NEW REEF ROUTE
A new and safer shipping route within the Great Barrier Reef will be opened in mid 2004.

Tribunal boosts Service Allowance
Service Allowance has received a boost of nearly 20 per cent, with the new annual figure rising to $8781 from July 3.


Reserve Forces march around the country
With service medals glinting and the drums of Brisbane’s RAN Reserve Band beating, more than 6000 Reservists from six nations stepped off to proudly march through the streets of Sydney on June 6 to mark Reserve Forces Day 2003.


Bubblies making a bigger bang
The Royal Australian Navy has taken delivery of a number of “super” guns. As can be seen in the photo these are not your average firearm.


Manoora saves sailor
While returning to Australia from The Gulf HMAS Manoora (CMDR Martin Brooker) turned around in the Indian Ocean and went to the aid of a Spanish fisherman paralysed from the waist down.


Kakadu six begins
Nearly 2000 sailors and airmen from five nations are gearing up in northern Australia for Kakadu Six, an important regional defence exercise.

Award for excellence
The Chris Beer Shield for 2003 was recently presented to POMTSM James Stainton by SMFEG Chief of Staff CMDR Ian Salter.


Qld wreck not Centaur
The Royal Australian Navy has confirmed that a wreck located 10 nautical miles east of Cape Moreton is not the Centaur.


Help for Dads
In a new initiative Defence Community Organisation Sydney North has organised two three-hour sessions called “Staying Connected.”

She’s ours
The Commanding Officer, CMDR Mike Noonan summed it up: “She’s ours.”

Combat contract let
A $22.5 million contract has been signed for the replacement combat system for the Collins Class submarines.


Creswell joins in festivities as cadets pass out
The “crack” of 70 Steyrs followed by the “boom” from an historic field piece echoed across the floodlit quarterdeck of HMAS Creswell.

Former sailor takes sword of honour
A former sailor, Midshipman Andrew Callander has received a significant boost to his career with the recognition of his outstanding performance on the New Entry Officer Course that recently graduated at the RAN College.

Warrnambool warrior takes top award
HMAS Warrnambool sailor, Leading Seaman Marine Technical Michael Zupp, has won the inaugural Patrol Boat Group (PBGRP) Achievement Award.

Michael follows in Teddy’s footsteps
The Ordinary Seaman Sheean Award was established in 1986 to commemorate the gallant deeds of Ordinary Seaman “Teddy” Sheean, aged 19, who was killed in action during the loss of HMAS Armidale in 1942.


Association seeks to boost membership
The Naval Warfare Officers’ Association is the new name for the Anti-Submarine Officers’ Association.


Top bubbly
There’s been a change of command at AUSCDTONE, based at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney.


1st birthday
HMAS Diamantina (LCDR Paul Scott,) celebrated her first birthday on May 4.


Special bloke wins US merit medal
Commander Vern Dutschke, the commanding officer of HMAS Melbourne is a “brilliant operational thinker” according to Commodore Flotillas, CDRE Matt Tripovich.

COMFLOT heads team rehearsing for Croc 03
Deployable Joint Force Headquarters (DJFHQ) stood to for Exercise Vital Prospect 2003 (VP03) under the command of Major General Evans.

MSBS declares new categories
Four new specified categories have been declared for MSBS Retention Benefit eligibility this year.

Room with a view: Albatross’ new tower
The Naval Air Station, HMAS Albatross at Nowra, has had three towers used to control the operations of aircraft into and around the airfield.

Aussie technology to map US waters
DSTO developed technology has been selected above several other international contenders to survey and chart US territorial waters.

Shannon wants to fly
Last October, Cobar schoolgirl, Shannon Eves stood and watched as Cobar High School “old boy” Flight Lieutenant and now RAAF test pilot, David Lohse lifted his PC9 trainer off the Cobar Airport runway and headed home to Edinburgh.

Kantsinkit well grounded
Cadets from TS Tyalgum have the right idea - excercising aboard a ship they can’t sink- the cleverly named Kantsinkit.

Margaret hopes for Navy Career
July four is a big day for 280 million Americans. It will also be an important day for Australian Naval Cadet Warrant Officer Margaret Allen, of the Brighton-based cadet Training Ship Sirius.


PMG work done
After more than five years and 4000 personnel involved in monitoring the peace process in Bougainville, the multi-national Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) has ceased operations.

Narelle takes new bite at life
LSDEN Narelle Holmes will take on a new and exciting ‘life’ as a nursing officer in the RAN.


Getting loud for charity
When CPOMT Mac Piec and his workmates at FIMA-Sydney heard that they could shrug off their blue navy work coveralls and don gaudy shirts to raise money for charity, they jumped at the opportunity.