The Anzac Class Frigate’s 193 men and women were welcomed before a large gathering of family and friends, in a traditional ceremony at Fleet Base West at Garden Island, WA.
Senator Bishop congratulated the Commanding Officer of Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, for the dedication and achievements of his ship’s company during a busy and challenging deployment. He commended Toowoomba’s company on their successful involvement in international Counter-Terrorism operations in the Arabian Sea and Counter-Piracy operations off the Somali Coast.
"Toowoomba was faced with a series of new challenges given the nature of this deployment. Her people have shown themselves to be highly trained and well prepared for the tasks they faced in a vastly expanded area of operations. The crew and their families should be very proud of their achievements in the last six months," said Senator Bishop.
Commander Ingham said HMAS Toowoomba provided essential naval support to coalition Maritime Security Operations and made a significant contribution to the international effort to counter terrorism and piracy in the region.
"The work carried out by this ship’s company has been first class. They can be very proud of their contribution to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea," Commander Ingham said.
This was the second time that Toowoomba has been deployed to the Gulf, with the frigate’s return marking the completion of the Navy’s twenty-first rotation since September 2001. HMAS Toowoomba was replaced by HMAS Stuart, which is due to return to Fleet Base East in mid 2010.
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HMAS Toowomba approaches waiting family at Diamantina Pier, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after being deployed for six months on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowomba approaches waiting family at Diamantina Pier, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after being deployed for six months on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Families of HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company welcome home their loved ones on Diamantina Pier, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Families of HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company welcome home their loved ones on Diamantina Pier, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Families of HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company welcome home their loved ones on Diamantina Pier, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, RAN, salutes HMAS Toowomba as the Australian National anthem plays on the ship's arrival back to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Families and friends welcome home HMAS Toowomba's ship's company on Diamantina Pier, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba has her first berthing lines across in eager anticipation of meeting their families at Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company at procedure Alpha as they return home to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company at procedure Alpha wave to family and friends as they berth alongside DIamantina Pier at Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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The Gangway is lowered onto the Flight Deck of HMAS Toowoomba as the ship berths alongside Diamantina Pier at Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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The Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, crosses the gangway when alongside Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore AM, CSC, RAN, greets the Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, RAN, upon the ship's return to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling after a 6 month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, greets his wife Celia upon return to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Leading Seaman Marine Technician Rob O'Connell greets his partner Ami and, for the first time, five month old daughter Makayla, upon HMAS Toowoomba's return to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling. Makayla was born just one month after HMAS Toowoomba sailed for a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Executive Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Lieutenant Commander Simon Howard, greets his wife Amanda and six month old daughter Brianna upon return to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling. Brianna was born just 2 weeks before HMAS Toowoomba sailed for a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Executive Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Lieutenant Commander Simon Howard, greets his wife Amanda and six month old daughter Brianna upon return to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling. Brianna was born just 2 weeks before HMAS Toowoomba sailed for a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Chaplain Steve Gunther greets his wife Liz and family upon arrival to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirliling after a six month deployment onboard HMAS Toowoomba on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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A member of HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company greets his partner upon arrival to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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A member of HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company greets a loved one upon arrival to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Able Seaman Combat Systems Operator Jess Corkill greets her mum, Dana and sisters, Gabby and Dom, upon arrival to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Petty Officer Electronics Technician Steven Greaves (left) and Petty Officer Electronics Technician Steven Lowe (right) stand at procedure Alpha as HMAS Toowoomba approaches Diamantina Wharf, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company at procedure Alpha as they approach Diamantina Wharf, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Family and friends on Diamantina Wharf, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, welcome home HMAS Toowoomba from a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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The first line is thrown as HMAS Toowoomba berths alongside Diamantina Wharf, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba's Forecastle Party work fast to secure the lines as they berth alongside Diamantina Wharf, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Able Seaman Combat Systems Operator Jacob Fitzsimmons very happy to be greeted by his girlfriend Bianca Hansen on the Diamantina Wharf, Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Petty Officer Naval Police Coxswain Rhiannon Andrews-Wright and family welcome home the return of her husband, Chief Petty Officer Naval Police Coxswain Glen Wright from a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Friends and family await on Diamantina Pier at HMAS Stirling for the return of HMAS Toowoomba from a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, addresses the guests and families as HMAS Toowoomba (background) sails toward Fleet Base West from a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba approaches Diamantina Pier upon returning from a six month deployment on Operation Slipper, to Fleet Base West.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba ship's company at Proceedure Alpha as they return to Fleet Base West after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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HMAS Toowoomba's ship's company at Proceedure Alpha as they return to Fleet Base West after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, (right) welcomes Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, back to Fleet Base West after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Leading Seaman Marine Technical Rob O'Connell is greeted by his girlfriend, Ami Stolzenburg, upon HMAS Toowoomba's return to Fleet Base West after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Leading Seaman Marine Technical Rob O'Connell meets his five month old daughter, Makayla, for the first time after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Ship's company of HMAS Toowoomba cross the Gangway after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Able Seaman Cook Scott Tysoe receives a welcoming kiss from his son, Benjamin after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, with his wife, Celia (left), daughter, Ashlea, and niece, Georgia (right) after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, welcomes Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, back to Fleet Base West after a six month deployment on Operation Slipper.
(Date taken: 07 December 2009)
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