Fastest gun in the Fleet – CentreRemembering Perth – P3

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NEWSNAVYVolume 60, No. 3, March 9, 2017

SALUTE TO SERVICE

Commitment to duty honoured at 75th anniversary of the sinking of Perth and Navy birthday celebrations

WO-N Gary Wight salutes the raising of the Australian White

Ensign during the Navy’s 116th birthday service in Canberra.

Photo: POIS Paul McCallum

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LEUT Todd Fitzgerald and James McPherson

CLIMBING the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an experience in itself, but doing so to raise the Australian White Ensign to fly over the city on the Navy’s birthday is one to write home about.

Three sailors were given the honour of raising the Ensign on the bridge to mark both the flag’s 50th anniversary and Navy’s 116th birth-day on March 1.

It was one of many events at sea and ashore, recognising the vital service the Navy provides for the nation.

A national commemorative ser-vice was held at the RAN Memorial in Canberra for all Navy members who have lost their lives in service to the country.

The trio who raised the flag on the bridge described the event as a proud moment in their careers.

SWO Tim Badger, CPONPC David Biddle and LSML-P Ashleigh John, of HMAS Waterhen, conduct-

ed the traditional morning Colours ceremony, hoisting the flag aloft.

They said the Ensign represented loyalty, courage, service and sacri-fice of the men and women who had served, and of those still serving.

DCN RADM Mike Noonan said the birthday was an opportunity to reflect on more than a century’s service to Australia and advances in maritime warfare.

“The Navy has a proud heritage and is exceptionally capable for its size.

“The men and women who have served in Navy have created a force that is highly effective and well poised for the century to come,” RADM Noonan said.

“Today we pay tribute to all those who have come before us, and recommit ourselves to delivering the Navy of the future, as it is an excit-ing time to be in Navy, with new platforms and technologies rapidly approaching, and with a diverse and committed workforce driving that capability.”

WO Badger said the Ensign had

been an important symbol in his 27-year career, especially while serving far from home.

“I was in Afghanistan embedded in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division a few years ago and there were eight members of the RAN in the country,” he said. “During the one-hour period we all managed to get together, we ensured we had the Australian White Ensign with us. It provided us with a sense of identity far from home, and made sure that everyone knew the Australian Navy was in the country and performing its part.”

LS John was part of the commis-sioning crew of HMAS Adelaide in 2015.

She said the crew worked hard to get the 27,000-tonne warship ready for acceptance into the Navy, and that she would never forget the moment the Ensign was handed to then CO CAPT Paul Mandziy, sig-nifying the ship had commissioned.

“That really was a proud moment and a sign of how much the crew had achieved in the previous

two years,” she said. CPO Biddle said the Ensign

meant three things to him: the secu-rity of the country, the safety of its citizens, and the sacrifices made by servicemen and women and their families.

The Navy was founded in 1901 as the Royal Commonwealth Naval Force and flew the British White Ensign. Following the renaming to the Royal Australian Navy in 1911, this practice continued until 1967, when Australia retired its use of the British Ensign and adopted a unique-ly Australian design.

The official changeover of ensigns occurred on March 1, 1967, with HMAS Boonaroo becoming the first ship commissioned under the new Australian White Ensign. All commissioned RAN ships and estab-lishments proudly fly the Australian White Ensign today.

A full history of the Australian White Ensign is available at http://www.navy.gov.au/history/tradition/australian-white-ensign.

Flagship milestone

LEUT John Thompson

AUSTRALIANS and Malaysians came together to mark the 25th birthday of one of the ADF’s most significant regional relationships.

The Malaysia Australia Joint Defence Program was signed in 1992 and is the cornerstone of the defence partnership between the two countries, providing a framework for bilateral defence cooperation across a range of strategic, operational, pro-fessional, and non-military areas.

The cooperation includes a series of bilateral training exercises, train-ing for Malaysian Armed Forces per-sonnel in Australia and similar pro-grams for Australian officers at the Malaysian Armed Forces Training College.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Rod Smith, said the defence relat ionship between Australia and Malaysia was an important and enduring one.

“As we celebrate 25 years of the Malaysia Australia Joint Defence Program, we look forward to build-

ing on our existing ties to address new challenges and contribute to the continued security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

CDRE Simon Ottaviano, who represented the ADF at the celebra-tions in Kuala Lumpur, said the part-nership was a critical one for both countries.

“There are few sailors in our Navy today who have not worked with or alongside our Malaysian defence partners,” he said.

“The defence program helps us to improve our interoperability so that

we can strengthen our operational capabilities.”

The program also provides opportunities for training and profes-sional exchanges, with 13 Malaysian officers currently seconded in Australia and seven Australian offic-ers currently seconded in Malaysia.

The two countries have a long history of co-operation pre-dating Malaysian independence when Australia helped in the region’s defence during WWII.

Malaysian program marks 25 years of cooperation

CPONPC David Biddle, LSML-P Ashleigh John and SWO Tim Badger, of HMAS Waterhen, conduct Colours atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Navy’s birthday. Photo: LSIS Tom Gibson

Fastest gun in the Fleet – CentreRemembering Perth – P3

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NEWSNAVYVolume 60, No. 3, March 9, 2017

SALUTE TO SERVICE

Commitment to duty honoured at 75th anniversary of the sinking of Perth and Navy birthday celebrations

WO-N Gary Wight salutes the raising of the Australian White

Ensign during the Navy’s 116th birthday service in Canberra.

Photo: POIS Paul McCallum

3NEWSMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

POIS Phil Cullinan and CMDR Fenn Kemp

THE BELL of HMAS Perth I rang for the first time in seven decades at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) on February 28 to mark the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the ship.

A special Last Post ceremony was held at the AWM for AB Ernest John Atkins, one of the many Perth crew members killed during a fierce battle with the Japanese Navy on March 1, 1942.

The crew of HMAS Maryborough also held a ceremo-ny over the site of Perth’s wreck in the Sunda Strait at midnight.

Before the service at the AWM began, the ship’s bell of Perth I was struck after the still was piped by members of Australia’s Federation Guard.

Coordinator of the ceremony CMDR Paul Cottier said it was the first time the bell had been struck since its retrieval, and was a fitting tribute to those who had given their lives for their country.

“To think that the bell laid on the ocean bed for 37 years – and here we are in 2017 hearing it ring once more – made the ser-vice even more special,” he said.

“It is hard to believe that Perth

and USS Houston [the other allied ship sunk in the battle] were able to fight so valiantly for so long against overwhelming odds.

“It is occasions such as this that make me so proud to be a member of the RAN.”

As Navy’s representative at the ceremony, Director General of Navy People CDRE Michelle Miller said it was humbling to lay a wreath in honour of all those lost during the battle.

“The opportunity for any Australian to attend the Last Post ceremony at the AWM is a memorable one, and in my case, to be able to lay a wreath on behalf of the Navy at the pool of reflection was very humbling and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” she said.

“Hearing the bell salvaged from the wreck of Perth I echo-ing in the courtyard, followed by the piping of the still was a very special way to start the com-memoration.

“It was also fantastic that the current XO and sailors from Perth III were able to attend and pay their respects alongside vet-erans who had served in Perth II, and their families.”

The service in the Sunda

Strait, which took place at 12.30am on March 1 – the pre-cise time that Perth sank – took on special significance this year, in the wake of increased efforts to preserve the site.

CO Maryborough LEUT Tom Mobbs said his crew had been looking forward to the ceremony since their departure from Darwin and they “were proud to have honoured those lost”.

“For most of the ship’s com-pany, this deployment is their first off the Australian area of operations,” LEUT Mobbs said.

The story of Perth I remains one of the most heroic and tragic in Navy history. On March 1, 1942, the RAN light cruiser and the US warship Houston confronted a Japanese naval task-force.

Outgunned and dramatically outnumbered, both ships fought with honour and courage until each was sunk after running out of ammunition.

Of the Australian crew, 375 died with 328 rescued, only to spend the rest of the war in POW camps, where many more died.

Houston lost 696 sailors and marines with 368 captured. Many of those captured suffered a similar fate to their Australian

counterparts. The site of the Perth I wreck remains vulnerable to local shipping and illegal salvage operations, which have damaged the wreck in past years.

However, the future of the site is looking brighter with Indonesian President Joko Widodo acknowledging the 75th anniversary of Perth’s sinking.

The president also reaffirmed a commitment to strengthen cooperation in the area of maritime cultural heritage, in a joint maritime statement with Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during his recent Australian visit.

LEUT Mobbs said such encouraging developments made the ceremony even more signifi-cant for his crew.

“This site is as important to Australians as the Naval Ode is to us when recited on Anzac Day,” LEUT Mobbs said.

“The qualities of heroism and leadership shown by those in Perth are as important now as they were during the battle in which she was sunk. These qualities are present at all ranks in Navy, guiding the way for us all to be our best when it matters the most.”

Perth heroes honoured

Director General Navy People CDRE Michele Miller salutes after laying a

wreath at the Australian War Memorial during the Last Post ceremony.

The crew of HMAS Maryborough lay wreaths at the resting place of Perth I and USS Houston in the Sunda Strait. Photo: LSIS James Whittle

The ship’s bell of HMAS Perth I is struck by members of Australia’s Federation Guard to begin the commemoration at the Last Post ceremony. Photos: POIS Phil Cullinan

4 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

CAPT Jonathon Earley is excited by the challenge of what is shaping to be one of the busiest and most significant years in Navy’s recent history.

As the newly appointed CO HMAS Adelaide, CAPT Earley, his crew, and his 27,000-tonne warship will be at the centre of a series of large, multinational exercises designed to train and certify the Fleet in task group-oriented operations.

He said the secret to success would be “preparation and delegation”.

“Empowering your people to make decisions that are aligned with your intent is fundamental to the successful operation of the platform, as are the skills to communicate and, most importantly, to listen,” CAPT Earley said.

“Physical and mental fitness are also important elements to address as well.”

Adelaide and her crew of 400 Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel will par-ticipate in exercises Sea Horizon, Sea Explorer, Sea Raider and Talisman Sabre this year.

She is currently taking part in Exercise Ocean Explorer, after which she’ll deploy to South-East Asia with HMA Ships Melbourne and Darwin as part of an amphibious task group.

“It is pretty awesome to be thunder-ing around the globe in warships, making a difference on so many levels,” CAPT Earley said.

“You could be chatting to a head of state during an official function one day and then executing a humanitarian aid and disaster relief or sea control mission on another.

“There is no question it is a job that pushes you to your limits, but it is also highly rewarding in that you have the privilege of leading capable people to do some amazing things.”

CAPT Earley took command of

A mighty workload for a mighty shipAdelaide from commissioning CO CAPT Paul Mandziy, in January.

CAPT Mandziy said he felt privileged to have had command of the Navy’s largest warship and felt he had achieved his aim of creating a positive and profes-sional culture on board.

He said his proudest moment was Adelaide’s involvement in the seizure of 180kg of cocaine during a Southern Ocean Border Protection Operation in

Adelaide’s busy schedule

During an aeromedical evacuation exercise on board Adelaide, POA Greg Doran (left) winches LSA Dylan Skipsey and LSMED Kiah Chapple aboard an MRH90, then winches another “patient” (centre), as nursing officer LEUT Shannon Evans (right) waits in the helicopter.

HMAS Adelaide conducts an early morning security patrol among offshore gas rigs in Bass Strait. Photos: LSIS Peter Thompson and POIS Andrew Dakin

ABCIS Brooke Margetts stands watch on the port bridge wing of Adelaide.

December. Working with Australia’s Maritime Border Command, personnel boarded the suspect vessel in interna-tional waters south of Hobart.

CAPT Mandziy advised his replace-ment to trust in the capabilities of his command.

“This is necessary in a capital ship where micro-management is neither possible nor practical in managing the complexity of a landing helicopter dock, or a ship’s company of more than 400 people,” CAPT Mandziy said.

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A mighty workload for a mighty ship

During an aeromedical evacuation exercise on board Adelaide, POA Greg Doran (left) winches LSA Dylan Skipsey and LSMED Kiah Chapple aboard an MRH90, then winches another “patient” (centre), as nursing officer LEUT Shannon Evans (right) waits in the helicopter.

An MRH90 from Adelaide on patrol.

The Bergamini-class Italian frigate Carabiniere steams in company with Adelaide

off the eastern coast of Australia.

A Mexeflote pontoon, from HMAS Choules, prepares to dock with Adelaide for the first time during their shakedown period at Jervis Bay.

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6 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

THE results of the Defence Blood Challenge are in, with Navy picking up the award for the highest year-over-year growth, increasing blood dona-tions by a massive 38 per cent.

More than 1400 Navy personnel rolled up their sleeves over a three-month period to donate blood and plasma to people in urgent need.

Blood Challenge Ambassador LEUT Chris Boardman said everyone should be proud.

“Navy personnel, both serving and retired, as well as our family and friends can feel justifiably proud of our 2016 efforts,” he said.

“We rose to the challenge and sur-prised even the blood service with the significant increase over 2015 figures.

“While the challenge was a great chance to embrace our intra-Defence rivalry for a short period, the need for blood is constant.

“I encourage everybody to continue donating year-round. Recruit ship-mates, friends and family to become routine blood donors.”

On the Navy leader board, HMAS Stirling made the greatest number of donations with 196 recorded.

With each donation saving up to three lives, this potentially provided blood products to 588 people.

Russell Offices in Canberra came in second followed by HMA Ships Cairns, Cerberus, Kuttabul and Albatross.

While coming close to its target of 1500 donations, LEUT Boardman said

he thought the service could do better.“I do believe Navy has much more

to give and I look forward to seeing us maintain the momentum we gathered in 2016,” he said.

Long-time donor CMDR Chloe Griggs said increasing donations was best done through donating plasma and by recruiting others.

“You can donate plasma more regularly than whole blood and it is increasingly needed for products that assist cancer patients, newborns and

people with immune conditions,” she said.

“You can donate plasma every fort-night and it’s sometimes an option for frequent travellers or those who take regular medication. This year, we will aim to increase donations by a double digit percentage, and we need the community to reach this goal.

“All members and veterans can get their family, friends and colleagues to join the Red25 team to ensure dona-tions count to the service.”

In 2016, Army provided the most overall donations and the RAAF had the highest percentage of donors (7.9 per cent of all members).The annual Defence Blood Challenge runs from September to December.

The push for donations sets a friendly competition between the three services and Defence civilians, while saving the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Find more at donateblood.com.au/red25

2016 Blood Challenge Ambassador LEUT Chris Boardman gives Billy the Blood Drop a high five as he donates blood during the challenge in Canberra. Photo: CPL Bill Solomou

A bloody good effortDEFENCE has finalised its mas-ter planning activity for upgrades to the Shoalwater Bay and Townsville training areas.

Following a round of consul-tation with local landowners, the result confirmed Defence can meet future training needs and increased training with the Singapore Armed Forces through the purchase of land from willing sellers. Defence Minister Marise Payne acknowl-edged the input of local landholders to the process.

“The approach outlined in the master plan will deliver significant improvements for the ADF to ena-ble us to fulfil our agreement with Singapore, and drive much-need-ed investment in central and north Queensland,” she said.

The enhancement involves con-siderable infrastructure works at Townsville Field and Shoalwater Bay Training Areas. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore, priority will be given to local businesses to deliver this investment.

The master planning results and ongoing KPMG socio-economic study will form the basis of the department’s initial business case to government for final approval of expansion.

More about the training areas is avail-able at www.defence.gov.au/Initiatives/SingaporeTraining

Training areas to be upgraded

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7NEWSMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Desmond Paroz

THE nation’s eyes were firmly focused on Darwin on February 19 as the city paused to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin by Imperial Japanese forces.

The commemorations held at the Darwin Cenotaph were attended by a number of notable guests, includ-ing veterans of the conflict, Governor-General GEN Sir Peter Cosgrove (retd) and Lady Cosgrove, along with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, senior federal and state politicians, ambassadors, and descendants.

VCDF VADM Ray Griggs said it was a particularly significant com-memoration for Australians.

“We often forget how dark 1942 was, from the fall of Singapore through to the bombing of Darwin and other cities in northern Australia, the loss of HMA Ships Perth and Yarra and other naval battles leading to the Battle of the Coral Sea,” he said.

“It was a dark year, it was an uncer-tain year and the men and women of all our three services did their best to keep Australia strong and free.

“Darwin was then, and is now, crucial to the defence of northern Australia, and the ADF’s participa-tion in these commemorations – led by Army’s 1st Brigade and supported by all three services – underscores this importance.”

The raids were undertaken by the same forces that attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, and residents and military forces initially believed the incom-ing aircraft were of British origin, and therefore were caught on the back foot.

The commemoration featured the sounding of an air-raid siren at

9.58am, followed by a fly-past con-sisting of three RAAF Hornets and an Orion, which was responded to by anti-aircraft gunnery from the 1st Brigade’s 8/12 Regiment and the Armidale-class patrol boat HMAS Maryborough.

Maryborough was anchored over the wreck of the USS Peary, which was sunk in the harbour during the raids, resulting in the loss of 91 men.

The focus of another service held to mark the loss of life, also attend-ed by many of the same dignitaries, was the friendship forged between Australia and the United States as a result of the attack.

CO HMAS Coonawarra CMDR Viktor Pilicic was pleased to see the large turnout at the Darwin events.

“With 75 years having passed it is important that we never forget this massive and sustained attack on the Australian mainland,” he said.

“February 19, 1942, saw a signifi-cant loss of life that included not only members of the Australian military, but also large numbers of civilians, and notably the loss of United States mili-tary members that fought side-by-side with Australia to defend our shores.

“To see members of the Australian and international community stand together with Australian Navy, Army and Air Force personnel and US marines shows that these important connections stand strong to this day.”

The attack was the first of more than 100 on northern Australia, and remains the largest single attack by a foreign nation on Australia.

Some 235 Australian and allied personnel were killed in the bombing by more than 240 Japanese aircraft.

Honouring the fallen

VCDF VADM Ray Griggs (above) lays a wreath and members of 103 Battery, 8/12th Regiment (left), take part in a depiction of the Bombing of Darwin Esplanade. Photos: ABIS Kayla Hayes

SMNCIS Brionee Roderick at attention during the USS Peary commemorative service held at the Darwin Esplanade.

LCDR Desmond Woods

WHEN Darwin was under attack during WWII, Leading Cook Francis Emms fought back.

As the Japanese bombed the harbour on February 19, 1942, LS Emms, at the time a cook on board HMAS Kara Kara, rushed to his action post.

Firing his machine gun from the ship’s weather deck, he was wounded by the incoming fire from the Japanese Zero fighter aircraft.

After the raid he was taken to the damaged but still functioning Hospital Ship Manunda, where he died later that day. LS Emms was

a Navy veteran, unlike many of the people who had joined the forces at the outset of WWII.

A Tasmanian, he had been in the Navy since 1928 and had originally qualified as a gunnery rating.

While serving in the cruiser HMAS Sydney in the Mediterranean his eyesight began to deteriorate. Rather than leave the Navy he decided to transfer to the supply branch as a cook.

Although married with a daugh-ter by then, he loved the Navy and wanted to continue to serve.

In September 1940, LS Emms was posted to the Darwin shore depot HMAS Melville where he

was employed as a cook at the base, and also in the boom defence vessels which operated the anti-submarine boom net stretched across Darwin Harbour.

Later it emerged that LS Emms’ operation of the machine guns had continued even after he had been seriously wounded. His con-stant and accurate fire forced the Japanese aircraft to break off their attack and probably saved the lives of several of his shipmates.

Buried at sea, LS Emms was subsequently awarded a posthu-mous Mention in Dispatches for courage and devotion to duty.

Heroic actions save mates HMAS Kara Kara before the Bombing of Darwin and (inset) Leading Cook Francis Emms.

8 REMEMBERING FALL OF SINGAPORE www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

CPL Max Bree

A WHITE flag and Union Jack accompanied Britain’s LTGEN Arthur Percival as he was escorted through Japanese lines to sign the surrender of Singapore’s C o m m o n w e a l t h f o r c e s o n February 15, 1942.

Seventy-five years la ter, flags of the Australian services were slowly raised over the Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial in Ballarat to mark a dark day in Commonwealth military history.

Veterans of the fighting were on hand as hundreds of people gathered to remember the disas-trous fall of Singapore, consid-ered at the time to be a bastion of British imperial power.

MAJGEN Simone Wilkie, whose grandfather was captured when Singapore fell, delivered the call to remembrance.

“It took just 10 weeks for three Japanese divisions to conquer Malaya,” she said. “There were weeks of retreat, confusion and fear; punctuated by local victories and acts of astonishing bravery.”

By the end of January 1942,

the last retreating Commonwealth troops crossed the causeway into Singapore.

A massive artillery barrage and Japanese landings followed on February 8.

“The water supply began to give out and the civilian popula-tion suffered terrible causalities,” MAJGEN Wilkie said.

“LTGEN Percival had no option but to surrender.”

About 80,000 Commonwealth troops became POWs, joining roughly 50,000 taken in Malaya.

This included about 15,000 Australians.

Governor-General GEN Sir Peter Cosgrove (retd) delivered the commemorative address.

“Singapore was supposed to be an impenetrable fortress, the Gibraltar of the east, the heart of British naval power in Asia, the guarantor of Australia’s security,” he said.

“ S u d d e n l y a n d s h a r p l y Australia realised our survival was now at stake.

“Britain was no longer in a position to defend its or Australia’s interests in Asia. The ties that

bound us were not ruptured but loosened.”

Aside f rom the blow to Britain’s prestige, Australian POWs went on to suffer blows of a different kind as they were forced to work as slave labour on places like the Thai-Burma Railway and Sandakan airfield.

“Tortured, degraded, starved and beaten. Marched and worked to the brink of exhaustion. To the edge of death and beyond,” Sir Peter said.

“But there was a form of slow-burn courage, of daily sacrifice and determination not to give in, not to despair.”

Thousands of Australian troops captured with the fall of Singapore would never see home again.

“We will never forget those who endured severe hardship to give us the privilege of living in peace,” MAJGEN Wilkie said.

“We will never forget those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our freedom.

“We will never forget those who gave their tomorrow so that we might have our today.”

‘No option but to surrender’

CPL Max Bree

NERVOUS soldiers wandered the docks of Singapore hoping for a way off the island as Japanese forces approached in February 1942.

Speaking after the Ballarat service, Ordinary seaman Derek Holyoake, of HMAS Hobart, recalled being in Singapore after escorting the final con-voy of reinforcements from Fremantle.

“I was on the wharf tending the motorboat lines and they’d say ‘mate, is this ship going back to Australia?’, I had to say ‘no, you can’t get on this one’,” he said.

Mr Holyoake served in Hobart in the Red Sea before it escorted British and Indian troops from Colombo to Singapore, then a final transport of Australian soldiers.

Despite claims Singapore was impregnable, Mr Holyoake said the fall seemed inevitable.

“The writing was on the wall even before we got there; the Japanese were advancing so fast down the Malay Peninsula,” he said.

“The reinforcements were not even trained to use a rifle, let alone in jungle warfare.

“It was such a slow convoy. We knew they [the men on board] were going to be POWs. It was so sad.”

Hobart left Singapore soon after-wards and joined allied ships attempt-ing to stop Japanese forces landing on

Bangka Island, east of Sumatra.The young Mr Holyoake would man

either a defence station on the 4-inch anti-aircraft guns or an action station as gun crew on Y turret.

Unfortunately for Hobart and allied ships, they attempted to stop the land-ings with no air cover.

“We were bombed from 10 o’clock in the morning until five o’clock at night by more than 100 high-level bombers,” Mr Holyoake said.

The small fleet manoeuvred chaoti-cally as each ship’s captain tried to keep away from falling bombs.

“The captain would watch when the bomb bay doors opened, he’d judge where they were going to fall and he’d say ‘full ahead on one engine and full astern on the other’,” Mr Holyoake said.

“He turned the Hobart around like a motorboat and bombs would fall down one side or the other.”

Looking back on the fall of Singapore, Mr Holyoake said it was preceded by a series of high-level mistakes.

“I remember the folly of British gen-erals and the incompetence of the whole thing,” he said.

“They were trying to make ‘Fortress’ Singapore, when they didn’t have any defences on the landward side.

“When we were in Singapore, the naval base had been destroyed. We knew the end was nigh. You didn’t need to be an expert to know all was lost.”

Ex-sailor ‘knew the end was nigh’

Governor-General GEN Sir Peter Cosgrove (retd) speaks to some of the veterans following a national commemorative service in Ballarat to mark the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore. Photo: CPL Max Bree

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9NEWSMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

CMDR Fenn Kemp

A SERVICE was held in Indonesia to honour the victims of a WWII tragedy and pay tribute to their legacy.

On February 12, 1942, 22 Australian Army nurses made it to shore on Bangka Island after their ship was sunk by Japanese forces in the Bangka Strait.

The nurses, along with British sail-ors and soldiers, men, women, and children had escaped Singapore which was about to fall to Imperial Japanese forces. More than 40 ships had left the chaos of Singapore Harbour days before and most were attacked by Japanese aircraft or hit sea mines in the Singapore Strait.

The survivors washed up on or near the remote Radji Beach. Women and children walked to the nearby town of Muntok to surrender, while the nurs-es stayed on the beach to care for the wounded.

The Japanese patrol that found them on February 16 ordered about 50 British soldiers and sailors to march around a headland before executing them and bayonetting the wounded.

As they returned to the beach the women were in little doubt about their fate. The Japanese soldiers ordered the

nurses and one female civilian to walk into the surf.

Seconds before the machine gun opened fire on the row of women, the head nurse, Matron Irene Drummond, spoke out, “Chins up, girls. I’m proud of you and I love you all”.

Only one Australian nurse survived the massacre. Sister Vivian Bullwinkel was badly wounded but survived and went on to give evidence at the war crimes trial of those who murdered so many of her friends and colleagues.

ADF members gathered with the families of some of the nurses killed, 75 years on. They included 12 Australian Army nurses from across Australia and Defence Staff at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, led by CDRE Robert Plath.

CDRE Plath said it was a special day for all present.

“While the 22 Australian nurses were the natural focus of the Bangka Island story, we also reflected on the Royal Navy sailors and British Army members who died that day,” he said.

“Ultimately though, this event was organised for the families.”

The ceremony on Radji Beach was the most emotional of a series of activi-ties to mark the anniversary.

John Perryman

THE island of Singapore, at that time a British Crown Colony, surrendered to Imperial Japanese Forces following a rapid offensive that saw a succession of allied strongholds fall throughout Asia and the Pacific.

The advance south by the Japanese came soon after the simultaneous attack on the United States Navy fleet at Pearl Harbor and other targets in South-East Asia on December 7, 1941, and sought to secure, for Japan, territories rich in natu-ral resources to support its war effort and economy.

Singapore, with a garrison of some 20,000 men, a large naval facility, air strips and fixed gun emplacements, was widely perceived as an island fortress that could withstand even the most determined attack. However, the destruction of the US naval and air forces at Pearl Harbor and in the Philippines, coupled with the sinking on December 10, 1941, of HM Ships Prince of Wales and Repulse, sent by the British to reinforce the region, soon had many recognising that excessive faith may have been placed in Singapore’s defensive capabilities.

Numerous ships of the RAN were involved in operations to stem the Japanese advance. The destroyer HMAS Vampire was present when the aforementioned British warships were sunk by waves of Japanese torpedo bombers. Many of those who survived the attack were rescued from the water by Vampire’s crew.

Vampire later joined the British

Australian ships try to stem Japanese flow

Derek Holyoake at the service held in Ballarat. Photo: CPL Max Bree

destroyer HMS Thanet in a desperate bid to intercept an enemy troop convoy bound for Endau in Malaya. Early in the morning of January 27, 1942, they encountered a supe-rior enemy escort force and in the ensuing action Thanet was sunk with heavy loss of life and Vampire was lucky to escape.

The cruiser HMAS Hobart, having arrived in Malayan waters in late January 1942, soon found herself withstanding a number of heavy enemy air attacks as the convoy she was escorting approached Singapore. Hobart berthed at Keppel Harbour on February 1 to learn that Singapore’s famous causeway linking the island with Malaya was by then the site of a desperate allied rear guard action.

With the collapse of the island immi-nent, Hobart, in company with HMS Tenedos, departed for the Dutch East Indies the following day. Three hours

out of Singapore the destroyer HMAS Vendetta was sighted under the tow of the tug Stronghold. Vendetta had been immobi-lised in refit in Singapore and after a long slow tow she eventually made it back to Australia.

As Hobart and Tenedos continued their voyage, the merchant ship Norah Moller was sighted under aerial attack. Both ships opened fire, driving off the first wave of attackers before a second appeared. The attack left Norah Moller incapable of pro-ceeding and she was subsequently anchored to enable the removal of her passengers and wounded, including women and children. The vessel was then abandoned before the two ships continued on to Batavia.

Days later, the sloop HMAS Yarra found herself in the thick of action after arriving at Singapore as an escort to the transports Felix Roussel and Empress of

Asia. Once sighted by the enemy, they soon came under air attack and both transports were set alight. The fire in Felix Roussel was quickly extinguished but the Empress of Asia was beyond help. Yarra’s captain, CMDR “Arch” Harrington, quickly took skilful measures to rescue those on board with the assistance of the RAN corvettes Bendigo and Wollongong. Other RAN cor-vettes performing useful work in the area included HMA Ships Goulburn, Burnie, Ballarat, Toowoomba and Maryborough of the 21st Minesweeping Group.

As the situation in Singapore became untenable, orders were received for the Australian warships to redeploy and pre-pare for the defence of the Dutch East Indies.

At midnight on February 6, 1942, Wollongong was the last RAN ship to leave Singapore before the island’s surrender.

Beach massacre victims honoured

HMAS Hobart in Singapore before the city fell to Japanese

forces.

CDRE Bob Plath speaks with Australian Army nurses LTs Ashleigh Capell and Lauren Turner.Photo: CMDR Fenn Kemp

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10 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

CPL Mark Doran

IF LEUT Nabil Mikhail found last year demanding, the pace won’t be much different at his new posting at HMAS Albatross. Having graduated as a fight test engi-neer (FTE) from the UK’s Empire Test Pilots’ School at MoD Boscombe Down in December, LEUT Mikhail will bring his new skills to the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU).

The aerospace engineer said the intensive one-year course included training in detailed flight testing and the analysis of aircraft and their related systems. This ensured they met safety and performance standards and allowed Navy the opportunity to realise its full capability.

LEUT Mikhail said he also gained valuable experience working with experienced pilots and engineers from foreign militaries and industry, includ-ing representatives from Singapore, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“The multinational environment gave me an insight into how militar-ies and industry from other nations go about their business, professionally and culturally,” he said.

“Networking with engineers and aircrew from various nations and gaining insight into how they utilised their aircraft in various operational roles and environments was a priceless experience.”

His skill sets will be put to use by the AMAFTU during a busy 2017, with flight trials scheduled for the LHD, FFG, FFH and the first mul-tirole aviation training vessel, MV Sycamore.

Sycamore is part of the upgraded Helicopter Aircrew Training System, which will train Army and Navy pilots to operate new generation naval combat and battlefield helicopters.

LEUT Mikhail joined the Navy in 2010 after attaining a degree in aero-space engineering at RMIT University in Melbourne, which was followed by

six months working in Munich. After officer training he began on-the-job training at HMAS Albatross with 817SQN on the Westland Sea King Mk50 and was the last trainee aero-space engineer officer before Navy retired the helicopters in 2011.

LEUT Mikhail’s first posting was to Brisbane as the MRH90 Fleet Coordinator before his first sea post-ing as the commissioning Deputy Aerospace Engineer Officer in HMAS Canberra.

LEUT Mikhail said the FTE course was the hardest and most challenging

training of his Navy career so far.“I needed to study for up to 60-70

hours a week,” he said.“I was fortunate to fly in 16 air-

craft and four simulators, with self-assessment on 12 aircraft, including helicopters in utility and combat roles, as well as powered and unpowered gliders, a fast-jet and an airliner, total-ling 96 hours.

“The instructors would give us work during the week, but we would still need to sacrifice most of our weekends to get it done on time.

“It was a sustained workload and we needed to manage our time well throughout the year.

“We would be finalising the report on an exercise we just completed, while at the same time planning for the next exercise, while midway through another.”

The FTE course’s capstone project

Engineer puts skills to usewas a syndicate preview assessment involving a full flight test campaign on an unfamiliar aircraft in a condensed time period.

This assessment required students to apply their knowledge and demonstrate their understanding of flight test, planning, teamwork, problem solving and reporting findings with recommendations to the ‘customer organisation’.

LEUT Mikhail and his team con-ducted their assessment on the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk2 helicopter for its suitability in anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare roles.

Their efforts resulted in his syndi-cate being awarded the Patuxent Shield by the Empire Test Pilots’ School on behalf of the US Navy Test Pilot School for the best rotary wing pre-view report.

LEUT Mikhail continued with his studies and began a postgradu-ate Master’s of Flight Test and Flight Dynamics with the University of Cranfield.

He plans to complete the course by correspondence while at Albatross and submit his thesis by August 2018.

LEUT Mikhail said he was looking forward to being a part of the flight trials for the in-service and new air-craft on the LHDs and AWDs.

“It will be a fantastic opportunity to play a role in the future development of Navy’s aviation capability,” he said.

“In particular, it will be great to be a part of the first-of-class flight trials on the LHDs, particularly Canberra, as she was my first ship.”

– LEUT Nabil Mikhail

LEUT Nabil Mikhail, right, is presented with a plaque by United States Navy CMDR Clark Childers during a presentation for the winners of the Patuxent Shield.

‘‘It will be a fantastic opportunity to play a role in the future development of Navy’s aviation capability.

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12 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017 CENTRE 13 Exercise Ocean Explorer

LEUT Mick Wheeler

THE arrival at Fleet Base West of the Spanish Armada’s ESPS Christobal Colon to participate in Exercise Ocean Explorer has pro-vided an ideal opportunity for the showcasing of two great Spanish loves – football and food.

A football match was arranged for the ship’s crew of the Christobal Colon against a side from HMAS Stirling, followed by a chef’s exchange in the Christobal Colon galley with chefs from Rockingham Spanish restaurant Rustico Tapas and Bar.

As part of the All Australian Chefs Exchange Program, Rockingham chef Jarrad Powell and apprentice chef Noah De Souza were assisted by Australian sailors POML-C Peter Kenyon and ABML-C SM Matthew Cole in the galley of Christobal Colon.

Together with the Spanish galley

crew, they cooked up Hervey Bay scallops with Ago Blanco and pork crumbs along with steamed mussels with tomato sauce and chorizo.

Chef Powell said the opportu-nity to be on board a Spanish ship and interact with the crew was a rewarding experience.

“It’s great that the RAN could put together a chef’s exchange like this,” he said.

“To work on a Spanish warship and to talk to the galley crew here about Spanish food was a fantastic experience.”

One of the galley hosts, Spanish sailor SMN Francisco Martinez, was fascinated by the similarities in the types of seafood that were avail-able in both Spain and Australia.

“I found the cooking today interesting in that even though we are on the other side of the world we used similar ingredients but combined them in different ways to come up with different tastes.”

LCDR Jason O'Gorman

LIFE in the Navy is varied, and expe-riences like participating in warfighting training, such as Exercise Ocean Explorer, test the mettle of the people and platforms involved.

Long-range escort frigate HMAS Darwin is playing a vital part in the exer-cise with the warfighting muscle to coun-ter simultaneous threats from the air, sur-face and sub-surface.

The frigate’s close in weapons system

(CIWS) is designed to be the last line of defence against anti-ship missiles and is maintained by LSET Nicholas Challinor-Stevenson.

LS Challinor-Stevenson said the Phalanx CIWS, or “sea-whiz”, was his preferred choice of weapons system.

“It fires 20mm armour-piercing tung-sten-tipped rounds out of six rotating bar-rels at a rate of about 75 rounds a second,” LS Challinor-Stevenson said.

“It is capable of automatically search-ing for, detecting, tracking and engaging any air target deemed a threat to its host

ship. CIWS is an important air warfare asset, and as we all know, it’s the fastest gun in the Fleet.”

LS Challinor-Stevenson was posted in Darwin in 2014 as an able seaman and deployed to the Middle East. Three years later, he is back on board Darwin as the leading seaman CIWS maintainer.

“It felt like I never left,” he said. Following in his father’s footsteps, he

joined after hearing all the stories about the Navy from his ex-serving father and serving uncle.

“I’ve never regretted my decision to

join the Navy at the ripe age of 17 back in 2009,” LS Challinor-Stevenson said.

“I’ve experienced more, wearing the Navy uniform, than is possible in any other job out there.

“Why would anyone want to do any-thing else?

“I’ve enjoyed a great connection with Darwin and take great pride in all the work that I do on board.

“It will be kind of sad to see Darwin decommission at the end of this year.”

Forces from various nations have converged on Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, to take part in one of Navy's biggest fleet training activities, LEUT Adam Klyne reports.

The fastest gun in the Fleet

LSET Nicholas Challinor-Stevenson checks HMAS Darwin's “sea-whiz” during Exercise Ocean Explorer. Photo: POEW Mark Feggans

HMAS Anzac joined Exercise Ocean Explorer with a broom hoisted as a symbolic gesture of achieving a “clean sweep” during the ship's unit readiness evaluation.

The achievement – the culmination of six months of hard work and ded-ication by Anzac’s crew – is not only important for them, as it represents total unit competence, but also to the ADF as a whole.

By successfully completing her evaluation, Anzac can now confidently be deployed in an array of maritime operations around the world.

LEUT Matt Featherstone, who posted to Anzac from HMAS Watson in January, said the readiness work-up had exposed him to a variety of exer-cises and activities while working on the bridge.

“This has allowed me to consolidate the skills learnt at the bridge simulator and attain real-world context,” he said.

The multinational task group opera-tions of Exercise Ocean Explorer are an important step towards Navy's ability to generate and deploy a self-supporting and sustainable maritime task group, as outlined in CN’s Plan Pelorus.

Augmenting the ranks of Anzac dur-ing this busy period were 10 SMNETs, fresh from HMAS Cerberus.

Eager to learn, their efforts were noticed by the crew and by Sea Training Group.

Digitally altered image

Chefs share love of food in Spanish galley

ABML-C Matthew Cole puts the finishing touches on a dish in the galley of ESPS Christobal Colon as Rustico Tapas and Bar apprentice Noah De Souza looks on. Photo: ABIS Richard Cordell

They enthusiastically took part in whole ship evolutions and the multi-tude of damage control exercises that are the staple of any work-up.

The unit readiness evaluation was invaluable experience for the young trainees.

SMNET Liam Warren said it was an eye-opening and valuable experience to be a part of team Anzac during unit readiness.

“It is great to see so many sailors and officers come together to achieve a common goal,” he said.

HMAS Anzac sails through Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, during

Exercise Ocean Explorer.Photo: LSIS Lee-Anne CooperCLEAN

SWEEP

A broom is hoisted in HMAS Anzac to represent the crew's clean sweep during unit readiness. Photo: ABBM Thomas Darcy

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FRAUD Control and Investigations Branch (FCIB) is led by the Assistant Secretary Fraud Control (ASFC) Meryl Clarke. The ASFC is the lead authority in Defence for preventing, detecting and responding to fraud, corruption and related unethical conduct.

During 2017, FCIB will undertake significant face-to-face targeted ethics and fraud training around Australia to raise awareness across Defence on the topics of ethics, fraud, conflict of interest and the Defence Public Interest Disclosure Scheme.

FCIB comprises three directorates having responsibility for:

Fraud Control♦ Ethics and fraud awareness

training: Campus course and face-to-face presentations

♦ Fraud intelligence and detection

♦ Fraud policy and ethics advice

♦ Fraud risk management

Investigations and Recovery♦ Complex investigations:

criminal, serious misconduct and probity

♦ Consultation with service police and other Defence investigative authorities

♦ Receipt and assessment of allegations of fraud and corruption, serious misconduct and unethical conduct

♦ Management of Defence Public Interest Disclosure Scheme

♦ Recovery of fraud debts

Fraud Information Systems

♦ Management of the Defence Policing and Security Management System

UNREPORTED CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCEOVER a 20-month period, an ADF mem-ber received more than $33,000 in rent allowance they were not entitled because of a change in circumstances. The mem-ber did not inform DHA of these changes and the matter came to light as a result of a report to the Defence Public Interest Disclosure Scheme.

The member was charged with crimi-nal fraud, found guilty and sentenced to an 18-month good behaviour bond. All the money fraudulently obtained by the mem-ber was recovered.

OBTAINED FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE BY DECEPTIONOVER a six-month period, an ADF member received full rent allowance while secretly sharing their property with several other people who paid rent to the member. The ADF Investigative Service was informed of the criminal activity by an anonymous informant and investigated.

Under the Defence Force Discipline Act, the member was found guilty of ‘Obtaining a Financial Advantage by Deception’, fined $1500 and reduced in rank. All the money fraudulently obtained by the member was recovered.

Group Name Number

Navy Michael Andrews (02) 6265 3052

Army Grant Warner (02) 6265 6799

Air Force Ernie Walsh (02) 6266 6315

Assoc Sec Chris Metha (02) 6266 2626

CASG Paul Mulholland (02) 6265 7884

CIOG Kim Daniel (02) 6144 4422

CFO Melinda Gabriel (02) 6265 5669

DPG Amber Brentnall (02) 6265 5094

DPG Peta Rafty (02) 4034 6958

E&IG Gavin Chester (02) 6266 7981

DSTG Peter Lambert (02) 6128 6350

JOC Anna Hackett (02) 6128 4082

SP&IG John Toohey (02) 6265 4144

VCDF Matthew Avakian (02) 6265 4273

Ending allowance fraud This is a quarterly column detailing cases of fraud in the ADF. This first column focuses on allowance fraud and, in particular, rental allowance fraud.

FOLLOWING an investigation into allowance fraud by the Fraud Control and Investigations Branch (FCIB), a former member of the

ADF was sentenced in the Toowoomba Magistrates’ Court to six months’ impris-onment and released on a good behaviour bond for two years, with a recognisance of $5000.

The member was also ordered by the court to repay $27,800.

The offender joined the ADF in 2005 and resided in service residences after being classified as member with depend-ants (MWD). His situation changed in 2007 when his marriage failed coinciding with an overseas deployment.

The marriage break-up was not dis-closed to Defence, and at face value the member’s spouse had returned to the marital home. As the member failed to disclose the change in circumstance, his categorisation for rental allowance was not reviewed and he remained as MWD (unaccompanied). Over a number of years the member submitted a number of addi-tional fraudulent applications with respect to that MWD (U) categorisation.

The member began a new relationship and, in 2012, because of an unrelated incident involving his new partner, the member’s personal circumstances were reviewed by his commander. When questioned about his marital status and categorisation for allowances, the member dishonestly claimed he and his wife were in an open relationship and the relationship had only ended weeks earlier.

The matter was initially reported to the ADF Investigative Service, which investigated and identified a potential overpayment of $31,000. During this period, the member discharged from the ADF and the matter was transferred to FCIB to investigate.

The investigation revealed the member dishonestly claimed a number of other allowances including accommodation and

15FRAUD AND ETHICSMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

GROUP Fraud Control Coordinators are appointed by their respective group or service to form a department-wide network. They inform Risk Stewards and Control Owners by regularly liaising with the Assistant Secretary Fraud Control and coordinating group or service-specific fraud activities such as:

♦ Biannual Defence fraud report processes

♦ Whole of Defence fraud risk assessment development and evaluation

♦ Individual group and service fraud risk assessment evaluation and treatment

♦ Strategic intelligence threat assessment capability initia-tives for high fraud risks and emerging threats

Defence Force case studies

utility charges, reunion travel payments and separation allowance.

Despite leaving the ADF, the former member was located and charged with Dishonestly Causing a Loss or Risk of Loss, which resulted in a guilty plea to the relevant offences.

Assistant Secretary Fraud Control Meryl Clarke says cases like this remind personnel of their requirements to advise any changes to circumstances.

“It is imperative for members to advise Defence of a change in circumstances in order to avoid repayment and/or prosecu-tion,” she said.

“The FCIB commits significant intelli-gence and resources to detect and respond to behaviour such as that committed by this former member. The consequences are likely to include full repayment of money, possible loss of career and crimi-nal prosecution.”

To discuss any concerns, email Defence.Ethics@defence.gov.au or check out http://drnet.defence.gov.au/AssociateSecretary/AFCD/FCIB To report fraud, corruption, or abuse of resourc-es call (02) 6266 4322 or email fraud.investiga-tions@defence.gov.au. Reports can be made through the Defence Public Interest Disclosure Scheme at 1800 673 502 or Defence.PID@defence.gov.au

FRAUD CONTROL AND INVESTIGATIONS BRANCH

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16 FEATURE www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

BLUETOOTH headsets could soon be introduced onto the bridge of FFGs and FFHs thanks to the enterprise and

innovation of two young engineers in HMAS Newcastle.

Weapons electrical engineer officers LEUTs Jeffery Mandryk and Addison Clune researched and developed a pair of headsets after concerns were raised about the safety of the old cable models.

Officers Of the Watch who wear the headsets to speak with the ship’s operations room complained the 10m of cable that dragged behind them restricted manoeuvrability around the bridge and posed a trip hazard to the crew, especially at night.

CO Newcastle CMDR Mark Sirois tasked LEUTs Mandryk and Clune to find a solution.

“We quickly found out it would not be an easy project as we researched more into the interface between the old-style sound-powered technology of the bridge internal communica-tions unit and the modern technology of a Bluetooth transceiver,” LEUT Mandryk said.

“When we got them up and running, the OOW reported the headset was too quiet.

“We modified the design to incorporate an amplifier into the circuit. But then we experienced

Communication innovationWhen speaking on a headset became a hazard, two electrical engineering officers in HMAS Albatross found a modern solution, LEUT Todd Fitzgerald reports.

problems relating to the amount of noise the amplifier introduced into the circuit.

“With the help of the FFG inno-vation team, we optimised the gain

on the amplifier and filtered out the noise.”

The headset was trialled in Newcastle during Warfare Assessment Week late last year, when communica-

tions between the OOW and the opera-tions room was critical. The results were music to the ears of everyone involved.

“Loud and clear two-way com-

munications were achieved,” LEUT Mandryk said.

The new Bluetooth design has now replaced the old cable headset in Newcastle.

The system offers the capability of listening to two different channels simultaneously via the left and right earphones, with the addition of mute buttons for each individual circuit.

The still-functional cable headset remains on the bridge. If the Bluetooth headset should fail, the OOW is able to unplug the Bluetooth transceiver and plug in the cable headset.

The design is currently before the FFG Ship’s Program Office, which is responsible for ensuring the operation-al availability of the FFG fleet.

Chief Engineer Subrata Majumder said the headset was a “smart, low-cost and safe solution for eliminating haz-ards such as trip and neck strain”.

“They have proven themselves as good innovators through successfully designing and delivering a capabil-ity which will help the OOW,” Mr Majumder said.

“FFG Enterprise has accepted this innovative solution and made a deci-sion to implement it onto FFG plat-forms. Noting one capability manager manages both the FFGs and FFHs, it is highly likely this solution will be rolled out on FFHs as well.”

LEUT Robert McRae (left), an OOW in HMAS Newcastle, trials a Bluetooth wireless headset on the bridge. The result of the trials means the 10m-long cable – behind LEUT Joshua Maher (right), an OOW in HMAS Darwin – could become a thing of the past. Photos: LSIS Peter Thompson and ABIS Sarah Williams

Look forward

17PERSONNELMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Dallas McMaugh

LEUT Jodie Turkenberg has been pre-sented with the Partington Shield for her support of naval aviation at HMAS Albatross.

The award, which was established in 1992 in the memory of former CO Albatross, the late CDRE Robert Partington, was presented by COMFAA CDRE Chris Smallhorn.

LEUT Turkenberg, a flight support officer with 816SQN, said while she was proud to receive the honour, she felt the recognition should also extend to her team.

“I’m fortunate to work with an effective flight support team which has worked tirelessly to represent the requirements of the embarked flights, to ensure a seamless transition from S70B2 to MH60R,” she said.

“The new MH60R flights are kick-ing goals and achieving their ‘readiness to embark’ on time, with few limita-tions, and the last remaining S70B2 flight is maintaining a high level of output right until the end. This job is incredibly rewarding, and to receive the Partington Shield for something I am so enthusiastic about is very gratifying.”

The award was presented as part of the inaugural FAA Excellence Awards in December, at which CDRE Smallhorn also presented four new per-petual awards recognising excellence in the areas of warfare, engineering, tech-nical mastery, and safety.

“My intention in introducing these awards is to recognise outstanding service and it was gratifying to see the range and level of innovation and com-mitment among the nominees,” CDRE Smallhorn said.

LCDR Peter Thompson, of the Australian Maritime Warfare Centre, was the recipient of the Warfare Excellence Medal. The award for Engineering Excellence and Innovation was presented to 816SQN’s Flight

Recognising air warfare excellence

SGT Dave Morley

YEARS of hard work and intricate planning came to fruition with the opening and dedi-cation of the St George’s Defence Holiday Suites at the Gold Coast’s Rainbow Bay on February 17.

Chair of the management committee of the Service Personnel Anglican Help Society, Army chaplain Jim Cosgrove, said the society’s founder, Rev Canon David Garland, returned from WWI after estab-lishing diggers’ houses in Egypt, Palestine and Syria.

CHAP Cosgrove said that as a result of his experiences, Canon Garland saw the need to provide resources to “guide their footsteps back into civilian life” and acquired the block of land on which the holiday suites now stand in 1916. Tents were replaced with sheds in 1918.

“As we gather here today under the shade of our new building 100 years later, I am proud to reassure everyone here, as well as our founder Canon Garland, that his great work has continued and will endure for dec-ades to come.”

Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey and Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane Phillip Aspinall unveiled the plaque.

Mr de Jersey, who served in the Queensland University Regiment from

1966-71 and was commissioned in 1969, said he was especially pleased to receive an invitation to attend the opening.

“In doing so, I am renewing a com-mitment made by Sir John Lavarack, Queensland’s first Australian-born gover-nor,” he said.

“Sir John was a hero of WWI, who rose to the rank of lieutenant-general in WWII, after distinguished service at Tobruk and in Syria.

“He had a special affinity with returned servicemen and women and those who sought to support them, including groups like the Sailors and Soldiers Church of England Help Society, the antecedent of today’s Service Personnel Anglican Help Society.

“Today as governor, it is my immense honour to meet returned soldiers from our longest war, in Afghanistan, and those who served in Iraq, in Timor-Leste, and in peace-keeping missions throughout the world.

“These suites will serve a new genera-tion of Defence members and their families, as well as members from our coalition forc-es. They will allow serving members, veter-ans and their families to enjoy this stunning environment and its many attractions.”

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Support Manager CPOATV Philip Copley for his contribution to enhanc-ing FAA maritime air power and inte-gration. The Aviation Technical Mastery Award was presented to POATA Gavin Mason for his demonstration of exceptional skills and contribution to resilience and effectiveness as a first class maritime aviation warfighting capability.

808SQN’s Tool Control Trade Supervisor, LSATV Tristan Vercoe, received the Naval Aviation Safety Excellence Medal for 808SQN’s work with charity Lifeline.

LS Vercoe said he was surprised and gratified to receive the recognition.

“The initiative came about through my concern with the level of support for people suffering with mental health issues at sea and my own feelings of helplessness when trying to help my mates,” LS Vercoe said. “Through Lifeline I arranged for 21 of our mem-bers to receive the two-day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), in the hope that it would make a difference for someone in the future.”

CDRE Chris Smallhorn presents LEUT Jodie Turkenberg with the Partington Shield.

Anglican Archbishop of Queensland Phillip Aspinall and Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey unveil the plaque; and (inset), the view from the suites. Main photo: SGT Dave Morley

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

LSATA Adam Kohler has been named the HMAS Albatross Sailor of the Year for 2016.

The honour capped off a successful year for LS Kohler who was also part of the team that won the aviation sec-tion of the Navy Engineering Challenge.

He said the secret to his success was simple; he enjoyed his job.

“I am genuinely excited by coming to work each day. The role is challenging. It allows me to show initiative and the work is meaningful,” he said.

“I am learning something new each day. I have access to the latest tools and main-tenance equipment and I am part of a close-knit technical team.”

LS Kohler is a mainte-nance team trade supervisor at 723SQN.

CO Albatross CAPT Fiona Sneath said LS Kohler’s efforts had been consistently professional, tirelessly duti-ful and always to the highest standards.

CAPT Sneath highlighted LS Kohler’s exceptional technical and leadership

skills. She said his devotion to ensuring strong links between the Navy and the local Shoalhaven community was an example to all.

“Regardless of the task at hand, high profile or not, he consistently delivered a level of service and dedication well beyond expectation and his personal sacrifice was com-mendable,” CAPT Sneath said.

“In doing so, he has made a wonderful contribution to his squadron, establishment and the reputation of Navy in the Shoalhaven region.

“His achievements and manner, entirely aligned with Navy’s Signature Behaviours, were of the highest order in keeping with the finest tradi-tions of 723SQN and the Navy, and made him the wor-thy recipient of the Albatross Sailor of the Year 2016.”

The Sailor of the Year award is presented in bases and ships across the Fleet. It is given to the sailor who consistently lived Navy values and signature behaviours.

The award recognises those who demonstrate innovation, continuous improvement, fix problems and take action, as well as strengthen relationships with local partners.

Aviation sailor recognised

ABATA Nicole Otte and LSATA Adam Kohler work on their team’s aviation challenge during the 2016 Engineering Challenge. Photo: LSIS Nina Fogliani

18 PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

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LEUT Will Singer

UNITED States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five (EODMU5) recently flew in to Perth from Guam for mine counter-measure training with AUSCDT4 and Australian Mine Warfare Team16 (AUSMWT16).

The training took place in the pristine surrounds of Garden Island where the teams shared valuable experience and equipment during autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) and unmanned surface vessels evolutions – bolstering their deployable mine counter-measures capabilities.

OIC of Expeditionary Reconnaissance Clearance AUSCDT4, LEUT Beau Mulraney, said the two weeks of training provided an opportunity to enhance inter-operability with the regionally-based US forces.

“AUSCDT4 already has a strong rap-port with our US counterparts and the training provided an opportunity to stress and develop our tactics and procedures in consultation with the US Navy,” LEUT Mulraney said.

He said the crew of EODMU5 was

keen to establish a continuing training rela-tionship with Australian clearance diving teams.

CO AUSMWT16 LCDR Ryan Carmichael said partner nation engage-ment opportunities were a key part of the SEA1778 spiral development plan.

“This tactical training activity was designed to enhance individual and col-lective skills, and to develop techniques and procedures in very shallow water mine counter measures scenarios,” he said.

“The AUSMWT16 AUV capability implementation crew has been embedded within EODMU5 element throughout the activity to gain practical experience in the planning and conduct of AUV operations.”

US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal PO2 Ben Bachmann said it was great to get perspective on how different teams did things with different equipment, and how they came together to get the job done.

“We like the Australian gear and it gives us an understanding of what to expect in the future and how we will benefit,” he said.

“We also experienced the beautiful Perth beaches, which are not dissimilar to San Diego.”

Partners develop tactics

19TRAININGMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Top: A diver from the United States Explosives Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five (EODMU5) enters the water during a joint diving exercise with AUSCDT4 near Rockingham Beach, WA.

Above: Members from EODMU5 and AUSCDT4 drive their rigid hull inflatable boats to the designated dive site in Cockburn Sound.

Left: Underwater Navigation and Integrated Sonar gear is loaded onto Navy dive launch Shark before heading out into Cockburn Sound. Photos: CPOIS Damian Pawlenko and ABIS Richard Cordell

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20 HISTORY www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

LATE February marked the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Java Sea between Australian, American, British and Dutch

cruisers and destroyers and a fleet of Japanese heavy cruisers.

The brutal battle on February 27, 1942, resulted in a decisive Japanese victory.

The Japanese used spotter aircraft to improve the accuracy of their 8-inch gunfire and torpedo attacks by destroyers.

After several hours, when the battle was evenly matched, the cruiser HMS Exeter, of Battle of the River Plate fame, was hit by a shell which knocked out six of her eight boilers.

She hauled out of the battle line to return to Surabaya.

To protect the stricken cruiser CAPT Hec Waller, of HMAS Perth, ordered maximum speed and laid a smokescreen across Exeter.

An officer from USS Houston later wrote:

“Perth charged past us with her throttles open and a billowing cloud of

Marking Java Sea disasterSeventy-five years ago, HMAS Perth was a shining light on a dark night in our naval history, writes LCDR Desmond Woods.

SEA mines were a continuing threat in the Persian Gulf after the end of the recent

Gulf War.Hundreds of mines were

thought to remain in the gulf and ships of the Australian task group posted mine look-outs on the bow of each ship.

They used binoculars and night vision equipment to try and spot drifting mines, but could not detect fixed mines.

The first two females in Gunnery Branch were ready to join the Fleet after qualifying to operate light anti-aircraft and heavy machine guns in action.

Despite women serving at sea for some time, Quartermaster Gunners Annette Orme and Tanya Wright were the first trained as active combatants.

HMAS Success returned home after about eight months’ service in Middle Eastern waters.

The ship had sailed more

than 39,000 miles and con-ducted 219 replenishments at sea with ships from five other nations.

HMA Ships Brisbane and Sydney were on their way home from the Gulf, while HMAS Westralia would remain on station as part of a multinational force.

Work started on the second Collins-class submarine HMAS Farncomb at Osborne in South Australia.

The work was marked with a keel laying by retiring Chief of Naval Staff VADM Michael Hudson and Jean Farncomb, widow of RADM Harold Farncomb, after whom the boat was named.

Extensions were under way to the small craft com-pound at HMAS Stirling.

The two-stage development would involve 15,000 cubic metres of limestone being dumped over an eight-week period.

March 1991

Back in...

CPL Max Bree takes a look at what was making Navy News headlines in years past.

white smoke streaming from her smoke generators. From her yard arms and the gaff three battle ensigns streamed astern. She was firing rapid fire.

“It was the finest sight I have ever seen. Perth was fighting off Japanese destroyers in a confused night action when the two Dutch cruisers were sunk.

“Thanks to Perth’s covering smoke Exeter survived to repair herself, only

to be sunk on returning to sea.” The Battle of the Java Sea was a

disaster at every level because of a lack of a battle plan, inefficient communica-tions, the efficiency and range of the Japanese ‘Long Lance’ torpedoes, and the presence of seaplanes which provid-ed the Japanese with a radio-reported real-time tactical picture to update their battle plan.

HMS Exeter sinks after being attacked by Japanese ships and aircraft.

‘‘35 years of mental health support for veterans

The Veterans and VeteransFamilies Counselling Service(VVCS) celebrated its 35th birthdayon 29 January 2017.

VVCS, known originally as theVietnam Veterans’ CounsellingService, provides free mental healthcounselling and support to thosewho have served our nation.

It has provided more than 1.6 million counselling sessions to more than 300,000veterans and family members since the first office opened inAdelaide on 29 January 1982.

The program is the legacy of our Vietnam veterans, who recognised a need formental health services specifically for those who had served in the military.VVCS now provides services to more than 27,000 clients a year, with centresthroughout Australia and a strong network of outreach counsellors in regionaland rural areas.

Support for service-related issuessuch as anger, anxiety, depression,post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)and sleep disturbance is provided bythe program.

VVCS clinicians work with couplesand families on relationship issuesthat arise from the unique demandsof military life, and run a range ofgroup programs including free suicideprevention workshops for members ofthe veteran community.

Our commitment to providing support to serving and ex-serving personnel andtheir families remains as strong as ever.

For more information about the program visitwww.vvcs.gov.au or follow us on Facebook

35 years of mental health support for veteransThe Veterans and VeteransFamilies Counselling Service(VVCS) celebrated its 35th birthdayon 29 January 2017.

VVCS, known originally as theVietnam Veterans’ CounsellingService, provides free mental healthcounselling and support to thosewho have served our nation.

It has provided more than 1.6 million counselling sessions to more than 300,000veterans and family members since the first office opened inAdelaide on 29 January 1982.

The program is the legacy of our Vietnam veterans, who recognised a need formental health services specifically for those who had served in the military.VVCS now provides services to more than 27,000 clients a year, with centresthroughout Australia and a strong network of outreach counsellors in regionaland rural areas.

Support for service-related issuessuch as anger, anxiety, depression,post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)and sleep disturbance is provided bythe program.

VVCS clinicians work with couplesand families on relationship issuesthat arise from the unique demandsof military life, and run a range ofgroup programs including free suicideprevention workshops for members ofthe veteran community.

Our commitment to providing support to serving and ex-serving personnel andtheir families remains as strong as ever.

For more information about the program visitwww.vvcs.gov.au or follow us on Facebook

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21HEALTHMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

UNCOVERING sugary myths and fat facts about diet and weight loss can be a never-end-ing maze of seemingly contra-

dictory information, but sound advice depends on the source.

University of New England lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science Mandy Hagstrom said there was a lot of debate over fat-versus-sugar and how it should affect our food choices.

“Firstly, sugar is found everywhere, it’s in every single carbohydrate,” Dr Hagstrom said.

“There are natural sugars found in fruit and in dairy, for example, lactose in milk is a natural sugar.”

Sugar occurs in various forms, the most obvious being processed sugar in chocolate, soft drinks, table sugar and muesli bars.

Whether it’s from a lolly or from an apple, Dr Hagstrom said there was no difference in sugar’s effect on the body.

“In the apple, you’ve got quite a bit of sugar but you’ve got a lot of fibre as well,” she said.

“Fibre is something that’s often overlooked in the diet and a lot of Australians don’t meet the recommend-ed daily guidelines.

“The benefit of having your sugar in the form of an apple is you get extra nutritional value through vitamins and minerals, but in realistic terms it has lit-tle effect on your bodyweight.”

If sugar is not the devil, is fat to blame for weight gain? Dr Hagstrom said this wasn’t necessarily the case.

“Fat is a necessary nutrient,” she said.

“Fat helps with the synthesis of hor-mones in our body so it’s important we have an adequate fat intake.

“Al l fa ts are not the same. Unsaturated fats that are found in things like avocados and nuts are better for you than saturated fats.”

Dr Hagstrom said the most over-looked dietary phenomenon was caloric balance.

“A lot of current research shows that energy balance, or making sure you expend as much energy as you con-sume, is the biggest factor in weight maintenance,” she said.

“Energy in equals energy out.“If people are looking to change

Making the right choicesSugar and fats are necessary nutrients in a balanced diet, PTE Renee Breeze reports, but it’s important to make sure they come from healthy sources.

– Mandy Hagstrom, University of New England

I think a lot of people who believe they’re informed are unfortunately reading pseudo-science.

their weight, it’s probably the first thing they should look at.”

Whether it’s fat or sugar, Dr Hagstrom said there was no single cul-prit to blame for weight gain.

“We’re becoming more aware in terms of food choices, but I think there’s also a lot of misinformation out there,” she said.

“I think a lot of people who believe they’re informed are unfortunately read-ing pseudo-science.

“Get advice from reputable health professionals rather than only from people writing blogs because they love food or the gym.”

Dr Hagstrom said there were a few simple steps busy people could take to ensure they were not overdoing their daily energy requirements.

“Always ensure there’s a source of protein on your plate,” she said.

“Having some kind of meat source in your meal is really helpful if you’re not a vegetarian.

“If you’re at a restaurant, ask for the dressing on the side.”

COL Isaac Seidl, Director Garrison Operations, said Joint Health Command recommended taking advantage of Defence’s resources.

“Any ADF member seeking infor-mation about diet or healthy lifestyle options should see a medical profes-sional at their local Garrison Health Centre,” he said.

“They can provide advice and sup-port for a better health outcome.”

Sugar is found everywhere, so choosing the source of that sugar is more important than trying to avoid it altogether. Photo: Jayson Tufrey

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22 SPORT www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 9, 2017

CPL Mark Doran

PIRACY and boarding parties faced a Navy team as they tack-led the Murrumbidgee River during the iconic Gumi Race in Wagga Wagga on February 19.

LSATA Wayde Silcock, of RAAFSTT, said the team com-mandeered the Army’s old Gumi Race raft and spent nearly two weeks rebuilding it.

After a design for a version of a Canberra-class LHD was draft-ed, the sailors spent many hours rebuilding the craft using junk, and only had rubber tubes for flo-tation in the wild 7km race.

“We raided the waste metal bins for some of our supplies and we were donated some metal by a local business to make our pad-dles and other parts,” LS Silcock said.

“I’m not sure if it really looked like an LHD, but it was pretty.

“It was probably more like a paddle boat though. It took us about 1hr 40min to paddle the 7km course because we had a stand-off with the Army PTIs who slowed us down.

“They boarded us, then we boarded them – it was game-on with water pistols and a lot of fun.”

Behind the scenes CPOATA Tom Reader and CPOATV Stewart Edwards ensured the raft was shipshape and the crew was ready for the race.

LS Silcock said there were 11 sailors on the team involved in constructing and painting the raft.

“For the race we had a crew of eight with three tagging along in tubes,” he said.

“We came last among the Defence entries while an Air Force team placed second with an Army team taking the lead position.

“We were just too busy deal-ing with those Army PTIs.”

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

TWENTY ADF members competed at the Huskisson Triathlon on February 18-19, with the Navy contingent hobbling away with bragging rights.

LEUT Rowan Walker was the first ADF member across the line in the long-course race, finishing the 2km swim, 83km cycle and 20km run in 4hr 9min.

He finished 15th out of 750 com-petitors, first in the 45-49-year-old division, and 20min ahead of his near-est ADF rival, MAJ Haydn Jervis.

LEUT Walker raced with injured ribs, suffered the week before the race, and had only resumed training in December.

He said the race went smoothly despite the hurdles.

“I hurt my ribs playing sport at work, and was training with consider-

able discomfort. I was lucky to make the start line. Every stroke in the swim hurt, but it was manageable,” LEUT Walker said.

“But there was no hiding how slow I swam. I also lacked a bit of time riding the bike and completing the spe-cific sessions needed. I did, however, control my pace on the bike and didn’t exhaust myself, so I felt I got to the run leg still in reasonable shape.”

LEUT Walker is the Canberra Marathon defending champion, and plans to compete in that event next month.

LSMED Mikaela Millin was Navy’s best female competitor, finish-ing the long-course race in 6:36.

It was a good result for the ADF medics course instructor, who had not competed in a triathlon since 2013.

“I had a long break due to a sea posting, multiple new jobs and com-pleting a paramedic degree,” she said.

“But the pain was worth it. It’s a great accomplishment and I feel proud to have finished.”

There are four races in the Huskisson Triathlon: the ocean swim, sprint, entice and the long course.

SBLT Chris Harrop finished the men’s sprint – a 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run – in 1:23.

The conditions deteriorated con-siderably for the women’s sprint but CMDR Jo Haynes competed strongly and finished in 1:38.

Other Navy members to compete in the long-course race included LCDR Nigel Rowan (4:57), WOMED Dan Freeman (5:28), and LSATV James Knox (7:47).

LEUT Dean Helm and PONPC Nathan Dwyer competed in the men’s sprint race.

All Navy members are members of the ADF Triathlon Club.

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

THE recent acceptance of martial arts into the list of approved sports by the ADF Sports Council, and subsequent introduction of classes at HMAS Kuttabul, has proven a real “hit”.

Senior instructor of the Navy’s Military Self-Defence Course, POPT Michael Steffens said martial arts had a lot to offer the individual and the service.

“Martial arts improves confi-dence, humility, self-awareness, fit-ness, health, and resilience,” he said.

“Grounded defence, survival and control techniques that draw their roots from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are currently used in the Navy’s defen-sive tactics package.”

All members who make up a boarding party must pass the Navy’s defensive skills course, which

teaches basic self-defence tech-niques for situations that may occur during operational activities.

Kuttabul is the first base to pro-vide martial arts training for all members, with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes held every Tuesday.

The classes are led by Ash

Noble, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt with years of experience.

LSPT Zac Stanley, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt and competitor, said the Kuttabul classes were open to all levels of experience.

There are also plans for a women’s-only self-defence class.

Acceptance of martial arts a real hit

The first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class held at HMAS Kuttabul, with instructor Ash Noble front and centre. Photo: LSPTI Zac Stanley

Broken ribs no barrier to race

River piracy and boarding parties hinder victory

LEUT Dean Helm cycles around the corner during the triathlon. Photo: ABIS Sarah Ebsworth

The crew of The Dreadnought faced

many challenges on the Murrumbidgee River.

23SPORTMarch 9, 2017 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

CPL Mark Doran

SEVEN ADF Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association members spent Australia Day in the heart of the Bavarian Alps for a British military nordic skiing and biathlon competition.

They competed in Exercise Rucksack 2017, the British National, Interservice and Army Championships, held in Ruhpolding, Bavaria (Germany), at the Cheimgau Arena from January 20 to February 15.

Exercise Rucksack is the British military’s pinnacle champi-onships in nordic skiing and biath-lon, with top-performing members selected to represent Great Britain at World Cup and Olympic levels.

The biathlon involved cross-country skiing and competition shooting in the prone and standing positions.

The ADF contingent competed against biathletes from the British Army, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Marines and the German Army Reserves, as well as civil-

ian visitors. The aim was to foster goodwill and esprit de corps while enhancing courage, initiative, teamwork, fitness and resilience in a challenging alpine environment.

Team Manager LEUT Sven Howorth, of the Directorate of Navy Safety, was awarded the prize for first guest across the line in the 15km classic cross-country race.

LEUT Howorth said it was a privilege for an ADF team to be invited to participate in such a high-profile event.

“The event was exceptionally coordinated in a superb venue, which only two weeks earlier was host to World Cup biathlon races,” he said.

“Exposure to these facilities allowed us to develop our sport-ing abilities, and excel, over the course of the competition.”

The ADF has been sending teams to participate in Exercise Rucksack for 12 years.

Lead-up training for the 2017 competition was held in Austria and Italy and consisted of 10

days of skiing and technique development sessions in arduous conditions.

The team then moved to Ruhpolding, where members par-ticipated in eight races over 2½ weeks, including sprint (7.5km) and Olympic (20km) events, and a team relay.

The competition culminated in a 30km military patrol race in which members, carrying military equipment and rifles, navigated to checkpoints.

The ADF Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association promotes cross-country skiing and biath-lon with the annual two-week Exercise Coolshot run by the Army Nordic Skiing Association, Navy Nordic Skiing and Biathlon Association and the Air Force Nordic Biathlon Association at Mount Hotham in the heart of the Victorian Alps.

For more information visit: http://drnet.defence.gov.au/vcdf/Sports-NordicSkiingBiathlon/Pages/Welcome.aspx

Above, LEUT Sven Howorth shoots from the sitting supported position during the Exercise Rucksack military patrol race at Ruhpolding. Right, LCDR Garry Lewis ploughs through the snow during the event.

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

TWO former colleagues from HMAS Albatross teamed up to win the Burrell Cup, Navy’s annual doubles tennis competition, at Garden Island in Sydney.

CMDR Marc Pavillard and LSATA Tim Holder, for-merly of 816SQN, beat ABET Nick Desilas and LCDR Trine O’Sullivan 6-3 in the final.

CMDR Pavillard said the match was “a real battle” despite the score.

“They were the best and most consistent team we had played all day, and they definitely tested us,” the former CO of 816SQN said.

“The pivotal aspect of the match was at 3-3, when my partner was serving. We were down several break points and could have easily lost the game. Had we done so, the momentum may have changed and we would have strug-gled to overcome them.”

CMDR Pavillard and LS Holder had not lost a game during the day and went into the final feeling confident.

They took an early 2-0 lead but then lost their serve

and allowed their opposition to tie the match 2-2, then 3-3. The pair regathered to break the serve of their oppo-nents and CMDR Pavillard served out the match to love.

“Our game plan was to be consistent and keep the ball in play, make them make the mistakes,” he said.

“In the end, we were just slightly more consistent than they were, although most games were very close and the match could have easily swung the other way.”

CMDR Pavillard has a nose for a strong doubles part-ner, winning last year’s cup with CAPT John Metzl.

This year’s title is the third Burrell Cup he has won in four years.

He asked LS Holder to partner him in the tournament after losing to the sailor during the semi-finals of Navy’s annual singles tennis tournament, the Carr Cup, last month, which LS Holder went on to win.

“I knew he was good and needed to stack my team so I asked him to partner me,” CMDR Pavillard said.

The Burrell Cup has been contested for 62 years. The cup was donated by the late VADM Sir Henry Burrell, a keen player.

Double serve of success

Biathletes set sights high in elite company

ABCSO Jarryd Boyd, left, and LSET Coby Smith rally at the net during the Burrell Cup.

LSATA Tim Holder serves as CMDR Marc Pavillard prepares for the return at the net during the final of the Burrell Cup. Photos: LSIS Brenton Freind

© Image courtesy of Department of Defence

Assisting serving and ex-servingADF members and their familiesin times of injury, illnessand crisis.

rsldefencecare.org.au

Volume 60, No. 3, March 9, 2017

SPORTA CUT ABOVE

ABCIS Karl Benkendorff cuts the ball during the HMAS Harman annual XO’s XI versus CO’s XI cricket match

Photo: POIS Phil Cullinan

Burrell Cup tennis Page 23

Husky triathlonPage 22

INSIDE

CPL Mark Doran

NAVY personnel in the Canberra region, and a couple of soldiers, tested their mettle in the annual HMAS Harman CO’s XI versus XO’s XI cricket match on February 22.

Each team was given 20 overs in an afternoon promoting fitness, team-work and resilience at the Sir Victor Smith Oval.

The XO’s XI set a solid 131 on a slow wicket, but the CO’s XI denied them a second straight victory, win-ning with just three balls to spare.

Wides and no-balls were the great-est enemy for the XO’s team, assisting the CO’s XI run chase.

CO Harman CMDR Alison West-wood said the CO’s XI started strong by belting the ball into all corners of the park.

“As the temperature rose the runs began to dry up, though,” she said.

“CMDR Jenny Macklin hit the win-ning runs to steer us to victory and secure the trophy for 2017 while the XO took home the battered ball.”

The best and fairest player of the match was awarded to LCDR Scott Northey, who was forced to take a mandatory retirement after scoring 31 runs.

XO Harman LCDR Mark Wilson said CPOMT Darren Tobler, of the Directo-rate of Navy Safety, was the stand-out as the XO’s XI captain.

“He played just as well as with the bat as the ball. He was a true all-rounder,” he said.