|
|
|
|
 |
||
 |
|
|
| Happy 106th -
(Centrespread) By LEUT Desmond Woods Volume 50, No.4, March 22, 2007 |
| The Navy has celebrated not one, but two simultaneous
birthdays with cake cuttings and other activities in establishments around
the nation. The first is the 106th birthday of the formation of the RAN and the second is the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Australian White Ensign. On March 1 1901, two months after Federation, the six former self governing Australian colonies handed their navies and armies over to national control. In May 1902 the new combined army was designated the Commonwealth Military Force and the new combined navy the Commonwealth Naval Forces. The Commonwealth Naval Forces was renamed the Royal Australian Navy by King George V in 1911. The Commonwealth Naval Forces flew the Australian Blue Ensign and in 1910 it was proposed that the Dominion Navies of the Empire should fly the St George’s Cross Royal Navy White ensign. In 1965 federal MPs were arguing that Australia was flying the White Ensign of another country. The issue was brought to a head by the fact that the Royal Navy was operating in South East Asia but, unlike the RAN, was not a participant in the Vietnam War. There existed the possibility, however remote, of RAN and RN ships being mistaken for one another and RN ships being wrongly engaged. The Admiralty was informed and agreed to create an Australian ensign. The ensign was designed and proposed by CMDR Woolrych, and in November 1966 the Royal assent was granted for it to become the Australian White Ensign. The signal introducing the change from the Naval Board read as follows: “We are all proud to have served under the White Ensign but it is now appropriate that an unmistakable indication of the RAN’s position as an independent service of an independent nation of the British Commonwealth should be displayed in Her Majesty’s Australian ships and shore establishments. In deciding on the design of the new ensign the Naval Board was influenced by its desire to preserve traditional links with the Royal Navy which helped to found, foster and develop our service...” For 40 of its 106 years, the RAN has flown the Australian White Ensign; the Union Jack in its top canton speaks of Australia’s origins and continuing membership of the Commonwealth of Nations; the Federation star and its points symbolize the union of the states and territories; the Southern Cross tells where in the world the Navy predominantly operates its ships and where home is and the white background links to the deeds of men and women who have served, fought and died under the White Ensign in the 20th century and earlier. |
|
|
PRECISION PERFORMANCE: The Australian Federation Guard perform
at the celebrations at Blamey Square in Canberra. Photo: WOPH Steve Dent |
|
|
 BIG
BREAKFAST: SMNCK Adam Myers serves up bacon and eggs at HMAS
Stirling. Photo: ABPH Nadia Montieth |
|
|
TAKES TWO: SMN Gardiner and CMDR Wheeler cut the cake at
HMAS Coonawarra. Photo: ABPH Bradley Darvill |
|
|
 DRUMMERS:
The RAN Heritage Drum and Fife Corps and the RAN Band perform at a ceremonial
sunset during Navy birthday celebrations. Photo: ABPH Paul Berry |
|
|
THRILLING THE GUESTS: The Australian Federation Guard perform
precision drills at a ceremonial sunset onboard HMAS Sydney. Photo: ABPH Paul Berry |
|
|
 40TH
ANNIVERSARY: The Australian White Ensign blows in the breeze with
the Sydney City skyline forming a picturesque background. Photo: ABPH Paul Berry |
|
|
FLAG FLYING: A helicopter flies past Russell Offices with
the Navy banner. Photo: WOPH Steve Dent |
|
|
 CHIEF’S
CUT: CN, VADM Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN and Cadet AB Daniel Bowman
from TS Canberra cut the Navy’s Birthday Cake. Photo: WOPH Steve Dent |