The Northern Territory news Thu 21 Apr 2011
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2011-04-21
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English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
Darwin
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/232267
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/664628
10 NT NEWS. Thursday, April 21, 2011. www.ntnews.com.au P U B : N T N E W S D A T E : 2 1 -A P R -2 0 1 1 P A G E : 7 1 0 C O L O R : C M Y K Trevor Smith Clockwise from top: Trevor Smith is among the soldiers on their way to Vietnam and his wife Helen is among those waving goodbye from the wharf below. - Vietnam Veterans and Amy Reservists, Major Chris Delaney (left), Major Ian Tibbits (centre left) and Major Trevor Smith (right) are pictured with their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Goldston. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Goldston is the Commanding Officer of North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) based at Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin, NT. - Relaxing with something to eat at camp. NORFORCE The Northern Territory and Kimberleys own Army unit, the North West Mobile Force (NORFORCE) will proudly celebrate its 30th Unit Birthday on 01 July this year. Currently there are three Officers serving in NORFORCE who have served the Australian Army longer than their unit; Major Trevor Smith OAM, Major Chris Delaney and Major Ian Tibbits CSM. All three served with distinction with Australian Forces in Vietnam and have since served in multiple postings in Darwin and the Northern Territory. Major Ian Tibbits CSM was called up for National Service on 22 Apr 1970, and following training was deployed to Vietnam as an Infantry forward scout with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in Oct 1971. At the end of Ians National Service he transferred to the Regular Army and continued to serve until 2001. Thirteen years of his thirty-one years of Army service have been in various Darwin units. In 1997 Ian was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal for his dedicated service. Ian is currently employed as the civilian Resource Manager of NORFORCE. Major Chris Delaney, also a National Service soldier was called up in July 1968 and deployed to Vietnam in June 1969 as infantry Soldier with the 9th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. Following two years of National Service Chris discharged and returned to Melbourne Boys High school as a mature age student. He then went to Monash University and gained a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws. In 1975 he rejoined the Army as a Reserve Officer and served in the Monash University Regiment. Chris moved to Darwin in 1990 and has continued to serve as Legal Officer in the Army Reserve while working in his civilian capacity as Crown Prosecutor and Trial Counsel in the NT legal fraternity. Chris continues for the Federal Government while serving NORFORCE as the Public Affairs Officer. Major Trevor Smith OAM joined the Army in Jan 1962 as an Apprentice at the age of 15. Following three years at what was known as Boys Town he completed training and deployed to Vietnam on 22 Apr 1966 aboard the HMAS Sydney. In Vietnam, Trevor was a motor mechanic with a transport unit undertaking resupply convoys. Following Vietnam he deployed to Papua New Guinea with his wife Helen. Trevor transferred to the Army Reserves in 1971 and served in South Australia before moving to Darwin in 1979. He has served in many Darwin units and was returned to full time duty in 2001 to serve 1 Combat Support Regiment and NT Army Cadets. In 2010 Trevor was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for service to youth through cadets and charities. Trevor was recently recognised by the Australian Army for 50 years of continuous service. Of note, Trevors current task as NORFORCE Staff Officer Heritage is to transfer the NORFORCE Museum to Darwin Military Museum East Point as part of the multi-million dollar redevelopment by the NT Government. The display at Darwin Military Museum East Point will recognise the history of NORFORCE through its parent units; the 2/1 North Australian Observer Unit (the Nackeroos), the Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit and the Darwin Mobile Force.