After an enjoyable Christmas and New Year leave period, MELBOURNE sailed from Fleet Base East on Monday 10 January, bound for Darwin and then operational duties off East Timor in support of INTERFET, as part of the RAN's Operation WARDEN.

Shortly after departing Sydney Heads, MELBOURNE began an intensive training period including live weapons firings, damage control and rifle training for shore parties, in preparation for the deployment ahead.

After an otherwise uneventful passage, MELBOURNE arrived at Stoke's Hill Wharf on Sunday 16 January, berthing outboard the Portugese frigate NRP Vasco De Gama, and the Thai tank landing ship HTMS Surin.

Also in port as part of the INTERFET fleet was the Italian helicopter carrier, ITS San Guisto, the Singaporean heavy landing ship RSS Perseverance and the RAN's fast catamaran HMAS JERVIS BAY.

Always a good port of call, Darwin provided a last opportunity for storing, maintenance and recreation, prior to entering the Area of Operations (AO).

MELBOURNE sailed on the afternoon of Thursday 20 January, entering the AO on the afternoon of the 21st and anchoring off Dili early on the morning of the 22nd.

The Commander of INTERFET, MAJ-GEN Peter Cosgrove, and the Naval Component Commander and Deputy Maritime Commander, CDRE Brian Roberston, welcomed MELBOURNE as the last major surface combatant to support INTERFET, as the handover to the United Nations Transitional Authority East Timor (UNTAET) commences.

After a series of briefings, MELBOURNE weighed anchor and proceeded to the East Timorese enclave of Oekussi to rendezvous with her sister ship, HMAS Newcastle.

Arriving off Oekussi on the evening of the 22nd, both ships took advantage of each other's company to undertake manoeuvres and simulated warfare exercises.

The handover period also allowed for briefings on Newcastle's activities during her time in the area.
In particular, MELBOURNE personnel went ashore for familiarisation with the humanitarian assistance work completed by Newcastle.

With Newcastle's focus on the hospital, including the reconstruction of one wing, MELBOURNE devoted her initial efforts to fabricating doors and installing shelves for medical supplies.

Since Newcastle's departure on the 25th, the major humanitarian task has been the re-roofing and fitting out of the St Paul's school.

A typical day for the team ashore commences at 0600 with weapon issue followed by boat transfer ashore.
Work usually concludes around 1300 due to the intense heat, particularly for those working on the corrugated iron roofing.

The aircrew and maintainers have also been particularly busy, with daily flights for aero-medical evacuation, personnel and stores transfers.

For the majority of the crew onboard, the ship continues to patrol in close to the coastline as a constant reminder of the naval presence.

Three physical training sessions daily provide an opportunity to keep fit and break up the day.
The ship is also playing host to Australian soldiers of 3RAR stationed in Oekussi, providing hotel services in the form of a hot meal, shower, laundry and an opportunity for an air-conditioned break from the heat and the humidity.
With 3RAR due to be replaced by a Jordanian contingent, MELBOURNE will remain in support of 3RAR until their withdrawal in February.