As 2006 draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing efforts throughout the year. I was able to visit each Division this year to meet you and experience your local hospitality. Each community we live and work in is different and the function Operations Branch and its members fulfil varies. Our primary role however remains to act “For the Benefit of Mankind”.

The past year has seen us involved in the usual minor and major public duties, training and competitions. Cyclone Monica effected the top end coast, (as well as getting a Batchelor crew isolated away from home for a night), Katherine had a flood and Tennant Creek had a bus crash all of which tested our call out procedures.

A special thank you goes to our families and partners for their support and understanding. The efforts of “The Volunteer Office” Gwyn Balch, Rosie Ballinger and John Carman to keep the organisation functioning deserves special mention.

The National Cadet Camp will be held in Darwin in January 2007, the organising committee are on the home straight, if you can lend a hand please contact the volunteer office to register your interest.

I look forward to working with members of Operations Branch, Training Branch and Service next year on the challenges that are still ahead of us.

Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

Regards, Peter Poole
NT Commissioner