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Trainee officers at the Australian Defence Force Academy have completed more than 2,000 hours of community service work as part of Exercise Weary Dunlop.
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Over 300 first and third-year trainee officers at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) have collectively completed over 2,000 hours of community service work in Canberra as part of Exercise Weary Dunlop, conducted between 15-18 October.
The trainees dug gardens, built play equipment and mended fences at 25 sites across the nation’s capital and surrounding regions.
The officers were divided into small teams and sent to local primary and high schools, charity groups, such as St Vincent de Paul Society, and not-for-profit organisations like the Girl Guides.
One activity at Canberra College involved the planting of gardens and the construction of play equipment for the college’s CCCares program, which supports more than 150 pregnant and parenting students attain secondary school and trade qualifications.
Officer in charge of Exercise Weary Dunlop, Major Tobias Raimondo, said the community work promoted the value of service among the trainee officer cohort.
“Community work such as that done through Exercise Weary Dunlop helps instil in our trainee officers the necessity of putting others before yourself,” MAJ Raimondo said.
“Over the four days, the trainee officers spent time reflecting on the importance of service, the importance of supporting the local community and demonstrating selflessness of character to place the needs of others ahead of their own.”
Exercise Weary Dunlop was conducted in partnership with local community groups and VolunteeringACT.
CEO of VolunteeringACT, Jean Giese, thanked ADFA officers for their support for the local community, particularly amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“This year has been a challenging year for volunteering with more than 70 per cent of organisations in the Canberra region forced to stand down their volunteers due to COVID-19,” Giese said.
“This year’s Exercise Weary Dunlop has delivered thousands of volunteer hours, enabling organisations to undertake critical projects that would not otherwise be possible.”
[Related: Cadets put to the test, complete Exercise Shaggy Ridge]
