SITREP for the Association website:

The battalion continues to provide support to the Townsville community. We have been in direct support for 7 days and will maintain our efforts until there is no more to do. The 3rd Brigade has entered the recovery phase of the operation, now routes are clear and debris removed, we are focused on assisting locals to remove unsalvageable household rubbish to land fill. We have a Squadron from 3 CER attached to assist us. We have also identified several ‘Quick Impact Projects’ within our area of operations which will assist the community to return to normal as quickly as possible.

It is not lost on me that floods have affected many members of the battalion and their families. We have provided accommodation to those families who need it on Lavarack Barracks and many unaffected members of the unit have opened their homes to assist friends. The suburbs worst hit are also the areas where the majority of DHA housing resides. Our men and women affected have shown incredible resilience, continuing to support the people of Townsville while knowing their houses were also part of the devastation. I am very proud of the battalion and the character it has shown in the past week.

Thank you to the 1 RAR Association members for all your messages of support.

Regards,

Chris Jaunay
Lieutenant Colonel I CO 1 RAR
Coral Lines I Lavarack Barracks I Townsville QLD 4813