NNavyaSERVING AUSTRALIAv WITHy PRIDE Volume 53, No. 19, October 14, 20102010 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Navy VANGUARD: HMAS Collins arrives in Sydney Harbour. Collins is the first RAN submarine to visit Sydney in more than two years. HHMASMAS CCollins’ollins’ Photo: LSIS Yuri Ramsey rround-ound- AAustraliaustralia rrecruitingecruiting ddriverive SSILENTILENT SSERVICEERVICE CENTAUR COMMEMORATION P24 / AUS-CHINA PORT VISITS CENTRE 02 NEWS Fleet Air Arm Museum Navy experience unveils Chaplain Showcase raises $5k for charity By Michael Brooke XPLORING a day in the life of a sailor in the RAN was worth $5000 to fascinated Emembers of the public, who have gained respect for Navy’s role in national defence and humanitarian relief operations. The auction of a comprehensive ship tour of an Anzac-class FFH and lunch with the CO, for four people, raised $5000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation recently. HMAS Stuart (CMDR Brett Sonter), aka the ‘Tartan Terror’, CHAPLAINS’ LEGACY: (From left) CHAP Gary Lock, CHAP Ian opened her gangway to the four spe- Lindsay and Ms Ailsa Chittick at the launch of the Chaplain’s Showcase cial guests at Fleet Base East on at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, HMAS Albatross. August 18. Photo: ABIS Justin Brown The VIP treatment and exposure to a day in the life of a sailor began By Dallas McMaugh Another item of significance on early, when HMAS Kuttabul SWO, AN EXHIBIT recognising the vital display is the bible of Albatross’ third WO Mark Donlan, escorted the four work of Navy chaplains, past and CO, CAPT Rodney Rhoades, which guests onto Stuart. present, was unveiled at HMAS was printed in 1853 and donated to the A delicious four-course luncheon Albatross’ (CAPT Stefan King) Fleet museum by his wife Valerie Rhoades in the CO’s cabin included discussions Air Arm Museum recently. in 1957. with CMDR Sonter, about all things Director-General Navy Chaplaincy, Museum Manager, Terry Navy, and special guest Mr David CHAP Gary Lock, officially opened Hetherington, said the Chaplain’s Griffin – a former Wallaby – who the Chaplain’s Showcase – a signifi- Showcase added a new perspective to spoke about the world of rugby. ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE: VIP guests hosted on board cant addition to the museum’s collec- the museum. “These people saw this as a once- HMAS Stuart by CO, CMDR Brett Sonter: (From left) CMDR Sonter, tion. “The role of the museum is in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be Lynne and Richard Crookes, Julianne and John Garnez, former Wallaby Museum Curator, Ailsa Chittick, to tell the story of naval aviation in missed,” CMDR Sonter said. David Griffin and WO Mark Donlan. Photo: LSIS Yuri Ramsey said, “I was inspired to develop the Australia,” Mr Hetherington said. CMDR Sonter said after the lunch- display when Albatross’ CHAP Ian “It is a place to hear and see the eon the guests enjoyed a guided tour described the various roles and func- guests were presented with memora- Lindsay offered to lend the museum through the ship and met many of tions of Stuart and showed the guests bilia and Stuart ball caps to remind stories of the men and women who a bible that had belonged to CHAP served in Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. These Stuart’s ship’s company, who provided the damage control systems and equip- them of their unique Navy experience. Walter Wheeldon”. insights into their duties and responsi- ment used on board to combat any “The guests were very apprecia- CHAP Wheeldon began his career personnel were all mentored and fos- bilities. incidents or dangerous occurrences. tive of the VIP treatment they received in the Navy as a pilot in 1943, became tered by a tireless and dedicated team During the tour CMDR Sonter At the conclusion of the tour the from the crew of Stuart during their a chaplain in 1960 and was posted to of Navy chaplains.” Navy experience,” CMDR Sonter said. Albatross in 1963. “It was a real eye-opener for them, His first appointment as a chaplain The Fleet Air Arm Museum is open to the tries, and will enter into force when to gain such an insight and apprecia- was to HMAS Nirimba; candlesticks public every day from 10am to 3pm. IN BRIEF both countries’ domestic ratification tion of what the daily life of RAN sail- and a wooden altar from Nirimba’s www.navy.gov.au/Fleet_Air_Arm_ requirements are complete. PM visits troops on ors really involves.” chapel are also included in the exhibit. Museum ground in Afghanistan FBE open day PRIME MINISTER Julia Gillard SYDNEY’S HMAS Kuttabul is host- made her first visit to Afghanistan as Service for ing its annual open day on Sunday, Prime Minister on October 2. The Prime Minister received briefs October 17, 10:00am – 4:00pm. from Australian commanders at Tarin Four ships will be open for public seafarers Kot, enjoyed a barbecue with troops tours: FFGs HMA Ships Darwin and Newcastle, FFH HMAS Ballarat and THE Naval Memorial Service and met regional leaders. was held before the RAN She later travelled to Kabul to mine hunter HMAS Huon. Other highlights include an A109E Memorial on Anzac Parade, meet with President Hamid Karzai Canberra, on October 7. and Commander ISAF, GEN David Power helicopter from 723 Squadron, The annual ceremo- Petraeus. clearance diver demonstrations and the RAN Band. ny, held in conjunction the Last year’s open day attracted over Australian Naval Association, Aus - US Defence trade 3000 people, in spite of wet weather. is a tribute to those who are serving, and those who have treaty progressing served the RAN. THE US Senate has agreed to ratify Nowra wings & wheels It also commemorates the the Australia - United States Defence ALSO on October 17 is the Fleet arrival of the RAN fleet into Trade Cooperation Treaty. Air Arm Museum’s Family Wings & Port Jackson on October 4, The resolution to ratify the trea- wheels day, held at HMAS Albatross. 1913. ty was passed by the US Senate on The day will include static aircraft Pictured is HMAS Harman September 29. displays, the Historic Flight and a dis- XO, LCDR David Turner, The Treaty is a significant step for- play by several classic car clubs. addressing the ceremony. ward for practical defence and trade Photo: LSIS Paul McCallum cooperation between the two coun- Continued page 11... Editor Alisha Welch SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRPRIDEIDE Disclaimer Navy online (02) 6266 7707 Navy News is published fortnightly [email protected] by the Directorate of Defence defence.gov.au/news/ NNavyavy Newspapers. Printed by Capital navynews Acting Editor Ben Wickham Fine Print. The publisher reserves (02) 6266 7615 TThehe oofficialfficial newspapernewspaper ooff tthehe RRoyaloyal AAustralianustralian NavyNavy the right to refuse advertising if navy.gov.au/RSS_Feeds it is deemed inappropriate and to Senior Reporter change the size of the ad, print Michael Brooke Imagery Specialist Subscriptions facebook.com/Australian (02) 9359 2494 type or other specifications if LSIS Paul McCallum Trish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607 material is not compatible with Navy Reporter (02) 6265 3119 [email protected] our system. The fact an ad is ABCIS Melanie Schinkel Navy Strategic Command Advertising accepted for publication does not youtube.com/RANMedia (02) 6265 2427 LCDR Fenn Kemp mean that the product or service (02) 6265 5152 Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 has the endorsement of Defence Mobile: 0414 552667 or Navy News. twitter.com/Australian_ [email protected] Navy NAVY NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews October 14, 2010 NEWS 03 ‘Silent service’ hunting recruits By Michael Brooke and also the conditions of service, while THE voice of the ‘silent service’ has encouraging and assisting surface fleet been wooing scores of potential subma- personnel to transfer to the submarine riners during HMAS Collins’ (CMDR force. “Our aim is to educate the Navy fam- Glen Miles) milestone voyage, circum- ily on life in submarines and the benefits navigating Australia. of becoming part of an elite Navy team,” Stealth is one of the silent service’s PO Hill said. greatest assets, but fortunately that hasn’t “The Submarine Force is the ADF’s stopped its recruiting mouthpiece, the most important strategic asset and offers Submarine Recruiting Team (SMRT), challenges and levels of job satisfaction from putting submarines on the radar of sailors seeking new career challenges. not available in the wider fleet.” CMDR Miles said numerous port vis- Among more than 100 sailors its and sea-rides during her voyage had to attend the information workshop at succeeded in raising awareness of subma- Kuttabul in October was ABMT Thomas rine career options, as well as the strong Hodson, who has already applied to trans- resurgence by the submarine force. fer to the submarine force. “During our voyage Collins has par- “For me the big attractions are the ticipated in a number of important exer- camaraderie, the posting stability for my cises, such as Ex Kakadu. We have also family, and the financial bonuses and contributed to other training activities, incentives,” AB Hodson said. such as helping HMAS Sydney achieve AB Hodson said the information her antisubmarine warfare milestone and workshop was “very encouraging” and HMAS Stuart with her WUP,” CMDR served to resolve his concern about the Miles said. necessary security clearance. RECRUITING DIVE: HMAS Collins sails past the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge on her way “Since participating in Ex Kakadu, “Joining the submarine force is based into Fleet Base East. Photo: LSIS Yuri Ramsey Collins has also partnered with the SMRT on an informed decision, as I first toured to boost recruiting by conducting sea- HMAS Collins some 10 years ago, so ability since the establishment of the The recent availability of three at a career in submarines can nomi- rides and information workshops at key I’ve had a long time to think about mak- SMRT and other initiatives made submarines – Waller, Collins and nate for the Submarine Suitability naval establishments around the country.” ing the right career move,” he said.