A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy
A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy
A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy
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- 183 –<br />
For a normal trombonist this may have been a concern, but for your intrepid reporter! No<br />
worries. With the aid of part of our issued rifle and Able Seaman Dan “Action” McMahon,<br />
the dent was removed: tragically the wrong notes remained intact and are still to be<br />
affecting one’s playing to this day. This good news of the repaired horn boded well, for we<br />
headed to our next, and possibly, most dangerous destination: Tarin Kowt.<br />
Tarin Kowt is in the Oruzgan province and has been the site of numerous battles with the<br />
Taliban. The base itself has a real look and feel of an old fort—the kind you’d see in an old<br />
western movie with John Wayne. The camp sits on some undulating hills before giving away<br />
to some fertile plains that lead quickly to steep, rugged mountains that are as old as time<br />
itself.<br />
Our friends the Dutch have a huge presence in the camp and our Aussie troops have formed<br />
a strong bond between these two diverse nations. Having said that, the Dutch were<br />
particularly keen to talk to the female section of our touring party. Perhaps the girls know<br />
more about clogs, or wooden shoes in general?<br />
We had two gigs in Tarin Kowt. The first was performed mainly for RTF3 who were about to<br />
head home after over six months of being deployed. I’m sure their spirits were so high in<br />
anticipation of returning home they would have applauded a grass growing competition.<br />
Luckily we were slightly more animated and entertaining and the show was a hit. The<br />
second night was a complete contrast. The previous night’s audience had gleefully flown<br />
out—courtesy of Herc Airways (What a great way to fly!) —and our new audience, RTF4 was<br />
ready for action. Unfortunately the only action they were up for was getting stuck into the<br />
Taliban, not listening to us. The fact that the lighting and electrical system decided to die<br />
mid song did not help. Fortunately due to some quick work by ‘Action’ Dan the show went<br />
on and the troops warmed to our show. Once again the troops seemed quite interested in<br />
the ladies garments—must be an army thing? After a quick phone call to Chief Petty Officer<br />
Stapleton back in Sydney to reiterate the fact we were there and he wasn’t, we took off for<br />
a luxurious C130 trip back to home base in the Middle East Area of Operations.<br />
So, the <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> band expands its list of War theatres supported. Friendships<br />
were made and strengthened. Instruments were broken and livers cleansed. Afghanistan<br />
and the <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> Band haven’t been quite the same since.<br />
ANZAC DAY IN MUMBAI<br />
Article by Leading Seaman Esa Douglas<br />
ANZAC Day for four musicians of the Sydney detachment was a little different this year.<br />
Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton, Leading Seaman Tracy Burke, Leading Seaman Esa<br />
Douglas and Able Seaman Chris Thompson flew over to Mumbai in India a couple of days<br />
before ANZAC Day to meet with HMAS Arunta. HMAS Arunta was on its way home to<br />
Australia after a six month deployment in the Middle East, and had a stop over in Mumbai<br />
after finishing exercises with the Indian <strong>Navy</strong>. The Dawn service had an air of greater<br />
significance with the sailors returning from active service and reflecting on those who had<br />
served before them. A number of poems were read by the ships company and struck a chord<br />
with all when the poems read were from a perspective of a sailor, and one from a little boy<br />
marching with the diggers in remembrance of his daddy. The reflective nature of the<br />
service was made more poignant with the stirring bugle call by Chief Petty Officer<br />
Stapleton, and the naval hymn being beautifully sung by Leading Seaman Burke.<br />
The next day, the ship hosted a cocktail party for Indian <strong>Navy</strong> Officers and <strong>Australian</strong>s who<br />
were currently residing and working in India, followed by a ceremonial sunset by the guard<br />
and band members. The ceremonial sunset began with the traditional Beat to Quarters and<br />
a rousing rendition of My Country sung by Leading Seaman Burke. The guard marched out to<br />
<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> and completed the Ceremonial Sunset, finally marching off to our<br />
unofficial anthem, Waltzing Matilda. The Commanding Officer and all of the ships crew<br />
were very welcoming and made our experience quite enjoyable. The fact that we were<br />
there was greatly appreciated by both ships’ crew and attending visitors; one lady<br />
commenting that it felt like we had bought her a little bit of “home”.<br />
<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Navy</strong> Band: A Musical Voyage