News Release:
UNE career parallels award-winning Army service
| Date 28/1/04 No 012/04 Tony Bock, who was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day, has worked at the University of New England, and been a member of the Army Reserve, for the past 35 years. Mr Bock, whose award (in the Military Division of the Order of Australia) was for service to the Army Reserve, said his UNE and Army careers had converged in several ways. For example, he coordinated a major Army exercise at the University's Robb College in the 1980s, maintaining and enhancing the good relationship between the Army and UNE. The citation issued by Government House, Canberra, referred to "Warrant Officer Bock's outstanding Army Reserve service" as being "marked by indefatigable energy and inspirational devotion to duty". "In the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two, and as a Squadron Sergeant Major, Quartermaster Sergeant, Warrant Officer Coordination, and Technical Officer within the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers," the citation continues, "he has discharged his duties and responsibilities at a level far superior to that required, thereby providing his Regiment with leadership, training, and personnel and material management of the highest standards."
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Mr Bock said his Army experience, particularly in writing and implementing training programs, could be applied to his present position as Budget Officer at UNE. Starting work at the University as a junior clerk in 1969, he has also held the position of Manager of Office Services. He believes his award can inspire other members of the Army Reserve to "put in a bit of extra work". "Awards like this usually go to regular soldiers," he said. "But now reservists will realise that they, too, can strive for such honours." "It's truly an honour and a privilege to receive such an award," he said. "It hasn't really hit home yet, but it probably will when it's presented later in the year." Mr Bock's services to education include the raising (together with his wife Margaret) of a family of graduates. Their eight children already include graduates of the Australian National University (Karen) and the University of Sydney (Kassandra), another will graduate from UNE this year (Karl), and three more are current UNE undergraduates (Kristy, Kurt, and Katrina who starts this year). The two youngest children, Konrad and Kieren, are at Newling Primary School. Media contact: Tony Bock, Financial Services, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3414 or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE, Armidale (02) 6773 3049. A photograph of Tony Bock is available for download. |
