Navy a winner at AFL grand final

Members from 816 Sqn (L-R): WOATV Dave Larter, ABATV Andrew Smitten, LSATV Simon Carr, CPOATV Jamie Edwards and performer/singer Kate Ceberano who sang Australia’s National Anthem on the day. Photo by SGT Troy Rodgers, PACC Victoria.

The Navy’s Aviation wing and musicians played significant roles in the 2002 AFL grand final at the MCG, with members of 816 Squadron from HMAS Albatross flying a great deal higher than the players. LEUT Steve Collier from HMAS Cerberus also led 20 tri-service trumpeters prior to a Seahawk flown by CO of 816 Sqn, CMDR Andrew Whittaker, landing with the premiership cup.

Pictured right are members from 816 Sqn (L-R): WOATV Dave Larter, ABATV Andrew Smitten, LSATV Simon Carr, CPOATV Jamie Edwards and performer/singer Kate Ceberano who sang Australia’s National Anthem on the day.

Photo by SGT Troy Rodgers, PACC Victoria.

The 3500-tonne destroyer was carried out of Sydney Harbour on October 29 on the deck of the Swan, a 32,650-tonne Dutch sink and lift ship. Photo by ABPH Ollie Garside.

HMS Nottingham made a long-awaited departure from Australia following her much publicised encounter with Wolfe Rock off Lord Howe Island back on July 7.

The 3500-tonne destroyer was carried out of Sydney Harbour on October 29 on the deck of the Swan, a 32,650-tonne Dutch sink and lift ship. Days earlier, Swan had partially sunk herself in deep water in Watsons Bay. While partially submerged, tugs pushed Nottingham across her transport deck. Swan was then pumped dry and lifted the warship clear of the water, exposing extensive damage. The ‘piggy back’ ships then moved to Fleet Base East where FIMA/Sydney personnel helped prepare for the journey to the UK, where the ships are due in December.

Photo by ABPH Ollie Garside.

Chief Australian Fleet Combat Support Group CDRE Brian Robinson (far left), Director-General Coast Watch RADM Max Hancock (second from right) and Director General Military Strategy CDRE James Goldrick (far right).

Chief Australian Fleet Combat Support Group CDRE Brian Robinson (far left), Director-General Coast Watch RADM Max Hancock (second from right) and Director General Military Strategy CDRE James Goldrick (far right) were presented with their promotion certificates by Chief of Navy VADM Chris Ritchie at his recent Leadership Conference.

Photo by WOPH John O’Brien.

POB Mal Yeardley and the Ford pit girls.

POB Mal Yeardley and V8 Supercar driver Glenn Seton with Mal’s 1978 Ford XC Cobra.

Ford enthusiast POB Mal Yeardley was recently invited to display his fully restored 1978 XC Cobra when the V8 Supercar Roadshow came to Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway. Many hours of preparation were put in by HMAS Wollongong’s STO, CPO Dale Zanker, Darwin Naval Base Assistant Port Services Manager, CPOB Jack Ripper and POB Mal Yeardley.

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