Band members get around

By CPL Damian Shovell

RAN Band members entertain crowds during their Asian tour.

WHEN HMAS Tobruk sailed into Sydney harbour last month ending more than 260 days at sea for the year, it did so with an added touch of flair from the RAN Band Sydney.

In drizzling rain the eight-member detachment played a boisterous selection of songs from the flight deck as the ship pulled into it’s Garden Island mooring.

The band joined the ship in Darwin last October and sailed with her and HMAS Arunta to make appearances in Singapore and Bangkok before taking part in the celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

Seaman Musician Kenny Bradshaw said after the band fulfilled it’s official role at a Beat To Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset in Vietnam, it participated in several other performances.

“We were asked to perform at a volleyball match between Australian and Vietnamese Naval officers,” he said.

They only took minimal equipment for what was to be a short gig, leaving them more than a little surprised and a little hard-pressed when they turned out to be the main event.

“After the game we had a crowd of maybe 500 around us cheering and demanding more.

“The best day was when we played for an orphanage and a school (in Vietnam) in the country. We played while the ship’s sailors built them swings and playground equipment.

“The energy was fantastic, the kids were up dancing and singing and having a great time. The Vietnamese people are so friendly and genuine.”

The band swapped between the Tobruk and Arunta twice during the trip to get to gigs on time, which helped coin the phrase “bandies on the run” between both crews.

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Asian tour a mixture of work and play

By LCDR Nikki Roche and SBLT Brendan Harris

Crew members from HMA ships Arunta and Tobruk found news ways to mix work and play in South-East Asia.

Hard work deserves just rewards and the old adage “work hard, play hard” finally came to fruition for both HMA ships Arunta and Tobruk recently with a successful South-East Asian deployment.

Arunta (CMDR Braddon Wheeler) represented Australia at the seventh Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace expo in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Arunta was at anchorage with 46 naval vessels from Malaysia, France, Indonesia, India, South Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.

The highlight of the exhibition was the fleet review of ships at anchorage by the Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahatir Mohomad. Arunta performed a cheer ship for the retiring Prime Minister.

Arunta then joined Tobruk (CMDR Peter Laver) in Singapore. Tobruk had an attachment onboard of 75 officers from New Entry Officers Course (NEOC) 39, 31 sailors completing competency logs, and several members of the Navy Band. A moving memorial service for the Bali bombings was held onboard Tobruk for both ships’ companies.

From Singapore both ships took the opportunity for valuable in-company time. The two ships completed hours of training for bridge watch-keepers and ships’ company.

The two ships conducted numerous RAS operations, departmental training and OOW manoeuvres. The in-company hard work was balanced with time off in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.

Both ships grabbed the opportunity to experience the diverse cultures of these “up top” ports by getting involved in several organised tours, interspersed with a variety sporting and social events.

The undisputed highlight for Arunta and Tobruk was the visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Vietnamese proved exceptional hosts and personnel participated in tours of the city, the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta, gaining maximum exposure to the Vietnamese culture and history during the four-day visit. An official reception and cocktail party was held aboard Arunta during the stay.

Departure from Vietnam closed the door on an outstanding “up top” deployment.

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Tobruk changes command

CMDR Peter Laver and CMDR Nick Bramwell swap command of Tobruk.

CMDR Peter Laver stepped off HMAS Tobruk for the last time as CO after handing over to CMDR Nick Bramwell in Hobart last month.

CMDR Laver left the ship after serving as CO for the last 18 months, and said that during his time the ship had seen a lot of work.

“During the last 12 months the ship has spent more than 260 days at sea, in that time participating in Op Relex, the extraction from Op Belisi, and deploying forces on exercises around the Top End.”

His departure came as the ship commenced its final leg after returning from an “up-top” trip to South-East Asia where it took part in the celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

“This was one of the highlights of my time aboard.”

After spending a traditional night off the ship, he returned to the flight deck to hand over the keys to CMDR Bramwell and to say a last goodbye to the crew.

“Working with the crew will be one of the things I’ll miss the most about Tobruk, and I wish them all the best for the future.”

With a detachment from RAN Band Sydney playing auld langsyne, he marched past the ships officers to step onboard an awaiting government boat at the stern door where he was handed a glass of champagne.

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