Wollongong brings travel tales home

By Graham Davis

Wollongong’s skyline provides a welcome sight for HMAS Wollongong.

Photo: LSPH Brad Fullerton

When LCDR Steve Thompson and his ship’s company in the patrol boat HMAS Wollongong, visited the island of Taro in the Solomons group a few weeks ago, they found the power generator at the local hospital had failed.

It didn’t stay that way for long. LCDR Thompson asked his marine technicians if they could help.

The diesel-powered generator was soon doing its job.

LCDR Thompson and his 24 officers and sailors spent six weeks in the Solomons region late last year as part of Australia’s commitments to Operation Anode.

As well as moving Australian Federal Police from point-to-point, the Australian sailors also patrolled waters between the Solomons and other islands to prevent the movement of arms.

A long awaited family reunion took place in the Op Anode area of operation in October, when HMA Ships Diamantina (LCDR Paul Scott) and Wollongong anchored north of Honiara.

A brother and sister were reunited after an 18 month separation when the ships met.

LCDR Thompson told of Wollongong’s work during Anode when he took the 250-tonne patrol boat home for the first time in over five years.

The ship’s company took the boat to Belmore Basin at Wollongong to be welcomed by more than 100 people including the Lord Mayor Councillor Alex Darling and his wife Michelle.

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