CO Cairns says farewell

Outgoing Cairns CO CMDR Peter Metcalf said farewell to his beloved base recently. Photo by Pasco Rogato.

By LCDR Mick Gallagher and Philip Henderson

At a ceremony in Cairns last month, CMDR Peter Metcalf stepped on board the landing craft LCVP-T4 and was sent on his way after 33 years in the RAN.

As the CO of HMAS Cairns for the past two years, CMDR Metcalf has now officially retired.

He handed over command to CMDR Neil Wark who was quick to praise the work of his predecessor.

“Peter has a fine reputation in the Navy and we’ll be very sorry to lose him,” CMDR Wark said.

CMDR Metcalf plans to stay on in Cairns in the marine industry.

“After 33 years, I was ready to try something new,” he said.

CMDR Metcalf who joined the RAN in 1970, had previously served in HMAS Cairns as the XO in 1995.

“I’ve had really great support from the Cairns and north Queensland community and I’m obviously disappointed to be leaving. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” he said.

CMDR Wark has also served in the far north. Between 1994 and 1996 he was CO of the Cairns-based patrol boat HMAS Ipswich.

CMDR Wark arrived in Cairns after completing a posting at the Australian High Commission in Manila.

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