Gangway open in Sydney

ALL ABOARD: Members of the public line up awaiting to enter HMAS Sydney’s bridge with the SPS 49 radar rotating above head.

By LCDR Mick Gallagher
Volume 49, No. 18 , October 05, 2006

The gates of Fleet Base East and the gangways of ships alongside were open to the public when Navy held its Open Day in Sydney on September 23.

“The annual open day at Garden Island is an opportunity for the public to experience first hand what life in the Navy is about, and to see the work our sailors do,” said CMDR Brett Chandler, CO HMAS Kuttabul, who attended with his son Blake (11).

Ships open to the public were the guided missile frigate HMAS Sydney (CMDR Guy Holthouse) the amphibious transport ship HMAS Manoora (CMDR Charles McHardie), the coastal mine hunter HMAS Diamantina (LCDR Dominic McNamarra), and the oil replenishment vessel HMAS Success (CMDR Andrew Davis).

The various types of ships open on the day were much appreciated by the visitors as they climbed aboard the ships alongside.

A Seahawk helicopter from 816 SQN on the flight deck of HMAS Success attracted many spectators.

For many visitors such as Joe Stewart of Macquarie Fields, it was an opportunity to talk to POMTE Leon Herden aboard Diamantina on career opportunities in the engineering branch of the Navy.

“It has been a good day getting exposure in a Naval environment,” said LEUT Ben Scott, who was assisted by POWTR Liz Jesse and ABCISSM Jandie Walden at the Defence Force Recruiting display.

The Australian Federation Guard, a Tri Service Unit, performed its complex routine of 358 specific drill movements without a word of command.

“It was a well appreciated performance,” said SGT David Cartwright in charge of the AFG unit on parade.

Performances were also given by the RAN Band – Sydney Detachment, with LSMUSN Aaron Geeves belting it out on lead guitar, and cannon firings on the hour by the NSW Corps of Marines re-enactment group under the command of Peter Hutton.

AUSCDT1 was there with many divers such as ABCD Ben Vears displaying the Mk 17 diving helmet in the portable diving tank, while playing noughts and crosses with the visitors though the tank window panel.

“It was enjoyable interacting with the public after a successful return from RIMPAC,” team Tactical Officer for the team, LEUT Tor Sorensen said.

Other displays included safety equipment, photographics by NIU-East, ship models by Task Group 72, Australian Society of Marine Artists, the fire fighting team from S4 HMAS Creswell, Navy Chaplains, and the Naval Historical Society.

“It was great to see so many interested in the history of the RAN,” local naval historian LCDR Richard Francis said.

Children were well catered for with a jumping castle, and an obstacle course and rock climbing provided by the Fleet Sports Officer, WOPT Steve Downing and his team.

“An excellent day. We were kept busy all the time,” Garden Island Adventure training officer WOPT Ian Sutton said.

Also making a presence on the day were 12 staff and 37 Naval Cadets under the command of LCDR Adam Lysle. The cadets also assisted on the day distributing Navy News to the visitors as they departed the exit gate after another successful open day at FBE.

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