Terror Australis Garrison

The last 12 Months in the Terror Australis Garrison have been a very busy and exciting time.  With well over 130 events attended, including the “Where Science Meets Imagination” Exhibits at Sydney’s Powerhouse and Melbourne’s ScienceWorks Museums, The TAG Reunion at Hobart’s Wrest Point Casino in May, Armageddon and Supernova conventions across the country and many hospital visits and fund raising events, our troops are due for a well earned rest and I could not be more proud of them.

As the Terror Australis Garrison’s Commanding officer, I have been very pleased to see our Garrison grow bigger and stronger with many new members, the formation of the ‘Knightfall’ and the ‘Southern Dewback Squads’ and the creation of a new Garrison covering New South Wales, the ‘Southern Cross Garrison’.  Strong bonds have been built between the two Garrisons and with a third Garrison for Australia on the way, we hope to continue to strengthen these bonds, with an Australian Garrisons Reunion in June 2010 to be held at Supanova in Perth, Western Australia.

The work we do on behalf of the Legion, raising money for charities and visiting sick children in hospital makes me very proud to be a member of this great organisation and of all my fellow Legion brothers and sisters.  When the Bushfires hit Victoria hard early in the year, Troops around the country stepped up to the plate to help raise money for the victims. Patch sales, tin rattling and collections were the order for the day, with one trooper, Jacquie “Moxxxie” Doyle (TK6232)  in Queensland going above and beyond, raising over $25,000 in one day by herself for the cause.  I have no doubt this contributed to her being nominated and voted TAG’s Trooper of the year for 2009.  She was joined by a new Trooper to TAG from Western Australia Russell “Jowwarr” Thomas (TC 6811) who was voted Rookie of the Year 2009, for his great efforts in expanding Trooping in WA and for his services to the troopers and recruits in TAG.

The command, Admin Staff and Squad leaders  of TAG this year have been exceptional, stepping up to the ready line to ensure that the troopers are well informed, looked after and happy.  The Forums and website have finally been updated and look great and with more upgrades planned, are sure to be an invaluable resource for troopers for years to come.  Thankyou to Jason, Matt, Jeff, Cen, Ryan, Greg, Kristain and Beejay for all your help over the year.  We could not have had our most successful year with out you all and without the co-operation and  friendliness of our troopers.

What’s planned for 2010?  Next year is set to be another big year for the 501st in Australia.  Celebration V has been announced and is scheduled to take place in August, at the Orange County Convention Center, Florida USA.  We have quite a few Troopers who are looking to go and we wish them the best.  Star Wars: The musical Journey, an orchestral Arena event, is likely to be coming to OZ in 2010 so keep your eyes open for that.  The clone wars series is continuing into the new year and we will all be kept busy recreating the many new costumes from that great Animated series.  TAG’s second Squad is looking to follow in the Southern Cross Garrisons footsteps and form the Redbacks Garrison early on too, so we wish them the best for the coming year and hope they continue to have close ties with the rest of Australia.

I am planning on again running for CO of TAG in February/March and hope to continue to keep this Garrison rolling to bigger and better things for the future.  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, happy new year and hope to see you all out on the field of valor in the new year.  Happy Trooping.