Our guest speaker today, Anthony “Harry” Moffitt, gave us a unique glimpse into his experiences whilst a serving member the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).
As a special missions’ unit within the Australian Defence Force, the Special Air Service Regiment is tasked to provide Special Operations capabilities in support of national interests, and frequently functions in environments beyond the range and capability of conventional forces and other government agencies. Harry served in 11 overseas deployments in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor.Following his 30 years’ defence force service, 20 years in the SASR, he is a psychologist and running the team development and personal coaching agency, Stotan Group. He is also the founder of the Wanderers Education Program, an initiative that helps educate and prepare soldiers for transition offering scholarships and other training programs.
Harry became interested in the SAS, when at the age of 12, he watched on TV as SAS troops stormed a London embassy, leaping on to balcony by rope and he was transfixed. He tried to read all he could about the Service. There wasn’t much in general publication, so upon leaving active service he decided his legacy would be to write a memoir,‘11 Bats”, and enable readers to gain a glimpse into the extraordinary way a person is challenged, the sacrifices and then the long way back to everyday life for a member of this elite regiment, in particular.Although an ardent 
Hawthorn AFL supporter, it was through Harry’s love of cricket that saw him bashing away cricket balls with the willow on a variety of war zone cricket pitches with some unlikely adversaries to build relationships with those in whose country he served, often going outside the wire. Playing cricket was great circuit breaker for an exhausted operations team too – one would casually pick up a bat in the dust, another a ball and wickets would appear and the tension reduce.
Hawthorn AFL supporter, it was through Harry’s love of cricket that saw him bashing away cricket balls with the willow on a variety of war zone cricket pitches with some unlikely adversaries to build relationships with those in whose country he served, often going outside the wire. Playing cricket was great circuit breaker for an exhausted operations team too – one would casually pick up a bat in the dust, another a ball and wickets would appear and the tension reduce.
Harry also started to take a cricket bat with him on operational tours, eleven of them in total, often ending up signed by those he met or fought alongside.The willow collection, each signed by unit members, some who were killed, have been displayed at the Australian War Museum and Shrine of Remembrance. There are actually 12 bats and as tradition dictates one is a silent “Twelfth Man” bat. A blank bat, standing proudly with the other 11 and represents those who didn’t make it back home.In his talk today, Harry Moffitt covered a wide range of experiences that is life in a war zone serving in the SASR. How one is challenged on every level of one’s being during war.
The Motto which guides the SASR, “Who Dares Wins”, flows through his stories. However. it’s perhaps upon return, when the greatest challenge for a returning service person is encountered - conquering the constant war within.
We were privileged to take just a small peek into their world today through Harry Moffitt’s story and his memoir is highly recommended by some remembers as a Christmas present suggestion.