Face lift adds life to mess

Pictured with the new plasma screen TV is Penguin’s Junior Sailors’ Committee: LSMED Mel Evans (vice president), AB Krista Monkley secretary), LS Daniel Anderson (treasurer) and LS Ray Bell (President).

Photo: ABPH Nina Nikolin

By Graham Davis

The once drab, run down and gloomy Hunter Bay Tavern in the Junior Sailors’ Mess at HMAS Penguin has undergone a renovation rescue thanks to a vibrant new mess committee.

The tavern has been repainted, brightened, its layout changed and new equipment bought.

There is more to come with plans for a side annexe to be transformed into a “quiet room” where sailors can read, study or simply relax.

“We had a situation where because the place was run down, sailors did not attend, instead going to their cabins in an almost anti-social way,” the committee treasurer and spokesman, LSMED Danny Anderson, told Navy News.

“We have seen changes, more people coming,” he added. Working with LSMED Anderson are the committee’s president, LSPT Ray Bell, vice president, LSMED Melissa Evans, and secretary, AB Krista Monkley.

As Danny explained: “For any junior sailor who has ever lived onboard or been on a course at HMAS Penguin (there are 200 junior sailor billets on the establishment), a trip to the tavern has been a must.

“Over the years, however, the tavern has been somewhat neglected and in need of some tender loving care. “Early this year Penguin held its AGM and a new Junior Sailors’ committee was formed.

“The committee got straight to work on the initial ‘rescue phase’, painting, changing the format, brightening the place up.

“On April 30, 200 people attended a cocktail party in the tavern and we raised $800 for the Cancer Council. “The second phase saw the installation of a 50-inch plasma TV in the bar with a sound system, a big screen mounted on the wall and two new VCRs.

“Foxtel was installed along with a new TV aerial and high definition set top box to ensure the mess has clear TV reception for popular events such as the State of Origin.

“Other features include new arcade games, new VCD/ CD jukebox and an air hockey table,” he said.

The tavern was set up in 1986.

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