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GRAND EXIT: The CO of HMAS Whyalla, LCDR Mitch Edwards addresses
the crowd during the de-Commissioning ceremony at HMAS Cairns.
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Photo: ABPH Justin Brown
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By
the Master of Ceremonies Hugh McKenzie
What’s the wet weather routine, I asked. “We get wet” was the
reply and while Cairns had had periodic rain over the days preceding
the decommissioning of HMAS Whyalla, the rain held off on the
day.
“Look at them,” someone said, “You couldn’t dent their morale
with a 20 pound hammer.” The reference was to Whyalla’s crew formed
up on the quarterdeck during rehearsal for her paying off.
They were definitely a happy ship’s company.
I didn’t convert the reference to metric because it loses its
impact and anyway, I’m old enough to be still working in imperial
weights and measures.
In her 23 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, Whyalla
had traversed 617,593nm of ocean, visited 20 countries, and conducted
countless boardings and inspections.
This was a point made in his address to invited guests, by the
new MCAUST RADM Davyd Thomas, who made clear his appreciation
of the role of the patrol boats in protecting Australia’s interests.
LCDR Mitch Edwards, her CO, praised the boat and his crew, a tiny
catch in his voice when he spoke of her ending her naval life
in the boat shed in Cairns. LCDR Edwards made his address from
the flag deck where CHAP Duncan Becsi led the service of celebration
of the life of the boat. ABMUSN Tracy Burke’s bell clear voice
carried the Naval Hymn out over the water, the Sydney detachment
of the RAN Band providing the music and the Hymn leaving a lump
in my throat.
Twenty-three years ago, Aileen Ekblom, then Mayor of Whyalla had
commissioned the boat. She returned for this day, in her nineties,
bravely inspecting the guard in her wheeled walking frame - a
little infirm perhaps, but determined to do honour to her boat.
Aileen’s husband Anders was with her, a Merchant Captain and at
one time Commodore of the BHP Fleet when it was ‘The Big Australian’.
Whyalla’s XO, WO Ian Jordan, as Parade Commander, readied the
Parade and the Guard, commanded by SBLT Daniel Lord. They turned
inward, awaiting the moment.
It came. A long slow drum roll and Song of Australia and HMAS
Whyalla’s Colours were lowered for the last time, her Commissioning
Pennant struck, and her White Ensign ceremonially folded.
Naval tradition has it that the CO is the last man ashore and
so it was, LCDR Edwards presenting his compliments to MCAUST with
the words, “Sir, Whyalla’s job is done.
I commend her White Ensign to your safekeeping until the naming
of a new Whyalla,” and RADM Thomas’ reply, “On behalf of the Navy
I will hold this White Ensign in safekeeping.”
So it was done, another chapter in the life of passing and renewal
in the Royal Australian Navy closed – Whyalla to return to Darwin
under the Red Duster, her fate, like that of her sisters, as yet
undetermined - we to go our separate ways.
And her gun? It will go to the City of her name.
