Something To Celebrate

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.
The ship's company is also enjoying this opportunity to visit overseas ports such as Vila, Auckland, Lyttleton, Noumea and Norfolk Island

On November 9 in the chilly confines of Cook Strait, between the north and south islands of New Zealand, the ship fuelled HMAS SYDNEY taking to 1000 the number RASs.

WESTRALIA's first replenishment under the Australian White Ensign was with HMS CHARYBDIS, a Leander class destroyer escort.

Two personnel there at the time were back onboard for the 1000th. LSSIG Ross Padman and Mr Neil Brown, a Ship's Configuration Inspector, remember the day well.

An example of the experience on deck for the RAS was the Rig Captain, POB 'Tom' Sellick, who is a veteran of two WESTRALIA postings and over 460 replenishments. Other veterans in the RAS Team were LSBM(SE) Spanswick and LSBM Cain with 251 and 168 replenishments respectively.

Following the successful refuelling of SYDNEY with a bit of fun and some OH&S compliant fancy dress thrown in the three 'old hands' cut the obligatory cake.

The days activities were a great prelude to a most enjoyable run ashore in Lyttleton and Christchurch NZ over the three days.