The coathanger, a magnificent backdrop to any conversation: (L-R) ABCIS Jason Cheung, ABCIS Rebecca Bell, VADM David Shackleton and AB William Stevenson meet on the after superstructure of HMAS Warramunga. Photo by ABPH Ollie Garside.

(L-R): US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vern Clark, Mrs Clark, CDF Admiral Chris Barrie, Mrs Barrie and CDRE Jim Stapleton were some of the guests of honour.

VADM Shackleton accepts his Chief's standard from WO-N David Wilson.

CN, VADM Chris Ritchie and VADM David Shackleton share a pensive moment during the ceremony.

The man credited with re-invigorating the Royal Australian Navy, the former Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, has 'gone ashore'.

Prior to handing the weight to VADM Chris Ritchie last week, the 36-year RAN veteran was farewelled in ceremonies from coast to coast.

The largest was at Fleet Base East on Monday, June 24 where 1,100 sailors and their officers in vast Divisions, bade him farewell.

Of the people in the RAN, VADM Shackleton declared, "I am really immensely proud of them."

To the Divisions he said that with his wife Robyn, he planned to take a four-wheel-drive vehicle, towing a trailer and spend three or four months driving around Australia.

The Divisions saw sailors, soldiers and airmen and women, drawn from all Sydney bases and from HMAS Albatross form up in brilliant, sunny winter conditions on Fleet Base 4/5.

Their backdrop was three Australian built warships, Warramunga, Diamantina and Gascoyne.

As CN readied to take the salute, eight RAN helicopters, four Squirrels from 723 Squadron, a Seahawk from 816 Squadron and three Sea Kings from 817 Squadron, swept over the base.

SMNMUSN Tracey Bourke opened the proceedings singing We Are Australians.

The Fleet Chaplain Eric Burton followed with readings from the Bible and the reminder of "Those who go down to the sea in ships".

The Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith followed to highlight the career of the 54-year-old VADM Shackleton.

He pointed out that he had joined in 1966 at the age of 18 had served in HMAS Perth as a seaman officer and later went on to command Brisbane and Derwent.

When he was promoted to CN in 1999 he had a vision, which reinvigorated the RAN.
Among the initiatives was the introduction of the FEG system.

Responding, CN said: "We are present at 'home base' of the RAN for the past 101 years, I am proud of what you do".
He pointed out: "The world is a much different place than what it was 12 months ago".
"I have enormous pride," he said.
"Being on operations is not the same as working to a practice program.
"There are operational changes that must be adapted to, and it is simply not possible to plan for every option that may arise.

"Chiefs of Navy come and go, officers and sailors come and go, but the Navy is forever," he said.
"We must leave it a better place for our successors."

As VADM Shackleton neared the end of his address, he faltered, later revealing it was " an emotional time".

"It would be nice to say that I could reward you all by sending you on an all expenses paid holiday to a place of your choice.

"For myself, I always wanted to run out of fuel in Tahiti. But the reality is that I can't.

"As the Chief of Navy what I can do is give you all a huge personal thank you.
"Thank you all. And God bless."

The VADM stepped down and was presented with a gift from the Fleet by the Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith. It was a mounted montage of photographs of Brisbane and Derwent the ships CN had commanded, along with their crests.

CDRE Russ Crane, Systems Commander followed, handing him a scene of the 1913 Fleet Entry to Sydney Harbour.

VADM Shackleton then moved to review the ranks of sailors, soldiers and airmen and women who staff the Fleet and SYSCOM in the Sydney and Nowra regions. He talked to scores of Defence members and spent almost an hour doing so. His time with the ranks was appreciated.

CN then returned to the dais where, led by the Sydney Standing Guard and the RAN Band, he took the Divisions' salute.

As the last platoon disappeared up the wharf he stepped down and was piped aboard HMAS Warramunga.

His pennant was hoisted for the last time on a warship.

There was another poignant moment as Warramunga passed Fleet Base One where the former HMAS Brisbane stood silent, gutted and set for sinking as a dive site off Queensland.

VADM Shackleton, who once commanded the graceful lady of the sea. 'took the salute' of an officer standing to attention on her empty deck.

At Bradley's Head, the British born veteran of the sea made his final departure boarding the gleaming blue-hulled Admiral's Barge for the voyage to shore.

Farewell Sir.

FURTHER NEW APPOINTEES ANNOUNCED
CDF, Admiral Chris Barrie has announced the appointment of additional personnel to senior positions in the ADF. These appointments follow the announcement of other appointments made recently.

RADM Marc Bonser will become Commander Australian Theatre (COMAST).

CDRE Max Hancock will be promoted to RADM and will become Director-General Coastwatch.

RADM Raydon Gates will be appointed Maritime Commander Australia.

ACDRE John Monaghan will become Head of Systems Acquisition on promotion to AVM and
COL the Hon Justice LW Roberts-Smith on promotion to MAJGEN will become Judge Advocate General.

CDF congratulated the new appointees and wished them well in their new positions.

By Graham Davis
Photos by WO2 Al Green and Cpl Wade Laube.