By
Graham Davis
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Hey
Mum why is that man covered in gold braid? He’s Deputy
Chief of Navy dear and he’s here to talk to us. RADM
Rowan Moffitt with young members of his audience.
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Father
of four and Deputy Chief of Navy, RADM Rowan Moffitt found himself
rubbing shoulders with Bob the Builder’s very good mate Nicholas
Shannon the other day. Nicholas’ dad LEUT Jonathon Shannon
is in Newcastle in The Gulf.
When it was time for a group photograph RADM Moffitt was soon
surrounded by children. Before the photo shoot was completed the
Admiral and Nicholas were best of mates.
Among the other children were three of DCN’s four children.
RADM Moffitt’s wife Lou also attended.
According to DCN members of the ADF who lose family support “don’t
stay” in the armed services.
“The ADF relies on family members to support its personnel.”
RADM Moffitt made the remarks when commending 80 family members
for the support they are giving deployed sailors, soldiers and
airmen and women.
DCONorth had organised the get together.
The visitors represented Defence personnel deployed in Manoora,
Newcastle, Sydney, Gascoyne, Success and others serving ashore
in Operations Catalyst and Anode.
RADMMoffitt urged family members at home to keep in touch with
DCO.
“Work them to death,” he suggested.
He turned to the families of the ship’s company of HMAS Manoora,
now serving in the Solomons saying that no date had been set for
the ship to return home and that this uncertainty was unfortunate.
“This job (Anode) is still unfolding,” he said.
He said the Sea King helicopters on Manoora are vital in taking
resources including police to the windward side of the island
group. He hoped a “line would be drawn in the sand”
and that Manoora would be home no later than November.
