 |
|
WELL TRAVELLED:
MAS Parramatta, pictured here in Milford Sound, has received
an Australia Day honour. Photo: ABPH Helen Frank
|
|
| |
HMAS Parramatta and CMDR Jonathan Mead, the ship’s CO during its deployment
to the Gulf in 2005-06, were among the Navy recipients of Australia Day
honours this year.
CMDR Mead was awarded an AM for exceptional service in war like operations
as the Commanding Officer HMAS Parramatta during Operation Catalyst.
CMDR Mead told Navy News at the RAN Safety Awards last year that it was
a tremendous honour and privilege to command Parramatta, “a job that
despite many challenges was made easy by the dedication and motivation of
the ship’s company”.
Among the other recipients was CDRE Les Pataky, who was awarded an AM for
exceptional service as the Commander, Australian Navy Surface Combatant
Group, the Deputy Maritime Commander and Chief of Staff Maritime Headquarters,
the Australian Defence Force Liaison Officer to the United States Joint
Chiefs of Staff and President of the Sea King Board of Inquiry.
Four RAN personnel were awarded an OAM.
LEUT Simon Coates received the OAM for meritorious service over a number
of years as the Ceremonial Coordinator for ACT and Southern NSW; Chief Boatswain
HMAS Tobruk; and Naval Officer Workforce Modeller within the Directorate
of Workforce Modelling and Analysis.
LEUT Coates told Navy News he felt “incredibly honoured to be awarded
the OAM”.
“It made me realise that my efforts over the years had not only been
a source of personal pride, but had been highly regarded by my superiors,”
he said.
“It confirmed my belief that any recognition I may have received has
been due to a team effort.”
WO Andrew Freame received the OAM for meritorious service as Junior Officers
Warfare Course Divisional Officer, Staff Officer for Boatswains Mate Category
Sponsor, and President of the Senior Sailors Mess at HMAS Watson.
WO Freame, the WO Current Capability Effectiveness, Amphibious Afloat Support
Group, said it was a great honour to be recognised along with so many “amazing
Australians”.
“On accepting this award, I took in consideration the professionalism
and experience handed to me over the years by my mentors,” WO Freame
said.
CPO Vince Rudge received the OAM for meritorious service as the Food Services
Manager and Support Departmental Regulator in HMAS Arunta, and as Leadership
Instructor at the Junior Sailors Leadership and Management Faculty West.
CPO Lee Smith received the OAM for meritorious service as Chief Petty Officer
Naval Reserve Diving Team Six, Williamstown, Victoria.
The full list of recipients is published below.
Australia Day honours list
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION
CMDR Jonathan Mead
For exceptional service in war like operations as the Commanding Officer
HMAS Parramatta in the Gulf during Operation Catalyst.
CDRE Les Pataky
For exceptional service as the Commander, Australian Navy Surface
Combatant Group, the Deputy Maritime Commander and Chief of Staff
Maritime Headquarters, the Australian Defence Force Liaison Officer
to the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff and President of the Sea
King Board of Inquiry.
MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION
LEUT Simon Coates
For meritorious service over a number of years as the Ceremonial Coordinator
for ACT and Southern NSW; Chief Boatswain HMAS Tobruk; and Naval Officer
Workforce Modeller within the Directorate of Workforce Modelling and
Analysis.
WO Andrew Freame
For meritorious service as Junior Officers Warfare Course Divisional
Officer, Staff Officer for Boatswains Mate Category Sponsor, and President
of the Senior Sailors’ Mess at HMAS Watson.
CPO Vincent Rudge
For meritorious service as the Food Services Manager and Support Departmental
Regulator in HMAS Arunta, and as Leadership Instructor at the Junior
Sailors Leadership and Management Faculty – West.
CPO Lee Smith
For meritorious service as Chief Petty Officer Naval Reserve Diving
Team Six, Williamstown, Victoria.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)
CDRE Geoffrey Ledger
For distinguished command and leadership in action in the Middle East
Area of Operations as the Commander Joint Task Force 633 during Ops
Catalyst and Slipper.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)
CAPT Vince Di Pietro
For outstanding achievement as Director General Navy Certification
and Acceptance.
CMDR Lee Goddard
For outstanding achievement as Commander Operations in the Maritime
Component, Joint Operations Command.
CAPT Adam Grunsell
For outstanding achievement as the Director General Navy Communications
and Coordination, Navy HQ.
CAPT Peter Quinn
For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Sydney.
PO Benjamin Robson
For outstanding achievement as the Guided Missile Launcher System
Course Implementation Officer at the Combat Systems Maintenance School.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)
CMDR John Chandler
For outstanding service as Acting Director of the Collins Class Submarine
System Program Office.
CMDR Robert Heffey
For outstanding service as Minor War Vessel Operational Test Director,
Royal Australian Navy Test, Evaluation and Analysis Authority in transitioning
the Armidale Class Patrol Boats into operational service.
LS Jamie Johnson
For outstanding service and performance of duty as the communications
supervisor at Australian Clearance Diving Team One in support of operational
capability.
LCDR Max Muller
For outstanding service while employed in the Royal Australian Navy
– United States Navy Personnel Exchange Program and deployed
to Disaster Relief Operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION
HMAS Parramatta
For meritorious operational service in the Gulf during Operation Catalyst
from November 1, 2005 to March 25, 2006 while conducting maritime
security operations in support of the Australian Government’s
contribution to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Iraq.
|
|
