CAT on CAT
July 24, 2000
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In the picture above (taken by SGT Mark Dowling) a Brisbane City Council Kitty Kat ferry is dwarfed by HMAS JERVIS BAY as the latter makes her way into the Queensland city.
JERVIS BAY continues to be a vital transport link in getting humanitarian aid donated by Australians to the people of East Timor.
On July 5 the "Dili Express", laden with lifesaving and life-supporting equipment, again set off for East Timor. Under the command of CMDR Vaughan Rixon she also carried rice.
Before her departure from Fleet Base East it was a hive of activity as all manner of road transport arrived with the aid items.
First to arrive were five trailers of Australian Defence Forces Line Haul. Based at Bandiana the trailers had called at a warehouse and collected medical equipment and furniture from the former Canberra Hospital.
Elsewhere, a family from Jindabyne had put together some boxes of household items.
Similarly, a family from Rutherford near Newcastle had boxed a printer and some clothing.
CNRT, the East Timorese support agency at Marrickville in Sydney, had assembled 80 pallets of shoes and clothing.
Also present was a four-wheel-drive truck filled with farm tools from Kangaroo Valley residents.
The RAN's Chaplaincy Service brought boxes containing books and clothes.
However, the chaplains are still seeking to transport 60 pallets of books which the University of NSW has donated to the University of East Timor which is expected to re-open in October.
Also to arrive at Fleet Base Five was computer expert Mike Hartnell of Carlingford in Sydney.
Onlookers were a little surprised when he pulled up towing a horse float.
Instead of two ponies, however the float held 12 "pre-loved" computers bound for the Timor Aid School.
JERVIS BAY is just one of the RAN's ships which have taken aid to East Timor. HMA Ships TOBRUK and MANOORA have also carried tonnes of equipment to Dili.
By Graham Davis