Page 16 - Chiron Spring 2020

I had the privilege to be selected and then deploy on Exercise Long Look which is a foreign exchange working with the Australian Army for a period of three months. I was based in Holsworthy Barracks, located in south-west Sydney. With this convenient location and the railway station located just outside of the camp I was able to travel into the city, viewing the popular tourist attractions of Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the famous Bondi beach.
During my time in Sydney I was employed initially as an Arms Explosive Search Dog handler and at the mid period as a trainer, I got to maintain my own operational working dog a Kelpie/ cross called Crash. As the days were getting hotter, dogs were still searching in the heat of the day. We were able to take them out for a swim at a dog friendly beach, or we could give them a quick dip in the lake on camp to cool down. In order to expose the dogs to varying sights, sounds and smells we got to search different venues such as the national maritime museum in Sydney.
I worked with the Australian Army School where students complete their initial Explosive Detection Dog course which is eight months long. On this course they use dogs which handlers have previously trained on their dog
LCpl B Smith DATR
trainer’s course and then become their operational search dogs in their parent unit. The foster programme was impressive, military personnel can foster some of the dogs until they start their initial training, it affords the trainers time to concentrate on dogs with other issues and quality training time. A lot of dog breeds they use are Kelpies, Collies, Labradors and Spaniels that they rescue from animal shelters, quite an eclectic mix all with different temperaments and learning styles.
I travelled to Melbourne to work with the Australian Border Force to look at the procurement of their dogs, this is one of many establishments that supply dogs to the military as well as other organisations. Given an insight into the facilities and viewing some dogs working on the initial stages of training, developing puppies in new environments and exposing them areas they may be exposed to in the future, detecting the many prohibited items not allowed into Australia.
The size of the country is immense, I flew to Perth in Western-Australia which was a four-hour flight. Within hours of being in Perth I had an eye-opening vet lesson on snake bites; with the temperatures rising and the conditions being favourable they had spotted a few snakes around the kennel blocks.
The vet lesson was valuable as it made me aware for the safety of not just myself, but the dogs. In my weekend off in-between I took the short ferry journey to Rottnest, a small protected island sitting off the city of Perth, I hired a bike to travel around the island and see the beautiful sites it had to offer. Whilst there I got to see the Quokka which is the only mammal which is native to Rottnest Island.
I was granted leave after my period of time in Australia, I stayed there for an extra three weeks, during this time I travelled up the east coast to Cairns stopping off at numerous places along the way. With the summer heat soaring at an average of 42 degrees with clear skies, ash could be seen falling from the sky from the disastrous bushfires which were burning not too far away. Unfortunately, the exchange exercise went far too fast, I was also not looking forward to coming back to the UK and bracing myself for another British winter.
Reflecting on my own personal experience, I have found this trip to be worthwhile and I thoroughly recommend anyone offered this to jump at it, to compare the difference in what other organisations carry out. The people I have met and goals that I have gained both personally and professionally will stand me in good stead.
Ex LONGLOOK (Australia)
16 CHIRON CALLING
I was asked by Lt Col Chris Ham, Chairman RAVC Association to provide an update on what happens at the end of a 40-year career within the Armed Forces.
I’m very pleased to say that both Mary and myself are very well and enjoying life in Spain, Mary still working hard with her own tailoring business. When we arrived in Spain we both decided to join the local Branch of The Royal British Legion (TRBL), note that as a Member of the Forces you can now join for Free. Initially I took on the responsibilities of Alicante Branch Standard Bearer, but the Branch soon found a younger and smarter Standard Bearer (Mary) so, as an alternative, I was asked to take over as the District Parade Marshal for Spain District North. I know that many of you won’t imagine that Jack Kemp sorting Parades and Dress Regulations, but I am sure the older members of the RAVC will no doubt understand.
Mary and I have both also taken on Caseworker responsibility. This is to ensure that any potential TRBL Beneficiaries both serving and retired members of the forces are receiving the care that is available in their time of ned. Between Mary and I have many roles and responsibilities within TRBL in Spain and it is very satisfying to give a little back to society for the 40
Major Jack Kemp
wonderful years of service. Below you will see an update on the Alicante Branch of TRBL. If you are in the Alicante area of Spain, please let us know, you will be most welcome to come and see us.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
This year’s Royal British Legion (TRBL) District Spain North Annual Meeting of the District Conference was an enormous pleasure for me in my capacity of the District Parade Marshal and the Chairman of Alicante Branch.
A special thank you was expressed to the three Branch Standard Bearers, Mary Kemp who was carrying the Union Flag, Mark Walden carrying the Spanish
National Flag and Eddie Coleman carrying the District Standard.
Prior to the Conference I had submitted a citation on behalf of the Alicante Branch, as a nomination for the District Awards and was hopeful that if successful, we could receive the Recruitment Kukri.
The awards were presented at the end of the conference and after a little wait, I was extremely pleased that the Alicante Branch received the top award of The Chairman’s Bugle and The Recruiting Kukri.
Chairman’s Bugle; Awarded to the Branch which, in the judgement of the District Committee, has made the greatest advances in furthering the aims and objectives of the Legion in terms of Branch administration and conduct, use of O365 and LOMAS, use of the internet and other social media; recruiting, retention and outreach activities; Community Support, including engagement in the Branch Community Support initiative and the provision of Caseworkers.
This was followed by the presentation of the Recruiting Kukri.
The Recruiting Kukri; Awarded to the Branch whose percentage membership has increased the most in the previous year as calculated by the District Recruiting Officer from online Membership figures.
Living in Spain after the RAVC