Better care She's back - Department of Defence

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE 

Volume 55, No. 21, November 8, 2012 

TEAMWORK: An 

Australian Army 

landing craft medium 

approaches HMAS 

Tobruk for a stern 

door marriage to 

load vehicles to carry 

out beach landings 

at Prony Bay, New 

Caledonia, during 

Exercise Croix du Sud. 

Photo LSIS Brenton Freind 

NEWS 

The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Navy 

HMAS Tobruk 

plays a major 

role in Croix 

de Sud 2012, 

delivering 

amphibious 

capabilities for 

Australian and 

international 

forces 

– Pages 3-4 

TOBRUK 

STEPS OUT 

She’s back 

HMAS Darwin 

returns after five 

months at sea 

– Page 3 

Better care 

New health 

contract to 

improve services 

– Pages 29

2 November 8, 2012 

NEWS 

SGT Dave Morley 

erapet deeds 

ield third VC 

A FORMER 6RAR soldier became the 

third Australian from the Afghanistan 

conflict to receive the Victoria Cross 

for Australia at an investiture ceremony 

at Government House on November 1. 

CPL Dan Keighran was awarded 

the Commonwealth’s highest honour 

for his actions at Derapet in Uruzgan 

province on August 24, 2010. 

Governor-General Quentin Bryce 

told those present at the ceremony that 

“when we look at CPL Keighran we 

see a man of profound physical and 

moral strength”. 

“When we listen to your citation 

the image is confronting and powerful,” 

she said. 

CPL Keighran said he was 

extremely honoured and proud to 

receive the award, but said it was as 

much for his mates as for himself. 

“I wouldn’t be here today if it 

wasn’t for the boys with me,” he said. 

He now works in a gold mine at 

Kalgoorlie and has joined the Army 

Reserve with 11/28RWAR. 

“I haven’t seen the 6RAR soldiers 

for a couple of years, so it will be good 

after all of this to have a chat,” he said. 

The medal presented to CPL 

Keighran only arrived from London at 

9.15am on the day of his investiture. 

CDF GEN David Hurley said the 

battle at Derapet showed there was 

nothing simple in war. 

“His clarity and composure spread 

to those around him,” he said. 

“The fighting at Derapet was 

among the most intense experienced in 

Afghanistan.” 

SOLEMN CEREMONY: The bearer party 

BOLD carries START: CPL Scott Caption Smith’s here.. casket off an Air 

Force C-17 at RAAF Base Richmond; Photo: inset, XXXX 

a portrait of CPL Scott. 

Main photo: LCPL Matthew Bickerton 

Director 

David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650 

Editor 

Sharon Palmer: (02) 6266 7612 

Deputy Editor 

Lauren Norton: (02) 6266 7615 

Reporters 

Michael Brooke: (02) 8335 5231 

LSIS Paul Berry: (02) 6266 7606 

SGT Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614 

CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608 

CPL Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 

CPL Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304 

LAC Bill Solomou: (02) 6265 1355 

Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611 

EXCERPT FROM THE CITATION 

CPL Keighran deployed to Afghanistan 

in February 2010 with 6RAR. On 24 

August 2010 he was a member of a 

partnered fighting patrol with soldiers of 

the Afghan National Army’s 1st Kandak, 

4th Brigade, 205th (Hero) Corps which 

was engaged by a numerically superior 

and coordinated enemy attack from 

multiple firing points in three separate 

locations. The attack was initiated by a 

high volume of sustained and accurate 

machine gun and small-arms fire which 

pinned down the patrol and caused a 

loss of momentum. 

In the early stages of the attack, 

and upon realising that the forward 

elements of the patrol needed effective 

fire support, Cpl Keighran and another 

patrol member moved under sustained 

and accurate enemy fire to an exposed 

ridgeline to identify enemy locations and 

direct the return fire of both Australian 

and Afghan machine guns. 

On reaching this position and with 

complete disregard for his own wellbeing, 

Cpl Keighran deliberately drew 

enemy fire by leaving the limited cover 

he had and moved over the ridgeline in 

order to positively identify targets for 

the machine gunners of the combined 

patrol. After identifying some of the 

enemy firing positions, Cpl Keighran, 

under persistent enemy fire, continued 

to lead and mentor his team and move 

around the ridge to both direct the fire 

of the Afghan and Australian machine 

gunners and to move them to more 

effective firing positions. 

As the intensity of enemy fire grew, 

Cpl Keighran returned to the crest of the 

ridgeline to identify targets and adjust 

CONTACT US 

Email: navynews@defencenews.gov.au 

Fax: (02) 6266 7701 

Mail: The Editor, R8-LG-038, PO Box 7909, 

Department of Defence, ACT 2600 

Website: www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews 

Advertising Manager 

Tim Asher: 0459 842 551 

advertising@defencenews.gov.au 

Assistant Manager 

advertising/subscriptions 

Trish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607 

tdillon@defencenews.gov.au 

the fire of ASLAVs. His actions resulted 

in the effective suppression of enemy 

firing points, which assisted in turning 

the fight in the favour of the combined 

patrol. Moving to a new position, Cpl 

Keighran deliberately and repeatedly 

again exposed himself to heavy enemy 

fire to assist in target identification 

and the marking of the forward line of 

troops for fire support elements while 

simultaneously engaging the enemy. 

Realising that the new position provided 

a better location for the patrol’s 

joint fire controller, Cpl Keighran moved 

over 100m across exposed parts of 

the ridgeline, attracting a high volume 

of accurate enemy fire, to locate and 

move the fire controller to the new position. 

He then rose from cover again to 

expose his position on four successive 

occasions, each movement drawing 

more intense fire, in order to assist 

in the identification of a further three 

enemy firing points that were engaged 

by fire support elements. 

During one of these occasions, 

when his patrol sustained an Australian 

casualty, Cpl Keighran, with complete 

disregard for his own safety, left his 

position of cover on the ridgeline to 

deliberately draw fire away from the 

team treating the casualty. Cpl Keighran 

remained exposed and under heavy 

fire while traversing the ridgeline, in 

order to direct suppressing fire and 

then assist in the clearance of the landing 

zone to enable evacuation of the 

casualty. 

For the full citation, go to www.defence. 

gov.au/special_events/keighran/ 

CPL Scott James Smith, who was killed 

in Afghanistan on October 21, returned 

home to his family and comrades in 

a solemn ceremony at RAAF Base 

Richmond on October 28. 

Members of CPL Smith’s unit met 

the RAAF C-17A aircraft and formed 

an honour guard and bearer party to 

escort his casket to his family. 

CPL Smith was received by his family, 

members of the Special Operations 

Engineering Regiment (SOER), CDF GEN 

David Hurley, CA LTGEN David Morrison 

and Special Operations Commander 

Australia MAJGEN Gus Gilmore. 

His family released a statement 

after his death describing him as “the 

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE 

FULL OF ADMIRATION: Governor-General Quentin Bryce presents CPL 

Daniel Keighran with the Victoria Cross. Photos: Lauren Black 

loveable character that held the family 

together”. 

“We knew the Army was Scott’s 

second family – his home away from 

home. 

“Scott truly believed his actions 

made a difference; he was a truly dedicated 

soldier who also knew how to 

relax in his time away from work.” 

CPL Smith, 24, from SOER, based 

at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, 

was killed by an IED during a mission 

in northern Helmand province. 

The Chief of Joint Operations, 

LTGEN Ash Power, said CPL Smith was 

part of a small team tasked with clearing 

a suspected insurgent compound 

when the incident occurred. 

NEWS 

Disclaimer 

Navy News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence 

News, Department of Defence. Printed by Capital Fine Print. The 

publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising if it is deemed 

inappropriate and to change the size of the ad, print type 

or other specifications if material is not compatible with our 

system. The fact an ad is accepted for publication does not mean 

that the product or service has the endorsement of Defence or 

Navy News. 

“The compound was quickly 

assessed to be an IED factory and the 

commander on the ground made the 

decision to extract his personnel due 

to the high risk the area posed,” LTGEN 

Power said. 

“During the withdrawal from the 

compound an improvised explosive 

device detonated, killing CPL Smith 

instantly.” 

LTGEN Power said the buildings 

within the compound were subsequently 

destroyed by precision ground fire 

from supporting ISAF units. 

“CPL Smith was a highly trained, 

experienced, Special Forces engineer – 

his work had made the way safe for his 

comrades,” he said. 

Navy online 

CDF 

SALUTES 

YOU: CDF 

GEN David 

Hurley salutes 

CPL Daniel 

Keighran ... 

“The fighting at 

Derapet was 

among the 

most intense 

experienced in 

Afghanistan.” 

Sad homecoming for another hero 

defence.gov.au/news/navynews 

navy.gov.au/RSS_Feeds 

facebook.com/ 

RoyalAustralianNavy 

youtube.com/RANMedia 

twitter.com/AirForceHQ 

twitter.com/Australian_ 

Navy

NEWS November 8, 2012 

Rousing homecoming 

SAFE RETURN: HMAS Darwin sails into Garden Island, Sydney, after completing a five-month deployment 

(above) as ABET Darren Clinton is welcomed home by his girlfriend Zoe (inset) and LSCK Adam Carey is 

reunited with his wife, Myriam, and in-laws Kevin and Karen (inset). 

Photos: ABIS Sarah Williams, ABIS Chantell Bianchi and ABIS Nicolas Gonzalez 

Riding for 

the troops 

Michael Brooke 

IN THE Navy you know you’ve done something good 

when you get granted early leave. 

HMAS Darwin’s AB Zoey Tibos beat her ship 

home to Sydney by four days when her CO CMDR 

Brian Schlegel gave her liberty to participate in her 

own fundraiser for her charity initiative. 

The early mark enabled AB Tibos to attend a 

motorcycle ride in Sydney on October 27 that raised 

$2000 for ‘Op Dear Troops’ to buy care packages for 

ADF personnel serving on operations. 

“I surprised everyone when I showed up at the fundraiser,” 

she said. 

“The care packages augment what the RSL send 

over and the contents, such as facial wipes, food, 

toothbrushes and 

clean underwear, 

are greatly appreciated 

by the recipients,” 

she said. 

Op Dear Troops 

sends packages to 

10 ADF personnel 

each month. 

“I wrote to a 

soldier who told me 

how welcome some 

little luxuries would be, which led to me initiating Op 

Dear Troops,” she said. 

Her father, Dave Tibos, presented his daughter with 

a cheque when Darwin returned to Fleet Base East on 

October 29. 

“As the vice president of the NSW Western 

Brothers Motorcycle Club, which comprises exmilitary 

members and members with family in the 

military, it wasn’t hard to organise such a worthwhile 

fundraiser,” Mr Tibos said. 

He said more than 500 people, including Army 

Chaplain Ralph Easterby, participated in the ride along 

the Putty Road in Sydney’s west on October 27. 

Supporting Australia’s veterans, peacekeepers 

and their families 

VVCS provides counselling and support services to Australian veterans, peacekeepers, eligible members 

of the Defence Force community and their families, and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance workers and their 

partners and immediate family members. VVCS is a specialised, free and confi dential Australia-wide 

service. 

VVCS can provide you with: 

• Individual, couple and family counselling including case management services 

• After-hours crisis telephone counselling via Veterans Line 

• Group programs including Anger Management, Depression, Anxiety, Lifestyle Management and Heart 

Health 

• Support on transition from military to civilian life, including The Stepping Out Program 

• Information, self-help resources and referrals to other services. 

We can help you work through issues such as stress, relationship, family problems and other lifestyle 

issues as well as emotional or psychological issues associated with your military service. 

If you need support or would like more information 

about us please give us a call or visit our website. 

1800 011 046* 

www.dva.gov.au/vvcs 

* Free local call. Calls from mobile 

and pay phones may incur charges. 


HMAS Darwin returned to Fleet Base 

East after a challenging five-month 

deployment that included exercises 

RIMPAC, Kakadu and Singaroo. 

More than 200 family and friends, 

including Fleet Commander Australia 

RADM Tim Barrett and Commander 

Surface Force CDRE Jonathan Mead, 

greeted Darwin and her ship’s company 

when they berthed at Fleet Base 

East on October 29. 

CO Darwin CMDR Brian Schlegel 

said RIMPAC and the other exercises 

gave his crew invaluable experience. 

“We have been involved in about 

every aspect of naval operations and 

the crew has done exceptionally 

well,” he said. 

“Darwin reached many milestones 

including conducting her first successful 

firings of the Evolved Sea 

Sparrow Missile (ESSM) and torpedoes 

during RIMPAC,” he said. 

Working within the USS Nimitz 

Strike Group enabled Darwin to validate 

important lessons learnt from Ex 

Talisman Sabre when she operated 

with the George Washington Strike 

Group. 

“This was a steep learning curve 

for us as we performed our role within 

the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group 

which enabled us to hone our air warfare 

competencies,” CMDR Schlegel 

said. 

RIMPAC also provided an opportunity 

for cross-decking to Nimitz and 

US Navy Aegis-equipped destroyers 

which provided a glimpse of the capabilities 

coming online with the AWDs. 

The upgraded ship with the motto 

‘resurgent’ also participated in exercises 

Kakadu and Singaroo, as well as 

Operation Resolute. 

While transiting to Pearl Harbor, 

Darwin visited Apia in Samoa, and 

Tonga where the crew conducted 

some important community engagement 

activities. 

Members of the crew said they 

greatly enjoyed the deployment but it 

was hard work. 

ABCK Corey North said he was 

one of the cooks who slaved over a 

hot stove for five months to serve up 

an estimated 99,200 meals. 

“It was a fantastic deployment 

because of what we achieved in terms 

of promoting the RAN abroad, but the 

highlight for me was visiting Pearl 

Harbor,” he said. 

LSCSO Amy Fisher said she 

enjoyed the deployment. The highlight 

was RIMPAC because of the 

weapon firings and the opportunity 

to meet sailors from so many other 

countries. 

“We made a lot of new friends 

from foreign warships which hopefully 

we will see next year at the 

International Fleet Review,” she said. 

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service 

A service founded by Vietnam veterans 

03 

HMAS Darwin returns to Sydney 

after milestone deployment 

AG45761


NEWS 

Tobruk proves her force 

READY FOR ACTION: 

ABBM George Frost-Henry 

stands-to on the .50 cal 

machine gun as ‘local militia’ 

attack HMAS Tobruk during 

Exercise Croix du Sud 2012. 

CANBERRA 

Master of Systems 

Engineering 

Never Stand Still School of Engineering and Information Technology 

The Master of Systems Engineering (MSysEng) at the University of New 

South Wales in Canberra provides you with the opportunity to acquire 

high-level understanding and advanced analytical skills in the key areas of 

systems engineering, requirements engineering, test and evaluation, and 

capability option analysis. 

Compulsory courses (all four): 

– Systems Engineering Practice 

– Requirements Engineering 

– Test & Evaluation 

– Capability Option Analysis 

Plus four elective courses. 

Specialisations within the program are: 

– Test and Evaluation 

– Space Systems 

– Electronic Warfare 

– Networking 

– Marine Engineering 

– Weapons Ordanance 

Entry to the program is available to 

applicants: 

– with a relevant first degree 

– without a first degree providing they 

have acceptable experience and/or 

qualifications 

– via distance or intensive delivery mode 

www.unsw.adfa.edu.au 

Applications 

Applications for session 1 close 

20th January 2013 

Apply online at: 

www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/pg_apply/ 

Further Information 

If you require more information about this 

programs please contact: 

Ms Pam Giannakakis 

Telephone: +61 2 6268 9566 

Email: seit.studentmailbox@adfa.edu.au 

http://seit.unsw.adfa.edu.au/MSysEng 

CRICOS Provider Number: 00100G 

LEUT Samantha Dudley 

MEMBERS of the crew and 

embarked forces of HMAS Tobruk 

honed their humanitarian 

aid and disaster relief 

skills while undertaking 

a test of multinational 

interoperability 

and triservice capability off New 

Caledonia during Exercise Croix du 

Sud from October 14-27. 

The biennial exercise, led 

by French Armed Forces New 

Caledonia, involved the ADF, 

Canada, New Zealand, Papua New 

Guinea, Tonga, Vanuatu, United 

Kingdom, the United States, and 

Japan as an observer nation. 

ADF participation included 

92 soldiers from Bravo Company, 

1RAR, 17 staff officers, and Tobruk 

with her crew of 266 and embarked 

forces. 

Revered for her participation in 

the exercise, Tobruk provided the 

backdrop for the opening ceremony 

and then hosted the Croix du Sud 

official reception. 

Tobruk also hosted a VIP day 

and provided cross-deck opportunities 

for other participating nations. 

Tobruk proved her force from the 

sea, delivering amphibious capabili- 

ties, embarking and disembarking 

Australian and international forces 

for beach landings and ship familiarisation, 

conducting boarding 

and force protection exercises, and 

executing a non-combatant evacuation 

operation. 

CO HMAS Tobruk CMDR Tim 

Watson said Exercise Croix du Sud 

provided an excellent opportunity 

for ADF personnel to operate with, 

and learn from, Australia’s Pacific 

partners, enhancing interoperability 

and relationships. 

“With a focus on humanitarian 

aid and disaster relief from sea, 

shore and air aspects, Exercise Croix 

du Sud fostered a unity between the 

nine participating nations,” CMDR 

Watson said. 

“It enabled them to identify their 

strengths and weaknesses, ensuring 

in the instance of conflict or instability 

in the Pacific, the nations can 

come together and respond effectively 

as a united force. 

“The ADF shares an excellent 

relationship with our Pacific partners. 

“Croix du Sud allowed us to 

build on those relationships and 

ensure ongoing interoperability and 

cooperation.” 

JOB’S DONE: HMAS Tobruk’s boarding party returns to its sea boat after 

completing a simulated boarding exercise on French Frigate FNS Vendemiaire 

off the coast of Noumea, New Caledonia. Photos: LSIS Brenton Freind


during Croix du Sud 12 

Switch to the lowest standard variable DHOAS rate ^ 

and for a limited time we’ll cover up to $600 of your switching costs. # 

ADCU DHOAS 

Value Home Loan 

5.79 

5.84 

%p.a. 

Interest Rate 

%p.a. 

Comparison Rate* 

Go to dhoas.adcu.com.au, call 1300 2 DHOAS or visit your local branch. 

Terms and Conditions, Fees and Charges and lending criteria apply. ^As at 24 October 2012, the ADCU DHOAS Value Home Loan has the lowest standard variable DHOAS Home Loan rate. *Comparison rate based on a loan of $150,000 over 25 years with 

monthly repayments. This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and does not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates are current at the time of publication and are 

subject to change. Visit dhoas.adcu.com.au for more details. # Switching costs up to $600 incurred by the applicant and charged by the outgoing institution will be reimbursed by ADCU upon receipt of evidence of these charges on the closing statement following 

settlement. Switching costs include fees charged by the outgoing institution that are directly associated with the discharge of the mortgage facility such as early repayment fees and break fees. Offer applies to loans applied for by 21 December 2012 and funded 

by 22 February 2013. Australian Defence Credit Union Limited ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL No. 237 988. Australian credit licence number 237 988. 

05 

REALISTIC TRAINING: (Above) An embarked forces soldier is evacuated to a triage station in 

HMAS Tobruk’s tank deck during a coordinated toxic hazard exercise. 

IN COMPANY: (Top left) HMAS Tobruk (front) and FNS Jacques Cartier sail in company after leaving 

Noumea during Exercise Croix du Sud 2012. 

COMMUNICATION KEY: (Left) SMNCIS Adam Edwards communicates on the sound-powered 

headset to transpose information onto the Damage Control Board during the exercise. 

Photos: LSIS Brenton Freind


NEWS 

Safety culture 

recognised 


HMA Ships Ballarat, Anzac and 

Warramunga were among the Fleet 

units to be awarded trophies and commendations 

at the 2012 Navy Safety 

Awards. 

CN VADM Ray Griggs presented 

15 awards at the RAN Heritage Centre 

on October 25 and stressed the importance 

of the awards which recognised 

units, ships, establishments and individuals 

that had made a positive contribution 

to Navy safety. 

“The Navy Safety Awards, as has 

been the case over many years, are an 

opportunity to showcase the exemplary 

commitment and efforts across Navy 

to eliminate and manage hazards and 

risks,” he said. 

CN said his aim was to see Navy 

develop a proactive safety culture as a 

way of doing business – one that sees 

risk before it becomes a safety event or 

incident, and proactively manages it. 

“We cannot afford to be complacent 

– safety is a collective responsibility 

that is important to us as individuals, 

for our families and as an 

essential input to capability. We need 

to have a strong, robust safety culture 

to be able to fight and win at sea,” he 

said. 

“The Seaworthiness cultural reform 

SOLUTIONS ABOUND 

THE best solution to an identified 

workplace health and 

safety issue was presented to 

CMDR Mark Muir on behalf of 

the Boatswains Faculty at HMAS 

Cerberus for its development 

of the RHIB capsize and selfrighting 

simulator. 

Judging for this category was 

extremely competitive owing to 

the strength of the 13 nominations 

received, which resulted 

in an additional five highly commended 

and six commended 

entries: 

➤ The Fleet Air Arm was highly 

commended for its develop- 

we are embarking on is in many ways 

a safety reform – seaworthiness is 

essentially safety at sea.” 

The Navy Safety Awards emphasised 

the 2012 Defence Safety Day 

theme of ‘know your business, manage 

your risks’. 

The CMDR Dave Allen Award 

for safety excellence was presented 

to Project Manager Fleet Regulatory 

Review CMDR Lawrence Stubbs. He 

received a trophy and framed certificate 

in recognition of his outstanding 

contribution to safety in Navy 

well beyond what could reasonably 

be expected of his rank or experience 

level. 

There were six nominations in this 

category, which resulted in an additional 

highly commended and four 

commended entries: 

➤ Maree Rice, of the Fleet Air Arm 

Safety Cell, was highly commended. 

➤ LS Ryan Kay was commended for 

the high level of professionalism 

and commitment to work health and 

safety demonstrated in the conduct 

of his role as safety equipment sailor 

on board HMAS Anzac. 

➤ CPO Scott Wake was commended 

for his role as work health and safety 

instructor at HMAS Creswell. 

➤ LS Chris Bailey was commended 

for the strong leadership and ini- 

ment of the moulded communication 

ear plug. 

➤ HMAS Anzac was highly 

commended for its radiation 

hazard re-radiation elimination 

awning. 

➤ Fleet Support Unit West was 

highly commended for its confined 

space and working at 

heights rescue development. 

➤ HMAS Ballarat was highly 

commended for its working at 

heights management. 

➤ HMAS Dechaineux was highly 

commended for its revised 

preparation for sea checks. 

Hook a Big One! 

$55,000 IN PRIZES 

COMING SOON 

Visit www.winwithnavy.com.au 

to find out more!!! 

tiative he displayed in striving to 

enhance the safety culture at Fleet 

Support Unit North. 

➤ Dorothea O’Connor was commended 

for her high level of professionalism 

and commitment to work health 

and safety demonstrated in the conduct 

of her role as Command Safety 

Adviser at HMAS Waterhen. 

CMDR Piers Chatterton received 

an award on behalf of Training 

Authority Submarines for the best 

workplace health and safety management 

system. 

Certification Manager-Policy 

LCDR Tom Kenny received an award 

on behalf of HMAS Warramunga for 

injury and disease prevention and 

management. 

Director Navy Safety Systems 

CMDR Tony Powell said entries 

would be nominated for the Defence 

Safety Awards, scheduled to be held 

early next year. This could lead to 

nominations for the Comcare Work 

Health and Safety Awards and the 

Annual Safe Work Australia Awards. 

“This year LS Natalie Irvine 

won the best individual contribution 

to workplace health and safety 

at the Safework Australia Awards 

in April, and HMAS Stuart and AB 

Lisa Pickstone were finalists at the 

Comcare awards,” he said. 

A $5,000 WIN WITH CASH NAVY. PRIZE TICKETS IS DRAWN ARE EVERY JUST PAYDAY. $2 EACH! SIGN UP 

BEYOND EXPECTATION: Project Manager Fleet Regulatory CMDR 

Lawrence Stubbs displays the CMDR Dave Allen Award for Safety 

Excellence he received for his outstanding contribution to safety. 

Photos: ABIS Sarah Williams 

IMBEDDING THE SAFETY CULTURE: CN VADM Ray Griggs, centre, congratulates recipients of certificates 

and awards at the Navy Safety Awards presentation held at the RAN Heritage Centre on October 25. 

Maritime Safety Bureau 

launched in Sydney 

COMMANDER Australian Fleet 

RADM Tim Barrett launched the 

Maritime Safety Bureau (MSB) at a 

ceremony held at Garden Island in 

Sydney on November 1. 

RADM Barrett said the MSB 

would provide assurance, support 

and expertise for safety oversight and 

operational control of Fleet safety and 

environmental management activities. 

He said at full operational capability, 

scheduled for mid-2013, the 

Bureau would contribute significantly 

towards delivering the Navy’s Safety 

Management System within Fleet 

Command. 

Importantly, the MSB is to be the 

centre for safety excellence within 

Fleet Command and will act as the 

focal point for new safety initiatives 

and will drive safety change. 

The existing Fleet Environmental 

and OH&S Coordinating Office will 

transition to the new MSB and will be 

led by CAPT Howard Furness. 

The MSB will be located in 

Building 27 at Garden Island, Sydney.


arncomb completes mission 

EUT Michael Wheeler 

MAS Farncomb sailed into Fleet 

ase West on October 27 after her 

uccessful deployment to Hawaii for 

xercise RIMPAC 2012. 

Farncomb yet again demonstrated 

he invaluable role submarines play in 

odern warfare when she decisively 

unk a target ship, the 12,106-tonne 

ormer United States Navy (USN) Ship 

ilauea. 

The submarine fired one Mark 48 

DCAP Torpedo and achieved a hit 

ust below the bridge of the ship as 

art of a sinking exercise. After impact 

he Kilauea broke into two parts and 

ank about 40 minutes later. 

CO Farncomb CMDR Glen Miles 

aid he was proud of his 60-strong 

rew for achieving such a significant 

ilestone. 

“It’s a fantastic feeling to come 

ack to Australia knowing you have 

uccessfully demonstrated the capabilty 

of the Collins-class submarine on 

he world stage,” CMDR Miles said. 

“This is the result of the professionlism 

and teamwork of the dedicated 

eople on board as well as the external 

gencies that support submarines.” 

RIMPAC is the world’s largest 

nternational maritime exercise proiding 

a unique training opportunity 

o foster and sustain the cooperative 

elationships critical to ensuring secuity 

in the maritime environment. The 

xercise includes submarines, surface 

hips and aircraft all participating in a 

ealistic maritime warfare scenario off 

he Hawaiian coast. 

DHOAS Saver Home Loan 

% 

5.85p.a. 

Annual variable rate 

defencebank.com.au 

% 

5.91p.a. 

Comparison rate 

* 

Great rate, great features 

> 

> 

> 

No monthly fees 

JOB’S DONE: Sailors tend lines on the casing of HMAS Farncomb 

(above) as she berths at HMAS Stirling after several months away and, 

(right) families and friends wait for their loved ones on Diamantina Pier as 

the submarine approaches. Photos: ABIS Jayson Tufrey 

A further highlight of RIMPAC 

for Farncomb was a joint USN/RAN 

unmanned aerial vehicle demonstration. 

This demonstration involved the 

handover of control of a UAV from the 

USN to Farncomb and the capture of 

UAV imagery. 

In addition to RIMPAC, Farncomb 

participated in the USN Submarine 

100% mortgage offset Unlimited free redraw 

Command Course and the Australian 

Submarine Warfare Officers Course. 

These courses are designed to develop 

and train future submarine commanders. 

Farncomb completed a busy 

deployment participating in an antisubmarine 

warfare exercise called 

Exercise Lungfish, which focuses on 

developing torpedo tactics. 

Call 1800 033 139 or visit your local Defence Bank branch 

* Comparison rate is based upon $150,000 loan secured loan over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not 

include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply 

and are available on request. Approval subject to the satisfaction of Defence Bank’s lending criteria. DHOAS eligibility criteria also apply. 100% mortgage offset 

available on variable rate loans. Unlimited free redraw minimum amount $100, available on variable rate loans. Interest rates current as at 24 October 2012, and 

are subject to change. Please refer to defencebank.com.au for current rates. 

07 

Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 234582 (10/12)

Now anyone 

can save 

by salary 

packaging a 

car. 

No matter how 

much you drive... 

There’s been a change in the rules for salary 

packaging a car – which means you can now 

access the savings available from taking up a 

novated lease even if you don’t drive very much, 

or aren’t a high income earner. 

In fact, you could save over 

$3,000 each year from driving as 

little as 10,000 kms per annum! * 

The savings don’t stop there. 

Call 1300 115 947 for an obligation 

free quote. 

Watch the video here. 

Scan this QR code with your 

�� 

�� 

www.navyleasing.com.au 

Enjoy our buying power - on 

average our customers save 

$3,700 on the purchase price of 

a new vehicle. ^ 

Official and Exclusive 

salary packaging 

provider for the 

Department of Defence 

Apply today 

and receive a 

$100 

Gift Card 

Check out our online novated 

lease calculator to see the 

savings you could make at 

www.navyleasing.com.au 

*Annual savings of $3,000 are indicative only and are based on an annual salary of $45,000 and 10,000 km travelled per annum. ^ �� 

given to our customers last month. Actual savings will depend on your tax bracket, vehicle model, lease term, and individual circumstances. Administration fee applies.


Dedication 

rewarded 

By LCDR Joel Hissink 

THE scientific officer at the Submarine 

and Underwater Medicine Unit, John 

Pennefather, has completed 40 years of 

service to the Navy. 

ADF Surgeon General and head of 

Joint Health Command RADM Robyn 

Walker attended a morning tea at HMAS 

Penguin on October 2 to present him 

with a long-service award and a commemorative 

plaque. 

RADM Walker, a previous OIC of 

the unit, said Mr Pennefather was held 

in high regard among diving and submarine 

medical communities all over the 

world and continued to be asked for his 

opinion on a diverse range of underwater 

medicine topics. 

“John’s 40 years of service and dedication 

to the continuing improvement of 

diving and submariner safety is unparalleled 

and is an admirable achievement,” 

she said. 

Mr Pennefather said he was embarrassed 

by the award, but grateful that 

people made a fuss”. 

“It was especially nice that RADM 

alker was able to participate as I 

njoyed working with her earlier in her 

areer,” he said. 

He said one of the highlights of his 

areer was helping to take the testing of 

he tower escape system in the Collinslass 

submarines to the stage where people 

conducted escapes. 

As a young physiologist with an interst 

in animal climate physiology, and havng 

studied the oxygen consumption of 

razing sheep, Mr Pennefather sent a leter 

addressed to the “The RAN, Canberra” 

utlining his design idea for a closed ciruit 

rebreather diving set in 1972. 

The letter reached the unit and Mr 

Pennefather was invited to discuss his 

ideas. Soon after he was offered a job as 

the unit’s scientific officer. 

GRADUATE STUDY 

NATIONAL SECURITY COLLEGE 

Learn about national and international security 

Our programs provide a policy relevant understanding of the security 

challenges that confront states in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. 

Whether you intend to work in government or the private sector, the media or 

international organisations, then enrol in the NSC today and become part of 

the new generation of leading security analysts. 

Graduate Certificate, Masters and PhD programs in national security policy. 

> Australia’s Security Challenges 

> National Security Policy Making 

> Civil-Military Relations 

> Ethics & Technologies of War 

> Asian Regionalism & Security 

GOOD JOB: RADM Robyn Walker 

presents John Pennefather with his 

long-service award. 

One of his first projects was working 

on a new oxygen diving set design in the 

mid-1970s. 

He also conducted research that 

found that clearance diver trainees were 

burning more energy than they received, 

which lead to increased food rations and 

more sleep while on course. 

He co-authored the highly regarded 

diving medicine textbook, Diving and 

Subaquatic Medicine, which is now in 

its fourth edition and regularly consulted 

by diving physicians across the globe. 

He has investigated hundreds of military 

and civilian diving accidents and has 

provided design advice on diving and 

hyperbaric-related equipment ranging 

from portable two-man recompression 

chambers to methods to keep live fish 

fresh during transit. 

He has investigated hundreds of military 

and civilian diving accidents and has 

provided design advice on diving and 

hyperbaric-related equipment. 

He has taught divers about physiology 

and has educated every medical 

officer and underwater medic in various 

aspects of underwater medicine. 

> Disease, Security & Biological 

Weapons 

> Governance, State Weakness & 

Human Security in Asia 

> Extensive range of ANU electives 

Information 

T 02 6125 6131 W nsc.anu.edu.au E national.security.college@anu.edu.au 

The National Security College is a joint initiative of the Commonwealth Government & ANU 

CRICOS# 00120C | 051012NSC 

CMDR Fenn Kemp 

ANOTHER small but significant 

milestone was reached last month 

for Project AIR 9000 Phase 8, the 

Seahawk Romeo project. 

At Sikorsky Aircraft 

Corporation’s production facility 

in Troy, Alabama, the first of 24 

RAN MH-60R Seahawk Romeos 

was inducted onto the production 

line on October 1. 

Although not as spectacular 

as a ship launch or keel-laying 

ceremony, this milestone marked 

the start of a production program 

which will result in the RAN 

being equipped with the world’s 

most advanced anti-submarine and 

anti-surface warfare helicopter. 

Each Romeo is manufactured 

in a 14-month long, three-stage 

process. 

Initial airframe assembly 

occurs at Troy and takes approximately 

15 weeks. 

The airframe is then trucked 

to Sikorsky’s final assembly line 

in Stratford, Connecticut, where 

engines, gearboxes, rotor blades 

and a basic avionics suite are fitted. 

After about five months 

at Stratford, the aircraft is then 

flown to Lockheed Martin’s production 

facility in Owego, New 

York, where it is fitted with the 

mission systems, sensors and 

other avionics. 

It is anticipated the RAN’s 

first two aircraft will be offered 

for Commonwealth acceptance in 

mid-December next year ahead of 

in-service date being declared in 

January 2014. 

The aircraft will bear the tail 

numbers N48-001 and N48-002, 

with side numbers 901 and 902 

respectively. 

Medal Box 

The medal box package includes 

A fully lined Australian Jarrah storage case. 

A high density EVA rubber insert behind the lining in the lid for the storage 

and/or display of hat badges, ribbons, shoulder flashes etc. 

A removable lined tray for holding or displaying the main set of medals. 

Compartmented under-tray section for your miniature medals etc. 

A heavy duty black cardboard protective case. 

Complimentary personalised laser engraving on the top of the timber case 

to your requirement including, text, service, corps or unit emblems. 

IDEAL GIFT FOR MESS/SERVICE FAREWELLS 

LASER ENGRAVING 

0409726263 

medalbox.com.au 

dogsbody@medalbox.com.au 

09 

Romeos on production line 

STATE OF ART: Images of the 

Seahawk Romeo. The Romeo is a 

proven capability currently operated 

by the US Navy. The first of the 

RAN Romeos hit the production 

line in the US on October 1. 

1-3 Medals $55.00 

4-7 Medals $77.00 

8+ Medals $95.00 

UNDER TRAY 

STORAGE


NEWS 

Remembering 

El Alamein 

CAPT Sean Childs 

MEMBERS of Australia’s Federation 

Guard and 21 veterans travelled to 

Egypt from October 16-22 to commemorate 

the 70th anniversary of 

he Allied victory in the battle of El 

lamein during WWII. 

The anniversary’s commemoration 

included a memorial service at 

Australia’s 9th Division Memorial 

along with New Zealand and international 

services at the Commonwealth 

War Graves Commission Cemetery. 

RAN veteran Derek Holyoake 

sailed for the Mediterranean in June 

1941 on the light cruiser HMAS 

Hobart to replace HMAS Perth. 

Hobart took part in operations 

o relieve troops at the now famous 

iege of Tobruk between August and 

ctober 1941. 

“On the night of October 20-21 we 

bombarded the area east of Tobruk, 

believed to contain ‘Bardia Bill’, a 

ong-range gun which was harassing 

he harbour of Tobruk,” Mr Holyoake 

aid. 

AB Adam Terry chaperoned Derek 

uring their visit to Egypt. 

“Together we toured the battlefields 

nd shared stories only those in the 

Navy would understand,” AB Terry 

aid. 

“It was an honour for me to learn 

he way it was for Derek and his mates 

uring WWII. The mateship and the 

olerance of living and working on 

hip is the same today as it was back 

hen.” 

The battle holds a significant place 

n Australian and Allied WWII hisory. 

The Allied defeat of Germany’s 

eneral Rommel and his Afrika Korps 

ed to their total withdrawal from 

North Africa, denying control of the 

strategic Suez Canal and Middle 

Eastern oil fields, which were crucial 

to German war efforts. 

From as early as 1941, Australian 

warships played a small role in helping 

Britain to assert its authority over 

Iraq and Iran. Before Japan’s attack 

on Pearl Harbor, Australia regularly 

had a cruiser, five old destroyers 

and, at times, one or two smaller 

RESPECT: (L-R) AB Justin Prasad, 

Derek Holyoake, AB Adam Terry, AB 

Aaron Abraham and CPO James 

Drew visit the Commonwealth War 

Graves Commission Cemetery in El 

Alamein while, left, AFG members 

mount the catafalque party at the 

9th Division Memorial for the 70th 

anniversary of the battle of El 

Alamein. Photos: CPL Christopher Dickson 

ships attached to the Royal Navy’s 

Mediterranean Fleet. 

The light cruisers HMA Ships 

Hobart, Perth and Sydney all served 

within the Mediterranean. Sydney 

was later lost with all hands following 

a battle with the German raider 

HSK Kormoran in the Indian Ocean 

off the Western Australian coast on 

November 19, 1941. 

GIVING BACK: MIDN Clare Hodge and MIDN Matthew Bell collect 

funds for Legacy as part of ADFA’s Community Service Voluntary Extra 

Curricular Activity program. 

Willing to serve 

LEUT Todd Austin 

COMBINING academic studies and 

military training is a daily challenge 

for the midshipmen and officer cadets 

at ADFA but many of them still find 

time to help those less fortunate. 

Many midshipmen and officer 

cadets are involved in extracurricular 

activities through Community Service 

Voluntary Extra Curricular Activity 

(VECA) by helping numerous charities. 

ADFA Commandant CDRE Bruce 

Kafer said he was impressed with the 

energy, enthusiasm and willingness to 

engage with the local Canberra community 

and nationally. 

“Numerous local community 

organisations and charities remark 

favourably about their engagement 

with the officer trainees at ADFA,” 

CDRE Kafer said. 

MIDN Matthew Bell is a VECA 

liaison officer and said everyone he 

spoke to was positive and thankful for 

the support. 

“They are really grateful that we 

are willing to volunteer our time,” he 

said. 

MIDN Clare Hodge has personal 

reasons to help with fundraising for 

local charities as her mother is being 

supported by Canteen after being 

diagnosed with leukaemia. 

“Canteen has been a really good 

support for me, including meeting 

other people in similar situations,” 

MIDN Hodge said. 

“Among other things, I joined the 

Navy to serve and failing to serve the 

people around me doesn’t seem right.” 

Further information on community engagement 

and Navy signature behaviours in 

action can be viewed online via the Navy 

Intranet site at http://intranet.defence. 

gov.au/navyweb/sites/NGN/comweb. 

asp?page=121608&Title=Webisodes

NEWS November ovemb mb mber e 8, 2012 12 

Smooth abseiling 


A VETERAN submariner 

took a huge leap of faith by 

abseiling down Sydney’s AMP 

Building to raise money for the 

Sir David Martin Foundation. 

Fortunately, it was all 

mooth abseiling for CAPT 

eter Scott as he gracefully glidd 

down the 27-floor building. 

After taking the first crucial 

step over the edge, the 

CO of the Australian Maritime 

Warfare Centre, descended 

onto the busy street below 

where 20 family and friends 

applauded his courage and 

commitment. 

“What a truly amazing 

experience,” he said. 

More than 50 people sponsored 

CAPT Scott to the tune 

of $2510 to make the descent 

on October 19, with the funds 

going to HMAS Kuttabul’s 

dopted charity. 

“The abseiling was an exhilarating 

experience but it doesn’t 

equal the courage shown by the 

troubled kids who try to get 

their lives back on track with 

help from the Sir David Martin 

Foundation,” he said. 

CAPT Scott said he was 

surprised at how physically 

demanding the activity was, but 

said he wouldn’t hesitate to do 

it again to help such a worthwhile 

charity. 

“I have only been abseiling 

once before, which was as a 

midshipman at Jervis Bay more 

than 30 years ago,” he said. 

CAPT Scott was one of 

seven Navy personnel who participated 

in the annual fundraiser 

called Urban Descent. 

Navy Leadership and Ethics 

staff officer WO Mark Donlan 

said the Navy had supported 

Urban Descent for the past 

three years. 

WO Donlan and five rookie 

sailors from Kuttabul ensured 

world-class safety practices for 

the 220 people who paid more 

than $1000 each to abseil down 

the AMP Building. 

“Today was all about civilians 

enjoying the opportunity 

to abseil which we were happy 

to help them with,” he said. 

WO Donlan said the 

Kuttabul sailors, who included 

PTIs, played an important role 

ensuring the abseil lines were 

secure and the stunt was riskfree. 

Kuttabul adopted the Sir 

David Martin Foundation as 

its ship’s charity in recognition 

of Sir David Martin, a former 

RADM and also Governor of 

NSW, who died in 1990. His 

wish was to set up a foundation 

to help troubled youth. 

Attention 

Navy Defence Personnel 

Buy a new car with your Pre-Tax Salary and save thousands $$$$ 

Specialists in sourcing 

Salary Packaged Cars 

Quick and easy Finance 

approvals 

Choose the car of your 

choice 

Pay NO GST on your new car 

purchase or its running costs 

Save with national fl eet 

discounts 

Novated Lease set up with 

your Approved Bureau 

DIZZY HEIGHTS: 

CAPT Peter Scott, 

is helped with his 

harness (left) before 

scaling down the 

87m drop (above) of 

the AMP Building in 

the Rocks, Sydney, 

to raise money for 

the Sir David Martin 

Foundation. 

Photos: ABIS Sarah Williams 

Limited 

Offer * 

Mention you saw this fl yer prior to completing 

your initial contract and we’ll give you a choice 

of either a Free Portable GPS or a $300 Fuel 

Voucher when your new vehicle is delivered 

Call us for an obligation free quote NOW 

www.fl eetnetwork.com.au 

1300 738 601 www.fl eetnetwork.com.au Lease Package Save 

Fleet Network Pty Ltd *To qualify for this offer you must mention this advertisement to Fleet Network prior to the completion of your initial contract. Vehicle must be new and supplied by Fleet Network. Not valid in conjunction 

with any other current Fleet Network offers. Employees should consult their employer’s salary packaging policy before entering into a contract. 

11 

HO HO HO: Chelsy Hammond, centre, with mum, 

Lauren, and sister, Chanel, are handed some 

lollies by AB Ian Hamilton and Steve Porter. 

Photo: LAC Bill Solomou 

On the run with 

Santa Clauses 

CHRISTMAS came early at the Canberra Hospital 

when a mob of Santas ran amok handing out lollies 

and good cheer. 

ADF members joined volunteers on the lolly run 

on October 18 to promote Canberra’s inaugural Santa 

Fun Run to take place around Lake Burley Griffith 

on November 25. 

Canberra Santa Fun Run organiser LCDR 

Graeme Wong said he hoped the lolly run, an initiative 

of the children’s charity, Variety, brightened the 

patients’ day. 

“We hope we gave the patients a reason to smile 

and a little strength to overcome whatever obstacles 

they face and live life to the fullest.” 

He said November’s fun run was a great chance 

for people to get involved in the charity event. “It’s 

going to be Ho-Ho-tastic,” LCDR Wong said. 

“The Santa Fun Run is a huge success in all other 

Australian states with around 2000 participants in 

each major city each year. 

“We want to show Canberrans that the fun run is 

about celebrating community and supporting those 

who need it, not just at Christmas, but all year round.” 

To register for the Santa Fun Run visit www.varietysantafunrun.com.au 

and click on ACT.


NEWS 

Show of justice 

and integrity 

AS PART of Navy’s commitment to 

being a values-based organisation, 

Navy News will begin printing the outcomes 

of Court Martial and Defence 

Force Magistrate trials for all three 

services. 

CN VADM Ray Griggs said 

publishing the outcomes of Courts 

Martial and trials would demonstrate 

to everyone in Navy that people 

were being held to account. 

“I have had consistent feedback 

from across all ranks in the Navy 

that there is a very strong desire to 

see evidence that we are holding 

people to account. 

“That is why we have been publishing 

the Thumbs Up, Thumbs 

Down section of Navy News for a few 

months now. This initiative is an 

extension of that practice,” CN said. 

“I encourage all of you to live 

by our values and New Generation 

Navy signature behaviours and to set 

a positive example to those around 

you.” 

Published results will have 

personal information removed, in 

accordance with privacy provisions. 

CANBERRA 

Project Management 

Never Stand Still School of Business & School of Engineering and Information Technology 

Organisations are dynamic entities that need to respond to changes in their industry, the 

regulatory environment, the technologies they either deliver or utilise, and their relationships 

with suppliers and customers in achieving their strategic objectives. Regardless of whether 

changes are proactive or reactive, projects play a key role in successful change occurring 

through transformation and innovation. 

Master of Project Management 

The Master of Project Management at the 

University of New South Wales in Canberra 

provides students with the opportunity to 

acquire an understanding and advanced 

analytical skills in the key areas required to 

manage a project including: 

– integration management 

– scope management 

– communications management 

– risk management 

– quality management 

– schedule management 

– cost management 

– human resource management 

– procurement management 

Doctor of Project Management 

On completion of a Master of Project 

Management degree, a further period of 

research (2 years full-time equivalent) may be 

undertaken to lead to the award of a Doctor of 

Project Management. 

www.unsw.adfa.edu.au 

NEW BEGINNING: Starting this edition, the monthly results of trials by 

Defence Force Magistrate and courts martial will be published regularly 

in Navy News. Image has been digitally altered 

Modes of Study 

Courses are available via distance or intensive 

delivery mode. 

Program participants can tailor their program 

in a flexible learning education environment 

to suit their experience and background and 

focus their studies in areas best suited to 

their workplace and career aspirations. 

Applications 

Applications for session 1 close 20th January 2013 

Apply online www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/pg_apply/ 

If you require more information about these 

programs please contact: 

Mrs Vera McLuckie 

Telephone: +61 2 6268 8255 

Email: seit.studentmailbox@adfa.edu.au 

Web: seit.unsw.adfa.edu.au/pm 

CRICOS Provider Number: 00100G 

IN SEPTEMBER, seven charges heard 

by courts martial involved either 

a member committing an act that 

prejudiced the discipline of, or brought 

discredit on, the ADF contrary to subsection 

60(1) of the Defence Force 

Discipline Act (DFDA), or a member 

omitting to perform an act that, in turn, 

prejudiced the discipline of, or brought 

discredit on, the ADF contrary to subsection 

60(1A) of the DFDA. 

Members should be aware that not 

only can poor behaviour or bad conduct 

be charged as prejudicial conduct under 

the DFDA, but so too can the failure to 

perform in a manner expected of them. 

For example, a charge of prejudicial 

conduct under subsection 60(1) may 

be laid when a member, after a function 

and while in uniform, is intoxicated and 

NCO 

Restricted 

Court Martial 

One charge prejudicial 

conduct – DFDA s.60(1) 

One charge prejudicial 

conduct by omission – DFDA 

s.60(1A) 

Other ranks 

Restricted 

Court Martial 

Two charges inflicting actual 

bodily harm – DFDA s.61(3) 

and Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) 

s.23(1) 

NCO 

Restricted 

Court Martial 

One charge assaulting a 

subordinate – DFDA s.34 

Three charges prejudicial 

conduct – DFDA s.60(1) 

Two charges prejudicial 

conduct by omission – DFDA 

s.60(1A) 

Other ranks 

Restricted 

Court Martial 

One charge assault 

occasioning actual bodily 

harm – DFDA s.61(3) and 

Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) 

s.24(1) 

Other ranks 

Defence Force 

Magistrate 

One charge obtaining a 

financial advantage – DFDA 

s.61(3) and Criminal Code 

Act 1995 s.135.2 

One charge falsifying a 

service document – DFDA 

s.55(1)(a) 

performs an anti-social or offensive act 

in a public place. Alternatively, a member 

may be charged under subsection 

60(1A) if, during a training course, he 

or she fails to discharge duties associated 

with a particular appointment 

which he or she may hold. 

A member should only be charged 

with prejudicial conduct when another 

more specific offence in the DFDA is not 

appropriate. 

For example, a member could be 

charged with prejudicial conduct if, during 

a lunch-break and while in uniform, 

he or she insults another person while 

at the shops outside the base. However, 

a more appropriate charge against the 

member would be under subsection 

33(d) of the DFDA (using insulting or 

provocative words to another person). 

SEPTEMBER TRIAL RESULTS 

� 

PREJUDICIAL BEHAVIOUR EXPLAINED 

The member was accused of speaking and 

behaving inappropriately to subordinates 

and failing to uphold values and complete 

tasks required. 

The member pleaded guilty to both 

charges and was found guilty of both. 

The member was reduced in rank on both 

charges. 

The member was accused of igniting a fire 

which caused burn injuries to two others. 

The member pleaded guilty to both 


In relation to the first charge, the member 

received a suspended fine of $3123. 

In relation to the second charge, the 

member forfeited seniority and received a 

suspended fine of $1041. 

The member was accused of 

inappropriately touching a subordinate, 

making inappropriate comments to 

subordinates, telling a subordinate not 

to speak to the chain of command about 

the member’s unacceptable conduct and 

failing to uphold values and complete tasks 

required. 

The member pleaded not guilty to all 

charges. The member was found guilty on 

two charges of prejudicial conduct and one 

charge of prejudicial conduct by omission. 

The member was found not guilty of the 

remaining charges. 

In relation to the guilty charges, the 

member: 

Was reduced in rank and forfeited seniority. 

Was reprimanded and fined $2000, of 

which $1500 was suspended. 

Was fined $2000, of which $1000 was 

suspended and the remainder required to 

be repaid in fortnightly instalments. 

The member was accused of punching 

another individual in the face, causing 

injury. 

The member pleaded guilty and was found 

guilty. 

The member was sentenced to detention 

for 28 days, which was suspended. 

The member was accused of knowingly 

receiving a rate of rental allowance to 

which he was not entitled and signing an 

associated service document with the 

intent to deceive others. 

The member pleaded not guilty to both 


The member was sentenced to detention 

for 60 days for each offence, with the 

periods to be served concurrently. 

THUMBS UP/THUMBS DOWN 

EVENT: The ship’s company of HMAS 

Melbourne was kept busy fundraising 

during its deployment earlier this year. 

OUTCOME: The officers and sailors 

raised more than $22,700 during 

the six-month deployment. Charities 

supported included Kids Cancer Cure, 

Alzheimer’s Research and Legacy. 

�EVENT: An able seaman 

was involved in a number 

of instances of excessive 

alcohol abuse and a range 

of disciplinary offences. 

OUTCOME: The 

member’s service was 

terminated.


Leadership key to success 

CPL Mark Doran 

ETHICS played a key role at the CDF 

NCO Leadership Forum held at the 

Australian Defence College (ADC) in 

Canberra on October 2-3. 

Single service sessions with the 

service warrant officers and syndicate 

discussions provided opportunities for 

NCOs from the three services to discuss 

leadership in the ADF by sharing 

their experiences and thoughts. 

Close to 100 NCOs attended the 

annual forum, which has been convened 

at the ADC since 2003. 

Guest speakers included Victoria 

Cross recipient CPL Mark Donaldson, 

of the Special Air Service Regiment, 

who spoke about leadership from an 

NCO perspective, and Mr Eddie Jaku 

who gave his perspectives on life as an 

Auschwitz survivor. 

LTCOL Colin Magee, of the 

Canadian Army, presented Somalia: 

The Canadian Experience, and CMDR 

Paul Moggach, former CO 817SQN, 

discussed the Nias Sea King accident. 

One highlight of the forum program 

was the Service Chiefs panel 

where CN VADM Ray Griggs, CA 

LTGEN David Morrison, CAF 

AIRMHSL Geoff Brown and CJOPS 

LTGEN Ash Power answered probing 

questions about the ADF from the 

forum participants. 

LSBM Grant Lugton, of HMAS 

Watson, was CPL Donaldson’s host 

for the forum and said he had the 

opportunity to speak with him about 

his experiences and how he handled 

leadership. 

“CPL Donaldson told me to treat 

people the way I wanted to be treated 

and to have pride in the uniform,” he 

said. 

“Learning how NCOs at my level 

from the other services handle leadership 

at higher and lower levels was 

very beneficial.” 

CPOA Ben Sime, of 816SQN, who 

was awarded a Medal for Gallantry 

in May 2009 for his actions during 

Operation Catalyst in 2004, said the 

forum was informative and gave the 

NCOs an opportunity to meet members 

of the other services. 

“Meeting with the chiefs and warrant 

officers was an excellent opportunity 

to learn about leadership and 

ethics,” he said. “Leading by example 

is the key element to leadership, which 

goes hand in hand with respect.” 

Commander ADC MAJGEN Craig 

Orme closed the forum saying the participants 

took away a sense of the size 

and complexity of the Defence organisation 

and of the challenges faced by 

the nation. 

“Leadership is not about the things 

you have to do; leadership is about the 

things you don’t have to do, but you do 

anyway,” he said. 

“The things you have to do 

are called your job – the difference 

between organisations which are good 

and excellent is not just doing the job, 

but having the leadership to go the 

extra yard.” 

dan_an_11oct 

The Defence Alumni Network is a secure network available to current and former Defence members 

GOING THE EXTRA YARD: LSBM Grant Lugton, of HMAS 

Watson, and CPOA Ben Sime, of 816SQN, at the CDF NCO 

Leadership Forum in Canberra and, inset, Service Chiefs answer 

questions from participants. Photos: CPL Mark Doran 

13


NEWS 

Sailors on show in Cairns 

LEUT Samantha Dudley 

CLOSE ties between the people of 

Cairns and Navy were strengthened 

when HMAS Cairns celebrated Navy 

eek in September. 

Navy Week kicked off on 

September 15 with the first Freedom 

of Entry in the city since 2002. 

CO Cairns CMDR Wendy Bullen 

aid the march through the street 

f Cairns was a display of trust and 

riendship between citizens and miliary 

personnel. 

“In recognising that one decade 

had passed since Cairns’ last Freedom 

f Entry, we were delighted to receive 

he invite from Cairns Mayor Bob 

anning,” CMDR Bullen said. 

Town Sheriff Police Inspector 

ark Jackson said the Freedom of 

ntry was an important tradition. 

“It’s a symbolic ceremony, but it’s 

firm sign of the relationship that we 

njoy between the police service and 

he armed services here in Cairns,” 

nspector Jackson said. 

Navy Week events included a bulk 

blood donation that saw 33 officers 

nd sailors roll up their sleeves to give 

blood at the Cairns Blood Donation 

entre. 

“This is the largest number of 

blood donations conducted in a sinle 

visit by Cairns over the past four 

years,” CMDR Bullen said. 

“It’s great to see our numbers 

growing at each donation.” 

Another highlight was a visit to 

Cairns Base Hospital where staff, 

patients and visitors listened to the 

Navy Band Sydney Detachment and 

easted on a sausage sizzle cooked by 

ailors to raise funds for the Far North 

ueensland Hospital Foundation. 

“It was fabulous and enhanced 

morale,” Pippy Cannon, an employee 

of the hospital, said. 

Fifty-one members also participated 

in the 5km Russ Renne Fun Run 

along Cairns Esplanade, while Cairns 

golfers joined force with ADCU, 

Defence Health and 22 civilians at 

Paradise Palms Golf Course to raise 

CROWD PLEASER: 

CPL Neville Pace 

plays a game 

of naughts and 

crosses with a 

young visitor (above) 

while people fill 

HMAS Parramatta’s 

forecastle (right) 

during the open day 

in Adelaide. 

Photos: CPOIS David Connolly 

more than $2600 for Legacy. 

The public were invited to a 

Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to 

Quarters followed by a Defence 

Indigenous Development Program 

Cultural performance at Cairns 

Cenotaph. 

Later in the week, the Navy band 

again showcased their talents with a 

performance at an aged care facility 

while Navy domestic engagement 

members exchanged stories with the 

residents during the show. 

At the Navy Week official reception, 

recognition of the base turning 

30 was given as a wall of honour paying 

tribute to Cairns and her previous 

and current fleet units was unveiled 

by former lieutenant commander Peter 

Kraus. 

“This memorial not only records 

the proud history of Cairns and her 

ships, it serves also to remind us that 

we progress by standing on the shoulders 

of those who came before us,” Mr 

Kraus said. 

The week ended with the annual 

Navy Week Open Day. Almost 3500 

visitors streamed through the base 

over four hours to enjoy tours of HMA 

Ships Wollongong, Shepparton and 

Labuan. 

Open day activities included RHIB 

rides, a beat the PT challenge, face 

painting and jumping castles for the 

kids, sausage sizzles, survival at sea, 

clearance diving, Fleet Support Unit, 

hydrographic and weapons displays, 

as well an interactive Red Man Suit 

display. 

CO Labuan LCDR Andrew Staker 

said even messes and recreational 

spaces were on show. 

“I wanted to make sure that everyone 

who visited my ship received the 

best possible experience,” he said. 

CMDR Bullen said the open day 

allowed Navy to showcase sailors, 

their skills and equipment to the community. 

“Next year will hopefully be even 

bigger and better,” she said. 

MORE than 7000 people converged 

on the Air Warfare Destroyer 

Alliance facility at Techport to enjoy 

South Australia’s annual Navy open 

day on October 14, and they weren’t 

disappointed. 

There was something for everyone: 

balloon animals and face painting 

for the smallest visitors, Navy 

merchandise for kids of all ages, 

personnel on hand to answer questions 

and a variety of capability on 

show. 

Visitors got a rare close-up of 

the individual AWD modules under 

construction, as well as modules that 

have already been assembled for 

the first AWD, to be named HMAS 

Hobart. 

Of course, a Navy open day 

wouldn’t be complete without a 

ship, and HMAS Parramatta was 

alongside with an open gangway for 

the public. 

CO Parramatta CMDR Simon 

Cannell and his ship’s company 

dressed ship and guided the eager 

throngs from the flight deck through 

to the forecastle. 

“It was a great day to visit South 

Australia and show off the ship,” 

CMDR Cannell said. 

“People were very enthusiastic 

and quizzed the crew on everything 

from the type of paint we use on the 

hull to our role on operations.” 

Another crowd favourite was the 

CLOSE TIES: HMAS Cairns 

celebrated Navy Week in September, 

giving the local community a chance 

to participate in many hands-on 

activities including RHIB rides (above) 

with SMNBM Jarryd Korevaar and 

ABBM Jacob Machen, flashing light 

demonstrations with ABCIS Rebecca 

Brewer (left), and face painting with 

ABMT Khristy Jensen (main). 

Photos: LEUT Samantha Dudley 

Up close in Adelaide 

SAFETY FIRST: MIDN Maria Marinogomez shows a young visitor 

how to wear a protective helmet worn by boarding teams. 

Bell on display, with 723SQN air 

crew, led by LEUT Bradley Eaton, 

eager to answer questions. 

Members of AUSCDT-One and 

Reserve Dive Team 9 also entertained 

visitors in the demonstration 

dive tank, even playing underwater 

naughts and crosses with delighted 

children. 

The SA detachment of the Navy 

Band kept toes tapping throughout 

the day, playing a wide range 

of popular tunes, while Australian 

Navy Cadets and members from 

Defence Force Recruiting and the 

Naval Association of Australia 

assisted visitors and promoted life 

in the Navy.

CALL 

While you’re on service, 

we’re at your service. 

As a member of the defence force, it’s never been 

easier to choose, insure and save on a new car – 

even while you’re serving the country. 

We manage the details, you enjoy the benefits. 

SIMPLICITY Get a new car with ease 

SERVICE Dedicated experts find a great deal for you 

SAVINGS Save up to $12,000 over 4 yearsˆ 

Call us for an obligation free chat. 

1300 73 14 29 

benefits.remserv.com.au/defence skype: remserv.defence 

*Fuel offer: Open to Australian Defence Force employees who arrange and settle their novated lease through RemServ before 31/12/2012. Successful applicants will receive a 

$500 BP Fuel Card within 30 days of settlement. Terms and conditions apply. Not redeemable for cash. 

Things you need to know: ˆ Savings of $12,000 over 4 years assumes a salary of $85,000 p.a, 15,000 km travelled p.a, vehicle value of $47,000 and annual operating costs of 

$19,416. Your savings will vary depending your personal objectives, financial situation and needs. RemServ does not provide taxation or financial product advice and recommends 

you obtain independent advice before making any financial decisions. All salary packaging proposals and novated lease proposals will require the consent of your employer. Your 

employer or their nominated salary packaging administrator may impose additional criteria, fees and charges. Applications for a novated lease are subject to credit approval by 

the relevant financier. Terms and conditions are available on application. Fees and charges apply. RemServ receives commissions and rebates in connection with some of the 

products and services it provides or arranges to be provided by third parties. 

Remuneration Services (Qld) Pty Ltd I ABN 46 093 173 089 Authorised Representative (No. 293159) of McMillan Shakespeare Limited (AFSL No. 299054) Reliance Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (AFSL 345986), Swann Insurance (Aust) Pty Ltd 

(AFSL No. 238292), AVEA Insurance Limited (AFSL No. 238279), A&G Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 241411)


CENTRESPREAD 

17 

WELCOME WELCOME: Special guest for the International Fleet Review launch, launch 

Jean Nyse with sailors from HMAS Parramatta. Photo: LSIS Jo Dilorenzo 

Recalling lifetime 

full of adventures 

JEAN Jervis Nysen, nee McKenzie, 

was born in December 1922 on board 

Jervis Bay during its maiden voyage to 

England. 

As the daughter of LCDR Donald 

McKenzie, she moved every two years 

including two postings in England. 

“I realised it was a great way to 

live. A life of discovery and constant 

change,” she said. 

The family returned to Australia in 

1929 on HMAS Canberra and settled 

in Sydney. 

When WWII broke out Mrs Nysen 

was working as a commercial artist. 

After HMAS Sydney was sunk 

by German raider SMS Emden, she 

decided to become involved in the war 

effort. 

“I decided I would just have to 

put my career on hold and become 

completely involved in the war effort. 

Nothing else mattered.” 

She joined the Women’s Emergency 

Signalling Corp in November 1941. Six 

months later, she arrived at Harman 

Naval W/T Station in Canberra as a 

qualified wireless operator,. 

Over the next three years, she 

worked six-hour watches, transmitting 

coded messages between allied shore 

establishments worldwide and allied 

shipping in Australian waters. 

After one watch in August 1942, 

she learned that Canberra had been 

sunk near Guadalcanal. 

“I froze,” she said. “My young 

brother [Donal McKenzie] was a 

midshipman on board.” 

The next morning she learned her 

brother had survived. 

“My father had been on Canberra 

HISTORIC HISTORIC LINK: Jean Nysen 

looks at a portrait of her father, 

Donald McKenzie, who was on 

board HMAS Australia I which 

sailed into Sydney Harbour for the 

first Fleet Entry in 1913. 

Photo: ABIS Sarah Williams 

for its first voyage and my brother had 

to abandon ship on her last,” she said. 

In 1945, she worked in 

communications between the Admiralty 

and the 336 ships of the British Pacific 

Fleet, which had set sail in January to 

help finish the war with Japan. 

“In order to conceal its true position 

we were instructed to escalate the 

volume of traffic gradually, to make it 

appear that the fleet was much closer 

than it actually was,” she said. 

After the war, she married and 

moved to the Netherlands, returing to 

Australia in 1950. 

IT’S ALMOST TIME 

With just a year to go Navy launches the 2013 International Fleet 

Review in Sydney Harbour, marking a very special centenary. 

CONTEMPORARY BACKDROP: HMAS Parramatta cruises around Sydney 

Harbour during the International Fleet Review launch. Photo: Mark Anderson 

AN INTERNATIONAL armada 

of 40 warships will sail 

into Sydney Harbour next 

year, marking 100 years since 

the first arrival of Australia’s Naval 

fleet. The International Fleet Review 

will be one of the most spectacular 

events ever hosted by the RAN. 

On October 4, 1913, HMAS 

Australia led the new Australian fleet 

of seven ships into Sydney Harbour. 

The Fleet included HMA Ships Sydney, 

Melbourne, Encounter, Warrego, 

Parramatta and Yarra. 

Sydney Harbour was once again 

the backdrop for the launch of the 

International Fleet Review on October 

23. HMAS Parramatta was given the 

honour of hosting the event, featuring 

sailors past and present. 

CN VADM Ray Griggs hosted 

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and 

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore on 

board for the event. 

CN told the gathering more than 50 

nations had been invited to participate 

in the IFR by sending a warship, tall 

ship and/or military band. 

“Up to 10,000 Australian and foreign 

naval personal are expected to be 

here for the event,” VADM Griggs said. 

“We are delighted to welcome so 

many foreign navies and tall ships for 

this exciting event. 

“I am sure everyone involved will 

take away some fantastic memories of 

their involvement in this very important 

historic occasion.” 

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said 

the IFR would bring great benefits both 

to Sydney and to Australia. 

“This event provides another opportunity 

to showcase Sydney Harbour on 

the world stage, as well as celebrating 

Australia’s proud naval history,” 

he said. 

Participating countries are expected 

to include Brunei, Argentina, Canada, 

Chile, Columbia, France, Germany, 

Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, 

Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, 

Singapore, Spain, Korea, Thailand, 

Turkey, United Kingdom, and the 

United States of America. 

The IFR will incorporate an extensive 

program of events including a tall 

ship parade, fleet entry and review, 

fireworks and light show, combined 

naval march; aircraft flypasts; military 

band concerts; religious and memorial 

services, sporting competitions; and 

Fleet departure. Ships will also be open 

to visitors. 

Australia’s largest maritime tradeshow, 

Pacific 2013, as well as RAN 

Sea Power Conference will coincide 

with the IFR and be staged at 

the Darling Harbour Exhibition and 

Convention Centre. 

Among the honoured guests to 

attend the launch was Mrs Jean Nysen 

who served in the RAN in WWII, and 

is the daughter of an officer who sailed 

in HMAS Australia I. She joined the 

Navy in 1941. 

The ship’s company of Parramatta 

were humbled and excited to talk to a 

former serving woman who can trace 

her family lineage back through her 

father, LCDR Donald McKenzie, to the 

first RAN fleet that arrived less than 12 

months before the outbreak of WWI. 

Mrs Nysen was particularly 

impressed with how Navy’s technology 

had changed. 

“The technology that you work 

with now makes it a different but more 

effective Navy to the one I served in,” 

she said. 

A Parramatta sailor, ABET Kyle 

Petersen, said it was “an amazing experience 

to hear her stories”. 

ABET Petersen said the entire crew 

was proud and excited to be hosting the 

IFR launch, as Parramatta I was one of 

the seven warships to sail through the 

heads on October 4, 1913. 

“The IFR will be a great opportunity 

to celebrate the warships and all the 

RAN personnel who have served their 

country with pride over the past 100 

years,” he said. 

ABET Petersen, 20, said one of 

those unsung heroes was his grandfather, 

CPO Jim Blunt, who was a 

submariner for 15 years and brought 

the first Oberon-class submarine to 

Australia in the 1970s. 

“The IFR promises to be an absolutely 

massive event for the RAN and 

the people of Sydney and Australia,” 

he said. 

THRILLED: From top to bottom, LS Daniel Lucia from the Royal 

Canadian Navy joins AB David Newton and AB Kyle Petersen aboard 

HMAS Parramatta. Photo: LSIS Jo Dilorenzo 

SYDNEY PANORAMA: A Sea 

Hawk flies the Australian white 

ensign over HMAS Parramatta, 

HM Bark Endeavour and Lady 

Hopetoun in Sydney Harbour for 

the launch of the International 

Fleet Review. Photo: ABIS Dove Smithett 

Visiting 

ships will 

join huge 

exercise 

THE 40 ships visiting 

Sydney Harbour won’t just 

be here for a celebration. 

The large number of naval 

vessels will provide an ideal 

opportunity for a challenging 

series of evolutions off the 

Australian east coast. 

Exercise Triton Centenary 

is already shaping up as 

being the largest naval exercise 

ever to take place off 

the eastern coastline during 

peacetime. 

Australian Fleet 

Commander RADM Tim 

Barrett said the mass gathering 

would provide the RAN 

with invaluable opportunities 

to test our skills and adapt to 

the customs and procedures 

of other navies. 

“We regularly have to 

go overseas for this sort of 

activity,” RADM Barrett said. 

“But Triton Centenary will 

give us the chance to hone 

our capabilities in a realistic 

environment, all in our backyard. 

“The chance to carry out 

high-end warfare evolutions 

will be welcomed by the 

RAN vessels and assets 

lucky enough to participate.” 

He said Triton Centenary 

would see a range of exercises 

across the full spectrum 

of naval capabilities. 

Exercise Triton Centenary 

is planned to take place both 

before and following the IFR.


HISTORY 

Shoalhaven’s lucky escape 

HILE the story of 

HMS Amethyst’s 

shelling and daring 

escape down China’s 

Yangtze River in 

1949 is part of Navy folklore, little is 

known of HMAS Shoalhaven’s part 

n the incident. 

It was Shoalhaven that had originally 

been tasked with resupplying the 

ritish Embassy at Nanking and standng 

by to evacuate Commonwealth 

itizens as Chinese Communist forces 

rapidly advanced on the Chinese 

Nationalists. 

However, a last-minute decision 

by the Australian ambassador, that to 

ail to Nanking would be “recklessly 

provocative”, resulted in Shoalhaven 

ffloading the stores onto Amethyst at 

hanghai. 

Former radar plot operator Don 

ensen, now 84, of Bundaberg, said 

Amethyst set sail on the morning of 

pril 20. 

“By about 2pm she was shot to 

pieces up the Yangtze River,” he said. 

“I’m glad we put our goods on 

Amethyst, otherwise I wouldn’t be 

here.” 

With Amethyst aground, her captain 

mortally wounded and several 

crew dead, and still taking fire from 

Communist field guns on the river 

bank, a rescue attempt was launched. 

HMS Consort steamed down from 

Nanking while HM Ships London 

nd Black Swan quickly departed 

Shanghai. 

A last minute decision by an Australian ambassador saved HMAS 

Shoalhaven from Communist onslaught, SGT Dave Morley reports. 

CLOSE CALL: HMAS Shoalhaven was originally tasked to resupply the British Embassy at Nankang, China, in 

1949, but a last minute decision by Australia’s ambassador arguably saved Aussie sailors’ lives. 

Photo courtesy Sea Power Centre 

The rescue attempt was unsuccessful 

with all three ships suffering dozens 

of casualties and sustaining serious 

damage from the Communist artillery. 

Shoalhaven was brought to one 

hour’s notice for sea and final prepara- 

tions made to proceed upriver to assist 

Amethyst at 10am on April 20. 

However, she remained at Shanghai 

as a wireless telegraphic guard for the 

Australian naval attaché there. 

The ship’s surgeon, LEUT Chalk, 

was temporarily transferred to Black 

Swan and later to London prior to 

those ships coming under fire. 

He returned to Shoalhaven, 

unscathed, on April 22. 

Eighty-three year old former sig- 

nalman Milton Fuller, of Brisbane, and 

now a volunteer guide on Shoalhaven’s 

sister ship HMAS Diamantina at 

the Queensland Maritime Museum, 

remembers the incident well. 

He said many of Shoalhaven’s 

crew members were disappointed they 

missed the Nanking trip and the rescue 

attempt for Amethyst. 

“We wished we could have done 

more for Amethyst as she took our 

place, but it would only have antagonised 

the situation if we went,” he said. 

“But after we heard about 

Amethyst and London, and saw Black 

Swan, we were glad we weren’t there. 

“I remember talking to some of the 

signalmen on Amethyst and hearing 

one of them was killed the next day.” 

Former AB Ned Forsyth of Hervey 

Bay, also 84, remembers being pulled 

out of his hammock late the night 

before Shoalhaven was due to sail up 

to Nanking. 

“We went alongside Amethyst and 

pumped our fuel and water into her, 

and loaded big cases of stores off our 

deck onto hers,” he said. 

“When I later saw how badly the 

Black Swan was shot up, I thanked 

Christ it wasn’t us who’d gone out 

there.” 

Mr Forsyth said he was disappointed 

Shoalhaven’s part in the incident 

wasn’t very well known. 

“But to be fair we didn’t see the 

action the British ships did and we 

didn’t get pounded by shore batteries.”

GANGWAY November 8, 2012 

CLASS PHOTO: After 23 weeks at HMAS Penguin learning the theory of surveying and the use of 

surveying equipment on land and at sea, the H2 Hydrographic Surveying Course Session 12 graduated. 

Here the graduating class of the internationally accredited course is pictured with instructors and staff in 

the front row. Photo: ABIS Richard Cordell 

10th BIRTHDAY: FFH support team members ABMT 

Matthew Lowden, ABCSO Jason Zielinski, LSSN 

Bennett Scott and OIC CMDR Brian Chase cut a cake 

to celebrate HMAS Stuart’s 10th birthday. 

CHECKING: PO Graeme Cant, part of the Transition 

and Redeployment Planning Team at Al Minhad Air Base 

in the United Arab Emirates, checks the condition of 

shipping containers. Photo: SGT William Guthrie 

TONS OF FUN: SMNDEN Gabriella Hayllar, 

front, and ABWTR Yasmin Lindenberg 

participate in the Tour the T run at HMAS 

Albatross. Photo: LSIS Yuri Ramsey 

DEFENCE TRANSITIONS 

100% ADF TRANSITION SPECIALIST 

Leading Provider – NATIONAL Coverage 

CVs – MED DISCH – CTAS – PEEP – SELCRIT 

• Medical Discharges 100% FREE 

• Level 2 & 3 CTAS 100% FREE 

• Leading CV writer for ADF members 

• CTAS…free resume updates for life 

• No CTAS…from $248 for best ADF CVs 

• APS selec� on criteria statements 

• CTAS - face to face Interview coaching 

• Spouse support under PEEP scheme 

• We translate mil skills to civvy speak 

Visit our website for FREE job tools 

www.nextjobnow.com.au 

Call 1300 112 114 

19 

FOR BREAST CANCER: Before leaving on an ADF rugby union tour of Britain, 

the RAN women’s team held a barbecue breakfast at HMAS Kuttabul to raise 

funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here, from left, OCDT Sharyn Laws 

holds the donation container for CPO Robert Clarke as PTE Brea Grant and 

OCDT Corinne Alsemgeest lend support. Photo: ABIS Sarah Williams 

STORES CHECK: SMNSN Jacki Simms and Tom Simpson, from Fleet 

Logistics Support Element-Darwin, check off stores for the Armidale-class 

patrol boats at HMAS Coonawarra as ABSN Tim Johnston behind the wheel, 

waits for the go-ahead. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

FEATURES November 8, 2012 

Nothing is impossible 

Michael Brooke talks to CAPT Wendy 

alcolm about being a finalist in the 2012 

elstra Business Women’s Awards 

NE of the fi rst women 

to graduate from the 

Australian Defence 

Force Academy has 

been recognised for 

her leadership in a government 

rganisation by being named as a 

nalist in the 2012 Telstra Westrn 

Australia Business Women’s 

wards. 

Director Systems Program Office 

CAPT Wendy Malcolm was one 

of six finalists in the White Pages 

Community and Government Award 

category. 

CAPT Malcolm was named as a 

runner-up in the awards in Perth on 

ctober 16. 

She said being a finalist was a 

reat honour for her, not only as an 

ndividual, but also for the Navy, 

hich had made great progress in 

recent years to provide women with 

qual opportunities in the workplace. 

“I feel I have become a role model 

or women, and particularly mothers 

n the Navy, and I want to encourage 

hem and let them know that nothing 

s impossible,” she said. 

CAPT Malcolm was recognised 

or the vital role she plays in ensur- 

ing Navy’s eight Anzac-class frigates 

can meet their operational objectives 

in protecting Australia’s national 

interests. 

As the director of the Systems 

Program Office, which runs engineering 

and maintenance operations for 

the FFHs, CAPT Malcolm has 200 

people reporting to her and manages 

an annual budget of $200 million. 

One of her first tasks when 

appointed to the post was to audit and 

revamp the Systems Program Office’s 

intricate system of contracts, which 

are essential to keeping the Anzac 

ships at the directed level of preparedness 

and mission ready. 

In addition to re-establishing or 

improving those operations, CAPT 

Malcolm negotiated a five-year maintenance 

contract worth $300 million. 

She now plans to undertake a 

Masters degree in Complex Project 

Management and continue taking on 

challenging assignments. 

More information about the Business 

Women’s Awards can be found at www. 

telstrabusinesswomensawards.com 

�� 

�� 

�� 

Should you �� 

What’s a good rate? 

Have you 

considered�� 

Are you using your 

entitlements? 

�� 

FOR FREE It’s smart to ask! 

Get help from accountants 

who provide �� not just loans 

CALL 1300 784 246 

or visit www.spect.com.au 

Spectrum is a Licensed Real Estate Agent, Registered Tax Agent & Accredited Mortgage Consultant. 

With over 

30 years 

�� 

in assisting 

�� 

Personnel, we 

can help you: 

� �� 

refund with �� 

Planning 

Invest in 

growth assets 

Home or 

Investment 

Property 

Structure your 

loan right from 

the start 

� �� 

your �� 

Entitlements 

WHICH ONE 

MAKES SENSE? 

�� 

or 

�� 

Call to discuss which 

scenario is for you 

CALL 1300 784 246 

or visit www.spect.com.au 

Spectrum is a Licensed Real Estate Agent, Registered Tax Agent & Accredited Mortgage Consultant. 

�� 

21 

EXCELLENCE RECOGNISED: Director Systems Program Office CAPT Wendy Malcolm, a runner-up in the 

White Pages Community and Government Award category of the 2012 Telstra WA Business Women’s Awards. 

Photo: ABIS Alan Lancaster


FEATURES 

Adventure of a lifetime 

It’s a unique event with no rules, support or safety net. LAC Bill Solomou talks to LCDR James Lawless about his 

experiences in the Mongol Rally. 

HIS annual event has no real 

prizes except for the chance 

to camp in some of the most 

remote parts of the world 

while taking in some of the most 

unique and breath taking scenery 

imaginable. 

In the May 4 edition of Navy News 

we introduced you to the Trekking in 

Tweed team which was preparing for 

the 2012 Mongol Rally. 

While the team changed slightly, 

planning proved a challenge as the 

ntrepid participants were living in 

ifferent locations around the world. 

CDR Eric Radford was in Malaysia, 

CDR James Lawless in Canberra, 

reservist LEUT Mick Newman in 

ingapore and newcomer to the team, 

New Zealander Phillippa Hendl, was 

n Spain. 

Little did the travellers imagine that 

driving more than 18,000km in 42 days 

across 18 countries and crossing two 

seas from Europe to Mongolia would 

end an amazing experience that no 

glossy holiday brochure would come 

close to describing. 

“Countries like Uzbekistan and 

Kazakhstan certainly provided a view 

of lifestyles and cultures very different 

from our experience back home,” 

LCDR James Lawless said. 

“We started off with the four of us, 

but due to work, illness and family commitments, 

we completed the second half 

f the rally with just Pippi and me,” he 

aid. 

The 2012 Mongol Rally attracted 

more than 400 teams from around the 

orld, the only requirement being a 

mall fee, and a vehicle as a means of 

ransport. 

The start and finish positions were 

ixed but it was up to each team which 

route they took and how long the 

dventure would be. 

At the end, most of the cars were 

onated to be auctioned to raise further 

unds for the Lotus children’s charity 

n Mongolia and UK’s equivalent to 

egacy, Help for Heroes. 

“We were towed across large rivers, 

rove on dusty, dirty, barely recognisble 

roads, and on several occasions 

ame close to wrecking the car,” 

CDR Lawless said. 

“It really was an amazing experince, 

and on top of it all we made 

many new friends.” 

He said the teams gave each other 

support, especially in repairing the 

cars. 

“Our little Skoda Fabia was not 

modified, it was great and it survived 

ome pretty harsh treatment from 

omania all the way to the finish line,” 

The world is complex. 

Your decisions don’t have to be. 

Ensuring the continuous availability, maintenance and sustainment of naval 

fleets is increasingly complex. Working in partnership to understand your 

operational needs, work schedules and future requirements, Thales offers 

repair, maintenance and in-service support capabilities for commercial and 

naval vessels on the east and west coasts of Australia. With a proven track 

record across 50 navies and a commitment to delivery, our maritime and 

defence sustainment solutions focus on reduced risk, scalability and low 

lifecycle/whole-of-life costs. 

To find out more visit thalesgroup.com.au 

Image © Australian Department of Defence 

THE STARTERS: LCDR Eric Redford, LCDR James Lawless, Pippi Hendl 

and LEUT Michael Newman dress in their best tweed for their official send 

off, hosted by Legacy at Queensland House in London. 

THE CAR: The Skoda Fabia was the e 

car of choice for the team and proved d 

more reliable than first thought. LCDR R 

James Lawless and LCDR Eric Radford d 

pose (above) take in the scenery in n 

Turkmenistan as (left) LCDR Radford d 

provides a push after LCDR Lawless s 

bogged the car in Kazakhstan. 

LCDR Lawless said. “During the 

later stages of the rally, in the wilds of 

Mongolia, it became necessary to convoy 

with other teams for support and 

companionship as some of the places 

were very remote. 

“We supported each other with 

towing, fixing broken suspension, 

flooded engines, punctured fuel tanks, 

tyre blowouts, bad fuel and damaged 

radiators.” 

LCDR Lawless said the rally had 

two distinct parts, the first part from 

London ndon to Russia Russia, and the second from “It also meant our tim time in 

Russia to Mongolia (the finish). Mongolia was much longer than origi- 

“The road surfaces changed dranally planned, which is why Eric left 

matically,” he said. “The closer you us in Russia. However, it also meant 

got to Mongolia, the worse the roads we were able to witness some of the 

became. In fact the gate separating most beautiful and unique scenery in 

Russia and Mongolia literally marked the world.” 

an instant change from paved to dirt Along the way the team tried to keep 

roads. 

family, friends and followers up-to-date 

“We took the harder, longer west- on their progress on their Facebook and 

ern road into Mongolia from Russia, website pages. 

which meant we travelled on some of “We tried to provide as much infor- 

the worst roads imaginable. 

mation and photos, as possible, back to 

THE FINISHERS: Illness, work and family commitments meant LCDR 

James Lawless and Pippi Hendl were the only team members to finish the 

second half of the rally. They are pictured (above) in their finest tweed in the 

dust and wilds of Mongolia and (below) enjoying the breathtaking scenery 

in Southern Russia. 

our friends and family,” LCDR Lawless 

said. 

“In some places, such as 

Turkmenistan we couldn’t get internet 

reception and in others, such as 

Mongolia, wifi and internet cafes are 

probably yet to be invented, so our blog 

fell behind and as a result Pippi and I 

‘disappeared’ for about two weeks.” 

To donate to Legacy go to www.legacy. 

com.au/donate. For a detailed description 

of the journey, visit trekkingintweed.com

TRAINING 

NFANTRY FIGHTING SKILLS: ABCD Thomas Adams in training at 

uckapunyal in a course run by Melbourne University Regiment’s Soldier 

raining Wing. 

Divers get 

grounding 

in infantry 

CPL David Crosbie and 

CPL Macmillan Delaney 

TEN clearance divers from AUSTCDT- 

One joined reservists from Melbourne 

University Regiment for Combat Arms 

Module (CAM) and Infantry Module 2 

courses at Puckapunyal last month. 

The courses, run by MUR’s Soldier 

Training Wing, train soldiers in infantry 

minor tactics for section and platoonlevel 

operations. 

The clearance divers attended to gain 

a basic foundation in infantry fighting 

skills. 

The divers picked up the weapons 

qualifications easily during the 

CAM and continued the high standard 

throughout the Module 2 course. 

FREE sword stand when 

you order your sword 

Full Size Swords from $1,070.00 

(Free Stand valued at $79.00) 

Miniature Swords $179.00 

(Free Stand valued at $49.90) 

The course covered defensive, offensive 

and security operations, which the 

divers were experiencing for the first 

time. 

The instructors were impressed with 

their enthusiasm for the training and 

the speed with which they picked up the 

new skills, completing the culminating 

exercises – live fire section attacks by 

day and night – to a high standard. 

It was the first time Navy personnel 

had been integrated into a MUR 

course, but the instructors said the initiative 

posed no significant issues. The 

divers were well received by staff and 

the Army trainees. 

The Soldier Training Wing conducts 

MUR’s courses throughout the year to 

ensure a constant flow of qualified personnel. 

Dirks & Cutlasses also available. 

www.salt.asn.au 

02 6123 2929 

WITH work started on the Hobartclass 

destroyers in Adelaide, 

support equipment such as the 

Integrated Platform Management 

System (IPMS) training simulator 

is also taking shape. 

LCDR Bill Edwards, who is 

posted as the RAN liaison officer 

to the Spanish Armada’s 31 Escort 

Squadron, participated in factory 

acceptance tests for the training 

simulator in Cartegena, Spain, in 

July and September. 

“With the latest technology and 

identical user interfaces as those 

which will be used on board, this 

training simulator will greatly 

improve the proficiency and performance 

of the officers and sailors 

posted to the AWDs,” LCDR 

Edwards said. 

The simulator is based on the 

commercial off-the-shelf system 

originally developed for the F100class 

ships of the Spanish Armada. 

The simulator will be used 

to conduct the training to enable 

commissioning crews to bring the 

three Hobart-class destroyers into 

service and will be the backbone in 

providing the knowledge to operate 

the platform equipment of this 

advanced ship. 

The training simulator equipment 

will be added to the Maritime 

Skills Centre in Adelaide when the 

propulsion control unit, the data 

storage unit, three local operating 

panels and the simulator/instructor 

console arrive in the coming 

months. 

The remainder of the equipment 

– the propulsion control console, 

damage control console, auxiliary 

and electrical control console, ship 

control console and the soft panels 

– will be incorporated following 

SUPPORT THE DEFENCE 

ORGANISATION BLOOD CHALLENGE 

Donate blood between 1 September and 

30 November 2012 

Make your donation count by joining your Defence Organisation group at 

donateblood.com.au/clubred. 

Your Donor ID is required to join online. You can ask for your Donor ID at the time of 

donating or call the Blood Service on 13 14 95. 

Family and friends are welcome to join the Challenge. 

Roll up your sleeves and give blood together 

Call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au/clubred 

November 8, 2012 

23 

EXCITED: LCDR 

Bill Edwards 

... “this training 

simulator will 

greatly improve 

the proficiency 

and performance 

of the officers 

and sailors 

posted to the 

AWDs.” 

Taking simulator reins in Spain 

the successful completion of factory 

acceptance testing. 

All equipment will be installed 

in the Maritime Skills Centre by 

March with software delivery, 

acceptance testing and commissioning 

planned for October 2013. 

Once the crew for the final 

destroyer Sydney has completed 

its training at the Maritime Skills 

Centre, the IPMS Training Simulator 

and platform system part-task trainers 

will be relocated to the home port 

of Sydney for ongoing crew training. 

AWD Combat System part-task 

trainers will also be located in 

Sydney, along with the Command 

Team Trainer to be established at 

HMAS Watson. 

“These training facilities will 

ensure the RAN has not only one 

of the most capable class of ships 

but also the crews to match,” 

LCDR Edwards said.


TRAINING 

Full steam ahead on skills 

Michael Brooke and 

LCDR David Bettell 

HMA Ships Warramunga and 

Newcastle have achieved important 

milestones with individual and colective 

training while assigned to the 

ajor Fleet Unit (MFU) Training Task 

roup (TTG). 

Since January, Warramunga and 

Newcastle have embarked a total of 

39 additional trainees who have proressed 

or completed their individual 

raining requirements. 

Both platforms also hosted an 

dditional 80 sailors for a Life at Sea 

xperience that included personnel 

rom Recruit School, NEOC, REOC, 

he USN and the Singaporean Navy. 

CO Newcastle CMDR Paul 

’Grady said his crew had 78 days at 

ea in which more than 1500 compeencies 

and 40 competency logs were 

ompleted by 140 trainees. 

“More than 45 operator qualificaions 

were also awarded such as bridge 

atchkeeping certificates, marine sysem 

managers, marine system techniians 

and helmsman certificates,” he 

aid. 

CO Warramunga CMDR Mike 

Turner said his crew had 60 days at 

sea with 99 trainees achieving more 

than 600 competencies, 13 competency 

logs, 55 operator qualifications and 

1611 work histories. 

“Training is critical to the future of 

our Navy and what we are doing here 

is a huge step forward,” he said. 

FREE iPad when you sign up to a Novated Lease with us! 

Check out these benefits! 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

NEW DIRECTIONS: LEUT Alex Finnis gives ASLT Meegan Ryan some navigational tips as part of her training 

on the deck of HMAS Warramunga. Photo: POEW Owen Negus 

“While all the extra trainees have 

been given the opportunity to progress 

their training, we were careful not to 

disadvantage our own ship’s company’s 

individual training and I believe 

we have that balance right.” 

ASLT Meegan Ryan participated 

in Ex Triton Storm on board HMAS 

Warramunga and said the TTG had 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

provided a unique opportunity to be 

part of a ship that trains personnel. 

“Being a Phase II MWO is all 

about learning as much as you can 

about how a warship operates on a 

day-to-day basis,” she said. “The TTG 

creates an environment where trainees 

are of the highest priority,” she said. 

“It was also fantastic to get the 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

chance to visit New Zealand during 

our deployment, and enjoy some new 

travel experiences.” 

The aim of the TTG concept is to 

significantly increase training achievement 

in assigned platforms as compared 

to normal operations. 

Both ships aim to sail with every 

bunk filled, ensuring every opportunity 

to progress training targets is taken. 

To ensure some flexibility, about 15 

additional personnel are posted to each 

MFU TTG unit. 

This overbearing is managed by 

ships using flexi-crewing principles, 

encouraging the application of innovative 

personnel management strategies. 

This is a broad-based approach 

to training. 

Unlike the previous highlyfocussed 

efforts to improve marine 

technician qualifications under Plan 

Train, the TTGs will embark and qualify 

an increased number of trainees 

across several categories and primary 

qualifications. 

While marine technician qualifications 

at all levels are a high priority, they 

are not the sole focus of the TTG effort. 

Warramunga and Newcastle began 

the year with exercises off the West 

Australian coast before deploying to 

New Zealand to conduct long navigation 

sea phase training, qualifying two 

MFU navigators in the process. 

Warramunga is assigned to the 

TTG for the remainder of the year and 

will continue training while hosting 

the long navigation course, with an 

additional 25 trainees, in the lead-up 

to port visits to Tasmania and Victoria. 

Similarly pleasing training results 

were also turned in by the LCH 

Training Task Group. By embarking 

up to two accommodation modules, 

each LCH significantly increased the 

number of sea training opportunities. 

TTG responsibilities continue to be 

rotated between available LCHs. 

�� 

�� 

��

TRAINING 

Cool 

way to 

attain 

skills 

LCDR Ian Lumsden 

SAILORS have been honing their skills and training 

in the areas of refrigeration and air-conditioning 

maintenance as part of Fleet Support Unit (FSU) 

Australia’s increased role in the repair and maintenance 

of the Fleet. 

POMT Darren Jay, of FSU-South East at HMAS 

Kuttabul, said there had been a massive increase 

n the amount of work being done over the past six 

months by his team. 

“It’s been really good actually to get our skills 

back up,” POMT Jay said. 

“One of the direct benefits of having more work 

n is that junior sailors are being given the opportunity 

to progress their competency logs. 

“We try to take on anything with refrigeration and 

ir-conditioning including compressor change outs, 

motor change outs and controller box cleans. 

“We do it on every class of ship and I have a dozen 

busy sailors working for me at the moment.” 

He said getting compressor rebuilds down by FSU 

instead of by private contractors that had previously 

been doing it, would save the Navy a lot of money 

nd enable more training to be undertaken. 

“The sailors are leaving here with a lot more experience 

and confidence in what they are doing,” POMT 

ay said. “It’s great we are able to train the new guys 

n this sort of work.” 

Recently, POMT Jay and his team were on board 

MAS Newcastle performing a dynamic de-scale and 

leaning out of the ship’s air conditioning condenser 

unit. This involves cleaning out marine growth from 

he number one air conditioning unit. 

“This is work that has to be done on every ship 

ither annually or with every individual maintenance 

vailability check,” POMT Jay said. 

SMNT Ben Nixon who posted in after his initial 

raining at HMAS Cerberus said he was enjoying the 

ork. 

“It’s good to actually do something and to get my 

omp log done,” he said. 

FSU Australia is focusing its maintenance and 

repair services on high-value work like refrigeration 

nd air conditioning so that its sailors have the opporunity 

to develop their technical skills, while Navy 

reaps the benefits of reduced maintenance costs. 

Looking for a house & land package? 

www.defproperty.com.au 

� Owned and operated by an ADF spouse 

� See the best of our builders nationwide 

� Fixed price contracts, so no hidden fees 

Free consultancy service available for 

assistance with finding your perfect home 

Contact Prue@defproperty.com.au 

With our increased Top Extras 

benefits you’re laughing. 

From October 1 our members will enjoy increased Top Extras 

benefits on dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropractic, 

alternative therapies and more. All for no extra cost. So if 

you’re not already with Defence Health, it’s an extra reason 

to join. Especially as we’ll honour any waiting periods you’ve 

served with your current fund. So join now and save. 

November 8, 2012 

MULTI-TASKING: 

SMNMT Ben Nixon, 

of FSU-South 

East at HMAS 

Kuttabul, works on 

the air conditioning 

condenser on 

HMAS Newcastle. 

Photo: LCDR Ian Lumsden 

Call 1800 335 425 or visit www.defencehealth.com.au Serving Defence families better 

25


PERSONNEL 

Ready to 

dive into 

the job 


SMN Matthew Kennewell came of 

age as a clearance diver when he was 

awarded two achievement awards at 

the graduation ceremony for Basic 

Clearance Diver Course (BCDC) 81. 

SMNCD Kennewell received his 

CD rating badge as well as the J.N. 

Memorial Shield for outstanding student 

and the Bill Fitzgerald GUTZ 

award for best overall performance 

during the course. 

He was one of eight students who 

graduated in a ceremony at HMAS 

Penguin on September 14. 

The students have been assigned 

postings to the various Australian 

learance diving teams located around 

ustralia, including AUSCDT-One at 

MAS Waterhen and AUSCDT-Four 

t HMAS Stirling. 

Captain Navy Training Policy 

CAPT Michael Hickey said clearance 

divers enjoyed a well-deserved inter- 

national reputation for being able to 

get the job done. “It takes a particular 

kind of courage and motivation to 

time and again pull on the wetsuit to 

do a dirty, dangerous and lonely job 

that many other people would not do,” 

he said. 

OIC RAN Dive School LCDR 

Russ Crawford praised the graduates 

for their dedication and his staff for 

their mentoring, which enabled the 

students to reach such a high professional 

standard. 

LCDR Crawford said the eight 

graduates had been under constant 

instruction with countless assessments 

over the past nine months, during 

which time they demonstrated the 

skills necessary to operate as clearance 

divers in the Navy. 

The course covered basic demolitions, 

deep air, tools, maritime tactical 

operations, mine countermeasures, 

ship-bourne improvised explosive 

device disposal, explosive ordnance 

disposal and demolitions. 

TOP OF CLASS: CO 

AUSCDT-One LCDR 

Brett Daw presents SMN 

Matthew Kennewell with 

the J.N. Memorial Shield 

for most outstanding 

student at the Basic 

Clearance Diver Course 

graduation ceremony 

(above) and (left) the 

graduating class after the 

ceremony. 

Photos: ABIS Dove Smithett

PERSONNEL November 8, 2012 

Mail deadlines 

to ease rush 

SENDING those vital messages 

and presents to deployed personnel 

during the busy Christmas period is 

being made easier via the Australian 

Forces Post Office (AFPO). 

Cut-off dates have been implemented 

to ensure mail arrives on time. 

Mail being sent to AFPOs 1, 7, 8, 

10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 18 must be sent 

in time to arrive at the Australia Post 

facility in Sydney by December 7. 

Mail for AFPOs 2, 5 and 11 must 

arrive in Sydney before December 

14. Mail to these addresses is subsidised 

by Defence. 

Mail to ships operating outside 

these AFPOs attracts normal 

Australian postage rates and 

s subsidised for delivery beyond 

ustralia. 

LEUT Chris Duke, of the 

irectorate of Supply Chain 

perations and Plans, said people 

ending mail should also note that 

his service was only for families 

nd friends writing to loved ones. 

“Mail above 2kg will attract 

postal charges, so it’s best to keep it 

under 2kg,” LEUT Duke said. 

“The best advice is get in early, 

but if there is any doubt, senders 

ADDRESS DETAILS 

� On operations (including HMAS 

Anzac attached to AFPO 10): 

PMKeyS number; rank; initial; 

surname; unit; operation; 

AFPO (add number); Australian 

Defence Force NSW 2890. 

� Other HMA Ships; PMKeyS 

number, rank, initials, surname; 

HMAS, Australian Defence 

Force NSW 2890 

within Australia should check with 

Australia Post to determine an 

appropriate posting date from their 

location to meet the closing dates. 

“Deployed forces should check 

with their local AFPO to determine 

an appropriate posting date from 

their location.” 

Senders are also reminded that 

some items such as alcohol, women’s 

magazines or other types of 

publications can cause offence in 

some locations and that all mail is 

subject to border security. 

Checking the Australia Post 

website will ensure the item doesn’t 

cause a problem. 

The posting season is here! 

Don’t stress out 

We are here to help 

you all the way. 

Are you relocating this year? 

Have you completed your 

Application for Relocation (AFR)? 

Toll Transitions Case Managers are standing by to help. 

It is important to complete your relocation documentation 

as soon as possible, especially if you are relocating 

during the peak posting period and your preferred 

moving dates are to be met. 

You must include your preferred dates on your 

AFR, as until we have actual dates we cannot start 

your relocation. 

Complete your AFR online now at www.tolltransitions. 

com/defence and your Case Manager will contact you 

to get things moving. 

If you have any immediate questions or concerns, 

please contact us on 1800 819 167. 

Toll Transitions: Freecall 1800 819 167 

www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence 

All customs documentation and 

declarations must be filled out correctly 

and attached to the parcel. 

Also, proof of identity is required 

when posting a parcel. 

If a parcel doesn’t comply with 

international mail security requirements, 

it may be held up or be 

rejected by security checks. 

The Defence subsidised mail sent 

through the Defence Postal Service 

is restricted to personal mail only 

for Defence personnel or approved 

agencies working with Defence. 

These arrangements do not cater 

for any material of a humanitarian or 

goodwill nature. Anyone considering 

humanitarian aid or bulk goodwill 

donations must contact Military 

Strategic Commitments on 02-6266 

7515 through their Service HQ 

before making any plans. 

Defence also advises dog care 

packages cannot be accepted because 

of training and diet requirements. 

For more information on Australia Post 

requirements, call 13 13 18, or visit the 

website at www.auspost.com.au 

COMPLETE YOUR 

AFR ONLINE! 

Help us raise vital 

funds for Legacy. 

Legacy will receive $1 

for each Application For 

Relocation (AFR) entered 

online via Toll Transitions’ 

website from 1st July to 31st 

December 2012. 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. ** 

*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. 

8,342 

1234567 

AB J Scott 

Op Resolute 

HMAS 

Australian Defence Force 

NSW 2890 

27 

GET IN EARLY: Correctly addressing mail and sending it on time will ensure 

postal clerks can process messages in time for Christmas. 

Photo: CPL Mark Doran 

DCO lends a hand 

to cook up a storm 

to help the needy 

MEMBERS from Defence Community 

Organisation (DCO) Sydney and 

Liverpool got messy in the kitchen for 

a team-building exercise in Bondi on 

September 27. 

Our Big Kitchen (OBK) is a community 

kitchen designed to help people 

who are experiencing a hard time, need 

a hand getting started or deserve recognition 

and can accommodate up to 120 

volunteers at a time. 

LCDR Paul Hayes, of DCO Sydney, 

said the kitchen relied on donations of 

goods and services, including food and 

time by volunteers. 

“OBK is all about bringing the community 

together for a good cause,” he 

said. 

“Everyone has a stake in it, everyone 

can participate in it and everyone 

can benefit from it.” 

During the visit, the team prepared 

150 meals for the Matthew Talbot 

Hostel, which provides accommodation, 

meals, clothing, health and personal 

care to up to 600 homeless men 

a day. 

“The initiative was a fantastic way 

for the team to create a sense of cohesiveness 

and togetherness, bringing 

unity and allowing them to work as a 

team by preparing and cooking meals,” 

LCDR Hayes said. 

“The day was fun, interactive and 

provided an opportunity to learn about 

role sharing, contribution and the benefit 

of working together outside their 

normal environment.” 

More exercises are planned. For more information 

contact Blaire Sayers at blaire.sayers1@defence.gov.au 

or Lorraine Hastie at 

lorraine.hastie@defence.gov.au 

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: LCDR Paul Hayes, of DCO Sydney, lends a 

hand in Our Big Kitchen preparing meals for the homeless.


FINANCE 

Don’t take a risk on underinsuring, says Australian Securities and Investments Commission chairman Greg Medcraft. 

Insuring 

against 

disaster 

o you have enough insurance 

to cover all the costs of repairing 

or rebuilding your home if 

it is damaged or destroyed by 

fire or flood? 

Even if you’re renting, you should 

consider whether your contents insurance 

is sufficient. 

Having your home or possessions 

damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster 

is devastating. 

If you are not happy with your current 

level of cover, shop around for a 

policy that’s better suited to your needs. 

Why you may be 

underinsured 

You are considered to be underinsured 

if your insurance covers less 

than 90 per cent of the rebuilding costs 

of your home. 

You could be underinsured 

because: 

➤ It’s hard to estimate what it costs to 

rebuild a home. 

➤ Your policy may be old (more than 

three years) and you may not have 

updated your level of cover. 

➤ You may have completed renovations, 

or recently bought jewellery 

or new electronic items. 

To work out if you are not adequately 

covered use the online calculators 

on insurance company websites 

to estimate the total cost of repairing 

or rebuilding your home, or replacing 

your possessions. 

Compare estimates from at least 

three calculators as the results can differ. 

Check your policy now 

Check to see how much your 

FIRE FLOOD 

insurer will pay and under what circumstances. 

Does your policy cover the cost 

of rebuilding and any extra costs you 

might incur? 

Also check when your insurer will 

reject a claim. 

Your policy will state what disasters 

you are covered for. 

Make sure you understand the definition 

of each term. 

If you are unsure, ask questions 

until you are satisfied you know what’s 

covered and what’s excluded. 

In June 2012 a standard definition 

of ‘flood’ was developed for home 

and contents insurance, to give people 

more clarity when choosing cover. 

Insurers have two years to start 

using this definition, but can start 

using it now. 

Photo: SGT David Grant 

Contact your insurer to find out if 

they are using the standard definition. 

If you are not happy with your current 

cover, talk to your insurer and see 

what they can offer. 

Shop around for a policy better 

suited to your needs. 

Choosing contents 

insurance 

The type of cover you choose will 

affect the premium you pay. 

Some policies cover you for 

defined events such as fire, while others 

cover you for any accidental event. 

There are two main types of contents 

insurance: 

➤ Policies that cover the value of your 

possessions. 

➤ Policies that replace your posses- 

always there for the navy 

www.ssds.com.au 

At SSDS we see the Navy 

as an extension of our family. 

Many of our people are former 

Defence members, Defence 

reservists or Defence spouses. 

sions with new items. For example 

“new for old”. “New for old” policies 

tend to be more expensive. 

Work out what type of cover you 

want and weigh up the costs. 

You can save money by choosing 

a higher excess. For example, if you 

could pay the first $1000 of any loss, 

the premium will be cheaper. 

Policies with the lowest risk of 

underinsurance are ‘total replacement’ 

policies, where the insurer agrees to 

pay unlimited replacement costs. 

The golden rule is to get enough 

cover for the worst-case scenario. 

For more information, go to www. 

moneysmart.gov.au. 

➤ Email ASIC at ADFcolumn@asic.gov.au 

with topics that interest you. 

With operations at more than 

50 locations across Australia, 

SSDS is the only dedicated expert 

service provider to Defence that 

truly understands Navy operations.

HEALTH November 8, 2012 

Promise of better care 

Joint Health Commander says ADF members will not lose health services under a new contract, Cpl Nick Wiseman reports. 

THE new health services contract 

is designed to continue to 

provide “high quality health 

care in a timely fashion to our 

people when it is needed,” according 

to Commander Joint Health RADM 

Robyn Walker. 

Defence Science and Personnel 

Minister Warren Snowdon said 

Defence’s contract with Medibank 

Health Solutions contained stronger 

monitoring and quality assurance 

measures than under previous 

health commercial arrangements. 

“Under this contract there will 

be no reduction in health care entitlements 

to ADF members,” Mr 

Snowdon said. 

“Our servicemen and women 

will continue to receive the highest 

quality of health care services.” 

He said the contract included 

detailed performance measures and 

reporting requirements related to 

delivery of health care services and 

clinical governance. 

Defence retains full responsibility 

for, and oversight of, the 

healthcare services provided, not 

Medibank Health Solutions. 

RADM Walker said the new 

contract was designed to provide 

consistent services around the 

country. 

Previously, regional health centres 

established their own arrangements 

with medical providers. 

The new agreement will standardise 

arrangements under a national 

system, which will also relieve 

the administrative burden on units 

with national invoicing. 

Members of the ADF will retain 

the right to a second opinion if they 

are not happy with their service. 

Existing specialist health providers 

are in talks with Medibank 

about their individual circumstances, 

but RADM Walker said 

the negotiations were a commercial 

matter between those parties. 

She said a report that only medical 

practitioners who signed the 

new contract would be eligible to 

treat ADF personnel was untrue. 

“If a member requires treatment 

and that is only achievable through 

a specialist who is not currently 

contracted to Medibank, we still 

reserve the right to use that person 

if it is the best medical option 

available,” she said. 

For most treatments and ser- 

Defence Force tax specialists - 

We have extensive experience across 

all ranks and specialities, including: 

� Members who are currently deployed 

or have served overseas 

� Members with investment properties 

� Members who have fallen behind on 

lodging their tax returns 

HIGHEST QUALITY: Registered 

nurse Stacey at work. 

Photo: LAC Bill Solomou 

vices, ADF members should not see 

a change. 

RADM Walker said privacy concerns 

were also unfounded. 

“No medical-in-confidence information 

will be released without the consent 

of the patients,” she said. 

“The contract stipulated a report 

was expected back in a reasonable 

amount of time after a member had 

seen a specialist. 

“This is no different to how it has 

been done previously; it’s now just 

written into the contract.” 

Transition to the new four-year contract 

started in July and was due to be 

completed by November 5. 

If any ADF member experiences 

medical treatment they are not pleased 

with, they are encouraged to contact 

their local health centre and use the 

health care complaint system. 

Now the #1 tax agent for ADF members 

Maximum returns - We know all the specifi c deductions, so you get 

a great tax return every year! 

Phone consultations - All tax returns 

are completed over the phone, so you 

don’t have to leave your base, ship or 

assignment. 

One tax agent - We are not limited by 

locality so you and your family don’t 

ever have to look for another tax agent 

again. 

Call 1300 76 35 75 24/7 

or visit us online at 

www.phatreturns.com.au 

Christmas 

comes 

early 

Join before 

31 December 2012 

and we’ll waive two and 

six month waits on extras* 

Increased benefits on dental, 

physio, chiro, natural therapies 

plus more from 1 November! 

Health cover plus a whole lot more… 

navyhealth.com.au/adfxmas | 1300 306 289 

1800 IM SICK 

29 

MEMBERS who fall sick or 

become injured after hours 

or in stand down periods 

can expect better support 

under the new health services 

contract. 

The existing 1800 IM 

SICK hotline will be centralised 

to an existing established 

medical provider 

focused on assisting with 

medical attention and advice 

to ADF members when 

service health care is not 

available. 

Under the old system 

the number would route 

through to an available ADF 

health centre, which could 

have been interstate with a 

medical staff that may have 

been unfamiliar with the 

member’s area. 

The new system will 

have the call answered by a 

central centre specialising in 

triaging medical situations 

over the phone and able to 

provide advice on regional 

medical facilities if needed. 

*Conditions apply. Use promo code “ADFXMAS” when joining. Offer not available to current or previous members 

of Navy Health.


SPORT 

Runaway Warriors win big 

ON THE RUN: AB Victoria Dewar makes another break for ASRU that led to one of 17 tries against 

the Royal Navy at Portsmith. Photo: Alligin Photography 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 


�� 

�� 

�� 

THE Australian Services Rugby Union- 

Women (ASRU-W) Warriors team has been 

relentless in the opening games of its UK 

tour, amassing 152 points against Royal Air 

Force and Royal Navy sides. 

The ASRU-W annihilated the RN 100-0 

in Portsmouth on October 27 and the RAF 

52-0 at RAF Halton on October 23. 

The British Army women’s side 

provided far greater competition in the third 

game at Aldershot on October 31, where 

ASRU-W fought out a dour 13-10 victory. 

ASRU-W led 13-5 at half-time with tries 

to CPL Emma-Lee Wood and PTE Brea 

Grant. The second half saw ASRU-W tested 

for the first time on tour, finally conceding a 

try with 15 minutes to go. 

However, that seemed to galvanise the 

Warriors who were unwavering in both 

defence and attack. 

Against the RN, the Warriors’ were led 

by rampaging forwards, Army’s CAPT 

Caroline Vakalahi, Air Force’s CPL 

Rebekah Allen and OCDT Sarah Hume, as 

well as LEUT Sara Mooney, of JLU-N, and 

AB Tori Dewar, of HMAS Darwin, who 

scored three tries. 

ASRU coach LEUT Rosie Apikotoa, 

of Navy’s Strategic Command, said the 

forwards played highly disciplined and 

well-structured rugby, even after the score 

had blown out to embarrassing proportions. 

“The Warriors played with power and 

purpose which bodes well for our tougher 

matches coming up,” she said. 

The ASRU-W team kicked off the tour 

by thrashing the RAF in a match dedicated 

to Special Forces Engineer Cpl Scott Smith, 

killed in Afghanistan three days earlier. 

�� 

�� 

�� 

�� 

Both teams paused for a minute silence 

for Cpl Smith and other British and 

Australian soldiers killed on duty. 

The mood before the kick-off gave 

way to a passionate and physical display 

by the Warriors who dominated the match 

with a simple but very effective brand of 

aggressive but disciplined rugby. 

Team skipper CAPT Sally Carter, of 

6 Avn Regt, led her side from the front and 

her combination with LEUT Mooney and 

CPL Allen paved the way the ADF Warrior’s 

impressive victory. 

By half-time, the ASRU-W had posted 

four tries, and the green and gold onslaught 

continued in the second-half with CAPT 

Carter leading the Warriors to a well 

deserved 52-0 triumph. 

The games provided the perfect warm 

up to the highlight of the tour when the 

Warriors take on the UK Combined Services 

Team at Cardiff Arms Park on November 7. 

LEUT Apikotoa said the triumphs had 

provided a measure of redemption for the 

Warriors who embarked on the tour seeking 

to avenge their 14-0 loss to the British 

Army women’s team at Sydney’s Victoria 

Barracks on May 24. 

“The ASRU is now poised to record 

a clean sweep in its three-week tour 

of England that concludes with the 

Remembrance Day test against the British 

Combined team,” she said. 

The tour, from October 18 to November 

11, will see the Warriors play a total of 

seven games. 

Navy’s representatives are: LEUT Sara Mooney, 

LS Kim Thomson, PO Nicole Palmer, PO Cassy Van 

Rythoven, AB Victoria Dewar, AB Lulu Gray and 

MIDN Eve Parker. 

��

SPORT November 8, 2012 

Footballers 

find form at 

Firefighter 

Games 


IN the perfect prelude to the 2012 

ADF Federation’s National Carnival, 

the Navy men’s football team participated 

in the World Firefighters’ Games 

held from October 20-24 in Sydney. 

This is an international event held 

annually in a different country and is 

open to all firefighters, aviation, paramedics, 

military and State Emergency 

ervices personnel. 

Navy fielded a huge turnout of 30 

players and was able to register two 

eams, a Navy A team and a Navy B 

eam. 

Navy A won in style, downing 

rance 2-0, Liverpool (UK) 2-1 and 

inished the grand final with a 1-0 win 

ver Hong Kong. 

The Navy B team fought hard, winning 

against South Africa 2-0, NSW 

ire-Fighters 5-0, but losing to Hong 

ong 1-0. 

Navy FFA President and head 

oach, LEUT Jim Ford said the Games 

ere a great preparation for the Navy 

men leading into the annual ADFF 

national carnival, which began in 

ydney on November 2 (full details in 

next edition). 

“The standard of opposition was 

very high and the experience gained 

from the international competition was 

invaluable,” LEU T Ford said. 

“Selection for the Navy men this 

year will be a headache as the standrds 

of football on display during this 

arnival have increased significantly 

rom previous years.” 

Navy’s golden touch 

BEST EFFORT: LSHSO Jade Paddison shows the form from a recent touch football tournament that she 

carried over for the Navy at the World Firefighter Games in Sydney. 

Suzie cycles to victory 

LS SUZIE Peterson, of HMAS Kuttabul, 

s the ADF women’s criterium champion. 

She won the title at the Defence mountain 

biking and road cycling championships 

in Canberra from October 15-20. 

This was the first time the Australian 

Defence Cycling Club had run a combined 

road race and mountain bike 

championship and it pitched the event as 

a carnival with the focus on participation. 

In addition, the club ran other activities 

focusing on developing the skills of 

newer riders. 

It also included an excursion to the 

Australian Institute of Sport where members 

were invited to participate in a study 

of post activity recovery methods. 

In other cycling news, CPO Mark 

Astley, of HMAS Albatross, was ninth 

n the solo men’s section at the Scott 

4-hour race in Canberra on October 

3-14. 

Reservist CPO Kevin Bristow was 

ifth in the solo 40+ men’s division. 

PROPERTY INVESTORS 

� Invest in property which 

is Positive Cash Flow 

from day one 

� Turn your poor performing 

property into a Cash 

making machine 

� Determine your Return 

on Investment before 

you invest - Ask us how? 

Call - 0437 553 866 

housebuyersolutions.com.au 

CRITERIUM CHAMPION: LSET Suzie Peterson won the 

women’s criterium at this year’s ADF championships. 

Photo: LSPH Nadia Monteith 

Read 

online 

including back issues 

www.defence.gov.au/news/navynews 


31 

NAVY has won a gold and bronze medal 

in touch football at the 2012 World 

Firefighters’ Games in Sydney. 

The Navy entered two teams in the 

event and won gold in the mixed competition 

and bronze in the men’s open 

category. 

The Navy teams comprised sailors 

from HMAS Kuttabul, Waterhen, 

Penguin, Albatross, Brindabella and 

HMAS Melbourne, who competed 

against firemen from Australia, the 

United Kingdom, Hong Kong, France, 

New Zealand and South Korea. 

The mixed team beat the NSW Fire 

Rescue unit 6-3 to win the gold medal, 

while the men’s open team edged the 

NSW South Coast Firefighters 4-2 in the 

bronze-medal game. 

Mixed team coach LSPT Darin 

Trudgett said the best player was a 

toss-up between LSHSO Jade Paddison 

of HMAS Penguin and LSPT Kerryn 

Seaborn from HMAS Melbourne. 

“Both scored some excellent solo tries 

as well as setting up some very exciting 

tries for their team mates,” he said. 

LSPT Trudgett said the try of the day 

for the Navy team was a perfectly executed 

play finished off by ABWTR Gemma 

Stratton from Defence Plaza Sydney. 

“The games where all played in a 

great spirit and were lots of fun,” he said. 

“The firefighters were very accommodating 

and loved having us there as much 

as we loved competing in the event.” 

The success experienced by the Navy 

touch teams helped Australia to top the 

overall medal tally with 209 gold, 101 

silver and 61 bronze medals. 

Edinburgh to host softballers 

THE Australian Defence 

Softball Association National 

Championships will be conducted 

at RAAF Base Edinburgh from 

December 3-7. 

Women’s teams will compete 

for the WO1 Dowsett Perpetual 

Trophy and men will compete 

for the Pat Rawlings Perpetual 

Trophy. 

This will be the final formal 

Defence competition before 

ADSA participates in the New 

Zealand Defence Force National 

championships in early March. 

For more information, contact 

either GPCAPT Peter Davi s at 

peter.davis@defence.gov.au or 

WO2 Virginia Morris at virginia. 

morris@defence.gov.au. 

EYES ON THE BALL: Softballers will 

converge on RAAF Base Edinburgh for the 

nationals in December. 

FREE CERT IV 

IN FITNESS 

*Conditions Apply.

Glendennings Menswear Pty Ltd 

incorporating 

Red Anchor Tailoring Co. 

FOR ALL UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS 

AND MEDAL MOUNTING 

Head Offi ce: Shop 2/3, 7-41 Cowper Wharf Rd 

Woolloomooloo NSW 2011 (next to Rockers) 

Ph: 02 93581518 or 02 9358 4097 - Fax: 02 9357 4638 

Branch Offi ce: Shop 8, Sunray Village, Kent St Rockingham WA 

Ph: 08 9527 7522 - Fax 08 9592 2065 

HMAS CERBERUS: Western Port, VIC 

Ph: 03-5931-5184 - Fax 03-5931-5332 

Shop 6b Showground Shopping Centre, 157 Mulgrave Rd Cairns QLD 

Ph: 07 4051 5344 - Fax 07 4051 7724 

sales@glendinnings.com.au www.glendinnings.com.au 

ALLOTMENT ACCOUNT MAY BE USED AT ANY OF OUR OUTLETS 

BEFORE AND AFTER: PO Nicole Palmer, of HMAS Kuttabul, posts a runaway fivepointer 

(above) after making a break (below) during the ASRU women’s 100-0 victory 

against the Royal Navy at Portsmouth on October 27. Photos: Alligin Photography 

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE 

DMO 

DMO MILITARY RESERVES 

exciting opportunities Australia wide! 

Exciting opportunities are available for Military Reservists in the following trades/ specialisations: 

» Project Managment » Logistics » Finance » Administration » Technical Trades » Engineering (mechanical & electrical) » Aircrew 

DEFENCE MATERIEL ORGANISATION | www.dmojobs.gov.au or call 1800 DMO JOBS (1800 366 562) 

Volume 55, No. 21, November 8, 2012 

JUST 

TOO 

GOOD 

Australian Services Rugby Union women 

are on their way to unbeaten glory 

Story – page 30

Better care She's back - Department of Defence

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?