RICHMOND AND GLENBROOK - ANNUAL HANDBOOK 2020 - 1 WELCOME TO ANNUAL HANDBOOK 2015 defencebank.com.au 1800 033 139 Richmond. We’re here, where and when it counts. At Defence Bank, you’re not a number, you’re a member. We’re here on base at Richmond to make everyday banking easier and more convenient for you. And we’re here for when you want to talk to us about a home loan, our low-rate credit card or our award-winning car loans. No matter where you go, we’ll be there. In fact, we have the largest network of on-base branches across Australia. Better banking? You can count on it. Talk to us on base today. Building 327, McNamara Avenue, RAAF Base, Richmond. *Terms and conditions and interest rates are available at defencebank.com.au. Fees and charges may apply. No minimum deposit. Bonus interest for balances up to $100,000. To receive the Salute account, the member must deposit $1500 (minimum) into a Defence Bank Everyday Access account each month of the 12 month period. After the 12 month period the interest rate will revert to the Salute account base interest rate. Before acquiring any Defenceproduct pleaseBank Limitedconsider ABN whether 57 087 it is 651right 385 for AFSL/Australian you. Defence Bank Credit Limited Licence ABN 57234582. 087 651 Defence 385 AFSL Bank / Australian recommends Credit you Licence read the 234582. Defence Bank Products and Services - Conditions of Use for any product you choose to take. MESSAGE FROM CONTENTS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR RAAFANSW PUBLICATIONS PTY LTD, a company wholly owned by the Air Force Association (AFA), publishes this handbook with the primary aim of welcoming and assisting ADF families to relocate to the RAAF Bases at Richmond and Glenbrook. Relocations are never easy and AFA members well appreciate the disruption caused by this essential facet of Service life. We have filled the handbook with information about what’s on the bases, as well as provide a guide 34 50 Destination NSW PHOTOS: to the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains regions. You are indeed fortunate to be posted to this unique area: close enough to Sydney to explore >> SETTLING IN >> LIFESTYLE the history and art of our world-renowned capital, To help you establish your family at your new You have been posted to a beautiful part yet far enough away to avoid the bustle of the big posting, we’ve pulled together a handy guide of Australia so it’s worth making the most city and partake of the wonderfully relaxed regional to local services and more. of all that’s on offer! lifestyle that the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains regions have to offer. 4 28 This annual edition, the sixth that RAAFA WELCOME DCO Publications has produced, reflects the changes 6 32 that have occurred on the base and in the locality RAAF RICHMOND RAAF ASSOCIATION over the past year. We also are pleased to report a 19 RAAF GLENBROOK 34 FAMILIES change of our own: RAAFA Publications has taken over the Air Force Association’s Wings magazine, 21 CLUBS 44 EDUCATION publishing it in the same high quality as our Welcome handbooks. You will find copies around 22 RESERVES & CADETS 50 LIFESTYLE & MAPS the base, as well as online on our website: raafapublications.org.au. 24 RAAF RICHMOND 60 GUIDE TO THE AREA While you browse and hopefully enjoy the handbook and Wings, you may care to note that neither publication would be possible without the financial support of our sponsor and advertisers. MAGAZINE CONTACTS I would particularly like to mention Rolls Royce and MANAGING DIRECTOR AVM Neil Smith (ret) DIGITAL EDITION Defence Bank, who support us in both publications. ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Sue Guymer To read this publication online, go to raafapublications. We are also grateful to our host of local commercial EDITOR Sandy McPhie org.au/read-welcome-to-richmond companies who advertise with us. I encourage you ART DIRECTOR Katie Monin to consider their support whenever you are in the RAAF COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR DISCLAIMER market for their goods and services. Eamon Hamilton Information in the articles in this magazine was current Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention MAPS © Koala Cartography at time of publication but more recent developments the assistance provided to us by senior people Sandra Cheetham 0434 081 807 should be checked with the relevant Defence and other authorities for currency and any changes to conditions. at Richmond and Glenbrook, and in particular, Content appearing in this publication does not Eamon Hamilton, who works tirelessly to CONTACT necessarily reflect the views or have the endorsement coordinate the editorial content from the bases. P 0407 708 077 of the Department of Defence or the publisher. While It’s fair to say that, without Eamon’s efforts, the E [email protected] every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and handbook would not happen. Eamon and I, and W raafapublications.org.au currency in the articles presented, reliance should indeed all of the RAAFA Publications production not be placed on the information contained without reference to the relevant authorities. No part of this team wish you an enjoyable tour at Richmond or Published by magazine may be reproduced without the written Glenbrook as the case may be, in the knowledge RAAFANSW Publications consent of RAAFANSW Publications. No responsibility that you will love living in the region. is accepted by the publisher for the accuracy of advertisements or information. NEIL SMITH AM, MBE ON THE COVER Royal Australian Air Force Fire Fighters, Leading Aircraftwoman Sheridan Sandstrom and Air Vice Marshal (retired) Aircraftman Kyle Miller, of No.22 Squadron, in their full fire-fighting ensemble with a Truck Fire General Purpose Managing Director RAAFNSW Publications Pty Ltd Oshkosh Striker Air Transportable fire truck at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo: CPL Casey Forster. WELCOME TO RICHMOND ANNUAL HANDBOOK 2020 3 WELCOME TO THE AREA WELCOME TO RICHMOND & GLENBROOK AS YOUR NEW Senior Australian Defence Force Officer next generation of Australians to pursue a career in Air for RAAF Base Richmond, it’s my pleasure to welcome Force and STEM, however there’s opportunity for current everyone to our Base community in 2020. Air Force members to support them in this endeavour. Like many at Richmond, I’ve held a long connection The familiar C-130J Hercules, now in its 20th year of with this Base. I first came here in 1990 as a Navigator on operations, will continue to operate from Richmond, but C-130H Hercules. In my 30-year career with Air Force, 19 we’ll see its role continue to develop as we develop new of them have been spent at RAAF Base Richmond. tactics and work with industry to install new systems on If you’re on your first posting here, you’ll find what these aircraft. Throughout this change, our operational many of us have enjoyed – a community that is incredibly tempo will remain busy, with continued support to welcoming, and fiercely proud of the support it delivers operations including the Middle East, disaster relief to Defence operations. Our on-base community is missions closer to home, and major exercises including unique and includes families who live on, the various Pitch Black in the Northern Territory. messes, an active cinema and the numerous social clubs. All of these missions rely on a workforce of uniform, and While the Base has changed with the relocation of APS, Defence and industry, working together seamlessly several units in recent years, we’ve also witnessed the role of at Richmond. We will also continue to rely on the strong Richmond subtly grow to include new military capabilities support Richmond has always enjoyed from our local and broader commitment to the regional community. community. Whether you supply us with maintenance Last July, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) brought support, equipment and logistics, or other essential its Boeing 737 Large Air Tanker, named Marie Bashir after services, you all have an essential role here. a former state governor, to be permanently based at Looking ahead, I’m excited to be leading Richmond, Richmond. This is an asset supported on a routine basis and to be Commander Air Mobility Group, as we AIR COMMODORE by elements of our Base including No.22 Squadron aircraft approach the Air Force Centenary in 2021. The milestone CARL NEWMAN refuellers, by uniform and APS Air Traffic Controllers, falls on 31 March, but we can expect to support a number Senior Australian and by our security partners in MSS. The presence of of activities across the nation and throughout the year. Defence Force Officer, Marie Bashir at Richmond builds on the support we have For our RAAF Base Richmond community, there will RAAF Base Richmond provided NSW RFS in recent years, and extends the links be opportunities to share our story in the Hawkesbury Commander Air between our Base and the wider community. region, and thank them for their continued support. Mobility Group Similarly, the Base also recently welcomed Australian Whether it’s for the Centenary or day-to-day Air Force Cadets Diamond DA40 light aircraft, which you operations on this base, I’m looking forward to meeting can read about on page 23. The Diamonds will inspire the and working alongside all of you. FIRSTLY, A VERY big welcome to Headquarters Air The restored buildings and the grounds remain unaltered Command at the base of the beautiful Blue Mountains. from the turn of the century. For more details see page 20 Whether Air Command was your posting of choice, or or go to the website environment.nsw.gov.au and search a choice provided for you, I guarantee you and your 'Lapstone Hotel'.