RED SHIELD DEFENCE SERVICES BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 2016

12 January 2017

2016 Red Shield Defence Services Conference.

The majority of the Red Shield Defence Services team gathered from across Australia at the recent conference held at The Riverside Hotel, Southbank, Queensland. In total 17 Sallymen and women attended the conference held  from 22nd - 26th August 2016.

The conference is held every two years and provides an opportunity for the team members to network and share ideas and stories. Bases represented were: Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane, Holsworthy & Adelaide.

On the Tuesday evening a formal dinner was held. Special guests included Vice Admiral David Johnston (Chief of Joint Operations), National Commander Commissioner Floyd Tidd (who delivered the opening address), Captain Jada Mackenzie (Aide-De-Camp CJOPS), Mr Kingsley Nowell, Major Graham Palmer, Majors Earle and Christine Ivers, Major Deon Oliver (Stafford Corp Officer), Shelden and Louise Mathieson (who provided beautiful music and song throughout the evening) and Ms Joan Birch.

We had two guest speakers on the evening - Vice Admiral David Johnston and Ms Joan Birch. Vice Admiral Johnston spoke regarding the history and strong bond between the Australian military and the Red Shield Defence Services. Ms Joan Birch delivered a very engaging talk about her father, the famous Sallyman Brigadier John McCabe OBE who was the only Sallyman to walk the Kokoda track with 'his' men in World War II.

National Commander Commissioner Floyd Tidd addressing the dinner attendees

Vice Admiral David Johnston

Ms Joan Birch