A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

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We also released two new recordings, A Flagship Recital (Mark II) and Classic Marches. Each
of these recordings demonstrates very clearly, the impressive capability of the Wind
Orchestra; but the music also shows the skill and collective ability of the group. These
recordings will shortly be distributed to schools and libraries across the nation and add
significant value to the story of the Navy Band.
There are a number of people moving on to new positions next year. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank Chief Petty Officer Mike Vaughan for his work with the
Queensland detachment and Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton for his work with the
New South Wales detachment. Each of them has made a sterling contribution to their
individual detachments. They will be leaving their detachments in much better shape due,
in large measure, to their personal commitment and the professional mentoring that they
provided their people. Also moving on next year, after three and a half years as the Central
Band Stores Controller, is Chief Petty Officer Camille Martin who has been an exceedingly
productive member of my team. Camille undertook much additional work in my office and I
very much appreciate her dedication to duty and willingness to take up other roles when
needed. Camille was recently promoted and is the first female Chief Petty Officer Musician;
next year she will become the first female to take up a role as Bandmaster. Leading
Seaman Esa Douglas is moving back to the Sydney detachment after setting the standard as
the band’s National Manager for Marketing and Public Relations. Lieutenant Michelle
Coleman is also moving on next year. Michelle was the first female to be appointed as a
Band Officer and made her mark firstly as a champion euphonium player and then as the
Assistant Director of Music and the Music Director of the Sydney detachment. I know that
Michelle and her husband, Dean, leave the Navy family with our thanks and best wishes.
There are many people within the band who make a very significant and ongoing
contribution; but space doesn’t permit me to acknowledge everyone on this occasion.
Collectively though, we are a very productive and credible military music organisation. I
would argue that we are in fact the most effective military band in the nation. Listening to
the recent broadcasts and recordings leads me to state with much confidence that our
produce demonstrates a world-class military band. I want to thank each of you for your
effort and contribution towards achieving such good results.
HANDS ACROSS THE SEA
Article by Leading Seaman Esa Douglas
During August, in support of the Great White Fleet 100 th Anniversary Celebrations, American
and Australian ships re-enacted the Australian visit to Sydney, Melbourne and Albany. In
1908, the Band of the Victorian Naval Brigade performed for the fleet as it steamed into
Port Philip Bay. One hundred years later, the Royal Australian Navy Band in company with
musicians from the United States Pacific Fleet Band, greeted USS John S McCain, and HMA
Ships Sirius and Darwin as they berthed at Fleet Base East. The ships were greeted by the
Melbourne detachment on arrival at Princess Pier in Melbourne, and a combination of the
Western Australian and Sydney detachments were in Albany to welcome USS Shoup, and
HMA Ships Darwin, Sirius and Manoora, and also to support the Freedom of Entry through
Albany.
From the 16 December 1907 to the 22 February 1909, United States President Theodore
Roosevelt dispatched the fleet on a voyage to circumnavigate the world making 26 port
calls on six continents. The fleet consisted of 16 American battleships, all of which were
painted white to denote peace, hence the term “Great White Fleet” being adopted.
The visit to Australia was the fleet’s third leg, its travels taking it from San Francisco to
Manila, which covered 30,254km’s. They arrived in Sydney on 20 August 1908, and the
subsequent visits saw the fleet in Melbourne from 29 August to 5 September, and 11
September until 17 September in Albany. The sailors arrived with a tremendous welcome
and crowds of between 400,000 and 600,000 turning out to greet the fleet.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage