Chaplain puts faith in spreading the safety message

Locals in Munda and Noro in the western province of Solomon Islands have welcomed a joint force of more than 250 personnel from eight nations, including Australia, supporting the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force on Operation Render Safe.

CAPTION: Army personnel attend church with local children during Operation Render Safe, Noro, Solomon Islands. Story by Sergeant David Said. Photos by Corporal Sam Price.

Chaplain Haydn Parsons said it was important to pass on messages about safety and what the explosive ordnance disposal teams were doing through local churches.

“Ninety-five per cent of the population have a connection with a church in their community through a faith-informed practice,” Chaplain Parsons said.

“By engaging with their religious leaders we are provided the opportunity to inform the broader population of what we are doing here.”

CAPTION: Army Chaplain Haydn Parsons addresses the congregation of St. Eusebius Catholic Church during Operation Render Safe, Noro, Solomon Islands.

Personnel have been received warmly by the people of the western Province, with invitations to church services, community meetings and friendly football games with local school children.

“These events have been a great opportunity to introduce ourselves and to let the local community know what we’re doing here,” Chaplain Parsons said.

“We’re neighbours and friends and we are here to make the community safer.”

He said many of the personnel were on their first international deployment.

“We are grateful to connect with the local people and culture,” he said.

“It’s a culturally enriching experience and we are developing social memories that will stay with us for years to come.”

CAPTION: Australian Army personnel attend church with local children during Operation Render Safe, Noro, Solomon Islands.

The operation is a source of pride for Chaplain Parsons, who deployed to the Solomon Islands for Operation Anode in 2011 and Operation Lilia in 2022.

“It has been an immense privilege to be able to represent my country, my family and chaplaincy, knowing that the impact and connection that I have with the local Solomon Islands’ people has an enduring effect,” he said.

“What we are doing is incredibly important. I think there’s no greater peacetime role than to help our neighbours; it’s the best feeling.”

Operation Render Safe is the ADF-led commitment to removing the danger posed by World War 2-era explosive remnants of war in Pacific island countries.

CAPTION: Army soldiers hand out information flyers about explosive remnants of war (ERW) to community members during Operation Render Safe, Noro, Solomon Islands.

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