PARRA-MATTERS - Royal Australian Navy

PARRA-MATTERS 

HMAS PARRAMATTA FFH154 COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER 

From the Captain’s Chair……….. 

The year is flying by and it seems like yesterday we were 

carving the turkey and handing out presents courtesy of 

Santa. The support we have received from you all has been 

amazing and I reflect back on all the care packages that I 

have seen come into the ship to be eagerly claimed when 

mail arrives. Thank you all for your continued support. 

I would be remiss in not immediately welcoming the three 

newest and youngest members of the Parramatta team. 

Alex Weller, Samuel Gillett and Alayla Schmidt have all 

arrived safely over the Christmas holiday period to very 

proud mums and dads. I am very pleased to report that we 

had the flexibility to get all three new dads home for the 

birth of these wonderful new members of the Parramatta 

family. It takes a ship to do this and I would recognise the 

efforts of their shipmates in being able to pick up their duties 

to ensure that they made it home. Congratulations to all. 

This is a crew that you should be justifiable proud of and 

one which your support continues to ensure. 

Volume 1 

Edition 6 

WITH CHRISTMAS MANY MILES BEHIND US 

PARRAMATTA NOW HEADS INTO A BRAND 

NEW YEAR OF KEEPING THE SEA LANES FREE 

LANES 

There is a great saying up here….Inshallah. It means “God willing” and is used in a variety of 

ways and modicums. For example, the mail will arrive Inshallah. It will be a nice day Inshallah. 

And this patrol will be very successful….Inshallah. We also find it can be used as a means of 

hand waving a problem away and providing providence to the divine. A wonderful cultural 

proclivity that, for us as guests in this part of the world, is interesting to watch but can be a 

great cause of frustration. Keep this one in mind the next time the next time fate deals a fickle 

hand. 

And on major achievements…..Napoleon is quoted as saying “A man will do much for a small 

piece of ribbon”. We were pleased to host The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, The 

Honourable Warren Snowdon, MP, along with the new Commander Joint Task Force Major 

General Stuart Smith, AM whilst alongside Muscat, Oman. Amongst the variety of activities the 

Minister enjoyed with us was for these dignitaries to award the Australian Active Service Medal 

and Afghanistan Campaign Medal to your loved ones. The pride and sense of achievement with 

which these honours were received was evident and you should all feel part of this significant 

event in the ship‟s history. Without support it would not be at all possible. It was a very proud 

Captain that was there as part of each individual receiving their recognition. These ribbons are 

hard fought and won and will be proudly displayed when we return to you on 31 March back in 

our home port.

Three of your crew were also recognised for their superior efforts in their award of Australia Day 

medallions. Chief Petty Officers Kate Alston, Simon Carr and Luke D‟Elton were awarded 

Australia Day medallions by Her Excellency the Australian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti 

Ms Lisa Fillipetta whilst recently in Djibouti Africa. 

Alongside our big news (see final page), and the promotion of Able Seaman Max Stocki and 

Lieutenant Luke Pugsley, it has been a wonderfully successful month for your ship. So without 

further ado, (and I acknowledge somewhat well over due) please find enclosed your next edition 

of Parra-Matters for your reading pleasure. 

I trust that you enjoy it……….Inshallah! 

In this edition some very special visitors…………… 

The Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel, The 

Honourable Warren Snowdon MP, made a visit to the 

Middle East recently, visiting Defence personnel across the 

region. On January 28, the minister visited Parramatta 

alongside in Muscat, along with Major General Smith, 

Commander Joint Task Force 633. 

During the visit, the Minister was able to dine with members of the 

crew and present medals for Operation Slipper at a ceremony held on 

the flightdeck. Whilst onboard the minister was able to spend 

sometime discussing issues with personnel and join in with us for a 

ships company photograph on the focstle. 

Major General Smith, Commander Blackburn and Minister Snowdon on the flightdeck during the ministers visit to Muscat in January. 

PARRA-MATTERS - The HMAS PARRAMATTA family newsletter Edition 6 Volume 1 

www.navy.gov.au\HMAS-Parramatta Email paul.bradley1@fleet.defence.gov.au

CLASSIFIEDS CORNER 

If you have a message you would like placed here….any message whatsoever, just email our Ship’s 

Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer Paul Bradley on Paul.Bradley1@fleet.defence.gov.au 

Did you know……..we support charity and have a Zoo Pass! 

HMAS Parramatta has a zoo pass available to our families which provide free 

entry to Taronga Park and Western Plains Zoo. These are available on a first 

come first served basis. The pass provides free entry for four people at either Zoo. 

As we are deployed, we have left it in the care of the Ship‟s Warrant Officer at 

HMAS Kuttabul, Warrant Officer Stephen Downey. If you want to see more, 

contact him on email Stephen.downey@defence.gov.au or give him a ring on (02) 

9359 3221. He will take down the details of what day you would like to use it. You 

will need to pick up and drop off the pass to the front gate at HMAS Kuttabul but it 

is yours for the day. 

SUBJ:LAUNCH OF DEFENCE FAMILY HELPLINE 

1. THE DEFENCE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION IS LAUNCHING A NATIONAL 

"DEFENCE FAMILY HELPLINE" WHICH WILL COMMENCE 27 FEB 12. DEFENCE 

FAMILIES SEEKING ADVICE, SUPPORT OR CONNECTION WITH THEIR LOCAL 

COMMUNITY CAN CALL 1800 624 608. 

2. THE DEFENCE FAMILY HELPLINE IS FOR FULL TIME ADF MEMBERS AND 

RESERVISTS EMPLOYED ON CFTS, THEIR PARTNERS, CHILDREN AND RELATIVES 

FOR WHOM THE MEMBER HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY. COMMANDERS CAN ALSO 

CALL THE HELPLINE WHEN SEEKING SUPPORT FOR AN ADF MEMBER OR 

INFORMATION ON SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO DEFENCE FAMILIES. 

3. THE NEW DEFENCE FAMILY HELPLINE OPERATES ON A 24~7 WORKING REGIME 

AND IS STAFFED BY QUALIFIED HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING 

SOCIAL WORKERS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS. ADF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN 

CALL THE HELPLINE ABOUT: 

A. MANAGING DURING DEPLOYMENT, POSTING AND RELOCATION 

B. SUPPORT FOR PARTNERS~ EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION 

C. ASSISTANCE WITH CHILDREN~S EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE OPTIONS 

D. SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 

E. HELP DURING CRISIS AND EMERGENCY 

F. TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN LIFE 

G. SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO DEFENCE COMMUNITY GROUPS 

H. SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY 

4. ALL CALLS WILL RECEIVE ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT FROM A HUMAN 

SERVICES PROFESSIONAL. 

5. THE DEFENCE FAMILY HELPLINE CAN ALSO BE EMAILED AT 

DEFENCEFAMILYHELPLINE@DEFENCE.GOV.AU. ENQUIRIES WILL RECEIVE A 

RESPONSE WITHIN 24 HOURS. 

6. ALL FORMAL COMMAND REQUESTS FOR DCO SERVICES NEED TO BE MADE ON 

FORM AC 698~OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR DEFENCE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION 

SUPPORT AND EMAILED TO DEFENCEFAMILYHELPLINE@DEFENCE.GOV.AU. 

7. DEFENCE OFFERS A BROAD RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO HELP 

DEFENCE FAMILIES MANAGE THE MILITARY WAY OF LIFE. THE BEST WAY TO 

ACCESS THESE SUPPORT SERVICES IS TO CALL THE DEFENCE FAMILY HELPLINE 

ON 1800 624 608. 

8. DEFENCE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION AREA OFFICES REMAIN OPEN TO 

COMMANDERS, ADF MEMBERS AND DEFENCE FAMILIES SEEKING INFORMATION AND 

ADVICE ON SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO DEFENCE FAMILIES. 

9. FOR WIDEST DISSEMINATION 



PADRE‟S PAGE - WITH CHAPLAIN ANDREW WATTERS 

Hello once again from HMAS Parramatta, at sea on patrol, 

in the MEAO. Quite a bit has happen since our last Parra- 

Matters. 

Christmas Day has come and gone. Was it really only five 

weeks ago? So much has happened since then. I am sure 

that you all heard about the celebrations and great food that 

we had on the day. The cooks did brilliantly, the sun shone 

brightly, and Santa turned up to give out the “Secret Santa” 

gifts. There were care packages from the RSL and “Happy 

Christmas and thank you” letters from school kids back 

home. The various messes resembled countless rooms 

around the world where presents so lovingly prepared and 

sent well in advance arrived for opening on the 25 th . It is 

hard to put into words just what all your thoughtfulness 

meant to everyone on board – not just your immediate 

family member. In a variety of tangible ways we were 

reminded of how much we were loved and missed. To say 

„thank you‟ seems to fall far short of the mark! As I said to 

my family and friends on facebook, Christmas Day at sea on operations is a unique experience that I‟m glad I have 

done once but I never want to do again. Its unique character is little comfort in comparison to home and family. 

Since then we have had port visits to Dubai and Muscat as well as completing patrol three. Each port has its own 

unique memories. Dubai had the great shopping malls, the New Year‟s Eve fireworks and the amazing 

contemporary architecture of what to me felt like a very confident and brash westernised city. Dubai has the tallest 

tower in the world (The Burj Khalifa….check it out in the new Mission Impossible movie!!! - Ed) and some of us 

managed to have afternoon tea in a café quite a long way up it. And some us of left with big dents in our bank 

accounts! The scuttlebutt was that Lindsay Lohan and Pamela Anderson were the guests on board the QE2 (berthed 

adjacent to us). However, no sightings were reported. Muscat, which we have recently visited, was certainly a great 

contrast to Dubai. Yet, for all the depth and fascination of its ancient culture and landscape – and some very 

impressive old forts and castles that many of us got a chance to visit – there is something very modern about 

Muscat. Most of the buildings are reasonably new whilst retaining a Middle Eastern style. One of the “jewels in the 

crown” is The Grand Mosque with its 5 minarets, 8 tonne Swarovski crystal central chandelier, Carrera marble 

columns, and one-piece carpet which measures over 70 × 60 meters, has 1,700,000 knots, weighs 21 tonnes and 

covers the 4,343 square meter area of the praying hall. The mosque has the capacity to hold over 6,500 worshippers 

in the main prayer hall with a total capacity of up to 20,000 worshipers on the site. Now that’s grand!! Of course, 

there was plenty of time for shopping, coffee and eating in and around Muttrah Souq. And the golf addicts amongst 

us were not disappointed either. 

So now we are busy on patrol four and only two months from coming home to you. Do we know that we are 

getting closer to home/ YOU BETCHA! Are we counting the days? Many of us are - especially the early leavers!! I 

have no doubt that many of you are counting the days as well. However, as natural and normal as that looking 

ahead is, we also know that there is still a lot of work to do and it is important that we stay focused on it. It is 

important, not only for the success of our mission but also for our health and safety. Accidents tend to happen when 

people are either distracted from what is immediately around them or from what they are doing. There will come a 

time when we will need to start talking with you about planning a good home-coming. That is a very important part 

of a deployment. But that is not right now – as frustrating as that may feel to you because we can all glimpse the 

“finish line”. 

Right now it is vital that we stay focused on our work. And you, our families and friends, can help us stay focused. 

You can do this by encouraging us to keep our attention on the work we still have to do. You can help us by finding 

that next level of patience with our absence on this long deployment, not because you want us to stay away longer 

but precisely because you want us to return to you safe and sound. Right now, this is the understanding that we ask 

of you. Until next time, if you will permit a brief blessing: “God grant us the gift of patience – especially me!” 

Andrew (the Padre) 



Parra People at Christmas Lunch…………….. 







Dubai - Golf (no sun screen needed) 

In Dubai you will find some of the finest golf courses in the world; hosts of European Tour 

events and even one course that allows you the opportunity to play at night. The Emirates Golf 

Club, Faldo Course is floodlit and several of our team - Joel Heit, Leigh Whiffin, John Alderton 

and Paul Bradley - went off to find out what night golf was all about. Absolutely marvellous!! 

YOUR SHIPS COMPANY BIRTHDAYS FOR THE MONTH 

OF FEBRUARY 

3 rd Able Seaman Karen Pike 15 th Able Seaman Joel Dawe 

Leading Seaman Kristian Weldon 

20 th Able Seaman Bryce Leslie 

4th Lieutenant Elisabeth Quinn 

22nd Lieutenant Luke Pugsley 

10 th Lieutenant Jodie Turkenburg 

Lieutenant Commander Tuan Vo (40 th! ) 26 th Able Seaman Damon Chen 

11 th Leading Seaman David Searle 27 th Leading Seaman Chris Downie 



Promotions and Awards 

With the outgoing, Commander Joint Task Force 633, Major General A.J. Campbell, 

visiting Parramatta for the last time before he departed for Australia, a clear lower deck 

was held to promote some of our Officers and Sailors and to recognise some more hard 

earned achievements. 

Promotions to Lieutenant Commander for 

Warfare Officer Kellie Bolt and 

Weapons Engineer Lee Kormany 

And it was the last day as a Subbie for 

Lieutenant Wayne McColl. 

Having recently rotated back to Parramatta to 

complete the deployment, it was a very well 

earned promotion to Able Seaman for Marine 

Technician Jeff Drew. 



A very happy new year with 

promotion to Lieutenant for 

Madeline De Jager, Mitchell 

Thomas and Sam Nilawerra. 

And it was a couple more Parramatta Caps and Patches to be awarded by the Commanding 

Officer to our two later arrivals. Leading Seaman Physical Trainer Kristian Weldon and Able 

Seaman Marine Technician Karen Pike joined Parramatta as late notice replacements in theatre. 



More personnel from the Marine 

Engineering Department have successfully 

reached some major milestones in their 

careers and were also recognised by the 

Commanding Officer at the Clear Lower 

Deck on New Years Eve in Dubai. 

Leading Seaman Brian Compagnoni 

awarded the Marine Systems Controller 

qualification. 

Able Seaman Jackson Stone and Able 

Seaman Chanaka Ilangage were both 

recipients of their Marine Systems 

Technician qualification. 

And to complete the ceremony, our personnel who have now rotated home to 

Australia were awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with ICAT clasp 

and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal - Farewell to the Doctor Lieutenant Chris 

Andersen, Able Seaman Brett Knight and Able Seaman Jackson Stone. 



AUSTRALIA DAY IN OMAN - MEDALS, 

MINISTERS AND MUSCAT 

After 3 weeks out on Patrol 3, Parramatta pulled 

up in Muscat, Oman. With its rocky surrounds 

Muscat harbour is one of the most picturesque 

waterways in the world. And as the crew would 

soon find out, Oman is another country with much 

to see and steeped in history that takes one back 

to tales of the Arabian Nights. 

The Grand Mosque 

Muscat Harbour and surrounds 

The Mosque is built from 300,000 tonnes of Indian 

sandstone. The main musalla (prayer hall) is square 

(external dimensions 74.4 x 74.4 metres) with a central 

dome rising to a height of fifty metres above the floor. 

The dome and the main minaret (90 metres) and four 

flanking minarets (45.5 metres) are the mosque‟s chief 

visual features. The main musalla can hold over 6,500 

worshippers, while the women‟s musalla can 

accommodate 750 worshipers. The outer paved ground 

can hold 8,000 worshipers and there is additional space 

available in the interior courtyard and the passageways, 

making a total capacity of up to 20,000 worshipers. 



VISIT TO HMAS PARRAMATTA BY THE MINISTER FOR DEFENCE SCIENCE AND 

PERSONNEL, THE HONOURABLE WARREN SNOWDON MP, MUSCAT, OMAN, 

28 TH of JANUARY 2012 

The presentation of Op Slipper medals was a highlight 

And some time spent with Parramatta personnel 

And to top off the ministers visit, it was a photo with the ships company. 



And of course there was time for a round of at the 

Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club 



WHERE IN THE WORLD IS…………DJIBOUTI? 

Djibouti officially the Republic of Djibouti, is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by 

Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The 

remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east. Djibouti, 

which had a population of 818,159 at the 2009 census, is one of the least populous countries in 

Africa. Islam is the largest religion in the country, practiced by 94% of the population. The land 

was known as Obock and French Somaliland (Côte française des Somalis) in the 19th century; 

in 1967, it changed its name to Afars and Issas after new treaties with France. The territory was 

declared an independent nation in 1977 and changed its name to the "Republic of Djibouti" after 

its principal city. Djibouti joined the United Nations on September 20, 1977. While Djibouti is an 

independent sovereign state, it maintains deep French relations, and through various military 

and economic agreements with France, it receives continued security and economic assistance. 

But for HMAS Parramatta it has been a haven for stopping in to get some top ups and greet 

some friends… 

Visiting HMAS Parramatta in Djibouti were guests from the Djiboutian 

Navy, United States Forces (Horn of Africa) French Forces (Djibouti) 

and CTG 150 staff along with the Australian Ambassador Her 

Excellency Ms Lisa Filipetta 



Djibouti promotions and Awards 

Australia Day Medallion Recipients 

Receiving Australia Day medallions for excellence in their chosen profession from the Ambassador 

to Ethiopia and Djibouti Her Excellency Ms Lisa Filipeta and the Commanding Officer are: 

(L-R) Chief Petty officers Kate Alston, Simon Carr and Luke D‟Elton 

Able Seaman 

Marine Technician 

Steven McDonald 

is awarded his 

Australian Defence 

Medal from the 

Commanding 

Officer 

Sub-Lieutenant Luke 

Pugsley is 

debloused by the 

Commanding and 

Executive Officers 

and promoted to 

Lieutenant 

Terrific techos 

Chief Petty Officer Glenn Pope is awarded his 3 rd clasp 

to the Australian defence Force Long service Medal 

celebrating 30 years proud service to Australia 

Seaman Max Stocki is 

debloused by the 

Commanding and 

Executive Officers 

and promoted to Able 

Seaman 

Receiving their Commanding Officer‟s group commendation for effecting emergency repairs on a main 

engine under arduous conditions are Marine technicians (L-R) Chief Petty Officer Glenn Pope, Leading 

Seaman Jai Kal, Petty Officer Craig Dudley, Able Seaman Erica Bornholdt, Leading Seaman Scott 

Giffen, Leading Seaman Brian Compagnoni and Chief Petty Officer Mat Richey 



HMAS Parramatta Sailor of the Quarter 

Leading Seaman Stores Naval Amanda McGrath 

HMAS PARRAMATTA SAILOR OF THE QUARTER 

01 OCTOBER 2011 - 31 DECEMBER 2011 

LEADING SEAMAN AMANDA LOUISE MCGRATH 8492145 

The Commanding Officer HMAS Parramatta commends Leading 

Seaman Amanda Louise McGrath for her outstanding professionalism 

and devotion to duty, whilst serving as the Naval Stores Office Manager 

in HMAS Parramatta, on operations in the Middle East, during 

Operation Slipper, throughout the period 01 October to 31 December 

2011. 

Leading Seaman McGrath‟s diligence and commitment to her role has 

enhanced operational capability and ensured a high level of 

accountability of stores holdings within HMAS Parramatta. Leading 

Seaman McGrath is a pivotal member of the Supply Department, which 

was recognised in December 2011, with the Fleet Award for Supply 

Excellence. 

Leading Seaman McGrath‟s organised nature has been complemented 

by strong leadership, direction and exceptional guidance to her 

subordinates. As a leader and mentor for the Junior Stores Naval 

Sailors, Leading Seaman McGrath has gained their commitment and 

loyalty through personal example. Leading Seaman McGrath does not 

ask of others what she would not ask of herself and often works well 

beyond normal working hours, always of her own volition in order to 

enhance and support Parramatta to the best of her abilities. As the 

Mess Leading Hand, Leading Seaman McGrath provides outstanding 

leadership to the mess members, ensuring the highest of standards of 

good order and discipline are maintained, which is essential for 

communal harmony. 

The improvements to the onboard Inventory Management System 

through Leading Seaman McGrath‟s effort, initiative and hard work has 

directly ensured the availability of systems essential to mission success. 

Leading Seaman McGrath‟s outstanding professionalism and 

achievements embrace Navy‟s core values and signature behaviours, 

are of the highest order and in the finest traditions of the Royal 

Australian Navy and make her a worthy recipient of the HMAS 

Parramatta Sailor of the Quarter Award. 

31 December 2011 G.W.L. BLACKBURN 

Commander, RAN 

Commanding Officer 

HMAS Parramatta 



STOP PRESS……………………….. 

Source: http://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2012/02/10/australian-led-combined-task-forcedisrupts-narcotics-shipment/ 

Combined Task Force 150 (CTF), 

one of three Task Forces within 

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) 

conducted a successful disruption 

of a vessel carrying illicit cargo in 

the north Arabian Sea, Feb. 3, 

2012. 

The combined Australian and New 

Zealand staff of CTF 150 worked 

with CMF and other agencies to 

coordinate maritime security 

operations to disrupt the activities 

of extremist terrorist organisations. 

The joint Australian effort led by HMAS Parramatta intercepted, boarded and searched the 

suspected vessel. The boarding was conducted in accordance with International Law as the 

vessel was of unknown nationality. The search revealed 240 kilograms of amphetamine and 

heroin concealed in bags of flour and rice. The ships‟ boarding team destroyed the illicit cargo. 

In describing the success of the mission Commodore Jonathan Mead, Commander CTF 150 

stated: „This represents the accumulation of many months of hard work, planning and 

international co-operation. This seizure marks the first interdiction of illicit cargo by a CMF asset 

in over two and a half years. I am advised that the volume of narcotics signifies a street value of 

approximately five million Australian dollars. The destruction of this illicit cargo is a victory for 

those who hope to create a lawful and stable maritime environment and is a blow for terrorists 

who seek to fund their activities through the transportation of narcotics on the high seas.” 

CMF includes participation and contributions from 25 nations. Parramatta is the 27 th rotation by 

a Royal Australian Naval warship to the region since 2001. 

Commanding Officer of HMAS PARRAMATTA, Commander Guy Blackburn described the 

mission as a significant event: “This was a great day for HMAS Parramatta, a great day for the 

Combined Maritime Forces and a great day for the Australian forces in the Middle East area of 

operations. The crew of HMAS Parramatta is very proud of this result as it comes after months 

of hard work and the persistence of many agencies. Parramatta has been on task since leaving 

Sydney in September 2011 and is a highly professional, key player in our maritime security 

operations. We are proud to be in the area Keeping the Sea Lanes Free Lanes” 

CMF operates to defeat terrorism, prevent piracy, reduce illegal trafficking of people and drugs, 

and promote the maritime environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business. 

When called upon, CMF also responds to SOLAS and humanitarian crises. 

HMAS PARRAMATTA…. 

KEEPING THE SEA LANES FREE LANES

PARRA-MATTERS - Royal Australian Navy

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