By
Rachel Irving
 |
| PROUD
MOMENT: Commanding Officer of HMAS Toowoomba CMDR
Greg Sammut, during the Commissioning Ceremony held in Brisbane.
|
| . |
 |
| OFFICIAL:
HMAS Toowoomba’s Commissioning Ceremony in full
swing. |
|
Photos:
LSPH Yuri Ramsey
|
The
Royal Australian Navy cheered in its newest fleet addition in
Brisbane this month with the commissioning of the seventh Anzac
class frigate, HMAS Toowoomba.
The ship, berthed at Brisbane’s Bulk Sugar Terminal, her
first Commanding Officer, Commander Greg Sammut and Toowoomba’s
ship’s company, made an impressive sight against the backdrop
of the Gateway Bridge.
Christening lady, Ms Judy Blight, the daughter of the last Commanding
Officer of HMAS Toowoomba I (LCDR Howard Goodwin), inspected
the guard before prayers and blessings for the ship were given.
Toowoomba’s commissioning pennant was then broken
for the first time, and her Australian National Flag and White
Ensign raised, symbolising her introduction into the RAN.
The ship’s company, resplendent in white, marched onboard
and cheered ship, before CMDR Sammut was piped across the gangway
for the first time.
‘The
formal acceptance of a warship is proud occasion for the Navy
and today is no exception’
– CMDR Sammut
“It
is a special privilege to be involved in the Commissioning and
I am especially honoured to command the Commissioning Crew. I
am confident HMAS Toowoomba will serve Australia with distinction
for many years to come.”
CMDR Sammut is one of just a handful of submarine captains (he
commanded HMAS Farncomb for three years) to assume command
of a major surface combatant.
The Mayor of Toowoomba, Diane Thorley, presented the ship
with a tapestry made by the Toowoomba Embroiderers Guild.
The tapestry of HMAS Toowoomba and its emblem, the horse,
was woven incorporating threads from the White Ensign of Toowoomba
I, the WW2 corvette.
The Mayor, who said having a ship connected with the inland city
was “really cool”, gave each member of the ship’s
company an individually inscribed medallion as a keepsake of the
auspicious occasion.
The Old Boys of Toowoomba Grammar School, (more than 70 Old Boys
and Masters served in the Navy over more than nine decades), presented
a painting, commissioned in Scotland, of Toowoomba I and
a bell rope handcrafted by one of the Old Boys.
They also donated to the ship’s company a hand-crafted model
of the Anzac class frigate, made by the father of a former Navy
member and a cheque for $1,000 for the ship’s company fund.
The crew were also given a special addition to their quarters
with the presentation of a plaque, symbolising a tie between the
Darling Downs Naval Association and the ship. The plaque was given
with wishes of “safe voyages and happy homecomings”.
The ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill,
the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie,
the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Russ Shalders and the Maritime
Commander Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas, as well as veterans from
Toowoomba I.
Toowoomba is due to arrive at Fleet Base West this month
for her home porting, the fourth Anzac class ship to call FBW
home.
Related Story: Second
ship to carry the famous name
