By
Graham Davis
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With
the iconic Centrepoint tower in the background, HMAS Melbourne
docks in Sydney after her fourth deployment to The Gulf.
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Photo:
ABPH Yuri Ramsey
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The
RAN’s 4,100 tonne frigate HMAS Melbourne returned home safely
late last month completing her fourth deployment to The Gulf.
CMDR Vern Dutschke and his ship’s company of 227 brought their
ship to her Fleet Base East wharf and to a crowd of 400 cheering,
banner- waving, balloon-flying family members and friends.
During her six month-long absence, the warship spent more than
four months protecting Iraq’s primary oil terminal and shipping
lanes.
In doing so she helped maintain the flow of vitally needed income
into the strife torn nation.
The ship’s armed boarding parties went on to 229 foreign vessels
finding cash and hidden tanks of diesel in several and taking
them to a holding area for processing.
Melbourne also quizzed another 503 ships about their bona fides.
The Maritime Commander RADM Raydon Gates provided the official
welcome and told the assembled crowd and ship’s company that Melbourne
had “done a great job.” “It is a time for gratitude,” he said.
He said the work done by Melbourne was critical to the liberation
of Iraq. He said the RAN would retain assets in the region “as
long as it was required.”
RADM Gates applauded the families of those who had served on the
warship.
“They cannot do it without your support,” he said. “I am glad
you are home safely.” CMDR Dutschke said he and his ship’s company
were excited to be home.
And so were his daughters Anna , 4, and Louisa, 2. When they saw
their father step onto the wharf they ran, arms outstretched towards
him calling “there’s daddy.”
For Petty Officer avionics technician, Aaron Little it was a very
special occasion. It was the first time he was able to hold his
new baby son Joshua.
Wife Sonya gave birth to the tot in Murwillumbah District Hospital
six weeks earlier.
Joshua was one of five babies born to sailors serving on Melbourne
while she was absent. Another special visitor to Fleet Base East
was Mrs Mary-Clare Dahlen, 93, of Lidcombe.
“The last time I was here was in 1918. I was just four and had
come to welcome home my uncle Robert O’Keefe. He had landed in
Gallipoli,” she said.
“Now I am here to welcome my grand niece Jolean Di Lorenzo when
she gets back from The Gulf,” she said. The Dyson family, wife
Debra and daughters Charlotte, 9, Georgina, 6, and Abigail 18
months held a large “welcome home” poster high as they waited
for husband and dad, PO John Dyson.
AB Melissa Maher from Maryborough just could not miss her welcoming
family and friends. They came with a huge bed-sheet banner.
Melbourne arrived in perfect weather.
Most of her ship’s company will now head off for leave.
