Navy People: Nerang Muso’s Solomons Tour

22 October 2009

Nerang’s Alistair McCarthy is just back from the Solomon Islands, where he has been entertaining Australian troops and police who are part of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission.

It was Leading Seaman McCarthy’s job to bring them a touch of home — if only for a day or two.

“I joined the Navy in 1998 after The Southport School. I’m now a sound operator with the Sydney detachment of the Australian Navy Band, and these days I live in Newtown (Sydney).

“My job involves managing sound for the Navy band at official functions, ceremonial and training parades; and at public events like sporting events, civil parades and festivals.”

But, from 22–25 October, Alistair was one of a group of Australian entertainers who deployed to the Solomon Islands for the latest Forces entertainment tour.

“It wasn’t my first overseas trip with the Band — I’ve also been to Iraq. I like the challenge of providing technical support to shows under difficult situations.”

Also performing with the Navy band were successful solo artists Russell Morris and Darryl Cotton – also known for performing with Somebody’s Image and Zoot respectively; comedian Chris Radburn; magician Adam Dean; didgeridoo artist Adrian Ross; MCs rock guru Glenn A Baker and model Anneliisa Tonisson.

Some 140 ADF personnel are now part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, known as RAMSI for short. They are working alongside military personnel from New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in support of the Royal Solomon Islands Police. Australian Federal Police, along with other Police Forces from participating Pacific nations, are also taking part.

The Forces Entertainment team regularly takes entertainers to overseas theatres of operations, bringing a little bit of home to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are away from loved ones for months at a time.