If only we all had 2020 vision...
It's me, Von.
The reporting of the news out of Australia at the moment might seem a little over the top but those words - cataclysmic, dystopian, unprecedented, thermonuclear, apocalyptic - they are not hyperbole, they are attempting to describe a situation which cannot be described. An area the size of Wales, or most of North Island, is burning. It is against this terrifying backdrop that we are starting our sojourn; in itself a bit bizarre and, yes, a little awkward. And yet, the time we have given ourselves was to 'pause and reflect', to have the opportunity to think and be mindful.
The relationship between a Government and the military has been on my mind this last few weeks. ScoMo (the Aussie PM) has (finally) formally directed the use of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in support of the emergency and it was certainly heartening to see HMAS Choules conducting Disaster Relief off Mallacoota the other day but, really, having ambulances at the bottom of the cliff is not the way to think about national security within the country. In fact, we were having this conversation weeks ago, after Whakaari/White Island erupted (so the 9th December) HMNZS Wellington was sailed almost immediately, RNZAF aircraft were deployed and Special Forces readied themselves for the extraction of the deceased. Yes, I get that in NZ the 'tyranny of distance' is not as applicable as in Australia but the reason why Jacinda Ardern was able to mobilise forces so quickly is because the 2018 Strategic Defence Policy quite clearly states the relationship of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to the "Community, Nation and World". A set of principles which links the use of the military to provide stability within the country. I looked in the Australian Defence White Paper for something similar but the only internal security talked about is that concerning terrorists. Is it time for Australian Governments to rethink their relationship with the ADF?
That said, mobilising forces to support the civilian populace is not straightforward, the military are good but there still needs to be planning and there needs to be understanding from all parties if there is to be a positive outcome. When we were down in the Shoalhaven - now being ravaged by fire - there was lots of talk about how the Navy helicopters at Nowra could be used, but how often do the Squadrons at Nowra work with the fire service? How regularly do they practice with the underslung load of a water bucket, of the skills required to dunk it into someones backyard swimming pool? I am guessing not much; not the fault of the Fleet Air Arm or the Rural Fire Service. Maybe an 'opportunity for improvement' out of the cataclysmic scenes we have witnessed is a Government led strategy to get military and civil forces working together on a more a regular basis. Of course, that would require some leadership, and without being too political, that is not something I have witnessed from the serving Australian PM. Leadership is about being present - in all senses of the word - it's about seeing and listening and acting. No matter where you sit on the political spectrum the difference between Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern is stark and I know who I'd rather get a hug from.
Sharon is not going to be impressed by my guest appearance on the blog! So best I also add some information from our travels. We are currently in Old Bar, NSW about 300km north of Sydney. New Year was spent in Sydney and then the 1 January 2020 heralded the commencement of our journey proper.
We have meandered up the coast, avoiding spot fires and camp grounds full of children. We are 'underway, making way' but the fires in the south have reached Kangaroo Valley and so we have also been monitoring the news and apps to check that Derek and Irene are ok; they are. Derek was a Royal Marine and so had planning in place should a fire ever come through. An understanding to keep fuel sources low, a concrete bunker and a sprinkler system all meant they were in a better position than most and for that, we can be grateful. It also demonstrates the importance of good planning... (more of that in future blogs...oooh, I bet you cannot wait!)
The reporting of the news out of Australia at the moment might seem a little over the top but those words - cataclysmic, dystopian, unprecedented, thermonuclear, apocalyptic - they are not hyperbole, they are attempting to describe a situation which cannot be described. An area the size of Wales, or most of North Island, is burning. It is against this terrifying backdrop that we are starting our sojourn; in itself a bit bizarre and, yes, a little awkward. And yet, the time we have given ourselves was to 'pause and reflect', to have the opportunity to think and be mindful.
The relationship between a Government and the military has been on my mind this last few weeks. ScoMo (the Aussie PM) has (finally) formally directed the use of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in support of the emergency and it was certainly heartening to see HMAS Choules conducting Disaster Relief off Mallacoota the other day but, really, having ambulances at the bottom of the cliff is not the way to think about national security within the country. In fact, we were having this conversation weeks ago, after Whakaari/White Island erupted (so the 9th December) HMNZS Wellington was sailed almost immediately, RNZAF aircraft were deployed and Special Forces readied themselves for the extraction of the deceased. Yes, I get that in NZ the 'tyranny of distance' is not as applicable as in Australia but the reason why Jacinda Ardern was able to mobilise forces so quickly is because the 2018 Strategic Defence Policy quite clearly states the relationship of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to the "Community, Nation and World". A set of principles which links the use of the military to provide stability within the country. I looked in the Australian Defence White Paper for something similar but the only internal security talked about is that concerning terrorists. Is it time for Australian Governments to rethink their relationship with the ADF?
That said, mobilising forces to support the civilian populace is not straightforward, the military are good but there still needs to be planning and there needs to be understanding from all parties if there is to be a positive outcome. When we were down in the Shoalhaven - now being ravaged by fire - there was lots of talk about how the Navy helicopters at Nowra could be used, but how often do the Squadrons at Nowra work with the fire service? How regularly do they practice with the underslung load of a water bucket, of the skills required to dunk it into someones backyard swimming pool? I am guessing not much; not the fault of the Fleet Air Arm or the Rural Fire Service. Maybe an 'opportunity for improvement' out of the cataclysmic scenes we have witnessed is a Government led strategy to get military and civil forces working together on a more a regular basis. Of course, that would require some leadership, and without being too political, that is not something I have witnessed from the serving Australian PM. Leadership is about being present - in all senses of the word - it's about seeing and listening and acting. No matter where you sit on the political spectrum the difference between Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern is stark and I know who I'd rather get a hug from.
Sharon is not going to be impressed by my guest appearance on the blog! So best I also add some information from our travels. We are currently in Old Bar, NSW about 300km north of Sydney. New Year was spent in Sydney and then the 1 January 2020 heralded the commencement of our journey proper.
We have meandered up the coast, avoiding spot fires and camp grounds full of children. We are 'underway, making way' but the fires in the south have reached Kangaroo Valley and so we have also been monitoring the news and apps to check that Derek and Irene are ok; they are. Derek was a Royal Marine and so had planning in place should a fire ever come through. An understanding to keep fuel sources low, a concrete bunker and a sprinkler system all meant they were in a better position than most and for that, we can be grateful. It also demonstrates the importance of good planning... (more of that in future blogs...oooh, I bet you cannot wait!)
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| Our Sydney hosts, Jan & Sam and Ted (faces have not been blanked out) |
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| Ready to roll... |
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| On your marks, get set, go! |
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| Morisset Showground, ironic eh? |
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| The Big Bass in Bulahdelah (and a large wooden fish) |
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| The green that comes after fire is so vibrant |
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| Driving into Tuncurry/Forster saw us get to 2020 on the mileage, seems like a good omen. |
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| Carrying Dennis after he stepped on a Bull Ant (only in Australia can something a centimetre long floor you!) |
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