Volume 51, No. 16, September 4, 2008
Ready for any
challenge
HMAS Parramatta
has sailed from
Fleet Base East to
the MEAO for her
third rotation on
Operation Catalyst
FAREWELL: CPOET Rob Seymour,
farewells his family; wife Kerry, Brooke,
six, and baby Trent, 13 months, before
stepping on to HMAS Parramatta for
the six month deployment. This is CPO
Seymour’s third Gulf trip.
Photo:ABPH Andrew Dakin
By Michael Brooke
AS HMAS Parramatta (CMDR Jonathan
Sadleir) sailed from Sydney’s Fleet Base East
for Operation Catalyst, the 185 members of her
ship’s company expressed supreme confidence in
being ready for any challenge.
The crew were committed to getting the job
done and weren’t feeling pressured by the success of Parramatta’s previous deployment to the
MEAO in 2006, where she set the benchmark for
RAN operations.
“We have worked hard in preparation for
this deployment and are ready for any challenge
or opportunity to raise the benchmark for RAN
operations,” said the Ship’s Warrant Officer,
WOPT Steve Downey.
Raising the benchmark will be no easy
feat considering Parramatta was awarded a
Meritorious Unit Citation in the 2007 Australia
Day Honours list for her outstanding service in
2006.
However, in what marks a positive start to
the deployment, the Minister for Defence, Joel
Fitzgibbon, praised the crew’s rigorous training
program over the past few months as he joined a
large gathering of Government officials and Navy
Officers as well as family and friends to farewell
Parramatta.
“Parramatta is well prepared and mission
ready for the important job before them,” Mr
Fitzgibbon said.
“I congratulate the ship’s company for their
commitment in building upon the outstanding
reputation of the ADF in the Middle East.”
Mr Fitzgibbon also thanked the families and
friends of the personnel deploying to the Gulf for
their ongoing support and wished those deployed
on Operation Catalyst continued success and
ongoing safety.
CO CMDR Jonathan Sadleir said Parramatta
will replace HMAS Stuart, which is due to return
home in late September.
“Parramatta’s deployment to the MEAO
CN VISITS CERBERUS P2
marks the Navy’s 19th rotation since September
2001,” he said.
This deployment is the third and hopefully
last occasion that CPO Rob Seymour will serve
on Operation Catalyst.
“Saying goodbye to your family gets harder
each time,” he said with misty eyes.
CPO Seymour told Navy News that he plans
to ‘stay in the good books’ with his wife and two
kids he is leaving behind with a treasure trove of
presents and souvenirs when he returns home in
February 2009 for a late Christmas.
WO Downey told Navy News that he is ready
for the challenge of the deployment but is a little
sad that he will not see his son, Jacob, march into
HMAS Cerberus next month – exactly 27 years
to the day that he joined the RAN.
“It appears that all my stories about the Navy
have inspired my son to answer the call of the
sea,” said WO Downey.
Parramatta’s farewell was a highly emotional
affair for the ship’s company and their family and
friends.
The family of one young sailor were left
‘marooned’ at the famous Harry’s Cafe De
Wheels when they discovered that their son had
sailed on Parramatta with the car keys in his
pocket.
Only the hasty actions of a Navy launch that
retrieved the car keys spared the family from
having to leave the car at Woolloomooloo for the
next six months.
Parramatta will be stationed in the Gulf as
part of Australia’s commitment to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq, where she
will contribute to Coalition maritime operations
through providing protection to offshore oil platforms and training of the Iraqi Navy.
During her previous deployment, Parramatta
conducted 186 boardings and security patrols,
1111 boat evolutions, 330 flying hours in its
embarked Navy Seahawk helicopter and 653
investigative queries of merchant vessels.
‘LOST’ GARDEN P13 GREAT WHITE FLEET P16
02
NEWS
Cerberus spotlight
By LEUT Russ Wescombe
THE Chief of Navy, VADM
Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN visited
HMAS Cerberus on August 8 to officially open the refurbished North and
South Battery, the Rifle Range and to
review his first Ceremonial Divisions
as CN.
All staff and trainees attended
Divisions on a sunny but typically cold
Cerberus day. (As all sailors and most
officers attend Cerberus at least once
in their career, many will remember the
lazy wind that doesn’t go around you
– but straight through you!)
In addition to taking the salute by
the whole ship’s company, VADM
Crane presented a number of commendations, medals and awards. The 50strong Guard was formed from Roger’s
Division, which was created about
three years ago and serves as a holding place for trainees awaiting security
clearances, or transfer of category or
Service. The guard looked very impressive in the winter sunlight.
VADM Crane outlined his intent
to “Look, Listen, Learn and Lead”
and said that, during his first visit to
Cerberus as CN, he had listened and
looked a lot; and had learned much.
“Down through the years HMAS
Cerberus has produced the very best
officers and sailors and will continue
to do so,” he said.
During the parade, CN presented
a NAVSYSCOM Commendation to
LSMUSN Katherine Mulheron. For
over 12 months, LS Mulheron has
implemented the Navy Community
Engagement Strategy with surrounding communities.
The most notable success of her
activities was a program of her own
devising called Naval Gazing, a pro-
REVITALISED TRAINING
ONE area which the Chief
of Navy was keen to visit was
the Computer Aided Instruction
(NIDA CAI) facility in the
Engineering Faculty.
Up until 18 months ago all
ET training was carried out on a
chalk-and-talk basis in the classroom. In mid-2006, students who
had been given partial RPL were
sent to the CAI lab where they
could undertake revision and
catch up work on the NIDA computers. NIDA proved so successful in these cases that it was
extended to cover all electronic
training.
Nowadays all ET trainees use
NIDA during their initial training course. There are a number
of advantages in this system
– training time taken to reach
CERT III is reduced from about
15 months to nine months,
meaning sailors can transition to
the workplace far sooner.
RECHARGED BATTERY
gram in which young schoolchildren
attend Cerberus for a day and gain
first-hand experiences of life in the
Navy. Further highlighting the program’s success, the Naval Gazing
activities are being expanded to cover
communities surrounding all Navy
bases and establishments.
HONOUR: VADM Russ
Crane, above, presents a
Commendation to LSMUS
Katherine Mulheron and,
left, formally opens the refurbished Boatswain Faculty.
Photos: ABPH
Quentin Mushins
EVERY sailor in the RAN will
recall, perhaps with pleasure,
marching past the old North
and South Battery on their way
to class or lunch. These two
buldings were built at the time
HMAS Cerberus was commissioned and are heritage-listed
as they represent an important
part of Navy history.
In May 2007 the occupants
of N & S Battery moved out and
the wreckers moved in. The
buildings were gutted and rebuilt
from the inside out, and were
re-opened with great pride by
the CN during his recent visit to
Cerberus.
ADF farewells Governor-General
HIS Excellency the Governor-General
of Australia, Major General Michael
Jeffery, AC, CVO, MC, was farewelled by
the ADF at a parade at Canberra’s Russell
Offices on August 27.
Speaking at Sir Thomas Blamey
Square, the CDF, Air Chief Marshal
Angus Houston, paid tribute to the outgoing Commander-in-Chief and his wife.
“Today, we mark the end of 54 years
of service to the community by MAJGEN
Michael Jeffery,” he said.
“We also pay tribute to the very significant contribution made by Her Excellency
Mrs Marlena Jeffery to Australian society
during this time,” ACM Houston said.
“It has been a pleasure for ADF
personnel to see a soldier as GovernorGeneral of our nation. At a time of high
operational tempo, it has been reassuring for our personnel to know that their
Commander-in-Chief and his family
know from experience what it means to
serve our nation, and the unique demands
that are placed on our personnel and their
families.
“You are a man who spent your
entire working life displaying courage
and determination, intelligence and skill,
leadership and tenacity, compassion and
humour.”
The Governor-General said he and his
wife were greatly honoured by the farewell parade.
“I would like to take this opportunity
to thank ACM Houston and all the men
and women of the ADF – both here at
home and overseas – for your outstanding
work and commitment as you embark on
the work of our nation in places around
the globe,” he said.
“You are renowned the world over
for your professionalism, skill, resolve
and compassion. You are sought after as
coalition members. You are reliable and
you are devoted. You are Australia’s finest
and it has been a great honour to be your
Commander-in-Chief.”
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NAVY NEWS
FAREWELL:
The GovernorGeneral inspects
Australia’s
Federation Guard
at his farewell
parade on August
27.
Photo: LSPH
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September 4, 2008
03
NEWS
Tobruk back Down Under
After three months away, HMAS
Tobruk came home to more than
150 jubilant family and friends
waiting at Fleet Base East
By Michael Brooke
HMAS Tobruk (CMDR Peter Thompson)
and her ship’s company received a heroes’ welcome when they returned to Fleet Base East
from Exercise RIMPAC 08.
The Navy’s ‘Faithful and Strong’ Landing
Ship returned home following a successful
deployment to Hawaii, where she played a critical role in Australia’s contribution to RIMPAC,
the largest maritime exercise in the world.
CMDR Thompson told Navy News the 2008
iteration of RIMPAC was the first time the RAN
participated in the amphibious component.
“My ship’s company are proud to have
played a pivotal support role,” he said.
“During the exercise we embarked
US Marines with seven of their 26-tonne
Amphibious Assault Vehicles, providing flexibility to the Task Group, and gaining invaluable
experience ahead of the introduction of LHDs
into the RAN,” said CMDR Thompson.
More than 150 jubilant family and friends
were at FBE to welcome home their loved ones
onboard Tobruk, who were smothered with hugs
and kisses as they told of their adventures in an
exotic land. Christmas seemed to come early
as scores of children danced excitedly on the
wharf as they watched in wonder as
their Navy mums and dads produced
duffle bags stuffed with toys and gifts.
The most unusual souvenir was
a 1.5 metre long Black Marlin head,
which was swooped on by LEUT Chris
McConachy for $100 at the Aloha markets in Hawaii.
“I bargained them down from the
asking price of $125 to $100,” he
said with a triumphant smile. LEUT
McConachy said the marlin head would
occupy pride of place above his mantlepiece and would go well with his collection of other fish heads and antique
fishing tackle.
Tobruk’s Public Relations Officer,
LCDR James Pattison, told Navy News
that the sailors worked hard during
RIMPAC but also enjoyed some ‘downtime’ for sightseeing, surfing and exploring local culture and sampling exotic
local cuisine. Several keen surfers braved
tsunami size waves at Maui and Kauai, a
challenge which they said reflected their
love of the sea.
The quirkiest story concerns a member
of the ship’s company who blew $1000
during his first night in Pearl Harbour, on
taxi fares, dinner, beverages and $200 in
red roses. The self described ‘dance tragic’ spied a Hawaiian beauty who was selling red roses for $2 each, but she couldn’t
accept his invitation for a dance until she had
sold her batch of 100. “It was all innocent fun
but it’s not something I plan on telling the girls
back home about,” he said with a chuckle.
Tobruk’s involvement in RIMPAC 08 was
a huge success and is a credit to the hard work
and dedication of the ship’s company of a true
work-horse of the RAN.
BERTHING PARTY: ABBM
Michael Taylor from HMAS
Sydney patiently waits the
arrival of HMAS Tobruk
alongside Fleet Base East,
Garden Island. Photos:
ABPH James Whittle
WELCOME HOME
Stuart Grant gree : LSCSO
ts his baby
daughter, Lillian,
and his girlfriend Shannon
McBain.
Proctor
LONG TIME: LCDR
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his
meets
three
in
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tim
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HMAS Tobruk.
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NAVY NEWS
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September 4, 2008
04
NEWS
Call of the sea
hard to resist
By Michael Brooke
THE Combat System Management
School (CSMS) at HMAS Kuttabul
plays an important role helping potential
recruits answer the ‘call of the sea’.
CSMS recently offered an opportunity
for a Year 10 work experience student
to examine first hand some of the tasks
marine and electronics technicians do
in their jobs and the qualifications they
might gain from a career in the Navy.
This year’s work experience participant was Conor Kelly, a Year 10 student
at Marcellan College in Randwick, who
hails from a Navy family that goes back
four generations.
“The five-day work experience really
helped me make up my mind that the
Navy is the right career for me,” said
Conor, whose father is Fleet WO, Simon
Kelly.
Conor said the highlight of his work
experience was watching the people
training at the CSMS and working in
Adelaide class FFGs and Anzac class
FFHs berthed at Fleet Base East.
“Seeing up close what Navy personnel do to keep the Fleet effective and
operational has really reinforced my
desire to join the Navy,” he said.
OIC CSMC, LCDR Rod Cooper,
presented Conor with a certificate upon
completion of his work experience.
“The work experience program is a
great way of introducing young men and
women to the range of stimulating and
rewarding careers available in the Navy,”
LCDR Cooper said.
Senior sailor
clearance diver
numbers up
LOOKING GOOD: Navy clearance divers using underwater
sonar. Thanks to a joint effort across Navy and personnel
management agencies, senior sailor clearance diver numbers
have increased to a point where operational and training commitments can now be met.
SHOWING THE ROPES: POET Paul Innes with Coner Kelly, 16, who completed work experience at the Combat Systems Maintenance School at Fleet
Base East, Garden Island, as part of his Year 10 school curriculum.
Photo: LSSTD Lee-Anne Mack
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NAVY has been struggling to meet required numbers of Clearance Diver (CD) Senior Sailors for several
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Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Force Element
Group recently announced that manning levels have
improved so much that all operational and training commitments can now be met.
While overall manning levels in the CD category
are still unsatisfactory, the current situation reflects a
positive turnaround in the number of CD Senior Sailors
serving in the RAN.
Chief Combat Support Group, CDRE Daryl Bates,
said this hard won reversal is creating cautious optimism within the MCD community, which sees the positive outcome with its CD Senior Sailors as a pointer for
similar improvements in CD officer and junior sailor
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“The CD development represents just one of many
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The MCD community sees the positive impacts of
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to its own internal efforts to address its people issues
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September 4, 2008
05
NEWS
WWII sacrifices honoured
By Michael Brooke
TRIBUTE: Veterans and senior ADF officers march out with the flags of Australia and the USA for the 63rd
Victory in the Pacific Day commemoration held at the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Sydney.
AUSTRALIA’S sacrifice and meaningful contribution to the Allied cause in
WWII was recently marked at a Victory
in the Pacific (VP) Day commemoration
ceremony at the Kokoda Track Memorial
Walkway in Sydney.
More than 500 people, including war
veterans and senior ADF officers, attended the ceremony which commemorated
the 63rd anniversary of Japan’s surrender
on August 15, 1945, which ended four
years of fighting in the Pacific and hostilities in WWII.
Memorial wreaths to those
Australians who gave their lives were
laid by Chief of Army, LTGEN Ken
Gillespie, the COMAUSFLT’s representative CAPT Tony Partridge, the
LCAUST’s representative BRIG Paul
Brereton and the ACAUST’s representative GPCAPT Graham Davies.
LTGEN Gillespie said the annual
service honoured the service and sacrifice of the thousands of Australians who
served in the Pacific during 1941-1945.
“In January 1942, the Japanese forces captured Rabaul, the capital of the
Australian-controlled territory of New
Guinea,” he said.
“Within weeks, Australian and Dutch
forces had surrendered the island of
Ambon in the Netherlands East Indies.
“When Singapore fell on February
15, 1942, 15,000 men of Australia’s 8th
Division were taken captive, which was
the start of over three long years in captivity.”
For the Navy, some 997 Australian
sailors were killed and another 1788
were wounded in the war against Japan,
in which Japanese Navy submarines
attacked Australian cities and torpedoed
scores of merchant ships.
“Whether they served in the sands of
north Africa, the jungles of New Guinea,
in the air over Europe, on the high seas,
or in the factories and farms of the home
front, we remember a generation of
magnificent Australians who fought to
protect our way of life; our democracy;
our culture; our land,” LTGEN Gillespie
said.
T h e Ko ko d a Tr a c k M e m o r i a l
Walkway in Sydney’s west is a unique
tribute to the bravery of Australian troops
who fought through atrocious conditions
and against vastly superior enemy numbers in the Papua New Guinea campaign
of July 1942 – January 1943. The fighting on the Kokoda Track was one of the
vital elements that saved Australia from
invasion in WWII.
New Australia – NZ agreement
REPRESENTATIVES from the
Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS)
and Land Information New Zealand
(LINZ) signed a cooperative arrangement
on August 21 that will harmonise and
coordinate the distribution of Electronic
Navigational Charts (ENC) through the
Australian Regional ENC Coordination
Centre.
CDRE Rod Nairn said the agreement
between Australia and New Zealand
brings to fruition the vision of a regional
ENC coordination centre.
“This will result in consistent, quality
information with guaranteed data integrity that is internationally available to
mariners,” he said.
The partnership will result in regional
cooperation and facilitate the international
distribution of South West Pacific ENCs.
“This agreement formally establishes
the cooperation within the South West
Pacific region and is the culmination of
several years of work to produce and distribute New Zealand electronic charts,”
said Adam Greenland, Technical Leader
Hydrography, LINZ, after the signing.
Mike Prince, Director, Charting and
Information Management at the AHS, said
the agreement was a further example of
the close cooperation between Australia
and New Zealand on hydrographic surveying and charting.
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September 4, 2008
06
NEWS
Graduates know
jobs inside out
By Michael Brooke
GRADUATING from the Combat
System Maintenance School (CSMS) at
HMAS Kuttabul as a CIWS maintainer
after seven months of intense training is
an uplifting and rewarding experience
that provides sailors with new challenges
and career opportunities.
Two junior and two senior sailors
recently posted to RAN warships after
receiving their certificates as maintainers of the Vulcan Phalanx 20mm CIWS,
which resembles a weapon from Star
Wars but provides short-range defence
against anti-ship missiles.
The four graduates, PO David Box,
PO Gene Bokowski, AB Troy Callejan
and AB Joshua Roney said the biggest
challenge was disassembling the CIWS
and then putting it back together in an
operational state.
“There is such a feeling of pride and
accomplishment in mastering the maintenance of the Vulcan Phalanx 20mm
rapid fire, computer-controlled and radar
guided gun,” said AB Roney, who has
joined HMAS Kanimbla.
AB Callejan, who has posted to
HMAS Darwin, said attaining his CIWS
maintenance certificate marked another
milestone in his quest for hi-tech skills
and qualifications in the Navy.
“I highly recommend the CIWS
course to others as it’s a very good opportunity to expand your knowledge of Navy
combat systems, which brings many
rewards,” he said.
PO Bokowski, the dux of the course,
will remain at the CSMS as assistant
instructor while PO Box will post to
HMAS Watson as an instructor.
OIC CSMS LCDR Rod Cooper said
the CIWS course aimed to teach electronics sailors how to maintain the Vulcan
Phalanx 20mm gun, which fires 4500
rounds per minute to provide FFG and
other RAN ships with point defence
against anti-ship missiles.
The CIWS course is one of more than
50 conducted annually by TA LOG for
FFG maintainer training.
CSMS GRADUATES: POET Gene Borkowski, ABET Troy Calleja, ABET Josh
Roney and POET David Box.
Photo: LSSTD Lee-Anne Mack
Military
Compensation
DEMOLITION: Detonating cord linked six separate explosive charges to the unexploded ordnance, which
included four Japanese high explosive projectiles filled with picric acid, a Japanese small mine, and an 8
inch common Japanese high explosive projectile.
Photos: CPL Rachel Ingram
ADF cleans up
WWII remnants
THE Australian Defence Force
(ADF) recently deployed a small
Joint Task Force to the small Pacific
Island nation of Kiribati to commence Operation Kiribati Assist.
Operation Kiribati Assist is the
ADF contribution to Australia’s
response to a request from the
Government of Kiribati to assist in
the disposal of World War II unexploded ordnance (UXO) from locations throughout Kiribati.
Joint Task Force (JTF) 637 is
disposing of UXO identified during a 2007 reconnaissance of the
islands and scoping any future
UXO disposal requirements and
EOD training opportunities for the
Kiribati Police Service during the
deployment.
The JTF comprises approximately 22 people and includes a
command group, a RAN clearance
diving team that is handling underwater UXO, Army and RAAF EOD
teams who are handling land-based
UXO, including air delivered items
and a medical team.
The 33 islands of Kiribati are
scattered across 3.5 million square
kilometres of the Central Pacific
and is the site where the Battle of
Tarawa was fought on November
20, 1943.
Most UXO encountered in
Kiribati are remnants from this conflict and include military ordnance
such as artillery projectiles, aerial
bombs, rockets, mortars and mines.
KIRIBATI
ASSIST: (above)
RAAF CPL Mike
Taylor holds up
shrapnel as the
Joint Task Force
Commander,
LCDR Etienne
Mulder, meets
with the Chief
Clerk of Betio
Town Council, Mrs
Karakeman Teioo.
RIGGED UP:
(right) LSCD
Robert Court
and SMNCD
Adoh MacHugh,
set up for detonation of old
munitions.
All states, all services.
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www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
07
NEWS
Wearing false
medals – it’s
a crime
Fish out of water
By Lindsay Wilson
LCDR Richard Scott recently had the unique experience of completing Army’s Advanced Intelligence
Officer Course at the Defence Intelligence Training
Centre (DITC) at Canungra in the Gold Coast
Hinterland.
LCDR Scott, the Senior Intelligence Instructor in
Navy, attended the course as a precursor to a major
revamp of Navy intelligence training.
He said the course was an eye opener because it
provided him with a wealth of operationally-focussed
knowledge and experiences.
LCDR Scott was not the only ‘fish out of water’
while undergoing the training. Since 2007, the DITC has
run both the Army and Air advanced intelligence officer
courses concurrently to achieve better interoperability.
LCDR Scott said that, as a “white suiter”, his unique
knowledge significantly added to the depth of planning
consideration on the course and that his training was in
line with CN’s recent Management Executive Primary
Qualification initiative that adds impetus to the revitalisation of intelligence competency in support of Fleet
operations.
The Commandant of the DITC, LTCOL Col
Karotam, welcomed LCDR Scott’s attendance on the
course.
“It is not unusual for students from different Services
to complete training at the DITC,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to a reinvigoration of the Navy
intelligence training continuum and have directed my
staff to make it a priority.”
THE Directorate of Honours and Awards recently
announced that some medal mounters have been adding
unauthorised medals to their clients’ medal sets.
Recently several former ADF members, when using
the service of medal mounters, have had their medals
returned with additional medals added to the sets.
The claim by the medal mounters is that the person
is entitled to the additional awards – the member is then
charged for the extra medal or medals.
The only agency that has the authority to determine
eligibility for Defence medals is the Department of
Defence.
A similar issue involves the Burma Star for World
War II service. Replicas of this medal have recently
been advertised for sale. These advertisements may lead
people to incorrectly believe that they are entitled to this
award; especially prisoners of war who worked on the
Burma-Thailand Railway.
For information and eligibility criteria for the
Burma Star see www.defence.gov.au/medals
Directorate of Honours & Awards: 1800 111 321.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN?
Wearing medals that you are not entitled to
is an offence under the Defence Act 1903
TRI-SERVICE TRAINING: SQNLDR Rachel Pyle
and LCDR Richard Scott ponder a planning problem while other students look on during Army’s
Advanced Intelligence Officer Course at the DITC.
SECT 80B Improper use of service decorations: (4) A
person shall not falsely represent himself as being the person upon
whom a service decoration has been conferred.
Penalty: 30 penalty units or imprisonment for six
months, or both.
Photo: ABPH Paul McCallum
Undergrad medical officer
wins prestigious award
WELL
DESERVED:
MAJGEN John
Peran (rtd),
ex-Surgeon
General of the
Defence Forces,
congratulates
SBLT Michael
Bonning on
his 2008
g
Outstanding
Alumni Award.
Ditch the points
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Photo: DFR
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SBLT Michael Bonning, President
of the Australian Medical Students’
Association, has been honoured with a
Queensland University of Technology
(QUT) 2008 Outstanding Alumni Award.
The annual award recognises QUT
alumni who have achieved outstanding
results in their careers and communities.
SBLT Bonning won a QUT Dean’s
scholarship to study a Bachelor of
Applied Science (Biochemistry) prior to
completing an honours degree in microbiology. By the time SBLT Bonning had
completed his first degree, he had been
awarded bronze, silver and gold Duke of
Edinburgh awards.
SBLT Bonning is currently in the
fourth year of a medical degree under
NAVY NEWS
the ADF Undergraduate Scheme. He has
made a significant contribution to medical and community organisations having been both chair of the Queensland
Medical Students’ Council and President
of the University of Queensland Medical
Society.
SBLT Bonning has also participated
in State Government advisory groups
and taskforces, having significant input
into Government policy on issues surrounding medical education, and also
chairs the Ashintosh Foundation – a charitable focus for the medical faculty at the
University of Queensland.
Following graduation SBLT Bonning
will undertake NEOC and other categoryspecific training prior to beginning his
employment as a Navy Medical Officer
at sea and ashore.
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www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
08
NEWS
No place
like
home
for
Albany
LOCALS TURN OUT: Members of HMAS Albany march through Albany exercising their Freedom of Entry to the city.
By SBLT Sally Blackmore
WITH swords drawn, bayonets
fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying in full regalia,
HMAS Albany’s current crew, Attack
Four, proudly paraded the Australian
White Ensign along the main street of
the city of Albany recently to exercise
the ship’s right to Freedom of Entry.
HMAS Albany’s CO, LCDR Viktor
Pilicic, led the march through York
Street, Albany. Attack Four was escorted by the RAN Band – WA detachment and local naval cadets from TS
Vancouver.
As hundreds of local residents
lined the street to watch the parade,
Attack Four was challenged by the
City Marshall, Superintendent Ross
Tomasini of the Great Southern Police
District. After LS Lisa Fitzsimmons,
AB Skeen West and AB Beau Harris
presented the Freedom of Entry scroll,
HMAS Albany was granted access to
the city.
The city of Albany and the RAN
share a special bond that was again
strengthened during HMAS Albany’s
visit. The Armidale Class Patrol Boat
is the first RAN ship to bear the name
Albany; named after the city as a trib-
Photo: Gary Booth
ute to the strong ties with the Anzac
tradition and rich military history.
The Commissioning and Naming
Lady, Mrs Annette Knight, was also in
attendance at the civic reception and
Freedom of Entry parade to again wish
the crew of HMAS Albany good fortune, fair winds and following seas.
New online face of Navy
By LCDR Mike Purdy
Big rate for
a limited time
on term deposits
Right now, you can open a new Defcredit
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change. Conditions apply, please refer to the Products and Services Conditions of Use. Fees
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DEF1427_AANN
THE Navy Internet website has a new
look with better navigation and improved
features.
The Navy webmaster, Tim Siers, said
that it had taken the team more than a
year to implement the redesign.
“The site has around 3000 pages and
receives over 8000 unique visitors every
day,” he said. “This is the ninth version
of navy.gov.au since 1997. Probably the
biggest difference now is that we’ve rebuilt the entire website around the needs
of our users.”
As part of the rebuild, the web team
interviewed a range of users and conducted an online survey of the audience
to gain a better understanding of the people using the site. The rough breakdown
appeared to be around one-quarter students and a slightly larger slice that was
either Navy people or their families.
“We also had a look at other Navy
and Defence sites to get a feel for what
else people were trying to accomplish
through the web,” Mr Siers said.
The team’s next task is to improve
the site’s visual content. So, together
with Navy Imagery Units, the Internet
team will be working at building a central
repository for these photos.
“In addition to the massive photographic resource, we have been exploring
avenues for introducing video content,”
Mr Siers said.
CHECK IT OUT: www.navy.gov.au
Submissions sought
for ADM review
THE Defence Honours and Awards
Tribunal is reviewing the eligibility criteria
for the Australian Defence Medal (ADM),
which was established in March 2006.
Since that time a number of issues
about the eligibility criteria have been
raised with Government, with many exserving members concerned that their
service has not been recognised. The
Government has, as a matter of priority, asked the Tribunal to examine them
against the ADM eligibility criteria. The
Tribunal has called for submissions by
Monday, September 22.
The terms of reference for the inquiry,
and information on how to make a submission, are available from the Tribunal
via email at [email protected].
au or by phoning (02) 6266 3486. Also see
www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au
Submissions can be emailed to the
Tribunal or sent via post to: Defence
Honours and Awards Tribunal, Locked Bag
7765, Canberra Business Centre, ACT
2610.
Reunion for 1966 Waller Division recruit intake
A REUNION for the January 15,
1966 recruit intake for Waller Division
will be held on January 17 at the Naval
Association of Australia (NAA) Hall in
Footscray, Victoria.
Defence Force Credit Union Limited
ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL 234582
NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
For information, contact Ian Arnold
at [email protected] or (03)
59507668, Robin (Bomber) Brown at
[email protected] or John
Francis at [email protected]
September 4, 2008
09
NEWS
Exceptional service recognised
By Michael Brooke
LCDR Leif Maxfield was recently presented with
a Commendation from the Chief of Joint Operations
(CJOPS) in recognition of his exceptional performance as the Current Operations Officer during the
CTF 158 deployment to the Middle East Area of
Operations.
LCDR Maxfield’s superior leadership and performance contributed significantly to the achievement of the mission to protect Iraq’s critical oil infrastructure in the NAG.
CJOPS commended LCDR Maxfield for his exceptional management of CTF 158 Current Operations
during September 2007 to January 2008.
The Commendation praises LCDR Maxfield for
his ability to “manage assigned Coalition assets to
achieve the very best outcomes in a complex operational environment, which was second to none, and
greatly enhanced the reputation of the ADF.”
LCDR Maxfield said he was honoured to receive
the CJOPS Commendation and appreciated the
opportunity to demonstrate his leadership and management skills in an operational environment.
LCDR Maxfield’s superior leadership
and performance contributed
significantly to the achievement of
the mission to protect Iraq’s critical
oil infrastructure in the NAG.
JOB WELL DONE: LCDR Leif Maxfield receives
a CJOPS Commendation from Deputy Fleet
Commander, CDRE Simon Cullen, for his exceptional performance during Commander Task Force
158 deployment to the MEAO.
Photo: LSSTD Lee-Anne Mack
Navy man from Air Force
dynasty now JWAC dux
By Michael Brooke
BLAME it on the ‘call of the sea’
but the Air Force’s loss has become the
Navy’s great gain.
‘The call of the sea’ has prised LEUT
Dylan White from the bosom of his
Air Force family and into the welcoming arms of the RAN, which recently
crowned him Dux of the Junior Warfare
Application Course (JWAC) 46.
LEUT White received three individual awards at the JWAC 46 graduation
ceremony, which was presided over by
CN VADM Russ Crane, AM, CSM, at
HMAS Watson on August 22.
LEUT White was presented with
the RAN College Jubilee Graduates
Memorial Sword as the Dux of JWAC 46
(All Phases). He was also awarded Dux
of JWAC 46 A/B and C/D Phases and
received the CO’s Prize for best results
JWAC Warfare.
LEUT White told the CN that the
course was very challenging but he
particularly enjoyed the anti-submarine warfare component, which will
serve him well when he posts to HMAS
Warramunga.
LEUT White’s graduation and trifecta of awards was witnessed by his
proud parents, who racked up a total of
30-years in the RAAF.
Mrs White told Navy News that her
son had always been fascinated with military history and, from the age of 12, was
determined to join the RAN.
The Otto Albert Memorial Prize for
Seamanship, which is awarded for the
best results in JWAC Seamanship, was
presented to SBLT S.J. Carman, while
the Ian McDonald Memorial Award for
the most improved JWAC Trainee Phase
I went to ASBLT D.A. Craig.
The Department of Defence Prize for
best performance in Phase IV went to
ASBLT D.G. Williamson and the Navy
Warfare Community Medallion for outstanding display of Navy Values was
awarded to SBLT Tim McGregor.
All 22 graduates of JWAC 46 were
presented with their Watch Keeping
Certificate by VADM Crane.
The JWAC graduates commenced
Phase IV Sea on September 1, when they
were posted to major fleet units for the
award of their Bridge Warfare Certificate.
CN told the JWAC graduates that
the RAN has many skilled and highly
experienced officers and sailors ready to
help them get the job done to the highest
degree of professionalism.
“Your unique skill set, and the experiences you will gain in the coming years,
place you in a prime position to take the
Navy forward into the future,” he said.
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www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
10
NEWS
New research to
protect harbours
SAFEGUARDING Australia’s
harbours and port facilities from terrorist threats will be the focus of new
research by the Defence Science and
Technology Organisation (DSTO) in
Sydney.
Speaking at the opening of
DSTO’s new research facility at
the Australian Technology Park
in Redfern, Minister for Defence
Science and Personnel, Warren
Snowdon, said advanced simulation laboratories and state-of-the-art
equipment in the new facility would
enable DSTO to assess security risks
at our seaports, explore threat scenarios and develop measures to counteract them.
“The security of our ports is critical to the Australian economy,” Mr
Snowdon said.
“DSTO is using sophisticated
visualisation software representing
Sydney Harbour, Port Botany and the
Port of Brisbane to scan for security
weaknesses and improve situational
awareness.
“This maritime security research
program builds on DSTO’s worldclass capability in maritime operations analysis, mine warfare and
coastal warfare systems.”
SURVIVORS: (Seated L-R) Len Farrell, Arthur Carter, Nobbie Hall, Ron Emery,
Ernie Rudland, Bill Brookes (son of PO Brookes who died that night).
(Standing R-L) Tony Townsend, Dr Derek Sikua – PM of the Solomon Islands,
and WGCDR Wendy Horder.
The new facility will also assist
Navy in its future maritime program involving the three planned Air
Warfare Destroyers and two amphibious ships – the largest assets ever to
be operated by the RAN.
“For 100 years our defence scientists have proven they can deliver
innovative technology solutions for
the ADF, including some world-leading developments in science.”
Mr Snowdon mentioned the
Jindalee Over-the-Horizon radar;
Barra sonobuoy; Nulka anti-ship
missile decoy; the Australian mine-
sweeping system; the LADS laser
hydrographic survey tool; the black
box flight recorder; aircraft fatigue
testing; and composite bonded repair
technology as some of DSTO’s most
famous inventions.
To mark the opening of DSTO
Sydney, Mr Snowdon also launched
a book on the history of defence
science, A Century of Australian
Defence Science, and a companion
volume on DSTO’s Top Ten Science
and Technology Reports.
➤ For more information check out
www.dsto.defence.gov.au
Caring for families of those who died
defending Australians and their freedom.
HMAS Canberra’s new
memorial dedicated in
the Solomon Islands
A NEW memorial dedicated to
HMAS Canberra was opened on August
9 in Honiara during an impressive service
attended by the
Solomon Islands
Prime Minister,
many local heads
of missions and
several Canberra
survivors.
The heavy
cruiser HMAS
Canberra was
sunk in the battle
of Savo Island on
August 9, 1942
with 194 casualties. Eighty-four
of her company
died, including
the CO CAPT
F. E . G e t t i n g
RAN.
The majority of survivors
became the
commissioning
ship’s company of HMAS Shropshire;
and so was born the Canberra/Shropshire
Association.
In 1988 the Association organised
construction of a memorial to the ship at
the Vilu Village Museum outside Honiara
with the crew of HMAS Canberra participating in the dedication. This memorial was seriously
damaged during the
recent unrest in the
Solomons.
Recently the
Office of Australian
Wa r
Graves
approved a grant
to build a replacement memorial on
the shores of Iron
Bottom Sound in
the Police Memorial
Park, adjacent to
the memorial to
RAMSI.
The new memorial, in the shape of
the bows of a ship
with a bench seat at
the rear, is pointed
towards Savo Island
and the place where
Canberra lies.
After the formal dedication ceremony
in Honiara, wreaths were dropped over
the wreck site of the ship allowing survivors to pay their personal tributes to lost
shipmates.
Grand cheque helps
out a special school
Legacy is there for the families of defence force personnel killed in war, training,
peacekeeping, or other hazardous service, or who have died subsequently.
Should the worst happen, all defence force services have peace of mind
Legacy will care for the families le behind.
Throughout Australia, Legacy assists more than 122,000 widows, 1,800 children
and dependants with a disability, providing advice and praccal assistance with
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Call 1800 LEGACY (1800 534 229) or visit www.legacy.com.au
NAVY NEWS
COMMUNITY
GESTURE:
ABCIS Laetitia
Murphy-Marsh
presents
English and
Communications
Specialist at
Malibu Special
School, Rod
Mackintosh, with
a cheque for
$1000.
Photo: ABPH
Morgana
Salabert
IT IS said that charity begins at
home – but for the staff of Defence
Communication Station Perth, it actually
begins at work.
The team at the communications station, based at HMAS Stirling, recently presented a cheque for $1000 to the
Malibu Special School, near Rockingham
WA.
The money was raised over a number
of weeks by holding ‘Free dress Fridays’
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
and the cheque was officially handed over
in late June.
School staff said the money would
be put towards a special communication
device that would allow the students,
many of whom have speech impediments,
to communicate more effectively.
HMAS Stirling and the ships based at
Fleet Base West have a close connection
to the local community and charitable
gestures such as this are a way of maintaining that important connection.
September 4, 2008
11
NEWS
George is on a mission
...but he needs
your help
ON A MISSION:
George and Grace
Charles pictured in
Brisbane in
August.
Photo: Graham
Davis
By Graham Davis
RETIRED Scottish policeman, former Royal Air
Force squadron leader and now Brisbane resident,
George Charles, is on a mission…but he needs your
help.
In 1958 George was sent as an acting squadron leader to Malaysia to help establish the Royal
Malaysian Air Force.
“The first aircraft was a Twin Pioneer...a 16 seat
transport,” George remembers.
“Five of us took it out.
“At about the same time the RAN was asked to
help set up the Malaysian Navy.
“I remember a CDRE by the name of ‘Norman’
was given the task – I remember flying him and his
lady from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan on the other
side of the peninsula. We went in the Twin Pioneer...it
was still set up in VIP configuration.
“CDRE Norman made the flight to meet with
some sultans.”
It is that meeting with CDRE Norman in 1959
that is now George’s mission.
“Through Navy News I would like to know if
CDRE Norman is still with us and, if not, what happened to him,” George said.
George, now 88, and his wife Grace met up with
Navy News when they joined other returned Service
members at the annual review of Australian Navy
Cadet training ship, TS Paluma, at Shornecliffe on
Saturday, August 9.
George and Grace moved to Australia 28 years
ago and live in the Brisbane suburb of Murumba
Downs.
Anyone who can help George in his quest is invited to call him on (07) 3256 3905.
India sweeps
up Australian
technology
THE Australian Minesweeping System, developed
by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation
(DSTO), has scored another export success with India
being the latest country to acquire the innovative system
that protects ships from underwater mines.
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel,
Warren Snowdon, said the sale to India was the largest
single overseas order for this technology since it was
first exported in 1992.
“Defence has now received over $3 million
in royalties for the worldwide sale of the Australian
Minesweeping System, while a significant number of
jobs have been created for Australian workers,” Mr
Snowdon said.
Thales Australia has a worldwide licence to market
the system, which is now in service with the navies of
Australia, US, Denmark, Poland, Japan, UAE, Indonesia
and Thailand.
The DSTO-designed system is the world’s first operational sweep to emulate the magnetic signals of ships,
causing sea mines to detonate prematurely and safely
out of range of target vessels.
The Australian Minesweeping System was famously
used during the 2003 Gulf War by the Royal Navy to
clear smart mines from the port of Umm Qasr in order to
deliver humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people.
Thales Australia CEO, Chris Jenkins, presented Mr
Snowdon with a cheque of $514,358 in royalties for the
sale to India.
“This is a genuine collaboration in which DSTO
and industry have shared the risks and the rewards. It
has enhanced Defence capability, produced revenue
for industry and the Commonwealth and reinforced
Australia’s reputation for technology innovation,” Mr
Snowdon said.
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NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
12
NEWS
Watson digs deep
Badger raises $1200 for Cancer Council
By Don Deakin-Bell
WO TIM BADGER is a man
on a mission to raise awareness
of, and money for, prostate cancer research.
WO Badger successfully
raised $1200 from the ship’s
company of HMAS Watson,
which will contribute to the
Cancer Councils ‘Call to Arms’
promotion being run with local
sports clubs to raise cancer
awareness among men.
The $1200 raised at HMAS
Watson was joined with money
raised by WO Badger’s local
sports club, the Penrith Swans
Junior Australian Rules Football
Club, and presented to the Cancer
Council at a recent ceremony at
the Penrith Swans home ground.
WO Badger is a career sailor,
who has been in the RAN for
over 19 years, originally joining
as a QMG.
He has served in many ships,
including HMA Ships Swan,
Stuart, Launceston, Success,
Brisbane, Melbourne and
Manoora.
During his service on
Manoora, WO Badger deployed
to the Solomon Islands, East
CALL TO ARMS: WO Badger and the Penrith Swans Juniors Under 10s helped raise money
for cancer awareness among men.
Timor and the Persian Gulf, ties to raise funds for, and aware- with the Penrith Swans Junior
Australian Rules Football Club
where he was a boarding party ness of, male cancer issues.
Money raised will be used for six years, serving on the
2IC. He is currently the WOB
to fund cancer research, provide committee and as Under 10 Red
Category Manager at Watson.
support programs for men dur- coach.
The ‘Call to Arms’ promotion ing times of need and help men
He has two children playing
run by the Cancer Council is tar- reduce their risk of cancer.
for the Penrith Swans; his daughgeting local sporting communiWO Badger has been involved ter Kayla and son Robert.
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Geraldton to host new
joint Australian / US
communications station
CONSTRUCTION activity is expected to commence
on a joint Australian and US
defence satellite communications ground station at the
Australian Defence Satellite
Communications Station
(ADSCS) Geraldton in the
third quarter of 2008.
The joint ground station
will support the US Navy’s
Mobile User Objective
System (MUOS), which is a
satellite-based mobile phone
network designed to support
US, Australian and allied
military users.
Governance arrangements for the ground station
were concluded in October
2007 and, as with all joint
facilities in Australia, this
system will be operated with
the full knowledge and concurrence of the Australian
Government.
The MUOS ground station will comprise three
small buildings housing the
electronic infrastructure;
power and spares; three 18metre satellite dishes; and
two smaller antennas.
Once complete, it will be
unmanned and will require
only call-out contractor
maintenance support. A
Satellite Communications
Partnership Statement of
Principles was signed at the
Australia-US Ministerial
Consultations in February
2008, committing both governments to explore options
to enhance joint access to
satellite communications
capabilities and to encourage
greater technical collaboration in this field.
As part of this agreement, Australia and the US
are exploring the hosting of
a US Army Fixed Regional
Hub Node on land adjacent
to the ADSCS Geraldton and
discussing opportunities for
the joint use of this capability.
Satellite communications
are vital to the ADF and our
security.
The US is a world leader
in the field of commercial
and military satellite communications technology.
The collaboration
provides Australia with
increased access to US global communications capabilities as well as technical partnership, shared infrastructure
and support services for our
joint satellite communications projects.
Learn skills, drills and fundamentals
By FSGT Brad Kirkels
THE Defence Motorcycle
Safety Campaign, launched in
August 2006, aims to reduce the
number of deaths and injuries
resulting from motorcycle accidents.
Skills, drills and fundamentals
of motorcycle riding from motocross, enduro and trials are utilised
by the course providers to give a
broader spectrum of knowledge to
off-road riding.
Defence Off Road Coordinator
for the Ride Smart project, RAAF
Base Tindal Base Safety Adviser,
FSGT Brad Kirkels, is seeking
expressions of interest from Navy,
Army and Air Force personnel, and
APS members based in the Darwin
area, to attend a course in the near
future.
More information on the courses
can be found at the links below or
by contacting FSGT Kirkels: brad.
[email protected], phone
(08) 8973 6668 or email the project
office at [email protected]
Check out:
➤ DRN: http://ohsc.defence.gov.
au/Programs/MotorcycleSafety/
default.htm
➤ Internet: www.defence.gov.
au/dpe/ohsc/programs/motorcyclesafety
Limited Offer†
Mention you saw this ad prior to completing your
initial contract and we’ll give you a $200 fuel
voucher when your new vehicle is delivered.
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Safety – Ride Smart
Campaign aims to:
➤ reduce motorcycle fatali-
ties and injuries;
➤ improve rider skills;
➤ increase awareness of
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NAVY NEWS
the risks inherent in riding activities;
➤ reduce risk-taking
behaviour by riders; and
➤ increase protection
of Defence’s training
investment.
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
RIDE SMART: A rider learning how to steer using weight and knee
control for better cornering at the Australian Defence Off-Road
Motorcycle Safety Awareness course conducted in Darwin with
322ECSS and 75SQN members.
Photo: CPL Steve Duncan
September 4, 2008
13
FEATURES
Navy’s ‘lost’ garden rediscovered
By Michael Brooke
YOU don’t have to be the intrepid
adventurer Indiana Jones to find one of
the fabled ‘Lost Gardens of Sydney’ at
HMAS Kuttabul.
Kuttabul is home to the beautiful
Clarens Garden, where scores of RAN
officers and sailors find peace and tranquillity at lunchtime when they reflect on
their busy schedule.
But the same sailors may be surprised
to learn that the Clarens Garden was
recognised as one of The Lost Gardens
of Sydney in an ABC television feature
screened on August 15-16.
Jack Gibb, 69, who was employed
by the Navy as a gardener from 1970 to
1998, told Navy News that the Clarens
Garden was once a spectacular attraction.
“The garden was part of Clarens
House, which the Navy purchased in 1942
after war came knocking on Sydney’s
door in the form of an attack by three
Japanese midget submarines,” he said.
Colleen Morris, who’s book The Lost
Gardens of Sydney inspired the ABC’s
Stateline report, said Sir James Martin
developed the garden into a very spectacular creation featuring elaborate Greek
Revival structures, as well as native and
exotic plants, stone walls, stairways and
paths.
“It was perhaps the most elaborate
such garden built in Australia,” she said.
“Between 1856 and 1868 Martin spent
20,000 pounds on Clarens, including a
replica of the Choragic Monument of
Lysicrates.”
English writer Anthony Trollope was
so impressed he called the Clarens Garden
a ‘fairyland’ when he visited Sydney in
the late 1860s.
SBLT Caitlin McLeod, of HMAS
Newcastle, said all the Navy personnel
posted to Kuttabul or Fleet HQ knew of
the Clarens Garden but some of its history
has faded with the passage of time.
Fortunately, Sydney’s rich and diverse
gardening heritage, including the Clarens
Garden at Kuttabul, will be the focus of
an exhibition entitled ‘The Lost Gardens
of Sydney’ at the Museum of Sydney
from August 9 to November 30.
BEAUTIFUL: (left) SBLT
Caitlin McLeod gets a history lesson from Colleen
Morris, the author of The
Lost Gardens of Sydney,
which includes a chapter
on the Clarens Garden
at HMAS Kuttabul.
ON CAMERA:
The ABC films
the Clarens
Garden at
Kuttabul for
the documentary, The Lost
Gardens of
Sydney.
Photos: Michael
Brooke
Journalism standards
questioned by readers
MY NAME is Nicholas Paterson, I am
currently an Officer of the Watch serving in HMAS Parramatta, and write to
you regarding the article, Waller’s big hit,
which appeared in the latest, August 7,
edition of Navy News.
I will begin by congratulating you,
and the Navy News team on 50 years of
publication, and remark that I am usually
impressed by the content and scope of the
paper. Congratulations.
I will also say that I am not the sort of
person who regularly writes to criticise
or complain about these sorts of publications.
I must, however, register a protest, and
express my disappointment and concern
regarding the sources of information in
the Waller’s big hit article. How can it be
considered appropriate that the Navy’s
own newspaper receives its information
on the accuracy and effectiveness of our
own armaments from Wikipedia?!
While I accept that the paper is not
an academic publication, nor a reference
document of any description, surely it is
not in keeping with any standard of journalism to rely on such a source?
N.A. Paterson
LEUT
HMAS Parramatta
A MEASURE of good journalism is
proper research and an accurate report of
the facts.
Relying on unreferenced websites and
an open content encyclopaedia as author-
ity for certain assertions about the identification of HMAS Waller’s target, the
accuracy of the attack (“Wikipedia says
...[it] suffered a direct hit”) and the location of the wreck (“according to the DD992 website”), undermines any credibility
that Navy News may have.
If Navy News cannot confidently assert
the details of an Australian submarine’s
participation in a military exercise from
official Navy sources, then readers may
as well turn to rumour mongers for their
facts.
Penny Campbell
LCDR
NAVSYSCOM
Then A/Editor LCDR Antony
Underwood, RANR, responds:
CHECKING unofficial sources is
something journalists do every day – just
because official sources haven’t announced
something doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
One of the principles of good journalism is solid research using a wide range
of sources; I feel I would have been remiss
in my duty to readers if I’d taken the
lazy option and just run what we’d been
handed.
Rather than assert it as a fact, however, I presented the information from the
websites with the sources clearly identified.
This means that the readers are fully aware
of the source and free to attach whatever
weight they choose to it.
Calling Navy’s communicators
DID you know all current serving
and ex-communicators are welcome to
join the RAN Communications Branch
Association?
An association with a proud history, the RAN Communications Branch
Association was formed shortly after
WWII and now has seven Chapters in all
Australian States and Territories except
Tasmania. The aim of the Association is
to bring RAN Communicators, both servNAVY NEWS
ing and retired, together in an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie.
The Association has a national reunion every three years; the next will be
held in Adelaide over the Anzac Day
long weekend in April 2011.
Membership is open to all serving
and ex-serving RAN Communicators. If
you are not already a member of the
RANCBA, visit our website at www.
rancba.org.au to see what we can offer.
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www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
14
PERSONNEL
Excellent opportunities for right people
Retaining Navy’s highly skilled
personnel is a key priority so,
before you think about leaving the
Service, why not consider becoming
a valet to one of the ADF’s senior
officers – the opportunities and
rewards are endless.
CONSIDER this: location stability;
a guaranteed shore posting; establishing
excellent working relationships with senior officers; developing marketable skills;
and gaining experience in a high profile
position – all these make for excellent
prospects for professional development
and promotion.
Career Manager Stewards and Cooks,
CPO David Best, said the skills gained in
these roles were second to none.
“By working closely with the ADF’s
senior officers, valets have a unique
opportunity to network with very important people,” he said.
CPO Best said volunteers are competitively selected from those who have
an excellent performance reporting history and exemplary professional standards
matched with a good reputation.
“Valets liaise first hand with Australian
and international VIPs so excellent interpersonal skills are essential,” he said.
“People must have very good personal
presentation and display the appropriate
tact and discretion necessary for senior
officers’ personal staff.
“The ability to accept responsibility
with a high level of initiative and the ability to work as part of a small and dynamic
team are key to being successful in these
roles.”
CPO Best said establishment COs also
offer valet opportunities and, if people
were interested, to enquire through relevant divisional staff.
“I post out of this position in
September this year and would like to
thank all the Retinue staff for their hard
work to ensure our high ranking officers
and their dignitary visitors are catered for
in the finest traditions of the RAN. Your
tireless efforts are appreciated.”
LSSTD Alexandria John, Valet to
CDF, said the best things about her job
‘Jobs on offer include being Valet
to CDF; Protocol Assistant to CN;
Office Manager to COMAUSFLT;
Valet to CN; Chef to CN; Valet to
VCDF; Valet to COMAUSFLT; Chef
to COMAUSFLT; Valet/Driver to
COMAUSNAVSYSCOM; Driver
to CJOPS; and Valet/Driver to
COMNORCOM.’
– CPO David Best, Career Manager
were the close working relationship she
had developed with senior officers and
the fact that she was acknowledged for
her efforts.
Likewise, LSSTD Kerry Cousins,
Valet to COMAUSFLT, said the relationship she had developed with the Admiral
and his family was the best part of her
job.
➤ Interested? Contact CPO Best on PROUD ROLE: Navy valets get the opportunity to work closely with the ADF’s senior military officers.
02 6265 3801 for information on the Pictured from L-R: CDF ACM Angus Houston; Valet to CDF LSSTD Alexandria John and [now] WO2
Andrew Watt.
Photo: Tina Turner
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A GOOD READ: Newly-appointed Navy Public Affairs Officer, Todd Austin,
has no excuse not to be fully aware of all things Navy after his Defence Force
Recruiting colleagues introduce him to Navy News.
By Andrew Edmunds
THEY say ‘The Team Works’, and for newlycommissioned Navy Public Affairs Officer, Todd
Austin, his work mates found a new way to
remind him of this.
Mr Austin, Defence Force Recruiting’s
(DFR) Army Reserve Marketing Officer, has just
transferred from the Army Reserve to the Navy
Reserve, and is due to complete the Reserve
Entry Officer’s Course at HMAS Creswell in
September.
In keeping with the motto, ‘The Team
Works’, Mr Austin’s DFR colleagues transformed his workspace into all things Navy.
To ensure he was well prepared for his
new job and up to date on all matters Navy,
Mr Austin’s desk, phone, documents and even
sugar sachets were covered in excerpts from
Navy News.
DFR’s Director-General, CDRE Tim Barrett,
also got involved in the celebrations, congratulating Mr Austin on his commission.
“I was aware it was going on but didn’t
stop it,” he joked.
INTELLIGENT MARITIME SOLUTIONS
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life and the lives of
others.
We’ll train you
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your own natural
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Aerospace. Defence. Security.
Photograph of HMAS Darwin and Naval formation © www.defenselink.mil. Photographs of Naval comms © Australian Department of Defence.
NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
15
PERSONNEL
Defence-led indigenous
development program starts
PLANS for a Defence-led indigenous
development program were recently
announced at the 10 th annual Garma
festival in the Northern Territory by
the Minister for Defence Science and
Personnel, Warren Snowdon.
“When I took office it became clear
to me that the ADF has the leadership,
training and infrastructure to build opportunities for Indigenous Australians,
while at the same time addressing our
national security and Defence needs,” Mr
Snowdon said.
“Indigenous men and women have
played a significant role in Australia’s
military history and they bring incredible
community and country connections that
support military capability throughout the
nation.”
Work is underway to trial a whole
of Government training program, starting in the Katherine area and focusing
on technical skills, English literacy and
numeracy, personal development, nutrition, financial management and military
skills.
ADF offers scientific cadetships
for indigenous students
DEFENCE will fund three
cadetships worth more than
$300,000 over five years for
Indigenous students to undertake full-time tertiary studies
in science.
One cadetship will be
awarded each year from 2009
for the next three years.
Each cadetship period will
run for three years of tertiary
study.
Minister for Defence
Science and Personnel, Warren
Snowdon, said Defence will
pay the students’ Higher
Education Loan Program (HELP)
fee, provide mentoring support and place them on a paid
12-week work experience program with the Defence Science
and Technology Organisation
(DSTO).
‘I believe the Defence
science cadetship
initiative will go a
long way towards
motivating Indigenous
students to take up
science as a career.’
– Minister for Defence
Science and Personnel,
Warren Snowdon
On successful completion
of their studies they will be
offered employment at DSTO.
“DSTO is one of the largest employers of scientists in
Australia and is particularly
reliant on highly qualified science graduates to under-
take research in support of
Defence,” Mr Snowdon said.
“While the demand for science-qualified staff is growing,
the numbers of students studying science is falling.
“The shortage of science
skills is not good for Defence
or for the Australian economy.
“I believe the Defence science cadetship initiative will
go a long way towards motivating Indigenous students to
take up science as a career,” Mr
Snowdon said.
DSTO will be working closely with Macquarie University
to identify suitable Indigenous
high-school students interested
in pursuing further studies in
science.
SIGNIFICANT ROLE: Work is underway to provide more opportunities for
Indigenous Australians to have careers in the ADF.
Photo: GNR Shannon Joyce
Eight-week pre-recruitment
courses get under way
IN A move that will help Indigenous
Australians prepare for the ADF recruiting process, the Defence Indigenous PreRecruitment Course (IPRC) was launched
in Townsville on August 18.
Minister for Defence Science
and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, said
the IPRC was designed to ensure that
Indigenous Australians were well-prepared for the ADF recruiting process
and well equipped to succeed in military
training and employment.
“It will be run over eight weeks and
will include modules such as numeracy
and English literacy, aptitude, confidence
building, motivation, discipline, leadership, communication and skills to live
away from home,” he said.
“It is hoped that this initial trial in
Townsville will prove a real step forward
in assisting Indigenous Australians take
on a rewarding career in the military.”
NAVY NEWS
The IPRC has been developed
in partnership with the Department of
Education, Employment and Workplace
Relations, which has engaged Bindal
Sharks United Sports and Recreation
Aboriginal Corporation to conduct the
course.
“The course offers all participants
the chance to visit ADF establishments
in Townsville and Cairns, as well as a
week-long trip to Canberra for a leadership program,” Minister for Employment
Participation, Brendan O’Connor said.
“At the completion of the IPRC, those
who are not eligible for the ADF recruitment process will be supported to find
suitable employment in other arenas.
“The whole of Government is working together to ensure that, in partnership with Indigenous Australians, we can
close the gap in educational, employment
and life outcomes.”
“If you want to meet the challenges of security
science in today’s world, there’s nowhere else to go.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve studied, but all trepidation was erased by the excellent support offered by ECU staff.
That support allowed me to focus on my studies. The course is an excellent foundation for those aspiring to
excellence in the security field. It prepares the individual, opening the mind to the myriad of further studies and
professional development required to meet the challenges of professional security management in this new
millennium’s security environment.”
– ECU Bachelor of Security Science graduate, Raymond Andersson
Reach your potential. Call 134 ECU (134 328), email [email protected] or visit security.ecu.edu.au for info on
courses including Counter Terrorism, Security Science and Security Management.
ECU Security Science graduates speak for themselves
303ECU3916
CRICOS IPC 00279B
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
SYDNEY GREETING: (main pic) USS John S. McCain
arrives in Sydney Harbour escorted by an armada of
civilian vessels for the centenary of the Great White
Fleet arrival at Fleet Base East, Garden Island. The
“Great White Fleet” was sent around the world by
President Theodore Roosevelt from 16 December 1907
to 22 February 1909.
Photo: ABPH Justin Brown
The
Centrepread pages 16 -17
Great WhiteFleet
By Michael Brooke
AS THE Great White Fleet Centenary celebrations illustrate, a lot
can happen in 100 years, especially when it comes to strengthening
the trust and cooperation between two key allies.
On August 20, 1908, 16 US battleships precariously navigated
their way through Sydney Harbour with only a few old tugs to help
lead the way.
But exactly 100 years later, as a result of Australia and the US having been long-time partners in war and peace, Port Services Manager
LCDR Scott Houlihan was on the bridge of the USS John S. McCain,
piloting the mighty US Navy warship to her berth at Fleet Base East.
“The relationship between the navies of Australia and the US
spans 100 years and, of course, a great deal of trust and cooperation
has developed in this time,” said LCDR Houlihan.
“It’s always a challenge and big responsibility to pilot such a large
and technically advanced US warship to its berth at FBE.”
CMDR John S. Banigan, Commanding Officer USS John McCain,
told Navy News that such an important responsibility as piloting one
of the US Navy’s most advanced Arleigh Burke class frigates is a task
for only the most trusted allies.
While LCDR Houlihan was doing his important work, HMA
Ships Darwin and Sirius escorted the US Navy warship through
Sydney Heads to FBE.
“The RAN enjoys strong ties with the US Navy and the opportunity to participate in such a significant historical event is evidence of
the firm friendship our two navies share,” said CMDR Craig Powell,
Darwin’s CO.
The Minister for Defence, Joel Fitzgibbon, and senior Navy personnel welcomed the USS John S. McCain when she docked at FBE.
“This visit serves to further strengthen the close ties our nations
enjoy,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.
“The Great White Fleet’s visit 100 years ago sent a very powerful message to the Asia Pacific, and there was no coincidence that
just a year later Australia embarked on its own successful program to
acquire a world-class navy.”
RAN officers and sailors got a peek at the complexities and
sophistication of an Aegis air warfare surface combatant, similar to
the Navy’s future Hobart-class AWDs, when the USS John S. McCain
hosted several tours during her five day stay in Sydney.
A feature of the Great White Fleet’s Centenary visit was the great
camaraderie among the US and Australian sailors who participated in
a number of social and sporting activities.
The RAN treated the US sailors to a fair-dinkum Aussie BBQ
outside the RAN Heritage Centre on August 21, which featured an
informal sausage eating contest which was won by the visitors.
The fine spirit of sportsmanship among allies was well demonstrated when RAN and US sailors played each other in basketball and
softball – with the visitors again emerging triumphant.
However, several US sailors told Navy News that the RAN
deserves the gold medal for being excellent hosts.
USS John S McCain was joined in Great White Fleet Centenary
celebrations by another of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke class frigates,
USS Shoup, with HMAS Manoora joining HMA Ships Darwin and
Sirius as their escorts during the various stages of the Australian leg.
The USS John S. McCain is named after the father and grandfather
of the current US presidential candidate John S. McCain. Of note,
John S. McCain, Sr. visited Australia in 1908 as part of the Great
White Fleet while serving in the battleship USS Connecticut.
Navy bands call the tune
By Michael Brooke
FRIENDSHIP: ABMUSN Melanie Wilkinson, RAN
Band, and MUSN 3 Kristen Meyers from Pacific
Fleet Band, come together for the 100th anniversary
celebrations of the Great White Fleet.
Photo: ABPH Andrew Dakin
THE performances by the RAN Band and the Pacific Fleet Band
to celebrate the Great White Fleet Centenary visit well illustrate how
two close allies continue to “sing from the same sheet of music.”
The Navy bands were on song with three outstanding performances to celebrate the Great White Fleet Centenary visit, with the US
Navy Arleigh Burke frigate, USS John S. McCain, spear-heading the
goodwill visit to Fleet Base East during August 20-25.
The bands performed at a Ceremonial Sunset involving Australia’s
Federation Guard, and also gave two sell-out public performances at
Angel Place at Sydney’s Martin Place on August 22 and ABC Classic
radio on August 24.
The bands performed superbly for a ceremonial sunset on the USS
John S. McCain and HMAS Darwin, which was attended by senior
Government officials and Defence personnel from both countries.
The joint RAN and Pacific Fleet bands assembled on the helicopter deck of Darwin, immediately opposite that of USS John S,
McCain, where they performed the Battle Ship Connecticut March
and Hands Across the Sea as the guests arrived.
During the Ceremonial Sunset the Combined Band performed
Eternal Father Strong to Save, Sunset, Proud Echo, Advance
Australia Fair, Star Spangled Banner and Waltzing Matilda.
18
RESERVES
Navy ASISTs
Army capability
Training aims to prevent suicide
By CMDR Steve Dunning
NAVAL Reserve nursing officer
CMDR David West and his small team
of Reserve mental health specialists
are providing critical training to South
Australian-based Defence units with the
delivery of applied suicide intervention
skills training (ASIST) – one of the key
initiatives of the ADF’s suicide prevention program.
ASIST is a two day skills-based workshop that helps equip people for suicide
first-aid.
ASIST training aims to increase ADF
members’ confidence and ability to provide ‘suicide first aid’ in situations where
someone may be at risk of suicide.
Having facilitated some 21 ASIST
workshops with more than 400 participants over the past six years, CMDR
West is the ADF’s most experienced SPP
facilitator. His most recent workshop held
at 16th Air Defence Regiment included 26
members of all ranks at the unit’s training
complex in the Adelaide Hills.
CO 16 ADR, LTCOL Paul McKay
– a strong advocate of the ADF’S suicide
prevention program – said the ASIST
training was an important component of
his annual training program.
“The regiment concentrates on three
things: our mission, our mates and being
safe,” he said.
“The ASIST program directly contributes to the regiment, and its influence
extends beyond the barracks to include
the family and friends of those who participate in the training.
“It was also good to see personnel
actively participate and make the effort to
consider the information and challenges
involved in dealing with people at risk of
suicide.
“If we can help one person as a result
CRITICAL TRAINING: LTCOL Paul
McKay thanks CMDR David West for
facilitating an ASIST workshop at the
Regiment.
of ASIST training, then it’s been worthwhile.”
In closing the ASIST workshop,
LTCOL McKay commended the program
to participants and also took time out to
thank CMDR West’s team for a job well
done.
CMDR West and his team of
Reservists all work as mental health professionals in their civilian employment
and bring considerable skill and expertise to the SPP thus ensuring the critical
delivery of one of the key initiatives of
the ADF’s mental health strategy.
The true success in the ASIST training
is reflected by the overwhelming positive
feedback that the team has received since
taking on responsibility for delivery of
ASIST in South Australia over the past
four years.
➤ ADF ASIST trainers are available
to conduct SPP courses regionally.
Further information is available from
your local regional mental health team
at [email protected] or by
visiting http://www.defence.gov.au/
dpe/dhs/mentalhealth/
➤ ADF mental health strategy all-hours
support line (ASL) 1800 628 036
Learning from a big sister
By SBLT Sarah Pemberton
THE Royal Australian Navy
reached a significant milestone in
2006, with the delivery of the last of
the ANZAC Class Frigates, HMAS
Perth III.
But it was also a very exciting
time for Australian Navy Cadet unit
TS Perth, which had been joined
with HMAS Perth III as a part of the
new twinning program initiative.
Encouraged by the potential the
twinning program offered to both
the RAN and the ANC, TS Perth
set out to form a strong connection
with their sister ship from the very
beginning.
The twinning program has given
TS Perth cadets the opportunity to
see the Navy close up and it has
allowed the cadets to really have a
good look at career opportunities
the Navy can offer. It has also made
them feel a part of the Perth family. Twinning has given cadets the
chance to participate in activities
that no other youth organisation can
offer.
– LEUT Andrew Carlson, ANC, CO
TS Perth.
TS Perth, the oldest cadet unit in
Western Australia, has always maintained a very strong connection with
all ships carrying the Perth name.
Located in the HMAS Perth
Memorial Hall, the unit contains a
memorial to the modified Leander
Class Cruiser HMAS Perth I, which
was sunk during the Battle of Sunda
Strait in 1942.
The cadets and staff also maintain
strong links with the ex-Servicemen
from both HMAS Perth I and II,
and especially treasure the support
of HMAS Perth I survivor Arthur
Bancroft.
The commissioning of the third
ship to bear this name presented a
unique opportunity for TS Perth to
continue this association. The unit’s
cadets were lucky enough to sail
onboard NUShip Perth as she made
her maiden voyage into her home
port of Fremantle, and were also
present at her commissioning.
In honour of this occasion the
unit presented a gift to HMAS Perth
III; photos of HMAS Perth I and II
and the current ship’s company of
TS Perth, which now hangs onboard
in the junior sailors café.
The unit was very fortunate to
have a commissioning crew onboard
HMAS Perth III who were so supportive of the twinning program,
particularly the CO, CMDR Simon
Gregg and XO, LCDR Rick Boulton.
March 2007 saw the first opportunity to put the twinning program to
PERTH FAMILY: TS Perth cadets enjoy their time onboard their “big
sister” HMAS Perth.
the test, as eight of our cadets and
two staff journeyed onboard HMAS
Perth III from HMAS Stirling to
Devonport. SBLT Peter Twort, then
XO of TS Perth, accompanied our
cadets.
While on the voyage, cadets
experienced the many different
branches around the ship, including
the engine room, stores and galley,
as well as keeping watches with the
crew.
Most of the cadets suffered from
the obligatory bout of sea sickness,
albeit for a short time. However, the
warm reception and inclusive treatment they received made this trip an
experience they will never forget.
Alongside its many other activities last year, TS Perth had also been
raising funds to take 25 cadets and
staff to the UK and the battlefields
of the Somme for Anzac Day 2008.
We were greatly assisted in
our fundraising efforts by CMDR
Gregg, who offered a tour of HMAS
Perth and lunch in the wardroom as
an auction prize.
The package was bought by ANC
staff member LEUT Gale, a former
crew member of HMAS Perth II
and past CO of TS Perth.
The middle of 2007 saw a change
of leadership onboard HMAS Perth,
and the cadet unit eagerly welcomed
the new CO, CMDR Michele Miller,
and XO, LCDR Peter Stubbs.
As they left in July for deployment, they also took with them TS
Perth’s newest recruit: SMNTB
(Teddy Bear) Jack Swan.
SMN Swan, a collector’s edition
Jack Tar bear, has spent the last 12
months onboard HMAS Perth, travelling with the crew on deployment
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and visiting many world famous
landmarks along the way.
When the ship returned to
HMAS Stirling in November 2007,
we eagerly embraced the opportunities presented by having our sister
ship alongside again.
First up was a day sail as part of
the HMAS Perth family day, where
cadets witnessed boarding party, fire
and man overboard drills and were
called on to assist the crew entering
and leaving harbour.
For many of our new recruits
this was their first visit on a naval
warship.
It was a fantastic way to show
them some of the awesome experiences that will be open to them as a
part of the ANC.
The day sail was closely followed by a very interesting parade
night, as we moved base from
TS Perth to HMAS Perth for the
evening.
Cadets were split into groups,
working with different crew members on various activities such as
seamanship, fire fighting and navigation.
Most importantly for the cadets,
this evening gave them a chance to
see how the skills and knowledge
they accumulate at the cadet unit
can be put into practice.
Looking back over our last two
years of involvement with HMAS
Perth III through the twinning program, the experiences of our cadets
(and staff) have been extraordinary.
It has provided cadets with a unique
view into life at sea, while also
allowing them to develop both practical and social skills.
By Graham Davis
A GROUP of Navy veterans, formerly the Gold
Coast division of the HMAS Canberra/HMAS
Shropshire Association, will conduct a church service
then a luncheon to commemorate HMAS Sydney II on
Sunday, October 26.
The church service will begin at 11.00am at St
Peter’s Anglican Church, Nerang Street, Southport.
Those attending are asked to be seated by 10.45am.
The luncheon will follow at the Southport Sharks
Function Room at the corner of Musgrave Road and
Olsen Avenue, Southport.
Guests attending the luncheon should be present by
12.30pm for a l.00pm sit down.
Invitations to attend have been circulated widely
including relatives of the Sydney II living in Queensland
and northern New South Wales.
ANC cadets from the Gold Coast will assist at the
service/wreath laying.
Cost of the luncheon is $40.00 (incl. complimentary
drink on arrival) and those who would like to attend
should contact the Treasurer, Lyn Dee on 0409 492 414
or email [email protected]
September 4, 2008
19
RESERVES
A fortnight with the Kiwis
N
aval Reservist AB Carolyn
Docking has just returned
from two weeks exchange
with the Royal New Zealand
Navy. Here she explains what’s
involved in being selected for
the exchange and what she did
while she was there.
THE Trans Tasman Scheme is a
Tasmanian initiative developed in 1993
by the Defence Reserves Association
(DRA).
The aim is to give Reservists an
opportunity to visit and experience life
in the New Zealand Defence Force
(NZDF) and provide an opportunity
to develop leadership and management skills in a different environment
and further promote interoperability
between the ADF and the NZDF.
The scheme is open to junior noncommissioned officers in Navy, Army
and Air Force with a minimum of three
years service.
The DRA and Defence Reserves
Support Committee (DRSC) jointly
sponsor the scheme and the number
of places offered each year depends
on the amount of sponsorship secured
from other organisations.
Past sponsors included local industry, Returned and Services League of
Australia, the DRSC and various Army
messes and clubs.
This year six places were allocated;
four from Army and two from Navy.
I was very fortunate to spend my
two weeks with the Defence Public
Relations Unit (DPRU) and the
Reserve unit HMNZS Olphert in
Wellington.
I am officially a Navy Reserve
medic, however, I work as the
Tasmanian reporter and photojournalist covering local events for inclusion
in Navy News.
My civilian jobs are Public
Relations Officer for the Forest
Industries Association of Tasmania
and casual photojournalist for the
Tasmanian southern major daily newspaper, The Mercury.
I was posted to Olphert so I could
contribute and enhance my existing
skills.
The first step of my involvement
in the scheme was nomination by the
CO of NHQ Tasmania of a selection of
junior sailors.
The next step in the process was
an essay and selection panel interview
with a representative from each Service
and a representative from DRA.
I aimed to contribute positive publicity for both the Australian and New
Zealand Defence Forces and highlight
the ongoing good relationship between
the two forces. I also aimed to cover
local New Zealand stories with both
articles and imagery.
I submitted numerous articles and
images for inclusion in Navy News
and the New Zealand equivalent, Navy
Today.
Next year I will be required to
present my experience to new participants, civilian and Defence employers, representatives from the DRA and
DRSC, as well as family and friends.
Past audiences of the Trans Tasman
Scheme debrief included Assistant
Chief of the ADF (Reserves), senior
ADF officers, Tasman Scheme sponsors and many more.
During my time in New Zealand
I lived at Trentham Military Camp;
an Army barracks where many Navy
members also reside.
The Navy female who lived opposite me was LWTR Paris Perez; a wonderful companion who made my stay
enjoyable.
HMNZS Olphert’s CPOMTD
Peter Furjes was a mine of information and transported me each day to
Defence House in Wellington. He also
picked me up at the end of each day
as Trentham is about 35 minutes drive
from the city.
My first Tuesday night parade at
TASMAN EXCHANGE: L to R: OSEA Gretchen Drake, AB Carolyn Docking and OSEA Aaron Barrett take a
look at each other’s Navy publications.
HMNZS Olphert involved practice for
the changeover of CO ceremony and
meeting members of the ship’s company.
HMNZS Olphert Reservists spent
the weekend doing seamanship training so I photographed members of the
ship’s company as they learnt about
knots and splices and prepared for fitness tests.
I interviewed several Reserve members on the following Tuesday night
parade and photographed the outgoing
CO, CMDR Roger Havell, handing
over command of Olphert to LCDR
Gerad Chaplin, and considered myself
very fortunate to be at such an important and poignant event.
During the night, I met RNZN
Chief of Navy, RADM David Ledson,
who was delighted to learn about the
Trans Tasman Scheme.
I found all the staff members at
DPRU exceptionally welcoming and
friendly and they made my stay interesting and enjoyable with plenty of
varied tasks to perform.
I was impressed with the organisational structure and high quality of
knowledge and professionalism within
this unit.
I contributed to their output by
writing a draft communications plan
for their Territorial Forces Employer
Support Council and wrote 11 ‘hometowners’ while working for a day at
Joint Forces Headquarters. All the
hometowners I wrote were about Army
personnel deployed to the Solomon
Islands – many of them Reservists.
I was fortunate to be able to cover
the recent Anzac Series Basketball
matches between the ADF and the
NZDF both in writing and imagery.
I was most impressed with everyone who I came in contact with for
their wonderful hospitality and making
New Zealand feel like a home away
from home. I found the experience
very rewarding for both my personal
and professional enrichment.
Without the generosity of the
DRSC, the DRA and associated sponsors, my New Zealand experience
would not have been possible and I
would like to express my gratitude to
each and every person who made my
trip happen and to the many people
who developed the scheme.
Independent panel to review cadet scheme
F O R M E R
Chief of Army
LT G E N F r a n k
Hickling will chair
an independent
panel conducting a three-month
review into the
Australian Defence
Force
cadet
scheme.
The panel is to
“identify, through
community consultation, what the
objectives of the LTGEN (rtd) Frank Hickling
scheme should be,
along with community expectations around accountability and transparency in its administration”.
It is also to “report immediately on any issues of
concern in relation to Defence’s duty of care obligations in respect of Cadets”.
Other members of the review team include COL
Lesley Woodroffe (rtd) and Mr Terrence Winner.
Announcing the members of the panel, the
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr
Mike Kelly, said all members of the panel brought
unique expertise and personal experience to the
review.
LTGEN Hickling retired as Chief of Army in
2000 after a 40-year career, including postings as
Land Commander, Commandant of the Australian
Defence Force Academy and regimental postings
within the Royal Australian Corps of Engineers.
Mr Winner, currently the Executive Officer of
the Eastern Goldfields YMCA in Kalgoorlie, identifies “the establishment of a strong social, cultural
and personal identity” as the most important issue
for the Australian Government in relation to youth.
“The scheme teaches young Australians the
NAVY NEWS
importance of contributing to the community, and
I am keen to ensure that the scheme meets community expectations,” Dr Kelly said.
“This review is incredibly important in establishing what kind of Cadet Scheme young people
want to participate in as we move through the 21st
century.”
The panel’s final report is due to be provided to
Dr Kelly by November 21.
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information and preliminary legal advice to Australian
Defence Force personnel wherever they may be serving.
Information about civilian law is available from a
number of sources, including legal aid commissions and
law societies in each state and territory of Australia.
Sometimes an understanding of the law relating to your
problem will enable you to decide how best to handle
it. Sometimes you may also need legal advice. The
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For information about how to access the scheme, visit the
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ISO-9002 Quality Assured
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
20
RESERVES
Bringing home the beacon
By Graham Davis
RECREATIONAL and commercial mariners have been alerted that from February 1 next year
analogue EPIRBs will be redundant.
The alert comes from Maritime
Safety Queensland.
In October 2000 CospasSarsat, the international council
controlling the satellite system,
said it intended to stop processing 121.5 MHz analogue signals
because of the chronically high
false alarm rate from these analogue distress beacons.
So any activation of an old
style 121.5 megahertz EPIRB will
not be detected by satellite and, as
a result, the call for help may go
unheeded.
In addition, from November
1 (Queensland only) this year
all vessels, both recreational and
commercial, must be equipped
with a 406 megahertz EPIRB.
Boat operators/owners must
ensure that their EPIRB complies
with the Australian/New Zealand
standard 4280.1.2003.
This warning comes from senior RAN Reservist, LCDR Cathy
Beadley, who is the senior policy
adviser at the Maritime Services
Branch of Maritime Safety
Queensland when she is not in rig.
The need to carry the 406 Mhz
EPIRB applies to vessels operating beyond smooth and partially
smooth waters and greater than
two nautical miles from land.
(Fines will apply.)
The 406 MHz EPIRB must
be registered with the Australian
Maritime Safety Authority
(AMSA) and be issued with an
identifying HEC number. This can
be done at http://beacons.amsa.
gov.au/
“The November 1 changeover
to the 406 Mhz system will prepare boat owners for the shutdown
of the old 121.5 Mhz system,
which will not be protected by satellite after February 1, 2009 and
some other states and territories
are also amending their legislation
in advance of the turn-off date,”
LCDR Beadley said. “They must
also ensure the 406 Mhz beacon
is registered with the Australian
Maritime Safety Authority. The
registration is free and they must
advise AMSA of any change to
ownership and vessel details.”
In another important aspect
involving EPIRB operation,
LCDR Beadley has told how
Maritime Safety Queensland is
working with Bill Henebery
of the Independent Trawler
Association and Michael Wood of
the Queensland Seafood Industry
Association to broadcast to boat
operators the benefits of installing
“float free” EPIRBs on their craft
to facilitate quicker emergency
response times.
One of the problems with
locating surviving crew from a
sunken vessel is that an EPIRB is
not always activated.
EPIRBs kept inside the wheelhouse through fear of theft will
not provide any assistance whatsoever if they cannot be activated
quickly in an emergency.
Maritime Safety Queensland
along with industry plans to move
across Queensland “showcasing”
how float free EPIRBs can be fitted to trawlers.
‘...the old 121.5 Mhz
system will not be
protected by satellite
after February 1, 2009
and some other states
and territories are
also amending their
legislation in advance of
the turn-off date.’
WARNING: Cathy Beadley, of
Maritime Safety, Queensland.
– LCDR Cathy Beadley
Best foot forward in quest for top training ships
By Graham Davis
ASSESSMENTS to determine the most outstanding two
Australian Navy Cadet training
ships in southern Queensland are
under way.
Twenty-four training ships vie
for the awards with five identified
for “on the spot” visits by senior
RAN and ANC officers.
The winners will be announced
during a combined cadet parade
at Naval Headquarters/South
Queensland (Bulimba Barracks)
on October 19.
One of the training ships to
receive a “spot check” was TS
Paluma just north of Brisbane.
Commanding Officer LEUT
Colin Edgar, his four staff and 24
cadets came under the spotlight
on Saturday, August 9 when their
annual review was conducted.
They were checked by Senior
Naval Officer/South Queensland,
C M D R Fo r b e s P e t e r s , t h e
Queensland cadet liaison officer,
LCDR Dennis Collyer, the Acting
Senior Cadet Officer for southern
Queensland, LCDR Martin Blume,
and local cadet liaison officer CPO
Jenny Anderson.
There were more than the eyes
of the four officers on the cadets
as they marched onto their parade
ground.
Fifty members of local Service
organisations, their local member
Ms Vicki Darling, parents and
INSPECTION: CMDR Forbes
Peters talks to a young Paluma
cadet.
RIGHT: RECT Blake Furey,
13, plays patient as Ms Vicki
Darling looks on.
Photos: Graham Davis
friends watched from the sidelines. The cadets were inspected
by CMDR Peters, LCDR Collyer
and LCDR Blume before colours
were hoisted and a marchpast conducted.
The teenagers then changed into
their S9s and began a series of first
aid lessons led by their own NCOs.
Again the assessment team
watched closely, as did Ms
Darling.
CMDR Forbes Peter was to
take the salute for the sailpast led
by two Volunteer Marine Rescue
vessels, one of the unit’s Corsair
and two of the unit power training powerboats and two canoes,
but CMDR Peters decided to don
a lifejacket and jumped into the
sailing vessel, leaving LCDR
Collyer to take the salute.
CMDR Peters was under the
command of the TS Paluma’s
Coxswain, Cadet LS Langguth,
during his short sailing adventure.
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NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
21
RESERVES
Gunning for cadets
By Graham Davis
TWO former Australian
Navy cadets, now members of
the PN, have been instrumental
in cadet unit TS Toowoomba
( L E U T Wa r r e n G a r d n e r )
receiving an important piece
of naval militaria – a 40/60
Bofors gun once mounted on
the bow of a Fremantle class
patrol boat.
The refurbished weapon
now sits on the gangway of the
training ship and was formally
unveiled by the Senior Naval
Officer/South Queensland,
CMDR Forbes Peters, when he
visited the unit in mid-August
for its annual inspection and
assessment.
The RAN had 15 Fremantle
class patrol boats, now replaced
by 14 Armidale class boats.
The two men responsible for seeing the gun reach
Toowoomba were CPO Jason
Roulston, a weapons electrical specialist attached to Fleet
Support Unit-Perth, and one of
his staff members, AB Gordon
Bradey.
CPO Roulston was formerly a member of TS Gayundah
(ex Brisbane shore establishment HMAS Moreton) while
AB Bradey was a founding
member of the ship’s company
of TS Toowoomba (2003/05).
CPO Roulston said Fleet
Support Unit (FSU) Perth was
refurbishing a number of patrol
boat 40/60 Bofor mounts.
“They are to be fully
restored to a point where they
can be put in public places,” he
said.
“FSU Perth normally contacts the ADF marketing and
disposal team in Sydney from
where they are usually sent off
to the respective councils with
which the patrol boats were
affiliated.
“One of my sailors, AB
Gordon Bradey, approached
me with a request that TS
Toowoomba cadets would love
to have this particular mount for
their unit.
“I was more than happy to
pass this request on to the ADF
disposal team and, after some
negotiation and cutting of red
tape, the mount was assigned to
TS Toowoomba.”
CPO Roulston and AB
Bradey joined LEUT Gardner,
his staff, their 35 cadets, senior RAN and ANC officers,
local VIPs and scores of family
members at TS Toowoomba on
August 16.
“I was very impressed
the way the mount had been
secured to a concrete pad
outside the building,” CPO
Roulston said.
A number of companies
helped the cadet unit with the
Bofors.
THE FAMILY MILNE: from left, Douglas, Murray,
Ellen and SMN Alastair.
But wait, there are
more to come...
QUEENSLAND
CONNECTION: AB
Gordon Bradey explains to
CMDR Forbes Peters the
work done on refurbishing
the Bofors.
LEFT: PO Jason Roulston
and AB Bradey with
CMDR Forbes Peters and
the Bofors.
Photos: TS Toowoomba
THE Royal Australian Navy has attracted the service
of Seaman Alastair Milne, of Aspley in Queensland, but
standby for an update.
SMN Milne, 19, is one of the many youngsters who
have participated in the Australian Navy Cadet program
and gone on to join the PN.
Alastair was, until March, a member of the ship’s
company of cadet unit TS Paluma, just north of
Brisbane.
He succeeded in joining the RAN, has done his 11week basic training and is now doing 11 weeks specialising as a communicator information systems (CIS).
But there’s more …. more Milnes that is.
There are younger twin brothers Douglas and
Murray, 16, and sister Ellen, 13.
They too are members of ship’s company of TS
Paluma.
Douglas and Murray are Able Seamen and Ellen a
recruit.
Asked if they planned to join the RAN, Douglas
replied “yes”, Murray “maybe” and Ellen “maybe”.
Navy News caught up with the four young sailors
when TS Paluma was undergoing its annual review in
August.
Alastair, who was on leave from HMAS Cerberus
at the time, returned to his old ship to help with the
arrangements.
Defence
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www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
22
FEATURES
Eye opener for Parliamentary visitors
By LEUT Darren Mallett
TWO Parliamentarians who visited
HMAS Tobruk had the opportunity to
observe how Navy contributed to the
overall effort in Exercise RIMPAC 2008.
Senator Russell Trood (QLD) and Mr
Patrick Secker (SA, Member for Barker),
were transferred by Navy Seahawk helicopter during flying operations between
HMAS Success and Tobruk.
The two politicians visited Tobruk
as part of a tour of all Australian participants, in conjunction with the ADF
Parliamentary Visit Program. Tobruk
was the third ship they had visited, having already spent some time in HMA
Ships Success and Anzac and with the
Australian-led multi-national Very
Shallow Water Mine Countermeasure
Task Group.
“Under the Parliamentary Visit
Program, we are able to get an insight into
any of the three Services,” said Senator
Trood.
“Before now, I have been very
involved at the policy and strategic level
but have never seen the ADF work first
hand. This trip has been invaluable as
I have had the opportunity to see how
At a glance
THE ADF Parliamentary Program has
proven to be popular among Senators and
Parliamentary Members from both sides of
Government who have been eager to gain
a better appreciation for the work of the
young men and women within the ADF.
For Parliamentary participants the
program offers unique and often intimate
first hand experiences of the challenges
of Service life as well as a broader understanding of the capabilities of the ADF and
the application of ‘military power’ in the
pursuit of strategic Government policy.
our men and women operate in a tactical
sense and how they put an operation into
practice.”
For Mr Secker, the sentiments were
echoed.
“It’s been a sensational experience.
The richest man in the world couldn’t buy
a ticket to this ride and I feel privileged
that I have had the chance to see what our
Navy, Army and Air Force personnel are
doing here at RIMPAC,” he said.
HMAS Tobruk is one of three RAN
ships in the Australian fleet capable of
carrying large numbers of troops and
embarked military vehicles. During
RIMPAC, Tobruk took onboard US
Marines and a number of their 26 tonne
Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs).
Tobruk CO, CMDR Brett Wolski, was
keen to demonstrate how his ship was
helping the 40,000 tonne USS Bonhomme
Richard with the amphibious phase of
Exercise RIMPAC 2008.
“Although we are much smaller than
Bonhomme Richard, Tobruk is making
a very positive contribution to the exercise,” CMDR Wolski said.
“We have been supplying the carrying capacity to provide seven US Marine
AAVs,” CMDR Wolski said.
That translates to greater flexibility
for the Task Group, a point not lost on the
visiting politicians.
On Tobruk’s tank deck, US Marine
Corps CAPT Robert Kleinpeste also
played host to the Australian politicians
as he showed them around one of the
AAVs.
“I’ve learnt a lot,” Mr Secker said.
“Our constituents are very interested
in what’s going on in the Defence Forces
and now I can take my experiences home NEW PERSPECTIVE: Senator for QLD, Russell Trood (right), shares a joke with ABCIS Joshua Reynolds
and speak first hand of what I have seen,” during a visit to sailors participating in RIMPAC as part of the ADF Parliamentary Program.
Photo: CPL Ricky Fuller
he said.
Huge audience watches Sydney documentary
A world of
opportunity a
waits
By Michael Brooke
MORE than 1.5 million people
learnt about the RAN’s first victory
at sea when they tuned into a television documentary that focused on the
sea battle between HMAS Sydney
and Emden in World War I.
The two-part television documentary was watched by a total of some
1.6 million people nationwide when
it screened on August 14 and 21.
The ABC documentary featured
grainy archival footage and stylish
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reinactment of Sydney’s engagement
with Emden off the Cocos Islands
in 1914, and also told of the harrowing escape by some members of the
German light cruiser.
Sydney’s sea battle with Emden
was a key part of the documentary that recounted the hunt for
the German cruisers, Emden and
Dresden; the only survivors of the
fleet that was responsible for defeating the British at the Battle of the
Coronel.
Sailors serving in Sydney IV said
the documentary was compulsive
viewing for naval enthusiasts.
Sydney IV is an Adelaide class
FFG that is busy preparing for the
Sydney II commemoration service
on November 19, which marks the
day she was sunk in a battle with the
German raider HSK Kormoran.
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COMPULSIVE VIEWING: 1.5 million people tuned into watch the ABC’s documentary about the sea battle
Photo: NHQ
between HMAS Sydney (pictured) and the German light cruiser, Emden, during WWI.
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NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
23
FEATURES
SECRETS UNCOVERED: Geoff
Plunkett has written a book,
Chemical Warfare in Australia,
published by the Army History
Unit.
Photo: Peter Kelly
Lifting the lid on
WWII secrets
Chemical warfare in Australia
REVIEWER: Michael Brooke
THIS meticulously researched book
unearths a 60-year secret surrounding
Australia’s stockpile of chemical weapons in WWII.
Geoff Plunkett, a Project Officer
with the Defence Asset and Inventory
Management Branch of the Defence
Materiel Organisation, has penned
Chemical Warfare in Australia, which
evolved over 14 years of research.
The 733-page book tells the story of
the importation, storage and the disposal
of the deadly weapons.
The book explores how a million
chemical weapons were covertly imported into Australia to counter a possible
Japanese invasion in WWII.
As the Japanese swept south towards
Australia in late 1941, they carried with
Helping people plan
for a post-military life
THE ADF Transition Centre in Townsville was
recently inspected by the Minister for Defence
Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon.
The Centre forms part of a new enhanced
transition process to help ADF members and
their families move smoothly from military to
civilian life.
Mr Snowdon said it’s important that families can easily access all the available care and
advice. The Townsville Transition Centre building also houses other aspects of regional support to ADF members.
“Defence is providing an environment where
ADF members and their families can discuss, in a
confidential manner, all aspects of their transition,” Mr Snowdon said.
The enhanced transition support service provides separating ADF members and their families with an individually-tailored service and
accurate, high quality information about issues
like rehabilitation and compensation; housing;
medical and dental; financial; and family support to ADF members to assist them successfully
plan their post-military life.
“Vitally, the new transition service is working actively with other Government agencies
such as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and
Comsuper,” Mr Snowdon said.
“There is still work to be done to better support our ADF members as they leave the services, but we hope to have the enhanced transition care implemented nationally by November
2008.”
them chemical weapons which they had
already used with deadly effect in China.
With such a ruthless enemy at the
doorstep, Australia saw a retaliatory
chemical warfare stock as a key component of a defensive strategy to prevent
their use.
Forced to counter the chemical warfare threat, Australia covertly imported
about a million chemical weapons –
including 16 types of mustard gas – and
hid them in tunnels and other sites around
the country.
The chemical weapons were meant for
retaliatory use only against the Japanese,
and were never employed in conflict.
The book contains over 300 photographs and was published by Army
History Unit. The book is available from
Australian Military History Publications
and costs $45.
ALL SMILES: SMNMED Stacey Lothian
and SMNGX Rebecca Clark pose infront
of ships forming up for the RIMPAC 08
Photex.
Photo: ABPH Craig Owen
Friendships form on RIMPAC
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NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
Don’t forget...
another important date in your diary.
Complete your AFR paperwork online today
and save time – leaving you to enjoy the
important things in life, like Suzie’s birthday!
DHA’s online services are convenient and easy to use. On HomeFind, DHA’s online search facility, you can search for your next
home as often as you like – the more often you log in, the greater the opportunity to find a home that suits your family’s needs.
Don’t forget completing your AFR early also means a greater housing choice for all ADF members.
Searching for a home and fitting it into your busy schedule has never been simpler.
How to do it
What’s in it for you?
Need more information?
Log on to DHA’s online services (www.dha.gov.au)
and access the ‘online AFR’ (you will need your email
address and employee number on hand). Once you
have registered, you and your family can then log in
and search for your next home straight away.
• More housing choice – the flexibility to
search HomeFind as often as you like
Visit DHA’s website (www.dha.gov.au)
or contact our Customer Service line on
1800 249 711.
Now is also the time to complete your Toll Transitions
inventory online at www.tolltransitions.com.au or
return your inventory together with your AFR.
• Secure – your information and details
are protected
• Save time
• Easy to use
• Complete online at your convenience
Visit Toll Transition’s website
(www.tolltransitions.com.au) or
phone 1800 819 167.
• Instant confirmation sent to your email
NAVY
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
I&D 12187
Toll Transitions will plan your removal once they
receive your inventory - the earlier you submit your
inventory the more chance you have of moving on
the dates you have requested.
September 20 , 2007
25
LIFESTYLE
HEALTH
Injury can be beaten
Shin splints aren’t a kind of bandage.
They are a debilitating injury to
a vital part of the body. Vincent
Kouwenhoven takes a look at one of
the most common runner’s complaints.
O
NE of the most common running injuries
is the shin splint.
Shin splints can be
caused by sudden increases in
mileage, walking uphill, overtraining, walking faster than
normal, jumping, running stairs,
or just too much distance training.
Where and why?
Shin splints can occur in
the muscle, tendon, bone or the
connective tissue of the shin
and is considered as an overuse injury caused by repetitive impact that the shin has to
absorb with every foot strike
while running.
It can occur on the inside
of the shin (medial) or on the
outside of the shin (lateral).
Inside shin splints are usually
caused by excessively flat feet,
pronation and often by pounding from running or foot-impact
Orthotics
If you have inside (medial)
shin splints and flat feet or
excessive pronation, an orthotic
device or over-the-counter arch
support can sometimes be helpful. Make sure it’s a full-length
insert and seek advice before
purchase.
Outside (lateral) shin splits
are usually due to overuse and
inflammation of the muscle
compartment in the front of the
lower leg, along the outside of
your shin. The front shin muscles pull your foot up and slow
your foot down during foot
strike to the ground. Generally,
it is the under performance or
over use of these muscles that
can lead to shin splints. Another
function of the ankle muscles is
to control the rolling sideways
movement of the foot.
The property game
As in playing Monopoly if you’re not on the
board, you’re not in the game of wealth
creation. Example: Sarah has invested in a well
located 4 bedroom house worth $400, 000,
receiving $400 a week in rent.
Allowable
Deductions
$28,000
Rates- council & water
$1,700
Insurance
Income
$20,800
A
Interest paid on loan
$2,000
Depreciation Allowances
$7,500
Borrowing Costs
$500
Trip to inspect property
$500
Choices: Make sure you choose your footwear carefully.
Foot slap
Treatment
It is the job of the shin muscles to prevent the foot slapping
onto the ground, which causes
energy wastage and possible
injury. A tell-tale sign of weak
front shin muscles is hearing a
slapping sound as the runners
feet strike the ground.
Photo: CPL Corinne Boer
Warm up
Seek advice from a physi- Rotate your foot, try to warm
otherapist for a diagnosis
up more and don’t increase
before beginning exercises.
the speed too quickly.
Strengthening exercises: wall
shin raises, heel step downs. Make sure your shoes are
sturdy and give you lots of
Massage.
support, particularly in the
Rest and ice are sometimes
arch.
the best treatment.
It is important to stretch both
the soleus muscle and Achilles
tendon (very important for shin
splints). When you stretch,
make sure to hold the stretch
until you feel the muscles loosen and not just for 10-15 seconds. The point of stretching is
to stretch the muscle.
If your shins hurt you should
gently massage them and then
ice them after you work out.
Above all, seek professional
advice.
Vincent Kouwenhoven is a civilian
corrective exercise specialist.
Tell me, I forget.
Show me, I learn.
Involve me,
I understand.
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Stretch your calves
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DEFENCE has no policy
relating directly to shin
splints. SQNLDR Kay
Hatton, SO2 Health
Promotion, says any
restrictions are covered
generally and depend on
the severity of the problem. Shin splints don’t
automatically generate a
particular MEC category.
Each case will be taken
on its merits and managed
appropriately.
sports and other weight-bearing
activities.
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call 1300 784 246 or
visit www.spect.com.au
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
26
GANGWAY
TEMP CHECK: ABET
Damien Bankier using
the Fluke 65 Infrared
Thermometer to monitor the temperatures in a
compartment during a fire
exercise onboard HMAS
Ballarat. Photo: ABPH
Andrew Black
READY TO GO: SMNBM Kane Rowe
retrieves an F88 Steyr for cleaning from
the Armoury in HMAS Tobruk.
Photo: ABPH Lincoln Commane
COMMUNICATOR: ABCIS Nicole
Franklin in the flags bin onboard HMAS
Melbourne. Photo: ABPH Nina Nikolin
JOB DONE: POPT Anthony
Wilson relaxing on the flight
deck of HMAS Tobruk at
the end of the RIMPAC 08.
Photo: ABPH Craig Owen
STANDBY: SMNGX (General
Experience) Rhiannon Miller
onboard HMAS Tobruk before
a RAS with HMAS Success.
Photo: ABPH Craig Owen
4FFIPXMBTFSFZFTVSHFSZ
DBODIBOHFZPVSMJGF
ren retrives meat
SUNDAY ROAST: LSCK Steven Moo
er menu.
dinn
rat’s
from the freezer for HMAS Balla
k
Blac
rew
And
H
Photo: ABP
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/FQFBO)JHIXBZ.PSOJOHUPO7*$
3PTT4USFFU&MTUFSOXJDL7*$
OPEN WIDE: ABDEN Sarah Legg and
Dentist LEUT Dan Allan perform checkups in the sick bay of HMAS Ballarat.
Photo: ABPH Andrew Black
-$%33JDL8PMGF3"/3
$POEJUJPOTBQQMZ
6%()#,%3!,!290!#+!').'!4 NAVY NEWS
WWWmEETNETWORKCOMAU
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
27
GANGWAY
FINAL
GARNISH:
ABCK Jude
Gregory prepares a dish
in the Galley
of HMAS
Ballarat.
Photo: ABPH
Andrew Black
KEEPING TRACK: LSCIS
plots information onto the Rebecca O’Hanlon
board in the machinery damage control
control room onboard
HMAS Ballarat. Photo:
ABPH Andrew Black
PROUD: ABCSO Aumau
Falepau serving onboard
HMAS Ballarat. Photo:
ABPH Andrew Black
YUMMO: ABCK
Marcus Dewberry
displays some
chicken pies he
prepared in the
galley on HMAS
Melbourne. Photo:
LSPH Nina Nikolin
Jope
SERVICE TIME: SMNMT
maintenance
tine
rou
s
form
Sogotupu per
HMAS
d
oar
on the gas turbine onb
w Black
dre
An
PH
AB
:
oto
Ph
Ballarat.
MED TEAM: SMNGX (General
Experience) Kirrilee Blackburn
and ABMED Erin Matterson during a RAS onboard HMAS Tobruk.
Photo: ABPH Craig Owen
OUT AT SEA: ABCIS
Candice Dawson
onboard HMAS Tobruk
with US Navy ships in
the background. Photo:
ABPH Craig Owen
SMILE: SMNET Michael Roach getting his photo
taken by ABPH Lincoln Commane onboard
HMAS Success. Photo: ABPH Craig Owen
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NAVY NEWS
Documents that make a
difference!
•
•
•
•
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Professional Résumés
Selection Criteria
Application Letters
Interview Coaching
Career Transition
Consultations available in person
or via telephone and email
1800 155 895
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For Corporate Services please contact our
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www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
28
SPORT
GIBB RIVER ROAD MOUNTAINBIKE CHALLENGE
Catch us if you can
NAVY NEWS
OVER AND OUT: ABMT Justine Canute, ABET Samantha Whitfield and LSCK Pete Kenyon cross the finish line on day five in Kununurra, Northern
Territory.
Photos: ABPH Morgana Salabert
of which is dusty, rutted and corrugated dirt road.
Navy had four teams in the event
– three from Fleet Base West (FBW)
and one from HMAS Perth – as well
as POET Tom Power who participated
as a solo rider.
All Navy riding teams consisted
of three riders and one support driver,
with the FBW Adventure Training Unit
providing overall logistics, equipment,
transport and financial support to all
teams as well as assisting with event
coordination and liaison, and public
relations.
The teams raised $6059 between
them. As per the event rules, half of
that goes to WA Police Legacy. The
other half goes to HMAS Stirling’s
recognised charities of Malibu School
and Serenity Lodge.
FBW Team One finished third,
HMAS Perth seventh, FWB Team
Three 16 th , PO Power first soloist
across the line and 18th place overall
and FWB Team Two 28th. There were
39 teams.
CPO Syme is enthusiastic about
next year’s event, scheduled from May
18 to 22.
“I am currently writing to our 2008
sponsors seeking their support for
next year, as well as rounding up new
potential sponsors,” he said.
“In all I will send about 200 letters
to local businesses and Defence contracting agencies.
For information, contact CPO Syme
at the Navy Gym West Adventure
Training Unit on (08) 9553 2993 or
email [email protected]
ON HIS WAY: CPOMT
Danny Burgess.
SPREADING THE
WORD: (left) The Mount
Barnett Primary School
enjoys a visit from the
Royal Australian Navy.
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IF ONE part of CPO Trevor Syme’s
plan comes to fruition, there will be
some tri-Service rivalry in next year’s
Gibb River Road Mountainbike
Challenge.
He’s thrown out the challenge for
Army and Air Force to enter teams in
the gruelling five-day outback challenge.
But the other part of his plan won’t
make it easy for them.
After a Navy team finished third in
May for the second year running, CPO
Syme believes the Navy can field a
team to win the event next year.
Although the challenge is nearly 10
months away, Navy is already working
towards its goal.
“We’re entering mountainbike
events here in WA,” CPO Syme said.
“We’ve got five of them between now
and Christmas. Every fortnight we’re
going up to our mountainbike training
area and practising. We’ll be after five
or six exceptionally good riders with
the view that we want to take the challenge out in 2009.”
CPO Syme has been the key organiser for the Navy teams for the past
two years but he has a broader focus
than his own uniform.
He hopes he can secure a place
on the organising committee with the
Western Australian Police Service,
which runs the event, and subsequently
lift the profile of Navy and Defence in
the Kimberley region.
During this year’s event, he and
his team visited a number of schools
where they gave away sporting equipment, Navy caps, frisbees and water
bottles, and generally spread the word.
The challenge was over five days
from May 12 to 16. It started at Derby
and ended at Kununurra – tracing the
Kimberley’s iconic stock route, most
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BRINGING
HOME THE
BACON: Navy
sponsored the
breakfast barbecue at Kununarra.
RIGHT: CPOET
Dale Kirgan
cooks up a
storm.
Under licence to the College of Health and Fitness No.30798
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
29
SPORT
AT PLAY AT EXERCISE MASTEX IN
DARWIN IN AUGUST
Photos: LSPH Nina Nikolin
Chance for top ACT
netballers to shine
THE ACT is a step closer to
announcing its representative teams
for the ADF Netball Association
(ADFNA) titles after the recent ACT
Combined Services trials.
The nationals will be held in
Albury-Wodonga between November
2 and 8, when all states and territories have been invited to enter men’s,
mixed and women’s teams.
The ACT trials were held on the
sometimes slick outdoor courts at
Australian Defence Force Academy
(ADFA) on July 31 and August 1
when 56 players turned out to take
part in trials for the 30 available
positions.
ADF and APS personnel from
Canberra and the surrounding region
took part, including Midshipmen
and Officer Cadets from ADFA, as
well as those from HMAS Albatross,
Kapooka and RAAF Base Wagga
who were vying for selection.
The high number of representative aspirants provided selectors WO1 Greg Pearson and SGT
Tanya Russell with plenty of choices
and combinations to run in the four
games played.
“The standard was uniformly
high, a fact no doubt enhanced by
the fact that ADFNA tour of New
Zealand participants OFFCDTs
Louise Taylor and Amy Brewster,
LT Jarrod Anderson, Iain Rowley
and Linda Banks also were all trying out for this year’s ACT squad,”
one of the organisers, LEUT Jemma
Power, said.
“Those selected demonstrated not
only outstanding individual skill but
also the ability to adapt those skills
into a new team environment.
“A further and final squad selection day will be used to fill the
remaining places in the squads, with
the final ACT teams announced
ACT TRIALS: PO Andy Maskell looks for an option at the Australian
Defence Force Academy.
Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
closer to the Combined Services
Championships.
Those selected so far are:
PTE Kerrie Pettit, OCDT Louise
Taylor, Karen Winfield (APS), LT Amy
Curtis, MAJ Carla Watts, LS Julie
Fairchild, OCDT Caitlin Pedel,
OFFCDT Claire Mooy, Linda Banks
(APS), OFFCDT Amy Brewster, MIDN
Michelle Orr, OFFCDT Bianca May,
FLTLT Tanya Evans, AB Shannon
Cook, Tanya Butow (APS), LS Felicity
Crabb, LEUT Jemma Power, LS
Kelly Chalmers, AB James Lee,
CMDR Raymond David, CPL Jarrod
Cole, LAC Aaron Sanderson, OFFCDT
William Tuckerman, PO Andrew
Maskell, Iain Rowley (APS), PTE
Jake Allen, PTE Andrew
Lougheed, OFFCDT Stuart
Brown, PO Glyn Hunter, PTE Jarrod
Anderson.
The ADFNA tour of New Zealand
will depart on September 5, the
women’s and mixed teams competing in the NZDF tri-Services competition
Others interested in representing
their states or territories should contact their respective state representatives, who can be found under key
contacts at http://intranet.defence.
gov.au/armyweb/Sites/ADFNA/
HMAS
STUART
GETS INTO
THE SPIRIT:
PO Wickman,
LEUT Cooke,
LS Belleville,
PO Lowery,
PO Beyer and
PO Murfett.
Celebrating AFL’s
150th anniversary
AUSTRALIAN personnel are playing their part in
the sesquicentenary celebrations of Australian football
by taking the game global, holding popular clinics in
East Timor and the Middle East Area of Operations.
The Australian Football League has marked
its 150th anniversary since its first recorded game on
the Richmond Paddock between Scotch College and
Melbourne Grammar on August 7, 1858 with its “Kick
Around Australia Day.”
Footballs, portable goal posts and whistles were
donated by the AFL so the Kick Around initiative could
take place where the ADF is serving overseas.
The ADF has been running clinics in East Timor for
almost a year with about 50 kids taking part in weekly
training sessions for an hour every Sunday in Dili.
The plan is to begin a Sunday round-robin competition between four teams once the children’s skill sets are
developed a little more.
That will not take long, as some of them have excellent ball-handling skills.
The fun and activity of the clinics was a welcome
break for both children and troops alike as a little piece
of Australian culture was showcased in East Timor.
NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
30
SNOW SPORTS
Mountain
men win
at Mt
Hotham
From Back Page
NAS president CAPT Tony
O’Malley (NHQ) said that the
NAS team represented Navy
very well at the championships.
“The Snake Gully GS and
slalom courses gave our team
some challenges but consistently good performances by all
members ensured our top standing,” he said.
Two N av y s n ow b o a r d ers, LEUT Jonathon Grove
(Coonawarra) and AB Stephen
“Bax” Baker (Sydney), reached
the finals for the Boarder-X.
AB Baker, the snowboarding
captain, finished with an individual silver medal.
Despite some spectacular
results, in the overall combined
snowboarder and men’s and
women’s skier results, Navy
finished third behind Army and
the RAAF.
T h e NA S t e a m c o m prised 17 skiers and boarders
this year with just one female
s n ow b o a r d e r, A B N a o m i
Andriesson (Albatross) and
one female skier, SBLT Kelli
Lunt (Harman). The team also
included LCDR Ray Arthurs
(ANZ SPO), LEUT Red
McClintock (ADTEO) and PO
Joe Woods (Coonawarra) who
were developing their race technique and course experience.
CAPT O’Malley said that
attracting women competitors to
both the NAS week and InterService championships was a
major challenge.
“Ideally we would love
to field a full women’s team
to compete against the other
Services. As it is we’re not even
in the overall competition.
“NAS encourages skiers and
snowboarders of all abilities –
even those who have never been
to the snow before – to attend
the NAS week with a view to
improving individual ability
and hopefully, over time, bolster
the Navy team in inter-Service
Week,” he said.
READY TO LEARN: SBLT Kelly Allan, LEUT
Kerryn Hunter, SBLT Kelli Lunt and SBLT Natasha
Connew at Blue Cow Lesson Meeting Place,
Perisher Blue.
Photo: LCDR Matthew Dunn
Snow-ploughing
and slip-sliding
works wonders
By SBLT Kelli Lunt, HMAS Harman
“MY SKIS are too fast.”
“God bless the man who invented Gore-Tex.”
“I hucked some sick filth.”
These were but some of the epic statements made
during the 2008 Navy Alpine Snowsports (NAS)
Championships at Perisher Blue in August.
Seventy-two of Navy’s officers, sailors and Defence
civilians came together from around Australia for one
week of intensive training and competition at Perisher
Blue.
QUICKSILVER: AB Stephen “Bax” Baker (in the blue shirt) races competitors from the other Services
The RANCCB-supported week was an opportunity to
in the Boarder-X championship at Mt Hotham. He ended up with a silver medal.
conquer fears, gain race experience, develop new skills
Photo: 2LT James Edge-Williams and network with other Naval employees.
Between Monday and Wednesday, all NAS members assembled for two-to three-hour group lessons.
Instruction ranged from basic skills to advanced race
techniques. For those of us who were at the lower end
of the skill range, the instructors spent time developing
our confidence in skiing and boarding and familiarising
us with the runs that would be used as the competition
courses.
This was not my first time skiing but certainly the
first time racing slalom and giant slalom – and perhaps,
an opportunity to graduate away from snow-ploughing.
Afternoons were left for collective team training,
skills consolidation and enjoying the variety of runs
between Guthega, Blue Cow, Smiggins and Perisher.
The slalom event for skiers and boarders came
THE WINNING MEN: ASSA patron CDRE
around all too quickly on Thursday morning.
Andrew Smith with men’s team winners: CAPT
Each competitor waited with trepidation at the top of
Anthony O’Malley; PO Mick Regan; LS Andrew
GANG’S ALL HERE: Navy’s snowboarding
“Squiz” Taylor; LCDR Justin Mangan; LEUT
team at Mt Hotham, from left: AB Stephen “Bax” “Mother-in-Law, clad in bibs, helmets, goggles and with
rapidly beating hearts. We remained poised until ‘Racer
Dan Crocker; LCDR Ian Napthali; CAPT Jay
Baker; AB Naomi Andriessen; LEUT Jonathon
Bannister; and LCDR Brad Vizard at the presen- Grove; LS Blake “Woolly” Woolard; SBLT James ready; three, two, one, go!’”
And through the starting gates people burst.
tation dinner at Zirky’s, Mt Hotham.
Cosham; and LEUT Nick Brown.
Well some did – I slid, others rolled and some
Photo: LCDR Ray Arthurs
Photo: SBLT Kelli Lunt
stacked it before the first gate.
With encouragement from fellow team members, all
the competitors tackled the course with as much speed
and skill as they could muster. In my case, speed was a
relative term. That is, relatively slow.
I snow-ploughed the entire course – twice.
What was particularly inspiring was the effort made
by those first-time skiers and boarders who, despite
tumbles and limited racing experience, persisted with the
course, even when this meant running through the finishing gates on foot carrying their skis in their hands.
Friday was the giant slalom event at 0700 for skiers
and Boarder-X for the boarders in the afternoon. Mother
Nature, however, was not kind and presented a howling
gale and low visibility, leading to an abbreviated GS and
the cancelling of the Boarder-X.
Despite some minor bruises and muscle aches the
week was not marred by any major injuries and by the
presentation dinner on Friday night everyone was sporting huge smiles at the week’s achievements.
Awards were presented to individual place getters,
teams and for encouragement. No-one was more surprised than me when I received a bronze medal for the
women’s slalom event. Who would have thought that
snow-ploughing would lead to third and an opportunity
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NAVY NEWS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
SURPRISE AT THE END: The
columnist, SBLT Kelli Lunt, is
awarded a bronze medal for the
women’s slalom event by CAPT
Anthony O’Malley (NHQ).
Photo: LCDR Ray Arthurs
September 4, 2008
31
SPORT
Sea of colour unfurled as volley of blanks from HMAS Bathurst starts race
SPINNAKERS ABLAZE: They are off in the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race.
World Cup
showcases
military
MATCHES between the representative military rugby league teams of the
world are likely to become more regular
and formal after this year’s running of the
Defence World Cup.
The Defence World Cup (DWC08) is
being run in conjunction with the Rugby
League World Cup in Australia to celebrate the centenary of the code.
Combined Australian Services Rugby
League (CASRL) spokesman WO1
Grahame Cavanough, said that military teams from the code’s three major
nations, Australia, Britain and New
Zealand, had been playing each other
since World War I. More recent encounters have taken place since the 1997
advent of CASRL.
“The Defence World Cup will now be
on the calendar for further World Cups to
have ours run in conjunction with theirs,”
WO1 Cavanough said.
DWC08 has attracted teams from
Australia, New Zealand and the Cook
Islands in pool A, and England, Papua
New Guinea and Russia in pool B.
Many of the DWC08 matches will be
played as curtain-raisers to the higherprofile Rugby League World Cup.
PNG and Russia will kick off DWC08
at Penrith at 11am on November 5, with
Australian to play the Cook Islands at
3pm the same day at Parramatta Stadium
as World Cup curtain-raisers.
Australia meets New Zealand at CUA
Stadium at 3pm on November 9.
The DWC08 final will be played at
Sydney Football Stadium at 4.15pm as a
World Cup curtain-raiser.
NAVY NEWS
Scoring frenzy all for a good cause
HMAS Darwin’s rugby team
ventured to Canberra on a bitterly
cold afternoon on August 10 to play
the ACT Veterans rugby team in an
annual charity match to raise funds
for the George Gregan Foundation
and Paediatrics at The Canberra
Hospital (PaTCH).
Despite a flurry of scoring by
the Darwin team – including four
tries from LSPT Darin Trudgett – the
game ended in a 9-9 draw under the
rules of veterans rugby.
After an enjoyable game, the
Chief of Navy, VADM Russ Crane,
AM, CSM, RAN, congratulated both
teams on their skill and enthusiasm
but more importantly on their donation to the charities.
The first try came after seven
minutes to ABSN Emmanual
Alvestir. Two minutes later LSPT
Darin Trudgett added a try.
When ACT Vets forward pack
surged over, Darwin struck back with
tries to LSPT Trudgett and ABMT
Mark Breakwell.
The second period was all
Darwin. ABMT James Pierce and
CPONPC Ray Rosendale set up
tries for LSPT Trudgett and ABBM
Michael Lauchlan. ABSN Alvestir
took an intercept 53m out to cross
untouched.
ACT Vets controlled play in the
last period.
Again Darwin rallied and fine
ruck work by POMT Robert Hook
and Rod Robertson provided an
opportunity for Trudgett to score his
fourth try.
In the dying minutes LSCK Toby
Clarke stole a ball in a maul and
made good yards before handing off
to ABCIS Daniel Lewis to score.
Navy players
vie for spots
BEFORE all the excitement of
DWC08, the CASRL annual inter-service carnival will be held in Canberra
from October 17 to 21 to decide the
champion Service for 2008 and also
to select the representative team for
DWC08.
Navy and Air Force will open
the CASRL carnival on October 17,
followed by Army and Air Force on
October 19 and Navy and Army on
October 21. The carnival is being
held at RMC Duntroon and HMAS
Harman.
A squad of 18 players will be
selected and travel to Townsville to
play a curtain-raiser to the World Cup
match between England and PNG.
CASRL will play the PNG Defence
Force.
Remaining players will stay in
Canberra and form two teams for a
match between the CDF’s and VCDF’s
13s at Canberra Stadium on October
26 as a curtain-raiser to the World Cup
game between France and Scotland.
That game will be used as a selection trial to choose a further eight players who will travel to Sydney to join
the squad returning from Townsville.
The CASRL squad will then go into
camp at Holsworthy Barracks and prepare for the DWC08.
Your chance to find touch
THE 2008 Australian Defence Touch
Association’s national championships will
be held from October 13 to 17 at RAAF
Base Williamtown and the ACT/NSW
Country Touch Association is seeking
players interested in participating.
Any player wishing to trial for a team
should contact the POC listed below.
Final selections and training camps
will be coordinated by the coaches once
the squads have been finalised.
POCS are: Men’s open POC and
coach: CPL Paul Taylor (02) 49647442
or email [email protected]
Women’s open POC: Mrs Belinda
Photo: Patrol Boat Group
By Graham Davis
THE crack of Steyrs on the deck of patrol boat
HMAS Bathurst sent more than 40 yachts away in this
year’s Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race, an event linking
two nations, Australia and Indonesia.
LCDR Bob Davies, the CO of Attack Five, and his
ship’s company used their Armidale Class patrol boat as
the “start” and “host” ship for the event.
The Darwin to Ambon race is the premiere event on
the Darwin yacht racing calendar and is organised by the
Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Club.
It attracts Australian and international entries.
The race got under way on Saturday, July 26 in typical “dry season” conditions of warm breezes and clear
skies.
No sooner had the official starter of the race, the
Administrator of the Northern Territory, Mr Tom
Pauling, ordered sailors to fire a volley of blanks from
their Steyrs and set the yachts on their way, than crews
released their spinnakers creating a sea of colour.
Also present was COMAUSNAVPBGRP CAPT
Vaughan Rixon.
Pasfield (02) 62652090 or email belinda.
[email protected]; coach: John
Samin.
Men’s 30s POC and coach: SGT
Andrew Wright (02) 49286960 or email
[email protected]
Men’s 40s POC: LEUT Joanne
Adams (02) 62653144 or email joanne.
[email protected]; coach: PO Kel
Bryant.
Any member who would like to
attend the championships as a referee
should contact FLTLT Kim Samin on (02)
62653659 or email kim.samin@defence.
gov.au.
Discount
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1800 111 445
0H
THESUPPLEMENTDENCOMAU
"MMPSEFSTTIJQQFEUIFTBNFEBZJGQMBDFECZQN"'10BEESFTTFTSFDFJWFBEJTDPVOUFESBUFPGGTIJQQJOH
6TFQSPNPDPEF"'GPSPSEFSTVOEFS
www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 4, 2008
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ALLOTMENT ACCOUNT MAY BE USED AT ANY OF OUR OUTLETS
Darwin’s scoring
frenzy in union
charity match
– Page 31
Navy players vie for
spots in rugby league
Defence World Cup
– Page 31
Chance for
netballers
to shine
– Page 29
This year
four teams
of Navy
riders,
conditioned
more to
the ocean
waves than
heat and
dust, cycled
through the
Kimberleys.
Now
they are
challenging
Army and
Air Force.
No bulldust,
this is no place
for wimps
ALL CHOKED UP: Twenty-one Navy people raised more than $6000 for charity when they participated in the five-day Gibb River Road
Mountainbike Challenge from Derby to Kununurra.
Photo: ABPH Morgana Salabert (through the windscreen)
– Report,
Page 28
Mountain men triumph at Mt Hotham
By SBLT Kelli Lunt
NAVY men were triumphant at
the Inter-Service Alpine Snowsport
Championships at Mt Hotham in
August.
Skiers CAPT Jay Bannister,
CAPT Tony O’Malley, LCDR Justin
Mangan, LCDR Ian Napthali, LCDR
Brad Vizard, LEUT Dan Crocker, LS
NAVY
“Squiz” Taylor and PO Mick Regan
collectively amassed the lowest
number of points to take out the overall men’s champion team prize.
The men’s performance in the
giant slalom was particularly impressive with Navy skiers LCDR Mangan
(Cerberus), LEUT Crocker (Newcastle)
and LCDR Vizard (Waterhen) claim-
ing the gold, silver and bronze medals
respectively.
Team captain LCDR Napthali
(Kuttabul) pointed out just how close
the competition was.
“In the men’s team results, we were
victorious by 90 points – in real terms
this comes down to about 20 seconds
in the combined times across the total
runs that make up the competition,”
LCDR Napthali said.
Their performance came after a
week and a half of solid training and
competing including the Navy Alpine
Snowsports Championship at Perisher
Blue.
GOLDEN TOUCH: LCDR Justin
➤ Continued on Page 30
Mangan at Guthega.
➤ Ruling the mountain – Page 30 Photo: LCDR Matthew Dunn
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews/
September 20 , 2007