A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy
A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy
A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy
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- 134 –<br />
In conjunction with the release of this edition of RAN Band News as well as the band’s<br />
latest recording ‘The Seafarer,’ the <strong>Navy</strong> Band farewells one of its longest serving members<br />
after completing 39 years service to <strong>Navy</strong> and the nation. The Seafarer is dedicated to<br />
Warrant Officer Musician Leslie ‘Shina’ Wright OAM, who is undoubtedly one of the true<br />
seafarers of the <strong>Navy</strong> Band. We thank him for his service and wish him every success during<br />
the next leg of his voyage.<br />
As you all prepare to celebrate Christmas I wish to thank each of you for the good work that<br />
you do for <strong>Navy</strong> and wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season.<br />
FROM SEAHAWKS TO SINGAPORE SLINGS<br />
Article by Petty Officer Camille Smith<br />
Eight members of the RAN Band personnel were fortunate enough to be chosen as members<br />
of the Sea Deployable Element to embark in HMAS Anzac’s for its recent East Asian<br />
deployment from 23 August to 7 November 2004. The musicians were Petty Officer Camille<br />
Smith, Leading Seaman Robert Flynn, Able Seaman Yoshi Izumi and Able Seaman Bruce<br />
McIntyre from the Melbourne detachment, and Leading Seaman Jason Campbell, Leading<br />
Seaman Matthew Klohs, Able Seaman Ian Aston, and Able Seaman Kirstin Sampson from the<br />
Sydney detachment. The ports visited included Singapore, Kuantan, Pusan, Qingdao,<br />
Tacloban, Manila and Port Klang.<br />
After some initial challenges sorting out power and the storage of equipment, the Sea<br />
Element Group settled into life at sea. It was certainly an interesting experience initially<br />
practicing rock group on the quarterdeck amongst rubbish bins and under the watchful eyes<br />
of the smokers having breaks.<br />
In heavy seas the quarterdeck became rather wet; so equipment was soon moved to the<br />
more-favourable position of the gym before the seas got too rough. The flight deck and the<br />
hangar became the new rehearsal spaces and the band practiced whenever possible,<br />
juggling available time between flying stations and ship manoeuvres. When the musicians<br />
were not rehearsing, they were involved in general duties on the ship such as café party,<br />
galley hand, mess duties, laundry hand and watch keeping on the bridge. From a very early<br />
stage, the ship’s company saw the ‘bandies’ integrating with the rest of the ship and<br />
accepted them as part of the crew and taking ownership of the RAN Band Sea Element<br />
Group element as their own.<br />
One very memorable afternoon was when the ship discovered a sinking Indonesian fishing<br />
vessel. All fifteen crew were rescued just as the last of their boat disappeared into the<br />
ocean. They most surely would have perished if HMAS Anzac had not come by at that time:<br />
it was quite frightening to see just how quickly the vessel sank. This rescue was to make<br />
world news.<br />
Our commitments included cocktail parties and ceremonial sunsets in Singapore, Pusan,<br />
Qingdao and Manila with guests including Maritime Commander and Chief of <strong>Navy</strong>. Both<br />
made special mention of the <strong>Navy</strong> Band contribution and enhancement to the events. The<br />
Banyan cultural BBQ, celebrating the opening of Exercise Bersama Lima 04 was an eventful<br />
evening for all. All the countries involved in the naval exercises contributed to the evening<br />
by providing food, drinks and cultural acts from their countries, with many sailors and<br />
dignitaries in attendance. The rock group performed to a huge gathering and got the<br />
<strong>Australian</strong> sailors dancing and singing along to some <strong>Australian</strong> rock, encouraging all guests<br />
to eat more delicious food and sip a couple more Singapore Sling cocktails or an Aussie<br />
beer.<br />
The concerts at the <strong>Australian</strong> International Schools in Singapore and Malaysia were huge<br />
successes. The children thoroughly enjoyed the concerts, showing their enthusiasm by<br />
dancing and jumping around to the music. The concerts started off with the traditional<br />
bugle and drum corps and finished with a variety of rock music.<br />
We played at the US defence recreational club called ‘The Terror Club’ in Sembowang,<br />
Singapore, and also at the US Camp Hialeah Army base in Pusan, South Korea. Many of<br />
HMAS Anzac’s ship’s company, along with military personnel from other countries, were in<br />
attendance.<br />
<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> Band: A Musical Voyage