7 October 2024
RAAF Base Williamtown recently hosted the Combat Support Group (CSG) Charity Group Workout, raising funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
One hundred and forty aviators came together at the RAAF Base Williamtown gym to participate in a rigorous group workout designed by Williamtown Indigenous Liaison Officer Flight Lieutenant Coen ‘H’ Henry, in consultation with the local physical training instructors (PTIs).
The workout raised $3175, which was donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The foundation invests in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities to provide the tools and resources they request to shape the direction of their children’s literacy future.
Indigenous Literacy Day is held annually on the third Wednesday of September, and Flight Lieutenant Henry hopes the workout event will become an annual one too.
“Williamtown-based CSG units held the Charity Group Workout to commemorate Indigenous Literacy Day and raise funds in support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, a not-for-profit First Nations organisation. The event is shaped to become an annual event at RAAF Base Williamtown,” Flight Lieutenant Henry said.
As the architect behind the workout, Flight Lieutenant Henry, guided by the PTIs on base, developed a challenging course, making the participants work for their post-activity barbeque breakfast.
Phase one of the workout included the ski-erg, rower and assault bike machines, along with bodyweight exercises. Phase two was a relay run, farmers carry and leopard crawl.
“The workout was gruelling – most had not leopard crawled in quite some time. It was a challenging but rewarding experience for all participants. It was a great testament of courage, teamwork and resilience,” Flight Lieutenant Henry said.
The winner of the workout was 26 Squadron’s ‘Send it’ team, and the largest donation was achieved by 381 Squadron, with an impressive $1025 collected.
“Key highlights were witnessing the competitive spirit, and the passion participants have for their respective squadrons,” Flight Lieutenat Henry said.
“Observing the RAAF Base Williamtown CSG senior leadership team and the SADFO (Senior ADF Officer of the Base) leopard crawl at the end was awesome to witness. It made me proud to be a part of a team within CSG and RAAF Base Williamtown.”
