When i was doing my NS (93 - 95), our unit got to go to aus for Ex Matilda. For context whenever we go for overseas training, ususally its by chartered flight for whole battlion ( no need for passport)This time, only my co is going so went by commerci flight SQ (still no passport needed but approved by higher author.) When we reach aus immigration counter, the officier asked the 1st person for his passport, he told him "no passport". The shock on the immigation officier face as he saw the q of about 100 potential illegal immigrant infront of him. Immediately call for back up & can see his superior rush over, after some clarification we were all ushered thru. During my time we are still using the old Ali Baba bag to keep our kit for transportation, so after border control, we went to load up our kit to the aus tonner parked at the back, as usual we were kpkb about how heavy is the ali baba bag as we carry our own bag to the tonner. The aus female soldier toke over & with 1 bag in each hand proceed to throw the bag into the tonner like its light weight. We quickly got our strongest 1 to do the loading so as not to sial sway the proud saf.

At the base camp, we were told the cookhouse style was the same as sing, served by aus cook by supervised by our staff cook. During our time, our cookhouse food was not that great so when we saw steak, mash potato & "western cooking" we were woww. We went for second & third serving followed by cereal, fruits, yogurt, dessert & aircream. Saw the aus cooks staring at us in amazment at what we can eat & told 1 of us "u s'porean eat like pigs". They indent 50kg rice which was for 1mth but we finished it in 1 week. After meal we were told aircream & dessert were for higher ranks only & NOT to eat.

1st 2 week in camp was weapon training on aus weapons (steyr rifle instead of our m16). Fall in by 8.30, reach training shed 8.40, gather & wait 9 start. 10am tea break, 1030 start, 1130 break for lunch, 1330 start aft lunch, 1500 aft tea break, 1545 start, 1645 "lets call it a day".