Sign up for an adventurous Exercise Executive Stretch.
VIC
2006
More than 200 guests including The Minister of Defence, Dr Brendon Nelson, and the Chairman of the Defence Reserve Support Council (DRSC), The Honorable Shane L. Stone attended the DRSC-VIC committee’s annual Employer Support Awards presentation evening at the MCG’s Olympic Room on October 7.
More than 200 guests including The Minister of Defence, Dr Brendon Nelson, and the Chairman of the Defence Reserve Support Council (DRSC), The Honorable Shane L. Stone attended the DRSC-VIC committee’s annual Employer Support Awards presentation evening at the MCG’s Olympic Room on October 7.
The 2006 Victorian Awards were presented to representatives from a variety of small and large businesses to recognise the outstanding support provided to their employees who are also Defence Reservists.
After taking out six individual awards since 2002, the Victoria Police were this year awarded the State Award recognising its staunch support for Reservists in all branches of the Defence Services.
DRSC-VIC chairman, Mr Richard Bluck said that the award publicly recognised the contribution made by the Police Department in providing a supportive environment for its reserves staff.
“The Victorian Government has one of the strongest Defence Leave polices in the country and this enables the Victoria Police Department to be supportive, flexible and a good friend to the ADF and DRSC,” Mr Bluck said.
Proprietor of Tech Drive Automotive, David Baines, said he was happy to receive his award after supporting three reservists employed at his small business including his business partner, John Lewis, who is a platoon Sergeant at Two Company, One Commando Regiment.
Mr Baines said that SGT Lewis’ deployments to East Timor from November 2000 to November 2001 and to Iraq from July 2004 to February 2005 had been a challenge for his small business.
“The Defence leave policy at Tech Drive Automotive allows our reservists to participate in ongoing training, attend promotion courses every year and deploy on operational deployments as the opportunities become available.”
“It hasn’t been easy. The money we get from Employer Support Payments goes some way towards getting a replacement to fill in.”
“I’m very happy to be recognised by the Employer Award. It’s good to know that the company’s sacrifices are appreciated,” he said.
Dandenong small business, Transport Driver Training, took out a Certificate of Recognition for its continued support for Warrant Officer Philip Baulch.
CEO David Roberts said that he was thrilled to receive the award.
“Phil went to Butterworth Air Base in Malaysia for three months last year and has gone to several training courses,” Mr Roberts said.
“It’s good that our business is appreciated for the times when we’ve released Phil for his Defence service,” he said.
International shipping line Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Construction giant Theiss Pty. Ltd. received Employer Support Awards in the large business category.
Second Lieutenant Nick Bensley said that his employers at Wallenius Wilhelmsen had provided the encouragement and financial support that has allowed him to continue with the army’s rigorous officer training regime.
“I started working fulltime for Willenius Wilhelmsen in January 2005 when I was already a member of the Reserves. I was undertaking officer training at the Melbourne University Regiment at the time and they hired me even though my training commitments were severe,” Second Lieutenant Bensley said.
“From July ’05 to February ’06, I took 13 weeks of military leave to attend courses around Australia and at the Royal Military College Duntroon. Not only did the company support me financially and in the form of encouragement, they also paid me as if I was at work and did not make me use any accrued leave.”
“The company’s support has been exceptional and it deserves recognition,” he said.
 |
 |
| Dr Brendon Nelson at the Employer Awards Dinner. |
Dr Brendon Nelson presenting 'State Employer Award' to Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe of the Victorian Police Department. |
2005
Six Victorian employers were recognised for their support of Defence Reserve personnel at a special ceremony on 1 June 2005 at the Melbourne Arts Centre.
The event, organised by Victorian Committee of the Defence Reserves Support Council acknowledges employers who have supported their Reserve employees with leave arrangements and other special considerations necessary for them to fulfil their Defence obligations.
St Arnaud Licensed Post Office Pty Ltd
Ms Helen Proctor
Nominated by LCDR Ross Proctor
Ms Proctor is the owner operator. Her brother LCDR Proctor is Co-owner of this company, which employs six staff. He is one of a few Naval Officers both qualified and actively participating in the Joint Targeting Process within the ADF. Since 2001 this company has been able to release him to fill vacancies of over three months duration in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2005 he commenced twelve months FTS as an Instructor Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Targeting at ADFWC. As such the company has been exceptionally supportive of the Reserve, often reorganising the business and staffing duties to accommodate his availability for Reserve duty.
Victorian Police Region 3, Division 2
Superintendent Ken Lay Nominated by SGT Andrew Dobson
Superintendent Lay is from the Broadmeadows Police Complex, Headquarters of Division 2. SGT Andrew Dobson nominated his division for their continued support. He recently deployed on Exercise ANZAC MERIT 05 a deployment over a few months. SGT Dobson is unable to be present this evening as he has had a recent addition to his family.
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Ms Leanne Baxter Nominated by WGCDR Jennifer Lumsden
Ms Baxter is a supervisor in the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. WGCDR Lumsden has worked with this organisation since 2001. At short notice she has been deployed to East Timor for more than seven months, released to attend her Reserve unit in Amberley Queensland and this year has been deployed to the Middle East. The hospitals willingness to also accept permanent ADF members after their postgraduate qualification or on short-term assignment to update their skills has also helped to raise the Defence profile within the hospital.
Victoria Police - Specialist Support Division, Water Police Squad
Senior Sergeant Rex Brown Nominated by Chief Petty Officer Lee Smith
Senior Sergeant Brown is the Station Commander of the Water Police Squad stationed at Williamstown. CPO DVR Smith has been a member of the reserves for 27 years and the last 15 years employed with the Victoria Police. Taking into consideration the normal duties of the Water Police Squad they have been very supportive of his role as a Diving Supervisor attached to Diving Team Six. Senior Sergeant Browns recognition of the asset a Reserve member is to the Victoria Police, has supported CPO DVR Smith to act as a Liaison Officer between the Water Police and the Defence Force for water operations in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
Safeway at Kangaroo Flat Bendigo
Mr Brian Anderson Nominated by PTE Stephen Carmichael
Mr Anderson is the manager of the Kangaroo Flat store and attended Exercise Boss Lift to visit Rifle Company Butterworth in Malaysia last November. PTE Carmichael has worked for Safeway for a few years. He recently attended Rifle Company Butterworth, a deployment of four months. When required he has been able to pursue camps, courses and deployments thanks to their support.
C. L. Godfrey Plumbing
Mr Stephen Godfrey Nominated by CPL Carl Seccoll
Mr Godfrey is the General Manager of C.L. Godfrey Plumbing. CPL Seccoll is a Section Commander at 4th Combat Engineer Regiment. The Company has supported both CPL Seccoll and his family over a number of years, including for his assistance with the bushfires of January 03, and his deployment to the Solomon Islands for five months in 2004. The company's commitment to the Reserves has easied the burden on both CPL Seccoll and his family.
Frank Gordon & Co Pty Ltd Real Estate
Mr Frank Gordon Nominated by Leading Seaman John Simpson
Frank Gordon is a principal of Frank Gordon & Co a mid sized private real estate firm in Port Melbourne. Leading Seaman Simpson is a diver and member of Diving Team Six. Real estate is synonymous with long hours and a strong commitment to weekend work, which under normal circumstances would preclude participation in reserve training. However Gordon's have been very supportive of LS Simpson's involvement in the Reserves and have shown an active interest in those activities. Mr Gordon is also a past participant of Exercise Executive Stretch.
Jellie Laidlaw McDonald Wilson
Mr Shane Wilson Nominated by MAJ Doug Laidlaw
Mr Wilson is a partner in a legal firm in the regional town of Warrnambool in Southwest Victoria. Major Doug Laidlaw is a company commander within 8/7 Royal Victoria Regiment and was the detachment commander of Rifle Company Butterworth deployment in Malaysia. This certificate acknowledges MAJ Laidlaw's partners shouldering of the additional workload during his absence of over four months.
Ms Helen Proctor
Nominated by LCDR Ross Proctor Ms Proctor is the owner operator. Her brother LCDR Proctor is Co-owner of this company, which employs six staff. He is one of a few Naval Officers both qualified and actively participating in the Joint Targeting Process within the ADF. Since 2001 this company has been able to release him to fill vacancies of over three months duration in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2005 he commenced twelve months FTS as an Instructor Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Targeting at ADFWC. As such the company has been exceptionally supportive of the Reserve, often reorganising the business and staffing duties to accommodate his availability for Reserve duty.
Victorian Police Region 3, Division 2
Superintendent Ken Lay
Nominated by SGT Andrew Dobson Superintendent Lay is from the Broadmeadows Police Complex, Headquarters of Division 2. SGT Andrew Dobson nominated his division for their continued support. He recently deployed on Exercise ANZAC MERIT 05 a deployment over a few months. SGT Dobson is unable to be present this evening as he has had a recent addition to his family.
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Ms Leanne Baxter
Nominated by WGCDR Jennifer Lumsden Ms Baxter is a supervisor in the Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. WGCDR Lumsden has worked with this organisation since 2001. At short notice she has been deployed to East Timor for more than seven months, released to attend her Reserve unit in Amberley Queensland and this year has been deployed to the Middle East. The hospitals willingness to also accept permanent ADF members after their postgraduate qualification or on short-term assignment to update their skills has also helped to raise the Defence profile within the hospital.
Victoria Police - Specialist Support Division, Water Police Squad
Senior Sergeant Rex Brown
Nominated by Chief Petty Officer Lee Smith Senior Sergeant Brown is the Station Commander of the Water Police Squad stationed at Williamstown. CPO DVR Smith has been a member of the reserves for 27 years and the last 15 years employed with the Victoria Police. Taking into consideration the normal duties of the Water Police Squad they have been very supportive of his role as a Diving Supervisor attached to Diving Team Six. Senior Sergeant Browns recognition of the asset a Reserve member is to the Victoria Police, has supported CPO DVR Smith to act as a Liaison Officer between the Water Police and the Defence Force for water operations in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.
Safeway at Kangaroo Flat Bendigo
Mr Brian Anderson
Nominated by PTE Stephen Carmichael Mr Anderson is the manager of the Kangaroo Flat store and attended Exercise Boss Lift to visit Rifle Company Butterworth in Malaysia last November. PTE Carmichael has worked for Safeway for a few years. He recently attended Rifle Company Butterworth, a deployment of four months. When required he has been able to pursue camps, courses and deployments thanks to their support.
C. L. Godfrey Plumbing
Mr Stephen Godfrey
Nominated by CPL Carl Seccoll Mr Godfrey is the General Manager of C.L. Godfrey Plumbing. CPL Seccoll is a Section Commander at 4th Combat Engineer Regiment. The Company has supported both CPL Seccoll and his family over a number of years, including for his assistance with the bushfires of January 03, and his deployment to the Solomon Islands for five months in 2004. The company's commitment to the Reserves has easied the burden on both CPL Seccoll and his family.
Frank Gordon & Co Pty Ltd Real Estate
Mr Frank Gordon
Nominated by Leading Seaman John Simpson Frank Gordon is a principal of Frank Gordon & Co a mid sized private real estate firm in Port Melbourne. Leading Seaman Simpson is a diver and member of Diving Team Six. Real estate is synonymous with long hours and a strong commitment to weekend work, which under normal circumstances would preclude participation in reserve training. However Gordon's have been very supportive of LS Simpson's involvement in the Reserves and have shown an active interest in those activities. Mr Gordon is also a past participant of Exercise Executive Stretch.
Jellie Laidlaw McDonald Wilson
Mr Shane Wilson
Nominated by MAJ Doug Laidlaw Mr Wilson is a partner in a legal firm in the regional town of Warrnambool in Southwest Victoria. Major Doug Laidlaw is a company commander within 8/7 Royal Victoria Regiment and was the detachment commander of Rifle Company Butterworth deployment in Malaysia. This certificate acknowledges MAJ Laidlaw's partners shouldering of the additional workload during his absence of over four months.
