Soldier wins shipmate title
Volume 11, No. 49, August 10, 2006
By Leut-Cmdr Helen Ward

Best: Award-winner Cpl Matthew Holdsworth, Ship’s Army Department HMAS Manoora, waits to marshal a US Navy Sea King helicopter.

AN ARMY corporal has eclipsed more than 200 of his fellow ship’s company to be awarded HMAS Manoora’s inaugural Shipmate of the Month title.

Ship’s CO Cmdr Charles McHardie presented flight deck marshal Cpl Matthew Holdsworth with the award for his outstanding dedication to the ship.

“Cpl Holdsworth has made an extraordinary effort to better the ships safety and procedure of helicopter operations onboard,” Cmdr McHardie said.

The new award is in recognition of outstanding contributions of an individual sailor towards the ship and fellow shipmates.

Cpl Holdsworth said the award came as a surprise to him. “I just enjoy doing my job,” he said. “If there is something that needs to be done, or can be done better, then I do it.”

For his efforts Cpl Holdsworth received a full leave period at the next port of call, access to the CO’s vehicle with on-wharf parking and a $50 ship’s canteen voucher. His photo was also placed on the gangway honour board. The award was timely, as at the time of the presentation HMAS Manoora was about to come alongside at Pearl Harbour for Rimpac 2006.