Sea life comes to the city
Navy display in Canberra

Volume 49, No. 5, April 6, 2006

IN A SPIN: Observer LEUT Lauren Hindmarsh conducts a check on the Seahawk helicopter that took part in Canberra’s Navy Day activities.

Photo: ABPH Neil Richards

HOT, HOT, HOT: Personnel from HMAS Creswell demonstrate fire fighting techniques during Navy Day.

Photo: ABPH Neil Richards

By ABPH Neil Richards

Land-locked Canberrans got a taste of the sea when they crowded the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin to attend the annual Navy Day display and activities recently.

With two months planning, HMAS Harman hosted the day, which saw displays from establishments as far away as HMAS Creswell, HMAS Albatross and HMAS Waterhen.
The day started with Colours, which was conducted by the Naval Cadets from TS Canberra.
The receiving officer was the Commanding Officer of HMAS Harman, Commander Nick Youseman.

CMDR Youseman said the annual event reminded Canberrans that the Navy was a strong part of their community.

“Navy Day allows us to showcase our people, it allows us to show something of the traditions, the activities and the formalities of the RAN to the community, who may not see a lot of it, as in other establishments that are nearer to the sea,” he said.
“It’s important to remind the Canberra community that the Navy is here, and it’s here in some force, through HMAS Harman.

“We have a wide mixture of people here today, most from the community, but it’s been particularly pleasing to see a number of Navy personnel come through here to provide moral support to the displays, and display members, and also to participate in what is a great day for Navy.”

Another Navy member who was taking part in the day was visiting Seahawk pilot LEUT Dion Courtney.
“It’s a good opportunity for the public to have a good look at what the Navy has to offer, especially for careers ... and what it does for the community in general,” he said.

Displays and activities included Defence Recruiting, Clearance Dive Team One, RAN School of Survivability and Ships Safety, kids games and activities conducted by Physical Training Instructors, Seahawk wet winching, Australia’s Federation Guard, submariners’ stand, Naval cadets, RAN Band, Aircraft technicians from Wagga Wagga and dragon boat racing.

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