DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 285/09
Thursday, 27 August 2009
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE CROWN PRINCE OF TONGA VISITS
ARMY ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Tonga HRH Tupouto‘a Lavaka and his
Chief of Defence Services, Brigadier Tau’aika Uta’atu, visited the ARMY
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (AACAP) in Mapoon,
Queensland today to view the works being conducted by 10 Tongan Defence
Personnel who are attached as part of the AACAP Contingent.
AACAP has offered the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the Army
and the Tongan Defence Service (TDS) through positive international engagement.
The TDS has contributed 10 tradesmen (including carpenters, plumbers and
electricians) to work alongside Army tradesman to complete the AACAP vertical
construction task: involving the completion of three houses for community members.
The infrastructure work in Mapoon includes the construction of 3 three-bedroom
houses, the upgrade and sealing of a 6km main community road, and the maintenance
of community septic systems. These works are being delivered by Army Engineers
from the 17th Construction Squadron based in Sydney. There is also a community
health support program supporting existing health services, especially in areas such as
dentistry, veterinary services and environmental health. The final deliverable of
AACAP is an employability skills program focusing on trade training, which is also
aimed in developing literacy, numeracy, leadership and multimedia skills. On
completion, the community trainees will receive a nationally recognised construction
certificate.
Media Note:
Still images of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Tonga HRH Tupouto‘a
Lavaka’s visit to AACAP will be available at:
Additional information about the AACAP program can be found at:
Media Contacts:
CAPT Bridget Mitzevich:
(02) 8782 2802 or 0429 667 054
Defence Media Liaison:
(02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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