Opening of The Library
Karen O’Rawe, Project Manager, UK Loan Service Brunei; Mike Collins, Brunei Operations Manager, NAAFI; Air Vice-Marshall Mick Smeath, UK Director Global Defence Network; © Jacky Evans
The UK Loan Service is thrilled to officially open its new welfare space The Library, designed to foster new friendships, reduce welfare risk, and aid cohesion within the small Armed Forces community. The new space will form the fulcrum of the community for Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force personnel and their spouses. Awarded £30,000 by the NAAFI Fund in late 2023, the space has taken approximately 4 months to create and is now open for events and social occasions.
It marks a significant milestone for the UK Loan Service which is celebrating its 40th year in Brunei. In 1961 the Brunei Malay Regiment was set up with British military support, and when Brunei Darussalam was granted independence from the United Kingdom in 1984, the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) was formed. RBAF has continued to be supported by personnel on loan from the British military – the UK Loan Service.
The whole community has been involved from start to finish, from initial consultation, decisions about what features should be in the space and creating a timeless look and feel. Local contractors Right Way Enterprise designed the space, in conjunction with the community, to provide a comfortable reading and studying space during the day, and a social games space in the evening. With a pool table and dart board, TVs and music, it’s a versatile and flexible space that will be enjoyed by the UK Loan Service for work, study and leisure time. It can also be used as a private space for welfare meetings.
The Project Manager Karen O’Rawe said:
“We are so grateful to have the generous support of the NAAFI Fund. We live in the rainforests of Brunei, an amazing country with friendly neighbours who have embraced our Loan Service community for 40 years. However, our small community is geographically and culturally isolated from the UK.
Coming together to take part in typical British pastimes - watching sports, the news, playing pool or darts really helps with community cohesion, combatting loneliness and aids in stamping out social isolation.”
‘The Library’ was officially opened on 26 June 2024 by Air Vice Marshall Mick Smeath. The space will create opportunity for happy memories for those service personnel posted to UK Loan Service in Brunei Darussalam for many years to come.
WO1 Joel Entwistle, WO1 Stuart Evans, Michael, WO2 Tom McCabe, Ms. Karen O’Rawe, Capt. Jon Caple (Defence Attache), AVM. Mick Smeath, Mike Collins (NAAFI), Cdr. John Gray, Ms. Leanne MacKenzie
