I thought that I would take a moment or two just to give some background on me. Now this isn’t going to be a ‘tell all’ tale as I need to save something for my book.
The quick grab is that I was born in Narrogin Western Australia on 28 August 1956 to a refugee Father from Poland (Michal Alexander Hladio) and a second generation (Grandad was born in London England and Nanna was born in County Cork Ireland) Australian mother (Myrna Kathleen Liddiard).
Cadet Drummer/Drum Major – circa 1970 aged 13
So here I am after a few (about 5 or 6) house/town moves as a School Cadet in Perth Modern High School (1969 – 1971). Not destined to display academic brilliance my stay was as short as it could be at that time. With the future open (to what I wasn’t really sure) I began investigating becoming a Police Cadet, which one could do at 16 when a good friend told me he was joining the Army. I laughed and said we were too young (we were both 15 at the time) when he informed me of the Army Apprentices School and that they took musicians (a generous description of my ‘music’ skills at the time).
Well lets leap ahead (remember the best bits are going in my book) and there I was in the Army at 15 years of age as a member of the 27th Intake of Australian Army Apprentices.
Completing our basic training requirements we finally get our instruments. L-R Steve Williams (Clarinet) Yours Truly (EEb Bass) Neil Frazer (Oboe) Steve Tugwell (Trombone)
This was to begin a 40 plus career in the Australian Army that was to see me take discharge (January 1980) after my initial period of 8 years (Apprentice Musicians signed on for 8 where Trade Apprentices signed for 9), a short stint on civvie street (now married with two step children) during which I served in the Reserve Band in Perth, and return to the Regular Army re-enlisitng in October 1980 into the Regular Army Band in Perth.
Apprentice Hladio home on leave with sister Victoria and brother Raymond circa 1972
The stories are many and the laughs many. Don’t get me wrong, there are also the stories and experiences that still get me annoyed and sometimes very angry, but I prefer to lean on the good memories. Some of which are captured in the images below (in what I hope will be chronological order).
Most of our band rehearsals consisted of being under the baton of the various courses from Corporal to Bandmaster
Sent on detachment with the Signals Corps Band (then based at Wagga Wagga) to Perth. It was during this trip that the band was briefed on their upcoming disbandment and each soldier was questioned on their options: stay in the Corps and see what happens; Corps transfer or Discharge. As Apprentices we were not under threat.
After Graduation I am posted to Eastern Command Band (later to become the Band of the 2nd Military District and Australian Army Band Sydney) and have been moved onto the BBb Tuba and am also playing Double Bass on concerts. I do recall that this was for a ‘major’ Funeral. The reminder is on the black crepe coverings on the drums and the Drum Majors Staff.
After re-enlisting and being posted in Army Band Perth were I completed all promotion courses for CPL and Sergeant I was to be posted to the Band of the Royal Military College (this location to be a major art of my Army Career) at Duntroon as a Sergeant. This is taken at Duntroon House in 1986 (yes I got the year wrrrrr)
I am now a Staff Sergeant (promoted that year) and on Bass Drum. It was still heavy and hard work but lighter than the BBb Tuba). Here we Troop before the Queen.
Ooops, one out of order. Here RMC Band is photographed on the Steps of the Duntroon Chapel prior to attending the Earls Court Tattoo (older than the Edinburgh Tattoo) in 1987
Back in order. Still at RMC and qualified for promotion but waiting patiently for a vacancy.
The vacancy came and I am posted as the Band Sergeant Major of the Band of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. Some highs and lows at this posting but this is a high. On Norfolk Island with the last five surviving (at that time) ANZAC Victoria Cross recipients
An interesting band trip to Palm Island in 1992. I’m roughly center on the top of the rock bent over in my (legal) sunglasses.
Despite my smile this is post one of my greatest Military disappointments. The Battalion was deployed to Somalia (1993) and the Band Corps element was not deployed. Those wearing (proudly as they should) the AASM and ICB are the Infantry element of the band.
(slightly out of order) I’m now at RMC Band (again) after an interim posting to Kapooka Army Band (1994-5) on promotion to WO1.This is certainly a career highlight. This image is from my final (of 5 if I recall) tours to Bougainville (on the third trip I, and a few other member’s of the band, were to be awarded the Australian Service Medal (ASM) Clasp ‘Bougainville’. The first operational service medal awarded to Band Corps member’s since the Vietnam War). On the above occasion I had been allowed the privilege of being the OIC and it was absolutely an amazing tour with great personnel!
Here I am on stage at Balibo in East Timor. This was the first time since Vietnam that an Army Band was deployed on Active Service. After subsequent trips again, the last of which I was once again given the privilege of being the OIC, I was to be awarded the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) Clasp ‘East Timor’ and Returned from Active Service Badge (RASB)
It was in the news. I was to be awarded a CDF Commendation for my actions here.
The Band and Federation Guard were sent to perform Public Duties in England.
As the caption says. A wonderful career highlight. After my last trip to Bougainville (as above) I was posted to Queenscliffe (2002- 3) as the Career Manager for Bands and Public Relations. To be fair….I didn’t want to go. But it was to be one of the most interesting and fruitful career postings I had. But I had a wonderful six years at RMC and my service was recognised with a Training Commanders Commendation (Bronze)
Following an interesting two years as the Career Manager I was appointed the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the Australian Army Band Corps and the Defence Force School of Music (2004-5). For my service in this role I was to be awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2006 Australia Day Awards.
During my tine as the RSM I was also the Contingent RSM for the Bands and Guard at the Edinburgh Tattoo in Sydney. I was also the senior Drum Major for our display and had a great time.
Following my RSM role I requested and received a posting to The Royal Military College (RMC) (2006) as the Ceremonial and Protocol Officer. In this position I was to seek and successfully attain a commission to Captain in 2007 and promoted to Major in 2010. In 2011 I was to have the added responsibility of being the Centenary Projects Officer. It was to be a big year.
My final year having been appointed the Operations Officer in early 2012 and then the Staff Officer All Corps Soldier Training Continuum in 2012/13 I chocked up 40 years Regular Army Service.
Farewell Dinner at the RMC Sergeants Mess 2013
Me now at the Coast enjoying life and working with my amazing wife to build this business.
A quick synopsis of my career/postings/promotions and awards:
Enlisted 19 January 1972 – Army Apprentice Musician
1974 – Graduated and posted to Army Band Sydney – Musician
14 Nov 1977 – Promoted Lance Corporal
1978 – Promotion Course (Music) for Corporal
18 Jan 1980 – Discharged
(Reserve details unsure: late 80 until, re-enlistment 1981)
23 Oct 1981 – Re-enlist Army Band Perth
19 Jan 82 – Promoted Lance Corporal
17 Dec 82 – Promoted Corporal
1984 – Promotion Course for Sergeant (Army) – finished in the Top 3
1985 – Promotion Course for Sergeant (Music) – Student of Merit
12 Jul 1985 – Promotion to Sergeant
11 Dec 1985 – Posted to RMC Band
27 Jan 88 – Promotion to Staff Sergeant
12 Apr 99 – Awarded the Defence Force Service Medal (DFSM) for 15 years service
1989 – Promotion Course for Warrant Officer (Music) Student of Merit
1990 – Promotion Course for Warrant Officer (Army) – Most Effective Communicator (Finished top in my section of 10 and finished in the top twenty (I think it was) of 90 students
13 Jan 92 – Promotion to Warrant Officer Class Two
22 Jan 92 – Posted to 1RAR Band
19 Jan 94 – Posted to Army Band Kapooka
14 Jul 94 – Awarded first clasp to the DFSM (20 yrs service)
26 Oct 94 – Successfully completed the RSM Course (finishing 9/30)
17 Jan 96 – Posted to RMC Band on promotion to Warrant Officer Class One
10 Mar 99 – Awarded second clasp to the DFSM (25 yrs service)
14 May 99 – Awarded the Australian Service Medal clasp Bougainville
23 Jul 99 – Awarded the Chief of Defence Force Commendation
14 Jan 02 – Posted to the Soldier Career Management Agency, Victoria
24 Jun 02 – Awarded the Training Commander Commendation for service to RMC Band
29 Oct 03 – Awarded the Australian Active Service Medal clasp East Timor
19 Jan 04 – Posted to the Defence Force School of Music on Appointment as the RSM
14 May 04 – Awarded third clasp to the DFSM (30 yrs service)
16 Jan 2006 – Posted to RMC as Protocol Officer
26 Jan 06 – Awarded the OAM
26 Jun 07 – Promoted Captain
15 Jun 06 – Awarded the Australian Defence Medal
13 Oct 09 – Awarded fourth clasp to the DFSM (35 yrs service)
18 Jan 10 – Promoted Major
05 Oct 12 – Awarded fifth clasp to the DFSM (Federation Star for 40 yrs service)
Stephen Hladio, OAM 