please help defence force just wrecked holiday plans

Sounds like classified information you're giving out there Barbara.

Who are we going to invade?

I would not change your plans to quickly, I was told the same thing and was recalled from leave, I was 11 hours drive from my barracks (Holsworthy). I got back quicker than the ones who stayed within the 2 hour limit.
As long as he remains contactable he should be OK. Just get him to put an address down that fits the criteria. If and when he gets recalled just tell them plans changed to the location he is at ;)

Cheers Kev

Brisbane at Christmas time and within 2hrs ... Probably the quietest place to set up up camp would be the parade ground at the barracks ... lol

Dont know what sort of activities you might want but an explore along the Qld/NSW border can be OK - several spots there that are good - but better in offpeak periods.

Main Range NP west of Brisbane as well with Crows Nest to the nth west OK as well.

Quite a few other spots as well but likely to be real busy.

barbara M
If nymodia nat park doesn't have mobile phone coverage. hire a Sat phone And then you are contactable
From Graham

Barb, I did many of years in the army and they tried that bleep with me all the time too.

Just do what you wanna do. Your boy hasnt been in for very long so tell him to have a chat with the guys who have been in a little longer and see what they reakon.

They told me I had to get permission to travel OS for the weekend .... yeah right.

You just have to do what you have to do...its not like he will be doing anything real wrong.

my question to you is this....and please dont take offence....are you sure your boy really wants to go away with you? The army does give you some great outs should you need them.

what about Fraser.... its just a tad past 2 hours, and as long as he phones in morning and night - he will be fine.

I'm not an army buff so others can say the pro and cons of what the army says.

2 hours ish lets see, Toowoomba area, Kenilworth, Moreton Island, Stradbroke Island, Jimna National Park (Landcruiser Park), Blackbutt area, Bourmba Dam and surrounding drives.

Plenty more but have brain freeze

Brian

Hi Barbara

If you can't find a spot within 2 hours of Brissy then you aren't looking hard.
As others have mentioned just plan it and do it. As another poster has mentioned does your son want to go away? Brian H has mentioned just a few places. There is Girraween NP on the Qld/NSW bordere and some others around that area. North is Charlie Mooreland and various campgrounds. West might be hot but there are some nice camp sites in that direction as well.
Here is a site that might also help you.
http://www.ourbrisbane.com/see-and-do/things-to-do/camping

Cya
:)

Barb,
Hope my mail reached you.
If not, relax and get back.
Jeff H.

Just west of Rathdowney is Big Riggen Park and is a large grassed area on the banks of the headwaters to the Logan River
it has mobile coverage. Give them a call as it is private run and I expect Christmas to be busy.you have Border Ranges National Park,Flanigans Rest and Stinson Memorial Park all out that way but they will be busy.
If you are planning to go before Christmas you may get a spot but after Boxing Day every one gets out there. We are going your way and staying at Lakeview Caravan Park at Woolgoolga.

Don't worry too much about what they say. They do like to play little 'power games'. Go on your trip, take your son and enjoy the time. If (IF) they try to conatct hime and can't so what !!!!! he just happened to be out of mobile phone contact (at THAT time).
If everyone lived their lives according to 'what the Army says' it would be very miserable and lack real world human contact.

Barb.

Im very sorry that your plans have been disrupted but with a cool head and some logical thinking Im sure you can ressurect a good holiday.

You have been given plenty of options to stay within the 2hrs should you feel the need to comply that strictly. Whether you do or not should make little difference if you are sensible.

As others have said...the two hours notice is usually for SOCOM or Special Operations on short notice deployment and after spending 4 years within this area of the organisation...there is little no time did we NEED to be within that distance. In Sydney that would actually have precluded me from going to my RA unit in Miranda on most occasions but I found plenty of opportunities to travel.

You son will be well aware from the older soldiers of what is acceptable within his unit without me making assuptions to his role. But if he can stay within a half days drive and have his trunk and deployment kit squared away before departure...he will be fine.

I do take some offence to the headline...your son signed up to do a job that I no doubt he is very proud to do and has accepted the concequences and restrictions of his service. The decisions the defence force make that are made on his behalf, while they may seem unfair and absurd...please keep in mind they are usually made for the good of many...not one. Im sure your son understands.

There is no reason for anyone to wreck your holiday and the defence force definately did not on this occasion.

I do wish yo uthe best for your holiday and give your son a pat on the back for me for a job well done.

Matt.