RSL welcome for teenage veteran

By Paul Dunlop
TROOPER Shane Dixon is the youngest member of Kooweerup’s RSL but already a veteran.
The 19yearold was back home last week after a sevenmonth posting in Iraq with the Australian Defence Force.
Kooweerup RSL president Ron Ingram said Mr Dixon was a welcome addition to the town’s ranks of returned soldiers.
He said Trooper Dixon may be the first Iraq veteran to join the RSL in Victoria.
“I’d be surprised if there were many more. Shane’s a nice young bloke and we are very pleased and proud to have him on board,” Mr Ingram said.
Trooper Dixon’s service in Iraq saw him and other members of his cavalry regiment escorting Japanese and other forces who were helping to train the Iraqi army.
Describing himself as ‘nervous and excited’ before his first taste of overseas service, he said the experience was quite peaceful.
Despite the war that has ripped through the country in recent years, Trooper Dixon said he saw little sign of conflict.
“Nobody fired a shot the whole time we were there,” he said.
Shane is the son of local couple Wendy and Ken Dixon. His sister Claire is at secondary school.
He said he had been a member of cubs, scouts and venturers while growing up.
“I always wanted to be in the army,” he said.
Games of soccer with the Iraqis helped endear the Australian soldiers with the locals, he said.
“They were friendly towards us and we were friendly towards them,” he said.
“We were always outnumbered when we played soccer and we always got thrashed.”
Trooper Dixon has returned to Darwin after his visit home.