Fond farewell
Well earned retirement for HMAS Westralia

DIG IN: LSSN Clint Munro cooks up a storm as the supply department prepares a BBQ for the ship’s company on the quarterdeck.

Volume 49, No. 5, April 6, 2006

The fleet’s mighty battle tanker has finished the final voyage of her long and illustrious career. HMAS Westralia (CMDR T.G. Crawford) was due into Fleet Base West on April 6 while flying her decommissioning pennant.

After commencing her final voyage from FBW on January 23, Westralia sailed south in company with HMAS Warramunga around the bottom of Australia to take part in Exercise Ocean Protector and Tasmanex off the coast of Sydney in the Eastern Australia Exercise Areas with other RAN and RNZN Ships.

Following an intensive period during Exercises OP06 and Tasmanex, Westralia conducted a five-day goodwill visit to the New Zealand port of Auckland where her crew enjoyed a well-earned break.
The ship’s company relaxed by taking in the sights, local hospitality and some adventure training including whitewater rafting at Rotorua and the Auckland Skytower jump.

On March 1, Westralia sailed south from Auckland to the New Zealand capital of Wellington with most of the ship’s company, whilst a contingent were able to take part in more adventure training – a 600km-bike ride from Auckland to Wellington.

Westralia left Wellington, her final foreign port of call, after a three-day visit on March 6 to return to Australia for the last time.

Melbourne was her destination, and after a rough five-day passage due to the inclement weather, Westralia entered Port Phillip Bay to dock in Melbourne.

Before the ship berthed members of TAG East conducted a training exercise onboard in which they practiced their boarding and storming techniques in preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

Westralia sailed from Melbourne ICW Warramunga and Manoora and conducted in-company training before being detached to proceed to her next ports of call, Hobart, Adelaide then Albany before the final journey back to FBW and a well deserved retirement.

UNDER PRESSURE: A light moment as LS Medic Mary-Anne Rowbottom takes LS Kylie Wilson’s blood pressure

WARM WELCOME: HMAS Westralia arriving at Station Street Pier in Melbourne

DRAWING THE LINE: Gunners party firing the Line Throwing Projectile from HMAS Westralia to HMNZS Te Kaha during a replenishment at sea as part of Tasmanex

FLUIDITY: AB Rob Johnston appears to defy gravity during a fresh water washdown prior to arrival in Melbourne.

Very Fishy: Fun on the quaterdeck showing off the catch of the day bu the XO CMDR Robertson

FOR A RIBBING: A happy boat crew of SMN Coles, PO Jones and SBLT Barret in the ship’s RHIB with HMAS Westralia at anchor in Jervis Bay

SEAMAN FOR A DAY: ADF Vocational Education Students from Claremont College visiting HMAS Westralia

ACTION STATIONS: Standing Sea Fire Brigade personnel making a door entry on the tank deck during a fire exercise

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