A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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On a larger scale, we conducted a Benchmark Flagship Recital in Sydney, performed live-toair
to a national audience for the ABC Classic FM Breakfast Show, and recorded a collection
of marches and overtures that will shortly be placed on the band’s website. We commenced
a project to record our chamber ensembles and a collection of audio stories about our
people, and our drums have now been refurbished with the inclusion of our Battle Honours
and Roll of Remembrance.
Our reserve musicians now routinely integrate with our permanent musicians in major
tasks. The Reserve Detachments maintain a small but very effective level of capability and
are highly regarded. This capability adds a significant degree of flexibility enabling the
band to meet a broad range of tasks right across the country. The level of confidence that I
have in these small but highly effective detachments will be demonstrated next year with
tasks in support of Operations Astute and Anode: I intend, subject to Individual Readiness
requirements being met, to select Naval Reserve musicians to form the main component to
the band’s commitment to FACE sponsored music tours in support of each of these
operations.
We regularly continue to bring volumes of good news stories to Navy and our people are
without doubt very positive ambassadors for Navy. However, we face new challenges
ahead; particularly with regards to the tightening financial climate and our ability to fund
all of the things that we would like to achieve. I see this as our biggest challenge in the
years to come: we will need to find more cost effective ways in which to deliver our
message to the people of Australia and, at the same time, keep ourselves motivated.
Sadly, as the year drew to a close we learned of the passing of one of our former
colleagues. Petty Officer Kirsty Jones served in the band for seven years prior to posting to
Maritime Headquarters and then to the Leadership and Management School. In January this
year, after a period of prolonged illness, she was discharged from Navy. For all those who
knew her and followed her struggle with cancer, Kirsty will be remembered as an
exceptional sailor: she was, and remains, inspirational. Kirsty was held in very high regard
for her contribution to Navy and was awarded a Maritime Commander Commendation for
her efforts. Her funeral, last Friday, was attended by more than 500 mourners: a testament
in itself to the high esteem for which she was regarded. I intend, subject to the family’s
agreement, to introduce a perpetual shield to be awarded to the musician sailor who
demonstrates the qualities for which she was known and will always be remembered.
Reflecting over the past six months, I am very proud of the way in which all of our
musicians have performed their duties. Thank you for the contribution that each of you
make towards ensuring that the Navy Band is regarded as ‘one of Australia’s premier
military ensemble’. Enjoy the Christmas period with your families and travel safely
wherever your journey takes you throughout this festive season.
HMAS PARRAMATTA DEPLOYMENT
Article by Petty Officer Natalea Erskine
Members from the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band flew to Sydney
on Monday 13 August 2007, where they assisted the Sydney detachment with a live
broadcast at the ABC studios. Between rehearsals for this event a small ten-piece group
began compiling a long list of music for the various ensembles. This included the
ceremonial component, jazz ensemble and rock group to enable entertainment on all levels
for the South East Asia deployment aboard HMAS Parramatta.
The group consisted of Petty Officer Natalea Erskine, Leading Seaman Rob Flynn, Able
Seaman Belinda Knowles, Able Seaman Belinda Marks, Able Seaman Angus Donald, Able
Seaman Cameron McAllister, Able Seaman Bruce McIntyre, Able Seaman Melanie Wilkinson,
Able Seaman Mark Shearn, and Able Seaman Steve Tabe. We joined Parramatta on Monday
20 August 2007 where the first challenge was storing equipment on board the ship. With a
little confusion this was soon sorted and the music equipment was stowed on the Mezzanine
Deck in the hanger.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage