The Navy Vol_73_No_4 Oct 2011 - Navy League of Australia

THE VERNON PARKER ORATION RANCENTENARY ADDRESSOn 4 August 2011 Rear Admiral James Goldrick AM, CSC, RANpresented an RAN Centenary Address at the Australian Naval Institute’sannual Vernon Parker Oration at the Australian Defence College inCanberra. It was entitled From Fleet Unit 1909 to Force 2020: AbidingThemes and Recurrent Challenges in Australia’s Endeavours.ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT COIN RELEASEThe Royal Australian Mint is releasing a set of six commemorativesilver coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal AustralianNavy.The coins depict six RAN ships that have served in the fleet duringthe last 100 years. Those ships selected represent as broad a crosssection of the Navy as possible and include:-HMA Submarine AE2 - representing the RAN submarine arm andthe RAN’s early involvement in the First World War and at Gallipoli.-HMAS AUSTRALIA (II) - representing the RAN in the Second WorldWar and the Navy’s important role in the Pacific War-HMAS SYDNEY (III) - representing the Fleet Air Arm and the RAN’sinvolvement in the Korean War and later the Vietnam War-HMAS YARRA (III) - representing the RAN’s involvement in theMalayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation and Far East StrategicReserve-HMAS HOBART (II) - representing the RAN’s involvement in theVietnam War and its entry into the missile age.-HMAS ARMIDALE (II) - representing the patrol boat force, boarderprotection duties and the small ships of the RAN.Each coin depicts a silhouette of the vessels named above as well asits Battle Honour Board. The addition of the battle honours providesa direct link to other ships that have carried these names reinforcingthe RAN’s proud history and heritage. Packaging and the inclusion of aspecially produced card containing a short précis of the history of eachship is also included in the release which is currently programmed forearly-mid October.SIR DAVID MARTIN FOUNDATION NAVYCENTENARY BALLThe RAN Centenary will be celebrated in style at the Sir David MartinFoundation Navy Centenary Ball to be held on 5 November in the GreatHall of Parliament House, Canberra. The Sir David Martin Foundationcharity supports youth in crisis to recover and rebuild their lives.The charity was founded twenty one years ago by the much-lovedGovernor of NSW, Rear Admiral Sir David Martin, days before his deathin 1990. Sir David was one of Navy’s most respected leaders who hada vision of ‘safety, hope and opportunity’ for Australia’s young people.Navy has actively supported this charity for the last 21 years throughvarious activities since its establishment.This gala ball will feature the Royal Australian Navy Band and a varietyof entertainers.UPCOMING 100TH ANNIVERSARYCOMMEMORATIONS- REMEMBERING OURFIRST FLEET AND SERVICE TO THE NATION2012: 100 years of chaplaincy and RugbyThere are two important anniversaries that will be marked in 2012:the centenary of RAN Chaplaincy services and of RAN Rugby.Chaplaincy services play an important role in supporting RANpersonnel and their families from the ‘cradle to the grave’, with RANchaplains performing Christenings, weddings, funerals and committalservices for navy personnel and their families. The emotional support,counselling and spiritual guidance of chaplains is particularly valuedby RAN personnel when deploying to a theatre of conflict, with all ofthe uncertainty such a deployment can bring.The hundred years of these valuable services is planned to becelebrated with the launch of an RAN Chaplaincy historical book.RAN Rugby has played an important role in fostering teamwork,camaraderie and physical strength and fitness among RAN personnel.The healthy rivalries built up between RAN and inter-service rugbyteams are often a morale booster, and the competition providesvaluable relief for players and spectators alike from the oftenarduous life at sea with its long periods of separation from familiesand loved ones.This important aspect of service lifewill be celebrated with a special 2012Commonwealth Navy Rugby Cup that issure to be hotly contested.On the occasion of the Governor General’s Reception commemorating the Centenary of the Royal Australian Navy are from left, RearAdmiral Allan Du Toit AM RAN, Her Excellency the Governor of New South Wales Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Her Excellency theGovernor General of Australia Ms. Quentin Bryce AC and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN.2013 International Fleet ReviewOne of the most significant milestones forthe Royal Australian Navy was the arrivalof the fleet unit into Sydney Harbour, ledby HMAS AUSTRALIA, on 4 October 1913.Preparations are underway to mark thismomentous occasion with an internationalfleet review in Sydney Harbour from 4-11October 2013.The International FleetReview is set to be a spectacle Sydney—and Australia—will never forget. The weeklongprogram of activities will be a nationalcelebration to mark Australia’s progress asa nation and is planned to begin with shipsfrom the RAN and visiting nations enteringTHE NAVY VOL. 73 NO. 4 09