Navy News, May 29, 2000

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May 29, 2000

		Testing time The RAN's new amphibious ship HMAS MANOORA has returned home after completing her first major long-term deployment. "She has had a good shakedown and there was a bigger plus in exercising with two helicopters," Commanding Officer, CMDR Chris Frost, said...

		Rooster at helm Brad Fittler has captained for many years the Australian rugby league side, the NSW State of Origin team and his own Sydney Eastern Suburbs Roosters. There was a time, however, that Fittler took over a new helm…that of the RAN-operated STS Young Endeavour.

		HOBART's emotional farewell The fastest conventional-hulled warship in the RAN, HMAS HOBART, has been decommissioned. Before a crowd of 1000 people, many with tears in their eyes, No 39, was decommissioned on Friday, May 12.

		ANZAC remembers HMAS ANZAC came to a stop in the Java Sea last month - but it was not because of any mechanical problem. CAPT Matt Tripovich and his ship's company wanted to remember the ship which lay below them and the lives lost in her.

		WESTRALIA - the facts Many of you would have read articles in recent Bulletin magazines and in other media outlets accusing the Navy of a cover-up of the circumstances surrounding the tragic fire onboard HMAS WESTRALIA on May 5 1998 that claimed the lives of four of our shipmates.

		$41m for NAS Defence Minister, Mr John Moore, has announced additional funding of $41 million for further upgrading of Naval Air Station, HMAS ALBATROSS, at Nowra. "The news is very popular with the local population," the Commanding Officer of the base CAPT John Wood...

		Dentists enjoy the sharp end "We love the opportunity to be at the sharp end of the Navy," say two of our fleet mobile dental officers, LCDR Graham Thomas and LEUT Kate Thomas. The two officers are not related but share the common goal of serving the fleet in providing the dental care necessary to maintain...

		Charting our future course The new future direction statement (FDS) has been the main focus of activity for the team at the Directorate of Navy Change Management (DNCM) over the last two weeks. The last FDS was published in 1997.

		Workhorse goes back The Royal Australian Navy's "workhorse" HMAS TOBRUK continues to get strife torn East Timor back on its feet with deliveries of important civil provided humanitarian aid.

		Navy…take a bow A group of Australian volunteer aid workers has applauded the RAN for its continuing work in taking vital humanitarian aid the group has collected, to East Timor. The latest cargo of aid items is now on its way north in HMAS TOBRUK.

		Funding to upgrade subs The Federal Government will provide $128 million in additional funding to upgrade two Collins class submarines to an "interim level" of capability by the end of the year. The Treasurer Mr Peter Costello told of the $128M boost when delivering the 2000-01 Budget earlier this month.

		Yet another first Peta Blake's promotion to Commander has seen another boy's own club disbanded. Peta is the first permanent female ADF dentist to reach this level. This is not the first time Peta has broken new ground...

		Hunting the line on 209 "Hands to Boarding Stations, Hands to Boarding Stations" came the pipe at what for anybody is an unreasonable time of night ... 2.16am. At that hour the ship came to life with everybody dashing to their station.

		Loyal service The mighty "Bull", the 250 tonne patrol boat HMAS WARRNAMBOOL has celebrated 19 years of service with 10 of the boat's company of 26 sharing March birthdays with the vessel.

		Wet and wild Two stokers from HMAS GEELONG (LCDR Bob Plath) experienced a wet and wild ride carrying out underway repairs to their boat. When the intake port of a cooling system had to be temporarily plugged so the repairs could occur, LSMT Philp and ABMT Clark took to the RHIB.

		Party was halted as there was work to be done HMAS LAUNCESTON (LCDR M Burling) turned 18 on March 6 and a party was planned. The boat's company had made plans for celebrations in a traditional manner but due to the dynamic nature of northern operations, LAUNCESTON was crash sailed...

		Reserve divers clean-up ANR Diving Team Nine was on the clean up trial once again, providing diving assistance to cleanup the marine environment at Goolwa, South Australia. DT9 participated in the annual Cleanup Australia weekend diving in the River Murray, Hindmarsh Island Marina and adjacent areas.

		New courses for officers Reserve officers may be interested in nominating for either the JOMC or the JOSSC of the RAN College's Leadership and Management Training Continuum. The courses are useful qualifications prior to undertaking...

		Cutlass - the sailor's weapon The use of edged weapons on board ships has a long history. The cutlass has been the sailor's weapon for many years in western navies before its demise in the mid 20th century. The cutlass is a heavy naval sword with a single-edged blade of medium length which is generally given a very...

		Mint coin commemorates loss of HMAS SYDNEY II HMAS Sydney IV provided the setting for the launch of a $1 silver proof coin commemorating HMAS Sydney II. The ceremony was performed by Senator Eric Abetz, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for...

		Blood letting in Navy gym RAN personnel and civilians have again put out their arms when they heard the Sydney Red Cross Blood Service needed to replace a nearly exhausted supply of blood platelets earlier this month.

		It's healthy to sweat We all know people who sweat profusely when they exercise, and others who hardly shed a drop. So why do some people sweat more than others do when they exercise? A common myth is that people who sweat more are out of shape. This could not be further from the truth.

		An Olympic effort Regular readers of Navy News will be aware that HMAS PENGUTN will be playing a major support role for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. "PENGUIN personnel are extremely proud to support the Olympics," Executive Officer, LCDR Michael Hichey, said.

		Battle of the Forces Are you physically fit? Do you want to complete for Navy against the other services? Do you want to be on television? Then fame awaits on Defence force recruiting battle of the forces.

		Calling Navy skiers Heralded by chilly mornings, winter is rapidly approaching. It brings with it a rush of memories, the peace of snow covered hills, the crowded lift queues, the cheers of the Navy skiers.... NAVY SKIERS? Who are these Navy skiers?

		HMAS WORT