Ballarat provides the perfect backdrop at Sydney bash
Old meet new at reunion

Australia’s newest warship, HMAS Ballarat, provides a spectacular backdrop to the 2004 National Naval Reunion held at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

Photo: ABPH Helen Frank

The RAN’s newest warship, HMAS Ballarat, has provided an appropriate backdrop to the opening days for the National Naval Reunion 2004.

CMDR David Hunter and his ship’s company, took the 3,400 tonne frigate under the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the first time on July 30 before bringing her alongside Wharf 8, Darling Harbour, the principal venue for the reunion.

The warship provided a contrast to the gleaming skyscrapers towering above her. She also attracted interest from office workers, those attending the re-union and tourists visiting Darling Harbour.

Ballarat was scheduled to be replaced by HMAS Hawkesbury during the final days of the reunion.

Mr Carrol Reynolds, now 78 and an able seaman from 1944 to 1946 in corvettes and LST 3035, came from Adelaide with his partner Cecily Wright to attend the reunion.

“The set up at Wharf 8 was top class,” he said.

“We have met about 50 people and that was in just the first two days. “We went on board HMAS Ballarat…groups of about 20 at time were visiting the ship.

“It was very, very interesting,” he said.

The reunion got under way on July 30 with registrations and the first visitors to a pavilion where the Maritime, Leisure and Retirement Expo had been set up.

Throughout the week visits to Spectacle Island, home to the RAN heritage collection, were scheduled.

Numerous concerts, most attended by the Sydney detachment of the RAN Band were held along with numerous social functions.


Saturday, August 7 was planned as the “big day” for the reunion with thousands of serving and retired sailors expected to march through the city to be reviewed by Chief of Navy, VADM Chris Ritchie at the Sydney Town Hall.

A memorial service at the Hyde Park War Memorial was planned after the march with Ceremonial Sunset to be performed at Wharf 8 by the RAN Band that evening.

A barbecue was to follow the sunset ceremony.

Veterans from across Australia and several overseas countries attended the reunion.

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