Serving Australia with prideServing Australia with pride

NEWSNAVYVolume 63, No. 4, March 19, 2020

NO LIMITSEmbracing equality

to enhance capability

Special four-page

lift-out

Ready to deploy– pages 2-4

Sirius lifting – page 7

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NNAVYAVY NEWSNEWS

2 FLEET CERTIFICATION www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 19, 2020

Sailing through with flying colours

LEUT Gary McHughNAVY has shown its readiness to deploy after completing its first major exercise of the year.

Fleet Certification Period 2020 (FCP20), which wound up on March 6, focused on mid-intensity, high-end warfighting. It tested plat-forms and personnel through almost three weeks of detailed maritime warfare serials that graduated in difficulty as the exercise progressed.

COMFLOT CDRE Michael Harris said the exercise proved Navy is ready to deploy in whatever capacity required from government.

“The exercise continues Navy’s shift from predomi-nantly single-ship operations over the past few decades to a complex and dynamic warfighting capability based around the fleet’s amphibi-ous ships, in this case HMAS Canberra,” CDRE Harris said.

“The successful comple-tion of FCP20 proves Navy is advancing its ability to develop self-supported and sustainable maritime task groups that are capable of accomplishing the full range of maritime security opera-tions.”

The exercise featured war-gaming scenarios that tested units in a range of maritime warfare serials, such as anti-submarine and air warfare situations.

HMAS Hobart provided air defence for the task group. It was the first time an air war-fare destroyer had taken part in a Fleet Certification Period.

The sea phase took place off the coasts of Victoria and Tasmania and included a number of weekend port visits during which crews under-took community engagement activities.

Canberra also participated in a simulated mass evacu-ation exercise to build on “lessons learned” during Operation Bushfire Assist.

During the activity, about 450 “evacuees” were trans-ported from HMAS Cerberus to the Port of Melbourne.

As well as Canberra and Hobart, this year’s Fleet Certification Period involved HMA Ships Stuart, Arunta, Sirius, Diamantina and Huon, and HMA Submarines Collins and Farncomb. Clearance Dive Team One also played a role.

They were joined by an Air Force P-8A, a United States Navy P-8 and a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3.

FCP20 certifies participat-ing units are ready to deploy on behalf of the government.

More than 2000 personnel were involved in the exercise in Bass Strait.

Imagery is available at: images.navy.gov.au/S20200863 and images.navy.gov.au/S20200937.

HMAS Sirius leads HMA Ships Arunta, Stuart and Hobart to Bass Strait at the start of Fleet Certification Period 2020.Photo: CPOIS Cameron Martin

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3FLEET CERTIFICATIONMarch 19, 2020 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Jessica Craig

A MARITIME advanced force task unit demonstrated Navy’s ability to open and maintain sea lanes for amphibious operations during this year’s Fleet Certification Period.

The task unit, comprising Australian Clearance Diving Team One (AUSCDT ONE) and mine-hunters Huon and Diamantina, undertook mine clearance opera-tions in Tasmanian waters to clear a safe route for an amphibious landing.

CO HMAS Huon and task unit commander LCDR Robert Short said unit elements took on different roles to achieve a combined result.

“HMAS Huon and Diamantina predominately worked in waters greater than 12 metres and used their two mine disposable vehicles on board to clear mines ahead of the force,” LCDR Short said.

“Clearance Diving Team One worked in depths less than 12 metres and cleared the beach access.”

AUSCDT ONE’s beach clear-ance was focused on anti-inva-sion mines, which are a threat to amphibious forces and a cost-effective and easy way for adver-saries to deny access to land and sea.

“Anti-invasion mines are small-er and targeted towards landing craft and amphibious vehicles,” AUSCDT ONE Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Clearance Officer LT Douglas Allen said.

“Their capabilities range from basic contact to magnetic, acoustic, seismic pressure and any sensors that are able to fit into the package.

“There are also a number of challenges we face when clear-ing mines, such as strong tidal currents, rocky sea beds and sea-weed forests which largely hinder our ability to locate and identify mines.”

To ‘link’ the two operational areas, a new mine counter-meas-ure capability was tested. Navy Innovations Team worked with Defence Science and Technology Group to integrate autonomous

underwater vehicles (AUVs) in the operation.

“The AUVs are a step change for the Australian Navy in that we can search, locate, identify and potentially prosecute mines with our people outside the minefield,” LCDR Short said.

“The more distance we can put between a potential explosion and our people, the safer and poten-tially more accurate it will be as we integrate autonomous activities and human processing power.”

LCDR Short said the Fleet Certification Period had been a positive exercise for the task unit, which took the opportunity to work out better engagement processes with the ever-adapting Maritime Task Group.

“Operating with the Maritime Task Group has been very benefi-cial in ironing out our reporting requirements and making sure we have a clear message when the beach is ready for the task group to conduct amphibious operations,” LCDR Short said.

All clear for safe landings

A Clearance Diving Team One member gives the thumbs-up

before conducting mine counter-measure operations during the

Fleet Certification Period.Photo: LEUT Jessica Craig

Autonomous underwater vehicles were integrated into clearance diving operations during the Fleet Certification Period. Photo: ABIS Jarrod Mulvihill

4 FLEET CERTIFICATION www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 19, 2020

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Part to be played in prevention

Part of the community

LEUT Dave Devlin

WITH the City of Devonport flag fly-ing proudly from the ship’s halyards, HMAS Stuart completed a meaningful visit to her ceremonial homeport of Devonport in northern Tasmania.

During the three-day visit, the ship’s company took every opportunity to build on the mutual respect the ship shares with the city and the commu-nity.

Having hosted an official reception for the Mayor, Councillors and com-munity leaders, the ship’s company exercised its right to Freedom of Entry through the main city streets.

Shortly after the parade, five crew members participated as support offi-cials in the 2020 World Paratriathlon

series, assisting amputees as they tran-sitioned from the swim leg to the bike leg of the race.

LSPTI Jesse Edwards said it was one of the best events he had been involved in.

“Paratriathlon offers a unique and inclusive opportunity for athletes with various types of impairments to per-form at elite levels in an exciting and dynamic sport,” LS Edwards said.

“The competitors themselves are truly inspirational sportsmen and women. They have faced many chal-lenges in their lives, yet they give 120 per cent effort to this sport.

“They’re all vying for their coun-tries’ selection in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and, in my opinion,

they are the embodiment of resilience and courage.”

In other activities, 22 members of the ship’s company participated with more than 250 members of the city’s community in the weekly Devonport Parkrun.

And, while some members of ship’s company supported the annual Devonport Regatta, a group of 17 Australian Navy Cadets from TS Mersey were treated to an exten-sive tour of the ship.

Navy Cadets is a leading provider of youth development experiences, sponsored by Navy, and aims to build teamwork and leadership skills in young people through exciting and rewarding adventure and maritime

activities and quality learning oppor-tunities.

POATA Joshua Rutledge said the opportunity to show the ship to “such an eager and keen group of today’s youth” was an empowering moment.

“The tour was a great opportunity to share experiences and develop their interest in Navy life. Hopefully it will enable them to set clear goals for their future,” PO Rutledge said.

“You can’t help but get excited about what they may want to do later in life and, who knows, we may just end up serving together in the future.”

The busy port visit concluded with a friendly afternoon of touch rugby and a barbeque with the Devonport Touch Association.

CO Stuart CMDR Luke Ryan said port visits helped to maintain and enhance collaborative relationships with the community.

“The City of Devonport holds a very special place in the hearts of eve-ryone who serves in Stuart,” CMDR Ryan said.

“By engaging with the community, we create opportunities to learn about each other, build respect and under-standing. These meaningful contribu-tions create that sense of belonging and leave many lasting memories and we see that in the smiles on the faces on the people of this great city,”

Imagery available at: images.navy.gov.au/S20201045 and images.navy.gov.au/S20201043.

Left: CWO Damian Collins and LSPTI Jesse Edwards assist a competitor during the Devonport ITU World Paratriathlon Series.

HMAS Stuart comes alongside Devonport, Tasmania. Photos: LSIS Christopher Szumlanski

IN THE wake of the World Health Organisa t ion declar ing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandem-ic, Defence has implemented steps to mitigate the spread of the virus.

With symptoms similar to other respiratory viruses, including fever, cough, sore throat, headache and/or shortness of breath, personnel are advised to be aware of the pandemic.

Defence is following whole-of-Government guidance from the Department of Health. A dedicated effort during the coming months has been implemented under the direc-tion of Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty and CDF GEN Angus Campbell.

To support this work, LTGEN John Frewen will lead the whole-of-Defence effort as the head of the Defence COVID-19 taskforce.

To address the risk infection with-in Defence and the community, all ADF, APS and contractors working in

Defence establishments who pre-sent with cold/flu-like symptoms must remove themselves from the workplace and notify their supervi-sor/chain of command.

For the protection of others, it is important personnel phone ahead of presentation to their nearest health facility.

Personnel can return to work when they are symptom-free unless otherwise directed by their health care provider or public health unit.

All personnel returning from operations and exercises abroad are

subject to quarantine and protective measures as directed by Australian Boarder Force and the Department of Health.

Defence continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in Australia and overseas, assessing the risk to operations and exercises.

With a small number of con-firmed cases emerging within Defence, it is important to remem-ber for most people the illness will be mild or moderate and individu-als will make a full recovery.

• Wash hands frequently• Stay at least one metre from anyone coughing or sneezing• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth• Cough into a tissue or your elbow

• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early• Stay informed and follow advice given by healthcare providers

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5NEWSMarch 19, 2020 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

FOLLOWING a 20-month upgrade, Navy warship HMAS Arunta has fired its first Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) off the West Australian coast.

The ESSM is a surface-to-air weapon that uses radar homing guidance to counter fast-moving anti-ship missiles, forming part of Arunta’s air defence capability.

The Anzac-class frigate is the first of her class to undergo the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade at Henderson, WA, as part of Australia’s Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) Alliance.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the missile firing

was an important part of testing the ship’s upgraded capabilities.

“This successful missile firing demonstrates the success of the AMCAP upgrade, which enhances the frigate’s self-protection, commu-nications, and command and control capability,” Senator Reynolds said.

“It’s also testament to the WAMA Alliance, a partnership between the Australian Government, BAE Systems, SAAB Australia and Naval Ship Management Australia.

“AMCAP is part of this Government’s $1.2 billion Anzac-class sustainment program with Australian Defence Industry, which directly employs more than 140 workers while providing ongoing opportunities for small

businesses in Henderson.”Homeported at HMAS Stirling

in WA, Arunta is a long-range frig-ate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. She is one of seven Anzac-class frig-ates undergoing AMCAP upgrades. HMAS Warramunga’s upgrade is under way.

“These upgrades will ensure the frigates remain one of the most advanced in the world, until the Hunter Class frigates enter service,” Senator Reynolds said.

Imagery is available at: images.defence.gov.au/S20201094 Vision available at: youtu.be/rxvvb_gn5aI

Ready, set, launch missile

HMAS Arunta fires its 5-inch gun as part of a surface firing trial.

HMAS Arunta fires an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile off the coast

of Western Australia to test its missile systems after undergoing

the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program upgrade.

Photos: LSIS Ronnie Baltoft

The surface-to-air missile at the moment of launch.

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SBLT Nicholas Seton

HMAS Sirius conducted some impressive gymnastics while along-side Fleet Base West, in order to make critical repairs before sailing.

An unusual sight greeted eve-ryone who arrived at Fleet Base West for work on a Friday in late January.

As they travelled along the causeway to HMAS Stirling, people with an untrained eye would have concluded that Sirius appeared to be sinking.

Those on board the replenish-ment ship knew it was all part of an elaborate evolution that enabled repairs to be done to the starboard

side bow thruster grate. Just two days prior, the crew had been informed the detached bow thruster grate was to be fixed before the ship left the wharf.

Sirius was scheduled to sail a week later to become the flag-ship for the 182nd Royal Hobart Regatta, an annual event to which Navy has sent a ship to for decades.

Only one feasible solution was available at such short notice to make the critical repair.

That was to ballast Sirius in such a way that the bow thruster was entirely out of the water so the repairs could be undertaken above water.

Engineering officer LCDR Michael Langeveld said Sirius was “a unique ship with the ability in its cargo and ballast system to undertake such an impressive operation”.

LCDR Langeveld had posted on board Sirius only a few weeks before the repair operation.

Many other local ships jokingly proffered their assistance to the “stranded” Sirius, with offers of pumps coming in thick and fast.

The repair was undertaken over the weekend and the ship was returned to a normal trim, with all repairs compete, before it was time to sail.

Not sinking but striking a Sirius pose

No water, no wasteLEUT Geoff Long

CHEFS at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney have a new weapon at their disposal to aid in the fleet’s war on waste.

Defence waste management partner Veolia has installed a food waste dehy-drator that is capable of reducing 100kg of organic waste by up to 90 per cent.

Kuttabul galley has undertaken train-ing in the use of the dehydrator unit, which will be trialled for three months to assess the suitability of the concept.

War on Waste Project Lead CAPT Steve O’Keefe said the trial would be used to assess not only the effectiveness of the dehydrators in reducing waste at Kuttabul but the possibility of eventually incorporating them in Navy ships.

“Fleet has set itself an ambitious tar-get of 25 per cent reduction in waste being sent to landfill by the end of June 2020 and this trial is just one of a num-ber of initiatives being implemented to reduce the generation of waste,” CAPT O’Keefe said.

“If the dehydrator is successful, our ultimate goal is to try to get this type of innovation on ships to dramatically cut the volume of organic waste on board.”

Veolia Australia Technical Manager John Hernage, who conducted the dehy-drator training with chefs, said Navy was at the forefront of using new tech-nology to reduce waste.

“We’re introducing these units on a site-by-site basis and it’s happening across Defence, but Navy is one of the most advanced with its own Fleet War on Waste Committee and serious targets for waste reduction,” Mr Hernage said.

The dehydrators, manufactured in South Korea, come in a range of sizes and are supplied in Australia by Perth-based Zero Waste Systems.

The machines take the water, which makes up 90 per cent of the content, out of the organic waste. The remaining material is nutrient-rich and can be used as compost or disposed of in a green-waste bin.

Kuttabul Hospitality and Catering Manager WO Matthew Cleary said the dehydrators also had secondary benefits.

“Food waste creates issues with pest control, odours and bin cleaning, which these units can help to counter,” WO Cleary said.

CAPT O’Keefe said the Fleet War on Waste Committee would continue to investigate initiatives and seek innova-tive ideas from members of the Navy.

Navy worked with Veolia last year to introduce more recycling options at Fleet Base East and detailed data on the impact of the reduction efforts will soon be released. The immediate plan is to expand the Fleet Base East recycling ini-tiative to Fleet Base West by mid-2020.

HMAS Sirius sits with her bow thruster out of the water for repair alongside Fleet Base West.

From left, HMAS Kuttabul chefs LS Christopher Martin, SMN Christine Osborne and AB Emily Churchyard learn how to operate the dehydrator from Veolia Technical Manager John Hernage. Photo: ABIS Benjamin Ricketts

LEUT Sarah WestDEB Butterworth became the first woman promoted to Warrant Officer of the Navy in November 2019, which makes her the most senior-ranking sailor in the Navy.

Although reluctant to speak of her-self as a trailblazer, WO-N Butterworth understands what her promotion might mean to young female sailors with similar ambitions.

“If my position can inspire some-one who is newer to the Navy, then I’d be absolutely honoured,” WO-N Butterworth said.

Deb Butterworth joined the Navy as a Stores Naval sailor in 1989 and first went to sea in 1990 – just five years

after Navy first made billets available for women at sea.

“It was a different time then, and I felt I needed to be more competitive.

“I felt I needed to carry more boxes than the gents I worked with in order to prove myself.

“I didn’t know the difference when I was much younger but it’s very tiring trying to be someone who you’re not.”

WO-N Butterworth said she learned that being true to yourself is key to achieving your potential.

“If you’re just being your genuine self, it’s much more relaxing, it’s a much more honest conversation and I feel like you connect with people in your teams much easier,” she said.

“If I was giving advice to the sailor I

was back then, I’d say just be yourself and work hard and you’ll get to where you need to get to.”

On why it’s important to have a diverse Navy, WO-N Butterworth said “diversity undoubtedly enhances capability”.

“Things that we do now are so intellectually demanding.

“While ships have autonomous systems, they are all controlled by humans and those humans need diversity of thought to ensure those systems are operated in the best way.

“The different backgrounds people bring to the team all contribute to bet-ter capability and provide diverse per-spectives, which leads to better deci-sion making at the end of the day.”

‘BE YOURSELF AND WORK HARD’

REFLECTIONS FROM OUR MOST SENIOR SAILOR

International Women’s Day

WO-N Deb Butterworth speaks to guests during her promotion ceremony at Russell Offices.Photo: ABIS James McDougall

Four page lift-out

POMT Bianca Ridley (pictured right) will be promoted to chief petty officer and posted to HMAS Paluma in June as the first female senior technical officer in a minor war vessel (MWV).

PO Ridley joined the Navy in 2001, following her grandfather and brother (both marine technicians) and cousin (a boatswains mate) into the service.

During the past 19 years, her sea time has been primarily on MWVs, in survey motor launches and hydrographic survey ships, but she was exposed to all Navy’s MWV platforms during her tenure with the MWV Sea Training Group.

She has also represented Navy at Defence Force Recruiting, where she received a Bronze Level Commendation for her outstanding service.

PO Ridley is posted to the Australian Hydrographic Meteorological Group as the Marine Technician Type Desk Officer. She attained her Marine Technical Charge Certificate in December 2019.

She is looking forward to the chal-lenges her new position will bring.

“I’m also a member of the Defence

Reference Group – Women and am passionate about helping to build an inclusive workforce that I’d be proud to let my own daughter join one day,” PO Ridley said.

“I always strive to do a good job no matter what the task and believe I’ve got a real people focus. I firmly believe that if you take care of your people, they’ll do their best to give you all they’ve got.”

When PO Ridley joined the Navy, she was the only female marine technician in her intake.

“I have enjoyed watching the num-ber of female technicians grow over the years,” she said.

She has two children (daughter Rylee, 12, and son Bryce, 10) and co-parents with her supportive ex-partner. She said Navy had supported her work/family balance throughout her career.

“I’m currently on a flexible working arrangement that allows me to start late so I can take my kids to school in the mornings and work back later in the afternoon,” she said.

Out of the many remarkable people

AS A PROUD Murri woman from the Gubbi Gubbi people, CPO Tina Elliott’s passion for her people and desire to help others led to her role as Navy’s first Indigenous Liaison in NSW’s Shoalhaven region.

She has worked in the Navy Directorate of Diversity and Inclusion for the past year.

“The word grateful does not even come close to how appreciative I am. I would seri-ously do my job for free because of the sup-port, honesty, drive and passion I feel from my team and those around me every day,” CPO Elliott said.

She particularly enjoys the cultural and mentoring elements of her position, as well as getting out into the community to promote the Closing the Gap campaign.

CPO Elliott was raised in Toowoomba by a family with a strong military background. Her father, a Murri Elder, served 22 years in the Army. He was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services with the British SAS during the Vietnam War. She joined the

Women’s Royal Australian Navy Service (WRANS) in April 1990 to train as a medic.

During her 30 years in the WRANS and the Navy, she has posted to numerous ships, estab-lishments and operations, including Operations Resolute, Quickstep and Padang Assist as a health care professional.

The highlight of her career was deploying with seven Navy healthcare providers on board the USNS Mercy in 2006 to provide follow-up care to the people of Nias and Banda Aceh after the December 2004 tsunami.

The members of the team received the US Meritorious Unit Commendation for the help they provided during their service in Mercy.

CPO Elliott looks to CMDR Heidi Rossendell and CMDR Natasha Burney as key mentors.

“These two women inspire me to reach high. They have made me feel that my contri-bution counts. They are always there to help members in need. No problem is too hard for them,” she said.

Four Navy women reveal the motivation and mentorship that have helped to mould them as inspirational examples of this year’s theme, Generation Equality.

REACHING FOR THE STARS

A firm belief in taking care of her people‘I would seriously do my job for free’

CPO Tina Elliott is driven by a passion for her people.Photo: POIS Lee-Anne Cooper

LEUT Kate Cox at Questacon in Canberra after returning from NASA’s Space Camp.Photo: LSIS James McDougall

10 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Reference Group – Women and am passionate about helping to build an inclusive workforce that I’d be proud to let my own daughter join one day,” PO Ridley said.

“I always strive to do a good job no matter what the task and believe I’ve got a real people focus. I firmly believe that if you take care of your people, they’ll do their best to give you all they’ve got.”

When PO Ridley joined the Navy, she was the only female marine technician in her intake.

“I have enjoyed watching the num-ber of female technicians grow over the years,” she said.

She has two children (daughter Rylee, 12, and son Bryce, 10) and co-parents with her supportive ex-partner. She said Navy had supported her work/family balance throughout her career.

“I’m currently on a flexible working arrangement that allows me to start late so I can take my kids to school in the mornings and work back later in the afternoon,” she said.

Out of the many remarkable people

she had worked with during her career. three women stand out as mentors and role models.

“CAPT Cass Ryan was my first female engineer and she had a big impact on my career as an able seaman. Her presence and tenacity were fantastic examples of a woman in a position of authority,” PO Ridley said.

“WO Dayle Lovell was my charge while posted to hydrographic survey crew Blue Crew and was the first female technical senior sailor I had ever worked with. She nurtured me and was an incredible sounding board and mentor.

“Lastly, WO Caraline Enniss and I were posted to the same platform as junior sailors. She has mentored and coached me over the years and she is someone I look up to.

“All of these women have been instrumental in my career in some way and I am thankful to them for moulding the person I have become.

“These connections with women in similar situations really helps to both ground me and build my confidence.”

HAVING progressed from seaman to lieutenant in just 13 years, LEUT Karen Dwyer attributes her rewarding career in the Navy to hard work and the influence of stong and positive mentors.

LEUT Dwyer reached the rank of petty officer as a maritime logis-tics personnel operations sailor before commissioning as an officer in November 2019, with a desire to contribute to Navy’s leadership and management reform initiatives.

She is embarking on a fresh chal-lenge, as a member of Navy’s new Maritime Human Resources Officer primary qualification.

“I’m really passionate about Navy because I’ve had opportunities to work towards achieving my full potential,” LEUT Dwyer said.

“Everything I’ve achieved is testa-ment to hard work, commitment and a conscious decision to step away from poor choices and embrace the best version of myself.”

In her teenage years, long before she joined the Navy, LEUT Dwyer was a victim of domestic violence, which greatly affected her outlook on life.

“That fuelled some question-able life decisions in my late teens/early 20s. Thankfully, I could see my behaviours weren’t serving me. They certainly weren’t reflective of my abilities and my potential.

“Joining the Navy was a chance for me to hit the reset button on my

life, and that’s exactly what I did.”The former senior sailor is thank-

ful for the role models she has learnt from, ranging in rank from seaman to rear admiral.

“I’ll never forget the leadership lessons I learned from my team of three amazing able seamen when I was a leading seaman,” LEUT Dwyer said.

“I can’t thank Kristen Foster, Simmi Lockhart and Cass Price enough for making me a better leader.”

She believes leadership can be found at every rank.

“Every single Navy member is a custodian and creator of our culture. I think that’s a powerful truth to keep in mind when you approach your interactions with others, regardless of their rank or background,” she said.

Her partner, Amanda, who is an Air Force squadron leader, had also been a huge source of inspiration.

“She’s definitely the smartest per-son I’ve ever met. She’s an engineer so we tend to see things quite differ-ently. But even so, I think we both try to keep people at the heart of our decision-making,” LEUT Dwyer said.

“I don’t always get that right, but I’ve experienced the impact that one person can have on the lives of oth-ers, both positive and negative, so I try to be on the right side of that experience every time, even during tough conversations.”

LEUT Ben Robson

A NAVY aviation engineer has taken one small step towards a truly stel-lar ambition after attending Space Camp 2019.

LEUT Kate Cox, a certification engineer at the Capability and Sustainment Group’s Navy Army Aviation Acquisition Project Office, spent 10 days travelling across the United States, visiting The Spaceship Company (founded by Virgin Galactic’s Sir Richard Branson), the Northrup Grumman Headquarters and the US Space and Rocket Centre.

Facilitated by One Giant Leap Australia (OGL), the program fosters an interest in science, technology, engineering and math-ematics (STEM) as both a study option and as a career.

LEUT Cox said she would recommend Space Camp to “students and young-at-heart adults alike”.

“I particularly enjoyed that it was a mix of theory and practical, that we’d be study-ing rocket construction one session and the next we’d have a competition to see which team could build heat shields for eggs that could withstand being exposed to blow-torches for three minutes and not cook,” she said.

“It was great that we were studying the theory and then applying that through criti-cal thinking in a specific situation and figur-ing out how to solve a particular problem.”

A highlight of the trip was meeting sci-entists and engineers from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Particularly inspiring was Sue Finley, NASA’s longest-serving employee, who is still working at 81. She began her career as a ‘human computer’, calculating rocket launch trajectories by hand. She has been involved in every unmanned mission from JPL.

“When you think about people like Sue Finley, you realise women have always been there. However, her story is especially inspirational since she was working in the 1950s – a more challenging time for women in STEM fields,” LEUT Cox said.

First drawn towards the aviation world when she began learning to fly at the age of 15, LEUT Cox has been in the Navy for 15 years. In that time, she has constantly challenged herself and followed her sense of adventure, from conquering five of the world’s toughest hikes to reaching for the stars.

She hopes her own experiences will help motivate the next generation of young engineers and scientists and has set herself the goal of going into space on a commercial flight by 2030.

“When you’re surrounded by the hills and the mountains, overlooking the valleys, you realise that you are only such a small part of something so huge, so you can only imagine then what it must be like when you are in space, looking back at Earth,” she said.

Four Navy women reveal the motivation and mentorship that have helped to mould them as inspirational examples of this year’s theme, Generation Equality.

REACHING FOR THE STARS

Leaders found at all levels

A firm belief in taking care of her people

LEUT Karen Dwyer with one of her sources of inspiration, partner SQNLDR Amanda Gosling. Photo: POIS Bradley Darvill

Photo: CPOIS Cameron Martin

11March 19, 2020 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

12 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 19, 2020

GIVEN her work with incoming officers at the Royal Australian Naval College, CPO Amy Vickers is especially appreciative of the path women have paved in the ser-vice over the years.

CPO Vickers is a divisional chief petty officer for new entry officers in the college’s McClemans Division, established last November at HMAS Creswell.

The division was named after First Officer WRAN (Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service Commander equivalent) Sheila McClemans, one of the women who played a key role in establish-ing workplace equity in Defence.

“I was responsible for designing the division logo which captures Sheila’s work as an advocate for workplace equality,” CPO Vickers said.

“It has been humbling to reflect on the contributions and journeys of the women in early service, par-ticularly the adversity they faced in bringing about workplace accept-ance, equality and diversity.”

CPO Vickers, who joined Navy at 16 after doing cadets with TS Hobart and work experience in the Fleet Air Arm at HMAS Albatross, is passionate about what she does because she believes people matter.

“People who have chosen to serve display incredible qualities of self-less commitment to achieving our taskings,” she said.

“Our roles can and do result in mental and physical injuries and or stress above and beyond what one could expect in a regular work-place.

“I’m motivated and committed to seeing a workplace that supports those who selflessly serve others, particularly individuals and teams who suffer as a result of service experiences.”

CPO Vickers’ job includes acting as a coach for the Navy Leadership Coaching Program and educating the workforce on the impact of sexual misconduct as a member of the Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office Educators Network.

“I enjoy being an influencer for positive change in our culture and helping others to help themselves,” she said.

“In my 24 years of service, we have moved forward in our culture and there’s more room for growth as our workforce builds.”

Among the many influential mentors during her career has been XO HMAS Moreton LCDR Anne Mena.

“At the time LCDR Mena came into my world, I was a young solo parent doing the best I could while working in the squadron,” CPO Vickers said.

“LCDR Mena approached me with kindness and curiosity, asking how I was coping. With no judge-ment towards my situation, she offered support and advice which enabled me to become more self-confident, efficient and aware of resources to make my life easier. LCDR Mena’s mentoring changed my life at the time.”

Another key mentor was Anna Sutcliffe (a retired sergeant), who modelled leadership and mentor-ing for mental health awareness, support for trauma-affected service personnel, the value of women in service and importance of network-ing and development.

CPO Vickers said the Navy had supported her personal and profes-sional development, including her work as the Lead Facilitator and Chapter Leader for national veter-ans support and community mental wellness programs Trojans Trek, Buddy Up Australia (Shoalhaven Chapter), Princes Trust Australia and Youth Aware of Mental Health.

THANKS to “some creative recruiting”, LSET Katie Thorburn’s ambitions to become an electrician led to a career in the Navy as an electronics technician.

And that, in turn, has meant the girl who joined up at 17 is now a young woman who has fitted more into her life than most other 23-year-olds.

Having enjoyed “a pretty interesting career to date”, LS Thorburn is now the SPY-1D(V) radar system and MK-99 Fire Control System senior maintainer on board HMAS Hobart.

The committed sailor was part of the commissioning crew of the guided missile destroyer and was part of a team that fired 11 missiles during the ship’s qualification trials.

“I was on the missile systems supervisor console for two of them,” she said.

“In this role I’m responsible for actioning the firing order, once granted, and ensuring the serviceability and availability of our six launchers and two fire control directors that guide the missile onto the target.

“My first missile firing during our ship qualification trials was one of the best days of my life as it was the culmination of years’ worth of training and our team had worked really long and hard to get to this point.

“The moment that missile went into the air, my heart raced. A huge grin spread across my face. I squealed in the middle of the operations room. It was such a buzz.”

LS Thorburn attributes the fact she loves what she does to good leaders and mentors.

“It's been really valuable to have CPOET Lorne Bramley on board,” she said.

“He has helped my leadership skills and encouraged me to have faith in myself to become the type of leader I admire.

“LSET Luke Batiste has also been such a huge influence in developing my technical aptitude and professionalism. His passion is infectious.”

She was also fortunate to have strong and capable women around her, including ABET Stacey Verrall and ABET Stacey Fitzpatrick, CPOET Suzie Peterson and LEUT Louella Yu.

Sparking a bright career

Chance to reflect and build on others’ efforts

LSET Katie Thorburn on board HMAS Hobart.Photo: ABIS Jarrod Mulvihill

CPO Amy Vickers enjoys being “an influencer for positive

change in our culture”.Photo: CPOIS Cameron Martin

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MARITIME security in the Indian Ocean was the focus of discussion when CDRE Ray Leggatt, the Navy’s Commander of the international Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), travelled to Mumbai, India, Colombo and Sri Lanka to explore opportunities for collaboration and coop-eration.

Although not members of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), India and Sri Lanka were important in addressing the security challenges in the Indian Ocean region because it was their “backyard”, CDRE Leggatt said.

“The sharing of information, coopera-tion at sea, and opportunities to train and share best practices are vital to promot-ing security in the Indian Ocean and that is something that benefits us all,” he said.

“Strengthening relationships with Indian Ocean countries with vested inter-ests in promoting security and stability in the maritime domain is one of the pri-mary objectives of CTF 150’s mission.”

CDRE Leggatt’s visit to Mumbai coincided with a port visit by HMAS Toowoomba, which came alongside the Indian city on its way to the Middle East

region to conduct a deployment in sup-port of the task force.

CDRE Leggatt and CO Toowoomba CMDR Mitchell Livingstone met the Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Indian Navy, VADM RB Pandit.

In Columbo, CDRE Leggatt met Chief of the Sri Lankan Navy VADM Piyal De Silva and Alan Cole, head of the Global Maritime Crime Program with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

A t t h e S r i L a n k a n N a v a l Headquarters, VADM De Silva hosted a discussion on maritime security with CDRE Leggatt, CTF 150 Operations Officer CMDR Grant Coleman and Australian Defence Advisor to Sri Lanka GPCAPT Sean Unwin.

The discussion focused on identifying trans-shipment points, challenges to mar-itime security in the region and opportu-nities for cooperation and training.

The RAN assumed command of CTF 150, with support from Royal Canadian and Royal New Zealand Navy staff, in early December.

France’s Marine Nationale will take over command this month.

Focus on ‘backyard’ security

Chief of the Sri Lankan Navy VADM Piyal De

Silva presents a gift to Combined Task Force 150

Commander CDRE Ray Leggatt in Colombo; and, right, the pair take part in a round-table discussion, including GPCAPT Sean

Unwin (right).

14 PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 19, 2020

15FEATURESMarch 19, 2020 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

A colourful celebration

A NAVY contingent joined Army and Air Force mem-bers and Defence civilians in the 42nd Sydney Gay

and Lesbian Mardi Gras on March 1.

Defence representatives joined more than 200 other groups, march-ing through the streets lined with 300,000 spectators.

Defence members have proudly marched in uniform at the event since 2013.

The parade provides an oppor-tunity for ADF members to march with pride for their service and demonstrate their support for the LGBTIQA+ community.

WO-N Deb Butterworth led the Navy contingent in the parade and said it was important for the ser-vice to allow its people to be their authentic selves, enabling them

to contribute diverse perspectives to problem solving and strategic thinking.

“Defence, including Navy, is an increasingly diverse and inclusive organisation that actively supports all its members regardless of their gender, race, religion, sexual ori-entation or gender identity,” WO-N Butterworth said.

“A high-performing workforce that respects the diverse skills and experiences of all its members is a direct contributor to Defence capa-bility.”

For Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service board member LEUT Rachael Cosgrove, attending the event was a career highlight.

“I’m a proud member of the LGBTIQA+ community and I have served for over 20 years,” LEUT Cosgrove said.

“It makes me extremely proud that as Defence members we can wear our uniform and march in the Mardi Gras with all of the other supporting organisations that come together on this night of inclusion, respect and support.”

LEUT Cosgrove said it was a privilege not taken lightly to wear uniform in the parade.

“Mardi Gras for a LGBTIQA+ person is an amazing event,” she said.

“Now that it includes wearing our uniform, we have so much to stand and be proud of.”

The Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service is a non-partisan volunteer charity that supports LGBTIQA+ serving members, ex-serving members, veterans and their families. Information is available at: defglis.com.au

Navy joined the ADF in an annual celebration of inclusivity, self-expression and pride, writes LEUT Anthony Martin.

The Navy contingent marching through the streets of Sydney at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The Navy contingent assembles in Sydney prior to marching at the 42nd Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Photos: Megan Popelier

Navy members and and an Air Force member prepare for the start of the Mardi Gras.

Navy members join Air Force and Army counterparts in the celebrations.

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CHAP Collin Acton gives the closing prayer during Navy’s 119th birthday celebrations at the RAN Memorial in Canberra.Photo: POIS Bradley Darvill

AB Britni Martin and CN VADM Mike Noonan, above, cut the 119th birthday cake at Russell Offices, Canberra; while members of the Navy Band perform at the celebrations at Russell Offices, left, and the RAN Memorial, right.Photos: LSIS James McDougall and POIS Bradley Darvill

17119TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONSMarch 19, 2020 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

SQNLDR Amanda Scott

IT’S an environment where everyone has a story of overcoming adversi-ty, and understands what the other is going through.

The spirit of understanding and togetherness was palpable at the Team Australia Invictus Games The Hague 2020 wheelchair training camp in Townsville held 5-9 March.

Competitors training for the sports of wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby were joined by the Townsville Cyclones which included a number of previous Invictus Games competitors who are now mentors for new competitors coming through the Adaptive Sports Program.

Wheely good training

Wheelchair Sports Coach WO Andrew Bertoncin said i t was great being able to engage with the Cyclones and see them share their skills and experience with a new gen-eration of Invictus Games competitors.

“The team is tracking really well, it’s a very short run, not as long as the lead up to the Sydney Games,” he said.

“The team are full of eager com-petitors who really want to have a go and are doing a lot of work in their own time to prepare themselves for the Games, so I am really happy.

“The key priorities between now and the Games are working on their conditioning and towards playing as many Games as possible.

“A lot of the competitors are doing up to five sports so whatever train-ing they can do between now and the Games will really help their competi-tion.”

The Invictus Games is an interna-tional, adaptive multi-sports competi-tion for current and former military personnel who have been wounded,

injured or become ill during their mili-tary service.

Team Australia will compete at the fifth Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands from 9-16 May.

Competitors will be among 500 competitors from 20 nations, taking part in individual and team sports, including archery, athletics, indoor rowing, the driving challenge, pow-erlifting, road cycling, sailing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair bas-ketball and wheelchair rugby.

For more information visit: defence.gov.au/events/invictusgames Facebook.com/team.invictus.australia Twitter.com/aussieinvictus Instagram.com/aussieinvictus

– WO Andrew Bertoncin Wheelchair sports coach

A lot of competitors are doing up to five sports, so whatever training they can do between now and the Games will really help their competition.‘‘

Invictus Games Wheelchair basketballer LEUT James Saville, right, fights for possession of the ball during a training session in Townsville, QLD. Photos: LS Jayson Tufrey

Wheelchair sports coach WO Andrew Bertoncin speaks with the Wheelchair Basketball team during a training session.

18 SPORT www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS March 19, 2020

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A wave of support

THIS year’s ADF Surf Riders Association women’s develop-ment camp was a big hit with the 24 ADF personnel who participated.

Held in February at Burrill Lakes near Ulladulla, NSW, the camp’s surf lessons were led by former world champion and hall-of-fame inductee Pam Burridge.

With participants ranging in experience from beginner to pro-ficient, each lesson began with learning to read the surf condi-tions, yoga-style stretching to

limber up and pop-up drills.During the camp, the surfers

also spent a day attending a surf rescue course, run by Surfing NSW, to help promote confidence in the water.

The camp fostered camara-derie and confidence among the participants, providing a unique opportunity for women of all ranks, skill level and ages to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Participant PTE Rachel Neale said there was combined laugh-

ter and smiles among the group regardless of what stage they had progressed to, whether it was knee surfing, popping up and standing, or nose diving and wiping out completely.

“I was continuously inspired by and in awe of the more experi-enced surfers carving it up on the green waves,” PTE Neale said.

“Cheers were shared when group members caught waves.”

She said the more experi-enced surfers inspired the novices.

Participants in the ADF Surf Riders Association women's surf development camp at Narawallee Beach, Mollymook. Photo: CPOIS Cameron Martin

19SPORTMarch 19, 2020 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

SPORTVolume 63, No. 4, March 19, 2020

Women ride the waves at surf

campPage 19

SWELL TIME

SBLT Sinead Flaherty takes off on a wave at Narawallee Beach, Mollymook, during the ADF Surf Riders Association women’s surf development camp.Photo: CPOIS Cameron Martin