AABC Association (Bruce Pinney) Award 2021

Corporal Laura Jayne Burden

The Citation reads:

Corporal Burden is posted to the Band of the 1st Combat Brigade as the Cadre Corporal. She is a qualified clarinet player and in previous sub-units has doubled on saxophone when required. Due to the nature of the sub-unit there is often a requirement for cadre staff to perform at parades during hours when the part time personnel are unavailable. With excellent foresight, Corporal Burden has developed side drum skills to fill the capability gap. This is attributed to her outstanding ability to complete the mission and get the job done.

The Cadre Corporal is a demanding and diverse role within the Australian Army Band. Members posted to these roles often work in isolation with broad direction and must show a high level of initiative. Corporal Burden's commitment and extremely efficient manner, provides dedication of the highest degree in a sub-unit that is challenged by what the Head of Corps has previously termed a 'capability mismatch'; that is, a part-time sub-unit supporting a full-time Brigade. Her ability to achieve continuous large volumes ofwork, without additional support is outstanding and admirable. Through her experience in her previous posting as an instructor at the Defence Force Correctional Establishment, she has been able to readily establish herself in an unfamiliar environment, build relationships with external units and civilian agencies, and ably support the extended vacancy of the Band Sergeant Major. She displays a positive and enthusiastic approach to challenging situations and can be relied upon to give frank advice to those senior to her. She puts service before self, with a demanding young family, and often absent serving spouse, and sacrifices her family time to fulfil her duty requirements. Corporal Burden has an outstanding work ethic that enables the unit to be operational and highly effective at all times. Her application to her duties, including additional tasks is exceptional and she is performing well above her current worn rank.

Corporal Burden's professionalism and dedication across her entire role has greatly enhanced the Band of the 1st Combat Brigade, the Australian Army Band and the Corps in the Darwin region.

Corporal Burden displays the highest standards of Army ethos, is committed to continuous learning, and the epitome of a Junior Non-Commissioned Officer. At every opportunity this fine soldier/musician is an ambassador for the Australian Army Band Corps and her service continues in the finest traditions of all previous recipients of this award.

Gordon Lambie, OAM, CSM
President
AABC Association      

8 October 2021