CASE STUDY 6
DIGNITY, NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE & PRECISION
Operation Reunite – Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Contract Overview:
the repatriation of thirty-three Australian service personnel and dependants, many of whom were casualties of the Vietnam War, from cemeteries in Malaysia and Singapore.
Organised by the Office of Australian War Graves, the program represented one of the largest single repatriations of Australian service personnel and dependants in the nation’s history.
The ground transport operation supporting this unique national event centred primarily across metropolitan and regional New South Wales, while also supporting movements across every Australian state and territory, as well as Dunedin and Christchurch in New Zealand.
33
160
187
service personnel
repatriated
VIP Guests of
Government
vehicles deployed
across the program
Transport coordination was required for 160 VIP Guests of Government, primarily surviving family members and Defence personnel connected to those being returned home. The program demanded detailed planning, flexibility and exceptional attention to detail to ensure the dignified movement of guests attending repatriation ceremonies and memorial services.
The transport strategy focused on delivering a highly personal and dedicated service model. Dedicated liaison personnel worked closely with the Office of Australian War Graves to refine planning, determine
efficient travel methods — often from remote and regional Australia — and ensure families could attend ceremonies with the care, respect and support appropriate to the significance of the event.
Following the initial ceremony in Sydney, the reinterment of remains in war cemeteries across Australia became a significant component of the transport operation. Coordinating these movements required careful planning, accessibility considerations for family members, and contingency planning across multiple locations.
Strategic venue transport planning was undertaken in partnership with the Office of Australian War Graves to determine vehicle access and egress, loading zones, vehicle holding areas and on-site communications arrangements at each ceremony location.
National Luxury Transport’s Role
NLT was initially commissioned to undertake operational planning for the ground transport operation within New South Wales, deploying an initial fleet of 34 vehicles and 50 drivers.
As the program expanded across Australia and New Zealand, the operation ultimately required 187 vehicles, three project managers, two driver supervisors and more than 200 drivers. NLT’s role included:
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Operational planning and coordination of the national ground transport program
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Transport coordination for 160 VIP Guests of Government, including families and Defence personnel
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Fleet mobilisation and management across Australia and New Zealand
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Venue and airport transport coordination including Sydney and Brisbane Airports
*National Luxury Transport (NLT) formerly known as WCL Management Services
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On behalf of the families of the 33 returning Australians, thanks you and your team for your generous and holistic support of the logistics elements of the repatriation program.
Please extend my thanks to the very many members of the NLT driver team who have worked so tirelessly to ensure that family members were met, transported and cared for while in NLT’s care. Their services were empathetic and delivered to the highest standard.
In particular, I note not only your work, but that of Kevin McMahon and Colin Stevenson. You each displayed an exemplary level of professionalism and tireless drive in the face of often complex challenges to lead the NLT team to do whatever was necessary to ensure that transport services were delivered seamlessly and families treated with the utmost care and dignity.”
Ken Corke, Director
Department of Veterans’ Affairs