Darwin forges a special bond
Darwin’s biggest success story was her involvement with the Christmas Island community

Mrs Joan Gurr with the Memorial to her son A/LSET Cameron Gurr.

Photo: ABPH Joanne Edwards

A new tradition begins, CMDR Ingram is presented with a Christmas Island flag, since handed on to HMAS Stuart.

Photo ABPH Joanne Edwards

What to do when the local school visits? Give them soft-serve ice cream for starters. POMED James MacKenzie shares in the treat.

Photo: ABPH Joanne Edwards

HMAS Darwin (CMDR Aaron Ingram) recently completed Op Relex II duties, patrolling the waters surrounding Christmas Island between August 17 and September 26 to deter unauthorised boat arrivals.

The frigate’s biggest success story, though, was her involvement with the local community.

The locals enthusiastically provided tremendous hospitality and support to make the island a ‘Home away from Home’, which Darwin repaid by participating in community activities. These included popular performances at the CI Club by Darwin’s Band, lead by LSBM ‘Monkey’ Miers, and a mini ‘Clean Up Australia’ project at the old Administrator’s Residence.

In sporting endeavours Darwin fielded 30 contestants in the annual Christmas Island Marathon to raise money for the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation charity.

POMT Al Bowman was the only ship entrant to complete the marathon solo, winning the veteran’s category, while a team lead by the MEO, LCDR Mark Blackman, placed second behind the team from the local ‘Bulldogs’ Australian Rules Football Club.

The event is a light-hearted competition and Darwin’s eight volunteers who manned the various water replenishment points ended up drenched from water-bomb exchanges with support vehicles and local spectators.

During the final visit to the Island the Darwin XI became the first visiting warship to defeat the ‘Bulldogs’ XI in a closely contested cricket match.

The Deputy Maritime Commander (CDRE Nigel Perry) visited Darwin and Christmas Island. During his call on the Shire President he donated some naval history books to the Christmas Island Library in return for some Christmas Island history books.

Darwin was presented with a Christmas Island flag, which was proudly flown during subsequent visits and then handed over to CO HMAS Stuart (CMDR David Greaves) to begin a new Op Relex tradition.

As these calls were taking place Darwin was playing host to 40 school children. While they may not choose future Navy careers, they all left happy after consuming lashings of premium soft-serve ice cream.

Tuesday September 9 was a solemn day as Darwin paid tribute to former shipmate, A/LSET Cameron Gurr who was tragically lost overboard off the Island on May 4, 2002. A moving service was held in the grounds of Tai Jin House, Smiths Point, during which a memorial stone and plaque was dedicated.

Assembled guests included his mother, Mrs Joan Gurr and other close relatives, Commonwealth and Shire Officials, the Deputy Maritime Commander, and several of Darwin’s ship’s company.

Mr Greg George, the Indian Ocean Territories Acting Administrator formally accepted care of the memorial on behalf of the Islanders.

The close bond between Darwin and the people of Christmas Island was further reinforced on the evening of September 20 when approximately 50 prominent local officials, service providers and community figures enjoyed Darwin’s hospitality at a traditional ‘Steel Deck BBQ’.

Now, Darwin continues her deployment around Australia. Her next stop is Darwin where she will enjoy another special community bond with her namesake city.

.