A MUSICAL VOYAGE - Royal Australian Navy

- 198 –
I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association
Award, which will be presented annually to a member of the reserve component of the band
who has been assessed as making an outstanding contribution towards the band’s
operational effectiveness. The winner of this award will be selected to specifically
acknowledge their direct contribution to encouraging good morale within the team;
promoting a positive workplace atmosphere; enhancing a sense of esprit-de-corps
throughout the Royal Australian Navy Band; and upholding Navy’s values of Honour,
Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.
All members of the reserve component will be eligible for this award with the winner
decided by the band’s Senior Leadership Group. The award will comprise a perpetual shield
to be displayed in the winner’s detachment, a letter from the Director of Music and a
crystal plaque. The inaugural recipient will be announced in December. On behalf of the
current serving members I would like to state my thanks to the Royal Australian Navy Band
Association for establishing this award and for the ongoing efforts to promote Navy in the
wider community. The award was created to promote awareness of the Royal Australian
Navy Band Association and to acknowledge the Reserve Component of the Royal Australian
Navy Band. It provides a very good balance to the Kirsty Jones Award, which is presented,
based on similar criteria, to a member of the Permanent Component.
We said our farewells to Lieutenant Michelle Coleman earlier this year on her discharge
from Navy due to ill health. I know that I speak with one voice when I say that we were
privileged to have served with her and benefitted from her example of dedication, loyalty
and professionalism. We wish her and her husband, Deane, best wishes for the journey
ahead.
Reflecting over the past six months, I am very proud of the way in which all of our musicians
have performed their duties. Thanks to all for the sterling contribution to Navy and to the
history of the Royal Australian Navy Band.
FREEDOM OF ENTRY CELEBRATIONS
Article by Leading Seaman Tracy Kennedy
On Friday 13 March 2009 the Royal Australian Navy conducted a Fleet Entry into Sydney
Harbour followed by a Fleet Review. These two impressive occasions were to mark the
conclusion of the Fleet Concentration Period; one of Navy’s largest annual exercises. The
Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir received a 21 gun
salute from HMAS Sydney. There was also a hive of activity on Sydney harbour as musicians
from the Sydney and Queensland detachments performed onboard public ferries and
paraded at Fort Denison as ships and ferries sailed past.
The following morning sailors from the 15 ships involved in the fleet entry and members
from all detachments of the Navy Band gathered in the Rocks for the Freedom of Entry
Parade through the City of Sydney. It was a great sight to see the permanent and reserve
detachments from around Australia marching down George Street.
It was a sea of white as over 4500 sailors stood ready to take part in this momentous event.
The ceremony started with a Royal Salute as Her Excellency the Governor General Ms
Quentin Bryce was received on parade. The Queen’s Colour was escorted by the Royal
Guard for the first time in Sydney since it was presented by the Governor General in 1989.
This was followed by Her Excellency the Governor General presenting the Gloucester cup to
HMAS Parramatta.
With the official proceedings completed, the parade was underway and our official march
Royal Australian Navy could be heard through the city as we made our way to the saluting
dais. Over 10,000 people lined the streets showing their support for the Royal Australian
Navy and to witness such an historic occasion.
Royal Australian Navy Band: A Musical Voyage