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NEWSNAVYVolume 63, No. 11, June 25, 2020

HMAS Stuart departs Fleet Base East for a period of force integrated training.

She is one of seven ships to be deployed for various

tasks and training. Photo: ABIS Benjamin Ricketts

SEVEN SET SAIL

Ships deploy to test

their mettlePages 2-3

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EDITORIALDirectorDavid Edlington

Acting Managing EditorRichard Mihaich

EditorMichelle Fretwell: (02) 6265 1355

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2 News June 25, 2020

All systems go as seven ships sail

NNAVYAVY NEWSNEWS

LEUT Ryan Zerbe

SEVEN warships sailed from Navy’s Fleet Base East and Fleet Base West in the space of two days in mid-June to test upgraded systems and exercise as part of a maritime task group.

HMA Ships Canberra, Hobart and Stuart departed Fleet Base East while HMA Ships Anzac, Arunta, Ballarat and Sirius left Fleet Base West.

Anzac is undertaking sea qualification trials after her mid-life upgrade and Ballarat headed to the east coast for unit readiness training. The remaining ships are

sailing in company for a period of force integrated training off Australia’s east coast and in northern waters.

The training is essential for maritime task group operations.

Commander Surface Force CDRE Stephen Hughes said the ships would test their systems and conduct training in areas such as ship handling, damage control, emergency drills and task group warfare.

“This year has tested us in ways we would not have expected 12 months ago, but by putting multiple ships and more than 1300 Navy people

to sea from both sides of the country, we are demonstrating we’re seaworthy, adaptive and operationally ready,” CDRE Hughes said.

“Some of these ships will deploy as a task group for Exercise Rimpac 2020 off Hawaii, incorporating high-end tactical exercises and working with partner nations.”

He said Anzac would reach an important milestone as she completed the integration of new systems and capabilities during the trials period.

Acting CO Ballarat LCDR Michael Forsythe said the ship’s

company was looking forward to returning to sea for high-end training and work-ups for the crew.

“We’ve spent the year so far in the west conducting mariner skills evaluations and sea qualification trials so to sail out for some even more complex training to test us is welcome,” LCDR Forsythe said.

“Getting back to sea for longer periods, putting Ballarat though her paces and continuously refining our training is the best way for us to stay ready to fight and win at sea ahead of our next deployment.”

NewsJune 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews 3

HMAS Stuart leaves Fleet Base East in Sydney for a period of force integration training.

Photo: ABIS Thomas Sawtell

HMA Ships Anzac, Arunta and Ballarat sail through Cockburn Sound on their way out of Fleet Base West.

Photo: LSIS Ronnie Baltoft

HMAS Canberra leaves Sydney for force integration training off the Australian east coast and in northern waters.Photo: LSIS Thomas Sawtell

HMAS Hobart prepares to depart Fleet Base East.

Photo: LSIS Thomas Sawtell

HMAS Sirius is escorted out of Fleet Base West.Photo: LSIS Ronnie Baltoft

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4 June 25, 2020Queen’s Birthday Honours

Movers and shakers

SGT Dave Morley

LSBM Imogen Vincent’s work on a model that transforms the way Navy people plan their career pathways earnt her the Conspicuous Service Medal for meritorious achievement in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The award recognised LS Vincent’s dedication, innovation, enthusiasm and professionalism as the Boatswains Mate Assistant Work Group Manager at the

Directorate of Naval Workforce Management.

She was a major contributor to a model that shakes up the ability of career managers and individuals to map their career profiles and engage their families more closely in planning their careers.

The model has returned Navy people to sea and the waterfront, while improving retention by enabling people to visualise multiple career pathways and achieve their aspirations.

The 2020 list featured 24 Navy people who have made a difference to our workplaces and communities.

A map for success

Queen’s Birthday HonoursJune 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews 5

LEUT Jessica Craig

AMONG the 24 Navy recipients of Queen’s Birthday Honours were people working in fields as varied as patrol boat systems, force protection and medicine.

POMT Jonathan Booth was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for his meritorious devotion to duty in Navy technical and leadership positions at sea and ashore.

He was recognised for his work on improvements to Cape-class patrol boat technical documentation and the renewal of the shore power system at HMAS Creswell.

PO Booth said he was grateful to his workplace and family for supporting him in his work.

WOBM Raymond Beasy, already a Medal of the Order of Australia and Conspicuous Service Medal recipient, was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding devotion to duty in the field of Navy gunnery and force protection training.

WO Beasy is responsible for the training and certification of the Navy’s boarding capability and contributed to successful maritime interdiction for Operations Resolute and Manitou.

“This achievement is significant to me as it acknowledges the outstanding support from my family and the boarding teams I have trained,” WO Beasy said.

Commander Joint Health and Surgeon General of the ADF RADM Sarah Sharkey was among the 41 per cent of recipients who are women.

RADM Sharkey was appointed an Order of Australia for exceptional service to the ADF in the management of health care.

POMT Jonathon Booth at work in the control room at the RAN School of Survivability and Ship's Safety at HMAS Creswell. Photo: CPOIS Cameron Martin

Commander Joint Health and Surgeon General of the ADF RADM Sarah Sharkey was recognised for exceptional service in the management of health care. Photo: Jay Cronan

NAVY’S RECIPIENTSOfficer (AO) in the Military Division (Officer of the Order of Australia)RADM Jonathan Mead AM - For distinguished service in senior management and command roles.

Member (AM) in the Military Division (Member of the Order of Australia)CDRE Richard Boulton - For exceptional performance of duty as the Director General Military Strategic Commitments and the Director of Navy International Engagement.CAPT Anthony Raynor - For exceptional performance of duty in the fields of amphibious capability and safety management in Fleet Command.RADM Sarah Sharkey CSC - For exceptional service in the management of health care.

Medal (OAM) in the Military Division (Medal of the Order of Australia)WO Stephen Cheeseman - For meritorious performance of duty in the fields of naval aviation and personnel mentoring and managementLCDR Wayne Richards - For meritorious service in the field of Navy marine and port services support.CPO Bradley Walsh - For meritorious performance of duty in the field of Navy training, in particular physical training and leadership development.CAPT Allen Whittaker CSC - For meritorious service in the field of Navy aviation capability development.

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)WO Raymond Beasy OAM CSM - For outstanding devotion to duty in the field of Navy gunnery and force protection training.CPO Luke Brewer - For outstanding devotion to duty as the CPO Fire Control and Sensors Supervisor in HMAS Hobart.CMDR Richard Brickacek DSM - For outstanding achievement as CO HMAS Gascoyne.CMDR Barry Carmichael - For outstanding achievement as CO HMAS Farncomb from April to June 2018.

CAPT Paul Johnson - For outstanding achievement as CO HMAS Ballarat on Operation Manitou from November 2018 to June 2019.CMDR Casey Scully-O’Shea - For outstanding achievement in Defence Force Recruiting.

Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)PO Jonathon Booth - For meritorious devotion to duty in technical and leadership positions at sea and ashore.LCDR Amy Butlers - For meritorious achievement in the field of Navy meteorological and oceanographic operational support.CPO Noel Christoffel - For meritorious achievement in whole-ship leadership and performance of duty as a senior sailor in HMAS Harman from January 2017 to June 2019.LCDR Robert Eglen - For meritorious devotion to duty in the field of marine engineering during the retirement of the Adelaide-class frigates and introduction of the Hobart-class destroyers.CMDR Patricia Kemp- For meritorious achievement in the field of Navy health services.CPO Nicolle Palmer - For meritorious achievement in the field of minor war vessel communications and information systems.LS Patrick Palmer - For meritorious achievement of duty in the field of Navy information and communications technology.CMDR David Rendell - For meritorious achievement in the field of information technology specifically the implementation of robotic process automation.LCDR Siobhan Sturdy - For meritorious achievement as the Marine Engineering Officer in HMAS Sheean.LS Imogen Vincent - For meritorious achievement as the Boatswains Mate Assistant Workgroup Manager at the Directorate of Naval Workforce Management.

The 2020 list featured 24 Navy people who have made a difference to our workplaces and communities. Excellence from ship to shore

Warfare career development coordinator at the Directorate

of Navy Workforce Management LSBM Imogen

Vincent, in Canberra.Photo: Kym Smith

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NewsJune 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews 7

LEUT Elliott Bannan

TASK Group Afghanistan's medical contingent at the coalition medi-cal facility at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) is at the front line of efforts to mitigate and contain the spread of COVID-19.

CAPT Lucinda Stephenson said the 12 Australian medical staff and the combat first aid (CFA) personnel supporting them have been confronted

with new and challenging tasks.“As the reality of the pandemic

became clear we were required to raise an entire ward capability, which had not been maintained permanently for a number of years,” CAPT Stephenson said.

“The CFAs from the task group's force protection platoon received additional training in the screening and management of potential COVID cases to assist us if there was an outbreak or

a patient required clinical care.”ADF personnel at other locations in

Kabul, including Qargha and Resolute Support Headquarters, have estab-lished COVID-19 protocols that have proved vital to preserving the health and safety of deployed personnel.

Supporting the hospital's US-led epidemiological response is RAAF Scientific Officer FLGOFF Kathryn Staughton. FLGOFF Staughton is test-ing potential COVID-19 carriers using

the Australian-supplied diagnostic platforms BioFire Torch and Cepheid Gene Xpert.

“We've run more than 200 tests on the Australian platforms since the beginning of April,” FLGOFF Staughton said.

“These efforts have contributed to successfully mitigating the disease on the base.

“The CFAs complement the testing with direct support in the daily

management of the quarantine zone.”Support includes moving suspected

cases to the hospital for testing and positive patients to the quarantine zone for isolation.

Daily welfare and vital sign checks are conducted on isolated patients.

The success of the testing and isolation program has enabled coali-tion advisers on the base to continue their train, advise and assist mission remotely.

Rising to the challenge

Australian medical staff at the medical facility at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: LSIS Craig Walton

Technology assists in virus preventionPOCTS Cameron Ure

FOLLOWING direction to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, LSCTS Nicholas Martin, from Navy Information Warfare (NIW) Branch, decided to put his skills towards helping others.

After seeing a Facebook post of a Canadian boy scout using a 3D printer to produce ‘ear guards’ for medical staff, LS Martin decided to print and produce his.

Since starting, LS Martin has manufactured more than 200 ear guards, helping relieve the pain associated with constantly wearing surgical masks.

The guards have been distrib-uted to hospitals and pharmacies in Canberra, Newcastle and Perth.

Interest has been received from hospitals in the United States.

LS Martin saw the opportunity to put his hobby to good use and jumped at the chance.

“I’m hoping to be able to con-tribute in any way,” he said.

“If it helps those that are on the front line in this national fight against COVID-19, then I’m happy to assist.”

Nicole Ritchie, from Newcastle’s Mater Hospital, said what LS Martin

did made a big difference to the emergency department.

“We love the ear savers and the staff are grateful for LS Martin’s contributions,” Ms Ritchie said.

NIW Branch Executive Director CAPT Marcus Buttler commended

LS Martin’s initiative.“This was a great example of

RAN personnel doing their bit to help out the community during these unique circumstances,” CAPT Buttler said.

LS Nicholas Martin stands in front of the 3D printer used to make ear guards.

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8 News June 25, 2020

HMAS Toowoomba is returning home to Australia after completing a six-month deployment to the Middle East region.

Toowoomba has concluded her assignment to JTF633 as part of Operation Mantitou, conducting coun-ter terrorism and maritime security operations, operating in the waters stretching from the Southern Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.

The ship made a significant inter-cept during the deployment, netting more than 3000 kg of illegal narcot-

ics. Commander JTF633 MAJGEN Susan Coyle recognised Toowoomba’s outstanding performance during trying times amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The ship’s company in Toowoomba have executed their duties to the highest standard in support of the Combined Maritime Forces and as the inaugural Australian ship in support of the International Maritime Security Construct,” MAJGEN Coyle said.

“They have earned a joyful reunion with their families and friends, and I

thank them for their service.”CO Toowoomba CMDR Dylan

Phillips said he was proud of his crew’s achievements and looked for-ward to returning home in the coming weeks.

“We have enhanced our relation-ships in the region, as well as having an impact on terrorist funding lines through the interception and disposal of illegal drugs,” CMDR Phillips said.

“Toowoomba intercepted an illegal shipment of hashish and heroin hidden inside a suspect vessel on March 19.

“Our crew worked tirelessly throughout the day and well into the night to search the vessel before seiz-ing and destroying more than three tonnes of drugs.

“Toowoomba’s contribution to the Combined Maritime Forces and International Maritime Security Construct has been highly success-ful due to our ship’s capability and the commitment of our highly trained crew over a sustained period on operations.

“I could not be prouder of every-

one’s effort.” Toowoomba travelled more than 27,450 nautical miles and visited numerous ports, before COVID-19 impacted the region.

Toowoomba’s efforts supported the safe passage of more than 180 International Maritime Security Construct-flagged merchant vessels by providing overwatch of their transits through the Southern Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.

First port visit for fleet’s newest shipLEUT Anthony Martin

WHILE many Australians enjoyed celebrating the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, the nation’s newest guided missile destroyer, HMAS Sydney, sailed north from its home port to conduct the ship’s first port visit to the city of Newcastle.

Sailing into Newcastle, Sydney was welcomed with a four-gun salute from Fort Scratchley at Flagstaff Hill as she entered the Hunter River.

Maritime Logistics Officer LCDR Kristen Russo said the impact of the gun salute was not lost on the crew of Sydney.

“This is Sydney’s first port visit outside of her home port of Fleet Base East, after commissioning at sea on May 18,” LCDR Russo said.

“We did not expect such a warm welcome and the entire crew appre-ciates the gesture from the city of Newcastle to the Navy’s newest warship.”

The visit was an important com-ponent of the ships preparation for future deployments.

The purpose of the visit was to test duty watch systems and port visit routines before Sydney departs for its United States combat sys-tems sea qualification trials deploy-

Homeward bound

ment in the first half of 2021, when Sydney will test its Aegis weapons system with the United States Navy.

CO Sydney CMDR Edward Seymour was positive about the opportunities the visit provided.

“Being one of Australia’s most important and busiest ports, as well as the largest export port on the east coast, it’s entirely appropriate that Sydney’s first port visit was to Newcastle,” he said.

“We received a very warm reception and it was evident that

Novocastrians are up to date with the latest news on their RAN, with many locals coming close to the ship to have a look at the newest addition to our fleet.

“We hope next time Sydney visits Newcastle to be able to open the ship to visitors.

S y d n e y w i l l n o w r e t u r n to Fleet Base East to contin-ue her program of testing and evaluation.

HMAS Toowoomba patrols the Southern Arabian Gulf as part

of the International Maritime Security Construct during her

six month deployment to the Middle East region.

Photo: LSIS Richard Cordell

HMAS Sydney during her first port visit to Newcastle.

June 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews 9Year of the Nurse and Midwife

LSIS Kylie Jagiello

IT COULDN’T be more timely that 2020 is the dedicated International Year of the Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Organisation.

Nurses have recently shown their versatil-ity as frontline clinicians, adapting to changing environments. This has never been more evident than this year, according to Navy nurse educator LCDR Thomas Miller.

The year started with Navy dispatching a number of full-time and reserve nurses in response to Bushfire Assist.

“They were deployed over many positions including specialty roles ashore and at sea, including specialist clinical positions and medi-cal planning positions,” LCDR Miller said.

“Nurses showed their exceptional value as local liaison team leaders and military repre-sentatives pushed ashore to provide support and care to communities.”

Navy, as part of a wider ADF effort, deployed nursing officers to support state health agen-cies’ contact tracing as well as providing front-line clinical care alongside civilian nurses in response to COVID-19.

“Working as part of the greater health team as force enablers, nurses are always available to provide treatment and care to individuals, no matter the circumstance,” LCDR Miller said.

Military nurses have served since before fed-eration. During WWI, more than 3000 Australian nurses volunteered for active service.

“Nurses currently deploy both on land and sea operations, ranging from Middle East pro-viding clinical care and managing health facili-ties, to conducting operations on ships coordi-nating and providing care at sea,” LCDR Miller said.

“Nurses also educate; enhancing the overall medical effort in addition to that of the wider force to ensure mission success.

“Navy nursing is a specialist clinical work-force that is constantly expanding and enhancing the RAN health effect to ensure we can fight and win at sea.”

SGT Max Bree

THE days of white-clad, female nurses changing bedpans and sheets are long gone, as their modern descendants come face-to-face with the frontline horrors of war.

Trauma Nurse LCDR Anthony Russell returned in March from a six-month deployment to Kabul, where he witnessed the fallout from “the worst” Afghan-winter fighting season in the past 10 years.

“It was bad even when it was cold and snowing; presidential elections were going on and the US were negotiating with the Taliban,” LCDR Russell said.

“We saw coalition causalities after a green-on-blue. [There were] US causalities with multiple gunshot wounds through the chest.

“Afghan National Army soldiers came in after an IED.”

Similar to an emergency nurse, trauma nurses work with complex injuries such as falls from height and high-speed car acci-dents through to gunshots and IED blasts.

“The work in Afghanistan was what I joined for,” he said.

“I’ve seen a lot of trauma in Australia, what I’d call Western trauma, but I had never seen the extent of war-like trauma.”

Following an insider attack near Bagram, LCDR Russell and medical staff were dressed in body armour ready to secure the hospital with personal weapons when Afghan bases were locked down.

“I was prepared for that as best I could, but it was just about being exposed to it and managing the patients,” he said

“It’s different when you’re in an emer-gency department managing patients with a sidearm on.”

At sea, trauma nurses mainly work on LHDs, augmenting on-board medical staff.

“When you’re at sea there’s no addi-tional support, you can’t have other health clinicians fly in. You have to be confident

Trauma nurse driven to give back

It’s exceptional work

LCDR Thomas Miller embarked Nursing Officer in HMAS Adelaide provides medical assistance to a local from the town of Towamba, NSW, during Operation Bushfire Assist.Photo: ABIS Thomas Sawtell

Then LEUT, LCDR Anthony Russell checks the airway of role player ABMT Scott Cooke during a mass casualty exercise on board HMAS Canberra during Sea Series 2015. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

and competent in your skills across dif-ferent areas to manage patients,” LCDR Russell said.

While men make up about 11 per cent of civilian nurses, about 50 per cent of nurses in the Navy are male.

“For a lot of male nurses, we tend to go towards highly clinical, critical areas,” he said

“A lot of that comes from us being interested in the clinical side of patient care. We can see a patient, help them and send them on their way to be cared for in the ward.

“Generally, emergency, intensive care and operating theatres is where you find most of the male nurses.”

LCDR Russell started nursing in 2008, before joining the Navy in 2014 as a way to repay society.

“I came from a family that never had the opportunity to go to uni; both my par-ents never finished high school,” he said.

“I’ve been given the opportunity to have tertiary-level education, this was my opportunity to give back.

“I also felt I had a unique set of skills that the Navy wouldn’t be able to organi-cally grow.”

– LCDR Anthony Russell Truama nurse

It’s different when you’re in an emergency

department managing patients with a

sidearm on.

“

June 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews

11Year of the Nurse and Midwife10

Headline for this story across here and HEALING HANDSCPL Julia Whitwell

RECALLING a “hair-raising” drive across mountains to remote parts of Indonesia, CMDR Paula Evans described her most memorable experience as a Navy midwife.

“They were isolated, difficult-to-get-to places. I got to visit with the local midwife,” she said.

“Being so isolated, other people in the villages would help women birth, and then the midwife would get there when she could.

“It was incredible to see how far she travelled to service all those communities.”

CMDR Evans was one of 300 multi-national health experts deployed on the USNS Mercy for Pacific Partnership 2016 when she visited Malaysia and Indonesia.

It was a highlight in her 33-year Navy career, which started six years after CMDR Evans start-

SGT Sebasitan Beurich

NEXT time you’re prescribed medi-cine at your local clinic, it may not be a doctor writing the script. It could be a nurse practitioner.

These nurses can diagnose and of-fer treatment, prescribe medications, refer patients to specialists and order pathology and radiology tests.

One of Navy’s four nurse practi-tioners, CMDR Patricia Kemp, said she had never been bored with the job.

“I’ve had an eclectic career and the flexibility to practise to the very limits of my professional scope, which I find to be a real privilege,” she said.

“I love that I have a unique set of skills, abilities and experience; al-though it does on occasion overlap with those of a medical practitioner, the philosophy and health paradigm that underpins my care is different.”

During her career, CMDR Kemp has been a clinician, manager, educa-tor, researcher and military officer.

“How many professions can say they have had those opportunities?” she said.

CMDR Kemp started her nursing training in South Africa, after being in-spired by her mum – also a nurse.

She deployed on Pacific Partner-ship in 2017 and to Afghanistan in 2018, where she worked with coalition nurse practitioners.

“The US have had nurse practition-ers since about 1965, so they’re very familiar with that model of care and there were no issues. Our skills trans-late well,” CMDR Kemp said.

One of her highlights was work-ing alongside HMAS Arunta’s medical sailors to facilitate the ship’s Operation Resolute deployment.

Her work, particularly in contrib-

uting to the advancement of medi-cal capabilities aboard LHDs, was recognised with a CSM in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

“It has been incredible to fulfil functions that are directly related to the capability of our sailors,” she said.

“The pinnacle of my career has been serving in HMAS Canberra as the senior health officer.”

CMDR Kemp has worked in the JHC operations cell since early Janu-ary, assisting with Operations Bushfire Assist 19/20 and COVID-19 Assist.

She said the Year of the Nurse and Midwife was an opportunity to provide recognition to Defence nurses.

“I hope it stimulates increased rec-ognition of advanced nursing skills and scope of practice across the three ser-vices,” she said.

The Year of the Nurse and Midwife highlights the extrordinary work they do to care for personnel and civilians in times of need.

ed nursing. “Military nursing is different. I’ve seen it across many years, compared to the military I joined in 1986,” she said.

“Nurses can take on a much more extended role in health, it’s very independent now.”

When she left full-time service to get married, CMDR Evans completed a post-graduate qualification in midwifery, before

transferring back to the permanent force in 2012.

“I had been working in intensive care and critical care en-vironments at the time,” CMDR Evans said.

“My dream was to work for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

“They’re applying their craft all the time, in all sorts of situa-tions. I knew I needed midwifery

and critical care experience to do that.”

When her career tracked to the Navy again instead, CMDR Evans’ midwifery skills were used during humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts.

“A patient is a patient – there’s also the potential to treat non-combatants,” CMDR Evans said.

“From pregnant women and mothers, through to children and the elderly, our work is relevant in that space, too.”

Midwives typically provide care for patients from pre-con-ception, all the way through to six weeks post-delivery.

“It’s such a wonderful part of nursing,” CMDR Evans said.

“A lot of what we do as nurses can be hard, and emotionally tax-ing. Midwifery is a joyful, posi-tive environment to work in.

“It’s a complicated post-grad skill, but it’s a privilege.”

– Nursing Officer CMDR Paula Evans

A lot of what we do as nurses can be hard and emotionally taxing. Midwifery is a joyful, positive environment to work in.

“

Nurse says caring for others is ‘a privilage’

CAPT Theologos Mateos, left, and LCDR Patricia Kemp assist FLTLT Crystal Braham in preparing to aero medical evacuate a patient from Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: WO2 Neil Ruskin

Nursing Practitioners LCDR Patricia Kemp and LCDR Roneel Chandra conduct aeromedical casualty evacu-ation drills on board HMAS Canberra during Exercise Ocean Explorer, in 2019. Photo: ABIS Kieren Whiteley

Nursing Officer CMDR Paula Ev-ans (then LEUT) screens a recruit participating in a non-combatant evacuation exercise aboard HMAS Adelaide in the Westernport Bay off the coast of Victoria, in 2018.Photo: LSIS Nina Fogliani

Then a LEUT, CMDR Paula Evans explains the scalability of the ship's primary casualty-receiving facility to Fiji Government and Republic of Fiji Military Forces personnel during a medical workshop held as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour in 2018. Photo: SGT Sebastian Beurich

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13FeaturesJune 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews

Harmonious collaboration

LS Jonathan Rendell

WHEN LEUT Daniel Hobson joined the Navy he had no idea that 23 years later he would be changing track in his career from senior musi-cian to maritime logistics officer.

LEUT Hobson joined the Navy Band in October 1996 after study-ing music education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

“At recruiting I discovered the Navy Band, auditioned successful-ly and haven’t regretted it since,” LEUT Hobson said.

After initial training, LEUT Hobson posted to Navy Band Sydney, where he stayed from seaman through to petty officer musician.

Throughout his career, LEUT Hobson progressed with his last position at the Directorate of Music as the band operations officer.

Playing a new tune

“Initially I was a performer on clarinets and bari sax and then I developed skills in audio engineer-ing,” LEUT Hobson said.

“As a senior sailor I have been able to lead teams on various tasks, such as operational and sea deploy-ments, as well as a range of domes-tic tasking all over the country.”

During his career, LEUT Hobson deployed a number of times in HMAS Torrens, on operational deployments to the Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and multiple trips to the Middle East region.

LEUT Hobson’s last perfor-mance with the band was during the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney last year as the drum major of the ADF’s combined band.

He was promoted to lieutenant maritime logistics officer earlier this month and was fondly farewelled by his band members.

LEUT Hobson said he was ready for a career change.

“I have thought of doing more with my Navy career for a number of years,” LEUT Hobson said.

“I have achieved and experi-enced much of what a Navy musi-cian can. I am excited to learn new skills as Navy takes on new assets and capabilities.”

LEUT Hobson after his promotion ceremony. Photo: PTE Olivia Cameron

WHEN the RAN Band first pitched the idea of an “In This Together” Reconciliation Week

video, its members had no idea just how collaborative the project would become.

The stylised video project features Indigenous and non-Indigenous Navy members passing the ochre to dem-onstrate the significance of ochre to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Navy members.

The backdrop to the ‘Pass the Ochre’ video is the Navy Band’s performance of the Ben Lee song We’re all in this together, arranged by LSMUSN Sam Sheppard, a musi-

cian from the RAN Band – Sydney, who shares his name with the newly-appointed Navy Indigenous Adviser.

However, the irony of playing the song about unity was not lost on the band members as they each performed their contributions in isolation, from across Australia, because of social dis-tancing requirements.

WOMUSN Mark Ham, who is also one of the singers on the soundtrack, said the challenge of recording remote-ly had allowed the musicians to tap into capabilities and opportunities that were previously only used occasion-ally.

“We had to improvise a recording studio in addition to scheduling ‘shifts’

to bring different instruments in at dif-ferent times to ensure we were observ-ing social distancing procedures,” she said.

“As a result you can lose some of the spontaneity and integration of a normal recording session, but it does allow you to focus clearly on your own performance.”

The band engaged musicians in all six locations across the country to record the choir chorus parts.

These were then cut into the mix which, for their part, spoke to the idea of all being in this together.

AB MUSN Tom Brooke col-lated all the individual recordings and mastered the final audio track

ready for use on the video. National Reconciliation Week is held annually between May 27 and June 3 to cel-ebrate building respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indige-nous Australians.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2020 was ‘In This Together’ – a theme that reso-nated in ways unforeseen when it was chosen last year.

Director of Music Navy LCDR Cassandra Mohapp said the project was a useful exercise in collaboration.

“The video has been a highly suc-cessful endeavour to engage Navy at all levels, in a project representing Navy’s commitment to reconciliation,”

she said. Navy’s newly appointed full-time Indigenous Adviser LCDR Sam Sheppard said from a personal stand-point the project had provided another opportunity to paint up his daughters with ochre and help make them more comfortable with embracing their culture.

“I believe this is a challenge for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in modern society and my hope is that this project can start those conversations within their workplaces about how much their culture is an integral part of who they are,” LCDR Sheppard said.

The Navy Band virtually united for Reconciliation Week, LEUT Geofff Long and LS Jonathan Rendell report.

RAN Band members record their parts for National Reconciliation Week.

THE Sea Power Centre’s Naval History Section informs every rate from junior sailor to CO, evening giving “CN a voice”,

according to its director.It has been responsible for cata-

loguing Navy’s history since its forma-tion in Melbourne in 1943.

Director John Perryman said it was set up to collect naval operational records and accounts during WWII.

“For the RAN, it was very much a world war – there was hardly a sea or an ocean on the planet where there wasn’t a RAN ship deployed at some point,” Mr Perryman said.

“That collection work culminated in the 1957 publication of two official history volumes covering the contribu-tion of the RAN in WWII.

“The history section continued to operate afterwards, chiefly to continue the good work they had put in train – capturing, preserving and promoting Navy’s history.”

The small section of five people has a wide reach and counts CN as its chief customer.

It monitors contemporary opera-tions, collecting records to inform the history of tomorrow.

“I like to think we help to give CN a voice by furnishing him with accu-rate historical advice on those occa-sions that warrant it,” Mr Perryman said.

“If we can help others to under-stand what Navy’s been involved in throughout history, they’re going to be better informed when making important decisions that may affect the future.

“If one doesn’t understand the history, customs and traditions of an organisation such as the Navy, Army of Air Force, then it’s akin to joining an organisation without fully appreci-ating its business.”

14 Features June 25, 2020

This extended to all in the profes-sion of arms, Mr Perryman said.

“Australia has a very good under-standing of Gallipoli and the Anzac legend but there are many other impor-tant aspects of history as well so we try to increase people’s understand-ing of what was achieved as a result of their sacrifice to join the armed forces,” he said.

“Most people want to know that the potential future they gave up to serve

in the Navy made, or is making, a dif-ference.”

The section responds to inquiries from ministers, the public and even royal commissions, and supports visit-ing academics, authors and research-ers.

As the guardian of the Navy’s collective memory, the section has a digitisation program and routinely adds information to the Naval History website.

Its latest product, episode three of a documentary covering the Navy’s involvement in maritime security operations from the end of WWII to its withdrawal from Vietnam, is due for release soon.

“My career in the Navy was the best apprenticeship I could have had for this role,” Mr Perryman said.

“That experience has gifted me the ability to relate to all ranks and rates.

“Underpinning that was a love of

naval history instilled in me by my parents, both of whom served in the Royal Navy.

“I grew up in a Navy environment, so it was natural I gravitated towards it.”

Much of the section’s work can be viewed at navy.gov.au/history .

Written and recorded

the members of the Sea Power Centre's Naval History Section, Simone Alferink, left, Honae Cuffe, John Perryman, rear, Rob Garratt and Petar Djokovic, in their office in Fyshwick, Canberra.

SGT Sebastian Beurich uncovers a small but important Navy asset that’s been around since 1943.

Sea Power Centre Naval History Section Director John Perryman in his office in Fyshwick, Canberra.Photos: SGT Sebastian Beurich

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16 Personnel June 25, 2020

LEUT Jessica Craig

A TRIAL rate badge for maritime personnel sailors will be tested across Navy from mid-June as part of the continuing development of the new workgroup.

Since March, the sailors formally known as maritime logistics personnel (ML-P) have transitioned into the maritime personnel community (MPC) and become collectively known as maritime personnel (MPERS) sailors.

Head of Profession MPC Workgroups CAPT Sue Cunningham said it was important MPERS sailors could be clearly identified as members of the specialist personnel management workforce, which is responsible for the management and development of Navy personnel.

“A rate badge is important to instil a sense of identity in a given community,” CAPT Cunningham said.

“The maritime personnel badge is a unique and contemporary design that has people at the centre of the badge specifically because the maritime personnel community is responsible for delivering a people-centred capability.”

After research and

New badge designs a hit with team

LCDR Michelle Barker, left, CAPT Sue Cunningham, RADM Mark Hammond, WO Jay Ste-venson and LS Kim-Jade Martin after the presentation of the new maritime human resourc-es charge qualification badge and the maritime personnel rate badge at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photo: LSIS James McDougall

IN BRIEFNo more payment summariesDEFENCE members preparing for tax time will notice a different method of accessing their tax information after the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) changed the way employers report salary and wage information. The changes are a part of Single Touch Payroll (STP) system, which Defence implemented in February before automatically providing payee earnings and wage information to the ATO every fortnight from March 19. Defence will no longer issue payment summaries at the end of a financial year. Instead,

employees can access an income statement via myGov after the end of the financial year. Defence and Australian Signals Directorate payees are able to check year-to-date earnings, tax and superannuation information through myGov at any time during the financial year. Reportable Fringe Benefits Amount information will be available at the end of the year. People who do not have a myGov account can sign up at my.gov.au. The processes for ADF members who served in a Tax Zone during the financial year remain unchanged. Members will continue to report Tax Zone details to the ATO directly.

Go to the single touch Payroll page, call

1800 DEFENCE or email: yourcustomer.service@defence.gov.au.

Home loansVETERANS now have more time to consider their home loan options after the timeframe to access a subsidy certificate under the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme was extended from two to five years. The extension to the scheme, which helps current and former ADF members and their families to buy their own home by paying a monthly sum towards their approved home loan, came into effect on June 22.

Information about DHOAS is available on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website (dhoas.gov.au).

LEUT Dave Devlin

EVERYDAY across Australia someone, some-where, needs the vital gift of blood.

During National Blood Donor Week, June 14-20, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood elebrated everyone who helped make the gift of blood possible in Australia.

In the past 12 months, more than half a mil-lion Australians donated about 1.5 million times, including 6,623 donations that can be attributed to Navy personnel.

CO HMAS Cerberus CAPT Mike Oborn and members of his executive team visited the Frankston donor centre recently, and rolled up their sleeves to contribute to National Blood Donor Week.

“The staff and trainees at Cerberus have always had such a great connection with our local community and that includes a large cohort of regular blood donors,” CAPT Oborn said.

“Blood donations are a critical part of Australia’s health system and allows you to contribute to the saving of many lives every day right across Australia and around the world.

“The statistics tell us that one in three people will need blood products in their lifetime, so it is likely someone in your family or a close relative will need this gift.

“The process is simple and only an hour out of your day, so I would ask everyone to consider becoming a regular donor.”

The need for blood donations is amplified by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is calling for 10,000 new donors to prevent a shortage of whole blood and other blood products, such as plasma and platelets.

Sarah Lacey is part of the Regional Partnerships Team with the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood in Victoria and said donating blood was safe, despite the current global pan-demic.

“People who are healthy and well and meet our existing donation criteria, and are at least 28 days past any COVID like symptoms, are capa-ble of donating,” Mrs Lacey said.

“The Australian Government is encouraging people who have recovered from COVID-19 to consider donating plasma to assist with the search for possible future treatment options.

“Without the enthusiasm and dedication of lifeblood champions, like the team from Cerberus, we simply couldn’t achieve the dona-tion numbers like this together.”

National Blood Donor Week is separate from the annual Defence Blood Challenge that occurs from September to December each year.

It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the work of the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and to reflect on the generosity of Australia’s blood donors.

This year Red Cross Lifeblood asked blood recipients, donors and anyone who has been touched by blood donation to share their stories.

These stories can be viewed at: donateblood.com.au/donor-week

Gifts that save lives

– WO Jay Stevenson

The response from the MERS sailors has been very encouraging.“

consultation, a trial has been approved for the MPERS rate badge, as well as a maritime human resources officer (MHRO) charge qualification badge, after MHROs were also added to the MPC.

MPERS workgroup manager WO Jay Stevenson said the badge designs had so far been well received by MPERS sailors and the members of the community.

“The response from the MPERS sailors has been very encouraging,” WO Stevenson said.

“Those senior and junior sailors will soon receive their trial rate badge, a DPNU name bar and a card which explains our community’s mission and vision, and the symbology of the badge.”

The badge symbology will be particularly important to the MPC members, who were involved in the design.

The MPERS insignia – a ‘team of people wreath’ – was created by LSMPO Kim-Jade Martin to symbolise victory and strength, and encapsulates

the MPC focus on people.“I came up with the design

concept utilising the original maritime human resource officer primary qualification badge, which reflected an oak leaf wreath symbolising strength and achievement,” LS Martin said.

“This would then encompass the three personnel figures, which is symbolic of our people-centred capability through a personnel workforce and customer service role.

“In my opinion, the MPERS insignia is a great reflection of the MPC as it directly reflects our focus on personnel, capability and support to command.”

To start the three-month trial, DCN RADM Mark Hammond presented LS Martin with her trial badges and CAPT Cunningham presented LCDR Michelle Barker with her trial MHRO charge qualification badges.

Feedback forms can found at DNWM DPN or by contacting DNWM MPERS at: dnwm.mpers@defence.gov.au

CO HMAS Cerberus CAPT Mike Oborn gives blood as part of National Blood Donor Week. Photo: ABIS Bonny Gassner

SWITCH TO GREAT VALUE HEALTH INSURANCE TODAY

Who can join Defence Health? Current or previous members of the Australian Defence Force Current or previous employees of the Department of Defence Extended family members of those listed above – parents, partners,

children, grandchildren and siblings

Get a quote online at defencehealth.com.au or call 1800 335 425

17FeaturesJune 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews

A golden read on historyWings of GoldAuthors: Trevor Rieck, Dr Jack McCaffrie and Jed HartPublisher: Big Sky Publishing and Sea Power Centre RRP: $35Reviewer: SGT Dave Morley

IT IS said you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but in this case, you can’t go wrong.

Three former RAN aviators put their heads together and came up with a very readable book concerning the experiences of those who trained with the US Navy, in America, during the Vietnam War era.

The authors managed to track down many of their ‘wing men’ and carried out in-depth interviews with them, resulting in myriad stories on their involvement in the program.

The book not only records many anecdotes of the Australian efforts in coming to grips with American train-ing methods, but also the US culture they experienced when farmed out to welcoming host families at weekends.

The highpoint of training for many of the fixed-wing pilots was their first aircraft carrier landing, followed by their award of the coveted US Navy Gold Wings.

Surprisingly, on their return to Australia, many of the aviators were told, despite their superior training, they now had to learn to do things

“the Australian way”, which for a time dampened their enthusiasm.

The book is well-illustrated with dozens of black and white and colour photos, detailed maps, sketches and aerial photos.

It will definitely hold the reader’s interest from start to finish and is an ideal read for anyone with an interest in lesser-known aspects of Australia’s naval history.

To get a copy of the book, contact the Sea Power Centre at : seapower.centre@defence.gov.au

BOOK REVIEW

Keeping their memories aliveCLAIMED during the throes of war in 1953, PTE Edward George Hazel – a Waka Waka man – was buried, but not forgotten, in Busan, South Korea.

Sharing his story, to be webcast by the Australian War Memorial (AWM), is ABCIS Kayleigh Fletcher, currently deployed to the Middle East region aboard HMAS Toowoomba.

“Just knowing a little bit about his life, his family, and the tragic way he died – it’s confronting,” she said.

“Every time I read his story, toward the end I get super sad and start tearing up. I hope it doesn’t hap-pen when I record my reading.”

AB Fletcher’s reading of PTE Hazel’s story will be featured in one of the virtual Last Post Ceremonies held during the AWM’s COVID19 closure.

During June, eight deployed and 20 Canberra-based ADF members are being broadcast reading stories of the fallen.

AB Fletcher said learning about PTE Hazel’s life gave her a greater appreciation of their service.

“Being so far from home and read-ing about him, how he’d just had his first child and then his family was told he wasn’t coming home – it real-ly hit me,” she said.

“You think about what they went through and it makes me reflect on my service and realise we’re lucky.

“He gave his life for us and our freedoms, I hope he’d be proud of us.”

Warrant Officer Ceremonial ADF, WOB Nikolai Rofe, said the virtual Last Post Ceremonies ensured the 102,800 Australian servicemen and women lost to war could still be hon-oured.

“It’s a humbling experience to carry on the tradition,” WO Rofe said.

“It enables the general public, the veteran community and the ADF community to continue to pay their

respects. The members reading really get to appreciate the story behind the sacrifice of those soldiers, sailors and airmen and women.

“It means the names of the fallen continue to endure in the hearts and minds of the Australian public.”

The virtual Last Post Ceremonies will continue throughout June until the AWM opens to the public, at lim-ited capacity, on July 1.

Last Post ceremonies can be streamed live at: awm.gov.au/commemoration/last-post-ceremony/live-stream

WO Boatswain Niklaus Rofe records a virtual Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.Photo: CPL Julia Whitwell

Last Post ceremonies continue online, CPL Julia Whitwell reports.

Forward focused and ready to go

18 Sport June 25, 2020

LEUT Geoff Long

WITH gyms closed across the country, including at Navy establishments, the PTIs at HMAS Kuttabul have addressed a groundswell of demand for alternative exercise options, including self-guided workouts and small outdoor classes that observe current government guidelines.

LSPTI Benjamin Spring developed a 31-day home exer-cise regime and a four-week running program, with demand for both far exceeding expecta-tions.

“We’ve had hundreds of people downloading the pro-gram and the feedback has been phenomenal,” LS Spring said.

“I think we’ve tapped into a broader trend at the moment for people wanting to maintain their health and wellbeing and I think some of these changes will continue into the future.”

Not only has the take-up of the programs been strong, but personnel are reporting an aver-age 1-2 minute improvement in their running times over 2.4km.

More recently the Kuttabul PTIs began offering outdoor training sessions for up to 10

people at a time, in line with current NSW government regu-lations for social distancing.

The outdoor training ses-sions, as well as annual physi-cal fitness testing, are booked online, with demand for the sessions high.

K u t t a b u l C W O M a r k Cooper – a regular at the out-door training sessions – said PT staff had been integral in offer-ing opportunities and guidance to Kuttabul and Garden Island Resident Units while social dis-tancing has been in force.

“The equipment they have procured or had manufac-tured in partnership with Fleet Support Unit-South East, as well as the introduction of things such as online Pilates sessions and exercise programs, has allowed a lot of personnel to maintain their physical fit-ness by these self-run exercise options,” CWO Cooper said.

“This has in turn maintained mental health and provided some respite from the rigours of the uncertainty of society.

“Their role in wellness and wellbeing cannot be underesti-mated.”

Another to take up the new training challenges has

been Kuttabul CHAP Jon-Paul Barry, who used the online run-ning program and more recent-ly joined the outdoor training sessions.

“Getting outside at least three mornings each week to complete the running program was great for me,” he said.

“ I t he lped me ma in -tain some cardio fitness and improve my 2.4km time, but also gave me an outlet to de-stress, helped me to stay focused during the day and gave me more motivation to eat well.

“It may have been intend-ed as a physical fitness tool, but it maintained my holistic health and wellbeing in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

Despite the success of the new training programs, LS Spring said he was looking forward to gym facilities re-opening.

“Hopefully one of the posi-tives of the current restrictions will be that people realise and appreciate what fantastic facili-ties we have available at Navy establishments around the country,” LS Spring said.

For the love of fitness

LSPTI Ben Springer ensures sailors and officers maintain their fitness while physical distancing measures are in place, at HMAS Kuttabul. Photo: ABIS Benjamin Ricketts

SGT Sebastian Beurich

EXTRAORDINARY feats of human ability are often witnessed at the Invictus Games, but spectators are sometimes unaware of the effort behind the scenes.

For CPO Michelle Beer, it’s determination displayed by her fellow competitors that drives her.

“To see someone pull themselves out of a wheelchair, strap themselves into, what’s effec-tively a milk crate tied to a rowing machine, then push themselves to the edge of what’s pos-sible is huge,” she said.

“Their drive and determination is incred-ible.”

CPO Beer is one of 32 Australian competi-tors who will travel to the Hague, Netherlands, next year for the Invictus Games, which were postponed from 2020 because of COVID-19.

Competing in indoor rowing, cycling and running, CPO Beer said she’ll be representing not only her country, but all military members.

“You’re not only representing the uniform, but also abilities, or the lack of in my case,” she said.

“Motivation is the big key for me. I went to one training camp earlier this year, before eve-rything was turned off, and the motivation you get from being around the other team members and the obstacles they’ve had to overcome is huge.

“The team-building environment they inspire really gets me going.”

After having surgeries to her forearm, shoul-der and knee, CPO Beer was offered the oppor-tunity to compete by her rehab consultant.

She was never an indoor rower, except for rehabilitation exercises, and has since picked up a bike to train on.

– CPO Michelle Beer

Motivation is key for me. I went to a training camp earlier this year, before everything was turned off, and the motivation you get from being around other team members and the obstacles they’ve had to overcome is huge.

“

Invictus Games 2021 Team Australia competitor CPO Michelle Beer during the final training camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen, NSW. Photo: LSIS Jayson Tufrey

“Swimming was one of the spots available, but I’ve since found out I take in a bit of water, so thankfully it’s no longer one of my sports,” CPO Beer said.

“Cricket probably helps for the sprints, but I’m hoping gyms open again soon – training is a lot easier in an actual gym.”

Although she missed the opportunity to compete this year, she’s looking forward to “getting on the bike” for next year’s competition.

19SportJune 25, 2020 defence.gov.au/news/navynews

LSIS Kylie Jagiello

GROWING up in England, it was near impossible for ABATV Jamie Young not to be consumed by football.

His dad and uncle played at a high level and AB Young spent weekends watching the game before starting to play in the under-fives for East Lynn Blues. He hasn’t missed a full season since.

“Moving to Australia in 2008, when I was 16, or going away to do sea time, I’ve still managed to get a couple of games in each season,” AB Young said.

Having missed selection for the Navy team in 2015 because of an ankle injury, he was selected the following year and has captained the team since 2018.

On making the ADF team in

2017, AB Young played in an A League curtain-raiser against an Adelaide Academy team.

“Since moving to Australia I have been lucky to win several grand finals, but I think representing the ADF and lifting the winning trophy in 2017 was a highlight,” AB Young said.

“We comfortably won the national tournament in Sydney in hot and arduous conditions.”

Having also played centre-back, left-wing and centre-mid for the Navy, AB Young is most comfortable playing left-back.

Positioned on the side of the centre-back, left-back defends against opposing wingers in the flanks and gives him a combination of defence and attack.

“It was my first position and the position I have played at my highest level,” AB Young said.

ABATV Jamie Young in action for Navy last year.Photo: ABIS Jarrod Mulvihill

Back where he belongs

– ABATV Jamie Young

Since moving to Australila I have been lucky to win several grand finals, but I think representing the ADF and lifting the winning trophy in 2017 was a highlight.

“

Volume 63, No. 11, June 25, 2020

SPORT

STILL ON TRACK

Invictus Games athlete training

hard despite restrictions

Page 18

Invictus Games 2021 Team Australia competitor CPO Michelle Beer conducts sprint training during the final camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen NSW, in February.Photo: CPL Nicole Dorrett