In Memory of Jamie
Bar honours sporting sailor

By Gary Booth

The renaming of HMAS Stirling’s sporting bar to the Jamie Blight Memorial Bar was conducted at HMAS Stirling and renamed and opened by the Commanding Officer CMDR Phil Orchard, Jamie’s wife Rose, Jamie’s uncle Brad Broadbent and parents Pat and Bill Blight. (Note: The image of the memorial board was added from another photo).

Photo: ABPH Phillip Cullinan

The late POB Jamie Blight.

The sports pavilion bar at Fleet Base West has been re-named in honour of the late POB Jamie Blight who was an outstanding sportsman for the RAN, in particular Australian rules football.

Jamie’s parents Pat and Bill Blight travelled from Whyalla in South Australia to attend the dedication ceremony late last year.

It was with Aussie rules that Jamie excelled, representing the Navy at the highest levels of competition and within the Australian Defence Force at national level.

However, Jamie was always ready to try his hand at all sports and this is what his former shipmates recalled fondly at the dedication ceremony. Also, that Jamie would give it his all, and then enjoy a couple of coldies with his mates after the game.

Unfortunately, Jamie was diagnosed with cancer in April 2002 and after a short illness passed away in June 2002 in Canberra while serving in DSCM.

The renaming of the sports pavilion bar at HMAS Stirling is seen as a fitting tribute to the memory of Jamie Blight and his impact on sport with the Navy in Western Australia.

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