Preparing food hampers for the community

The ADF is working alongside NSW Police and community volunteers in Sydney’s west to prepare hundreds of food hampers for people in need.

CAPTION: ADF personnel working alongside NSW Police and community volunteers in Sydney’s west. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson.

It’s one of the many roles being carried out by the ADF after responding to a request from the NSW Government last week for an additional 300 personnel to support the efforts against the spread of COVID-19.

The Commander of Operation COVID-19 Assist, NSW, Colonel Warwick Young said Defence was ready, willing and continued to play its part to help the community.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on many in our community and organisations like OzHarvest play a vital role in helping those who are struggling,” Colonel Young said.

“I hope that our contribution, working alongside police and volunteers, brings some relief to those families and individuals who’ve been impacted by this virus.”

Operation COVID-19 Assist started in in March last year.  For much of this year, Defence efforts in NSW have been focused on airport and hotel quarantine activities.

The additional soldiers, sailors and aviators are assisting police with welfare and compliance checks, providing support at COVID-19 testing clinics and helping set-up vaccination stations.

Personnel will soon be helping NSW Health with contact tracing.

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