
supplies online due to my age. This has<br />
been a huge challenge but with the support<br />
of my parents we were able to overcome<br />
this hurdle!<br />
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO<br />
ANOTHER YOUNG PERSON<br />
THINKING OF STARTING A BUSINESS?<br />
Just do it! If you have a business idea, find a<br />
way to make it happen.<br />
Set yourself small goals to start with and<br />
don’t be disappointed if things don’t work<br />
out as you plan. It took me a while to<br />
work out what the best clay was to use,<br />
and many trays of earrings ended up in<br />
the bin at the start.<br />
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST<br />
INFLUENCE?<br />
My mum has been my biggest influence as<br />
she has always encouraged me to follow<br />
my dreams. My mum works hard and has<br />
inspired me to work hard and always try<br />
my best - she is also my biggest fan!<br />
DO YOU VIEW YOUR ART AS THERAPY?<br />
Absolutely! Art is relaxing and makes you<br />
stop thinking about what is going on in the<br />
world while you are so focused on your art.<br />
Every workshop participant comments on<br />
how relaxed they feel afterwards.<br />
HOW HAVE YOU LEARNED TO BE SO<br />
RESILIENT?<br />
I am dyslexic, so schoolwork is not my<br />
favourite thing. My brain is not designed to<br />
sit in a classroom and learn the way schools<br />
teach. This weakness has also been a<br />
strength as it has taught me to work a lot<br />
harder.<br />
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR<br />
OTHER DEFENCE YOUTH IN DARWIN?<br />
I’ve been lucky to have spent many years in<br />
Darwin, but my best advice is to see your<br />
defence mentor at school if you ever need<br />
someone to talk to.<br />
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE OUR<br />
DEFENCE COMMUNITY TO KNOW<br />
ABOUT YOU?<br />
I run workshops for youth programs,<br />
groups of friends or for parties, and I also<br />
create custom earrings to match any outfit!<br />
Please contact me for more information.<br />
If you’ve not seen her work, Colour &<br />
Grace attend a variety of markets and offer<br />
workshops to small groups, both young and<br />
old.<br />
Interviewed by Char Carter<br />
Community Coordinator<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
My best friend and I established Poppy Patch<br />
Creative in 2020, as we both shared a huge love for<br />
handmade craft.<br />
Like many families, the last two years of uncertainty<br />
provided a time for us to reflect on what we love and as<br />
Mums, we wanted to help support our families by starting<br />
a small business which first involved crochet and<br />
developed from there. I have now been given the reigns<br />
to continue what we started and to grow Poppy Patch<br />
Creative into a new adventure.<br />
I have a particular love for pram caddies, baby accessories,<br />
and would like to develop into leather work and leather<br />
handbags. I hand make each item for the online store,<br />
including the card slots in your purses! Poppy Patch<br />
Creative has also recently been involved in fundraising<br />
for Heartkids SA and raised over $4,500 in an online<br />
auction.<br />
You will find Poppy Patch Creative online, and I offer an<br />
option for custom requests if you have something in mind.<br />
We can also ship Australia wide. Please don't hesitate to<br />
get in touch and I would love to work on something to<br />
suit your needs. By supporting my little business, you are<br />
supporting my family and for that I am truly grateful.<br />
PRINCES TRUST<br />
AUSTRALIA<br />
"Take a bet on yourself. Find something that you are passionate<br />
about and the rest will be easy.”<br />
Inspiring advice from our inaugural Beyond Service Awards<br />
Commonwealth Bank Business of the Year Award winner Stuart<br />
Alexander of Great Barrier Reef Safaris.<br />
We're delighted to announce the inaugural winners of the Beyond<br />
Service Awards!<br />
Celebrating the depth and breadth of skills and experience veterans and<br />
Defence Force families bring to Australia’s small business landscape, our<br />
<strong>2022</strong> Beyond Service Award winners are:<br />
Stuart Alexander: Commonwealth Bank Business of the Year Award and<br />
Environmental Warrior Award | https://greatbarrierreefsafaris.com/<br />
Matt Lewis: Power of One Award | https://www.mxmmadebymatt.com.<br />
au/<br />
Bec Waller (posthumous): Defence Family Business Award | https://<br />
apod.com.au/<br />
David Ballantyne: New Mission Award | https://homefrontaustralia.com.<br />
au/<br />
Special thanks to <strong>The</strong>ir Excellencies the Governor-General and Mrs<br />
Hurley for hosting the Awards.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>2022</strong> Beyond Service Awards are proudly sponsored by Gold<br />
Sponsor Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and Silver Sponsors PwC<br />
Australia and BAE Systems Australia.<br />
Poppy Patch Creative<br />
poppypatchcreative.com.au<br />
poppypatchcreative@gmail.com<br />
W I N<br />
You could win a Princes Trust Australia Care Package!<br />
Care packages hold a special place in the lives of deployed<br />
troops, and for family members.<br />
Historically, care packages were sent from family members<br />
to their loved ones abroad, and contained anything from<br />
milk powder to coffee, soap, medicine, and fabric. And,<br />
anecdotally, Anzac biscuits handmade with love.<br />
This year, Prince's Trust Australia have created care<br />
packages featuring a wonderful selection of products by<br />
Australian veteran and ADF partner businesses, all alumni<br />
of our business Enterprise programme.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se care packages will be gifted and shared across<br />
Australia and globally.<br />
ENTER NOW AT<br />
THETOPENDERMAGAZINE.ORG.AU/WIN<br />
TERMS: Total Prize Pool valued at up to $100. Open to NT-Based Defence<br />
members, veterans and their immediate families aged 18 and up. Closes 10<br />
<strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. Enter online by visiting www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/win.<br />
Read more about the people behind the product here: www.princes-trust.org.<br />
au/post/our-care-packages. Winners will be drawn at random. Winners will be<br />
notified by email/phone and announced in the next edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>.<br />
52 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 53
20%<br />
DEFCOM<br />
DISCOUNT<br />
356 Bagot Road, Millner<br />
(08) 8923 1188<br />
www.jape.com.au<br />
TERMS: Must present DEFENCE ID. Offer excludes Jape<br />
Commercial Interiors & Factory Outlet. Discount off RRP.<br />
54 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 55
PETS IN DARWIN<br />
HEARTWORM IN PETS,<br />
WHAT ONE MOSQUITO BITE CAN DO<br />
Heartworm (Dilofilaria immitis) is a preventable disease<br />
that is prevalent throughout the world and in Australia.<br />
Heartworm can be transmitted by a single infected<br />
mosquito and can carry significant health implications for<br />
your pet, which can be potentially fatal.<strong>The</strong> high wild dog<br />
and dingo populations in northern Australia, combined with<br />
the considerable number of mosquitos, makes the top end a<br />
high-risk area for heartworm.<br />
Dogs are the definitive (primary) host for heartworm; however, cats<br />
can also be infected. Mosquitos are the vector that transmits and<br />
spreads heartworm. <strong>The</strong> lifecycle starts when an adult mosquito<br />
feeds on a heartworm infected dog. After a cat or dog is bitten by<br />
an infected mosquito, the larvae are transmitted into the host<br />
where they will continue to develop as they migrate through the<br />
tissues and blood towards the heart. Eventually, about 6 months<br />
after the initial mosquito bite, the heartworms will have reached<br />
their adult stage and can start reproducing, which completes the<br />
lifecycle.<br />
It is this final location in and around the heart that causes heartworm<br />
to be so problematic and potentially fatal. If a heartworm is<br />
dislodged from its attachment in the heart, it will end up in the lungs<br />
which can cause severe damage and/or death. Additionally,<br />
heartworms can lodge themselves within the chambers of the heart<br />
and the large blood vessels attached to the heart, which<br />
compromises the blood flow and eventually results in heart<br />
remodelling and congestive heart failure. Heartworm in dogs is<br />
usually treatable if detected early, however it is a lengthy process<br />
(the total treatment time is normally around 10 months). Treatment<br />
involves killing the worms slowly to minimise the potential damage<br />
to the lungs during this process. Pets must be strictly confined for<br />
months during treatment to reduce the risk of life-threatening<br />
complications.<br />
In the initial stages of infection, dogs do not usually show any<br />
symptoms. It is not until infection is advanced and heart failure<br />
starts to occur that we see coughing and breathing problems<br />
begin. Heartworm testing (a blood test) should be performed in<br />
animals that have not been on consistent heartworm prevention,<br />
even if they appear healthy.<br />
Fortunately, heart worm is completely preventable.<strong>The</strong> most<br />
reliable protection in dogs is an injection which can be given by<br />
your vet from 12 weeks of age onwards. For adult dogs, this<br />
injection provides protection for 12 months. <strong>The</strong> alternative to an<br />
injection is a monthly treatment, and there are multiple products<br />
available. <strong>The</strong> only drawback on these products is that they have a<br />
narrow window for prevention, which is why they must be given<br />
punctually every month. If your dog has missed doses of heartworm<br />
prevention, talk to your vet about whether heartworm testing is<br />
needed. It is important to be aware that these products only kill the<br />
early life stages of the heartworm, and if your pet’s preventative<br />
treatment has lapsed or doses have been missed, your pet may still<br />
go on to develop advanced heartworm disease despite restarting the<br />
preventative treatment. For cats there is no injectable option and<br />
spot-on or tablets should be used for prevention.<br />
Written by All Pets Veterinary Hospital<br />
allpetsvet.com.au<br />
CONTROLLING<br />
CANE TOADS<br />
Cane toads are a major pest in the Northern<br />
Territory (NT) and are toxic if the toxin is ingested<br />
or rubbed into your eyes.<br />
Adult cane toads are large, generally 9cm to 15cm long, but can<br />
grow up to 24cm. <strong>The</strong>y are heavily built and the skin on top is<br />
rough, dry and covered in warts. <strong>The</strong> colour can vary from grey,<br />
olive, yellow-brown to red-brown.<br />
STEP ONE<br />
Wear eye protection<br />
and gloves (or<br />
doubled-up plastic<br />
bags). Grab the toad<br />
and seal in a plastic<br />
bag.<br />
STEP TWO<br />
Humanely dispose of<br />
bagged toads in a<br />
refrigerator at 4℃<br />
for one hour, then<br />
transfer to a freezer<br />
for at least 16 hours.<br />
STEP THREE<br />
Wash your hands<br />
thoroughly with soap<br />
afterwards, before<br />
touching anything<br />
else.<br />
HOW TO CONTROL<br />
CANE TOADS<br />
You can help control the cane<br />
toad problem in the Northern<br />
Territory (NT) by doing all of<br />
the following:<br />
• use yellow fluorescent tubes<br />
for lighting around your home instead of white<br />
fluorescent tubes, as cane toads are attracted to<br />
the white light<br />
• regularly check any water containers in your<br />
garden for cane toad eggs or tadpoles - this<br />
includes pools, ponds and water features - and<br />
empty any containers that you are not using,<br />
such as pot plant saucers<br />
• remove any cane toad eggs you find by lifting<br />
them gently out of the water and placing the<br />
eggs in your compost bin, bury them, put them<br />
in the sun to dry out or place them in a sealable<br />
plastic bag to dispose in the bin - wear<br />
disposable gloves when handling eggs<br />
• check your load when travelling into parts of<br />
Australia not inhabited by cane toads - they will<br />
often hide in camping gear, pot plants or boxes<br />
of fruit<br />
• collect and dispose of cane toads safely, but<br />
make sure to identify it as a cane toad first.<br />
Extracted from NT Government Website<br />
https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/feral-animals/cane-toads/<br />
Frozen Cane toads can be buried or<br />
composted as a safe natural fertiliser,<br />
just make sure you keep them away<br />
from pets. You can also take live cane<br />
toads to a toad detention centre at<br />
one of the following locations:<br />
• <strong>The</strong> Shoal Bay Recycling Centre<br />
Darwin<br />
• Archer Dump Palmerston<br />
• Berry Springs Primary School<br />
• Fred's Pass<br />
56 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 57
Digestive wellbeing is vital as we go about our day-to-day life relying on the<br />
fuel that is food.And we’re learning more about how our gut affects other<br />
aspects of our overall health.<br />
Gut problems are widespread. According to <strong>The</strong> Gut Foundation, half of Australia’s<br />
population will complain of a digestive or gut problem of some kind over a 12-month<br />
period. That could be mild discomfort from indigestion, through to serious conditions<br />
such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). <strong>The</strong>re is also mounting evidence the gut can<br />
affect mood, concentration and energy levels.<br />
FANNIE BAY<br />
If our gut microbes become unhealthy – maybe as a result of diet or lifestyle – they<br />
can alter our emotional state. Research indicates that a healthy and diverse range of<br />
gut microbes can increase positive feelings – but further studies are needed to link the<br />
findings to stress-related disorders.<br />
Low levels of probiotics in the gut may lead to inflammatory skin conditions such as<br />
acne, eczema and psoriasis. Research also suggests a potential link between joint pain<br />
and rheumatoid arthritis and the bacteria in our intestines. Again, a low level of healthy<br />
microbes could be the problem.<br />
Things to avoid–or at least go easy on—are sugars, carbohydrates, caffeine, alcohol and<br />
antibiotics, which can kill gut bacteria and stop them from multiplying.<br />
If you or your family have any specific food sensitivities or allergies, it’s a sensible idea<br />
to consult a health professional. For further information, head to Defence Health –<br />
Health HQ or http://www.gutfoundation.com.au/about<br />
Extracted from Defence Health<br />
https://healthhq.defencehealth.com.au/2018/09/27/trustyour-gut/<br />
Learn what<br />
your skin loves<br />
Ella Bache Fannie Bay has been operating<br />
for over 25 years and are located at the<br />
Fannie Bay Shopping Centre.We have a<br />
great reputation with our clients due to<br />
our multi award-winning salon and<br />
therapists who have won National and<br />
State based awards.We pride ourselves<br />
on delivering a wonderful customer<br />
experience and are passionate about<br />
caring for our clients’ skin.<br />
Ella Bache products are a unique and high-performance skin care<br />
range, and the Fannie Bay salon offers an extensive range of<br />
services:<br />
Complimentary skin diagnosis - your expert therapist will<br />
determine your skin type and any skin conditions and recommend<br />
the correct products that will enhance your skin.<br />
If you are experiencing breakouts and problematic skin, then a<br />
Sort my Skin 30 min facial is for you. A Rebalance my Skin<br />
treatment is a 45min facial designed to refresh your skin.<br />
Experience one of our relaxing and indulgent one-hour facials:<br />
Signature facial for a blissful essential oil facial massage<br />
• Hydration Cellular Facial for dehydrated and dry skins<br />
• Brighten my Skin with Vitamin C<br />
• Clear my Complexion for an oilier skin type<br />
• Stop the Clock for age prevention<br />
• Turn Back Time is our premium facial<br />
• Collagen treatments to plump the skin<br />
LED Medilux Light <strong>The</strong>rapy treatments are brilliant for acne,<br />
redness and anti-ageing.<br />
We also offer laser hair removal, electrolysis for progressive<br />
permanent facial hair removal, waxing, lash tinting and brow<br />
services, lash extensions, manicures and pedicures, spray tans,<br />
massage, body treatments, spa packages and gift vouchers.<br />
Written by Debby Bell<br />
Community Contributor<br />
Ella Bache<br />
NOW HIRING<br />
Ella Bache Fannie Bay is a busy high-performance salon<br />
located in Fannie Bay. We work with one of Australia’s<br />
leading skincare brands – Ella Bache. Our team is growing,<br />
and we are looking for a qualified, motivated and friendly<br />
therapist to join our highly trained skin experts.<br />
We are offering part-time or full-time positions. Please email<br />
your cover letter and resume to Debby Bell at<br />
complexions@iinet.net.au<br />
Celebrating the latest in skincare, beauty and non-invasive<br />
cosmetic technology in Darwin, the team of professional<br />
Skin <strong>The</strong>rapists at Ella Baché Fannie Bay offers an extensive<br />
range of treatments and high performance products that<br />
focus on skin solutions as individual as you are.<br />
BOOKINGS:<br />
08 8981 7400<br />
fanniebay@ellabachesalons.com.au<br />
www.ellabache.com.au/pages/fanniebay<br />
HOURS OF TRADE:<br />
9-6pm Monday to Friday<br />
9-8pm Thursday<br />
8.30-5pm Saturday<br />
ELLA BACHE FANNIE BAY<br />
SHOP 9/9 FANNIE BAY PLACE<br />
58 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 59
YouthWorX NT works with young people to support<br />
their future employment needs. No matter where<br />
your young person is in their journey to adulthood,<br />
YouthWorX NT has different programs and flexibility<br />
to support every young person's unique needs.<strong>The</strong><br />
age range best supported by YouthWorX NT is 15-24<br />
years, however, if your young person is not within this<br />
range, please reach out to the YouthWorX NT team<br />
for guidance.<br />
THE TOP ENDER<br />
PRESENTS<br />
YOUTH<br />
WEEK<br />
NT YOUTH WEEK<br />
YOUR VOICE<br />
We want to hear your voices! We’re planning ahead for NT Youth<br />
Week and ask all defence youth to tell us what you want!<br />
• What do you enjoy doing?<br />
• What activities would you like to try?<br />
• What do you want to know more about?<br />
• What are the biggest challenges of living in the top end?<br />
Send us your ideas and input through your DSM or use the QR<br />
Code to fill out our feedback form!<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are many different stages our young people go through<br />
once they are planning to leave school, or have left school.<br />
This is the benefit of YouthWorX NT as their programs are<br />
designed to suit school leavers by providing employment<br />
support or transition advice into further education. This<br />
service is also suitable for young people who have already left<br />
school and require employment support and skills<br />
development training, including social skills development. All<br />
YouthWorX NT programs are person-centred and designed<br />
to improve the skills of our young people, through NDIS or<br />
without.<br />
YouthWorX NT uses proven techniques to help our young<br />
people become prepared for the workforce, through<br />
empowerment by education in many areas to promote selfsufficiency,<br />
such as:<br />
• Social and business communication skills<br />
• Money management<br />
• Travel skills<br />
• Understanding personal hygiene and presentation<br />
• Understanding your rights in the workplace<br />
• Teamwork<br />
• Decision making<br />
• Problem solving<br />
• Planning and Organising skills<br />
• Working independently<br />
• Time management skills<br />
• Prioritising skills<br />
• Conflict resolution and negotiation<br />
• Coping with challenges and building resilience<br />
YouthWorX NT understands that not all young people<br />
require or qualify for NDIS, so we recommend viewing their<br />
website to research a number of different programs that suit<br />
a wide range of goals for all abilities and backgrounds.<br />
Stay up to date with other YouthWorX NT programs in the<br />
upcoming Annual Defence Youth Guide (due for release in<br />
April <strong>2023</strong>), developed by <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> team!<br />
CAREER LAUNCHPAD<br />
ENCOMPASS<br />
<strong>The</strong> Encompass program is suitable for young people<br />
requiring extra supports via their NDIS plan.<br />
It can take a village to raise our young people - YouthWorX NT<br />
understand this and help mentor through self-empowerment<br />
techniques enabling the young person to identify their own<br />
needs and future aspirations, and further identifying pathways to<br />
reach those goals through 4 separate phases:<br />
1. GUIDANCE AND EXPLORATION<br />
– Work with your support team to explore your<br />
strengths, goals and skills, then develop a plan<br />
2. WORK PREPARATION<br />
– Work readiness workshops, activities and work tasters<br />
3. WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIES<br />
– Work experience placements, mentoring, internships,<br />
and volunteering<br />
4. POST PLACEMENT SUPPORT<br />
– Personalised ongoing support for both you and your<br />
employer<br />
<strong>The</strong> Encompass program is a safe and inclusive workspace with<br />
the involvement of the participant's families and stakeholders to<br />
better support the journey into employment.<br />
ELIGIBLE SUBMISSIONS CAN BE A:<br />
PHOTOGRAPH<br />
ARTWORK<br />
SCANNED DRAWING<br />
DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION<br />
Submissions should be a high resolution JPEG,<br />
PNG, PDF, AI, EPS, or PSD file with 300 DPI.<br />
Smart phone images may not be suitable if not in a<br />
minimum resolution of 1748px by 2480px or A5<br />
paper size.<br />
<strong>The</strong> theme of the design can be a combination of<br />
celebrating life in the <strong>Top</strong> End, Youth and/or<br />
Military.<br />
Judges will be looking for designs that are eyecatching<br />
and suitable for all youth, regardless of<br />
gender or culture.<br />
Runner up prizes may also be awarded and all<br />
submitted entries will be included in a magazine<br />
collage.<br />
YOUTH MAGAZINE<br />
COVER IMAGE<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> are<br />
accepting design submissions for the<br />
cover image of an upcoming Defence<br />
youth magazine!<br />
YOU COULD WIN<br />
Your image or design on the front<br />
cover of the magazine<br />
PLUS<br />
$250 Ultimate Teen gift card for<br />
Rebel Sport, JB Hi-FI, Grill’d, Boost,<br />
Rip Curl, City Beach, Timezone and<br />
King Pin.<br />
ENTER NOW AT<br />
THETOPENDERMAGAZINE.ORG.AU/WIN<br />
TERMS: Prize Pool valued at up to $150. Open to NT-Based Defence Kids aged 10 - 18. Closes<br />
31 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>. Enter online by visiting www.thetopendermagazine.org.au/win Winners will be<br />
notified by email/phone in March <strong>2023</strong> and published in the Youth magazine.<br />
W I N<br />
60 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 61
DONATED BY OUR SPONSOR<br />
W I N<br />
W I N<br />
SCHOOL HOLIDAY<br />
ACTIVITY PACK<br />
Packs include a selection of<br />
goodies including<br />
MARKERS, ACTIVITY BOOKS, PUZZLES,<br />
ART IDEAS, TIE DYE, PLAYDOH, COOKIE<br />
CUTTERS, KIDS EASY RECIPE BOOK,<br />
BAKING SET, ROCK PAINTING KIT,<br />
SEEDLING SET, BUBBLE WAND,<br />
HOLIDAY BINGO, SMALL LEGO SET,<br />
BRACELET MAKING SET, MYSTERY EGG,<br />
SUNNYLIFE INFLATABLE OUTDOOR<br />
OCTOPUS SPRINKLER<br />
ENTER NOW AT<br />
THETOPENDERMAGAZINE.ORG.AU/WIN<br />
TERMS: Prize Pool valued at<br />
up to $150. Open to NT-<br />
Based Defence Kids up to age<br />
12. Closes 10 <strong>January</strong> <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
Enter online by visiting www.<br />
thetopendermagazine.org.<br />
au/win Winners will be notified<br />
by email/phone and<br />
announced in the next edition<br />
of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>.<br />
KIDS, LET’S GET CREATIVE!<br />
Do you love to draw, paint, sculpture, make or model?<br />
Show us your artistic talents by sending a photo of your<br />
artwork to feature in the next edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>.<br />
One lucky entry will win an art pack valued at $50!<br />
ENTER NOW AT<br />
THETOPENDERMAGAZINE.ORG.AU/WIN<br />
TERMS: Prize Pool valued at up to<br />
$50. Open to NT-Based Defence<br />
Kids up to age 17. Closes 10 <strong>January</strong><br />
<strong>2023</strong>. Enter online by visiting www.<br />
thetopendermagazine.org.au/win and<br />
submitting an original artwork (e.g.<br />
painting, drawing, sculpture, lego<br />
creation, sewing creation etc...). Can’t<br />
attach a photo of your creation to<br />
our online form? Email it to us at<br />
creative@thetopendermagazine.org.au<br />
Winners will be notified by email/<br />
phone and announced in the next<br />
edition of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong>.<br />
WET SEASON<br />
ACTIVITIES<br />
With the build-up well and truly arriving, it’s time to venture<br />
indoors and find some cool activities for little ones! Here’s<br />
our favourite indoor activities for this year’s build-up:<br />
FASHION SHOW – not only is this a fun activity for all ages, it’s also<br />
a great way to clean-out your wardrobes with clothes that you no<br />
longer wear! Accessorise and turn on some music for extra fun!<br />
SENSORY BIN – Fill a container with rice and bury plastic insects or<br />
toys for little ones to find. You could also inspect each critter with a<br />
magnifying glass and discuss what things look like.<br />
TREASURE HUNT – Come up with some cryptic clues to hide<br />
around your home, making sure that each clue leads to the next<br />
adventure.<br />
ICE CREAM SMASH / FUN SHAKES – Gather some supplies from<br />
the supermarket to make your own ice-cream smash or fun shakes<br />
with various mix-ins!<br />
CREATE A FAMILY MEMORY BOOK – Select a number of family<br />
photos to create a memory book, including notes about each photo<br />
and your adventures as a defence family. You could include all of the<br />
places you have lived, things you have seen, funny events and your<br />
favourite memories.<br />
CHARADES – an oldie, but a goodie. Write down some ridiculous<br />
ideas and let the fun begin!<br />
LEARN SOMETHING – with millions of videos on YouTube about<br />
absolutely everything, it is possible to learn a new skill, such as;<br />
sewing, origami, magic tricks or even a language! Darwin Adult Short<br />
Courses also have a diverse range of courses available for some<br />
well-deserved “me time”.<br />
For more ideas and inspiration, check out: https://www.<br />
thebestideasforkids.com/indoor-activities-for-kids/<br />
Written by Deb Herring<br />
Committee Member<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
62 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 63
K I D S<br />
C O R N E R<br />
SPECIAL<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
SPOT THE<br />
DIFFERENCE<br />
FIND ALL 5<br />
DIFFERENCES<br />
What happens if you eat a<br />
Christmas decoration?<br />
A: You get Tinselitus!<br />
HO<br />
HO<br />
HO<br />
What is it called when a<br />
snowman has a temper<br />
tantrum?<br />
A: A meltdown<br />
DECORATE THE TREE<br />
THE STAR NEEDS TO BE PUT ON<br />
THE CHRISTMAS TREE, BUT WHICH<br />
PATH SHOULD YOU USE?<br />
C<br />
PATH:<br />
B<br />
A<br />
BAUBLE<br />
DESIGN<br />
COLOUR<br />
IN THE<br />
BAUBLES<br />
WORDSEARCH<br />
FIND ALL 10 WORDS<br />
ANGEL<br />
BAUBLES<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
HOLLY<br />
MISTLETOE<br />
PRESENTS<br />
GINGERBREAD<br />
REINDEER<br />
SANTA<br />
TURKEY<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
SNOWBALLS<br />
INGREDIENTS:<br />
• 1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk<br />
• 2 cups of Desiccated Coconut (keep some leftover)<br />
• Glass bowl<br />
METHOD:<br />
1. In the glass bowl, mix the 2 ingredients together so it's well coated<br />
2. Once mixed together, portion into 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll<br />
into balls<br />
3. Finally, roll the balls back into the leftover desiccated coconut<br />
4. Chill in the fridge for atleast 1 hour, then enjoy!<br />
Source: https://lifestyleofafoodie.com/2-ingredient-no-bake-coconut-balls/<br />
64 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 65
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong><br />
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Family Violence and Counselling.................................................1800 737 732<br />
Health Direct.....................................................................................1800 022 222<br />
Hospital, Darwin Private Hospital..............................................08 8920 6011<br />
Hospital, Palmerston Regional Hospital...................................08 7979 9200<br />
Hospital, Royal Darwin Hospital.................................................08 8922 8888<br />
Joint Military Police Station (JMPS)......................................................13 11 67<br />
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Secure NT........................................................................www.securent.nt.gov.au<br />
SES Emergency Helpline............................................................................132 500<br />
Snake Catcher....................................................................................1800 453 210<br />
Tropical Cyclone Information NT..............................................1300 659 211<br />
NT Defence Bases and Establishments<br />
Defence Establishment Berrimah<br />
Front Gate................................................................................08 7971 0008<br />
Mess Manager..........................................08 8935 4422 / 0437 795 258<br />
Larrakeyah Barracks<br />
Front Gate................................................................................08 7971 1189<br />
Officers’ Mess..........................................................................08 8935 5570<br />
ORs’ Mess.................................................................................08 8935 5088<br />
Sergeants’ Mess.......................................................................08 8935 5580<br />
RAAF Base Darwin<br />
Airmen‘s Mess.........................................................................08 8923 5517<br />
Front Gate................................................................................08 7929 4463<br />
Officers Mess...........................................................................08 8923 5482<br />
Sergeants’ Mess.......................................................................08 8923 5505<br />
RAAF Base Tindal<br />
Airmen‘s Mess.........................................................................08 8973 6240<br />
Front Gate................................................................................08 8973 6228<br />
Sergeants’ Mess.......................................................................08 8973 6385<br />
Robertson Barracks<br />
Front Gate................................................................................08 8925 6186<br />
Officers’ Mess..........................................................................08 8925 3650<br />
ORs’ Mess.................................................................................08 8925 2514<br />
Sergeants’ Mess.......................................................................08 8925 6703<br />
Defence Community Houses<br />
Larrakeyah Neighbourhood House............................................0447 586 591<br />
Email...........................................................larrakeyahhouse@hotmail.com<br />
Network Tindal.............................................................................................................<br />
Email.....................................................................networktindal@gmail.com<br />
Robertson Barracks Family Group..............................................0490 151 944<br />
Email.....................................robertsonbarracksfamilygroup@gmail.com<br />
On-base Services<br />
Canteens<br />
AAFCANS<br />
Robertson Barracks, Cafe Central....................................08 8925 2542<br />
RAAF Darwin, Darwin Canteen........................................08 8981 2508<br />
Robertson Barracks, Shout VC Canteen........................08 8925 6720<br />
Tindal Cafe, Convenience & Fuel Station......................08 8973 6201<br />
Navy Canteens<br />
National Operations Manager...........08 8935 5144 / 0477 477 147<br />
Larrakeyah, Outpipes............................................................08 8935 5144<br />
Military Banks<br />
Australian Military Bank<br />
Larrakeyah Barracks...............................................................08 8981 2245<br />
Robertson Barracks...............................................................08 8995 7800<br />
Defence Bank<br />
Larrakeyah Barracks...............................................................08 8935 5499<br />
RAAF Darwin...........................................................................08 7923 2500<br />
Robertson Barracks...............................................................08 8936 6400<br />
Tindal..........................................................................................08 8965 1600<br />
Hairdressers<br />
Larrakeyah Barracks.........................................................................0427 968 918<br />
RAAF Darwin – Julie-Anne...........................08 8923 5153 / 0402 235 731<br />
Robertson Barracks – Hair Dooz................................................08 8925 3300<br />
Robertson Barracks – South End Barber Shop......................08 8925 6723<br />
Uniform and Equipment<br />
Robertson Barracks, Regional Clothing Store<br />
Retail (Purchases).....................................................................08 7971 7130<br />
CIP (Exchanges)........................................................................08 7971 6920<br />
Tailor...........................................................................................08 7971 7043<br />
Tim’s Medal Mounting.....................................................................0448 129 531<br />
Bulletproof NT..................................................................................08 8947 0935<br />
Chaplains<br />
Army On-call......................................................................................0427 713 963<br />
Navy On-call......................................................................................0409 662 823<br />
RAAF Darwin On-call.....................................................................0477 308 064<br />
RAAF Tindal On-call.......................................................................0427 890 054<br />
Helplines<br />
Lifeline (24hr)................................................................................................131 114<br />
Kids Helpline (24hr)........................................................................1800 551 800<br />
Parent Helpline – Karitane (24hr)..............................................1300 227 464<br />
Parentline.............................................................................................1300 301 300<br />
Defence Community and Veterans<br />
Support Services<br />
Defence Member and Family Support (formerly DCO)<br />
Website...................................................................www.defence.gov.au/dco<br />
Defence Family Helpline........................................................1800 624 608<br />
Darwin Office.............................................................................08 8935 7900<br />
Tindal/Katherine Office...........................................................08 8973 6353<br />
Defence Families of Australia (DFA)<br />
National Convenor...................................................................1800 100 509<br />
National Delegate NT and Kimberly...........................................0418 807 548<br />
Email...............................................................................................nt@dfa.org.au<br />
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).....................................1800 555 254<br />
Website....................................................................................www.dva.gov.au<br />
Defence Service Home Loans........................................................1800 722 000<br />
Provider Enquiries.....................................................................1800 550 457<br />
Kookaburra Kids...................................................................................1300 566 525<br />
Website..............................................................www.kookaburrakids.org.au<br />
Open Arms (24hrs) ...........................................................................1800 011 046<br />
Website........................................................................www.openarms.gov.au<br />
Legacy Northern Territory...............................................................08 8948 0830<br />
Website........................................................................www.legacy.com.au/nt<br />
National ADF Family Health Program.........................................02 6266 3547<br />
Website..................................................................www.adffamilyhealth.com<br />
Red Shield Defence Services – Salvation Army<br />
Gerald & Mairi Mitchell...........................................................0400 642 881<br />
Returned Services League (RSL)<br />
Darwin...............................................................................darwin@rslsa.org.au<br />
Darwin North.............................................................................08 8945 0701<br />
Katherine (via Secretary)........................................................0407 130 095<br />
Nhulunbuy...................................................................................08 8987 0600<br />
Palmerston...................................................................................0488 001 862<br />
Tennant Creek...........................................................................0499 564 031<br />
Veterans Australia (NT) ........................sec@veteransaustraliant.org.au<br />
Advocacy Assistance........................smatdp@veteransaustraliant.org.au<br />
Useful Defence Contacts<br />
Comsuper<br />
ADF Cover..................................................................................1300 001 977<br />
ADF Super...................................................................................1300 203 439<br />
DFRDB..........................................................................................1300 001 677<br />
Military Super (MSBS).............................................................1300 006 727<br />
Defence Housing Australia (DHA)...........................................................133 342<br />
Website....................................................................................www.dha.gov.au<br />
Defence Relocations and Housing Manager NT........................08 7929 4547<br />
Toll Transitions.....................................................................................1800 819 167<br />
Defence Tax Management Office (CTMO)...............................1800 806 053<br />
Health<br />
Australian Breastfeeding Association...........................................1800 686 268<br />
Autism NT.............................................................................................08 8948 4424<br />
Bereaved Parent Support NT|SIDS and Kids NT....................08 8948 5311<br />
24-hour Emergency Support Line.......................................0448 849 234<br />
Birthline Pregnancy Support............................................................1300 655 156<br />
Cancer Council NT<br />
Alice Springs...............................................................................08 8953 5920<br />
Darwin..........................................................................................08 8944 1800<br />
Katherine................................................................................08 8971 <strong>2022</strong><br />
Website....................................................................www.nt.cancer.org.au<br />
Carers Australia NT......................................................................08 8944 4888<br />
Website......................................................................www.carersnt.asn.au<br />
Childbirth Education Association Darwin.............................08 8948 3043<br />
Website..................................................................www.ceadarwin.asn.au<br />
Community Care Centres<br />
Alice Springs Community Health Centre...................08 8951 6711<br />
Casuarina Community Care Centre.............................08 8922 7301<br />
Katherine Community Health Centre..........................08 8973 8570<br />
Karama Child and Family Health Clinic.......................08 8922 7301<br />
Nhulunbuy Community Health Centre.......................08 8987 0435<br />
Nylander Child Health Clinic..........................................08 8922 7301<br />
Palmerston Community Care Centre..........................08 8999 3344<br />
Tennant Creek Community Health Care...................08 8962 4218<br />
Cradle Support Group.................................................................0438 272 353<br />
Website..........................................................................www.cradle.org.au<br />
Darwin Homebirth Group ........................................................08 8922 5522<br />
Website..................................darwinhomebirthgroup.wordpress.com<br />
Defence Special Needs Support Group (DSNSG)<br />
Website...........................................................................www.dsnsg.org.au<br />
National Coordinator........................................................1800 037 674<br />
Darwin Coordinator.............................................darwin@dsnsg.org.au<br />
Katherine/Tindal Coordinator......................katherine@dsnsg.org.au<br />
Down Syndrome Association NT............................................08 8985 6222<br />
Website.................................................www.downsyndroment.com.au<br />
Epilepsy Centre – Epilepsy Association of SA & NT........1300 850 081<br />
Website.........................................................www.epilepsycentre.org.au<br />
Family Planning NT.......................................................................08 8948 0144<br />
Website........................................................................www.fpwnt.com.au<br />
Hearing Australia.......................................................................................134 432<br />
Northern Territory Department of Health (DOH)..........08 8999 2400<br />
Website....................................................................www.health.nt.gov.au<br />
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline........................................1800 882 436<br />
<strong>Top</strong> End Mental Health Service................................................08 8999 4988<br />
Wellness Centre............................................................................08 8946 7176<br />
Website..............................................www.cdu.edu.au/wellness-centre<br />
Sports and Activities<br />
Australian Military Wives Choir...............................................0416 878 261<br />
Australian Air Force Cadets 8 Wing<br />
AAFC 801 Squadron – Winnellie..................................08 8923 5713<br />
AAFC 802 Squadron – Driver........................................0473 816 694<br />
AAFC 803 Squadron – Tindal........................................0427 397 495<br />
AAFC 804 Squadron – Alice Springs...........................08 8953 4484<br />
Australian Army Cadets..............................08 8935 5174 / 08 8935 5488<br />
Email............................................................aachq-nt@armycadets.gov.au<br />
Australian Navy Cadets<br />
Training Ship Darwin...........................TSDarwin@navycadets.gov.au<br />
Training Ship Melville Bay...........TSMelvilleBay@navycadets.gov.au<br />
Girl Guides NT...............................................................................08 8981 3628<br />
Website...................................................................www.girlguides.org.au<br />
Playgroups Association NT (PANT).......................................08 8945 7775<br />
Website............................................................www.playgroupnt.com.au<br />
66 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated DECEMBER <strong>2022</strong>/JANUARY <strong>2023</strong> 67
RAAF Darwin Fishing Club............................................................08 8924 2045<br />
RAAF Darwin Golf Club................................................................0459 746 306<br />
Swimming<br />
Masters Swimming.................................................................08 8981 5919<br />
Alice AUSSI.............................................thecullenanes@ozemail.com.au<br />
Darwin Stingers..........................................................stingers@iinet.net.au<br />
Palmerston Sharks.................................info@palmerstonsharks.com.au<br />
Goldfishbowl Swim School.................................................08 8931 1000<br />
NT Swim School.....................................................................08 8948 1000<br />
Website.................................................www.ntswimschool.com.au<br />
Palmerston & Rural Swimming Club<br />
Head Coach Daniel Gerlach....................................0400 299 622<br />
Swim Dynamics Swim School............................................0421 631 624<br />
Website......................................................www.swimdynamics.com<br />
Scouts NT...........................................................................................08 8948 0994<br />
Website.....................................................................www.nt.scouts.com.au<br />
Surf Life Saving NT..........................................................................08 8985 6588<br />
Website.................................................................www.lifesavingnt.com.au<br />
Local Government and Regional Councils<br />
Alice Springs Town Council..........................................................08 8950 0500<br />
Barkly Regional Council..................................................................08 8962 0000<br />
Belyuen Community Government Council.............................08 8978 5061<br />
Central Desert Regional Council................................................1300 360 605<br />
City of Darwin...................................................................................08 8930 0300<br />
City of Palmerston...........................................................................08 8935 9922<br />
Coomalie Community Government Council..........................08 8976 0058<br />
East Arnhem Regional Council....................................................08 8986 8986<br />
Katherine Town Council................................................................08 8972 5500<br />
Litchfield Council..............................................................................08 8983 0600<br />
MacDonnell Regional Council......................................................08 8958 9600<br />
Nhulunbuy Corporation.................................................................08 8939 2200<br />
Roper Gulf Regional Councils......................................................08 8972 9000<br />
Tiwi Regional Council.....................................................................08 8970 9500<br />
Victoria Daly Regional Council....................................................08 8972 0777<br />
Wagait Shire Council......................................................................08 8978 5185<br />
West Arnhem Regional Council.................................................08 8979 9444<br />
West Daly Regional Council.........................................................08 8901 3920<br />
Government<br />
Bureau of Meteorology..................................................................1800 659 214<br />
Website...............................................................................www.bom.gov.au<br />
Department of Human Services.............................................................132 468<br />
Centrelink<br />
Have we missed something?<br />
Carers..........................................................................................132 717<br />
Families........................................................................................136 150<br />
Complaints and Feedback.........................................1800 132 468<br />
Medicare<br />
General Enquiries....................................................................132 011<br />
myGov Helpdesk...............................................................................132 307<br />
Motor Vehicle Registry NT...........................................................1300 654 628<br />
Website............................................................................www.mvr.nt.gov.au<br />
Road Report ......................................................................................1800 246 199<br />
Website.............................................................www.roadreport.nt.gov.au<br />
Animal Services and Animal Care<br />
Injured Wildlife<br />
Wildcare Alice Springs.........................................................0419 221 128<br />
Wildcare Darwin....................................08 8988 6121 / 0408 885 341<br />
Darwin Wildlife Sanctuary..................................................0473 992 581<br />
Katherine Wildlife Rescue Services.................................0412 955 336<br />
RSPCA (Darwin)....................................................................08 8984 3795<br />
Pounds and Animal Shelters<br />
Alice Springs Animal Shelter..............08 8950 0500 / 08 8953 4430<br />
Darwin........................................................................................08 8947 2099<br />
Katherine...................................................................................08 8972 5500<br />
Palmerston................................................................................08 8935 9977<br />
Snake Catcher....................................................................................1800 453 210<br />
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