By
Michael Brooke
The ship’s company of HMAS Darwin (CMDR K. Burleigh) kicked
a big goal for a very worthy charity when they played the ACT
Veterans Rugby team for the GMT Charity Trophy at RMC-Duntroon
recently.
No sooner had Darwin relocated from FBW to FBE and inherited
the charities of the decommissioned Canberra than many of her
crew found themselves packing into a scrum in a charity rugby
match against the old and the bold.
LCDR Sean Noble told Navy News that although the game ended
in a 9-all draw, Darwin’s rugged rugby players succeeded
in kicking a goal for the Paediatrics at the Canberra Hospital
(PatCH) and the George Gregan foundation.
In the process of Darwin’s rugby players tackling themselves
to a standstill against a team of rough and tough veterans,
they raised $1,500 for the PatCH and $1000 for the George Gregan
Foundation.
LCDR Noble said Darwin retained the GMT Charity Trophy, which
was made from a 76mm shell fired from Canberra prior to her
decommissioning.
“Friendships were made, gifts exchanged and it was agreed
that the GMT trophy match would become an annual event with
the major beneficiaries being PatCH and the GGF,” he said.
John Hillier, the President of the ACT Veterans Rugby, said
because of the success of this charity work by Darwin she would
be anointed as the Brumbies’ ship, and they would be presented
with a Brumbies’ flag and other rugby items.
