Tag Archives: australian
Australian Herons Achieve Record Flying Hours
The fourth rotation (ROT 4) of Australia’s Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Detachment in Kandahar, Afghanistan, has set a unit record for monthly flying hours. Commanding Officer Heron RPA Detachment – ROT 4 Wing Commander Greg Wells said his personnel had achieved 475 hours during April. “This exceeds the efforts of previous Heron rotations and means we have reached a point where we are able to achieve a significant amount of time on station providing an all-important ‘eye in the sky’ for our troops,” Wing Commander Wells said. An Australian Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) is pushed back into a hanger after completing a successful mission. “One of the advantages of Heron is it can stay airborne for a very long time. We deliver enhanced situational awareness to our soldiers, which is vital in helping them achieve their mission on the ground. The success of Heron is a combination of both smart technology and people. A typical Heron mission involves a lot of work from a very small team of specialists, ranging from engineers to intelligence officers, imagery analysts and pilots.” The Heron team comprises 28 Australian Defence Force personnel drawn from the Air Force, Navy and Army, and New Zealand Defence Force personnel operating from Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. The tri-service unit has logged more than 4,600 total flight hours since beginning operations in January last year. Dubbed ‘Bluey’ by the Australians, the Heron can fly for up to 24 hours and is a key asset in the conduct of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Afghanistan theatre of operations. It helps to protect Australian and Coalition forces, as well as Afghan civilians, from insurgent activity, including the laying of improvised explosive devices. Squadron Leader Shawn Jenkins flys an Australian Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) mission from the Ground Control Section – Pilot Bay at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Information collected by the Heron is analysed and processed in real time. This means the commander has the benefit of having eyes on a target to build a more accurate picture of the battlespace. Herons are operated from a ground base, controlled by trained pilots and can withstand a range of weather conditions. “Every suspicious activity we investigate and every improvised explosive device activity we identify is potentially a life saved,” Wing Commander Wells said. “We are very proud of the record-breaking milestone the team has achieved this month, and we will continue to push our performance to exceed this in the future.” Heron ROT 4 currently operates three airframes forming part of a larger International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) RPA capability in Afghanistan. The Australian Heron RPAs are unarmed. Defence Media Operations Continue reading
Australian Government Accepts Offer of Japanese War Records
The Australian Government has welcomed Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara’s apology to Australian Prisoners of War (POWs) for the horrors they endured under Japanese control in World War II. Foreign Minister Maehara’s apology was made in a spirit of reconciliation during the visit to Japan of five former Australian POWs and their carers under the auspices of the Japan-POW Friendship Group. Foreign Minister Maehara also announced Japan would return to Australia historical records of former Australian POWs held by Japan during World War II. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, thanked the Japanese Government. “I welcome their offer which is made in the spirit of cooperation. These index cards were originally offered to Australia by the Japanese Government in 1953, but the Australian Government of the time chose not to take up the offer, believing that they would not contain any new information,” Mr Rudd said. Minister Snowdon said the Japanese records may shed light on the fate of the members of Lark Force, many of whom were lost when the Japanese transport Montevideo Maru was sunk by a US submarine in 1942. “The Government recognises that there are families who remain uncertain about the fate of those captured by the Japanese during World War II,” said Mr Snowdon. “In recent years, the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society have maintained interest in the fate of Australian prisoners of war and have pressed the Australian Government to seek access to the card system.” The records are expected to be housed in the Australian War Memorial. Continue reading
Paris in Bloom – an Historical Overview of the City’s Gardens
A public lecture conducted by the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Toowoomba An expert on all things Parisian, Thirza Vallois will present a public lecture on the gardens of Paris for the Toowoomba Group of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS) on 21 September. Everyone who has visited Paris is struck by its wonderful public gardens including the Tuileries, the Luxembourg and the Jardin des Plantes. In her illustrated lecture Thirza Vallois will take us on an historical journey through the gardens from the medieval to contemporary ones. Thirza Vallois has lived most of her life in Paris. She holds several post-graduate degrees from the Sorbonne University including the prestigious agregation, is an acclaimed author, lecturer and broadcaster. Thirza’s lecture will be given in the Glennie Room, The Glennie School, Herries Street, Toowoomba on Tuesday 21 September starting at 6.45 pm and will be followed by supper. Members of the public are very welcome to attend. The cost is $20 for persons who are not members of ADFAS and $10 for students. For further information about this lecture and about membership of ADFAS contact the Secretary of ADFAS, Toowoomba on 07 4636 6164. Continue reading
Paris in Bloom – an Historical Overview of the City’s Gardens
A public lecture conducted by the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Toowoomba An expert on all things Parisian, Thirza Vallois will present a public lecture on the gardens of Paris for the Toowoomba Group of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS) on 21 September. Everyone who has visited Paris is struck by its wonderful public gardens including the Tuileries, the Luxembourg and the Jardin des Plantes. In her illustrated lecture Thirza Vallois will take us on an historical journey through the gardens from the medieval to contemporary ones. Thirza Vallois has lived most of her life in Paris. She holds several post-graduate degrees from the Sorbonne University including the prestigious agregation, is an acclaimed author, lecturer and broadcaster. Thirza’s lecture will be given in the Glennie Room, The Glennie School, Herries Street, Toowoomba on Tuesday 21 September starting at 6.45 pm and will be followed by supper. Members of the public are very welcome to attend. The cost is $20 for persons who are not members of ADFAS and $10 for students. For further information about this lecture and about membership of ADFAS contact the Secretary of ADFAS, Toowoomba on 07 4636 6164. Continue reading
Landscapes, legends and archaeology in Ethiopia
A public lecture conducted by the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society, Toowoomba – 20 July 2010 Louise Schofield, an internationally recognized archaeological expert, will present a lecture on Ethiopian art and archaeology for the Toowoomba Group of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS) on 20 July. Following a career as Curator of Greek Bronze Age and Geometric Antiquities at the British Museum, Louise is now engaged in conducting archaeological projects in Ethiopia, Turkey and Greece. Her latest book The Mycenaeans was published jointly by the British and Getty Museums. Ethiopia is a mysterious and deeply atmospheric country steeped in history and legend. Its people live a life that is truly biblical and timeless surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Their ancient history features countless famous names including that of the Queen of Sheba who is reputed to have once ruled over large stretches of the north of the country. Drawing on her extensive background in the archaeology and art of Ethiopia, Louise will inform and entertain her listeners. Louise Schofield’s lecture will be given in the Glennie Room, The Glennie School, Herries Street, Toowoomba on Tuesday 20 July starting at 6.45 pm and will be followed by supper. Members of the public are welcome to attend. The cost is $20 for persons who are not members of ADFAS and $10 for students. For further information about Louise Schofield’s lecture and about membership of ADFAS contact the Secretary of ADFAS, Toowoomba on 07 4636 6164. Continue reading
Over fifty roles on offer for Toowoomba locals
The 2010 Northern University Games is coming to Toowoomba, and with it comes lots of volunteer roles for locals interested in sports and events management. Covering a range of roles in areas such as operations, media, marketing, administration, accreditation, sport planning and special events, the 2010 Northern University Games offers some fantastic opportunities for Toowoomba locals to become involved in a large multisport event. Returning to Toowoomba for the first time since 2004 the event attracts in excess of 1,000 competitors in 12 sports and is organised by Australian University Sport, the governing body of university sport in Australia. 2010 Northern University Games project manager Paul Sutcliffe has some fantastic roles on offer at the moment. “We are currently recruiting for a number of roles that would suit a variety of people, from students looking for a foot in the door in the sports events management industry to retirees who are looking for a new challenge, or a way to become involved in the local community” Mr Sutcliffe said. “Many of our volunteers have used our events as a springboard to launch their career in event management, and with roles ranging from 35 hours to over 100 hours it is a chance to gain some new skills while experiencing the buzz of working on such a large event” said Mr Sutcliffe. Further information on available roles can be found on the Australian University Sport website www.unigames.com.au or by calling the 2010 Northern University Games office on (07) 3876 2610. For further information please contact: Sarah Wordsworth Australian University Sport, Ph: 07 3876 2610 Mobile: 0420 839 152 Email: sarah.wordsworth@unisport.com.au Continue reading
Inspiring Nursing graduate triumphs over difficult past
Tiffany Zimmermann is a firm believer in pursuing academic dreams. This Saturday (April 24), when the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Master of Mental Health Nursing graduate steps onto the stage to accept her Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Award for the highest grade point average, it will be a triumph over a difficult childhood and troubled teenage years. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the life I have now or the achievements I have made, it blows me away,” she said. “I would never have considered that one day I would have a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree and be working towards a third degree.” Tiffany, 36, a mother-of-two who was born in Toowoomba, describes her past as “somewhat gruesome. I was raised by a single parent and moved around a lot – 10 moves and nine schools by the time I was 14,” she said. “I was put in the care of the Department of Child Safety Services at 14 years old, kicked out of home at 16, unemployed and living in a caravan in Miles at 17 and pregnant at 18.” At 20 years old, Tiffany undertook a natural therapies course and discovered she had a passion for women’s health. “I decided I wanted to be a private midwife and repeat Year 12 so that I could go to uni.” Since then, Tiffany has undertaken study in pregnancy counselling, completed a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Nursing, and is currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery. “I am also planning to train as a doula later this year,” she said. Currently residing in Cairns with her husband Rene (a doctor), daughter Ivory and son Raven, Tiffany said her dream was to work as a private midwife, providing community and home-based intrapartum care and birthing services to women and their families. “I would like to find a way to meld my mental health training with midwifery training,” she said. ‘”I have a particular interest also in perinatal mental health and am part of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health group in Cairns. I would like to do a doctorate one day and maybe write a book about hyperemesis gravidarum (a severe form of morning sickness) for Australian women.” Tiffany will join more than 1100 Sciences and Education students celebrating the conferring of their degrees during USQ’s Autumn Graduation Ceremonies at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre this Saturday, April 24. The Faculty of Education graduation ceremony will be held at 10am and the Faculty of Science graduation ceremony will get underway from 2.30pm. Nursing graduate Tiffany Zimmermann has overcome many challenges to achieve her academic dreams. Submitted by Madeleine Tiller, USQ Media , +61 7 4631 1163, 0400 025 429 Continue reading
Inspiring Nursing graduate triumphs over difficult past
Tiffany Zimmermann is a firm believer in pursuing academic dreams. This Saturday (April 24), when the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Master of Mental Health Nursing graduate steps onto the stage to accept her Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Award for the highest grade point average, it will be a triumph over a difficult childhood and troubled teenage years. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the life I have now or the achievements I have made, it blows me away,” she said. “I would never have considered that one day I would have a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree and be working towards a third degree.” Tiffany, 36, a mother-of-two who was born in Toowoomba, describes her past as “somewhat gruesome. I was raised by a single parent and moved around a lot – 10 moves and nine schools by the time I was 14,” she said. “I was put in the care of the Department of Child Safety Services at 14 years old, kicked out of home at 16, unemployed and living in a caravan in Miles at 17 and pregnant at 18.” At 20 years old, Tiffany undertook a natural therapies course and discovered she had a passion for women’s health. “I decided I wanted to be a private midwife and repeat Year 12 so that I could go to uni.” Since then, Tiffany has undertaken study in pregnancy counselling, completed a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing Science and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Nursing, and is currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery. “I am also planning to train as a doula later this year,” she said. Currently residing in Cairns with her husband Rene (a doctor), daughter Ivory and son Raven, Tiffany said her dream was to work as a private midwife, providing community and home-based intrapartum care and birthing services to women and their families. “I would like to find a way to meld my mental health training with midwifery training,” she said. ‘”I have a particular interest also in perinatal mental health and am part of the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health group in Cairns. I would like to do a doctorate one day and maybe write a book about hyperemesis gravidarum (a severe form of morning sickness) for Australian women.” Tiffany will join more than 1100 Sciences and Education students celebrating the conferring of their degrees during USQ’s Autumn Graduation Ceremonies at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre this Saturday, April 24. The Faculty of Education graduation ceremony will be held at 10am and the Faculty of Science graduation ceremony will get underway from 2.30pm. Nursing graduate Tiffany Zimmermann has overcome many challenges to achieve her academic dreams. Submitted by Madeleine Tiller, USQ Media , +61 7 4631 1163, 0400 025 429 Continue reading
