serving australia with pride nnavyavy

The official newspaper of the Royal Australian NavyVolume 55, No. 1, February 2, 2012

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

olume 55, No. 1, February 2, 2012

NavyNavyWARM WELCOME

READY TO SERVE: ABSN Ash Eagan on the flight deck of HMAS Choules during the Bay Class Landing Ship Dock’s arrival to Fleet Base East on December 21 last year.See page 3 for the full story on how Choules has worked up to unit readiness.

Photo: LSIS Nina Nikolin

PARRAPARRAPOWERPOWERCENTRESPREAD

ADMIRALTYADMIRALTY P5

RADM WALKERNAVY’S LEADING LADY

Navy’s newest in readiness FULL STORY PAGE 3

NAVY NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews February 2, 2012

02 NEWS

AN ARMIDALE patrol boat crew assigned to Operation Resolute and personnel at Joint Task Force 639 played a key role in a combined sur-veillance operation off the Queensland coast.

The operation resulted in the apprehension of four Spanish nationals and the seizure of 300kg of cocaine from a yacht in Bundaberg, Queensland, on November 12.

The Navy’s crew worked alongside other Border Protection Command (BPC) assets as Australian law enforcement agencies dealt a signifi-cant blow to an international organised crime syn-dicate. Northern Command Headquarters played a key role in the operation, with the JTF headquar-ters staff in conjunction with BPC staff provid-ing Customs and Border Protection with advice and coordination to ensure maximum benefit was obtained from the BPC-assigned capabilities.

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By CPL Nick Wiseman

THIRTEEN sailors and officers have been rewarded for their distinguished work and dedication to duty as part of this year’s Australia Day Honours List.

The honours which are traditionally awarded on Australia Day recognise those who have made a significant difference and commitment in their duties to the RAN.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient WO Sharon Campbell said she had enjoyed her time as the Senior Watch Officer at the RAN recruit school.

“It’s extremely rewarding because it pro-vides an opportunity to establish standards with recruits straight off the streets, while their eyes and ears are wide open,” WO Campbell said.

“You need to make sure it’s they leave you with the right impression and they head off to the fleet with the kind of attitude and mindset we require of our sailors.”

LEUT Richard Brickacek was formally recognised for his leadership in action in Afghanistan as part of an explosive ordnance team with the Distinguished Service Medal.

Despite fatalities and injuries from IED attacks, LEUT Brickacek ensured timely first aid was delivered and evacuations were achieved while displaying courage, compo-sure and selflessness.

Two officers were recognised with com-mendations for distinguished service while

one officer received the Conspicuous Service Cross.

The Conspicuous Service Medal was awarded to five members of the Navy for their meritorious devotion to duty and achievement.

Recognised with both the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and the Commendation for Distinguished Service, RADM David Johnston said the recogni-tion reflects the incredible contribution many people have made to what they do on opera-tions.

“It’s not something I had any expectation of, like all of us, we have a duty to do, we do it to the best of our ability and we enjoy the opportunity to work with the people we do it with,” RADM Johnston said.

“Command and leadership is always about being part of a team.

“Taking part in the ADF response to the Victorian bushfires in 2009 at a time when the operational HQ was just opening at Bungendore was a dynamic and incred-ible opportunity to be deeply involved in the ADF response to support communities that urgently needed assistance.”

RADM Johnston said it was a great hon-our to be recognised in the various roles he had served in over the years.

“I hope those who have worked with me see this as a feather in their hat for the great job done when we worked together.”

By LSIS Paul Berry

QUEENSLAND and much of Australia paused on January 10 to mark the first anni-versary of the devastating 2011 floods.

Many communities affected by the disas-ter gathered to remember the victims and to support to those hardest hit by the worst natu-ral disaster in the state’s history.

With three-quarters of the state declared a disaster zone, the ADF played a critical role as the scale of the tragedy unfolded.

More than 1900 ADF personnel deployed at short notice as part of Operation Queensland Flood Assist.

The CO of the Sea King Detachment for Operation Flood Assist, CMDR Paul Moggach, was piloting one of two Sea King’s in the Lockyer Valley on January 11, 2011.

“It was the most important and significant flying I’ve done in 20 years in the Navy, given the help that we were providing and the capability that we were able to bring to what was a desperate situation for a lot of people in that valley,” CMDR Moggach said.

“We joined up with two Army Black Hawks and the four aircraft pretty much evac-uated the whole town of Forest Hill, then about 160 people from Laidley, just across the river.”

He said the people of Forest Hill received very little notice to evacuate.

“People were coming to the aircraft bare-foot, with the odd plastic bag full of stuff, saturated, cold and frightened. When I think about that time, I think about them because they went through a huge amount.

“It was a pretty special day’s flying and I

know the aircrews were all thinking about it on the 11th this year, because there were a few of us on Facebook.”

ABATV Jason Thorpe found himself act-ing as ground crew and briefing and coordi-nating evacuees for all four ADF aircraft.

“Just before they took off on the 11th, ABATV Anthony Peters and I were chosen to hop in to help out on the ground,” ABATV Thorpe said.

“We were reassuring people, trying to keep people nice and calm and get them onto the aircraft quickly.

“It was probably the biggest and longest day I’ve done in the Navy, but everyone was motivated to keep going. I just feel I was lucky to be a part of it.”

Personnel rewarded on Australia Day

See page 15 for the full list of award recipients

Memories fresh from flood anniversary Patrol boat assists in Qld drug seize

HONOURED: LEUT Richard Brickacek in Afghanistan in 2010 (above) received the Distinguished Service Medal and RADM David Johnson (inset) was rewarded with an Order of Australia.


03NEWS

IN BRIEFReserve schemefor LS ranksNAVAL Reserve per-sonnel at the rank of Leading Seaman are eligible to be nominated for the Tasman Scheme comprising a two-week secondment with a New Zealand Defence Force unit with all costs covered by Defence. The scheme recognises the reservist’s overall performance, dedica-tion and commitment. Eligible leading seamen will need to have at least one year’s seniority, a minimum of three years reserve service and 20 days service in the cur-rent financial year. COs can nominate suitable individuals by April 30.

Leaders set for FebfastDEFENCE Secretary Duncan Lewis and CDF GEN David Hurley are encouraging Defence personnel to join them in Febfast 2012. Febfast is a fundraising initiative to promote responsible drinking and raise awareness of the harms of excessive alcohol consumption. Participants pay a registration fee and seek sponsorship to abstain from drinking alcohol throughout February.

Funds raised will go to community services for young people with alcohol and drug addiction. For more information on Febfast 2012 visit: http://febfast.org.au/

Choules in readiness

By Michael Brooke

AFTER a period of programmed maintenance, HMAS Tobruk recent-ly went to sea to achieve a small but important milestone to enhance her operational capability.

Tobruk completed a her Mariner Skills Evaluation (MSE) under the scrutiny of Sea Training Group which better prepared her to respond to operational taskings within the required 48-hours notice to move.

CO Tobruk CMDR Paul Scott said his crew was set to go.

“We are now ready to be tasked which is a great achievement by us after such a lengthy maintenance period,” CMDR Scott said.

Late last year Tobruk conducted a series of evolutions in Jervis Bay to confirm the functionality of the many ship systems that were worked on during the maintenance period.

CMDR Scott said the MSE allowed the ship’s company to dem-

onstrate to Sea Training Group and other stakeholders that Tobruk can operate at sea in a controlled and safe manner.

“The crew has worked tremen-dously hard through a long remedia-tion process including engineering trials to get Tobruk materially safe and ready to respond to operational requirements,” CMDR Scott said.

The MSE which included naviga-tion, boat drills and craning opera-tions has the crew ready for the next challenge of unit readiness certifica-tion in the coming weeks.

The sustainability and readiness of Tobruk, aka ‘the faithful and the strong’, is vitally important for ADF capability to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief taskings following the decommissioning of the LPAs.

CMDR Scott said the sustainabil-ity of Tobruk for operational con-tingencies, as well as programmed commitments, would be unachievable

without key organisations in Navy and industry working towards a com-mon goal.

“The past few months have been very busy for Tobruk with some extensive work conducted by her ship’s company and key support organisations.

LCDR Sean Feenan said every-one had worked hard to make a num-ber of materiel improvements includ-ing a significant improvement to her propulsion system.

The crew said it was elated to have passed MSE and have Tobruk on course for her next challenge.

MIDN Jonathon Momsen said he posted onto Tobruk after marching out of HMAS Creswell and has thor-oughly enjoyed his time at sea.

“It was a great learning experi-ence assisting the Officer of the Watch and I’m happy to have contrib-uted to getting Tobruk ready for her next challenge,” he said.

Tobruk completes evaluation and sets sights on her next tasking

By LEUT Kelli Lunt

THE ship’s company of HMAS Choules has been busy making preparations for her work-up program (WUP) and unit readiness evaluation (URE).

Choules will conduct her WUP during Exercise Squadex this month and her URE during Exercise Sea Lion in March.

CO Choules CMDR John Cowan said his crew was building on the expertise gained last year during its col-lective training under the auspices of the Royal Navy.

The training will help the ship’s company meet the many challenges the RAN WUP will present as it tackles a busy and demanding year.

Since the ship’s company first came together last July, it has been on a steep learning curve that has required it to gain competency in a wide range of skills and systems never seen previously in the RAN.

“The level of dedication and determination to suc-ceed that has been shown by all hands has been fun-damental to being able to achieve the very challenging mission we were given of bringing Choules to Australia by Christmas,” CMDR Cowan said.

“These same attributes will be equally important to us as we complete the WUP and our other programmed activities.”

One of Choules’ recent challenges involved hosting a SKY News broadcast onboard to mark Australia Day.

Choules was also in the media spotlight when she was officially welcomed to Sydney in December last year following her commissioning in Fremantle.

Australian Fleet Commander RADM Steve Gilmore said Choules marked a new era in the delivery of amphib-ious capability for the ADF.

“It is practically a brand new ship in very good mate-riel condition with significant capability,” he said.

At 176m long and 26m wide, Choules contains a flight deck capable of holding two large helicopters and a vehicle deck that is able to hold 150 light vehicles and cargo.

The interior of the ship has significantly more living and recreational space than former amphibious HMA Ships Manoora and Kanimbla – single and double berth cabins for most of the ship’s company through to 24-berth mess decks for the embarked military forces.

Choules is equipped for the current crew of 158 and can embark a further 350 personnel.

The 16,000-tonne amphibious ship was commis-sioned on December 13 after being purchased from Britain’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary and officially handed over to the RAN in October 2011.

The ship’s pennant number L100 is a tribute to Navy’s 100th year of Royal Assent.

Choules was blessed by chaplains Paul Raj, Steve Gunther and Duncan Becsi.

Choules is named after Claude Choules who died on May 5, 2011, and was Australia’s last surviving World War I veteran.

STEADY SHE GOES: HMAS Choules ship’s company line up for arrival at Fleet Base East (top), as (inset) CMDR John Cowan looks out from the bridge. Photos: LSIS Nina Nikolin

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04 NEWS

By CPL Nick Wiseman

RESPONSIBILITY for workplace safety will be driven back to the individual rather than just to employ-ing organisations under sweeping new laws which came into effect on January 1.

The new Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act “harmonises” the work-place health and safety laws across Australia using “model” legislation, to simplify accountability and result in greater involvement from work-ers.

While the main change under the new Act is the shift of respon-sibility to the individual, Lindsay Hock from Defence Work Health and Safety Branch said ADF mem-bers should not only continue doing what they were doing, but seek ways in which they could contribute to a cycle of continuous improvement in safety.

“As long as ADF members con-tinue to work safely, there is no need to worry about being held account-able,” Mr Hock said.

“It’s business as usual; if you worked in a safe manner prior to the new Act, what makes you think you aren’t now?”

The new legislation now takes into account any place an ADF member may work, such as their

normal workplace, visiting work-places, home and even in the field.

With many ADF members being issued laptop computers or Blackberry communication devices, the lines between work and home are getting blurred.

Defence Legal is working to determine exactly when a member could be deemed to be “at work” while at home and introduce the necessary policies to ensure the new legislation is applied.

While the WHS Act covers all Defence workplaces domestically, Mr Hock said the CDF could declare exemptions for operational areas.

“The exemption when allowed could apply to those in war-like and non-warlike overseas service,” he said.

“The final decision would lie with the Minister for Workplace Relations.”

This exemption is not new, how-ever, and was previously declared by CDF under the former OHS Act 1991.

Although some significant changes have come into effect with the new legislation and ADF mem-bers should make themselves aware of the new laws, they should con-tinue as they have in previous years to contribute to a culture of health and safety in Defence.

By Michael Brooke

HMAS Melbourne recently passed a highly challenging URE and MRE to set her sights on another deployment in the Gulf of Aden.

CO Melbourne CMDR Rick Boulton said the entire ship’s company had worked extremely hard to get the upgraded FFG ship-shape and squared away for Operation Slipper.

“The men and women embarked in Melbourne will make a vital contribution to the Australian Government’s commit-ment to ensuring maritime security, sup-porting anti-terrorism and countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden,” he said.

CJOPS MAJGEN Ash Power praised Melbourne for completing the URE and MRE with almost an entirely new crew, after an 85 per cent change out in 2011.

The new ship’s company also fea-tures a number of young sailors mak-ing their first operational deployment,

By Michael Brooke

DIVERS from Australian Clearance Dive Team One (AUSCDT 1) boarded and secured merchant vessels in Sydney Harbour recently as part of specialist training in the lead up to deploying on Operation Slipper.

Using rigid hulled inflatable boats, the Divers honed their skills in advanced level boardings.

CO AUSCDT 1, LCDR Brett Dawe, said pre consulted commercial merchant vessels were used as targets, with the teams approaching, boarding and secur-ing the vessels.

“The specialist Enhanced Boarding Capability (EBC) team are an important part of the ship’s company deployed on Slipper,” he said.

LCDR Dawe said the focus in 2012 is on supporting operations with a num-ber of AUSCDT 1 personnel at 20 EOD Sqn deploying to Afghanistan for EOD/IEDD support and three AUSCDT 1

Enhanced Boarding Capability rotations throughout 2012.

“This team is currently working up to ensure they deliver the high level of proficiency required when they deploy in the next rotation of Slipper this year,” LCDR Dawe said.

“The divers taking part in this train-ing all have experience in specialist counter-terrorism units within Australia and they will provide a key contribution to the maritime effort for counter piracy, counter terrorism and maritime interdic-tion operations.”

AUSCDT 1’s program for 2012 will be very high tempo and challenging, with the team participating in three major domestic exercises including the Triton Storm and MCM series, two major international exercises including RIMPAC and a Work-Up/URE.

“In among this program we will be assisting trial and acceptance activities for up to four major dive systems,” he said.

Divers ready for Op Slipper

New rules in for workplace safety

Melbourne set for next deployment

CMDR Boulton said. “The crew includes a lot of young sailors who are very motivated and above all highly excited that their first trip overseas is an operational deployment,” he said.

Melbourne’s deployment in February follows her milestone in 2010 as the first upgraded FFG to deploy to the MEAO.

During the deployment, Melbourne steamed more than 77,430km, conduct-ed 125 aircraft surface searches, and hundreds of queries of commercial and local shipping.

A major feature of the deployment was that she successfully responded to 14 distress calls in relation to suspected piracy attacks.

JUMPING ON BOARD: Clearance Divers from AUSCDT 1 conduct a sweep of the aft deck of the suspicious vessel in Sydney Harbour. Left, boarding the aft deck from the RHIB. Photos: ABIS Alan Lancaster

READY: HMAS Melbourne.

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05NEWS

THE FIRST woman in RAN history to attain the rank of rear admiral, RADM Robyn Walker, will lead Joint Health Command for the next three years after she was promoted late last year.

RADM Walker’s promotion follows her many achievements as Director General of Navy Health and Director General Health Capability, including responsibility for the $270m revamp of the ADF’s health capability and her previous roles in supporting the health of Defence personnel deployed to Iraq, Solomon Islands and East Timor.

RADM Walker said she was honoured and humbled by her new position.

“Navy and Defence have pro-vided me with every opportunity to learn and develop as an individual. If you take the opportunities that are provided and work hard, your efforts will be noticed and reward-ed,” RADM Walker said.

“I don’t believe I was promoted because I’m female. I believe I was promoted because I’m the best person for the job. I don’t think any woman in Defence would want to be promoted or awarded if she hadn’t earned it.”

An active advocate for women in leadership roles, RADM Walker was named Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year last September and said the ADF’s decision to lift gender restrictions was a positive move.

“Navy women have already been serving on the frontline as commanding officers of warships and boarding parties for many years. It’s appropriate for a woman to serve in a combat role as long as she meets the competency that needs to be met.

“Any organisation that builds up and encourages its women to seek leadership positions should be applauded. The more diverse an organisation is, the better the outcome and there’s evidence to support that.”

Joint Health Command will con-tinue to carry on with the initiatives of its former commander, MAJGEN Paul Alexander, as well as confront a number of new challenges during RADM Walker’s three-year tenure.

RADM Walker said Joint Health Command’s biggest challenge would be adhering to the Strategic Reform Program without compro-mising on healthcare service quality or member entitlements.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges I will face during the next three years and will tackle them with as much commitment and enthusiasm as I can,” she said.

“We will be focusing on a num-ber of healthcare areas including ensuring that the healthcare provid-ed to Defence personnel overseas on operations is equal to the care they would receive in Australia.

“Part of that will involve mak-ing sure our healthcare practitioners such as medics, doctors, physi-otherapists, nurses and dentists are well trained and maintain their skill sets for operating both in theatre and here in Australia.”

Walker appointed top doc

A DISTINGUISHED CAREERRobyn Walker qualified as a medical practitioner in 1982 and worked in Queensland’s public health system until 1990. In 1991, she joined the RAN as a direct entry medical graduate.

In January 1996, LCDR Walker became OC of the Submarine and Underwater Medicine Unit and remained there until her promotion to commander in July 2000. On promotion, CMDR Walker was posted to Maritime Headquarters as the Deputy Fleet Medical Officer.

CMDR Walker posted to the Defence Health Service Branch in Canberra as Director of Preventative Health in July 2001 and was promoted to captain in January 2003. The following year CAPT Walker took up the position of Chief Staff Officer Health at Headquarters Joint Operations Command. In this position she was responsible for co-ordinating healthcare to ADF operations in Iraq, Solomon Islands, East Timor and the 2004 Banda Aceh tsunami response.

On promotion, CDRE Walker assumed the position of Director General Strategic Health Policy and Plans in the Defence Health Services Division in July 2005. CDRE

Walker was posted to the position of Director General Garrison Health Support within Joint Health Command in August 2008 and then to Director General Health Capability in February 2010.

For her exceptional service as an ADF medical officer, CDRE Walker was appointed as a member in the Military Division of The Order of Australia on January 26, 2010.

She was also named as the ACT Telstra White Pages Community and Government Business Woman and overall Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year last September.

CDRE Walker was promot-ed to rear admiral by the Chief of Navy, VADM Ray Griggs, and assumed the position of Commander Joint Health and Surgeon General ADF on December 22, 2011.

RADM Walker is a qualified medical practitioner and spe-cialist medical administrator. She has a Diploma in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Additionally, RADM Walker is the author of a number of scientific publications relating to diving medicine and the co-author of a major international diving medicine textbook.

LEADING LADY: RADM Robyn Walker is the RAN’s first female rear admiral after her promotion and appointment as Joint Health Commander late last year. Photo: POIS Ollie Garside

CPL Melanie Schinkel talks to Australia’s first female rear admiral about the road ahead.

By LEUT Marrion Rouwhorst

TWO of the Royal Australian Navy’s Survey Motor Launch ves-sels took to the seas during the pre-Christmas period to improve navigational safety in the south-west Pacific.

HMA ships Mermaid, com-manded by LCDR David Sowter, and Paluma, commanded by LCDR Mhanda Tokesi, embarked on a three-week engagement to Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The deployment involved mari-time surveillance operations enroute to Vanuatu, hydrographic survey support in Port Vila Harbour, and an official reception on board HMAS Paluma.

The Survey Motor Launches conducted a hydrographic survey in support of the ADF’s regional assis-tance program, at the request of the Vanuatu Commissioner of Police.

Port Vila has become a popular tourist destination for large cruise vessels and Mermaid and Paluma were tasked with surveying the approaches to the harbour as well as the main wharf and approaches to the patrol boat base.

Survey operations were conduct-ed by both vessels using multi-beam echo sounders. The shallow water survey operations were conducted by Mermaid’s Light Utility Boat the following day.

Enroute to Vanuatu, Mermaid and Paluma were assigned to pro-vide support to Operation Solania, the ongoing maritime surveillance operation to support the Pacific Island countries in fisheries law enforcement.

Once alongside Port Vila, with all survey and surveillance opera-tions complete, the crews enjoyed a four-day port visit to experience the vibrant and diverse culture of Vanuatu. Activities included div-ing in the waters off Espiritu Santo on the USS President Coolidge,

INQUIRY INTO UNRESOLVED RECOGNITION FOR PAST ACTS OF NAVAL AND MILITARY GALLANTRY AND VALOUR

INVITATION

The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) is directed to inquire into and report on the appropriate recognition for specifi c acts of gallantry or valour performed by the following naval and military personnel:

Gunner Albert Neil (Neale) Cleary - Army Midshipman Robert Ian Davies - NavyLeading Cook Francis Bassett Emms - NavyLieutenant David John Hamer - NavyPrivate John Simpson Kirkpatrick - ArmyLieutenant Commander Robert William Rankin - NavyAble Seaman Dalmorton Joseph Owendale Rudd - NavyOrdinary Seaman Edward Sheean - NavyLeading Aircrewman Noel Ervin Shipp - NavyLieutenant Commander Francis Edward Smith - NavyLieutenant Commander Henry Hugh Gordon Stoker - Royal NavyLeading Seaman Ronald Taylor - NavyCaptain Hector Macdonald Laws Waller - Navy

The Tribunal is directed to make recommendations on the eligibility of the naval and military members, as listed, to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the Victoria Cross for Australia or other forms of appropriate recognition for their gallantry or valour.

The Tribunal is conducting public hearings to hear evidence in relation to this matter. The following hearings will be conducted in February and March 2012.

Sydney – Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 February 2012 commencing at 9am at the Mercure Sydney 818-820 George St, Sydney.

Adelaide – Tuesday 14 February 2012 commencing at 10am at the Crowne Plaza, Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide.

Perth – Wednesday 15 February 2012 commencing at 1pm at the Novotel Langley, 221 Adelaide Terrace, Perth.

Brisbane – Tuesday 13 March 2012 commencing at 1pm at the Royal on the Park, Corner of Alice and Albert Streets, Brisbane.

After a preliminary consideration of the submissions received concerning the naval and military members listed above, the Tribunal has invited a number of those who have made written submissions to appear as witnesses at these hearings.

Interested members of the public are invited to attend the Tribunal’s hearings. For administrative purposes, please register your interest in attending by contacting the Tribunal via;telephone (02) 6266 3486 or e-mail [email protected].

The terms of reference for this inquiry can be obtained by reviewing the Tribunal website at: www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au


06 NEWS

Survey support in Port Vila

ON THE ROPES: ABHSO Golding works the lines as part of Paluma’s FX party coming alongside Port Vila.

THE RAN has assumed command of combined maritime operations in the Gulf region of the Middle East with CDRE Jonathan Mead at the helm of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150).

A small ceremony on December 15 saw CDRE Mead take command from CDRE John Clink of the Royal Navy at the US Naval Central Command in Bahrain.

CDRE Mead said it was a privilege to be entrusted with Australia’s third com-mand of CTF 150. He also welcomed the addition of Royal New Zealand Navy personnel to this rotation, led by his Chief of Staff, CAPT Lance Cook.

“Both the Australian and New Zealand Defence Force take great pride in contributing to the coalition efforts to maintain maritime security in such a vital region for the stability and eco-nomic prosperity of the world at large,” CDRE Mead said.

“Maintaining security over an area bigger than the continent of Australia is one of the biggest challenges we face.

“We are looking after many different navies, but all are really driving towards one common interest and that’s keep-ing the sea lanes open and making sure mariners and ships can sail on the waters freely and safely.

“There are certainly clear linkages with the war in Afghanistan, both thea-tres are looking after or trying to prevent terrorism; one is focused in the land area and ours is focused in the maritime domain,” CDRE Mead said.

Change of command Glenelg gusto in Malaysia

HMAS Glenelg, under the com-mand of LCDR Steve Taragel, has taken time out from its usual patrols on Operation Resolute for a visit to Langkawi in Malaysia.

Aware Two’s adventure began after a brief refuelling stop on Christmas Island. Their mission was to represent the RAN at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 11).

But getting there was a potential challenge. LCDR Taragel says transit-ing through one of the busiest water-ways in the world took some getting used to.

“A highlight of the trip for the Officers of the Watch (experienced and trainee Junior Officers Under Training) was to experience the high contact shipping environments of the South China Sea and Malacca straits,

with two high-speed transits of the Malacca straits by night providing a memorable experience for the bridge teams,” LCDR Taragel said.

For most of the crew, it was their first time in Langkawi. The exposure to foreign Navy ships at anchor in Langkawi was invaluable in providing Aware Two with exposure to wider regional Navy units.

The mission continued on the way

home when Glenelg was tasked withpatrolling off the Bayu Undan gasand oil platform, approximately 250nautical miles (500km) north-westof Darwin, about halfway betweenDarwin and East Timor.

“The crew enjoyed seeing aspectsof the oil and gas industry up closeand the sheer scale and moneyinvolved in the offshore gas industry,”he said.

BORDER PATROL: Darwin-based patrol boat HMAS Glenelg patrols off the Bayu Undan gas and oil platform.

(the largest intact and accessible shipwreck in the world), horse rid-ing, visiting cascade waterfalls or simply relaxing in a deck chair on one of the many beautiful beaches or resorts.

The visit concluded with an offi-cial reception on HMAS Paluma on 30 November for local dignitaries to promote good will and establish-ment of professional relationships.

Australian, New Zealand and French High Commissioners were

in attendance as well as the Province President and local representatives from the Vanuatu Police, Harbour and Corporate services.

The Australian Defence Attaché to the region, CAPT John Maschke, also a hydrographer, facilitated the evening and was proud to show off Mermaid and Paluma’s capabilities.

Both ships returned home to their home port of Cairns in time for crew members to spend Christmas with their families.

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07NEWS

A SAILOR wounded in action on January 2 when the Bushmaster he was travelling in struck an improvised explo-sive device, returned to Australia on January 7 for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Two soldiers who were wounded during the same incident have been discharged from hospital and have returned to duties in Afghanistan.

The Acting Deputy Commander Joint Operations Command, CDRE Michael Noonan, said the employment of IEDs by insurgent groups poses a constant threat to coalition forces.

“Our explosive ord-nance disposal (EOD) personnel do a very diffi-cult and dangerous job in reducing the threat posed by these devices,” CDRE Noonan said.

The Australian Navy has a small team of EOD specialists in Afghanistan serving with Combined Team-Uruzgan who are operating in support of Mentoring Task Force 3.

“The bravery and skill they show in dealing with these highly unpredict-able weapons is nothing short of extraordinary,” CDRE Noonan said.

Woundedsailor home In wisdom and fidelity at Kuttabul

By Michael Brooke

THE virtues of ‘wisdom and fidelity’ usually take a lifetime to acquire, but were handed over in the twinkling of an eye during a symbolic changing of the guard at HMAS Kuttabul.

The virtues, which are Kuttabul’s motto, passed from CMDR Christine Clarke to CMDR Todd Wilson when she handed over command of the Navy’s biggest and busiest establish-ment on January 20.

CMDR Clarke told more than 200 well-wishers that she enjoyed the challenge of being CO Kuttabul because of the quality people she worked with and the simple fact that “there was never a dull moment”.

Never a dull moment included numerous visits by foreign warships, heads of state, royalty, and military chiefs, which may have gone pear-shaped if not for the dedication of her command team.

In recognition of CMDR Clarke’s leadership and command achieve-ments, she and her family were treat-ed to a sentimental journey around the island in a Navy Variety Bash car.

CMDR Clarke assumed command of Kuttabul in 2009 and worked tire-lessly to keep the base at maximum effectiveness, while breaking new ground to enhance security and make it more energy efficient and environ-mentally friendly.

CMDR Clarke’s next challenge is with New Generation Navy’s Navy Culture Projects.

SO LONG: Outgoing CO HMAS Kuttabul CMDR Christine Clarke is given a cheer by the ship’s company as she departs HMAS Kuttabul in one of the Navy’s Variety Bash vehicles during a traditional send off. Photo: LSIS Brenton Freind

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09NEWS


By Michael Brooke

A SAILOR at HMAS Stirling has attributed the fire-fighting tech-niques he learnt in the RAN to his action saving the life of a woman in a burning house.

ABMT Yesid Cardona was relax-ing at home, just three days before Christmas, when he heard a loud bang in a nearby house and noticed smoke and flame coming from shattered win-dows.

ABMT Cardona, 29, immediately responded to the situation by using a nearby garden hose to douse the flames that were engulfing the interior of the house.

“The Navy fire-fighting drills I learnt when I served in HMAS Toowoomba really came in handy to help the local community,” he said.

ABMT Cardona’s signature behav-iours earned him praise from police and fire-fighters who said his decisive action probably saved the life of a woman inside the house, who had been restrained to her bed with cable ties and set alight.

The sailor was unaware anyone was in the house and was saddened to hear that the woman had sustained burns to 40 per cent of her body.

ABMT Cardona said the lesson he learnt was “don’t be afraid to get involved” as some neighbours did nothing but watch the house burn after the explosion.

“The Navy’s training has equipped me with life skills that will serve me well for a very long-time,” he said.

By Michael Brooke

THE last surviving member of the RAN’s first training ship HMAS Tingira and one of Navy News’ oldest reader, Danny Bowden, recently passed away, aged 101.

Mr Bowden, who was awarded one of only six MBEs presented to non-commissioned officers in World War II, died in a nursing home in Bateau Bay, NSW, in late September.

Readers may remember our focus on Mr Bowden, who was featured in Navy’s 50th anniver-sary issue.

Although Mr Bowden retired in the year Navy News was first published (1958), he never missed an issue. “Reading Navy News makes me feel like I’m still a young man in the RAN,” he said in 2008.

Mr Bowden said he enjoyed reading the paper because of the interesting stories about RAN per-sonnel and current operations.

Mr Bowden joined the RAN on Anzac Day 1925 when he was 14 and was posted to HMAS Tingira, but later served on HMAS Platypus and Australia II, before commissioning Sydney II.

“Like all the other Tingira boys I was a mixed up kid,” he joked.

When WWII broke out Mr Bowden was serving on HMAS Perth and was shot down in his flimsy Walrus by a German ME109 fighter during the Battle of Crete. “They were firing cannons and I only had a Lewis gun,” he said.

Mr Bowden recalls bobbing around in a life raft for a day before being rescued by HMS Havoc, which initially tried to ram them in the mistaken belief they were a German submarine.

“When you live to be 97 years of age and have cheated death a couple of times you start to think ‘somebody up there likes me’,” he laughed.

Mr Bowden ‘swallowed the anchor’ in 1958 while posted to HMAS Sydney III and worked for Victorian State Electricity until 1970 when he retired to Bateau Bay on the Central Coast of NSW.

Final chapter for avid fan

FONDLY REMEMBERED: Danny Bowden, right, reads over an early edition of Navy News with Terry Bendall. Mr Bowden was one of Navy News’ biggest fans and oldest readers.

Sailor helps save woman

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10 NEWS

THE Fleet Support Unit (FSU) will undergo changes this year to enable it to focus on being a maintenance-based organisation.

This s tems from a Capabil i ty Improvement Program (CIP) the Directorate of Navy Cont inuous Improvement (DNCI) undertook last year.

The directorate has conducted a num-ber of CIPs since January 2010.

Some of these programs indicated there were improvement opportunities involving FSU.

After considering the recommen-dations from various CIPs, the Navy Reform Board directed the FSU be the subject of a CIP.

The process began in March last year and an integrated project team was formed with staff from DNCI, FSU and a management consulting firm with sub-stantial CIP experience.

After a period of intensive research and investigation, opportunities for reform were presented to the FSU CIP board for endorsement.

The Navy Reform Board approved a number of the recommendations last December.

The quick approval of the recom-mendations highlights the ability of the CIP process to rapidly progress reform options.

The FSU CIP recommendations include FSU’s further involvement in extended maintenance availabilities and repairing stock.

The integrated project team worked with DMO to determine extended main-

tenance availabilities and the activities the FSU could be involved with, and the strategy recommended will involve FSU specialising in specific types of mainte-nance, such as diesel engines, corrosion control and circuit boards.

Commander Fleet Maintenance CMDR Randall Peterie said FSU had the ability to do any job, but not every job.

“Previously the role of FSU has not been clearly defined, which led to confu-sion within Navy as to what FSU does to support the fleet.

The FSU CIP will set clear policy on FSU roles and build a capability that best meets fleet maintenance requirements while building on technical mastery for our members,” CMDR Peterie said.

Project teams will be constituted to implement the approved projects starting early this year.

Officer in Charge of FSU Sydney LCDR Peter Anderson said the recom-mendations and coming projects “will help remove many of these challenges and allow FSU to focus on being a main-tenance-based organisation”.

“By developing new and refocusing existing capabilities, FSU will be able to provide a greater level of maintenance support and enhance the technical exper-tise of its personnel, all better aligned with fleet maintenance needs,” he said.

“There will be some exciting organi-sational reforms across FSU this year and I look forward to being part of the team that implements those changes.”

Fleet support improvement steams ahead

ENGINE ROOM: Changes to the Fleet Support Unit as a result of Capability Improvement Programs will focus on making it more of a maintenance-based organisation.

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By LT Darren Elder

CPO Michael Oaklands reckons if his job was a TV series it would be called CSI Afghanistan.

The clearance diver is part of a specialised investi-gation team at Multinational Base Tarin Kot in Afghanistan spearheading a potent capabil-ity for the ADF.

The Weapons Intelligence Team (WIT) analyses com-ponentry from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to trace those responsible for the weapons and enable the ADF and its coalition partners to determine the best methods of countering the threat.

“It is interesting work. Almost every day we encoun-ter a new IED and the work we do to defeat them makes things safer for soldiers and civilians in Uruzgan prov-ince and Afghanistan,” CPO Oaklands said.

Procedures for clearing roads, bridges and paths of IEDs throughout Afghanistan are constantly evolving to counter the latest threat thanks to the intelligence gained by the WIT.

The team is also helping track down those responsible for the bombs.

“We’re like the CSI team on TV or any forensics crime team back in Australia. We go out to the crime scene where the IED was laid, dust the componentry for finger-prints and test for DNA to trace those responsible,” CPO Oaklands said.

His previous deployment to the MEAO was in a differ-ent role – he served on HMAS Sydney in the Persian Gulf in 2003.

The 45-year-old joined the Navy 26 years ago to see the world.

“I had a cousin in the Navy and he kept telling me about all his trips overseas,” he said.

“It was also the era before the Navy paid off its big destroyers and some of the cooler aspects of the uniform, such as the bell-bottom pants. I thought that stuff was pretty good and I wanted to be part of it.”

Originally, he joined as a radio operator but after six years he moved across to become a clearance diver.

“I did get to serve on a destroyer, as well as a frigate and a mine hunter, but before I retire I’d love to serve on one of the new helicopter landing ships the Navy is cur-rently buying,” he said.

Diver’s WIT and wisdom

Diving for weapons: Clearance Diver CPO Michael Oaklands, Weapons Intelligence Team, secures mortar rounds made safe after being recovered from improvised explosive devices in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. Photo: LS Andrew Dakin

11NEWS

February 2, 2012NAVY NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews

CENTRESPREAD12 13

FREEING UP MEAO SEA LANES

IN CONTROL: ABCSO Brett Mayers keeps an eye out for threats from the air in the opera-tions room on Parramatta.

IN COMMAND: CO HMAS Parramatta CMDR Guy Blackburn, looks through binoculars on the bridge as theship transits into Aqaba, Jordan.

HMAS Parramatta answers callWHILE the Gulf of Aden, HMAS Parramatta was called on to pro-vide essential life-saving assis-tance to an Iranian-flagged vessel in distress on Christmas Eve.

On December 23, Parramatta received a distress call from a vessel 400 nautical miles off the eastern coast of Yemen.

She immediately increased speed and sailed to the vessel’s aid during the next 24 hours.

After the ship’s helicopter and coalition aircraft located the ves-sel on the morning of December 24, CMDR Guy Blackburn said Parramatta closed in to assess the situation.

“The vessel’s crew were waving to the helicopter and to us and had an orange flag flying at the front of the vessel,” CMDR Blackburn said.

“These are all recognised inter-national signals of distress and we immediately knew that something was wrong.

“The vessel’s master waved at us and asked us to come aboard to help them. It is a time honoured mariner’s tradition to help those in need at sea,” CMDR Blackburn said.

After receiving assistance from Parramatta, the vessel was able to make its own way into port.

Parramatta transferred more than 700 litres of fuel along with life-saving water and food to the vessel for its crew.

FOR many Australians, a simple drive to a ser-vice station to fill up the tank or a quick run to the grocery store would not provoke immedi-ate thoughts of the RAN.

Most Australians would not realise that some of the goods they purchase at the supermarket and the fuel they use has been provided safe passage to our shores by Australian sailors deployed to the Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO).

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta is on her fourth rotation to the MEAO as part of Operation Slipper and is the 27th RAN ship to deploy since 2001.

HMAS Parramatta is commanded by CMDR Guy Blackburn and is deployed to the MEAO as part of the Australian contribution to the Combined Maritime Forces.

Nearing the end of her six-month deployment, HMAS Parramatta has conducted maritime security operations in the Gulf region and the Horn of Africa, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations in the Gulf of Aden and supported a number of counter ter-rorism activities.

The 191-strong crew celebrated Christmas in the Gulf of Aden, where spirits were high after receiving Christmas gifts and well wishes from loved ones in Australia.

However, celebrations were brief as, even on Christmas Day and throughout the holiday period, operations did not cease and the crew remained vigi-

lant to their task of providing security to the strategic waterways in the MEAO.

CMDR Blackburn said Parramatta’s most impor-tant role was keeping the peace in the sea lanes.

“Simply put, this means we are up in the Middle East keeping the ‘sea lanes, free lanes’,” he said.

“We’re making sure all the mariners and traders of the world can get through safely, so that every-body at home can get their goods.”

Parramatta left Sydney in late September and is close to clocking up 15,000 nautical miles.

“The deployment so far has been very rewarding, everybody enjoys doing active service, this is what we train for and it’s the pinnacle of our careers to be here, doing our job at sea,” CMDR Blackburn said.

While it is never easy to be apart from fami-lies and friends, CMDR Blackburn said the crew remained firmly focused on the importance of main-taining security throughout the strategic waterways of the world and the Straits of Hormuz, ensuring that millions of barrels of oil can continue to be trans-ported through those sea lanes.

“This is a very important task that we are doing,” he said.

ABCIS Mark Valvason has been in the Navy for five years and said he was enjoying his time aboard HMAS Parramatta.

“At the moment my job involves the day-to-day operation and coordination of telecommunications onboard the ship,” ABCIS Valvason said.

“It’s a really rewarding role and you experience something different every day, its not your typical 9-5 that’s for sure.”

At 40, ABCSO Brett Mayers is a relative new-comer to the Navy having only joined two years ago and can’t get enough of his job.

“I spend my day in the war room, otherwise known as the operations room, which is the hub of the ship, everything happens from there,” ABCSO Mayers said.

“I have the responsibility of watching for threats from the air.

“I should have done this 20 years ago. Being a CSO you work in all parts of the ship from the quar-terdeck to the operations room so the variety is good.

“I really wanted this deployment, to serve my country.”

On her first overseas deployment since joining the Navy in 2007, ABMED Jess Mysko said the experi-ence had been invaluable.

“As a medic, my job changes when we are along-side compared to when we are at sea,” ABMED Mysko said.

“At sea there is more clinical work to be done. We do initial and review consults, teach basic first aid and manage the medical fitness of the crew as well as remain on standby for any medical emergency.”

Parramatta will handover to HMAS Melbourne in March before returning home to Sydney for a much deserved break.

As HMAS Parramatta’s deployment in the Middle East Area of Operations comes to an end, some of the crew look back on their four months at sea. Photos: PO Damian Pawlenko

LOOKING FOR SIGNS: ABCIS Mark Valvason takes control of the 10-inch signal light on the deck of Parramatta.UNDER PRESSURE: ABMED Jess Mysko keeps a check on the medical health of sailors aboard Parramatta.

KEEPING WATCH: HMAS Parramatta on the look out for illegal activity in the Middle East Area of Operations.


FEATURES

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Female engagement team members, left to right, CPL Katie Lockwood, SGT Sam Lund, SGT Bernadette Serong and interpreter Terri seek some shade during a mission in the Karmisan Valley (above) as CAPT Lauren Brooke patrols in Tarin Kot (right).Photos: ABIS Jo Dilorenzo

Focus on exposing lifeABIS Jo Dilorenzo spent six months last year in Afghanistan capturing images. MAJ Lachlan Simond reflects on her achievements.

IN AN operational theatre, where the majority of Navy personnel are clearance divers, ABIS Jo Dilorenzo served in a far more publicly exposed

role in Afghanistan.ABIS Dilorenzo is a military photog-

rapher from the Canberra-based 1 Joint Public Affairs Unit. She deployed to Afghanistan in May last year as the single Australian imagery specialist attached to Combined Team-Uruzgan (CT-U) and returned to Australia in time for Christmas.

“Working in CT-U was both challeng-ing and rewarding,” ABIS Dilorenzo said.

“It was a unique opportunity for me as an ADF photographer because I got to work with not only Australian personnel, but also American military and a num-ber of other government agencies such as AusAID and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”

CT-U HQ is the unit responsible for commanding and coordinating coalition operations in Uruzgan province, which meant ABIS Dilorenzo deployed on mis-sions in support of Australian forces, the US Army and Afghan National Security Forces, and recorded other government agency development and governmental missions.

“I had the chance to record imagery of American soldiers mentoring the Afghan National Police as well as our mentors and their Afghan National Army partners,” she said.

“I also had the chance to cover schoolchildren, development projects and women’s shuras that we’ve never recorded before because of the gender of the major-ity of deployed photographers.”

ABIS Dilorenzo’s imagery appeared in Defence publications and in Australian and international media. She was also instrumental in developing and enhancing CT-U’s Facebook page, where much of her work was showcased.

As well as her photographic and other public affairs duties, ABIS Dilorenzo became an important participant in the Female Engagement Team (FET) mission.

ABIS Dilorenzo and a number of other females from CT-U attended shuras with women from across Uruzgan and

Daykundi provinces. These forums are designed to enable Afghan women to raise their concerns and ideas so that they can be included in the process of stabilising their country.

“The FET missions were amazing,” ABIS Dilorenzo said.

“As well as photographing these unique meetings, I got to meet and talk with Afghan women and share their aspirations and their frustrations. I may have been wearing a uniform and they, the burqa, but the connection was something I will never forget.”

ABIS Dilorenzo began life in the Navy as a communicator before finding her pas-sion in photography. Her change to the Imagery Specialist trade, and her deploy-ment to Afghanistan, meant she often operated outside the wire with Mentoring Task Force soldiers as they conducted mis-sions to enhance the skills of the Afghan National Army and to disrupt the insur-gency within the province.

“The infantry and other Army person-nel were incredibly friendly and support-ive,” she said.

“They realised how important it was to

record the images of what they were doing and release them to the Australian and wider audiences. I just hope the images communicated to the public the great job the guys are doing and the real success they are achieving.”

ABIS Dilorenzo’s photos speak for themselves and in many ways her images informed people back home of what was happening in Afghanistan and what opera-tions looked like on the ground.

Her images ranged from the curious, intense stares of young girls attending school for the first time to the sad and poignant imagery of flag-draped caskets of soldiers going home for the last time.

In a largely Army-led environment, ABIS Dilorenzo became an essential and respected member of the CT-U and an operator that every unit seeks to include on their missions.

Her reputation in the CT-U was best summed up by the Commander CT-U, US Army COL Bob Akam: “Give me 100 Jo Dilorenzos and I could solve any problem in the world, on any scale, in less than 24 hours.”

HAPPY DAYS: A photo of a young girl from the Malalai Girl’s School in Tarin Kot. Photo: ABIS Jo Dilorenzo

ON THE JOB: ABIS Jo Dilorenzo takes some photos as the sun sets at Multinational Base Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.Photo: POIS Damian Pawlenko

FINAL FAREWELL: Soldiers say goodbye to three fallen mates, CAPT Bryce Duffy, CPL Ashley Birt and LCPL Luke Gavin, all killed in Afghanistan on October 29, 2011, as they commence their journey home. Photo: ABIS Jo Dilorenzo

14

MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIARADM David Johnston For exceptional service to the RAN in senior naval and joint operational staff appointments.

CAPT Colin LawrenceFor exceptional service in the field of aerospace engineering in the RAN.

CDRE Richard Menhinick CSC For exceptional service to the RAN as Director General Navy Transformation and Innovation and Commandant of the Australian Command and Staff College.

MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIACMDR Robert Nelson (retd) For service to educa-tion through the development and national delivery of the Science and Engineering Challenge.

CMDR John Wilkins RFD (retd) For service to the preservation of Australia’s naval history.

WO Sharon CampbellFor meritorious service in the field of leadership and recruit training in the RAN.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALLEUT Richard Brickacek For distinguished leadership in action on August 20 and 21, 2010 while leading an explosive ordnance team in Kipto and Shah Zafar, Afghanistan, on Operation Slipper.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL

CPO Dennis BentleyFor meritorious devo-tion to duty as the Operations Manager, RAN Relief Trust Fund.

CMDR Darren Grogan For meritorious achieve-ment in the field of border protection at HQ NORCOM and at the RAN Patrol Boat Group.

LCDR Micheal Jacobson For meritorious devotion to duty as the Executive Officer of Submarine Crew 2 in HMAS Collins.

CPO Andrew Maskell For meritorious devotion to duty as the Personnel Officer aboard HMAS Manoora and for services to the wider naval community.

CMDR Paul O’Grady For meritorious achievement as CO of the RAN Recruit School.

COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICECDRE Roger Boyce For distinguished perfor-mance of duty in warlike operations as Deputy Commander JTF 633 on Operation Slipper in the MEAO from April to October 2010.

RADM David Johnston For distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as Deputy Commander JTF 633 on Operations Slipper and Kruger from October 2010 to March 2011.

CMDR Alan Regan RFD For outstanding achievement as the Staff Officer 1 Rapid Environmental Assessment, Joint Environment Centre, HQ JOC.

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OAM: WO Sharon Campbell received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to leadership and recruit training.


16 GANGWAY

ThequickfiveWith a new ship in HMAS Choules joining the fleet, Navy News is taking the opportunity to quiz some of the fresh faces in its ranks with five quick questions.

Here we present three sailors posted to the Bay Class Landing Ship Dock who sailed from the United Kingdom to Australia, (L-R): ABBM Nathan Pitt, ABCIS Haydn Cers and ABMT Mitchell Lawrence.

Photo: LSIS Brenton Freind

ABBM Nathan PittBriefly, what do you do in the Navy? I work in the Boats Party, which means I look after the small boats in HMAS Choules, the RHIBS, making sure they are launched and retrieved properly. We work closely with the Marine Technicians to ensure the RHIBs are maintained in a seaworthy state.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career?The friends and sense of mateship is always a rewarding aspect to reflect on.

What are your priorities for 2012?To maintain a healthy lifestyle and to be a good sailor.

What do you know about Navy that you didn’t when you first joined?Every day I learn something new about the Navy.

If you could ask Chief of Navy one thing, what would it be?What are some of the best memories Navy has given you?

ABCIS Haydn CersBriefly, what do you do in the Navy?

Most of my time is spent in the COMCEN, on the bridge or the flight deck. We deal with all the communica-tions that flow into and off the ship.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career?My career has been rewarding as a whole and has benefitted me in many ways towards my future within and outside of Defence. The highlight so far has been the opportunity to deploy overseas and sail Choules back from the UK.

What are your priorities for 2012?

I’m going to tackle challenges as they appear and hopefully progress my career further.

What do you know about Navy that you didn’t when you first joined?

I don’t think many people know what the Navy will be like when they join

for the first time. But since that day I have expanded my knowledge a great deal to things relating to the Navy and Defence Force and have had many experiences during my time serving. This is something I can take away and share with family and friends who always enjoy listening.

If you could ask Chief of Navy one thing, what would it be?

What is your personal opinion on the direction of the Royal Australian Navy and what do you think we could do to better ourselves?

ABMT Mitchell LawrenceBriefly, what do you do in the Navy?

I monitor and maintain anything engineering-wise on the ship includ-ing diesel engines, hydraulics, dam-age control equipment and electrical equipment, including high voltage equipment.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career?

The are many rewarding aspects, how-ever what stands out for me personally is the mateship that occurs within the Navy and being able to meet such a diverse group of good people that all get along.

What are your priorities for 2012?

My priorities for this year are to make Navy and Australia proud and to com-plete the outstanding qualifications I require to be eligible to transfer to the Physical Training Instructor category.

What do you know about Navy that you didn’t when you first joined?

Before I became a member of the Defence Force I was unaware of how closely the Navy and Army work together. I never would have guessed that there would be Army people per-manently posted to a Navy ship.

If you could ask Chief of Navy one thing, what would it be?

If given the chance I would ask Chief of Navy if he had ever gotten into trouble in his early years in Navy.

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17GANGWAY

HE’S BACK: ABET Jimmy Durrington greets girlfriend Amanda Johnson after his deployment on HMAS Warramunga. Photo: LSIS Nina Nikolin

TWAS THE SEASON: ASBM Casey Ramsey gets in the Christmas spirit as she keeps a watch on the bridge of HMAS Maitland. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

EASY DOES IT: LS Christopher Whittaker checks the ship’s lines as HMAS Armidale comes alongside at Darwin Harbour after conducting an Operation Resolute patrol in northern Australian waters. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

TIMELY PRESENT: SBLT Wayne McColl checks out the Advent calender sent to him on board HMAS Parramatta by family for Christmas. Photo: SBLT Madelein De Jager

DIY: LSCSO Naomi Magowan and ABMT Samantha Chivell weld clothes-lines at an orphanage in Cambodia during HMAS Warramunga’s South East Asian deployment last year. Photo: LEUT Douglas Hamilton

ADF Transition Seminar Calendar 2012

ADF Transition Seminars have been designed to assist with preparing your transition from Defence by providing information and directing you to additional sources of information.

The following topics are addressed during the seminars:

� Your Career and You� Your Money and You� Transition Support Benefi ts� Transition Support and Administration� Reserve Service� Superannuation� Health Insurance� Department of Veterans’ Affairs� Veterans and Veterans’ Family Counselling Services

To fi nd out more about the ADF Transition Seminars contact your nearest ADF Transition Centre:

http://www.defence.gov.au/transitions/index.htm

Month Date LocationMarch 6 - 7 Canberra

14 - 15 Sydney

21 - 22 Darwin

April 3 – 4 Brisbane

18 - 19 Adelaide

May 9 - 10 Darwin

15 - 16 Townsville

23 – 24 Melbourne

June 5 - 6 Perth

13 - 14 Newcastle

19 - 20 Bandiana

27 - 28 Canberra

July 3 – 4 Brisbane

10 - 11 Sydney

24 - 25 Cairns

August 7 – 8 Shoalhaven

14 - 15 Hobart

September 19 - 20 Adelaide

25 - 26 Brisbane

October 9 - 10 Melbourne

16 - 17 Canberra

23 - 24 Townsville

November 13 - 14 Darwin

20 - 21 Perth

27 - 28 Liverpool Better Range. Better Value.

FOLLOW US ON

1/12 ISSUE 85

Op STAYSAFEEMAIL: [email protected]

TELEPHONE: 1800 558 555 (confi dentiality assured)Seaworthy is produced by the Directorate of Navy Safety Systems in the interests of promoting

safety in the Navy. The contents do not necessarily refl ect Service policy and, unless stated otherwise, should not be construed as orders, instructions or directives – KEEP NAVY SAFE.

O

MANY sailors and contractors undertake procedures such as inspections, cleaning and repairs in a confined space. Hazards asso-ciated with working in confined spaces can, if ignored, cause fatal or debilitating accidents.

Typical hazards are accidental operation of mechanical equipment; release of harmful gases or liquids; high ambient temperatures; expo-sure to asphyxiating, toxic, corro-sive, flammable or radioactive sub-stances; explosions; and insufficient oxygen to maintain life.

A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space which is at atmospheric pressure dur-ing occupancy and which is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work. The space may have restricted means of entry or exit, and potentially harmful levels of contaminants or unsafe oxygen lev-els in the atmosphere.

An unventilated compartment is defined as any compartment that has been closed for more than 24 hours without thorough ventilation. Such compartments are liable to contain gases capable of forming explosive mixtures, or other harmful mixtures. All unventilated compartments are to be treated as confined spaces.

Personnel must be competent to conduct specific aspects of confined space work. This includes super-visors, who must be assessed and further endorsed within each unit/ship/establishment as a competent confined space supervisor.

Personnel required to work within a confined space must be assessed and further endorsed with-in each unit/ship/establishment as a competent confined space worker.

Contractors undertaking physical work must do so under their own confined space management system, with Defence approval.

Service personnel are prohibited from working under the contractors system. Contractors conducting sur-veys or quotes can work under the RAN confined space management system once correctly inducted. Under such circumstances the con-fined space sentry and supervisor are to be service personnel.

One of the most well recognised and often realised hazards associ-ated with confined spaces within the maritime sector is toxic hazard, a scenario for which Navy practices and exercises regularly.

The investigation of the deaths of three personnel on board the emergency response and rescue ves-sel Viking Islay in September 2007 found a worker passed out due to insufficient oxygen while work-ing in the vessel’s cable locker, with two further workers passing out while attempting rescue. All three died of asphyxiation. The

final worker died attempting res-cue wearing an emergency life sup-port respiratory device (ELSRD) equivalent, an escape apparatus not designed to be worn while perform-ing rescue operations.

Upon discovering an uncon-scious person in a confined space, you should raise the alarm, don an ELSRD, and evacuate and secure the compartment as you continue to raise the alarm. Never attempt to re-enter a compartment to rescue a fallen shipmate or contractor until properly dressed and given com-mand approval. The reasons we fol-low these procedures are obvious, but sadly deaths still occur among some of our seagoing counterparts.

Defence references: ABR 6303, Part 2, Ch 11 – Confined Space ManagementABR 5225, Vol 1, Ch 06, Annex DSAFETYMAN, Part 3B, Ch 02 – Working in Confined Spaces

Dangerous spaces


STEADY HAND: A leading seaman exer-cises caution in a confined space.

Supervisors’ responsibilities: � Ensure compliance with any relevant Defence or legisla-

tive requirements. � Enforce compliance with relevant orders and instructions

on confined space operations.� Ensure the competency of any worker involved in confined

space operations.� Ensure that emergency evacuation and rescue proce-

dures are in place and understood.� Ensure the confined space described in an entry permit

is in a safe condition for the work required, and that all precautions determined by a risk assessment are clearly outlined on the permit before the permit is authorised.

� Ensure that no person enters the confined space without the support of a sentry.

� Ensure all persons and equipment have left the confined space before it is returned to its normal use.

� Ensure that safety signs and protective barriers are promi-nently displayed.

Workers’ responsibilities: � Comply with all instructions and requirements relating to

safe work in confined spaces.� Ensure the safety of themselves and others in relation to

working in confined spaces.� Follow the directions of the supervisor and sentry in

respect of confined spaces.� Not enter a confined space until they have been advised

by the supervisor that a risk assessment indicates that it is safe do so, signed onto a valid confined space entry permit; and complied with all other pre entry requirements eg. personal protective equipment as stated in ABR 5225.

Insurance you need for the surprises you don’t.

Are you looking for an insurance policy that fits with your lifestlye?

Before making a decision about your insurance needs, please refer to the Product Disclosure Statement available at www.adcu.com.au. Insurance products are issued by CUMIS Insurance Society Inc. ABN 72 000 562 121 AFSL 24591 (Incorporated in the United States. The members of the Society have no liability) trading as CUNA Mutual General Insurance. Australian Defence Credit Union Limited ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL No. 237 988. Australian credit licence number 237 988.

ADCU MemberCare Insurance offers special benefits that are specifically designed for Australian Defence Personnel.

For a competitive quote call 1300 13 23 28, ask at your local branch or visit www.adcu.com.au


By Graham McBean

SENIOR Defence fraud and ethics administrators are calling for ADF personnel to be aware of conflicts of interest when employing people into sensitive roles.

The areas of procurement and con-tract negotiations were identified in particular where people employed with Defence may be in conflict with sensi-tive areas such as contract renewals.

A recent issue highlighted the potential problem when questions were raised about the alleged influence of a person employed in a contract renewal.

While two subsequent inquir-

ies found there was no unethical influence, a Defence audit of ADF Reserves identified the need for aware-ness of employing people in critical areas.

Director Fraud Control Policy and Ethics Terry Riley said it was impor-tant to understand that it was not in itself wrong to have conflicts of inter-est and they were not uncommon.

“This is hardly surprising given the multitude of relationships and con-nections, both private and profession-al, that we all have in our day to day lives,” Mr Riley said.

“The issue is how we go about dealing with them when they arise in the context of our obligations as pub-

lic office holders, as they can inter-fere with perceptions about a person’s objectivity and independence.”

Mr Riley said while the case in point involved a reservist the princi-ples applied to all areas of Defence.

“This is about Defence procure-ment across the board where we are getting Defence people posted into areas that are engaging in tender nego-tiations.

“People need to be thinking about the issues as they arise – we are not sure it is even in the back of people’s minds.”

A Defence audit of reserves pro-duced seven recommendations which included incorporating the engagement

of ADF Reserves into mandatory train-ing, the new e-learning package and ADF resettlement seminars.

Mr Riley said there also needed to be awareness in the recruitment pro-cess but also with the receiving unit.

He said obligation to report per-sonal conflict of interest issues as they arose was crucial but on its own was not enough.

“It is important to recognise that sometimes individuals will not readily recognise their own personal circum-stances may give rise to a perceived conflict of interest – sometimes these issues can be quite subtle.

“They might not be attuned to the wider implications for a particular

activity as a result of their own per-sonal circumstances.”

Mr Riley said Defence managers also needed to be conscious of the environment in which they operate and the possibility that such issues can arise at any time that might have con-sequences for a particular activity.

“Alert Defence managers may then take appropriate steps to raise aware-ness of the issue, to ensure that the organisation has an opportunity to act and deal with the issue as necessary.”

Further information is available from Defence Instruction (General) PERS 25-6 Conflicts of interest and declarations of interest.

19PERSONNEL

Take care to avoid conflicts CHECK OUT CONTRACTORS: Managers need to be wary that contract negotiations do not lead to

conflicts of interest. Photo: LAC Bill Solomou

Toll Transitions and Legacy thank you for your support

Toll Transitions: Freecall 1800 819 167 www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

Since 1 July 2011, Toll Transitions has donated $1 to Legacy for every online AFR submission. With 80% of AFRs being completed online this peak posting cycle, the initial target of 10,000 online submissions was achieved on 23 November, translating to a $10,000 donation to Legacy.

Toll Transitions’ website, now with improved access and performance via multiple internet browsers, handled the increased usage with ease.

Toll Transitions is now donating $5 for each online AFR Submission. This will continue for AFRs lodged online up to June 2012, or until a total of 12,000 AFRs have been submitted online. Your continued support is appreciated by Toll and Legacy as we seek to double the donation.

On Monday 28th November Toll Transitions presented a cheque for $10,000 to Legacy at Legacy House, Melbourne. Gary Hutchinson, Toll Transitions Divisional General Manager, had the honour of presenting the cheque to Charles Wright, Chairman of Legacy.

Lodgement of Notices can now be done online by logging on to our homepage at www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

Lodge your Notice with Toll Transitions as soon as possible after discovery of any loss or damage

If you need assistance with lodging your notice or if an essential item is lost or damaged please call Toll Transitions immediately on 1800 819 167

Toll Transitions will provide regular updates on the progress of your notice.

Whilst most furniture and effects are covered, the following items are specifically excluded

Vehicles and towables being freighted – check with your insurer to see if they are covered while in transit

Cash, jewellery, personal papers, stamp and photo albums

Opened bottles or containers, e.g. wine or liquor

Refer to pages 14-25 and page 30 of Your Defence Relocation Guide for full details.

Remember: Defence policy is to repair or replace that item with a similar item. It is not a new for old replacement. If it is not practical to repair or replace the lost or damaged item then compensation will be paid, taking into account the age, style, condition and current value (not cost) of the item.

Toll Transitions introduces online warranty managementFebruary is a busy time for relocating and recently relocated members and their families. Here is some helpful information should you need to lodge a Notice of Loss or Damage.

*Terms and Conditions apply.

** Valet Unpack Service includes: Furniture arranged in each room, beds made, goods unpacked and put away in cupboards, bench tops wiped down, cartons fully emptied and collapsed ready for collection by removalist.

Enter your AFR online today to help us increase our donation to Legacy and for your chance to win.

*Terms and Conditions apply.

$15,000

GOAL$20,000

COMPLETE YOUR AFR ONLINE! Help us raise vital funds for Legacy

www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

From 1 July, Toll Transitions will donate $1 to Legacy for each Application For Relocation (AFR) entered online via Toll Transitions’ website. Our aim is to raise more than $10,000 in the coming peak posting period.

In addition to helping Legacy, you will also go into a monthly draw* for a Valet Unpack Service.**

Shed the holiday cheer

IT’S an all too common tale. All year we eat well, manage a regu-lar fitness regime and then it’s Christmas, New Year and holiday

time and all our healthy habits soar out the window.

Before we know it we’re back at work and we’re still carrying the extra kilos as a result of overindulging.

Exercise, of course, was out of the question during December/January. We were far too busy relaxing and socialising with family and friends to fit that into our schedules.

Regrettably reality’s bite hurts when we get back to work and wonder how we managed to stack on 5kg in a matter of weeks.

Fortunately, dietitian Tiffany Peddle of the Duntroon Health Centre has some simple and safe tips to help us get back on track.

Ms Peddle said weight gained dur-ing the holiday season was caused by increased energy intake (from food) and less energy expenditure (less physical activity).

“Any excess energy from food, measured in kilojoules or calories, is stored as body fat and reflected as increased body weight,” Ms Peddle said.

“Preventing weight gain is the key because it’s far easier to gain weight

than lose it. Remember, it’s what you do most of the time, not some of the time that counts.”

She said the most successful and sustainable way to lose weight was through a balanced diet and regular physical activity.

“Weight loss of up to 1kg per week is recommended for long-term weight loss success. Quick fix or fad diets are not sustainable and weight gain is inevitable once normal eating resumes.

“Easter is usually the next blow out holiday after Christmas, so I recom-mend three simple strategies to bal-ance your energy intake and expendi-ture – plan ahead, monitor your food intake and implement portion control.”

PlanningPlan ahead for regular meals and

snacks every day and aim for set meal times including three main meals and up to three snacks depending on your hunger level. Avoid skipping meals and spontaneous snacking.

Never go out without a plan. Set boundaries or rules as to what you will eat and drink. For example, limit your alcohol intake, share your des-sert, choose an entrée meal instead of a main and order it with salad or veg-etables, not chips. If you’re travelling

• Be mindful of your meal and snack portions

• Avoid seconds• Listen to your

hunger and satiety cues.

• Eat until you’re satisfied – never overeat.

Good portion sizes for lunch or dinner are:• half a plate of veg-

etables or salad• quarter of a plate

of lean protein such as red meat, chicken, seafood or eggs

• quarter of a plate of carbohydrates such as rice, pasta or potato.

EATING TIPS

21HEALTH

Lighten up, the holiday’s over. CPL Melanie Schinkel tells you how to get back on track.


for work or holidays, don’t rely on fast food. Be self-reliant, where possible, by packing healthy snacks and drinks.

Keep a diaryTo increase awareness of your eat-

ing habits, keep a daily food diary. This will help you identify areas you need to work on.

There are a number of programs, websites and apps, such as My Fitness

Pal, that can assist in tracking your intake. Non-hungry eating is a common factor in weight gain and often a result of boredom, stress or cravings. Once you identify the problems you can develop strategies to overcome them.

Portion controlConsume a balance of the five food

groups to ensure you don’t miss out on nutrients that are vital to good health.

Extras such as alcohol and foods that are high in fat or sugar need to be limited in your meal plan because they provide little nutritional value but are very high in energy.

For more information on daily servings refer to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating at http://www.healthyactive.gov.au/internet/healthyactive/publishing.nsf/Content/recommended-daily-servings.

IS THAT ON THE LIST?: Keeping a food diary will help you work out what’s naughty and what’s nice. Photo: LSIS Paul Berry

22 SPORT

TO ENHANCE their free fall-ing skills, a small contingent of Navy sports skydivers were part of 76 participants at the Australian Defence Parachuting Association’s (ADPA) five-day parachuting skills camp in Picton, NSW from December 19.

ADPA member CPO Rob Clarke of Maritime Support said Navy’s participants were enthusias-tic and met each challenge head-on.

“We tackled every obstacle we could find, including combining all the disciplines offered at the camp into one jump,” CPO Clarke said.

“The triservice, tristate and mixed gender hybrid T jump con-sisted of extremely unconventional

exits. Some members exercised their free-falling technique while others used four-way formation and canopy drills.”

LEUT Arthur Jagiello, HQJOC, said he was pleased to obtain his B licence during the skills camp.

“It felt good to finally fulfil the licence requirements. I also enjoyed working with world-class instruc-tors, who helped me improve my accuracy, canopy control and four-way formation skydiving skills,” LEUT Jagiello said.

One of the camp’s top parachut-ing coaches, Cameron Jarrett, said the skills camp was a great success, with no injuries or safety incidents.

“The Defence members’ dis-

ciplined approach to learning and dedication to safety awareness was excellent. It would be good to see more opportunities for the members to practise the skills they learned and improved on during the camp,” Mr Jarrett said.

OC of Kapooka’s Adventurous Training Wing, MAJ Rebecca Lacey, said the ADPA committee was always on the lookout for new members. “It’s fantastic to see this sport having such a positive influ-ence on so many Defence mem-bers,” MAJ Lacey said.

If you would like to join ADPA or would like information about sports parachut-ing email [email protected]


Skydivers drop in for training camp

By WGCDR Trevor Owens

LCDR Darryl Whitehead (HMAS Albatross) and LCDR Joanne Fehervari (Navy Canberra) were runaway winners in the 27th annual ADF Golf Championships played at Canberra’s Federal Golf Club in December.

LCDR Fehervari led the Ladies Championship from start to finish with CPO Julie-Anne Cocks (Navy Sydney) a distant runner-up while LCDR Whitehead took out the Navy championship.

After leading the field at the end of play on the second day by two shots, LCDR Whitehead was run down by first day leader and eventual ADF cham-pion CPL Trent Fortescue and CAPT Jamie Pitt. He finished the highest for Navy, some 18 shots ahead of LEUT Matt Klohs (HMAS Cerberus).

One hundred and thirty six players descended on the Federal Golf Club in generally good conditions to compete on the champi-onship layout which pro-vided a tough, challenging but fair test for all.

On day one, WOFF John King set the scene for the event with a hole-in-one on the short 16th, only the third hole-in-one in the event’s history.

CPL Trent Fortescue led the field with a par round of 72, two shots ahead of CAPT Pitt, LCDR Whitehead, and SIG Dave Sherlock. Day two saw CPL Fortescue and SIG Sherlock falter, both shooting an eight over par 80, while LCDR Whitehead carded a 73 to lead the field from Pitt (75).

The third round saw a tus-sle between LCDR Whitehead, CPL Fortescue and SIG Sherlock with the latter two bouncing back into form. In a magnificent and controlled display of golf, CPL Fortescue turned three under at the 9th to lead by seven shots with nine holes to play, and then finished the round at 70 (two under), which was the only sub-par round of the tour-nament.

In the single service catego-ries, CAPT Pitt took out the Army Championship from SIG Sherlock, while SGT Rod Smylie (RAAF)

e , n r -e . t s t

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played steady golf for his first Championship win by three shots from FLTLT Sam Harkiss and CPL Brendan Creek. Ex-WO1 Peter Hawken from Townsville took out the APS title from Dave Elliott and Michael Robertson.

AB Virginia Vale continued to fly the flag for the women by taking out the overall ADF Nett Championship. SGT Sharn O’Connor (Army) was the fitting winner of the WO2 Peter Medlicott

Memorial Trophy as the regional handicap winner.

Last, but not least, in the “old warhorse” category, FLTLT Daryl Bell became the seniors’ champion and WOFF Kent Scott took out the seniors’ nett title.

The 2012 ADF Championship is scheduled to be held at Federal Golf Club from December 10-14. Entry forms will be available from July onwards.

Putting it in to take the titles

IN FORM: LCDR Joanne Fehervari putts on the 10th green on her way to being crowned ADF champion (above) and (inset) LCDR Darryl Whitehead on his way to winning the Navy title. Photos: LAC Bill Solomou Rugby league carnival

ARMY/Navy’s rivalry will be reignited in the Combined Australian Services Rugby League (CASRL) carnival at the Tomaree Sporting Complex, Nelson Bay in March. The CASRL draw is: Navy v Air Force (March 11 at 3pm), Army v Air Force (March 14 at 5.30pm) and Navy v Army (March 16 at 3pm). The CASRL team will be selected from the three service teams and will play an exhibition game against the Port Stephens Sharks on Sunday, March 18.

Warriors competeWOUNDED service personnel are gearing-up to take on wounded soldiers from other nations in a Paralympics sports contest in the US. Around 10 ADF members will com-pete in the Marine Corps Trials and games from February 13-22 at Camp Pendleton, California. Meanwhile, three wounded ADF personnel are on the slopes in Canada as part of the ADF’s Wounded Warrior program. They are participating in the Veteran’s Learn to Ski Festival at the Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Vancouver Island.

SPORT SHORTS

Four players make the grade in ADF team

MAKING A SPLASH: LEUT Tor Sorensen, white cap, gets over the top of AC Daniel Davoren at the ADF water polo championships. Photo: David Eason

By CPL Max Bree

FOUR of Navy’s best water polo play-ers have been selected for the ADF side following the interservice cham-pionships at Randwick Barracks from November 28-December 2.

SMN Cassandra Armstrong (HMAS Albatross), SMN Eli Deloraine (HMAS Waterhen), SMN Matt Deloraine (HMAS Waterhen) and LEUT James Dobson (HMAS Toowoomba) will head to the Gold Coast in May to represent the ADF at the Australian Country Championships.

The selections came after a hard-fought interservice comp where the ACT women’s team downed their South East Queensland rivals in the final.

Both sides went nearly goal for goal in the first three quarters with ACT starting the fourth with a narrow 10-9 lead. A quick goal to SE Queensland levelled the scores, but a fired-up ACT hit back, scoring four unanswered goals to finish the game 14-10.

MIDN Brianna McConville believed her team might have slacked off in the final contest. “The other games we

had won by about six goals,” MIDN McConville said. “For the last game we probably went in a bit complacent.”

“But in the fourth quarter we got our heads down, kept it cool and came together with a win.”

Three fouls in the game saw MIDN McConville sent from the pool, but the HMAS Creswell cadet was not upset with the punishment.

“You’re not playing water polo if you don’t get sent off,” she said. “But it’s all right … you’re back the next game.”

In the men’s competition, the NSW team demolished South East Queensland23-3.

The Queenslanders struggled for traction as a talented NSW team ran riot.

LEUT Stephanie Bacon, AB Steed Wilson (HMAS Stirling), PO Richard Kamprad (HMAS Waterhen) and AB Richard Gregory (HMAS Stirling) made the ADF team list as reserves.

The next ADF championships are scheduled to be held in Darwin in December.

For more information about ADF Water Polo, visit www.adfwaterpolo.asn.au

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23SPORT

And, in the Navy blue corner ...By LSIS Paul Berry

THE dream of boxing for Australia at the 2012 London Olympics is only a handful of fights away for one hard-punching submariner.

LEUT Maddy Newman has exploded onto the Australian women’s boxing scene after only 18 months in the sport.

With just seven fights to her name, LEUT Newman holds the title of ACT cham-pion and is scheduled to take on the nation’s best at the Australian Championships in Hobart from February 1-5.

T h e q u i e t l y - s p o k e n Maritime Warfare Officer said she had always wanted to try boxing out.

“It’s a sport that really appeals to me because the only person that can win or lose is you – if you haven’t done enough work or you’re not in the right frame of mind, you’ll lose,” LEUT Newman said.

“Being at sea on and off for the last seven years made it hard to commit the time, so as soon as I got a shore post-ing and the opportunity to put some training together, that’s what I did.”

LEUT Newman re l in-quished her sought after posi-

tion as CN’s Flag Lieutenant to take up the role of CN’s Research Officer in order to dedicate more time to training.

Fighting in the 60-64kg Women’s Elite category, she boasts a record of four wins and three losses with the ref-eree stopping all her winning fights within two rounds.

Her coach and training partner, LSPTI Dallas Clarey (RANR), said he was amazed at the drive and motivation of LEUT Newman.

“Maddy is up at four in the morning, training two or three sessions a day and also attend-ing training sessions with the Australian coach from the AIS,” LS Clarey said.

“Eighteen months ago she went from not even knowing how to throw a punch to now heading off to the Australian Championships; they simply don’t take mediocre fighters to these competitions, so get-ting there after seven fights is amazing.”

LS Clarey said LEUT Newman had completely out-classed her opponents in her victories and the losses had all been very close, with one or two points in it.

She has travelled the coun-

try over the last six months to get fights and experience under her belt, often fighting girls well above her weight division.

At the Golden Gloves in Queensland she fought a 72kg opponent, giving away two weight classes and almost tak-ing away the victory.

LEUT Newman has proven to be a knockout in other areas as well.

She was photographed as an ACT representative in the National Women’s Boxing Calendar, due for release shortly.

This year’s Olympic Games will be the first time women have been allowed to compete for Olympic boxing medals.

“As soon as I heard they had opened the Olympics to females, I thought that’s some-thing to aim for – imagine that,” LEUT Newman said.

“ I f I w i n N a t i o n a l s the next step is the World Championships and then in a perfect world, Olympic selec-tion follows on from that.

“It’s a huge dream and there are a lot of girls with more experience than I have, but this is my only shot so I have to give it 150 per cent,” she said.


POWER HOUSE: LEUT Maddy Newman spars with coach LS Dallas Clarey in preparation for the National Women’s Boxing Championships in Hobart (above). LEUT Newman works on the chart table in the control room of HMAS Waller while at sea in 2010 (inset).Photos: LSIS Paul Berry and AB Nadia Monteith

By LEUT Peter Bounty

QUEENSLAND stole the show at the 29th National Defence Basketball Championships held at RAAF Williamtown late last year.

In the men’s competition, NSW dominated in the qualifying games but in an epic men’s decider, Qld claimed the silverware in a gripping battle that went right down to the wire.

The Queenslanders were firing in the first quarter and quickly grabbed a 10-point lead, but NSW regrouped after the first break and it was anyone’s game from there.

Qld coach WO2 Bruce Ferguson said his team controlled the ball better in offence. “Our passing was much bet-ter, we didn’t turn the ball over as we had in other games,” he said.

The lead changed several times throughout the game, but with 10 seconds to go and scores level, PTE Emmanuel Jacobs hit the winning buck-et for Qld.

Opposition coach LEUT Scott Northey said the Qld big men played extremely well at both ends of the floor and, at times, dominated inside.

“Overall it was won in the last sec-onds of a great game played with spir-it and heart, both teams had plenty of opportunity to win the game,” he said.

In the women’s comp, ACT/ Wagga, SA and Qld all finished with one loss leaving SA and Qld to fight it out after percentage calculations left ACT/Wagga in third place.

The Queenslanders came out strong and had the game under control until SA recovered from a 16-point deficit to draw level at 29-apiece at the end of third quarter, nosing ahead in the final minutes of the fourth.

Led by point guard LT Erin Mrnjavac (women’s rookie of the year), Qld regrouped and got home with a thrilling four-point win.

It was the first women’s title for Qld

Close calls as Qld dominates the boards

since 1998 and their ninth women’s championship overall.

The SA women’s team made their first finals appearance since the incep-tion of Australian Defence Basketball Association in 1983.

The tournament yielded positive signs for Defence Basketball with some outstanding young talent on display and WA fielding a women’s team for the first time in 10 years.

More information and pictures from the tournament can be found at www.adba.basketball.net.au

ON THE BOARDS: LSMT Scott Bailey takes the ball to the basket for NSW in the Defence Basketball Championships at Williamtown.

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LEUT Maddy LEUT Maddy Newman is fighting Newman is fighting fit and ready to take fit and ready to take on the worldon the world P23

FOCUSED: LEUT Maddy Newman puts in at a training session ahead of the Australian titles in Hobart later this month.Photo: LSIS Paul Berry

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