Mr Snowdon said COL Boss will bring her significant experience to the appointment, from her background as a barrister to her work as an Officer in the Australian Army.

“COL Boss has practised in a range of areas including criminal law, military law, administrative law and family law.  Her appointment follows a competitive process and is recognition of her outstanding contributions in both her civilian and military capacities,” Mr Snowdon said.

COL Boss said she was looking forward to the new role.

“I’m humbled by the appointment. It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to use my experience in the law to serve the community as a Magistrate,” she said.

COL Boss joined the Australian Army Reserves as a Signal Officer after transferring from the British Territorial Army in 1995. She then transferred to the Army Legal Corps in 1996 where she worked for five years in the Regular Army.

In 2002, Col Boss again became a Reserve Signals Officer. In the following years she studied for her PhD in international law at the University of Sydney and was appointed the first female Commanding Officer of the Sydney University Regiment. COL Boss was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement in that role.

During her career she has deployed to East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Until last year, Dr Boss was a barrister working in private practice in Canberra, and as a Reserve Officer in Army Headquarters.

“I’ve been back in the Army on full time service this year at the Australian Defence College, studying at the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies. It has been an incomparable experience with the opportunity to think critically about Australia’s place in the world,” she said.

Media contacts: (Minister Snowdon) Lidija Ivanovski 0407 108 935, or Marcus Butler 02 6277 7820

Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999

ManpowerGroup was successful in a competitive tender process to provide recruiting services to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through Defence Force Recruiting for an initial period of five years.

The contract is worth between $400-500 million over the first five-year period and will commence on 1 November 2012 after a six-month transition process.

The contract covers the recruiting process for permanent and reserve officers and other ranks, and includes marketing, recruiting operations, medical and psychological assessments and the coordination of selection boards and employment offers.

ManpowerGroup is supported in the recruiting services contract by two key subcontractors – Corporate Health Group Defence and Hewlett-Packard.

The Defence Force Recruiting structure includes a Headquarters; a Candidate Relationship Management Centre; and 16 recruiting centres spread across Australia.

Each year Defence attracts around 70,000 – 120,000 enquiries; processes between 20,000 – 40,000 applications; and delivers end-to-end recruitment to Navy, Army and Air Force for a high volume of permanent and reserve recruits, which can exceed 10,000 per year.

More information about Defence Force Recruiting is available at www.defencejobs.gov.au.

Media Note:

Imagery is available at:

http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11122842

Media contacts:

Minister Snowdon’s Office – (02) 6277 7820 – Lidija Ivanovski 0407 108 935; or Marcus Butler 0417 917 796

Defence Media Operations – (02) 6127 1999

Family and friends filled the wharf to celebrate the return of the 191 crew members on board the Anzac Class Frigate.

Mr Snowdon congratulated the Commanding Officer of Parramatta, Commander Guy Blackburn, RAN on the conduct of an exceptionally successful deployment as part of Operation Slipper and Combined Maritime Forces.

“Parramatta was the seventh Royal Australian Navy warship to participate in counter-terrorism operations in the Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, and the strategically important Bab Al Mandeb and Straits of Hormuz.

The crew also conducted important counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and in the waters off the Horn of Africa and the Somali Basin,” Mr Snowdon said.

“While deployed Parramatta successfully seized and destroyed more than 240 kilograms of illegal narcotics in the Arabian Sea. The drugs had an estimated street value of US $5 million and their disposal denied insurgents and terrorists access to vital funds.”

“Parramatta also provided life saving assistance to the crew of an Iranian dhow set adrift on the high seas after being pirated on Christmas Eve 2011,” he said.

Commander Blackburn attributed the success of the mission to his crew’s focus.

“The dedication of HMAS Parramatta’s ship’s company was vital to the mission.  We stemmed the flow of terrorist activities by denying them access to the drug money which they use to purchase weapons and ammunition. Effectively taking insurgents out of the fight.”

“The Australian public should be very proud of my ship’s company who have done their bit to keep the sea lanes free,” said Commander Blackburn.

“The love and support of our family and friends was vital to morale and the success of our mission.” 

This deployment marked Parramatta’s fourth deployment to the Middle East and was the 27th rotation of a Royal Australian Navy ship since September 2001. 

Parramatta was relieved on station by HMAS Melbourne in March. 

Imagery of the ships arrival will be available in the defence image gallery (www.defence.gov.au) from 4.30pm.

Media contacts:

Marcus Butler (Minister Snowdon) 02 6277 7820
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999

This identification brings the total number of Australians identified to 119.

Mr Snowdon said tens of thousands of young Australian soldiers gave their all on the Western Front, and the latest identification project has now ensured Privates Leonard Broadhurst, Robert Carrington Forland, John Robertson Forrest, John Joseph Goulding, William Alexander Jamieson, Arthur Joseph Johnson, Claude Ward John Cyril Wynn and Corporal Alfred George Tuck now are known by name where they lie in Fromelles.

“Australia will always pay tribute to our fallen sons, from those dark days of the First World War.”

A further 92 Australians remain unidentified, along with two unidentified British soldiers and another 37 whose graves are marked as Unidentified Soldier of the Great War.

“We are determined to identify as many of these brave Australians as possible,” Minister Snowdon said.

“We are encouraged by the success, made possible by the large number of extended family members, both in Australia and Britain, who have provided DNA samples to assist with identification.”

“The additional identifications demonstrate the tenacity and dedication of a great team and how the latest scientific methods and great research can produce outstanding results,” he said

“It is important that we are able to identify these soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice and to assist in giving closure to their families,” he said. 

Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison AO, said the involvement of the families of those diggers that remain unaccounted for has been vital to this process.

“We currently have almost 3,000 family members’ details in our records but we still need more,” Lt Gen Morrison said.

“If you think you might be related to a soldier who remains unaccounted for from the Battle of Fromelles, please get in contact with the Army.”

The Army’s Fromelles Project team can be contacted by phoning 1800 019 090 or by accessing the website at www.army.gov.au/Our-work/Unrecovered-War-Casualties.

The identified soldiers are among the 250 Australian and British WW1 soldiers who were recovered from a mass burial site at Pheasant Wood in France.  Their remains were recovered in 2009 and reburied, with full military honours at a new cemetery, the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in Fromelles, France last year.

The Battle of Fromelles is recognised as one of the worst days in Australia’s military history and was the first major battle fought by the Australian Infantry Force in France.  The 5th Australian Division suffered over 5,500 casualties (dead and wounded) and many of those killed remain unaccounted for, almost a century after the battle.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission will now erect new headstones with the identified men’s details and they will be dedicated on 20 July this year during the annual commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles.

Editors Note: A list of those soldiers identified and their particulars is attached.

Further Information:
Marcus Butler (Minister Snowdon) 02 6277 7820
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999
 
2012 FROMELLES PROJECT JOINT IDENTIFICATION BOARD
LIST OF IDENTIFIED AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS

Service         NumberRank                             Given Names           Surname Unit           Enlistment   Place
3013              Private  Leonard                         BROADHURST      55th Battalion         Sydney NSW
4779             Private  Robert  Carrington    FORLAND               53rd Battalion        Lithgow NSW
3046             Private  John Robertson          FORREST                54th Battalion         Liverpool NSW
555                Private  Joh Joseph                   GOULDING             31st Battalion          Brisbane QLD
2144              Private  William Alexander    JAMIESON             31st Battalion          Cootamundra NSW
2203             Private  Arthur Joseph             JOHNSON               29th Battalion         Melbourne NSW
1252             Corporal Alfred George             TUCK                        29th Battalion        Melbourne VIC
2184             Private  Claude                              WARD                      30th Battalion        Newcastle NSW
2485             Private  John Cyril                       WYNN                    30th Battalion         West Maitland NSW

Mr Snowdon said the men are Lieutenant Scobell McFerran-Rogers and Private John Whitworth of the Australian Z Special Unit.

“They were members of a patrol sent to rescue downed US airmen in the Celebes (Sulawesi) in what was then the Netherlands East Indies and is now Indonesia.”

The men were identified after an exhaustive investigation carried out by the Army’s Unrecovered War Casualties team and is the result of months of tenacious investigative work.

“I sincerely hope that the identification of Lieutenant McFerran-Rogers and Private Whitworth will bring some closure to their families, knowing they will now be recognised by name at the Bomana War Cemetery,” Mr Snowdon said.

Lieutenant General David Morrison AO, Chief of Army, said within army the dedicated work of the Unrecovered War Casualties team continues to account for Australian servicemen and has been able to deliver the news to another two Australian families who’s loved ones gave their all for their country.

Also identified was a Timorese interpreter named Roestan, who was attached to the Z Special Unit patrol and is buried with the two Australians at the cemetery.

“The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has received the Army’s recommendations and new headstones will be installed in the coming months. I hope we will be able to dedicate those headstones during the 70th anniversary commemorations of the Kokoda and Milne Bay campaigns,” Mr Snowdon said.

Editors Note: Images will be available at http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11121990

Media contacts:
Marcus Butler 02 6277 7820
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999

Defence has entered a partnership with ‘Global Voices’, a not for profit organisation which promotes an understanding of and participation in international diplomacy by young Australians.

Through this partnership the Vice Chief of the Defence Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin and Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Brendan Sargeant, have each selected one delegate following a competitive process.

FLTLT Melissa Houston and Farooq Mohammad have been chosen to attend the Chicago conference.

Mr Snowdon offered his congratulations to Melissa and Farooq, describing the opportunity as a chance for both these young Defence members to build their understanding of international engagement and contemporary policy.

“It is an important activity in developing the capacity of Defence’s next generation of leaders and will no doubt give Melissa and Farooq an incredible insight into an important part of the world’s diplomatic framework,” Mr Snowdon said.

“This is the first timeAustraliahas sent a youth delegation to a NATO Leader’s summit and it reflects Australia’s strengthening relationship with NATO over the last decade.”

“Australiais the largest non-NATO contributor of troops to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan, a role we all take very seriously,” he said.

Before departing forChicago, the participants will each produce a research paper on a topic relevant toAustralia’s engagement with NATO.

These papers will be provided the NATO Summit secretariat, published online and in academic journals.

During the Chicago conference, Australia’s youth delegates will have the opportunity to attend open briefings by senior Government representatives of NATO contributing nations, military commanders and diplomats.

Global Voices organises Australian youth delegations to a range of important diplomatic gatherings including the Group of Twenty Nations (G20) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).

Images are available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11122400

Media contacts
Marcus Butler (Minister Snowdon) 02 6277 7820 or 0417 917 796
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999

Mr Snowdon said the 1^st Brigade Soldier Recovery Centre, named after the historic Battle of Lone Pine, will provide seriously wounded, injured and ill soldiers with a dedicated venue to support them on the road of recovery.

“The Soldier Recovery Centre will provide critical support through the often  difficult process of recovery, ensuring our soldiers care and rehabilitation is expertly managed.”

“The centre as it coordinates recovery training, education and transition programs specifically targeted to each individual, as well as providing support for their families.”  

Commander of 1st Brigade, Brigadier Gus McLachlan AM, said the Soldier Recovery Centre will play an invaluable role in supporting the recovery of soldiers.

Brigadier McLachlan said the centre presents an enormous leap forward for the way Army can provide care for soldiers.

“Soldiers face many challenges on the road to rehabilitation, in the past accessing all the expertise and services in their normal place of work presented difficulties.

“Recognising the constant demands on Army with units on deployment or exercise, the centre gathers all that expertise under one roof.”

“The Soldier Recovery Centre helps ensure the delivery of world’s best practice techniques, and will hopefully allow members to return to work sooner, or ease their transition to new roles.”

Other Soldier Recovery Centres are located at 3^rd Brigade in Townsville and 7^th Brigade inBrisbane. 

Media note:

Imagery is available at the following link:

http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11122368

Media contacts:
Lidija Ivanovski – 0407 108 935 or Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999

The ADF members competed in a range of track and field, shooting and swimming events at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, taking out the 14 gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

The competition is organised by the US Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Regiment and included military personnel from eight countries.

The Australian team included amputees, a double amputee, members who have experienced traumatic brain injury and other service related injuries.

Two of the Army members received their injuries on operations in the Middle East, others were injured in Australia, some on Defence tasks, others through road accidents and the like.

“These ADF members have represented their nation and done Australia proud again. I congratulate the entire team on their extraordinary achievements,” Mr Snowdon said.

“This competition is about overcoming adversity, and the ADF team has worked hard, shown determination and in many events, has come out on top.”

“Regardless of the result, every participant in this competition deserves credit for the spirit in which they approach it.”

“The team members have faced a range of major challenges since sustaining their injuries, but Defence is committed to supporting our injured personnel and has a full range of programs in place for them and their families,” he said.

The team’s involvement in these trials is part of the ADF Paralympic Sports program, a clinical rehabilitation initiative that uses adaptive sport to optimise functional independence, physical fitness and promote positive self image.

Those who participated are:

Warrant Officer Class Two Dennis Ramsay

Signaller Garry Wilson

Sergeant Sarah Webster

Private Kyle Bridgewood

Flight Sergeant Tony Benfer

Able Seaman Paul de Gelder

Warrant Officer Class One Scott Mengel

Last month, a small group of seriously injured ADF personnel participated in Exercise Wounded Warrior in an adaptive ‘learn to ski’ program at Mount Washington in British Columbia.

Images of the welcome home activity are available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/Grid.fwx?archiveId=5003&search=11122201

Media contacts:

Marcus Butler (Minister Snowdon) 02 6277 7820 or 0417 917 796

Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999

Mr Snowdon said Dr Zelinsky is an internationally recognised scientist who has made substantive technical contributions in addition to providing leadership to the high technology community.

Dr Zelinsky has worked with private and public sector organisations at the senior executive level and is currently the Group Executive, Information Sciences Group in the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).  

“Since joining the CSIRO in 2004, Dr Zelinsky’s focus was on building the research capabilities of his Group to address Australian national challenges, particularly in energy, health, agriculture, mining and environment sectors,” Mr Snowdon said.

“In his previous role as a Professor at the Australian National University, Dr Zelinsky was known for his pioneering work in developing novel technologies for human-machine interaction, which has been recognised as a key breakthrough technology by academia, industry and the wider community,” he said.

Dr Zelinsky will assume the Chief Defence Scientist appointment in early 2012. His selection follows the retirement of Professor Robert Clark, which was announced on 1 August 2011.

Mr Snowdon also joined the Secretary of Defence in offering his thanks to the acting Chief Defence Scientist Dr Ian Sare, and the entire DSTO leadership team, for their excellent work during this time of transition.

“Dr Sare has done a wonderful job steering the DSTO team over the past several months, and I trust the coming period will prove to be just as productive under Dr Zelinsky’s leadership,” Mr Snowdon said.

Media contacts:
Marcus Butler (Minister Snowdon) 02 6277 7820 or 0417 917 796
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999

About 3,300 deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen will be celebrating Christmas Day away from home and family, whether in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Egypt, Sudan, East Timor, Solomon Islands or on border protection duties to Australia’s north.

Mr Snowdon said all Australians should remember that there are many members of the ADF making a real personal sacrifice to continue their work on Christmas Day, a sacrifice we are all very grateful for.

“We are proud of the courageous work our ADF members are doing in very challenging circumstances, in what has been a very difficult year,” Minister Snowdon said.

“We will not forget those Australians who have died and have been wounded on operations in Afghanistan and in current peacekeeping operations this year.”

“It is impossible for us to comprehend the loss these men’s families have suffered, but they remain in our thoughts.”

“Our deployed defence personnel, wherever possible, will be marking Christmas Day with various activites, however we should all remember many others will remain on duty across the day.”

“I would also like to thank all Australians who take the time to put together a care package for our deployed troops, these gifts go a great way to improving morale among our forces and are a much appreciated reminder of home.”

“To our men and women in uniform, I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and I look forward to your safe return and the successful completion of your mission.”

Media contacts: Lidija Ivanovski or Marcus Butler 02 6277 7820 or 0407 108 935