Protective panels
A
Gold Coast company which makes ballistic protection panels for
RAN ships has doubled its ability to make product for the ADF.
Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill and local MP Steven Ciobo
recently opened a $1.5 million expansion to the Southport, Queensland,
manufacturing plant of Combat Clothing Australia.
The expansion includes new high technology machinery and large
hydraulic presses. The expansion should increase the company’s
manufacturing capacity by at least 200 per cent.
Close
shave
Members
of the HMAS Albatross community relinquished their hair during
the second annual Lieutenant Craig King Memorial Leukaemia Research
fundraising day.
The event was held at HMAS Albatross on March 12 in conjunction
with the Leukaemia Foundation’s national “Shave for a Cure” day.
The participants had their hair shaved or coloured, witnessed
by their many supporters.
They successfully garnered pledges from their friends, colleagues
and bosses in support of leukaemia research in the name of Lieutenant
Craig King who lost his battle with leukaemia in August 2002.
LEUT King, who died on August 8 from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia,
served at HMAS Albatross from 1993 to 2001.
Fundraising event
Personnel
at 805 Squadron exhibited an age-old Defence tradition of camaraderie
when taking up the challenge of the fundraising initiative Dig
Deep for a Dollar Day for Defence Special Needs Support Group.
Able Seaman Matt Henwood coordinated this fundraising task and
raised $740 from personnel at HMAS Albatross.
Commanding Officer Peter Ashworth and AB Henwood presented Mrs
Lisa Chelberg, Defence Special Needs Support Group member, with
the cheque on behalf of 805 Squadron.
The group was formed in 1994 to provide support, assistance and
information to Defence families who have a member with special
needs.
For any further information contact Margaret Fisk, National Coordinator,
on 1800 037 674.
Chilly
Canberra
In
Canberra at least 18,000 people braved the predawn chill for a
moving War Memorial service, led by PCHAP Eric Burton RAN.
Later the Governor- General, MAJGEN Michael Jeffery, took the
salute at the Australian War Memorial while a crowd of hundreds
lined the short march route.
New banner unfurled
More
than 200,000 spectators lined the streets of Sydney on Anzac Day
and saw a new banner amidst the many Naval units that attended
this year’s parade.
The new banner being held proudly for the first time was that
of the Naval Warfare Officers’ Association.
Brooklyn, NSW
Brooklyn
on the Hawkesbury River north of Sydney set the Anzac Day spirit
early when it held its Anzac parade and service for 2004 on Sunday,
April 11.
Many ex-service personnel attended the service in Brooklyn Park
next to the memorial erected in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the end of World War II.
Top
End service
Darwin’s
Dawn Service was attended by more than 2000 people - and one horse.
On the 89th anniversary of the first troops’ arrival at Gallipoli,
the service paid tribute to the horses lost and left behind in
war.
Vanuatu patrol
HMA
Ships Bunbury and Warrnambool remembered Anzac Day in Port Vila,
Vanuatu. A combined Catafalque Party and two platoons departed
the ships at 4.15am for the cenotaph in Port Vila.
Parra gets around
The
Ship’s Company of HMAS Parramatta participated in Anzac ceremonies
across Queensland’s Mackay region. As well as taking part in the
main ceremony in Mackay city, detachments went to outlying towns
to contribute to the ceremonies.
Whyalla’s whereabouts
HMAS
Whyalla commemorated Anzac Day as guests of the Eacham Shire on
the Atherton Tablelands. The ship’s company marched in the townships
of Malanda and the historical village of Yungaburra.
In the west
HMAS
Adelaide and HMAS Wollongong both celebrated ANZAC day in Broome
this year. Personnel from both vessels marched in the ceremonies,
while the Broome RSL association hosted the ceremony and following
reception.
Contract
renewal at CDSC
The
RAN Combat Data System Centre (CDSC) recently re-signed its maintenance
contract with SERCO, associated with CDSC since 1974.
SERCO will continue its contract for a further two years until
the CDSC facility closes in 2006, making way for the new modern
combat system, ADACS.
This year marks CDSC’s 30th year of operation. An anniversary
dinner will be held on November 4. A book on the history of CDSC
is due to be finished by the end of October.
For information on the 30th year celebrations contact WOCSM James
Meredith on (02) 626 60770 or email james.meredith@defence.gov.au
Divers
get recognition
Divers
based in Western Australia have been given due recognition for
their efforts in the Iraq War.
Australian Clearance Diving Team Three (AUSCDTTHREE) personnel
now posted at AUSCDTFOUR (LCDR Stephen Bliss) were recently presented
with a Meritorious Unit by Commander Australian Mine Warfare and
Clearance Diving Group, CAPT Stephen McDowall.
A 32-man strong team deployed to Iraq for Operation Falconer.
The team’s primary task was to clear the deep-water ports of Iraq
from enemy mines and obstacles to allow humanitarian aid and coalition
shipping to operate unaffected in the waterways.
Tactical EOD patrols on the Al Faw Peninsula cleared 135 square
kilometres of territory.
Cairns
blood bank
Around
50 officers, sailors and Defence civilians donated blood at the
Australian Red Cross Blood Bank bus that visited HMAS Cairns on
March 8.
The Blood Bank bus visits HMAS Cairns every few months with a
positive turnout from all personnel on the base.
To launch the Australian Red Cross week, the CO of HMAS Cairns,
CMDR Neil Wark, attended a flag raising ceremony at the Cairns
City Council chambers in the presence of Lord Mayor Kevin Byrne.
To donate blood or for more information contact the Australian
Red Cross on 131 495.
