Canberra's Last Dance

Maori traditional entertainment at the cocktail party held onboard HMNZS Te Kaha jointly with HMAS Canberra in Port Kelang, Malaysia.

Nearly 24 years since entering service in the RAN, HMAS Canberra (CMDR Ray Leggatt) has made its final overseas vist.
The ship was alongside Port Klang and visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 1-5.
The visit was made in company with HMNZS Te Kaha and resulted in an Anzac spirited cocktail party being held on the first evening onboard Te Kaha. The party was both well attended and immensely enjoyed by both crew and guests alike.

HMAS Canberra sailors in front of the Petronas Towers, the most famous landmark in Kuala Lumpur.

Sailors make a visit to the produce market in Kuala Lumpur. Photos: LSPH Phillip ‘Rex’ Hunt

Kuala Lumpur also allowed many of Canberra’s personnel to fulfil their shopping desires, sample some local cuisine and view the city surrounds from the Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest building.

It also afforded the crew some much deserved relaxation after Exercise Bersama Lima and prior to Canberra’s final voyage back to Australia from an overseas port.
Though the ship may have been sitting somewhat lower in the water, after the shopping experience, all agreed that Malaysia left lasting and fond memories and would be an important chapter in the closing folio that is HMAS Canberra.

On the way back to Australia, King Neptune and his wife paid a visit to HMAS Canberra to initiate, for the final time, all the Polliwogs into the ancient order of the Shellbacks.
It was Canberra’s final crossing the line ceremony as the ship made its way back to Australia after completing Bersama Lima and visits to Singapore and Malaysia.

The tradition of the crossing the line ceremony dates back hundreds of years, and is not solely a Navy tradition.
It occurs whenever a ship crosses the equator, and consists of people who have never crossed before fronting before King Neptune.

The Captain and other people of power are also made to front King Neptune to pay for any crimes committed against the realm of the sea, and of course all the Polliwogs (people who have never crossed the equator before) are initiated into the order of the Shellbacks.

Upon completion of the ceremony, Canberra stopped, with the equator bisecting the middle of the ship, and everyone was able to refresh themselves with a swim on the equator, swimming in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
The following evening a number of talented people onboard Canberra displayed their talents during the ship’s concert.

 

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