Clean-up efforts in Gympie supported

Troops from 7th Brigade have deployed to Gympie, Queensland, to help the community with disaster relief and clean-up efforts as part of Operation Flood Assist 2022.

CAPTION: Army officer Lieutenant Thomas West, front, and other soldiers load gear onto trucks at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane in preparation to deploying to Gympie as part of Operation Flood Assist 2022. Story by Captain Taylor Lynch. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Quickly returning from combat shooting exercises in the Greenbank training area, the Brisbane-based troops moved from Gallipoli Barracks to Gympie.

Commanding Officer of 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), Lieutenant Colonel Richard Niessl, outlined the type of tasks his troops would be undertaking while deployed.

“They will be focused on cleaning mud out of houses, removing furniture that’s been damaged, removing debris so vehicles can get up and down roads, and cleaning infrastructure,” Lieutenant Colonel Niessl said.

“It’s unfortunate, but these important tasks need to occur after major floods have gone through the community.

“6RAR has been heavily involved in a number of domestic operations in support of the community over the past few years.

“Most recently, we’ve supported aged-care facilities and we’re now deploying throughout south-east Queensland for flood support.”

CAPTION: An Army soldier from 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, loads gear onto a truck in preparation to deploy to Gympie as part of Operation Flood Assist 2022. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Lieutenant Colonel Niessl explained why 6RAR’s support to the community was important to him and his troops.

“The battalion lives in this community, our families attend schools and work across the city, we play sport across the city, so we are fundamentally part of the community in which we serve,” he said.

“When disasters and challenges like this this arise, the battalion really looks for opportunities to make a difference and lend a helping hand.

“The troops always return from this sort of task feeling positive and satisfied that they have been able to make a positive contribution.

“They are keen, they can see the need and what needs to be done.”

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