Our People in QLD
Shane De Amicis - Noticing the difference in East Timor
A second deployment to East Timor for the second time has allowed Toowoomba soldier Shane De Amicis to notice some positive changes in the country since his first trip in 2007.
“The first time I was here, it was a big shock to see how differently people lived, but the second time around, I’m noticing the many changes that the local population have made for the better,” he said.
Shane, now 24, is a military policeman with the International Stabilisation Force, which is assisting the East Timor and UN maintain stability and security in the country.
“Our role is to ensure that other members of the Australian Defence Force are doing the right thing, and we also do lots of vehicle escorts,” he said.
It is a change from his first tour in 2007, when he came to East Timor as an artillery gunner.
“I always wanted to join for the experience and the various opportunities I’d get,” he said.
“Before I joined I had a number of jobs from furniture removalist to working in an abattoir, but I really wanted the opportunity to see different places,” he said.
Shane is the first member of his family to serve in the Australian Defence Force, and is one of 650 personnel now serving in East Timor with Operation Astute.
He is looking forward to returning home to his partner Beck and son Connor.
Operation Astute is part of the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of East Timor to assist in bringing stability, security and confidence to the East Timorese.