Carers’ leave granted
Additional benefits for members to look after family
ADF personnel will have access to five days’ dedicated carers’ leave per year - in addition to the existing entitlement of seven days’ compassionate leave per year - to look after the health needs of their families.


Salary bonus for service
Fourteen Navy employment categories have been added to the Military Superannuation Benefit Scheme Retention Benefit, which pays one year’s pay to eligible members who agree to serve for another five years.


Inland city gets ship and cadet unit
The new ANC training ship NUSHIP Toowoomba, is 155 kilometres from the sea.


Footy fever hits Navy
The AFL grand final between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans began after a different type of bird, a Seahawk helicopter, flew into the ground and touched down on the hallowed turf.

Big fish freeze
Two Fremantle Class Patrol Boats (FCPBs), acting in conjunction with Coastwatch aircraft, have struck serious blows against the illegal fishing boats poaching Australia’s precious fish stocks.

Surfing silent service menu
The work of the ‘Silent Service’ is often ‘Top Secret’ but the culinary secrets of the cooks on Collins class submarines will become public knowledge when the Surfing The Menu cooking show screens on the ABC in January next year.

Game of cat and mouse played under the sea
In the stormy waters off Western Australia recently it was sub versus sub in a game of cat and mouse.

Sheean sets new class benchmark
HMAS Sheean set a new benchmark for Collins class submarine endurance operations recently after her 55-day deployment to North and Southeast Asia.

Thanks Singapore for the memories
HMAS Canberra has returned to Singapore for the last time, as part of this year’s Exercise Bersama Lima.

Force five power
Exercise Bersama Lima kicks into gear
More than 1000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel supported by nine F/A Hornets and seven warships participated with elements of the armed forces of Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in Exercise Bersama Lima recently.


Marking the end of WW2
On September 12, officers and sailors from HMA Ships Adelaide, Canberra and Westralia joined serving and ex-serving allied servicemen and women from around the world to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2.

Briefs


It’s all in self defence
Like many of the female service personnel who have gained their certificate in Military Self Defence (MSD) at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), diminutive MIDN Julia Polatos punches well above her weight.


Back to tribal roots
HMAS Warramunga recently visited the Northern Territory Town of Tennant Creek, the frigate’s adopted city and home to the Warumungu Tribe, from which the ship’s name is taken.

Kuttabul cuppa success
The monthly morning tea event at HMAS Kuttabul is another success story in the social calendar for the ship’s company.


Giving five for the kids
It was a case of “doing it for the kids” in Cairns last month when HMAS Cairns helped a drive to raise $15,000 in 15 days.

Granting a final wish
Hawkesbury scatters ashes in an emotional ceremony
The Huon class mine-hunter HMAS Hawkesbury (LCDR David Wright) has helped a former sailor achieve his dying wish by scattering his ashes at sea.

Auckland escapades
Maori culture, thermal pools, sport, and an unusual replenishment are just some of the events that the crew of HMAS Melbourne experienced while visiting New Zealand last month.

Melbourne sounds out the stunning NZ views
In line with Sea Change, HMAS Melbourne took the opportunity in New Zealand last month to experience the most our neighbour has to offer.


Pie prize no simple feat
The heavenly scent of gourmet meat pies regularly wafts through the corridors of power at HMAS Kuttabul, ensnaring ravenous sailors ‘hook, line and sinker’ and hypnotically drawing them to the main galley for a feast fit for a king.


Swift action by RAN exchange officer
RAN exchange officers have joined the massive relief effort currently underway in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which cut a swath of destruction through the southern states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in the United States.


talking points