MIDN
Read and MIDN Post blitzed the field in the New Entry Officer
Course (NEOC) CMDR Gray Cup held at HMAS Creswell on April 26.
Out of the five NEOC divisions passing through, one male and
one female competitor volunteered from each division.
The event is designed to test one’s individual performance in
a series of physical challenges. With 10 disciplines in total,
some examples were; maximum chin ups in 2 minutes, an ergometer
test over 3 mins on the rower, agility run, maximum push ups,
100m sprint and best 2.4km time trial.
Scores were determined on the basis that the winner of any particular
activity scores 100 pe cent. Less successful competitors accrue
a percentage of the best score.
The most successful aggregated score across all 10 activities
determined the individual winners of the cup. Over the course
of 2½ hours all competitors gave their utmost in each event.
The male contingent started the afternoon with the chin up category.
Once all five were through it was straight onto the next event,
followed by the female competitors.
With only limited rest time fatigue quickly set in. Competitors
were cheered on by an electric support crew of colourful divisional
teammates, who were also competing for the prize of best theme/dressed
division.
Plenty of sweat, blood and tears were shown, all entrants displaying
true grit and a dogged determination to be better than the other
and putting in a good show for their Division.
Nearing exhaustion, the final event of a 2.4km time trial tested
all competitors resolve.
A run of 3¼ laps around HMAS Creswell’s Quarterdeck had competitors
setting a blistering pace at the first lap, with the field settling
in for the final laps.
Flinders Division won the best theme/dress award but after the
narrowest of margins beating a three-way tie at second by only
2 points to take out the day as overall Divisional Champions.
The number of competitors, supporters and spectators, thankyou
made it a successful event that showcased the true Inter-Divisional
spirit of NEOC’s at HMAS Creswell. CMDR Gray was born June 26
1902.
He was an accomplished cricket and tennis player, having also
led the Navy rugby team in Victoria for several years. Promoted
to the rank of Commander in 1937, he was awarded the DSO (Distinguished
Service Order) for bravery and enterprise in the battle of Matapan
WWII.
Having served on HMA Ship’s Australia, Melbourne, Perth, he
died during the Battle of Sunda Strait, March 1, 1942.
