Devonport Times - 28-24 April 2008 - Devonport City Council

NEWSServing our nation with prideSOMEWHERE in themiddle of thePersian Gulf, fiveNorth-West locals will beserving their countrythis Anzac Day.The men are all onboard HMAS Arunta aspart of OperationCatalyst, committed tothe reconstruction andrehabilitation of Iraq.Former St Brendan-Shaw student andDevonport Hockey Clubmember Lieutenant PeterRussell is on his secondGulf deployment.‘‘I’m responsible forsafely navigating the shipand for the training of theship’s junior warfareofficers,’’ he said.Joining him is SubLieutenant RichardCurrie, who attendedReece High School andDon College and playedfootball with theDevonport Football Club.‘‘I am responsible formaintaining the safety ofthe ship at sea, and forleading boarding partiesthat conduct securityDEDICATED: Five North-West Coast men (from left) Leading Seaman Ben Knight, ChaplainWarwick Cuthbertson, Able Seaman Jamie Homan, Sub Lieutenant Richard Currie andLieutenant Peter Russell are united aboard the HMAS Arunta.sweeps of vessels pullingalongside the Al Basraand Khawr Al Amaya oilterminals just off theIraqi coast,’’ he said.‘‘Conducting boardingoperations is veryrewarding — 85 per centof the revenue Iraq isgenerating to rebuildtheir country is flowingthrough these twoterminals.’’Keeping his fellow shipmates on their toes isLeading Seaman BenKnight, who once playedbasketball withDevonport Warriors andLatrobe Demons.‘‘At sea I conduct dailyphysical training classesand I’m responsible forensuring that allmembers of the ship’scompany are compliantwith their annual fitnessrequirements.Former Northdown boyAble Seaman MarineTechnician Jamie Homanis now a Marine SystemsController on Arunta.‘‘I love my job becauseeveryday is different,from shooting pistols andrifles, to conductingboarding operations ormaintaining a milliondollargas turbineengine,’’ Able SeamanHoman said.Keeping everyone’sspirits up is BurnieChaplain WarwickCuthbertson. AsChaplain of Arunta,Warwick has pastoralresponsibilities togetheralong with leadingservices in Arunta andother Coalition units.‘‘As the oldest memberof the ship’s company Ienjoy the challenges ofchaplaincy in anoperational ship. I’ll bereturning to my duties asRector of Burnie’sAnglican Parish thisJuly.’’HMAS Arunta has beendeployed to the MiddleEast for just over threemonths, and is due toreturn to Garden Island,Western Australia inMay.Anzac DayservicesLATROBE: Dawn serviceleaves the Latrobe RSLClub at 5.45am arriving atthe cenotaph at 6am.Morning march leaves theRSL at 9.30am for a 10amservice at the cenotaph. TheRSL will open from 6.30amfor breakfast, cost $6.DEVONPORT: Dawn servicestarts at 5.45am at thecenotaph. March for themorning service will startfrom boat ramp on VictoriaPde at 10.45am arriving atthe cenotaph for the 11amservice. Anyone wishing tolay wreaths should contactthe Devonport Council on6424 0511 before April 24.SHEFFIELD: Dawn servicemarch departs the RSL clubat 5.55am for a 6amservice at cenotaph. Amemorial service will beheld at the Town Hall at10.30am with a service atthe cenotaph to follow.Local hero swims 400m tosave stranded jet ski riderBy ROCHELLE GALLOWAYTHE bravery and quickactions of a Port Sorell manmay have saved the life of ajet skier in distress.Last week Jason Cochranewas driving home for lunchwhen he noticed somethingbobbing in the water.‘‘He looked like he was introuble, and he had lostcontact with the jet ski,’’ MrCochrane said.‘‘If no-one was about hewould have been in trouble.’’Mr Cochrane, who is amember of the Port SorellSurf Life Saving Club,quickly pulled his vehicleover, grabbed a set of flippersfrom the back of his car andswam 400m to rescue theman.‘‘He was panicking big timeand was fairly tired and wornout,’’ he said.‘‘He had drank a fair bit ofsalt water.’’The man was put on hisback and assisted to theshore.‘‘He only had on a safetyvest,’’ Mr Cochrane said.‘‘He wasn’t a strongswimmer.’’Mr Cochrane said if itwasn’t for the skills he hadlearnt through the surf club,BRAVE ACT: Port Sorell man Jason Cochrane did not hesitate to jumpin and rescue a stranded jet skier. Picture: Rochelle Galloway.the situation may have endeddifferently.‘‘It was an instinct thing,’’he said.‘‘I knew my limitations ofwhat I can and can’t do.’’Mr Cochrane joined the surfclub four years ago with hisfamily and has since obtainedhis bronze medallion.He also regularly patrols thebeach.‘‘The surf club teaches youmany water safety skills,’’ hesaid.Mr Cochrane urged thoseplaying in and around waterto be aware of thesurrounding dangers.‘‘Know your limitations...and if you are going out (onthe water) take someone withyou.’’■ The Port Sorell Surf LifeSaving Club is currentlyawaiting council approval forextensions to its building.The Rudd Government haspledged $200,000 to theupgrade.LIFE-TIMEGUARANTEEKINGS58 Don Road, Devonport 6424 5811Jeremy Rockliff MPTasmanian LiberalsThe world famousJason LA-Z-BoyRecliner-Rockerprovides the ultimate incomfort through superiordesign and construction.From $899Call into our store and inspect thelargest range of chairs and loungesalong the North West Coast.homemakersFOR ASSISTANCEPLEASE CONTACT:6421 7930jeremy.rockliff@parliament.tas.gov.auwww.jeremyrockliff.com.au47b Best Street, DevonportDevonport Times April 2008 Page 34036024 kmm