Pride of the fleet

I am about to renew my Navy News subscription.

I have subscribed for quite a few years and before that I received copies from my son; prior to that I received copies when I was a committee member of our local Cadet Unit, TS Lismore (Ballina). We have two children in the Navy and I always look forward to receiving my Navy News.

I appreciate the variety of articles: the information re naval planning and improvements in caring for personnel, the history items which “anchor” the Navy securely in its past laden with tradition, and even such articles as health and exercise that are often included.

It raises my awareness and helps me keep in touch with the lifestyle in which my children have chosen to participate.

It was pleasing to read about all the Australia Day Awards and such awards are a great honour and are welldeserved. Two of the names were familiar as they had been captains on ships on which my son had served. In Navy News, Vol.48, No.2, there was an article, “Medal for Super Mum” who received an Australia Day Medal for providing extraordinary services while also raising a family and it was wonderful to read about her.

My son, Andrew Spencer, received a similar citation and medal from RADM Rowan Moffitt and today we received a copy of the photo in the post.

We were very proud of him and continue to be so, and he is probably a “Super Dad” too!

I think anyone who chooses the Navy lifestyle and manages to continue with something resembling normal family life is exceptional and this is why I thought it would be good for sailors, majority of whom are men, to see Andrew receiving his award.

The Australia Day Medal wasn’t published with the other awards but perhaps in the future it should.

I have no idea how many were distributed but for families and other sailors publication would be appreciated I am sure.

Gwen Spencer
NSW.

Darwin deserves better

I was disappointed by the headline accompanying the Navy News story of March 10 regarding Maritime Commander’s Divisions in Darwin.

Although the story correctly observed that units from both Maritime and Systems Commands were paraded for RADM Moffitt, the “Darwin divided” headline did not reflect this.

Whilst I appreciate the value of alliteration to attention- grabbing journalism, in this instance it led to a headline that implied some demarcation amongst Navy units in the North.

Far from being “Darwin divided”, the recent Divisions illustrated the solidarity that underpins delivery of, and support for, Navy capability in the North of Australia.

A more accurate and appropriate headline would have been “Darwin united”.

M.D. HILL
Commander, RAN
Commanding Officer

 

How to contact us

Navy News would like to encourage its readers to write in and express their views. Preference will be given to typed letters or e-mails of up to 250 words. Letters will only be published when they include the author’s name, ship or unit (where applicable), location and contact number. Note that the authors details can be witheld from print if requested. Send letters to: The Editor, Navy News, R8-LG-039, Russell Offices, Dept of Defence, Canberra, ACT 2600. Phone (02) 6266 7707, fax (02) 6265 6690 or e-mail: navynews@defencenews.gov.au (please note that this is not an internal e-mail address and therefore requires Sec: Unclassified in the subject line when sending from a DRN terminal.

 

 

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