By
Lt Brooke Sawyer
THRILL
rides and show bags weren’t the only things on offer at this
year’s Royal Adelaide Show, with a new high tech Defence
display making its first South Australian appearance.
The
display, aimed at increasing the public’s knowledge of Defence
and the jobs available within it, had interactive computers and
a continuous video presentation of the ADF at work.
Thousands
of potential Defence recruits were attracted to the display throughout
the show week and personnel from the RAN Reserve, Army Reserve
and Air Force members from No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Sqn were
available to discuss life in their respective reserve services.
In
addition, the new Defence display picked up the Highly Commended
prize in the Best Display at the Royal Adelaide Show”competition.
In
another display area, 9 Bde showed off some of their hardware,
including an APC and an ASLAV.
Senior
ADF Representative – South Australia Air-Cdr Philip Byrne
said he hoped the displays would encourage people to consider
a job in the forces.
“People
from throughout South Australia, particularly from the country
areas, come to the Royal Adelaide Show, so this was an ideal opportunity
for Defence to promote its people, assets and jobs,” he said.
“I
hope all the people who attend this year’s event learnt something
new about our Defence Force and maybe some will even consider
joining us in the services.”
Lt
Rob Cussion, an armoured corps Reserve Officer and member of 9
Bde, said throughout the week there had been a lot of genuine
interest in the Army Reserve and he was confident that this interest
would soon translate into new recruits for the brigade.
The
South Australian Navy Band was also on hand to entertain the crowds
throughout the show weekend, taking centre stage in the new entertainment
area at the revamped Adelaide Showgrounds.
The
Defence Reserve Support Council set up a display in the Jubilee
Pavilion to promote the benefits of Reserve service and explain
the support they offered to employers of Reserve personnel as
well.
