Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition joins with the government in supporting this condolence motion for Sergeant Brett Till, who died in southern Afghanistan on Thursday 19 March 2009. Sergeant Till, a highly skilled explosive ordnance disposal technician, was killed during a route clearance task undertaken by the Special Operations Task Group in southern Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated as he was working to dispose of it. Sergeant Till’s passing, following so closely the loss of Corporal Hopkins just three days prior, caused an already-grieving nation to pause longer, to reflect more deeply and to acknowledge the further sacrifice made by our service personnel. Sergeant Till was the tenth Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan since Australia deployed there in 2002. Sergeant Till’s body was returned to Richmond Air Force Base on March 26, with a lone piper playing as the body was removed from the plane by an honour guard and bearer party made up of members of the Incident Response Regiment.

The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, reflected on Sergeant Till and said, ‘Without question he saved the life of his mates’. Brett’s father Noel, in a statement made after the ramp ceremony, paid tribute to his son’s commitment to his family and his military history. He said:

I will be forever proud of Brett, for his devotion to his wife and children, for his selfless concern for the well being of others and his dedication to his mates and country.  What more could anyone ask.  Yet he gave more.

In a moving and solemn funeral service on March 31 at the Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland, Sergeant Till’s brother Tony shared the sense of grief yet admiration many felt on the passing of Sergeant Till when he said, ‘Losing Brett is the toughest thing that has ever happened to our family. These have been some of the toughest days of our lives and yet we have never felt prouder of Brett.’ His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Russell Maddalena, the Commander of the Incident Response Regiment, also paid tribute to the professionalism and commitment of Sergeant Till, saying:

Sgt Till was a patriotic Australian and a valued member of his regiment. He is owed a special debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid. I know all Australians will remember and honour Brett’s sacrifice.

Brett is gone and we celebrate his life and courage and mourn his passing. We look upon his life, his integrity, leadership, courage and love of family and friends and we give thanks that we were able to be part of it.

Sergeant Till was a relative latecomer to a military career, having previously worked as a mechanic. It was his love for his family and his desire to ensure their security and wellbeing that led Brett Till to the Army, where he enlisted in 2001. Sergeant Till was recognised for his dedication, commitment and integrity with prompt promotions throughout his career. Sergeant Till was a decorated soldier, awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with International Coalition against Terrorism clasp, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Australian Defence Medal, the NATO ISAF Medal and the Army Combat Badge. Sergeant Till was a member of the Incident Response Regiment, having also served with the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment and the School of Military Engineering. The Incident Response Regiment, based at Holsworthy, was formed in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks and designed to provide a specialist response to incidents involving explosives or chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear hazards.

Sergeant Brett Till is survived by his wife Bree, to whom he had been married less than 12 months prior; their unborn child; and Brett’s children, Taleah and Jacob. After Brett’s death Bree Till made a statement paying tribute to her husband and highlighting her memories of Brett. She said, ‘I need you to know he was not a hateful, spiteful or vengeful man. He was good, humble and honourable with unequivocal, uncomplicated intentions.’ To Bree, Taleah and Jacob, to Brett’s father, Noel, and to his mother, Susan, and to all who had the privilege of knowing and loving Brett Till, I hope our words of sympathy, support and remembrance will demonstrate, in some small part, the thanks of a nation that will always owe you a debt of gratitude. To his family, in particular his yet-to-be-born child, and friends all, I say: always remember that Sergeant Brett Till was a hero, the bravest of the brave, who was determined to make sure that his family had a safe and secure future, that he led from the front in protecting his comrades in arms, and that he had a personal commitment to ensure the freedoms and democracy that we enjoy. Lest we forget.

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