Tour de Force - Solomon Islands 9

October 22, 2007 to October 25, 2007

This four day trip to the Solomon Islands was one to remember with legends of the Australian rock industry Darryl Cotton, Russell Morris and Glenn A Baker. Also including a comedian, magician, didgeridoo player and celebrity master of ceremonies this tour provided a great variety show to the troops and police all over the islands. In total the tour party consisted of thirteen civilian artists, sixteen members of the Royal Australian Navy Band (RAN), four Australian Defence Force (ADF) staff and an Australian Federal Police (AFP) Liaison Officer. The weather for the tour was fine, sunny but hot.

With all four days of the tour full there was little time for the artists to relax but some opportunity was there for them to experience some of the rich military history and lifestyle provided on the islands. The artists were treated to an introductory range shoot with the rifle and machine gun where they each had an opportunity to fire both weapons; a visit to a typical Solomon Islands village with the opportunity to mix and talk with the village people; a visit to the WW2 Marine Corps Monument and a drive through tour of Honiara in the back of a Unimog.

In addition to the concerts CAPT Dan Strack, the Army Liaison Officer for the tour, ensured that the group maximized its opportunities to meet and mix with the soldiers of the Joint Task Force starting with a welcome barbecue on the first night. This was greatly appreciated by the soldiers and allowed for the forging of some ongoing friendships.

The group conducted six separate entertainment activities during the tour which included:

a. two night concerts at Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR) for the AFP and ADF headquarters staff;

b. one day concert at OP Base Maritime where the company headquarters is located;

c. Part of the RAN Band, the magician and didgeridoo player performed at the RAMSI Pink Ribbon Cancer fund raiser in a Honiara hotel on the first night;

d. The didgeridoo player and assistant were flown to Isabella Island to perform at a Youth Convention and meet local youths; and

e. Part of the RAN Band, magician and dancers, and the didgeridoo player performed with the Solomon Islands Police Band (SIP) for the local SIP families at the Rove SIP compound