HMAS Encounter celebrated a fresh chapter in its long history with a base relocation and the handover of command from Commander Tony Ryder to Commander Rebecca Wilson.

Encounter personnel, past and present, were joined by senior Navy leadership, local dignitaries, traditional custodians, and family members at a special ceremonial sunset on November 21.

Following a Welcome to Country, Kaurna and Narrunga Elder Uncle Mickey presented Commander Wilson with a cloak that bestows status as an honorary Elder of the local Indigenous group. The cloak was hand sown by Uncle Mickey from three Red Kangaroo skins, representing Encounter’s connection to Tandanya (place of the Red Kangaroo).

In his speech at the ceremony, Commander Ryder described the relocation of HMAS Encounter as the latest chapter in the Navy’s long history in South Australia.

“Encounter has not only come home, but has evolved once again to support the defence of our nation,” Commander Ryder said.

“Together with the shipyard, we support South Australia as the primary location for designing, building and sustaining the Navy’s destroyers and undersea warfare optimised frigates.”

Resident units at HMAS Encounter include the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group encompassing Naval construction Branch and Maritime Integrated Warfare Systems; the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator; Navy Engineering Branch; the RAN Band SA; Regional Reserve Centre; Personnel Support Unit; and the crew from the Hobart-class under upgrade.

To better support Navy’s shipbuilding program, HMAS Encounter has relocated from Keswick Barracks, near the Adelaide central business district, to Outer Harbor, near the Osborne Naval Shipyard.

'Our relocation from Keswick Barracks commences a new and exciting chapter for HMAS Encounter.'

Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Samantha Fuss spoke to guests about the relocation.

“We celebrate the return of Navy to the banks of the Port Adelaide River,” she said.

“Our relocation from Keswick Barracks commences a new and exciting chapter for HMAS Encounter in how we support our people, our community, our Resident Units and the Defence industry in delivering innovative and advanced capabilities in defence of our nation.

“These capabilities will not only support thousands of jobs and underpin a multi-billion dollar investment in the state over the next decade, but will provide Navy a world-class strategic and agile capability in support of our national interests.”

Guests were entertained by a musical performance from Leading Seaman Katia Labozzetta, the RAN Band SA – led by Bandmaster Chief Petty Officer Stuart Malcolm – and the ceremonial guard, under the command of Lieutenant Ryan Williams.

Navy has operated in the South Australian peninsula since the 1870s, based on the north arm of the Port River and at the Naval Store at Largs Bay.

From 1905, HMAS Encounter patrolled South Australian waters and on July 1, 1912, was commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy.

In 1914, HMAS Encounter accompanied the Australian operation to capture German New Guinea and received battle honours for the Battle at Rabaul.

The Naval Depot at Birkenhead was established in 1915 and became HMAS Encounter from 1925 to 1965. Today, it provides facilities to support submarine dockings and the Australian Navy Cadets.

Between 1965 and 1994, the name HMAS Encounter was used for the naval depot in Port Adelaide. HMAS Encounter was recommissioned in 2022.