We welcomed retired Colonel Mr Garry Young and his wife Sue to speak with us . All relative with having just had ANZAC day. Garry has been leader of his regiment and now his community. He leads from the front with honesty and integrity. Garry has had a demanding and diverse career.
Garry has served nearly 30 years in the Army and had five overseas operational tours. He has served in the South Pacific, Asia and the Middle East and retired at the rank of Colonel. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal for action in Bougainville during the war in 1990. In 2001 he was recruited by PM John Howard to set up train and command the Australian Air Marshal program (AFP).
He trained in the USA, Canada, Israel, Germany, Austria, UK and trained NZ, Singapore and Philippines special forces. In 2008 he commenced private consulting on national security issues and was engaged by government to visit over 20 countries where young Australians were at risk when engaged in Aus-aid projects. He concurrently lectured at the National Security College to mid and senior level public servants, police and military officers on how government should act in response to major events which impacted on national security, including terror and pandemics.
Garry covered so many varied topics of his career that we were quite overwhelmed and in awe of the quiet hero’s within our nation that if it wasn’t for them Australia wouldn’t be the country it is today .
The people of our forces have come back from overseas tours seeing things us at home cannot imagine, we need to be tolerant and appreciate what they have done for us so we can live the life we currently do.
We have been lucky enough to not have war on our doorstop but we should all take a moment to reflect on what a leader is and what our expectations would be of our current leaders in a time of crisis.
On retirement in 2018 and he deserves to be playing golf and volunteering at the local golf club. He stays fit keeping up with his wife!
THE BEST ON EARTH:
AN ANZAC & REMEMBRANCE DAY TRIBUTE
If someone has done military service,
They earn the title “veteran,” and more;
They earn our deep respect and admiration;
That they are special no one can ignore.
They sacrificed the comforts we enjoy;
The list is long of all the things they gave;
Our veterans are extraordinary people;
They’re loyal, dedicated, true and brave.
When terror and invasion were real threats,
They showed us they could handle any storm.
We owe our freedoms and our very lives
To our veterans, who served in uniform.
Our veterans should be celebrities;
They’re exceptional; no other group compares.
We’re grateful for the many things they’ve done;
They’re always in our hearts and in our prayers.
We owe our veterans support and friendship;
Let no one ever question what they’re worth.
These men and women served us and our country;
Our veterans – the very best on earth.
By Joanna Fuchs