ADF Chaplains in the NT Navy On-call: 0409 662 823 Kelvin Harris HMAS Coonawarra Anglican 0401 075 488 Esava Koro HMAS Coonawarra Seventh Day Adventist 0423 451 989 Shaun Foster Patrol Boat Chaplain Australian Christian Churches 0400 514 375 Army On-call: 0427 713 963 Glen Elsegood 8/12 Regiment Anglican 0429 345 167 Garth Mayger Regional Support Catholic 0409 778 462 Kelly Horne 1CER Australian Christian Churches 0418 428 337 Chris Lindsay 1CSSB Presbyterian 0419 869 187 Brendan Quirk HQ1 BDE Catholic 0407 283 050 Shane Rogerson 5RAR Anglican 0408 684 783 Anthony Doyle 1AVN Catholic 0429 891 274 Airforce Darwin On-call: 0477 308 064 Airforce Tindal On-call: 0427 890 054 Christopher Buckley-Wilkshire RAAF Tindal Churches of Christ 0437 702 645 Peter Taylor RAAF Tindal Anglican 0423 686 109 Karen Haynes RAAF Darwin Baptist 0408 765 660 All three services provide a 24/7 on-call number for emergencies. Each Unit/Ship/Base has its own chaplain who can assist. If you chaplain is not available, please contact the on-call number for your Service. Denominational or faith-specific ministry can be arranged as required. CHAPLAIN’S CHAT It’s probably a sentiment felt and vocalised every year, but it feels like the year has galloped along at a great rate of knots. We humans like to label things and mark progress and progression in different ways, one of which is to divide our year into seasons. In the Northern Region, we are getting ready to move from hot, humid and ‘wet’ into hot, slightly less humid, and dry (unless we count under our arms). Yes, the nights are cooler, and those of us away from the coast will see an even more marked reduction in humidity but if a massive change in temperature is what you desire, then you may have to manage your expectations. Defence has its own way of measuring seasons that differ slightly from Base to Base and across services but remain relatively consistent. Posting, Promotions, Anzac Day, Exercise Period(s), Performance Review, Remembrance Day, End of Year Functions, and inevitably, back to Postings. You may find yourself thinking, “Wow is it (insert season here), already”. Uniformed members are aware of these subtle seasonal changes, so it can be comforting to know that one period will soon end and another begin. It is worth remembering that our families, partners and friends aren’t as synced into these seasons as us; they may not have the awareness of the difficult season coming to an end - to them, this may be the ‘new normal’. When our Canberra colleagues post temperature updates on social media, it can be hard to relate. But, if we find ourselves posted there, the support of a local can let us know that ‘this too shall pass’ - invest in some thermals. Hard times or busy periods aren’t forever but sometimes it takes the support of a local, someone who has witnessed the season, to alert us to what it looks like, how to best protect ourselves, and when it ends. Postings to the Northern Region can be tough, for many the ‘honeymoon period’ has ended. <strong>The</strong> excitement and adventure that we had planned looks more like a reduction in support and less access to family, friends, and large department stores. For those wearing a uniform, we have lots of ‘locals’ around us that can help point us in the right direction; even if we might need to look outside of our normal workplace for what we need – luckily, we have a lot of options out there. It’s not always as easy for our partners and families (don’t forget the kids). We don’t have to do it alone; organisations like Chaplaincy and DMFS are there to help, and at the very least can provide access or awareness to many other avenues. With help, we all become ‘locals’ eventually. Written by CHAP Chris Buckley-Wilkshire Church of Christ Chaplain RAAF Tindal 50 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>Ender</strong> | Tri-Services <strong>Magazine</strong> Incorporated
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