Exercise Steele Tuff 1999.
On Saturday 4th December 1999, eight Association members attended Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera for the annual "Steel Tuff' exercise, the aim of which was to identify the best Section in 9 RQR.
'The Exercise commenced on the Friday and ran almost non-stop till Saturday afternoon, during which time Sections were put through their paces of patrolling, navigation and ambushes. Saturday was devoted to initiative exercises which forced sections to work as a team and pool their knowledge and experience to overcome various obstacles set for them.
Again, our members were glad to be observers rather than undertake the rigorous training of the young Diggers. 'The winning Section came from 'D' Coy Bundaberg, and at the conclusion of the Exercise the winning Section was presented with individual medallions and Certificates by Association members present.
The presentation was followed by a Bar8-0 attended by 9 RQR members and Association members. In order to demonstrate to 9 R©R Unit members that our organisation values highly its association with them, it was then decided that representatives would drive to Bundaberg the following Tuesday (7/ 12/99), to present the medallions and certificates to members of the winning section in front of their comrades in their home Barracks at Bundaberg. Joe Fisk, Barry Wright, Jesse Chee and Bob Collins drove to Bundaberg and attended the Unit's own celebrations and final parade for the year.
In addition to the soldiers of the Platoon, their families and several other local dignitaries, including the President of the Bundaberg RSL were present. Joe Fisk had done sterling work in having the individual medallions engraved and Certificates endorsed in such a short period of time, and this was much appreciated by the winning Section.
A great social evening followed and this gave Association members the opportunity to mingle with the Bundaberg Platoon and much goodwill was created as they certainly appreciated our efforts to travel to Bundaberg to make the presentation.
One remarkable feature of the Bundaberg Platoon of 9 RQR is that, in the past three months, they have had two of their members join regular Army Battalions in East Timor, and there are three other Platoon members on standby waiting for their callup so they can join other Army Units in East Timor. For such a small Platoon to have 5 of their members either in East Timor or waiting to go is a great indication of the spirit of these young, capable soldiers.
Bob Collins.
'The Exercise commenced on the Friday and ran almost non-stop till Saturday afternoon, during which time Sections were put through their paces of patrolling, navigation and ambushes. Saturday was devoted to initiative exercises which forced sections to work as a team and pool their knowledge and experience to overcome various obstacles set for them.
Again, our members were glad to be observers rather than undertake the rigorous training of the young Diggers. 'The winning Section came from 'D' Coy Bundaberg, and at the conclusion of the Exercise the winning Section was presented with individual medallions and Certificates by Association members present.
The presentation was followed by a Bar8-0 attended by 9 RQR members and Association members. In order to demonstrate to 9 R©R Unit members that our organisation values highly its association with them, it was then decided that representatives would drive to Bundaberg the following Tuesday (7/ 12/99), to present the medallions and certificates to members of the winning section in front of their comrades in their home Barracks at Bundaberg. Joe Fisk, Barry Wright, Jesse Chee and Bob Collins drove to Bundaberg and attended the Unit's own celebrations and final parade for the year.
In addition to the soldiers of the Platoon, their families and several other local dignitaries, including the President of the Bundaberg RSL were present. Joe Fisk had done sterling work in having the individual medallions engraved and Certificates endorsed in such a short period of time, and this was much appreciated by the winning Section.
A great social evening followed and this gave Association members the opportunity to mingle with the Bundaberg Platoon and much goodwill was created as they certainly appreciated our efforts to travel to Bundaberg to make the presentation.
One remarkable feature of the Bundaberg Platoon of 9 RQR is that, in the past three months, they have had two of their members join regular Army Battalions in East Timor, and there are three other Platoon members on standby waiting for their callup so they can join other Army Units in East Timor. For such a small Platoon to have 5 of their members either in East Timor or waiting to go is a great indication of the spirit of these young, capable soldiers.
Bob Collins.
Utz Wellner, Kel Williams, Colin Gould and Jesse Chee take a break.
Colin Gould and Joe Fisk talking to one of the Sections.
The above and following 4 photos are of a Section addressing the problem set.
Joe Fisk congratulates the winning Section L/Cpl. Jesse Chee looks on.
Joe Fisk presenting the CO 9 RQR with Ian Downs book "New Guinea Volunteer Rifles"
Kel Williams with one of the winning Section members.