Posted by Brian Hartigan, Author at CONTACT magazine

Members of the Royal Australian Navy Sea Training Group with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Maritime Element ships company of 'Ted Diro' (P401) on completion of the ships sea readiness evaluation at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. Photo by Able Seaman Christopher Szumlanski.

Australia agrees to arm PNG patrol boats

25/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4993 Views 0 Comments

ADF has agreed to arm PNG’s four new Guardian-class patrol boats delivered through the Pacific Maritime Security Program.

Australian soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan aboard a Bushmaster. Photo by Corporal Bernard Pearson.

Poets Corner

Unsung

25/06/202125/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1531 Views 1 Comment By Angus Green

I’ve never been a hero though I’ve served with quite a few, just everyday Australians just the same as me and you.

Families wave goodbye as HMAS Melbourne departs Sydney for a Middle East deployment in 2012. RAN photo.

Poets Corner

No Tears Dad

22/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1735 Views 0 Comments By Angus Green

He doesn’t show his tears As he brings the kids around The terminal loudspeakers yell All passengers boarding now.

Editor's Vlog

Laundry day at CONTACT HQ – Part 1

22/06/202127/07/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1506 Views 0 Comments Make-n-Do

After months – nay, more than a year – of working to improve my workshop, along comes a ‘proper project’ – a laundry makeover at CONTACT HQ.

Members of Overwatch Battle Group–West get ready to participate in an ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Talil, Iraq, 2008. Photo by Brian Hartigan.

Poets Corner

Our leaders of tomorrow

20/06/202120/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1548 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

You, precious youth, are our nation’s future Look back beyond yesterday to unfold true history

History News Veterans

Breaker Morant – live presentation

20/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1899 Views 0 Comments

Noted expert and advocate for justice in the ‘Breaker Morant case’ James Unkles will give a presentation on his work in Sydney next month.

Life on the Line Podcast

Mark Donaldson VC – Life on the Line

20/06/202120/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2378 Views 0 Comments Life on the Line Podcast

Alex Lloyd interviews Corporal Mark Donaldson VC – the first Australian Victoria Cross recipient since Vietnam.

News Veterans

New veteran-family live-in digs at Concord hospital

18/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2372 Views 0 Comments Fussell House

Veterans and their families can now access on-site accomodation at Concord hospital in Sydney while out-of-town vets undergo treatment.

Australian and Japanese soldiers and US Marines participate in a smoking ceremony Robertson Barracks to kick-start Exercise Southern Jackaroo. Photo by Barrie Collins, for CONTACT.

Australian Army MRF-D News Pacific

Exercise Southern Jackaroo off to a smokin start

15/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2179 Views 0 Comments

MRF-D, Australian Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force personnel began Exercise Southern Jackaroo 2021 in Northern Territory today.

Australian Army Private Sam Randall and Corporal James Milne from the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment on Exercise Wolf Crawl, at the Canungra Field Training Area, Queensland. Base photo by Private Jacob Hilton. Digitally added to by CONTACT.

Poets Corner

The Choko Vine

15/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2462 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

I had not long left the service and had so much time on hand, I tried to set up a vegie patch, on my little piece of land.

AH-64E Apache fitted with AN/APG-78 LONGBOW fire-control radar – doubled its range without any hardware changes. Photo supplied.

Australian Army News

Australia’s Apache purchase approved by US

14/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5071 Views 8 Comments AH-64 Apache

The US has approved the sale of 29 AH-64E Apache helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion.

ADF News

Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List

14/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 6055 Views 6 Comments Honours List

The Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021 recognised 1190 Australians, including 33 recipients in the Military Division and 71 military medals.

Governor-General General (Retd) David Hurley inspects the Corps of Staff Cadets during the Trooping of the Queen's Colour parade at the Royal Military College - Duntroon, Canberra. Photo by Lauren Larking.

Australian Army News

Queen’s Birthday Parade returns to Canberra

13/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2404 Views 0 Comments

The Australian Army celebrated the Queen’s Birthday with a traditional Queen’s Birthday Parade at RMC-Duntroon yesterday.

Letters to the Editor

CONTACT in pdf downloads

13/06/202113/06/2021 Y 1767 Views 0 Comments

Hello Reading contact via the web is annoying as the magazine does not flow flow – you must go back

Australian Defence Force Academy Air Force trainee officers stand at attention during the raising of the RAAF Ensign at Commonwealth Place on 31 March 2021. Photo by Lannon Harley.

Poets Corner

AVIATOR (they can’t be bloody serious)

11/06/202128/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2207 Views 0 Comments By Tomas 'Paddy' Hamilton

After 30 years in the RAAF, I thought I’d heard the lot And there are times I’m sure, someone has

Poets Corner

When CSM at Duntroon

09/06/2021 Mick Shave 1551 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

When I was posted at Duntroon As C.S.M of ‘weeds and seeds’, Its grounds I’d walk each afternoon, Reflecting on

Poets Corner

Stan the Ram

09/06/2021 Mick Shave 2610 Views 0 Comments By Michael Shave

When I was stationed at Enoggera, as a young platoon sergeant with 9RAR, a Merino ram was offered, and accepted,

Soldiers from Mentoring Task Force – Three (MTF-3) move away from a helicopter landing zone, after loading Australian casualties wounded by an improvised explosive device on a Bushmaster, in the Chora Valley, southern Afghanistan. Photo by Able Seaman Jo Dilorenzo.

Poets Corner

The battle line

07/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1505 Views 0 Comments By Ian O'Loughlin

His heart and mind was racing, he struggled to hold back his tears, He had no choice now and had to face his greatest fears.

Dark days for SASR after IGADF Afghanistan report.

Australian Army News

RUSIV ADF Ethics Essay Competition

06/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1903 Views 0 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

As a positive response to the Brereton Report, RUSIV is running an essay competition on the topic of Ethics for the Australian Defence Force.

Snipers from Mentoring Task Force - Three form a guard around their recently fallen comrade, Private Matthew Lambert, at Tarin Kot, Afghanistan. Photo by Able Seaman Jo Dilorenzo.

Poets Corner

REMEMBER THE AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER

06/06/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2971 Views 0 Comments By Captain Lisa Ride

I am an Australian soldier; I stand tall and proud and trueI train and fight for freedom; I honour my country and I protect you.