A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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Once we arrived in Singapore our aim was to perform as a rock group in the famous Terror
Club. After a few organisational blemishes the engagement was set up and we played at the
poolside for the ships companies of HMAS Tobruk, USNS Yukon, USNS San Jose and local
defence families who use the club. The rest of the time in Singapore was spent enjoying the
city and all it has to offer.
Time between ports was spent rehearsing the different ensembles. Our rock group and jazz
group set up in the noisy tank deck. The brass group used wherever they found an empty
mess and the drum corps utilised the huge vehicle deck for ‘Beat to Quarters’ rehearsals.
Our next port was Noumea. HMAS Tobruk was to be involved with a combined amphibious
exercise CROIX DU SUD (Cross of the South). This was to practice the scenario of natural
disaster requiring the evacuation of people from the island. Our detachment had to prepare
alongside the rest of the crew for ANZAC DAY celebrations in the middle of town. After this
we had a great opportunity to be landed and commence with some valuable public relations
work. We did this with the help of the Australian Consulate General. A collection of
engagements were arranged and we were very well looked after and accommodated at the
local French Naval Base in Noumea. Our first performance was at the ‘Place de la Marne’.
We played a mixture of military style music as well as a few more light-hearted tunes.
Leading Seaman Jason Beach even had one of the local Kanak children playing the bass
drum for him. The shoppers at the market started to follow us around and the evening as a
whole was a great success. Over the next nine days we travelled around New Caledonia
performing at a number of venues including the outlying towns of Bourail and La Foa. We
then returned to Noumea and performed a concert in the town centre at ‘La Place de
Cottetiers’.
In the last few days of our time in Noumea we performed a jazz gig on the French Navy
base for around 130 French sailors and their families. As well as this, we performed a
private rock concert at the Consulate’s Residence for all Australians residing in New
Caledonia as well as members of HMAS Tobruk ship's officers and crew.
Other activities conducted on board the ship were a rock concert during replenishment at
sea with HMAS Arunta and the ships 25 th birthday celebrations.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage