DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Pre-Christmas Concert For Troops Serving In East Timor
Australian and New Zealand military personnel serving on overseas deployment in East Timor have taken time out from
their normal tasks to enjoy performances by leading entertainers.
John Schumann and his band, the Vagabond Crew, comedian Gary Bradbury and singer Chantelle Delaney performed a series of
concerts at military bases in East Timor, as part of the 17th Tour de Force. The concerts follow the tradition
established almost 10 years ago to the day, when leading Australian performers entertained more than 4000 troops from
countries serving in the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET).
Commander of Australian and New Zealand personnel now deployed in East Timor, Commodore Stuart Mayer, thanked the Tour
de Force for bringing world-class entertainment and a taste of home to the troops.
“Since the days of INTERFET, Australian entertainers have answered the call to come and entertain our troops on overseas
deployment,” Commodore Mayer said at the end of the concert.
“Again we have seen a great response from the Australian entertainment industry and we are grateful to the entertainers
who have come here to perform.”
Private Joseph Nolen, a 25 year old soldier from Townsville summed up the sentiments of the troops, saying he enjoyed
the concert, but noted that his loved ones were not far from his mind.
“I miss my family heaps,” he said with a proud smile on his face.
“I hope they have a great Christmas and are happy to know I will be home soon.”
The Tour de Force concerts took place in an improving environment in East Timor, where peace and security has increased
considerably since the violence that led to the creation of INTERFET in 1999.
ends