CONTACT BLOG SPOT Archives - CONTACT magazine

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Cindy Chawner. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

Daredevil grandmother makes games debut

17/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 587 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

During snowboarding competitions, you’ll typically find Cindy Chawner at the bottom of a slope waiting for her youngest daughter, Mia,

Air Force members and their families are encouraged to enjoy some of the best beach frontage in Australia. Story by John Noble.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force

Affordable holiday digs fit for an Ambassador

17/01/202518/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 717 Views 0 Comments

While holidaying on the Gold Coast may seem unrealistic for many, the Royal Australian Air Force has an initiative that

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitors Callan McLean, right, and Jake Christie dive into the pool during a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games Royal Australian Navy

Invictus reignites sailor’s passion

14/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 591 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Bilateral cartilage issues in both knees and multiple musculoskeletal injuries prematurely ended Callan McLean’s naval career and recreational sporting pursuits

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Alexander Gair. Photo by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games

Inspiring others at Invictus Games

14/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 645 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Alexander Gair is mighty proud of his 20-year career with the Australian Army. CAPTION: Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Alexander

An Australian-built Beaufort Bomber belonging to RAAF’s 1 Squadron during World War 2.

History News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Sonar image reveals lost piece of history

14/01/202518/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 834 Views 0 Comments Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO), WWII

The discovery of a World War II aircraft off the Northern Territory coast highlights one of the many benefits of

Personal stories

Digging Up Bones

31/12/2024 Dave Beck 1118 Views 0 Comments HMAS Vampire, USS Barb

In early June of 1966 The USS Barb SSN 596 made a recreational visit to Singapore. While at sea I

Wing Commander Aarian Birch pilots his CAC Winjeel from 100 Squadron at Point Cook over the cliffs of Point Addis during the 80th commemoration of the ditched RAAF Mitchell Bomber in 1944. Story by Flying Officer Rose Gigliotti. Photo by Warrant Officer Don Kenny.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Sacrifices commemorated at 80 years on

20/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 645 Views 0 Comments RAAF Laverton, WWII

On December 11, 1944, a B-25D Mitchell bomber crashed off Point Addis, marking a tragic chapter in Australia’s wartime history.

Ambassador to the Republic of Palau Richelle Turner, left, with the Governor of Peleliu Emais Roberts and Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr, at an exhibition of the life of Damien Parer. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring the legacy of WW2 photographer

18/12/202418/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 671 Views 0 Comments Palau, US Marines, WWII

This year marks 80 years since legendary Australian war photographer Damien Parer was killed filming US Marines in action on

Army medics from 2nd Health Battalion provide medical care to simulated casualties at the point of injury during Exercise Viper Walk 2024. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Corporal Melina Young.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News

Shake-up for Army medical trades

13/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1700 Views 1 Comment 2nd Health Battalion, Army Logistic Training Centre, Army Medic, Exercise Viper Walk

Under one of the biggest shake-ups to the health workforce, medical trades will be rolled into a new Army medic

Nursing officers at the Bangka Island Massacre memorial service on board HMAS Adelaide hold photos of those who lost their lives in 1942. Story by Commander Steven Grosser. Photos by Leading Seaman David Cox.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

Memorial service to honour fallen nurses

13/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1411 Views 0 Comments Australian Amphibious Force (AAF), HMAS Adelaide, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, Maritime Operational Health Unit, Singapore, Vivian Bullwinkel, WWII

On its return home from Singapore after Indo-Pacific Endeavour, HMAS Adelaide sailed to Bangka Island where personnel commemorated sacrifices made

Members of the Royal Air Force's (RAF) 601 Squadron with the Flying Sword overhead at a summer camp at RAF Lympne in 1937. Story by Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny. Photos courtesy of Royal Air Force Museum.

History News Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force sword flies back to the UK

13/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 847 Views 0 Comments Combat Support Group (CSG), No. 24 Squadron, RAAF Amberley, RAF

An Air Force treasure has returned to the United Kingdom, having been a Royal Australian Air Force centrepiece for 65

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia captains, Caz Gladysz and Doug Griffiths proudly wear the new team polo shirt. Story by Flying Officer Tina Langridge. Photos by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games Veterans

Invictus team captains named

10/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1077 Views 0 Comments Invictus Games

Former ADF personnel Doug Griffiths and Kaz Gladysz have been named team Australia co-captains for Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025,

The Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitors receive the new team polo shirt during a uniform unveiling event at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra. Story by Flying Officer Belinda Barker. Photos by Flight Sergeant Christopher Dickson.

Australian Army Health and Wellbeing Invictus Games News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Veterans

New Invictus uniform a symbol of connection

10/12/202410/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1167 Views 0 Comments Indigenous, Invictus Games

Loss of connection has been an issue for some of the 33 members of Team Australia heading to Invictus Games

Attendees of a memorial service for the late Wing Commander Peter Krieg with a static display of E-7A Wedgetail aircraft at 2 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown. Story by Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan. Photos by Aircraftwoman Laura Flower.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Air Force

Remembering the legacy of ‘Cowboy’ Kreig

06/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1299 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, No. 2 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown

On Friday November 8, about 300 family and friends travelled from around the globe to gather in the 2 Squadron

Royal Australian Artillery Head of Regiment Brigadier Damian Hill and Lieutenant Colonel Matt White, of the Defence Preparedness Branch, at the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery National Memorial on Mt Pleasant in Canberra. Story and photo by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget News

Plan to extend gunners’ memorial

05/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 634 Views 0 Comments Canberra, Royal Australian Artillery

Two 64-pounder cannons stand silently atop Mount Pleasant in Canberra, flanked by stone walls reminiscent of a fortress the cannons

HMAS Canberra personnel conduct a freedom-of-entry parade through Canberra. Story by Lieutenant Jonathan Wills. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Canberra exercises Freedom of Entry in capital

04/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2139 Views 3 Comments Freedom of Entry, HMAS Canberra, WWII

Steady rainfall and gloomy skies did not dampen spirits as Navy personnel paraded through Canberra on 30 November in a

Two cranes return Neptune A89-280 back onto its plinth at the RAAF Base Townsville entrance. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell.

ADF People History News Royal Australian Air Force

Townsville’s iconic Neptune resumes duty

04/12/202407/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 913 Views 0 Comments Neptune, No. 10 Squadron, RAAF Reserve, RAAF Townsville

Reserve personnel used professionalism, pride and impressive trade skills to restore RAAF Base Townsville’s iconic Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune A89-280 gate