Afghanistan is a long way from the Anglican churches of Geelong.
But Geoff Traill is there, bringing Christian care to Australian soldiers as a chaplain at Kandahar Air Field’s Camp Baker.
The Geelong minister is on his first operational deployment since transferring from the reserves to the regular army in 2011.
“My role is to provide pastoral care, advice and support as required to Australian personnel at Kandahar and Kabul irrespective of service or unit.
“I conduct chapel services, provide advice to command on religious, spiritual, moral, ethical and cultural issues; and also work with the other coalition chaplains.
“When you’re overseas there are new faces and new names and so many people to get to know in order to provide support as an army chaplain. I was once told a few years ago, ‘Padre, it’s your job to keep people happy’.”
Major Traill said arriving at the Kandahar base amid the sleet, snow and rain of an Afghan winter was a shock.
“To be honest, it was like being on a film set for Mad Max Beyond The Thunder Dome.
“It was difficult to make out any roads because they were covered in mud and the coalition vehicles are a strange mixture of oddly shaped up-armoured and patterned designs.
“Most of the buildings are behind three-metre concrete blast walls and there are shipping containers stacked high everywhere.”
Maj Traill, a married father of two, said Geelong’s community remained close to his heart as he ministered on the other side of the world.
“The great thing about Geelong is being able to walk down the street and recognise people who have been part of your life. That’s what makes it home – being a part of the community.
“As a result I feel that I have a lot of support from Geelong, especially from the Anglican Churches with my friend, Archdeacon Neil Hicks, from St Paul’s Geelong.
“People are genuinely interested in knowing what we’re doing in Afghanistan and how they can support Australian personnel here.
“People from Geelong and Ballarat, along with Anglicare Victoria, have donated biscuits and chocolates to give out to the troops – a real moral boost when small luxuries are hard to come by.
“It feels like I’m an extension of their love and care and our Australian troops really appreciate the support.”
