Decommissioned

Please read the caption beside the pictures of the people in the kayaks on page 17 of the June 25 edition of Navy News.

I think you should have typed "Oberon" not "Collins". We haven't had them that long to decommission them.

Tony Howell

HMAS Sydney II coin

In 2000, a specially printed folder containing a HMAS Sydney II coin with the "s" mintmark was presented to VIPs who attended a special function to commemorate the release of the coin.

I am a collector of coins and to complete my set of Australian $1 coins, I would like to secure the above.

If anyone has the above coin in the specially dated folder and would be willing to part with it, please contact Bruce Mansfield on (03) 9382 7044.

I am prepared to purchase the coin and incur all costs.

Bruce Mansfield
St. Albans

Island grave search

You had an article about the Navy sending some people to Christmas Island to investigate the unmarked grave which has been rumoured to be that of a sailor from HMAS Sydney.

As my brother was part of the crew and worked in the boiler room, I would like you to keep me informed of any outcome.

Ron Blake

Ed. Keep reading Ron, the outcome of the search will be in a future edition.

You tell us

What is going on here? I've heard nothing from ex-service organisations. Do we agree with private companies handling sensitive information?

I suppose its no worse that having civilian security guards on the gangway.

Speak up or it will be a done deal.

John Gordon
Alstonville RSL Sub-Branch

Navy Review

On the front page of the last issue of the Navy News I read the article on the Federation Celebration of our Navy from 2-9 October, 2001.

As I am very interested to attend some of the functions I would be very grateful if you could supply me with some detailed information as to what, where and when certain of the proposed functions will take place.

K. Meerman
Campbelltown

Ed. See page seven of this issue. More in future issues.

Thumbs up

As a long-time subscriber to Navy News (paid off 63) I must write to congratulate you and your staff on a job well done. The amalgamation of Navy News and Reserve News is No. 1 and long overdue, keep it up.

Reading the latest edition I came across an article on HMAS Otway at Holbrook. I was through there the other day and the old girl looks very pussers and shipshape. Kids everywhere.

By the way leave Wort alone.

Keep up the good work.

Col Atkins
Mudgee

No web worries

I am ex-navy and still have contact with other ex-members. I occasionally get a copy of the RAN Navy News.

Is the paper available to be viewed online?

If so, could you send me the web address?

Neville Wenban

Ed. Neville the address you want is: www.defence.gov.au/navy

Underwater brickbat

I am writing with regard to a mistake in a recent edition of the Navy News. The edition was Vol. 44 No. 12 of June 25, and it occurred on page 17. The mistake in question was in a caption for two photographs of personnel kayaking past some submarines at Fleet Base West.

The caption informed readers that the kayakers were passing the decommissioned COLLINS Class submarines, which is incorrect. The caption should read "kayaking past the decommissioned OBERON Class submarines.

This may not seem like a big deal, but it is the regularity of the mistakes which is concerning. It should not be hard as we only have one class of submarine in commission, and one class recently decommissioned. These mistakes do in fact impact on the morale of sailors which your newspaper does a good job of keeping high.

I am sure you will do your best to prevent these simple mistakes in the future.

LSAWAS/M Jason Lehmann
Salisbury S.A.