School ties bond Newcastle crew

SBLT R. Fitzsimons & Kristina Kalnins
Volume 49, No. 7, May 4, 2006

The ship’s company of HMAS Newcastle (CAPT Daryl Johnston) has been hard at work meeting the challenge of the RAN’s high operational tempo and also developing community relations with the Adelaide-class FFG’s namesake city.

Since Newcastle’s commissioning in 1993, the ship’s company has built and maintained a special association with the ship’s namesake city and charity of choice, the Hunter Orthopaedic School. The relationship began when launching lady Margaret McNaughton was requested by Newcastle’s first CO, (now) Rear Admiral Rowan Moffitt, to choose a charity.

“It was easy to choose the Hunter Orthopaedic School because it is such a special school full of highly intelligent students who just have some physically disability,” Mrs McNaughton said.

“The ethos of the school also appealed to me because it provides such a loving and caring environment where children are always encouraged.”

Such is the strength of Newcastle’s close relationship with the local community that about 30 personnel visited the Hunter Orthopaedic School during March 30-31 to assist with modernising and upgrading the school’s facilities.

Newcastle’s XO, LCDR Paul O’Grady, told Navy News that the ship’s company regularly supports the school through activities such as these to make life easier for the students and staff.

LCDR O’Grady said Newcastle has been helping the school in many ways for the past 13-years, including recently donating $10,000, which the crew raised during the deployment to the Persian Gulf in 2005.

While battling bad weather, the team managed to clean out roof gutters, fence off areas, install seating and lattice under buildings, paint playground areas and spruce up garden pockets.

Not a bad accomplishment for two days of work and for which the school’s principal, Jan Butcher, is very grateful.

“The work done here is invaluable to us. What the ship’s team can do in two days is something that is impossible for us to ever do,” she said.

However, a real highlight for the ship’s company was the opportunity to speak with the students and participate in classroom activities.

Newcastle resident and Newcastle officer, LEUT Daniel Lord, said helping out his home town had special meaning to him.

“To come back to your home town and put effort in to make a difference, you get more out of it,” LEUT Lord said.

“Jan used to teach at my old primary school and was one of my teachers. I also studied primary school teaching so it means a fair bit to come back here.”

The bond between students and the ship’s company has been able to develop because children stay with the school from the age of five until they are 18.

However, the relationship relies significantly on the goodwill and interest of the ship’s CO, CAPT Johnston, who shows every sign of keeping up the connection.

“We have a handy, well-motivated labour force and we are pleased to be able to do something that makes a difference,” CAPT Johnston said.

The ship’s company make a point to visit the school once a year for a working bee and to raise money for it through fundraising events held during the year. Many of these events are held onboard with donations coming out of sailors’ pockets. This is a tribute to the generosity of the ship’s personnel.

The Hunter Orthopaedic School provides the opportunity for children and young adults suffering from a variety of physical and learning conditions to attain an education. The school provides an academic curriculum for pre-school to Year 12 students.

.