By
Graham Davis
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Outgoing
XO, LCDR Noel Pont inspects Divisions—his memento,
a small carved penguin on a plinth.
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CO
HMAS Penguin CMDR John Shevlin accepts a certificate
of appreciation from Anna Menzies manager of the Sir
David Martin Foundation.
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CMDR
Shevlin presents Brendan Crocker with his acheivement
award. Brendan is the supervisor of the treatment room
at BNH.
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Lieutenant
Commander Noel Pont, the Executive Officer, said farewell
to HMAS Penguin a few days ago describing the base on the
Middle Head peninsula as the Navy’s “best kept secret.”
“It is a magnificent base. I shall miss Penguin,”
he said.
LCDR Pont made the remarks when he addressed Ceremonial Divisions
on August 8.
The popular aviator who will soon move to Canberra, was given
the honour of being the Reviewing Officer for the Divisions.
Sixty RAN and Army personnel from the Hydrographic School,
Dive School and medical unit participated.
Penguin’s CO, CMDR John Shevlin presented Noel with a
memento; a penguin mounted on a wooden plinth.
CMDR Shevlin then presented a total of $3,500 dollars to two
charity organisations.
A cheque for $2,500 went to the Sir David Martin Foundation
to help disadvantaged youth. This was made up of $1,500 raised
at an “open day” on the base earlier this year with
a $1,000 “top up” from the Ship’s Fund.
Anna Menzies, the manager of the Sir David Martin Foundation
accepted the cheque and presented the CO with a Certificate
of Appreciation.
Sancha Donald, the CEO of TAD—Technical Aid to the Disabled—received
a cheque for $1000, the amount coming from the Ship’s
Fund.
TAD is a unique charity, which through its fleet of volunteers,
mainly retired engineers or similarly qualified people, design
and construct devices for disabled people when no commercial
product is available. Recently, officers from all Sydney naval
establishments and NHQ hosted a luncheon for 60 of TAD’s
most dedicated volunteers.
CMDR Shevlin also presented a number of his ship’s company,
with medals and commendations.
They included an Achievement Award to Mr Brendan Crocker for
his outstanding service as the Treatment Room Supervisor at
the Balmoral Naval Hospital
He is a Registered Nurse (RN) and comes to the Navy with extensive
experience.
“I was born in Broken Hill and did my RN training at
Broken Hill Base Hospital,” Brendan, 41, explained.
“I have always specialised in emergency medicine. “After
leaving Broken Hill in 1987 I worked in a number of hospitals.
“I then went to London and also worked for the Red Cross
Blood Service.”
He said he saw an advertisement for the Treatment Room supervisor’s
job 12 months ago and thought, “that would be a good
job.”
“And it is,” he said.
Others to be awarded were: CPOPT Ty Goodman, POCD Brett Leis
and POPT Brad Walsh who received the Defence Force Service
Medal (DFSM).
The First Clasp to the DFSM went to POBM Michael De Graaf
while ABMT Michael Eslick received the Australian Service
Medal with RASB-ICAT and ABMT David Finney received the Australian
Service Medal/Bougainville.
SMNMED Brent Meadows was promoted Able Seaman while POCD Brett
Leis was promoted to Chief Petty Officer.
Penguin’s
new gates installed
Mystery
surrounds fate of old ones
By
Graham Davis
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With
the new gates CMDR Shevlin, CPONPC Nolan and CSIG’s
Craig White. Photo by ABPH Cristine Mercer
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HMAS
Penguin has some new front gates...but whatever happened to
the old ones?
The original gates installed on commissioning of the base
in 1942, were removed some time during the 90’s but no-one
working on the base knows where they went.
Because of the need to restore the main entrance to its original
character and improve security, new gates were ordered replicating
the originals. However, they may eventually be locked shut.
When a new ceremonial entrance to Penguin is built, the old
gates and entrance will form a viewing area for visitors to
Middle Head.
The base’s CO, CMDR John Shevlin, Coxswain CPONPC Bill
Nolan and Craig White, the CSIG Planning Liaison Officer,
were all involved in the project.
As well as the new gates, new signage outlining the schools
and lodger units which occupy the base has been installed
at the entrance.
There is also a board documenting Penguin’s proud history.
With
the new gates CMDR Shevlin, CPONPC Nolan and CSIG’s Craig
White. Photo by ABPH Cristine Mercer
