Flood clean-up reaffirms Defence ties
The community of Hervey Bay has strong Defence connections.
CAPTION: Australian Army officer Lieutenant Andrew Hvejsel, from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, talks with Queensland State Emergency Service officers about assisting Hervey Bay residents in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Story by Captain Cody Tsaousis. Photo by Private Gabriel Argent.
So the sight of Army vehicles rolling in to provide support in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was a familiar and comforting sight for many of the locals.
Working closely alongside emergency service agencies, soldiers from 6th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), with some local Army reservists attached, got to work door-knocking to check people’s welfare, sandbagging properties and clearing obstacles.
Private Gabriel Argent said the community’s Defence ties were obvious, with a friend from Kapooka, Richard Azzopardi, living in the coastal community.
CAPTION: Australian Army soldiers from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a welfare check on a local Hervey Bay resident after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Photo by Sergeant Roger Tang.
Mr Azzopardi said it was great to see the ADF providing support, especially for those who used to serve.
“Hervey Bay is home to many veterans, including myself, and it fills us with pride to see the dedicated personnel from 6RAR providing crucial support where it is needed most,” he said.
“The Fraser Coast community and I extend our sincere gratitude to all serving members of the ADF who have stepped up to assist in the response efforts following the devastating floods on Sunday.”
He wasn’t the only one with a sense of nostalgia as the protected mobility vehicles drove by.
CAPTION: Soldiers from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, prepare to head out on a route clearance task in Hervey Bay, Queensland. Photo: Private Gabriel Argent
Private Argent said he and the rest of Alpha Company encountered former ADF personnel throughout the bay area.
“I ran into quite a few ex-Defence members,” he said.
“There were some former warrant officers that were now Rural Fire Service firefighters; and some people from the houses we went to were also veterans.
“There was even a family that currently had a relative serving in 6RAR, and the family were all ex-Defence, too.
“Everyone that we spoke to was super happy to see us here. The response was really positive from all the houses that we went to.
“We even got some photos with the locals after helping them, and that was really awesome to be part of.”
CAPTION: Soldiers from 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, head out on a route clearance task in Hervey Bay, Queensland. Photo byPrivate Gabriel Argent.
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