ADF RESERVISTS STRETCH QUEENSLAND EMPLOYERS

The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, the Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, today commended twenty-two North Queensland bosses who will spend the weekend of the 15th August 2009 with the Defence Reserves.

The employers will be participating in Exercise Executive Stretch (EES), a Defence program designed to expose employers to the training that Reservists undertake and the invaluable skills they gain.

Representing a cross section of the business community, the employers will spend the weekend testing their fitness over an obstacle course and checking their bearings in a navigation exercise all under the supervision and guidance of Australian Defence Force Reserve personnel. The employers will also experience a flight in one of the RAAF’s longest serving aircraft, the Caribou.

"Exercise Executive Stretch demonstrates how the unique professional, leadership and career development skills taught in the ADF can be transferred in the day-to-day workplace environment," said Dr Kelly.

“The weekend will provide employers of Reserves with the opportunity to engage with Reserves, and gain a further understanding of how the Employer Support Payment Scheme and Office of Reserve Service Protection can assist them."

For information about Defence Force Reserves visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves or call 1800 803 485.

Media contacts:

Mark Sjolander (Dr Mike Kelly):             02 6277 4840 or 0407 102 220

Defence Media Liaison:                         02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664

Please note: Effective as of 7:00pm, Friday 14 August 2009, the Defence Media Room has a new telephone number.

The new number is 02 6127 1999.

The existing number will be automatically diverted to the new number for 3 months.  The existing after-hours duty mobile 0408 498 664 will remain.