Medal for service

By Lia Bichel
MEMORIES of intense drills, learning how to use firearms, respect for authority, and life long friendships are just a few of the things Ray Coates has gained from his time in the army.
“It was more physical than I had thought,” remembers Mr Coates of his National Service training, “but it wasn’t a scary time.”
The Cranbourne man was one of seven local Defence Force members presented with the Australian Defence medal in a ceremony at the Cranbourne RSL.
The ceremony, held by Holt MP Anthony Byrne in conjunction with the Cranbourne RSL, celebrated the contribution Australian Defence Force members have made to Australia.
For Mr Coates, his contribution spans more than fifty years. The Cranbourne man has been a member of the local RSL for three years but his roots in the army stem back to 1952.
At just 17, Mr Coates entered the army, not fully aware of the physical and emotional challenge ahead of him.
He began his military training in Puckapunyal, Victoria, with almost 4000 young men from across the nation. He said though it was physically demanding, the training instilled in him values that positively impacted his life, and believes such training would benefit the Australian youth today.
“The training taught me about respect for others and certainly taught me respect for authority.”
In his early 20s, Mr Coates was assigned to the Royal Australian Army Medical CORPS, where he served in the field ambulances, casual clearing stations, and army general hospitals. He said the time there gave him direction once he left the army, when he became an ambulance officer before studying counselling and pursuing that career in Cranbourne.
Mr Byrne said rewarding Mr Coates and other members of the Australian Defence Force highlighted their significant commitment and contribution to our nation.
“It’s an honour, on behalf of our community, to express gratitude to all those that serve our country in the Australian Defence Forces,” he said. “It’s particularly important, in the lead up to Remembrance Day, to recognize the sacrifice and conviction of our Australian Defence personnel.”
Other local recipients included Alan Richards (Cranbourne), Robert Dodds (Narre Warren South), Gary Egan (Doveton), Stewart Gangell (Hallam), Ronald Kohlman (Endeavor Hills), and Keith Collins (Endeavor Hills).