Deputy Head Awarded Queen's Honours

Brigadier Bill Sowry has been awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his outstanding devotion to duty while serving in East Timor.

The award to Brigadier Sowry, who is now Deputy Head of Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division, was publicly announced on the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

The citation said: "As Commander International Stabilisation Force, Brigadier Sowry established credibility, respect and honourable standing within East Timor. His enthusiasm and personal drive resulted in a significant rise in the quantity, quality and direction of engagement with key leaders in the East Timor security agencies and within the wider government. His efforts have contributed extensively to the security of the nation and resulted in a significant enhancement to the reputation and standing of the Australian Defence Force within East Timor."

Brigadier Sowry will travel to another Australian Defence Force operation this month, this time leading the Exercise Boss Lift team heading to the Solomon Islands to visit soldiers deployed on Operation Anode.

Operation Anode is the name of the ADF contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

A group of 22 employers, primarily from New South Wales, will join Brigadier Sowry on Exercise Boss Lift and have the opportunity to see their Reservist employees performing military service.

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Jayne Kidd - Supportive Employer Profile

Employers who are supportive of Defence Reservists take on many forms. Some actively recruit and encourage their workers in the Reserves. But others, like Brisbane's Jayne Kidd, support the Reserves in a more practical way.

"I'm an event manager and conference organiser. I make things happen and I love organising events for Defence," said Jayne, Principal of e-Kiddna Event Management.

From intimate events like breakfasts for health professionals right through to the annual Australian Defence Charity Ball, Jayne Kidd and her small team make sure things run smoothly and successfully.

"My mum worked with Defence families for about 15 years. She was the Queensland Manager with the Defence Community Organisation," said Jayne, who signed a Statement of Employer Support and established a Defence Reserves Leave Policy for her organisation in 2009.

"So while I wasn't a traditional Defence kid, I spent a lot of time on bases and at messes. In growing up with this Defence background I was always aware of the important role that the ADF and Reserves played in Australian life.

"When I started my own business in 2001 I was drawn to doing work to assist Defence - and here I am!"

The Defence event that takes most of Jayne's time each year is the Australian Defence Charity Ball, a tri-service social event that is also a fundraiser for Legacy.

In just five years, the black-tie ball has become a social and fundraising highlight in Brisbane. More than 700 people from the Defence and corporate sectors wine, dine and dance in an atmosphere of camaraderie and conviviality.

Jayne Kidd says it's a great event to work on.

"The spirit is tremendous. All three forces set up displays in the ballroom so there is a real military feel to the night.

"We've had some top-notch celebrity MCs at the event, from Jamie Durie to Karl Stefanovic and Tania Zaetta. They each added their own spark and personality to the night."

A highlight of the Australian Defence Charity Ball is the charity auction, which attracts celebrity memorabilia and other unique items.

"Last year we had one of Bono's guitars that a U2 fan in the audience paid about $3500 for!" Jayne enthused.

"We also auction Defence experiences that money can't buy, like a day at 23 Squadron at Amberley and a ride in a Blackhawk helicopter simulator."

Since the ball began in 2005 more than $220 000 has been raised for Legacy, which supports the families of Defence personnel who lose their lives.

While she doesn't currently employ Reservists herself, Jayne Kidd says she would in a heart-beat.

"What I expect from my staff I see in Defence Reservists all the time,"

"Traits like discipline, honesty, pride in their work and attention to detail. They are all the things I want in an employee and that' what being a Reservist is all about."

The 2010 Australian Defence Charity Ball, sponsored by Defence Reserves Support, is on Saturday, 7 August at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Visit www.defencecharityball.com.au for tickets and further information.

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Dr Mike Kelly congratulated Canberra employers of Reservists who were recognised at the annual Defence Reserves Support Council ACT Committee Employer Support Awards held at the Australian War Memorial in late June.

"For every Reservist who renders Reserve service there is usually an employer (or an educational institution) who supports that Reservist by willingly releasing them to don their uniform," said Dr Kelly.

"These awards recognise the essential support given by the employers of those Reservists," said Dr Kelly.

Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy attended the awards on behalf of the Government and said "The Australian Defence Force Reserves offer experience in leadership, acceptance of responsibility, reliability and work ethic better. All these skills are directly transferable to the civilian work environment are often to the workplace which makes employing a Reservist of mutual benefit to the Reservist and employer."

As part of the Employer Support Awards, the Defence Reserves Support Council ACT Committee also farewelled one of its own. Mr Bill Thompson, the outgoing Chair of the ACT Committee, is retiring after many years of support to the Reserve in a number of capacities.

"Bill Thompson has done an incredible amount of work in supporting the Reserves," said Dr Kelly.

"As a former Regular and Reserve soldier, Bill has fought for their rights and for improvements in their conditions of service. Bill was, for many years, the ACTU representative on the Defence Reserves Support Council and, in later times, the chair of the ACT Committee. During this time Bill demonstrated his commitment and ability to contribute in an ongoing and positive manner. He will be greatly missed."

Employer of the Year 2010

PUBLIC SECTOR
ACT Policing
Australian Federal Police

PRIVATE SECTOR
WIN Corporation

EMPLOYER SUPPORT AWARD WINNERS
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
CEA Technologies Pty Limited
Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution
Defence Housing Australia
Defence Materiel Organisation
Electronic Systems Division
Department of Defence
Chief Information Officer Group
Department of the Treasury
Medicare Australia
Sinclair Knight Mertz
Australian Federal Police
Australian Bomb Data Centre
NSW Fair Trading
Department of Services, Technology and Administration

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Dan Amos - Boyne's Top Bullet Man

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NSW Employer Recognised

Unfortunately Corrugated Carton Products Sales Manager, Mr Angus Wilson was not able to attend the recent Employer Support Awards for the Sydney Metro area, so 10 Bty organised for him to attend Holsworthy on a training night to receive his Certificate of Recognition. Mr Wilson was also presented with a DRSC cricket stump signed by Steve Waugh. CAPT Rod O'Donnell presented the Certificate on behalf of the Chairman, Mr Rodney Cavalier AO.

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Employer Support Payment Scheme Expenditure

The Employer Support Payment (ESP) expenditure for the month of May and the progressive expenditure for FY 09/10 are detailed in the table below.

Information on ESP is available on this website – however, should you require additional information or clarification on any aspect of the Employer Support Payment scheme that is not already covered by our website, you may email an enquiry to esp@defence.gov.au.

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