Image Gallery: November 2005
HMAS CANBERRA decommissioning
10 November 2005
HMAS
Canberra to decommission after 24 years service
The Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Canberra,
steamed her last mile on 7 November 2005 after
more than 24 years in service.
The ship will officially decommission on Saturday
12 November 2005.
The last voyage of a hectic year for HMAS Canberra
was completed with her decommissioning pennant
flying as she sailed from Fremantle to Fleet
Base West at HMAS Stirling.
In 2005 HMAS Canberra spent more 280 days away
from home port, visiting China, Japan, South
Korea, Guam, Singapore and Malaysia as well
as visits around Australia to Mackay, Sydney,
Adelaide, Geraldton, Albany and Fremantle.
The ships company participated in memorable
occasions including providing a guard for the
Prime Minister at the World Expo in Japan, a
freedom of entry in Canberra, and climbing the
Great Wall of China.
The ships company and veterans enjoyed a formal
decommissioning ball on 5 November in Fremantle,
with music provided by the rock band, The Hoodoo
Gurus, and the Royal Australian Navy Band.
The Hoodoo Gurus have a long history with HMAS
Canberra.
Lead singer Dave Faulkner's father was a survivor
from HMAS Canberra I, and the RAS song for Canberra
(played when breaking away from a replenishment
at sea) has been the band's popular hit, 'A
Thousand Miles Away'.
| 20051105ran8095633_284 The captain of HMAS Canberra, Commander Ray Leggatt, and Midshipman Katie Kruger, the youngest member of ship's company, cut the cake at HMAS Canberra's Decommissioning Ships Ball on 5 November 2005. (Date taken: 05 November 2005) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20051107ran8095633_063 HMAS Canberra at Procedure Alpha, with decommissioning pennant flying, sails up Cockburn Sound into HMAS Stirling for the last time. (Date taken: 07 November 2005) Low-res | High-res |
 |
| 20051107ran8095633_182 The Hoodoo Gurus perform their song, '1000 Miles Away', on the flight deck of HMAS Canberra with an audience of ships company. HMAS Canberra traditionally played the song, '1000 Miles Away', when breaking away from a manoeuvre called replenishment at sea. (Date taken: 07 November 2005) Low-res | High-res |
 |
