September 2016
Major Errol Christian ADC, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d)
WO1 Kevin Connelly OAM (Ret’d), Colonel Michael Miller RFD
On the occasion of Kevin receiving his OAM at Government House.
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1 August 2014
Brig David Mulhall AM, a previous Head of Corps, has been promoted to Major General.
David graduated from the Officer Cadet School in 1984. David has had postings to
18 Transport Squadron, Perth Transport Unit and 3 Brigade Admin Support Battalion.
As a staff officer he saw service at HQ Northern Command, Darwin and as the ADC to the Commander of Logistic Command, in Melbourne.
Promoted to Major in 1995 he attended the British Army School of Logistics to study advanced operational logistics, returning to Australia to take up sub-unit command in 1 Combat Service Support Battalion at Holsworthy.
Following attendance at the Army Command and Staff College in 1998 he was posted to the Directorate of Officer Career Management as a career advisor.
In 2000 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and returned to the C & SC as an instructor, transfering to the Australian Staff College in Canberra when that joint college was formed m 2001, becoming the initial Chief Instructor.
He subsequently Commanded 1 Combat Service Support Battalion in Darwin in 2002-03 before returning to Canberra as the career advisor for Lieutenant Colonels.
Promoted to Colonel in 2005 he became the Director of Personnel Operations-Army before moving to Iraq as the Chief of Plans (Logistics) Multi National Force, Iraq, for which he earned the US Bronze Star.
In 2006 he became the Director Logistics-Army, and then attended the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in 2008.
He was subsequently promoted to Brigadier and posted as the inaugural Chief of Staff- Army HQ. At this time lie was also the Head of Corps for RACT.
He was posted to 17 Combat Service Support Brigade as Commander in 2010.
David is posted to Afghanistan.
Three Transport Association congratulates Major General David Mulhall AM on his promotion and wish him well.
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5 June 2014
Congratulations to General David Hurley.
The Queen approved General Hurley's appointment as the 38th governor of NSW effective on October 2.
After 42 years of soldiering. The Wollongong-born Chief of the Defence Force, 60, steps down from his current role at the end of June.
General Hurley graduated from the Royal Military College at Duntroon in 1975 and was swiftly promoted through the force's ranks, becoming Chief of the Defence Force in 2011.
In 2010 he became a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the defence force. He has also been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for service in Somalia.
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4 April 2014
Congratulations to our President Kevin Connelly on being elected as President to the Ashfield RSL Sub Branch.
22 February 2014
Congratulations to Kevin Connelly on being elected as
President Western Metropolitan District Council, Returned and Services League of Australia, New South Wales Branch.
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1 March 2013
RACT BANNER PARADE LOCATION ANNOUNCED
The 9th Force Support Battalion (9 FSB) has been selected by the Head of Corps to host the RACT Banner Parade on 01 June 2013. 9 FSB whose heritage can be traced to RACT’s 9th Transport Regiment is located in the Amberley precinct in South East Queensland.
The Gallipoli Barracks development program has precluded Enoggera from being used and 9 FSB’s purpose built parade ground and excellent facilities will provide a great setting for a significant event in our Corps’ history.
At present work is being undertaken on additional 40th Anniversary pages for the RACT website. Once completed, these pages will allow you to register your attendance at the Parade and post – parade Refreshments. You will also be able to book and pay for seats at the Princess Royal Dinner which will be held at the Sofitel Brisbane Central hotel. Advice will be provided through the website, FaceBook and Twitter when the new pages are active.
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17 January 2013
RACT 40th ANNIVERSARY
Following is an extract from the RACT Journal by Colonel L.I.Woodroffe, 40th Anniversary Celebrations Sub Committee, in relation to the anniversary parade and presentation of the Princess Royal Banner in the Brisbane area in the first weekend, June 2013.
The presentation of the Princess Royal banner will take place on the corps birthday 1st June 2013.
The parade commander will be the deputy head of corps, Lt Col Len Oei. Other Key appointments are yet to be determined by the corps RSM and Head of corps.
Immediately following the parade all participants, guests and spectators will be invited to join the reviewing Officer and other VIP for a luncheon and the cutting of the anniversary cake. A small fee will be charged for those who are not on duty.
In the evening there will be a gala dinner held at the Sofitel Brisbane Central. This dinner is open to all past and present members of the corps and their partners.
While it is in a venue that can cater for large numbers, early registration is required.
The Princess Alice Banner will be laid up on Sunday 2 June 2013. The laying up ceremony will be attended by smaller numbers than the parade. Many of those attending will be by invitation, but once again, expressions of interest are sought.
As you can see this important milestone in the history of the RACT will be marked in style and we hope with maximum attendance.
Three Transport Association plan
The current plan is,
Friday, flight to Brisbane, move to hotel,
Saturday, attend parade, luncheon, and Gala dinner,
Sunday, morning, attend laying up ceremony,
Sunday, afternoon, move to airport for return flight to Sydney.
It is important that members submit their names ASAP if attending.
We need this information to book hotel rooms, flights and transfers in Brisbane, as well as numbers attending functions.
Please submit your details via e-mail to Denis Keane denis.keane@bigpond.com or
Bob Duggan rduggan1@optusnet.com.au
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Note from the RACT
RACT 40th Anniversary Celebrations
ANNOUNCEMENT OF 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
I am pleased to announce the details of several significant events for
RACT in the coming twelve months. As most members of the Corps are well
aware, we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Corps on 01 Jun
2013. In early 2013 we will also be presented with a new banner from
our Colonel in Chief, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal.
To mark the occasion, a small delegation of the Corps will travel to the
UK in early 2013 to receive the 'The Princess Royal Banner' from
Princess Anne, after which it will be formally presented on parade in
Australia on 1 June 2013. After wide consultation, I am pleased to
announce that the location of the Australian banner parade will be
Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane. While not the traditional home of the
RACT, Brisbane provides the location that enables us to maximise the
attendance of both past and present members of the Corps, and it is
people that I consider to be the most important element of our Corps.
This event promises to be a significant milestone in the history of the
Corps, with a muster of serving and ex-serving personnel. Activities
over the weekend 01 / 02 Jun 2013 will include:
* Presentation of The Princess Royal Banner at Gallipoli Barracks,
Brisbane
* Laying up ceremony for the Princess Alice Banner at the All
Saints Chapel (the banner will ultimately be laid up at the Bandiana
Museum).
* Regimental Dinner for all members of the RACT, past, present and
their guests.
I have appointed a special Sub-Committee to the Corps Committee chaired
by Colonel Lesley Woodroffe, Colonel Commandant - Queensland Region, to
plan and coordinate the 40th Anniversary events and activities. The 40th
Anniversary Sub-Committee will post regular updates on this website on
the progress of planning for the anniversary.
I encourage you all to make an effort to be part of this historic
occasion. Please place the date in your diary and spread the news to
other past and present members of the Corps.
Par Oneri
HOC
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POSITION BRIEF
RACT 40th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
SATURDAY 1 JUNE 2013
1. The RACT 40th Anniversary celebrations will be upon us before we know it.
There have been some recent changes to the Corps Banner Sub Committee that was established to take the lead on the celebrations.
This was because of conflicting work requirements of COL Bill Denny and MAJ Adam Watson.
The new sub committee now comprises:
a. Chair – COL LesleyWoodroffe
b. Secretary – MAJ Ben Cottrell
c. Ceremonial Adviser – WO1 Ken Golden
2. This committee will of course be ably supported by the Deputy Head of Corps LTCOL Paul Bruce, the Corps RSM, WO1 Greg Collins and COL Denny has agreed to continue to be an advisor on historical issues.
3. The key events for the celebrations will be a banner parade, planned for Saturday) 1 June 2013 and a parade for the laying up of the Princess Alice banner on the (Sunday) 2 June 2013. Other possible events include formal dinner/s and Association functions.
4. In order to enable the sub-committee to proceed as soon as possible with
planning, the assistance of Colonel Commandants and Association Presidents is
required to canvas the views of RACT members (past and present) within your region
and present recommendations on the following:
a. Location of the Banner Parade. This will in the main be determined by factors such as facilities, troop concentrations and operational commitments and available accommodation. There are three recommended alternatives for this parade:
(1) Puckapunyal - the traditional home of the Corps;
(2) Bandiana - the new home of the Corps and the current location of the School of Transport; and
(3) Brisbane or Townsville - key centres for concentration of RACT troops.
b. Laying up of the Princess Alice Banner and Location. There has been a direction from the Chief of Army that all banners are to be laid up in the chapel at Kapooka however this has already been successfully challenged at CASAG and that therefore presents us with some alternatives. Noting that the ceremony need not be conducted in the location where the banner is laid up, your recommendations are sought as to final laying up location. The possible alternatives are:
(1) Kapooka Chapel - where it is visible to all IET of all corps;
(2) Puckapunyal - the traditional home of the Corps; and
(3) Bandiana Chapel - the new home of the Corps and the current location
of the School of Transport and visited by all.
c. Additional Celebratory Functions. In addition to the parade it is intended that there be supporting functions and that these are likely to be in the same location as the banner parade. Such functions may include for example a formal dinner or dinners
(Officer and/or Senior NCO or mixed ranks); a function for associations or a sporting/family event. Recommendations on the nature of the events that are most likely to be supported are requested. An indication of the likelihood of support by units and past members, (i.e. association memberships) should the events not be held in their local area, would also be useful.
d. Painting/Photography. There will be consideration of the commissioning of a painting. It is possible that within the regions there is an RACT/Association member who is in a position to make recommendations on a suitable artist who has some affiliation with the corps and therefore adds some cultural value to the work.
e. Memorabilia. Recommendations on the sorts of memorabilia that would be appreciated or valued are sought.
The means by which information is canvased and collated is dependant upon the established communication avenues with RACT members (current and past) in regions. Formal surveys are not required but as wide a consultation as possible in a
short space of time is essential. Recommendations, with supporting argument should be forwarded to Lesley Woodroffe at lesley.woodroffe@defence.gov.au and copied to btcottrell@gmail.com and gregory.collins@defence.gov.au by no later than 16 November 2011.
Prepared By:
LesleyWoodroffe
Colonel
RACT Colonel Commandant Northern Region
20 October 2011
Cleared By:
(SIGNED)
Jeff Wilkinson
Brigadier
RACT Representative Colonel Commandant and Colonel Commandant Eastern
Region
20 October 2011
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New Head of Corps
Brigadier Andrew Bottrell, CSC and Bar
Head of Corps Royal Australian Corps of Transport
Copywrite by RACT Admin
Andrew Bottrell was born on 15th August 1967 in Forbes, NSW and completed his schooling at Rostrevor College in Adelaide. He graduated from the Royal Military College in 1987 to the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. His regimental service was undertaken within 10th Terminal Regiment, the Army Detachment to the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition, and the Land Warfare Centre, Canungra.
Brigadier Bottrell returned to Australia to assume command of the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion within the 3rd Brigade. During his tenure he deployed on Op LARRY ASSIST to command the Land Task Group in Innisfail in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Larry. He also deployed to Timor Leste in May 2006 on OP ASTUTE as the Logistics Component Commander for JTF631 under, then, Brigadier Mick Slater.
In 2007 he served as an instructor at the Australian Command and Staff College. Later that year he deployed on Op CATALYST as the SO1 Joint Effects on HQ Multi-National Division (South East) where he was charged with the responsibility for coordinating the transfer of Basra Province to Provincial Iraqi Control.
Upon return to Australia in Jan 2008 Brigadier Bottrell was promoted to Colonel and posted as Director Logistics – Army in Army Headquarters.
In 2010 he attended the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Australian Defence College and was subsequently promoted to Brigadier and posted into his current appointment as Chief of Staff Army Headquarters in January 2011.
Brigadier Bottrell holds a Bachelor of Business, a Master of Business (Integrated Logistics), a Master of Defence Studies, and a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies). He is a graduate of the Australian Army Command and Staff College, Queenscliffe, and the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.
Brigadier Bottrell was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 2003 for his work at Strategic Operations Division and was awarded a Bar to the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2007 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his role as the Logistics Component Commander for Op ASTUTE.
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Queens Birthday Honours
Brigadier Bottrell was promoted to major in 1996 and served as a staff officer at Headquarters Logistics Command before taking command of Adelaide Logistic Company. He deployed to East Timor in late 1999 as part of INTERFET where he served with the Force Logistic Support Group and later assumed the position of Operations Officer of the 3rd Brigade Administrative Support Battalion (later 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion). He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in July 2001 and served in Strategic Operations Division. In 2002 he was posted to the Headquarters of US Army Training and Doctrine Command in Virginia where he served as the Deputy Director of Individual Training.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)
Brigadier David Thomas MULHALL AM, NSW. Outstanding achievement as the Chief of Staff Army Headquarters, Office of the Chief of Army, Army Headquarters.
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18 March 2011
Message from Head of Corps
Princess Anne, The Princess Royal,
Colonel-in-Chief RACT
Submitted by RACTAdmin
It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has appointed Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport.
As confirmation of this appointment has only just been received, we are only in the very early stages of our planning in how we will formally engage our new Colonel-in-Chief.
More news will be posted once available.
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9 September 2010
Mesothelioma Incidence and Trends in Australia
Australia has one of the highest incidences of mesothelioma in the world, largely due to its extensive use and mining of asbestos, including one of the most toxic forms - crocidolite. Since about 1980, the government of Australia has been keeping track of mesothelioma cases and also mandates that any cancer diagnosis be reported to the proper tracking authorities, namely the National Cancer Statistics Clearinghouse, which is maintained by the Institute of Health and Welfare.
In May 2008, the Australian Safety and Compensation Council released a report that focuses on the incidence of mesothelioma from 1980 until 2004, the last year for which complete and accurate statistics are currently available. Aside from providing general numbers as to the incidence of mesothelioma in Australia, the report also breaks down the information for each state and territory and provides projections for the future. See the link on the links page or go direct
to www.mesotheliomaguide.com, to see an organization that is now working exclusively when it comes to assisting USA veterans with mesothelioma.
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14 August 2010
New RACT web presence
Message from Brigadier D.T. MULHALL, AM
I would also like to take this opportunity to officially announce that the new RACT website is up and running. It can be found at www.ract.org.au. The site is on the internet and should now be considered as the main electronic focal point for news and professional discussion within the Corps. It will also provide a central link into the many Associations that exist to keep the past members of the Corps engaged and informed. As a result, I have directed that the old internet and intranet (DRN) sites be closed down immediately with redirections put in place. Quite frankly, there is little justification for keeping the DRN site (on security grounds or otherwise). Indeed, a large proportion of the Corps do not have regular DRN access and therefore they were unable to access up-to-date Corps information.
You will notice that the new website embraces social media, with links to specific RACT YouTube, Facebook and Twitter sites. These are in their infancy and will be developed in the coming months. They will also rely on your participation to make them vibrant and worthwhile sites. For social media novices (or sceptics), I urge you to have a look at the Army Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheAustralianArmy?ref=ts) which now has approximately 34000 fans and which is providing Army with a strong platform to get out its message. You will note that many units and other Corps also have a presence on Facebook.
One important innovation on the RACT website is that we have created unclassified web forums for each of our key trades, as well as direct access to trade representatives for restricted information. One hurdle is gaining access to some web links from the DRN. CIOG are in the process of granting access for these sites, so until this access is granted, it will only be accessible from non-DRN computers. I know this is not ideal, but I do not want to hold off using these methods of communicating. Please be patient while the access issue is resolved with CIOG, but I ask that you embrace and encourage use of this site.
You may recall that one of my key themes is to substantially improve the way that we communicate within the Corps, and this is a key means to achieve that. If you have any queries or require assistance on the process, please don't hesitate to contact the HOC Cell on RACT.HOCCELL@defence.gov.au .
Par Oneri
D.T. MULHALL, AM
Brigadier
Head of Corps - Royal Australian Corps of Transport
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24 June 2009
New cemetery at Fromelles
WORK has started on the new cemetery at Fromelles, in northern France, which will provide a final resting place for
around 400 British and Australian soldiers.
The troops died during the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916, with the bodies buried in a number of pits by the German
army in the hours after the battle.
A team of archaeologists are currently extracting the bodies and countless items of clothing and equipment and it is
hoped that DNA techniques will enable as many of the soldiers as possible to be named and given an individual headstone.
The removal of remains is intricate work that involves very small archaeological tools and hand held metal detectors.
As they are recovered, the soldiers' remains are X-rayed and taken through an on-site temporary mortuary for scientific
analysis and cataloguing.
Numerous artifact have been found in association with the remains. The majority of these are buckles, buttons,
press studs and fragments of fabric from the 1908 pattern webbing equipment that both Australian and
British soldiers wore at the Battle of Fromelles.
Families who believe their relatives may have lost their lives at Fromelles are urged to check the lists of casualties at www.fromelles.org.
The new cemetery at Fromelles is the first one in fifty years to be built by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
and will be completed by December 2009.
Source: GeneaNet Newsletter dated - 17/06/2009
27 May 2009
Head of Corps
Royal Australian Corps of Transport
c/-Army Logistic Training Centre
Army School of Transport
NORTH BANDIANA VIC 3694
Royal Australian Corps of Transport
It is with great pride that I assumed the appointment of Head of Corps from Brigadier Saul on 3 April 2009. Brigadier Saul and I have known each other for many years and I have long admired his drive and capacity to get things done. He has built tremendously upon the strong foundation left for him by previous Heads of Corps and Corps Directors, and also upon the extraordinary contribution made over many years by the men and women of our Corps. On behalf of the Corps, I sincerely thank Brigadier Saul for his efforts as Head of Corps over the past two years and look forward to his on-going contribution.
My association with the Corps started in 1982 when I joined the Army as a driver at 2 Transport Squadron. 27 years on, I remain very proud of our Corps, the people in it and the great work that we do. Our Corps has a hard-earned reputation for maintaining the highest professional standards and for getting on with the job at hand with little fuss. We have always been adaptable and willing to take on new challenges - attributes that position us well to exploit the opportunities of Adaptive Army and the soon to be released Defence White Paper.
My current appointment is that of Chief of Staff Army Headquarters. I am therefore well positioned to have visibility over the major strategic issues confronting Army and our Corps. My desire is to get out and about as much as possible and listen to the ideas and concerns of our people, while also using my position in Army Headquarters to ensure that the Corps is well-informed and focused on addressing the right issues.
I look forward to meeting you, or re-establishing old acquaintances, over the coming months. Please do not hesitate to get in touch and let me know what you think is important to the future and well-being of our Corps. Par Oneri.
David Mulhall
D. T. MULHALL, AM
Brigadier
Head of Corps
Tel: (02) 6265 1790
9 April 2009
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9 August 2008
Major General Warren Glenny AO RFD ED presents the unit standard to WO1 Kevin Connelly (Retd)
Copywrite RFD Council
Click here http://www.rfd.org.au/movies/NatPar08/Resday08.wmv for Sydney 2008 RFD march vidio
(Copywrite RFD Council)
4 July 2008
RFD March
Special thanks to the RACT Pipes and Drums Band who came from Newcastle.
They led the CORPS section at the RFD march and I am please to say that everyone was instep at all times, Well done guys and gals.
(Sgt Bob)
The RACT Pipes and Drums have a long and proud history and the RACT remains one of the few Corps to have such an asset. The Pipes and Drums is a GRes unit that wears the RACT Corps Badge. Units are strongly encouraged to use the RACT Pipes and Drums to provide musical support to various activities, particularly those of an RACT nature.
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MAY 2008
Commemoration Plaque
Last year Murray Taylor on behalf of the Association initiated the necessary steps for the process of applying for a grant under the Federal Government’s “Saluting their Service” program.
The culmination of the project will be the dedication and unveiling of a Commemorative Plaque to the Unit at the Australian War Memorial.
This has been approved and final plans for a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial are under way.
These will be conveyed to all members and friends of the Association.
At this stage due to the time to contact and invite VIP's, Corp Commander, Association Patron and so on it is suggested that we hold the ceremony on a Friday in Feburary or March 2009.
The DEDICATION IS ON 6 MARCH 2009
Please pass this on to members and friends who do not have computers.
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