| Place | Oceania: Pacific Islands, Tonga, Lifuka Island |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P10751.005 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Transparency |
| Maker |
Church, Michael |
| Place made | Pacific Islands: Tonga |
| Date made | 1982 |
| Conflict |
Period 1980-1989 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Commonwealth of Australia copyright |
A camp, 8 Troop's home for almost two weeks at the village of Pangi, Lifuka Is. Sapper Geoffrey ...
Description
A camp, 8 Troop's home for almost two weeks at the village of Pangi, Lifuka Is. Sapper Geoffrey Maxwell standing, seated left to right Lance Corporal's Shane Harrop and Bob West. In the background is a house roof blocking the road. This image relates to the service of Michael Church, 17 Construction Squadron, who was a member of the Cyclone Isaac mission in 1982, in Tonga. Cyclone Isaac killed 12 people and caused extensive damage to Tonga when it struck on 3 March 1982. Hercules from No 36 and No 37 Squadron flew relief supplies, personnel and equipment during the period 4-21 March. Two Iroquois from 9 Squadron were deployed, providing aero-medical evacuations, distribution of relief supplies, and transport of passengers in the area. A team of 70 Australian Engineers and communications personnel were also deployed to assist the reconstruction effort.