THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
Saturday, 24 May 2008
043/2008
WELCOME HOME FOR TIMOR, AFGHANISTAN
TROOPS THIS WEEKEND
WHO:
The Minister for Defence, The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, and the
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy will officially
welcome home 1200 soldiers who have returned from
Afghanistan and Timor Leste during a unique event in Townsville
this Saturday, 24 May 2008.
WHAT:
The event will be a Welcome Home Parade and Concert on
Townsville’s Strand. Acclaimed performers Shannon Noll,
Beccy Cole, Clair Clarke, comedian Gary Bradbury and the
Band of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, will be
on stage during the free concert, which is open to the public.
WHEN:
Saturday, 24 May 2008:
2.00pm (parade and march),
3.00–5.00pm (concert)
WHERE:
The Strand, Townsville, Qld.
BACKGROUND
The Welcome Home Parade and Concert is a joint Townsville City
Council/Defence event. It will welcome home members of the Reconstruction
Task Force Three (RTF-3), who recently served in Afghanistan and members
of the Timor Leste Battle Group Three (TLBG-3), who recently returned to
Townsville after service in Timor Leste. These personnel will wear desert and
normal camouflage uniforms during the march down The Strand to the concert
venue.
Saturday, 24 May 2008, will bring together Defence personnel, their families
and the wider Townsville community in a high-level event that pays tribute to
their service to the nation. Defence members who have served on operations
overseas since January 2007 are also invited to wear their uniforms and
attend the concert.
Media contacts:
Mark Tanzer (Defence Public Affairs NQ):
0407 467 235
Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
