Navy News, December 11, 2000

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December 11, 2000

		White Paper - Defence gets $23.5b boost The Government will increase Defence spending by $23.5 billion in real terms over the next decade representing the biggest funding increase for 20 years, the Minister for Defence, Mr John Moore, said at the launch of the Defence White Paper last Wednesday.

		A momentous year for ADF By any standards 2000 has been a momentous year for the Australian Defence Force across a wide range of activities and operations. I continue to be very impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication with which you meet our commitments.

		Thanks for the welcome As the year comes to an end I want to thank all those sailors who have welcomed me into their mess decks, cafes, work places and classrooms. I appreciate your hospitality and honest discussion and have enjoyed your company. I look forward to working with you in the future.

		CN:Make change work The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, has met face-to-face with more than 5,200 sailors, officers and Navy civilians, visiting Cairns, Darwin, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Nowra.

		Spotlight on bases, class basing The Chief of Navy Senior Advisory Committee (CNSAC) has considered a range of issues concerning Navy's future infrastructure arrangements, including consolidation of bases and class basing of the surface combatant force.

		Quick-fire launch NSW Government House in Sydney was the centre of attention for Reservists on November 25 with a salute by a 1913 naval 12lb quick-firing field gun. The salute marked the national launch of Reserves Forces Day for the centenary year 2001.

		White Paper is a good outcome:CN The Defence White Paper represents a "good outcome" for the Royal Australian Navy following its much-awaited release last Wednesday the Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, said. "All ANZAC class ships will be upgraded as will Collins class submarines, while downstream...

		MANOORA in Solomons HMAS MANOORA, one of the RAN's "can do" ships, has done it again, this time as a member of Australia's contribution to the International Peace Monitoring Team in the Solomon Islands.

		A safety first The Submarine Training and Systems Centre at HMAS STIRLING, has been awarded Four Star Safety Management accreditation by the National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA) It was the first for a Navy training organisation.

		Manila visit by Defence chief CDF, ADML Chris Barrie has returned to Australia from Manila where he met with senior military and political figures. "The ADF has had a long term commitment to the region, ADML Barrie said. "We have developed robust bi-lateral relationships with a range of countries within the region.

		Land of the unexpected When I arrived at Bougainville and rang the ABC representative in Port Moresby to introduce myself, I was greeted with "welcome to the land of the unexpected". This sentiment has been echoed by many of those currently serving in Bougainville and probably by many who have...

		The quiet achiever Arguably the Navy's quietest and unassuming station in the north, Shoal Bay Receiving Station (SBRS) has been rewarded with significant recognition for the achievements of the station. SBRS is located some 17km from HMAS COONAWARRA in Darwin on the sunny shores...

		Raindrops on her head LCDR Michelle Miller let the raindrops from a tropical storm cascade down on her patrol boat HMAS BUNBURY because she knew the droplets were providing a screen from the sweeping radar of her "'enemies." She stayed beneath the rainsquall as it moved towards...

		MINTACS' Gold Medal Performance Sydney's Olympic Games provided the spectacular setting for the successful operational debut of the Royal Australian Navy's new Mine Warfare Tactical Command Software (MINTACS).

		GEELONG by a nose HMAS COONAWARRA held its annual Coonawarra Cup on Melbourne Cup Day with the attendance said to have been the highest since inception in 1973. Eight teams from various boats and establishments vied for the cup with the relay race involving a number...

		Tiger 70 goes off to school The Royal Australian Navy's Seahawk helicopter Tiger 70 went off to school the other day. The helicopter, attached to the warship HMAS NEWCASTLE, will alighted in the playground of the Hunter Orthopaedic School at Waratah, Newcastle.

		HAWKESBURY goes on the slip HMAS HAWKESBURY slipped into the familiar waters of Newcastle harbour in October.. She had spent the previous month on the slip in Australian Defence Industries (ADI) Newcastle dockyards undergoing contractual and warranty work.

		Visit by white lady Sydney Harbour was graced by a "lady in white". Lead ship of the RAN's white fleet, HMAS LEEUWIN came to the Navy's eastern degauzing range. CAPT Bruce Kafer and his ship's company brought the 2,550 tonne hydrographic survey ship down the coast.

		Sad farewell Friday November 3 marked another milestone in the life of both HMAS GLADSTONE and her ship's company. The day marked the departure of LCDR Warren Bairstow, the ship's commanding officer for the previous eighteen months. After signing the log and delivering his final...

		WESTRALIA does 1000th RAS HMAS WESTRALIA has conducted her 1000th RAS since joining the RAN in 1989. The RAN's second tanker, and largest ship, is deployed to the SW Pacific in support of RAN, RNZN and USN units.

		Surveys on the run HMA Ships PALUMA and MERMAID have been surveying all port approaches and beach landing sites in the Area of Operation (AO) of East Timor since early November 2000.

		"Well done" Shaun LSMT Shaun Quinn's outstanding professionalism and dedication as the engine room maintainer in HMAS GEELONG has been recognised with the award of the "Commander Northern Command Commendation."

		"Halftime" changes The first crew rotation of multi crewing hydrographic ships took place in Cairns when HS White (CMDR Nairn) handed over HMAS MELVILLE to the crew of HS Blue (LCDR Hardy).

		Minister clarifies benefits In recent times, some members of the ADF have expressed concerns about the Military Superannuation Benefits Scheme (MSBS). Particularly highlighted are the conditions governing the MSBS preserved employer component when members leave the scheme.

		Newsletter aims to recognise family matters It has long been recognised that the support provided by service families makes a vital contribution to the operational effectiveness of the Australian Defence Force.

		Pay info available on ships The Defence Personnel Executive has finally cracked the difficult nut of ensuring access to information on pay and conditions for all. "The last bastion was the ships at sea," said Roger Bacon, Director of the Determinations Section.

		The charmed life of Chopper Justly praised as a remarkable debut for director Andrew Dominik, Chopper wraps bloodied mayhem and sharp dialogue around the story of one of contemporary Australia's most talked about underworld figures, Mark 'Chopper' Read.

		An absorbing account of life in the Navy In The Navy is a thoroughly absorbing story. Dave Rickard has produced a very commendable book and one in which he can be justly proud. In fact this is the book every ex-sailor is going to write but hasn't got around to it.

		Booklet aimed at making moving easier A new booklet designed to help Defence families better cope with moving house was launched recently by the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Scott. Home is Where the Family Is: Moving House with Children, a joint venture between the Defence...

		Investment opportunities offshore Investors who have long-term horizons and wish to diversify their portfolios should consider investing in international shares. These are particularly appropriate for people who are not seeking predominantly...

		Vietnam opens up to ADFA tour Thirty-nine staff, midshipmen and officer cadets from the Australian Defence Force Academy travelled to Vietnam in October on a tour of the battle sites at which Australians saw action during the war. Seven RAN midshipmen were part of this group.

		Officers join NATO AWACS LEUT Angus Hawes (RAN) and FLTLT Toni Greening (RAAF) were placed in the enviable position of a posting to the United Kingdom earlier this year to undertake the AEW & C conversion course at RAF Base WADDINGTON located near the cathedral city of Lincoln.

		Past and present look to the future St John's Cathedral in Brisbane saw more than 1000 people join to remember, celebrate and dedicate two magnificent memorial windows to mark the goodwill between Australia and the US, when personnel from both countries worked side by side in Brisbane during WWII.

		Home loans and re-enlisted members There are currently two home loan schemes providing assistance to ADF personnel, the $25,000 Defence Home Loan Scheme (DSHL) and the $80,000 Defence HomeOwner Scheme (DHOS).

		Hand message room no more Technology has caught up with the NAVCALS Sydney Hand Message Room heralding a job change for long-time encumbent Mr Gus Consadine. Gus, a familiar face to everyone doing signal runs, held this job since paying off as a LSSIG in the RAN in 1983.

		Garden knoll open to public The Minister for Defence, Mr John Moore, has praised the Navy for its "custodianship" of some of Australia's earliest white history�the garden knoll at the northern end of Garden Island, Sydney.

		Deployment service was recognised Four sailors now attending a training unit in Sydney have been awarded medals for earlier deployments in ships sent to trouble spots north of Australia. CMDR Steve Basley, head of the engineering faculty at HMAS CERBERUS made the presentations at the Navy Technical...

		Olympic start at PENGUIN HMAS PENGUIN's 22nd annual Gate to Gate swung open with a bang this month when Olympic yachting gold medallist Belinda Stowell fired the starting pistol. "I was pleased to welcome the Australian Olympic yachting team back to PENGUIN," said the XO LCDR Michael Hickey.

		Rugby executive elected The RAN Rugby Union annual general meeting was held last month and the following positions have been filled for season 2001: President CAPT David Garnock; vice-president (women) CAPT Carolyn Brand (TBC), vice-president (men) CMDR Simon Gilbert....

		Close competition at netball titles The ADF National Netball Carnival was held at the Sports Centre, Brisbane Entertainment Complex, Boondal from November 2-5. About 120 players from all three services representing ACT, NSW, VIC, NT, NQLD and SQLD contested the ADF National Netball Women's...

		Clearance divers conquer boat race Five members of the Clearance Diving Team Four have competed in and conquered the 17km Bay to Beaches Marathon for surf boats in Perth on October 15. The race started on the Swan River and finished at Cottesloe Beach, with the team recording a memorable win.

		Sensational snacking made easy Dinner is ages away, but you are feeling hungry, what do you do? Pop quiz, do you go for the lolly machine or choose a healthy alternative? Most would go for the convenience of the fattening, sugary, unhealthy foods from machines or the cookie jar.

		Only the fit for Forster Some of the Australian Defence Force's fittest endurance athletes were tested in tough conditions for the Minolta Australian Half Ironman Triathlon Championships at Forster on Sunday, November 12.

		Hot competition Thirty-five visiting British Defence Force athletes found the competition a little hot in more ways than one at the recent Tenix ADF Track and Field Championships at Albury. The Brits arrived full of confidence but were tested by the 30-degree heat and some gutsy performances from...

		Touching moments at ADF national titles The DEFCREDIT ADF Touch Association National Championships saw a high standard of action over four days at Jindabyne from November 17-20. The annual event took on a truly tri-service identity, with ADF personnel and civilians together in teams representing...

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