Day to remember in Top End
8 November 2010 By SBLT Stuart Dennis
The lucky highest bidders in charity auctions have had a day to remember with the ADF in the Top End.
Geoff and Anna Cussons, franchisees of Harvey Norman Darwin, and Richard Harding, CEO of TIO, with Denis Mackenzie, Managing Director of CSG, were the highest bidders for an ADF Action Day raising a total of $40,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charity and Starlight Foundation.
And they got their money’s worth in an action-packed day with Darwin based units of the Navy, Army and Air Force.
Mr Cussons said the day was “absolutely remarkable”.
“We [civilians] kind of know what happens out there, but we really don’t know what happens and don’t know the benefits of serving,” he said. Ms Cussons agreed, saying the day was “simply priceless”.
Slipping into tank suits, the auction winners saddled up with the land forces first taking rides in an M1A1 Abrams tank, M113 AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier and an ASLAV, as well as a shoot in the Weapons Testing Simulator System.
“The tanks rides were far beyond our expectations and a life experience that we are very lucky to have had,” Mr Cussons said.
The willing philanthropists also took to the skies in a RAAF P-3C over Darwin Harbour to see the ADF action from above.
And the day of action would not have been complete without sailing aboard HMAS Bathurst off the coast of Darwin. The auction winners took the opportunity to see a boarding party training exercise first hand, as well as high speed manoeuvring aboard one of Bathurst’s RHIBs.
Mr Mackenzie told the ship’s company the RAN was what he wanted to see the most and was the main reason why he bid at the auction.
“It was a great day from all of the Services and I thank all of those involved for supporting such a great cause,” he said.
Commander Northern Command, Commodore David Gwyther, said the ADF Action Day was a unique opportunity Defence could offer to charities to raise much-needed funds.
“I know it is a great feeling for all the ADF members to see the reaction of the auction winners as they get into the action and, at the same time, knowing how much we have been able to change a child’s life,” he said.
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