The official newspaper of the Royal Australian NavyVolume 55, No. 5, March 29, 2012

SERVING AUSTRALIA WITH PRIDE

NavyAGUSTA’SFINAL FLIGHTHMAS AlbATRoSS bidS fARewell Page 5

New kiTcHeN RuleS

MESS CHANGES

Page 15

buZZ of AcTiViTY: Helicopter Control Officer LEUT Sarah Mills operates the helicopter control console during flying operations on board HMAS Choules for Exercise Squadex off the coast of North Queensland. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

Big tick for newest ship after her first major amphibious training task

ALL GO FOR

CHOULES Full

story, centre pages

WHAT IT MEANS: The first in a series of articles examining the findings of the Defence culture reviews

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DirectorDavid Edlington(02) 6265 4650

EditorMichael Weaver(02) 6266 7707

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ReportersMichael Brooke: (02) 9359 2494LSIS Paul Berry: (02) 6266 7606SGT Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608CPL Melanie Schinkel: (02) 6265 2427CPL Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140

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02 NEWSMarch 29, 2012

A KEY theme that came out of the Review of Social Media and Defence, released on March 7 was don’t blame the technology or channel – look at the behaviour.

The report found that social media itself was not the cause of bad behav-iour, rather it was another means for communication, good or bad. Its find-ings call for a greater understanding of the expectations of Defence and society in the use of social media.

Defence intends to review its approach to the use of modern social media technologies, and is calling on the workforce to play an active part in shaping our culture by applying the recommendations of the culture reviews online, as well as in the work-place.

In a social media context, this means that Defence personnel would always behave on line in a way that is self-regulating – moderating them-selves – continuing to act with profes-sionalism, to be respectful and cred-ible, and proactive and innovative.

Head People Capability MAJGEN Gerard Fogarty said the aim was not to be paternalistic.

“The change required isn’t just about making sure you have privacy settings in place, we need to accept that our behaviour online needs to match the high standards that the Australian community expects of us, and this to be trusted to defend, prov-en to deliver, and respectful always,” he said.

“Our strategy for implement-ing cultural change is set out in the Pathway to Change: Evolving Defence Culture. As CDF said when he launched the Pathway, on most days and in most ways we perform extremely well, but there are occa-sions when we haven’t lived up to our own standards.”

All people in Defence have a role to play, according to MAJGEN

Some views➤ Most Defence personnel felt that

social media used by them, their families and their friends should continue unchanged.

➤ About a quarter of Australians believed Defence should stop using social media altogether.

➤ Only 22 per cent of Australians claimed not to use social media, compared to more than a third of Defence employees.

➤ Those from recruit to corporal level were more likely to use social media than those in higher ranks. The usage by lower ranks was at the same level as the gen-eral public.

➤ Facebook was the most popular social media site, with about one in four Defence employees indi-cating they used it every day.

➤ Defence members mostly used social media to look at pictures friends posted, followed closely by reading and commenting on people’s status updates.

➤ Recruit to corporal level person-nel were most likely to access social media via apps and mobile phones.

➤ The vast majority of Defence employees (80 per cent) had their Facebook set to “Friends Only”, while only 67 per cent of the general public used the setting.

➤ Overall, 42 per cent of Defence employees had been trained on the use of social media. Army personnel (67 per cent) were more likely to have been trained than their Navy and Air Force counterparts.

Fogarty, with the Review of Social Media and Defence highlighting that behavioural issues linked with the use of social media are not generation specific.

Social media: our roleWHAT IT MEANS: The first in a series of articles examining the findings of the Defence culture reviews

Although younger members were the biggest users of social media, the vast majority of all users under-stood and followed the rules set by Defence.

“There is often no definitive line between our work and home lives these days, so we need to live up to our cultural intent always. This comes with the territory of being in Defence, and that territory includes our online presence,” MAJGEN Fogarty said.

Defence has agreed to review its social media policies and training. It will also look to update its social media training and the way it is deliv-ered in Defence.

The review also recommended the creation of a platform-neutral social media policy updated regularly to keep pace with rapidly evolving tech-nologies.

JOB TO DO: Defence workforce asked to play an active part in shaping our culture

Photos: LS Paul Berry and LAC Bill Solomou

The reports can be found online at www.defence.gov.au/culturereviews

Land-locked sailors take to AfghanistanA LAND-LOCKED country like Afghanistan may seem like an unusual place to find sailors, but eight Navy members are currently serv-ing in the Southern Province at Kandahar Air Field (KAF) in a variety of roles.

The sailors are working in such diverse areas such as Combined Joint 4 - Joint Movements Coordination Centre, Afghanistan National Security Force Movements, as Civilian Liaison Officers, and in a number of other Australian contingents.

Before heading overseas, the sailors com-pleteed a five-day force preparation training at Randwick Barracks.

This was followed by a further four-day course at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates prior to moving forward, and into harms way said LEUT Alister Auld of HQ Regional Command – South and LEUT Andrew Colebourn of the Heron UAV Detachment.

“All sailors have volunteered for their posi-tions, and have the willingness and motivation necessary to undertake all challenges”, LEUT Auld said.

KAF is occasionally targeted by insurgent rocket attacks, sending everyone scurrying into one of the many hardened bomb shelters.

The combination of the attacks, dust and

extreme weather conditions (negative tempera-tures through to mid to high 50s) can have an emotional toll on personnel, although LEUT Matthew Norris, (the XO at Fleet Support Unit) says morale amongst the sailors is extremely high.

This was echoed by both ABIS Peter Thompson of the Heron UAV Detachment and ABCIS Andrew Baldwin.

“We all know the mission in Afghanistan is important and we all feel like we are contribut-ing. We really appreciate the opportunity to be over here supporting our coalition partners,” said ABIS Thompson.

MULTI-TASKERS: The eight sailors currently serving in Afghanistan. Photo: ABIS Peter Thompson

03NEWS March 29, 2012

Cpl Nick Wiseman

THE $10 million Defence of Darwin Experience was opened on February 18 to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.

Located at East Point directly in front of the old Military Museum, it offers the public an insight into the attacks on Darwin in 1942 as well as covering the period from 1932-1945.

Museum director Dr Tom Lewis said the museum wasn’t just about February 19, 1942.

“During that time period there were 64 air raids across the NT, Queensland and WA,” Dr Lewis said.

“The museum is about the

defence of northern Australia with a special emphasis on that one day in Darwin.”

Featuring many static and inter-active features, the museum is mod-ern in design with many touch and sensor-activated displays.

One interesting feature is the character cards visitors pick up when first entering the museum.

Throughout the museum, visi-tors can identify their characters on the interactive displays and find out where they were during the attacks.

At the end of the tour visitors can find out what happened to their characters after the war. Some of the characters are still alive and attended the opening of the museum.

Another innovative interactive feature of the museum is the story

share, which allows people to sit down and record their own stories to share with the collection.

“After recording their stories, if the museum finds they add value to the collection, contributors could return later to find themselves in a display,” Dr Lewis said.

“One particular story was the attack by four Japanese submarines a month before the bombings.

“They took on Australian and US warships, with one submarine being sunk along with the crew, the other three fled and then the next month the air carriers arrived to try again.”

To find out more about the Defence o f D a r w i n E x p e r i e n c e, g o t o www.nt.gov.au/defenceofdarwin

Museum puts Darwin in the picture

BOOST: The Government has purchased the Offshore Support Vessel, MSV Skandi Bergen, a sister ship to the ACV Ocean Protector, pictured here. Photo courtesy: Customs and Border Protection

Purchase adds further boostMichael Weaver

NAVY’S amphibious capability will be further boosted by the purchase of the Offshore Support Vessel MSV Skandi Bergen.

The Skandi Bergen will bolster the ranks of current amphibious ships HMAS Choules and HMAS Tobruk.

The ship will be fitted with a 60-tonne crane, can accommodate up to 100 people with more than 1000 square metres of deck space capable of carrying all Defence vehicles and equipment.

The purchase of the Skandi Bergen – at a cost of less than $130

million – will ensure that Defence has the humanitarian and disaster relief capability required between now and the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships in the middle of the decade.

It will primarily be used to trans-port troops and supplies in support of domestic and regional humanitar-ian and disaster relief operations, while also providing a long term capability for Customs and Border Protection.

After Defence introduces the LHDs into service, the vessel will be transferred to Customs and Border Protection.

The Skandi Bergen will be able

to undertake patrols in the Southern Ocean providing surveillance, detec-tion and apprehension of any ves-sels operating illegally. The vessel is able to operate in sub-Antarctic weather conditions.

The commercial-off-the-shelf vessel will require minimal modi-fications and will enter into service in the middle of the year and will be operated under a civilian crewing arrangement.

The Skandi Bergen is the sister ship of the ACV Ocean Protector, currently operated by Customs and Border Protection.

HMAS Melbourne on stationMichael Weaver

ADELAIDE class guided missile frigate HMAS Melbourne has arrived on station in the Middle East, taking over Operation Slipper duties from HMAS Parramatta.

Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East, MAJGEN Stuart Smith, visited HMAS Melbourne and her ship’s company while in Djibouti, Africa.

MAJGEN Smith welcomed the crew and reinforced the key role the ship plays in providing maritime security.

The deployment is the 28th rotation by Navy, signifying almost continuous sup-port to Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East since 1990.

HMAS Parramatta is now heading home to Fleet Base East, after steaming more than 52,000 nautical miles during her fourth deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations.

MAJGEN Smith praised the men and women of HMAS Parramatta on a suc-cessful mission.

“HMAS Parramatta has played a sig-nificant role in maintaining security in the Gulf waters. I commend her ship’s company for their professionalism, disci-pline and teamwork.”

CO HMAS Parramatta, CMDR Guy Blackburn, said the ship’s company per-formed superbly in all aspects.

“This ship’s company has represented Australia at the highest level of opera-tions and acquitted themselves well.

“They should be extremely proud of their achievements. They represent the finest qualities of our sailors and officers serving in the RAN and ADF,” CMDR Blackburn said.

During the deployment, a successful drug disruption operation was conducted on February 3, netting and disposing of 240kg of illegal narcotics at a value of more than $5 million.

HMAS Parramatta and her ship’s company of approximately 190 men and women will return to Fleet Base East in late March.

ALONGSIDE: PO Lance Morris on duty at the Port of Djibouti, Africa, onboard HMAS Melbourne as part of Operation Slipper. Photo: SGT Mick Davis

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04 NEWSMarch 29, 2012

Michael Brooke

D E C O M M I S S I O N E D HMAS Kanimbla per-formed one last impor-tant function for Navy on March 8 as the test plat-form for a new technology that has the potential to save the lives of sailors.

‘ C r y H a v o c ’ w a s used to test the Naval Automated Personne l Tracker (NAPT) which is a Capability Technology Demonstrator (CTD) pro-ject being assessed by Defence Sc ience and Technology Organisation and the RAN.

Director of the CTD Program Dr Alan Hinge said the system performed myriad functions.

“The NAPT system employs innova-tive active radio frequency ID tag tech-nology to provide man overboard warn-ing, RADHAZ zone intrusion monitor-ing, monitoring of the disembarkation and embarkation of personnel, and sup-port of mustering operations.”

Capability Development Group’s Maritime CTD Coordinator CMDR Menno Zwerwer said the NAPT system had the potential to save lives.

The NAPT was initially trialled at sea in 2008 and again more recently, which revealed major benefits to Navy, as well as some gaps being addressed by the designer, Blue Glue Pty.

“The NAPT has enormous benefits to Navy in terms of OH&S, as we have lost a few people at sea in tragic circum-stances,” CMDR Zwerwer said.

“But a system like this can quickly alert the ship’s command to man over-board situations.”

The radio frequency ID tag technolo-gy is linked to sensors on different parts of the ship to provide rapid mapping of where sailors wearing RFID technology bracelets or tags are located.

CMDR Zwerwer said in the event of man overboard, the NAPT not only

provided rapid warning but provided a time stamp, the identity of the sailor overboard, his/her last location on the ship, and the GPS location of the ship at the time of the incident.

“This technology can determine exactly who is missing and more impor-tantly where they are, especially if they require rescue in times of crisis like a fire,” he said.

The NAPT also serves as an elec-tronic peg board, assisting gangway staff in determining crew and visitor status when alongside.

CMDR Zwerwer said the NAPT sys-tem had the potential to assist person-nel tracking on the enormous Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Docks where hundreds of ADF personnel could be monitored around hazardous spaces and the upper decks.

Maritime Development staff will now discuss with Navy the outcomes of the demonstration and associated report in order to make a decision about the poten-tial for future application within the Fleet.

Although the demonstration was held onboard Kanimbla, the technology can be applied in a land or air environment.

The CTD Program is Defence’s flagship inno-vation program. It has provided almost 100 technology demonstrations since 1998, with 12 CTDs entering service with another dozen under consideration.

Lifesaver on track for action

Michael Brooke

OLD ropes have enabled HMAS Kuttabul to strengthen relations with the wider Navy community that now includes monkeys and lions.

Kuttabul’s Buffer’s Party has effectively assisted in building bridges with Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo by donating ropes that have exceeded their service life.

Kuttabul Buffer PO Jay Pettifer said the ropes that once secured

warships to their berths at Fleet Base East have been put to good use in animal enclosures at the zoos for a range of purposes, including mak-ing swings for the monkeys.

“Over the past few years, HMAS Kuttabul Buffer’s Party has enjoyed a relationship with Taronga Zoo in Sydney, which was recently extend-ed to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo,” he said.

The Buffer’s Party recently took the opportunity to deliver the haw-sers to Dubbo which doubled as a team development expedition.

The Taronga Western Plains Zoo offered a unique opportunity for the Buffers Party of nine personnel to experience a behind-the-scenes tour.

During the tour, the Buffer’s Party had a chance to hand feed giraffes, white one-horned rhinos and lions.

PO Pettifer said donating the rope marked another small success for the Navy Community Engagement Program, while for the RAN person-nel gained a better understanding of wildlife and conservation.

AUTOMATED RADAR: A new tracking device could help save lives at sea.

ROPED IN: SMN Amanda Williams and AB Dean Welsh with the zookeeper from Dubbo’s Western Plains Zoo, Nick Hanlon.

Kuttabul strengthens zoo ties

05NEWS March 29, 2012

Dallas McMaugh

723 SQN’s Agusta Westland A109E helicopters retired in style on March 9 when they made a spectacular final landing at HMAS Albatross after a formation flight over Canberra, the outskirts of Sydney and Jervis Bay.

In a final tribute, the three aircraft taxied through an arch of water pro-vided by two of the base’s fire trucks at HMAS Albatross.

Among those waiting on the tar-mac to farewell the Agusta were Commander Fleet Air Arm CDRE Peter Laver and 723 Squadron Commanding Officer CMDR Matthew Shand.

The Agusta 109s first entered Royal Australian Navy Service in June 2007.

Provided and maintained by Raytheon Australia, the aircraft flew

Michael Brooke

WHEN ABMT Gavin Addison saw an unattended toddler perilously close to speeding cars on a busy Sydney high-way, he acted quickly.

The sailor from Fleet Support Unit – Sydney was on a bus travelling from HMAS Kuttabul to his girlfriend’s house on March 13 when he saw the toddler wandering just metres from oncoming cars and trucks on the Wakehurst Parkway.

“At first I thought I was seeing things,” ABMT Addison said.

“I didn’t see any parents or anyone so I decided to do something to prevent the toddler from coming to harm.”

ABMT Addison, 23, jumped off the bus and ran to the toddler’s assistance, scooping her up just a metre from the roadside.

Not long after, the frantic mother arrived on the scene to embrace the toddler.

ABMT Addison found out the toddler had wandered through an open gate in the backyard.

“As you can imagine the parents were very concerned about the welfare of their child,” he said.

News of ABMT Addison’s good deed spread after his girlfriend posted it on the internet, which generated a number of media interview requests.

more than 6000 hours and qualified more than 60 aircrew.

The helicopters were part of Navy’s Retention and Motivation Initiative which aims to provide development opportunities for junior pilots, aviation warfare officers and aircrewmen awaiting operational fly-ing training on Seahawk and MRH90 helicopters.

CMDR Shand said the develop-ment opportunities the Agusta pro-vided was invaluable.

“The A109 presented a fantas-tic opportunity for Naval Aircrew to gain experience in an advanced twin engine aircraft prior to commencing Operational Flying Training in either the Sea King, Seahawk or MRH90 helicopters,” CMDR Shand said.

The A109Es also provided vital support in Defence Community Assistance operations, including the

2009 Victoria bushfires and 2011 Queensland flood relief and were a regular feature at open days, air shows, schools and community events throughout Australia.

The Agusta will be replaced by three Bell 429 helicopters, the first of which arrived in March and undergo testing before entering in service with 723 SQN in May.

Officer in Charge RMI LCDR Tim Kerridge said the 429 would offer junior pilots the exciting opportunity to fly the most modern helicopters in Australia, but while the 429s were state of the art, they could not quite match the Agusta’s flair.

“The Agusta are a lovely looking aircraft”, he said.

“When you see them out there in flight, you can tell they were designed by Italians because they simply exude style,” LCDR Kerridge said.

Agusta choppers go out in style

HOME FOR GOOD: Two of the helicopters fly over Jervis Bay during their final flight; top, the watery tribute from the base’s fire trucks at HMAS Albatross. Photos: LSIS Yuri Ramsey and ABIS Hayley Clarke

Quick thinking saves toddler from harm

ABMT Addison’s signature behaviours earned him praise from his supervisor and peers at FSU-Sydney, who said his decisive action probably saved the toddler’s life.

“It’s simple – be the best that you can be,” he said.

ABMT Addison said people shouldn’t be afraid to get involved or respond to crisis in order to avert tragedy.

“The Navy teaches you to answer a myriad of new and exciting challenges each day which is an important life skill that will serve me well all my life,” he said.

SEEING IS BELIEVING: ABMT Gavin Addison.

06 NEWSMarch 29, 2012

SBLT Sarah West

THE Navy’s mission readiness was put to the test in an intensive three-week training exercise off the coast of Western Australia.

HMA Ships Ballarat, Newcastle, Perth, Sirius, Warramunga and Collins took part in Exercise Triton Storm 2, due to wind up at the end of March.

The exercise is the Navy’s second

major warfare exercise of the year, and the first to be conducted in the West Australian Exercise Area (WAXA).

Her Majesty’s New Zealand Ships Endeavour and Te Kaha joined the Australian fleet for the exercise which aimed to test its in-company war fighting skills in realistic anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and naval gunfire support serials.

T r i t o n S t o r m 2 a l l o w e d participating units to test and train

competencies including navigation, d a m a g e c o n t r o l , s e a m a n s h i p , warfare, gunnery, replenishment at sea, and in-company manoeuvring.

T h e i n c l u s i o n o f t wo o i l replenishment ships (Sirius and Endeavour) allowed the fleet to practice refuelling and resupplying four warships at once, while underway at sea.

Navy’s Commander of Training CDRE Daryl Bates said major

exercises such as Triton Storm 2 were essential.

“In-company training is absolutely vital for maintaining combat readiness and safe practice throughout the fleet,” he said.

“The opportunity to conduct this training with our allies, New Zealand, is invaluable, and the skills we train this month will hold us in good stead for future operations with our allies around the world,” CDRE Bates said.

SBLT Sarah West

AUSTRALIAN Clearance Diving Team 4 (AUSCDT4) completed an extensive month-long training serial in February, which focused on maintaining a high level of readiness in the areas of underwater battle

damage repair and bomb search and disposal techniques.

Exercise Mulgogger (West), which is conducted annually at HMAS Stirling and in surrounding waters, put the divers through their paces for 12 gruelling hours a day during which they practised a

variety of specialist skills under the water, on the surface and on land.

The skills practised included diving and diving preparations, wharf searches, the use of underwater tools, underwater salvage, land navigation and medical casualty drills.

SGT Dave Morley

ABOUT 60 RAN members post-ed to RAAF Base Wagga were deployed on sandbagging tasks as the Murrumbidgee River rose quickly in early March.

SMN Jonathan Hartigan said he felt sorry for the locals and didn’t mind helping at all.

“We were rained on the whole time but it didn’t slow us down,” he said.

SMN Damien Glover said he was charged with adrenalin the whole time.

“We went pretty hard the first night, but even harder the next night,” he said.

“The people at the RAAF Base looked after us really well too.”

SMN Sam Price said it was good to get out into the community to help.

“We worked a pretty long shift, so we slept pretty well after that,” he said.

“I was pretty inspired by SGT Shane Marshall from RAAFSTT and CPL Matthew Hopkins from 1RTU.”

Commandant RMC-A BRIG Dave Luhrs said it was good to see all three colours of uniform assist-ing.

“What we do in uniform doesn’t get any more real than when we’re out in the community serving the people,” he said.

HANDS ON: From left, SMNATA Damien Glover, SMNATA Sam Price and SMNATV Jonathan Hartigan who spent four hours fill-ing sandbags. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

MISSION READINESS: HMA Ships Newcastle and Warramunga pull up to stations one and two for replenishment at sea from HMAS Sirius, as HMNZS Te Kaha takes up lifeguard station to the rear of the evolution. Photo: ABIS Alan Lancaster

Tests in the west

Clearance divers hone their skills

RAN members help at Wagga

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07NEWS March 29, 2012

Sgt Andrew Hetherington

TWO NAVY tradesmen are living the dream of every V8 Supercar fan, work-ing as pit crew for the Ford Performance Racing (FPR) team at the 2012 Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Marine technicians PO Clinton MacGregor and LS Ashley Schmidt, started their one-year term working as crew members of FPR on February 20.

“We work from 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday at the team’s factory at Campbellfield in Melbourne and work in one of the 10 different workshop sections,” LS Schmidt says.

“At the moment I’m working in the composite section making carbon fibre car bumpers.

“After I’ve finished with the bumpers they then go off to be painted and the sponsor signs get stuck on.”

LS Schmidt says it’s an interesting job and being part of the team doesn’t mean he and PO MacGreggor only work in the factory.

“We also travel with the team and work in the pits on the vehicles during the race events,” he says.

“The Formula One event here is the second event we’ve both been to so far; our first event was the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide and it was great for the team (Navy News, March 15, p2).

“We had some great results with a pole

position and a win in the Navy car and for the V8 Supercars had a first, a third and seventh placing.”

He says working with the team is an experience of a lifetime.

“It’s similar to working in the Navy actually, as they work long hours and if defects arise in the equipment, they stay up late to fix it,” LS Schmidt says.

“They’re also really switched on and very professional just like we are in the Navy too.

“For the rest of the time with the team, I’m really looking forward to working in the engine shop; to be able to pull them apart, have a look inside and tune them.”

PO Clinton MacGregor says he was ecstatic when he found out he was awarded the one-year work placement with the team.

“It’s a dream outplacement to work with any motor sport team and both myself and Ash are really appreciative for being a part of it,” PO MacGregor says.

“The team has been a fantastic to us and have taken the time to train us.”

FPR Team Manager Chris O’Toole says the team is extremely happy with their two new Navy interns.

“Their work ethic is fantastic, they never stop working and are willing to do anything,” Mr O’Toole says.

“We can tell them anything, they just pick it up, which I think is due to their maturity, Navy training and skill sets.

“I’d employ them both based on their resumes alone.”

Racing with team FPRFor the remainder of the year, both of the Navy FPR team personnel will travel with the team to other races located at places such as Darwin, Townsville, Bathurst, Sydney, New Zealand, the Gold Coast and Western Australia. They will also rotate through the 10 factory workshop sections once every month to gain more experience with the team. They finish their contract with FPR on February 20, 2013. The FPR team won the overall V8 Supercars event at the 2012 Formula One Grand Prix, receiving the most number of points.

Revved up for F1 GP

HANDS ON: LSMT Ashley Schmidt (left) and POMT Clinton MacGregor (right) at the Formula One Grand Prix. Photos: Sgt Andrew Hetherington

ON A WINNER: POMT Clinton MacGregor helps prepare one of the three Ford Performance Racing V8 Supercars at the Formula One Grand Prix.

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09NEWS March 29, 2012

Navy women putting best feet forwardMichael Brooke

NAVY is the leading the way in the employment of women in the Australian Defence Force through the implementation of workplace initiatives such as New Generation Navy and Navy Signature Behaviours.

Commander Australian Fleet RADM Tim Barrett said women currently represent approximate-ly 14 per cent of ADF personnel and while this figure is low, it is steadily improving.

“The current percentages of women in the ADF by service are Navy 18 per cent, Army 12 per cent and Air Force 17 per cent,” he said.

RADM Barrett highlighted the success of Navy recruit-ing when the RAN marked International Women’s Day by helping to launch the G ove r n m e n t ’s A u s t r a l i a n National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2012-2018 at Sydney’s Garden Island.

The National Action Plan was launched by Minister for the Status of Women Julie Collins MP, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Ms Elizabeth Broderick and the Commander Australian Fleet RADM Tim Barrett at the RAN Heritage Centre on March 8.

The delivery of a National Action Plan marks Australia’s next step in implementing

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) that underlines the essential role of women in conflict prevention, management and resolution.

RADM Barrett said the launch of the National Action Plan continues the ADF’s move toward becoming a more com-petitive and attractive employer.

He acknowledged that there has been, and may still be, gen-der-based issues in the ADF, “but we have been working toward cultural change for a number of years and now have many posi-tive programs in place.

“With this in mind the previ-ous CN, Russ Crane, launched the New Generation Navy (NGN) Cultural Change program in 2009 because at every rank level, RAN personnel are entitled to and are responsible for main-taining a working environment free of harassment and discrimi-nation,” he said.

“I am pleased to say that NGN and CDF’s Action Plan have been effective as key cul-tural enablers that have been the catalyst for a number of changes and improvements in the ADF,” he said.

RADM Barrett said the National Action Plan would pro-vide the ADF with further inval-uable perspectives into how we can protect, promote and foster female personnel in the ADF and also support women in countries that are in conflict.

Recruits a step closerSBLT Laura Bell and LEUT Adam Ross

SOME 78 recruits and staff from the RAN Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus answered the call of the sea when they embarked in HMA Ships Ballarat and Newcastle to gain an insight into life at sea.

The opportunity on February 29 also allowed the recruits to gain a unique insight to the roles and responsibilities they would soon undertake fol-lowing graduation.

For many recruits of General Entry Class 300, this sea day represented the first time they had been outside Recruit School in eight weeks.

Each ship conducted a slightly different program with Ballarat’s sea riders enjoying a boarding party and small arms demonstra-tion while Newcastle’s program included a dam-age control and a demon-stration by the ship’s medi-cal emergency team.

Highlights included a handling demonstration by Ballarat’s S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter, a ship handling demonstration in conjunction with a man

overboard exercise by Newcastle and blank 12.7mm firings by both units.

Departmental tours also exposed recruits to the different roles and responsibilities of each department.

Tours of the respec-tive departments onboard were con-ducted by junior sailors from the categories associated with that department to ensure everyone had their questions answered.

Recruits also viewed various work-places, including the machinery spaces, bridge, operations room, the five-inch and 76mm guns, as well as administrative and Naval stores areas.

One group of recruits on Ballarat had the added honour, with the ship’s company, to witness the scattering of ashes of five former members of the RAN while at anchor in Westernport Bay.

Navy recruits from General Entry Class 300 inside the operations room of HMAS Ballarat.

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10 NEWSMarch 29, 2012

Cpl Mark Doran

SIX Navy personnel from Force Support Unit 6 (FSU-6) were joined by family and friends for a fare-well parade at Lavarack Barracks on March 16.

Some 142 Navy, Army and Air Force personnel left for the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) as part of Operation Slipper for a six-month rotation.

FSU-6 is tasked with providing support to ADF personnel in the MEAO.

This support covers the recep-tion, staging, onward movement and integration of troops deploying into the MEAO.

It also includes health and psy-chological support as well as vital

logistic and administrative func-tions including postal, supply, repair and transport.

Drawn primarily from 10FSB based in Townsvil le , FSU-6 includes specialist personnel from the RAN, RAAF and Army units from across Australia.

CO FSU-6 , LTCOL Ph i l McMaster, said he was incredibly proud of FSU-6 as the triservice members had bonded together as a team and met his expectations.

“These 142 people came togeth-er from 52 different units, so we did have challenges with how peo-ple worked together and understood each other but they are now a fantas-tic team,” LTCOL McMaster said.

“It is an absolute privilege to be taking them overseas. We have

trained well – we feel ready.” One of the sailors with FSU-6,

ABSN Dane Jones, said the deploy-ment would be a challenging and rewarding experience.

“It will be fantastic to be able to represent the Navy in what will be a strong Army environment,” ABSN Jones said.

“I feel I will be able to do my Service and the ADF proud.”

Defence Parliamentary Secretary Mike Kelly attended the parade, and praised the deploying personnel and acknowledged their commitment and their families’ commitment to community and country.

“We can’t forget the many sacri-fices families make,” Dr Kelly said.

“I would like to thank them for the support they give our personnel.”

LCDR Jeffery Choat

MEMBERS of the Senate Committee u n d e r t a k i n g t h e I n q u i r y i n t o Procurement Procedures for Defence Capital Projects took an unusual view of HMAS Toowoomba during their visit to the ship.

The senators were presented with a side of the Toowoomba, freshly painted and ready for action, rarely seen by the general population.

The Anzac class frigate was nearing the end of an essential maintenance peri-od after returning from an operational deployment to the Middle East last year, and is now getting ready to start work-up training and evaluation.

The maintenance work was conduct-ed at the Australian Maritime Complex at Henderson in Western Australia and involved the ship being complete-

ly removed from the water to inspect, repair and repaint the hull.

Being able to walk underneath a major fleet unit gave the committee a unique perspective and an opportunity to appreciate the size of Toowoomba and the scale of maintenance required to keep her operating to her full potential.

“Defence is working closely with civilian contractors to complete the Anzac Class’s first use of the floating dock in WA,” Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba CMDR Andrew Quinn said.

“The capability improvements and rectification work is being done in our home port, which is keeping my crew happy,” he said.

Toowoomba will return to the Middle East later this year, when she deploys on Operation Slipper rotation 30. Toowoomba will take over Op Slipper duties from HMAS Anzac.

APPLICATIONS are closing for 25 post-graduate study positions for Navy personnel seeking further education. The positions include six to 12 months of Navy-sponsored full-time study as part of the revamped Civil Schooling Scheme. The courses should relate to the Navy’s interests and be appropriate to the member’s rank and career structure.

For more information, contact the desk officer, local education officer, Staff Officer (Education) or Training Systems Officers.

Senators get bird’s eye view of ship

Support unit says goodbye

UNITED TEAM:Navy members of Force Support Unit-6 with LCDR Chris Jones, Commanding Officer of Supply School HMAS Cerberus, at the farewell parade held at Lavarack Barracks on March 16. (L-R): LEUT Tim Lovell, LS Susan Kershaw, LCDR Chris Jones, PO Robert McKeown, AB Dave Jones and AB Will Garrick.Photo: Cpl Mark Doran

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GRAND TOUR: (L-R) Senator Gary Humphries, ACT; John O’Hare, Australian Marine Complex; Bill Adlam, LandCorp; Senator David Fawcett, SA; Jonathon Smith, Common User Facility; CMDR Andrew Quinn; CDRE Michael Houghton; Senator Alan Eggleston, WA; Senator Ursula Stephens, NSW; CAPT Wendy Malcolm. Photo: LCDR Jeffrey Choat

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11NEWS March 29, 2012

Dallas McMaugh

AFTER his son Aiden was diagnosed with type 1 juvenile diabetes last year, CPO Stu Walter, of HMAS Albatross, wanted to do something.

Teaming with CPO Glenn Smith, the car enthusi-asts quickly set about organising the Albatross Show’ n Shine car event which raised $1120 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

Despite inclement weather, the event, held at Fleet Air Arm Musuem on March 7, attracted 40 entrants and several hundred spectators. Cars included a 1972 Ford XA Coupe drag car, a classic Combi campervan, a 1961 Vespa, a 1971 Holden HQ Coupe and Stu’s own 2005 Ford FPV GT-P.

“After Aiden’s diagnosis I wanted to do my part in promoting public awareness and raising funds for research into a cure for type 1 diabetes,” CPO Walters said.

“The support from the local community and automobile-loving Albatross personnel was great, everyone really got behind us.”

CPO Walters and CPO Smith hope to organise another Show’n’Shine later this year.

Michael Brooke

A FAMILY illness has inspired HMAS Kuttabul’s CPO Alan Giles to participate in a 200km cycling event to raise funds for cancer research and treatment.

When CPOET Giles learnt his stepfather had been diagnosed with lymphoma, he felt compelled to partici-pate in a fundraiser for the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

“When you get news like that you want to help in any way you can,” he said.

CPO Giles said he hoped to raise $3200 by cycling 200km in October in the Sunsuper Ride to Conquer Cancer from Sydney to Camden via Penrith and back.

The Combat Systems Maintenance School instructor is a 24-year Navy veteran who wants to do all he can for this worthwhile charity. “I expect the event to challenge me mentally and physically because I’m not a profes-sional cyclist,” he said.

CPO Giles has already launched a vigorous training program to prepare for the event with 80km rides along the length of the M7 motorway in Sydney.

CPO Giles’ foray into cycling started by accident, when he got sick of sitting in traffic jams every day.

“I started cycling to work three times a week about 12 months ago and since then I have felt the benefits of being healthy by losing 12kg and saving money other-wise spent on petrol.”

CPO Giles said he is seeking donations of any size for this cause.

All proceeds will help build the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a world-class cancer treatment and research facility providing integrated care and support services to public and private patients.

Donations to date have reached nearly $700.

To donate go to http://sy12.conquercancer.org.au/site/TR/Events/Sydney2012?px=1096090&pg=personal&fr_id=1070

Road to researchCYCLE POWER: CPOET Alan Giles, HMAS Kuttabul, will ride 200km to raise funds to help conquer cancer. Photo: ABIS Richard Cordell

GOOD JOB: CO HMAS Albatross CAPT Gordon Andrew, left, presents CPO Stu Walters and CPO Glenn Smith with a cheque for $1120, raised for juvenile diabetes. Photo: LSIS Yuri Ramsey

Albatross revs up for diabetes fund

CENTRESPREAD12 13March 29, 2012

ON STATION: HMAS Choules sits off the coast of North Queensland conducting amphibious boat operations and flight deck operations during Exercise Squadex. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

CHOULES GETS HER SEA LEGSNAVY’s new amphibious ship HMAS Choules has

successfully carried out its first major amphibious training task.

The last two weeks of the amphibious exercise Squadex have provided practice for drivers of Army Landing Craft Medium (LCM8) and Navy Landing Craft Heavy (LCH), along with a variety of vehicle types as they drive on and off HMAS Choules.

Army Blackhawk helicopter pilots from Townville’s 5 Aviation Regiment also put the ship to the test, flying constant sorties to confirm their deck landing qualifications, as well as practice cargo and personnel transfers.

Stakes were raised even higher during Exercise Sea Lion when Choules practiced assisting ‘victims’ of a simulated natural disaster, along with almost a thousand Defence personnel from Australia and New Zealand.

HMAS Choules is significantly larger than the amphibious ships she replaced and she gives the ADF new capabilities such as a floating dock.

The internal docking facility or well dock can be flooded to a depth of up to three metres.

Landing craft and the ship’s own landing barges called Mexeflotes actually drive inside the hull whilst the ship is at

sea, taking on their cargo of vehicles and people in safe and controlled conditions.

HMAS Choules’ Commanding Officer CMDR John Cowan said these types of activities will soon become the norm for the Navy’s newest ship.

“We have the capacity to conduct simultaneous landing craft and helicopter operations, day and night, in support of operations focussed on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” CMDR Cowan said.

“Using Choules’ well dock to move personnel and equipment ashore allows a significant increase in the speed of transfer compared with the Navy’s previous Landing Platform Amphibious ships.”

For Exercise Sea Lion, Choules was joined by New Zealand amphibious ship HMNZS Canterbury, with her 122 crew, members of a Canadian contingent and Australian Army personnel.

Along with Army personnel from Townsville’s 3rd Brigade and planning staff from all three services around Australia, this exercise is focused on confirming the ADF is prepared to meet a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief incident within our region.

NOTED: ABMED Emily Sheers (right) takes medical notes during a mock casualty exercise in the resusitation bay on board HMAS Choules. Photo ABIS James Whittle

DRILL TIME: The Maritime Role 2 Enhanced Team from HMAS Choules extract a mock patient from an Army A25 Blackhawk while conducting aero medical evacuation practice during Exercise Squadex. Photo ABIS James Whittle

HMAS Choules:

Length: 176 metres

Ship’s company: Choules has a crew of 158 officers and sailors, including a permanently embarked Ship’s Army Department of 22.

Storage: The ship can accommodate two large helicopters, 150 light trucks and 350 troops.

Amphibious action in Queensland for Navy’s newest

UPLIFTING: Craning operations to lift a Land Rover 6x6 field ambulance from Townsville Wharf onto HMAS Choules. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

INCOMING: An Army A25 Blackhawk makes its approach to land on board HMAS Choules while a Landing Craft Medium comes in from the stern to conduct amphibious boat operations during Exercise Squadex. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

DOOR’S OPEN: An Army Landing Craft Medium 8 from Townsville-based 35 WaterTransport Squadron approaches the inside the well dock of HMAS Choules. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

CALM IN A STORM: HMAS Choules and HMAS Labuan off Cowley Beach for Exercise Sea Lion. Photo: Darren Hilder

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A COLLABORATION between Navy meteorology and ocean-ography (METOC) officer LCDR Lincoln Trainor and government agencies has resulted in him being presented with a Navy commenda-tion for service for his work on the BLUElink ocean forecasting system.

LCDR Lincoln Trainor received the commendation on February 28 in Melbourne from the Bureau of Meteorology’s Dr Neville Smith.

The award recognises LCDR Trainor’s contribution to a highly successful collaboration, which establishes the RAN as one of the most advanced navies in the world in terms of its oceanographic capability.

Dr Smith, one of the Bureau’s senior executives, acknowledged the productive partnership between the RAN, Bureau and CSIRO to develop a state-of-the-art ocean forecasting system known as BLUElink, and praised LCDR Trainor’s energy and expertise.

LCDR citation said: “Guided by the New Generation Navy signature behaviours, you have worked in a constructive manner with colleagues both within the

NAVY aims to support the 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Awards, for which nominations are now being called.Navy has supported this award for the past two years and achieved some success in gaining recognition for women in demanding leadership roles.

Last year, RADM Robyn Walker won the White Pages Community and Government Award for the ACT and was also awarded the 2011 Telstra ACT Business Woman of the Year Award.

LEUT Kylie Beumer won the 2011 Northern Territory Marie Claire Young Business Woman of the Year Award.

Navy Women’s Strategic Adviser CMDR Jenni Heymans said CN was keen to continue to seek recognition of women in uniform in 2012 through this nationally recognised award pro-gram and expects commanding offic-ers and Navy leaders to encourage the nomination of worthy candidates.

The most appropriate of the five categories is the White Pages

Community and Government Award, which is open to employees in govern-ment departments, statutory bodies and not-for-profit organisations.

Winners of the qualifying catego-ries are also eligible to win the overall Telstra Business Woman of the Year for their state/territory.

Nominees will be invited to enter the program by submitting their entry online by a specified date (likely to be June). Entries are assessed by a judg-ing panel and finalists selected. State and territory winners are announced at the state/territories awards ceremo-nies. National winners are announced at the national presentation dinner in Melbourne in November.

Nominations for the 2012 awards can now be made online at www.telstrabusi-nesswomensawards.com/nominate/. Navy personnel are invited to submit nomina-tions for women and women can also nominate themselves. Further details can be obtained the Navy Women’s Strategic Adviser, CMDR Jennifer Heymans, at jen-nifer.heymans@defence.gov.au.

Justine O’Brien

HIGH-performing LEUTs and POs now have the opportunity to be included at the forefront of Navy’s future leaders.

CN agreed in February to intro-duce an initiative that rewards high-potential LEUTs and POs by opening nominations for them to attend Navy Leadership Development Workshops (NLDW) with more senior colleagues.

The Director General Navy People, CDRE Vicki McConachie, said it was essential for the Navy to recognise and support Navy’s future leaders.

“This initiative aims to reward peo-ple who demonstrate exemplary behav-iour and contribute to Navy’s desired culture,” CDRE McConachie said.

She said the initiative would iden-

tify and nurture officers and sailors who showed superior potential, helping them to be instrumental in shaping and deliv-ering a better Navy.

LEUTs and POs who are recognised as high performers by their heads of department can be nominated to partici-pate in the NLDW.

Heads of department are encouraged to recommend suitable candidates by completing the relevant application form that can be downloaded from the Navy Leadership and Ethics intranet site, or email navyleadership.workshop@defence.gov.au.

For information about Navy’s Leadership and Ethics program visit the NGN site on the Intranet, or go to: www.navy.gov.au/Leadership_and_Ethics.

14 PERSONNELMarch 29, 2012

Commendation over BLUElink

RAN and in external organisations, fostering a collaborative working environment.

“You have been particularly diligent in liaising with the submarine, surface warfare, mine warfare and maritime patrol aircraft communities, in order to maximise the impact of the project for the warfighter.”

Dr Smith said the physical oceanography around Australia is extremely complex, so the RAN

needs to understand and predict it in order to fight effectively.

The BLUElink system achieves this using a range of ocean observations and a forecasting model hosted on the Bureau’s supercomputer. It predicts the temperature, salinity, currents and sea surface height out to six days.

The BLUElink project has also developed higher resolution models which can be set up over areas of particular interest to the RAN, and which are routinely run by Navy forecasters.

LCDR Trainor whose career has included employment as a forecaster, being deployed to provide direct support to command teams during exercises, and project work in the Hydrography and METOC Branch.

He has also worked as a METOC in the Britain during a Long Look exchange, and completed a masters degree in oceanography at the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

LCDR Trainor also featured in a story on BLUElink in ABC TV’s Catalyst science program in 2010.

WELL DONE: Dr Neville Smith congratulates LCDR Lincoln Trainor.

Business Women’s Awards again

LEUTs, POs follow the leaders

AWAITING COPYAd Number: adffsccArtwork: adffsccSize: 19x7Description: ADF Financial Services Consumer CouncilAccount: Colour:

3/12 ISSUE 87

Op STAYSAFEEMAIL: navy.safety@defence.gov.au

TELEPHONE: 1800 558 555 (confidentiality assured) Seaworthy is produced by the Directorate of Navy Safety Systems in the interests of promoting

safety in the Navy. The contents do not necessarily reflect Service policy and, unless stated otherwise, should not be construed as orders, instructions or directives – KEEP NAVY SAFE.

THE OHS Incident Report (OHSIR) is a signal report used to identify and record hazards through a proactive system of open incident reporting.

The OHSIR informs other ships or establishments of hazards and ensures that hazard identification efforts, or lessons learned, are shared with all potentially exposed areas.

This allows the Fleet Environment and Occupational Health and Safety Coordinating Office (FEOHSCO) and Force Commands to conduct trend analysis, looking for appropriate strategies to control identified hazards.

The OHSIR is one of the many sources of information used by Navy Safety when responding to incident queries by organisations such as COMCARE.

An OHSIR should be raised in any of the following circumstances:u  REACTIVE – an incident occurs

resulting in fatality, injury or exposure

u  NEAR MISS – an incident occurs which could have, but did not, result in fatality, injury or exposure or

u  PROACTIVE – a hazard is identified before an incident occurs

through inspection, risk assessment or any other appropriate method.OHSIRs are to be submitted

as soon as reasonably practicable, consistent with the operational situation and the determination of relevant detail. Further details can be reported via an OHSIR SITREP.

Ship safety teams review open OHSIRs at each meeting and consider them for closure. An OHSIR may be closed if: u  the risk has been mitigated to as

low as reasonably practicableu  the likelihood of the incident to

re-occur is improbableu  the nature of the incident is deemed

to be so minor as not to warrant further action or reviewt

u   the highest level of control has been applied

u  the OHSIR has been assigned to the Navy Hazard Log for subsequent management.Once an OHSIR has been raised,

it is uploaded on to an electronic database by FEOHSCO, who ensure application of sound risk management processes and the assignment of a Hazard Risk Index.

The OHSIR is assigned to an action officer within the relevant Force Command (typically the group safety officer). Where required, FEOHSCO, through the Force Command’s action officer, will seek clarification from the unit/ship/establishment on related issues.

The action officer will further review the Navy Hazard Log (NHL) to see whether it is a one-off incident or constitutes a wider hazard. The NHL works in partnership with the OHSIR database and is designed to rectify

or mitigate the hazard, recording all the hazard risk considerations and documenting all actions taken relative to the hazard.

The FEOHSCO says when conducting risk assessments, evaluate the consequence first and then the likelihood.

Approaching risk assessments in this way allows you to establish the likelihood of the gravest perceived consequence occurring. For example, the consequence of a sailor tripping

over an unsecured cable while crossing the gangway and breaking their neck may be considered catastrophic, but the likelihood of this actually occurring is improbable, leading to a HRI of 12.

If likelihood is evaluated first, then you could conclude it is probable that a sailor will trip over a cable left across the gangway and with the consequence remaining catastrophic, this could lead to a much exaggerated HRI of two.

It is important when raising an OHSIR that it paints an accurate, detailed and well-sequenced account of the incident, which can be easily understood and interpreted by third parties not involved in the incident.

When drafting an OHSIR or reviewing activities, all personnel are encouraged to check the OHSIR database and NHL to look at how similar class/fleet hazard mitigation strategies are being developed and employed.

The OHSIR database and NHL are open to all personnel in the Navy and can be viewed on the DRN.

Unlocking incident reportsREVIEW ENABLER: A screenshot of the OHS Incident Report log.

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Are you being deployed

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Do you receive Rent Allowance?

If you receive RA you may be included in this year’s Review.

Even if you’re being deployed during April, May or June you may still need to complete the Review and should be prepared.

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17 PERSONNELMarch 29, 2012

Damien Hansen

THE first of the Navy Hospitality and Catering mess amalgamation was implemented at HMAS Penguin on January 16.

As recommended in the Navy Hospitality and Catering review last year, the wardroom mess was merged into the existing senior sailors’ facility.

As part of integrating the two messes, the Senior Sailors and Wardroom Mess committees amalgamated as well.

The mess committee is jointly led by the XO and SWO as the previous mess presidents, and they are working together to stabilise the committee into its new role with the objective of reverting to a single president in the future.

SRP-Navy visited HMAS Penguin after the amalgamation to guage responses from staff.

“At first there was some trepidation among a few mess members regarding the amalgamation,” said WO Rob Van Eldik, HMAS Penguin SWO and co-president of the combined mess.

“Initially there was a divide in the dining room, with senior sailors and officers simply sitting at different

tables rather than in different messes, however, now there is no delineation during meal times.”

HMAS Penguin XO LCDR Jason Taylor said the combining of the dining and bar facilities “has greatly increased the utilisation of the facilities onboard, both during meal times and during standard bar hours.”

LCDR Taylor said engaging with DSG and Fleet as part of the implementation planning process was the key to ensuring that HMAS Penguin was ready for the reforms, which will achieve more than $380,000 in savings a year.

HMAS Penguin leads the way Planned mess amalgamations:HMAS Penguin: Implemented January 16. Officers’ and senior sailors’ dining and bar facilities have been combined. Junior sail-ors’ facilities will remain.

HMAS Harman: Implementation planned for May. Wardroom facility combines into the current senior sailors’ facility while wardroom mess becomes combined offic-ers’ and senior sailors’ bar.

HMAS Kuttabul: Implementation planned for June. Senior sailors’ dining and bar combining into wardroom facilities with jun-ior sailors’ remaining. Homebush LIA facili-ties being investigated.

HMAS Cairns: Implementation planned for June. All living-in accommodation cater-ing will be combined into one galley and dining room for all ranks with segregated

dining rooms. All bar facilities will also be combined.

HMAS Albatross: Implementation planned for second half 2012. Further investigation is being conducted into the hospitality and catering situation at HMAS Albatross, not-ing the future helicopter training school. An announcement is expected later this year.

HMAS Stirling: Implementation planned for second half 2012. Senior sailors’ din-ing room and bar will amalgamate into the wardroom facilities, while the junior sailors’ dining room and bar will remain unchanged.

Owing to their high volume usage and their nature as training bases, facilities at HMAS Watson, Creswell and Cerberus will not be changed.

Damien Hansen

NAVY is entering a new phase in the delivery of hos-pitality and catering services, with the use of shared galleys and combined messing arrangements for senior sailors and officers.

A review of Navy’s hospitality and catering prac-tices across all bases recommended a number of under-utilised dining and bar facilities within Navy bases be consolidated.

The Navy review recommended a ‘hub and spoke’ approach, however with the age and location of many Navy facilities, this was not possible at every facil-ity in the time frame required by the Strategic Reform Program. It will be considered during the development phase of new establishments.

As such, Navy will implement shared facilities where possible, utilising shared galleys and combined messing arrangements for officers and senior sailors.

Following Navy Reform Board recommendations, CN, VADM Ray Griggs, approved the Navy hospital-ity and catering reforms in August 2011, with HMAS Penguin identified as the first base for implementation.

VADM Griggs said he had accepted the recommen-dations for amalgamating dining and messing facilities in those situations where unsustainably low levels of patronage have persisted, rendering separate messing and dining facilities financially unviable.

“The decision to retain existing arrangements at HMA establishments Watson, Creswell and Cerberus was based on clear evidence of the high demands on each mess and the desirability of retaining separate facilities in training establishments,” he said.

“The focus of the review has been to ensure that future Defence hospitality and catering arrangements remain effective, consistent with contemporary stand-ards, and affordable without impacting upon capability delivery.

“It also considered possible personnel impacts asso-ciated with delivering affordable and sustainable ser-vices in the long term.”

Information on the Navy hospitality and catering reforms has been provided to divisional staff who can provide guidance in the first instance.

MYTHBUSTERS:MYTH: These amalgamations will impact stewards and cooks.

MYTHBUSTER: There are no current plans to reduce positions in these categories. Project Demeter is investigating the roles of cooks and stewards, however a reduction of numbers is not an aim of either Demeter or SRP.

MYTH: This is a permanent end to mess segregation.

MYTHBUSTER: The aim of SRP mess amalgamations is to achieve a hub and spoke arrangement, allowing different messes segregation around a central galley. Facilities available to Navy preclude this within the timeframe required by SRP, however future plans for Navy bases will take this into account.

MYTH: Officers and senior sailors will lose their identity.

MYTHBUSTER: The maintenance of the traditions inherent in the Navy mess culture is part of the SRP plan for the hospitality and catering reforms. The availability for separate senior sailor and wardroom functions will be maintained at all facilities.

New erain messfacilities

LEFT: ABCK Matt ‘Red’ Lonie in the Airmen’s Mess at RAAF Base Darwin.

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18 GANGWAYMarch 29, 2012

INCOMING: (L-R) LCDR William Veale, CPO Simon Carr, CPO Kate Alston and LCDR Mark Cohayney with a spare part for HMAS Parramatta’s helicopter retrieved from an air drop by a RAAF AP3-C aircraft during a patrol as part of Operation Slipper. Photo: LCDR Tuan Vo

GUTSY: POPT Rhod Hunter presents the Gutz Award to SMNCD Peter Taylor for best overall performer during the Basic Clearance Diving Course graduation ceremony at HMAS Penguin. Photo: LSIS Brenton Freind

OVER: LSBM Brooke Summers conducting boat operations on HMAS Choules during Exercise Squadex. Photo: ABIS James Whittle

LEADERS: (L-R) ABCSO Jamie Wilson, POET Stu Chandler, CPOB Paul Parnell, CPOCK Sean Ellerton, LEUT Fiona Sullivan, CPONPC Glen Wright, POCK Pete Kenyon, ABEW Jess Spencer from the Sailors’ Leadership Management Facility at Training Centre-West at HMAS Stirling. Their role is to give Able Seaman and Leading Seaman basic training tools on how to become better leaders and managers. Photo: ABIS Morgana Ramsey

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Safe hands

19GANGWAY March 29, 2012

DEEP CLEAN: AB Daniel Crichton (left) and SMN Thomas Godfrey from AUSCDT1 during Clean Up Australia Day efforts in Darling Harbour, Sydney.

FUTURE LEADERS: The 47th Leading Seaman Promotion Course at Training Centre-West, HMAS Stirling. The course is an important milestone teaching the challenges of being a Leading Seaman. Photo: ABIS Jayson Tufrey

HAPPY HELPERS: Cadets from TS Darwin participate in Clean up Australia Day at Lake Alexander in Darwin. Photo: LSPH Helen Frank

SUPPORTERS: From left, ABETs Stephen Moore, Blayde McKay and Jarrad Chugg from Sydney’s Fleet Support Unit as they help to clean up Fleet Base East. Photo: LSPH Brenton Freind

LEADING HAND: LSET Grant Langlands helps to clean up Fleet Base East. Photo: LSPH Brenton Freind

One of the many ways to invest money is in infra-structure such as roads, rail-ways or airports. But before

ou do, make sure that the investment suits your goals and you understand the risks.

ASIC has released benchmarks to improve the disclosure of information to investors by infrastructure entities about important aspects of the invest-ment, such as payment obligations and financial forecasts.

With infrastructure investments, you put money into a single infrastruc-ture asset or multiple infrastructure assets, such as the building and man-agement of toll roads, telecommunica-tions facilities and gas pipelines. Your money is channelled into these assets through infrastructure entities.

Be wary if you are investing in infrastructure, says Australian Securities and Investment Commission chairman Greg Medcraft.

Investing in infrastructureBefore you invest in infrastructure

assets, you should be aware how they differ from other long-term invest-ments, such as shares.

Some key features of infrastructure assets include:➤ Infrastructure entities might have

a contractual right to operate an infrastructure asset for a set time period, rather than buying the asset outright.

➤ Some infrastructure entities own less than 100 per cent of their infra-structure assets, which affects their control over their assets.

➤ Infrastructure entities often rely on forecasts of the future use of an asset. If the assumptions behind these forecasts prove incorrect,

the value of the investment may decrease.

➤ The construction and development of infrastructure assets can take many years. It may take a long time for the investment to generate cash flows.

➤ As infrastructure projects are often unique, it can be difficult to com-pare one with another. This can also make your investment difficult to sell.

➤ Certain types of infrastructure are subject to government regulation. For example, the prices that some entities can charge are set by the government.

ASIC’s benchmarksBefore investing in infrastructure

make sure you understand the risks.

This means reading all disclosure doc-uments carefully. ASIC’s benchmarks for infrastructure entities outline the key information the company should disclose to you so you can assess these risks.

These benchmarks relate to impor-tant aspects of the investment, for example:➤ Corporate management: Is the

structure designed to maximise returns to investors, or to the entity or its operators? Are payments to management linked to the perfor-mance of the entity?

➤ Forecasts: Are the entity’s cash flow forecasts checked by the directors and auditors? Does the entity disclose any forecasts fol-lowing acquisition or development of an asset?

➤ Payment obligations: Are your units or shares fully paid, or could you owe money later? Are all units or shares treated equally – for exam-ple, do all investors have the same rights? If the entity is a unit trust, where is the money you are paid coming from and is this sustainable?

Smart investingNo one can guarantee how an

asset will perform and you might lose some or all of your money if something goes wrong.

Always make sure your invest-ment strategy is well diversified.

For more information, see ASIC’s new guide, Investing in infrastructure?, which is available from www.moneysmart.gov.au

Concreteadvice

Email ASIC at ADFcolumn@asic.gov.au with topics that interest you

20 FINANCEMarch 29, 2012

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PTI CPL Julian Suitor says it is important to train regularly for any ADF fitness assessment – but it does not have to be monoto-

nous.Instead of just performing endless

push-ups, sit-ups, running 2.4km, walk-ing 5km or swimming laps, he says there are alternative exercises which will assist you to achieve and exceed your fitness assessment goals.

“The majority of ADF personnel are required to complete service specific fit-ness assessments either annually, or bian-nually,” CPL Suitor says.

“If members don’t train between assessments they will experience a decay in fitness and muscular adaptations required to pass the specific assessment.

“For military fitness assessments, personnel need to train to exceed the requirements of the assessment; if they don’t then they will place themselves at risk of not meeting the requirements.

“Before attempting any additional fit-ness training, ensure you meet with your local PTI to plan a program that suits your individual fitness requirements and stage of training.”

He also says when training for the different aspects of ADF fitness tests it is important to train for each exercise with appropriate variations.

There are many variations to the push-up, arm hang, sit-up, run, walk or swim which will add variety to your training and assist with your fitness assessment goals.

CPL Suitor explains a few of them, but says exercise selection and repeti-tions is dependent on the individual’s fitness level.

“For push-ups, try completing a

set of standard push-ups until fatigue sets in, then switch to push-ups on the knees. This allows for further push-ups to be completed and also assists in pro-viding overload for the musculature to adapt to.”

To make push-ups more difficult and for added variety, try to complete push-ups in a decline position. To make push-ups easier, perform an incline variation. For the flex-arm hang or pull-ups, try a lying pull-up or assisted pull-ups to pro-vide overload or to build up to complet-ing a single pull-up.

Take the sit-up a bit further by having your arms folded and/or your feet unsup-ported. If the feet are not supported then the hip flexors contribute less, loading the abdominals more during the exercise, making it more difficult to perform, facilitating a muscular adaptation.

For running, try to do interval train-ing, focusing on breaking up the 2.4km into 400m or 600m intervals.

To do this there are many variations, one example being to use a 1:2 work/rest ratio.

Take note of how long it takes to run the 400m or 600m interval and then rest for the same time before attempting the next interval. This can then be repeated until a distance of 2.4km is achieved, or 3.2km for further overload.”

For additional information on training for ADF fitness tests and remedial fitness training, visit the resources section on the ADF Physical Training School intranet site, or the activities/PT Sport and Recreation section on the Army Headquarters intranet page.

Training for your annual fitness assessment does not need to be boring, writes SGT Andrew Hetherington.

Livening things upDecline push-up. Incline push-up.

BREAKING IT DOWN, TOO: Right, for running, try to do some interval training.

Photos: SGT Andrew Hetherington

Left, lying pull-up.

Sit-up with arms folded.

21HEALTH March 29, 2012

22 SPORTMarch 29, 2012

Michael Brooke

IT appeared nobody would be able to stop big-serving SMN Keelan Michelsons, of HMAS Cerberus, from winning the Carr Cup sin-gles tennis champion at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium on March 7.

But somebody forgot to tell underdog ABMT Trent Russell that as he took the championship four games to one.

“Winning 4-1 against such a tal-ented opponent is a big surprise,” ABMT Russell said.

Backing up from almost single-handedly winning the Burrell Cup doubles competition a fortnight before, SMN Michelsons was clear favourite to add the Carr Cup to his trophy cabinet.

ABMT Russell, of HMAS Penguin, greeted his intimidat-

ing opponent with a friendly smile and then set about springing one of the biggest upsets in the history of Navy tennis as he broke SMN Michelsons’ service in the first game.

“Breaking his service was the key to victory,” ABMT Russell said.

SMN Michelsons’ se rves either crashed into the net or were returned with pin-point precision to unreachable corners of the court.

With ABMT Russell holding a 3-1 lead in the seven-match tie, game four was critical for both players.

SMN Michelsons needed to win to stay in the hunt while ABMT Russell needed to win to secure victory. But ABMT Russell again broke his opponent’s service game to win the competition.

“I only lost two games all day,

but my success is still a surprise because I haven’t played much ten-nis in the past four years,” he said.

ABMT Russe l l qua l i f i ed for the final by beating LEUT Andrew Mannion 3-1 while SMN Michelsons pipped AB Kane Ryan 3-2, who surrendered his service game after battling to deuce.

SMN Michelsons said he prob-ably didn’t deserve to win the semi-final because of his opponent’s monster serve and was philosoph-ical about his defeat in the final match.

“I faded a bit from fatigue but that’s no excuse,” he said.

More than 20 players competed in the Carr Cup singles tennis com-petition, with special mention being reserved for the sole female con-testant, AB Roxy Starr, of HMAS Kuttabul, who bowed out in the quarter-final.

Underdog has his day in sun

LCDR Linton Lee

THE RAAF School Technical Training (RAAFSTT) entered four rafts in the Wagga Wagga ‘Gumi’ Raft Race on February 26.

The race, classified as the world championships for Gumi (GOOM-I is pidgin English for rubber), states that the means of floatation must be at least 80 per cent by inflated inner tubes. The race is run annually on the Murrumbidgee River and covers 7km of winding river before ending on Wagga Wagga beach.

The School of Technical Training, home of the ADF’s aviation technician training, used this event to build team skilling and esprit de corps across the School.

The race is held to raise money for Apex and more than 110 rafts entered in a range of different ‘world champi-onship’ races. The RAAFSTT entries comprised one raft from each Service built and manned by trainees and one raft manned by staff.

The Navy, Army and Air Force train-ees got right behind this worthy cause and manufactured three unique rafts.

The Navy raft was built to withstand

rough seas; the Army raft was more simplistic but functional as a river cross-ing platform and the Air Force entry comprised a raft built with a BBQ and provided an excellent service to all competitors by feeding them as they floated down the river.

With all four craft from RAAFSTT entered into the ‘Defence Force Challenge’, a lot of friendly rivalry was evident prior to the race.

Once the starter’s gun fired, the Army team leapt to the front followed closely by Navy. The support staff left the start point and waited with mixed expectations to see who would come around the last bend of the river in first place and claim world champion status.

After 1.5hrs, the Army team came into sight, paddling strongly. The Army had made great time and were deserved victors.

Navy finished strongly and came in second with the Air Force staff entry a commendable third.

The by now popular ‘BBQ Boss’ Air Force trainee boat trailed in last.

CO RAAFSTT, WG-CDR Neil Armstrong said all involved contributed to a wonderful effort in organising the teams and he was looking forward to excellent entries again next year.

Rafters lift spirits and raise money

HOLD TIGHT: Navy trainees take to the water in the Gumi raft race in Wagga Wagga (top) as the RAAF trainees provide a barbecue aboard their entry in the race (above).

Michael Brooke

THE sailors of HMAS Kuttabul dampened Army’s birthday celebra-tions by winning the Army birth-day touch football competition at Sydney’s Victoria Barracks.

T h e s o l d i e r s o f Fo r c e s Command HQ fielded eight teams but their expectations of holding the trophy aloft in jubilation were crushed by two Navy teams which dominated the competition.

Such was Navy’s domination that both teams of sailors contested the final, with Kuttabul trumping The Divers from HMAS Waterhen 4-2.

Kuttabul captain LSPT Darin Trudgett said the sailors ran riot against Army in all three round robin matches.

“We celebrated Army’s birth-day in grand style by winning their

WINNING SMILE: LSPT Matthew Croese presents the Carr Cup to the winner ASMT Trent Russell, at Sydney Olympic Park on March 7. Photo: ABIS Dove Smithett

Touch of class spoils celebrations

competition,” he said. “Our success was quite a rude shock to Army’s hopes of victory on their special day.”

Kuttabul’s players, pictured from left to right, were AB Chris

Hastings-Ison, SMN Roy ‘Tiny’ Kimmel, LSPT Darin Trudgett, LS Justin Howland, SMN Daniel De Sousa, AB Jarryd O’Connell, SMN Andrew Papaconstantinos and SMN Frank Paranthoiene.

23SPORT March 29, 2012

Michael Brooke

DEVASTATED by deployments and work ups for operations, an under-strength Navy Tridents Rugby League team won the respect of their opponents but lost their matches in the Combined Australian Services Rugby League championship.

The Tridents, featuring many rookie players, went down fighting 50-6 to the Air Force and 38-6 against tournament winners Army Thunder at Port Stephens from March 11-16.

Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for the Navy team which won the 2011 competition by toppling Army in an upset, 38-36.

Vice President Navy Rugby League LEUT Martin Garrett said despite the two losses the players who emerged from the competition boded well for the future of RAN Rugby League.

“Our operational commitments meant we were not at full strength, but the new players we have coming through are very encouraging,” he said.

“Navy can be proud of its perfor-mance against two very slick teams.”

The Tridents were right in the game against Army until half-time when the score was 16-6.

The Tridents loss to Air Force can be attributed to a horror first half in which the team was almost never in possession of the ball. The RAAFies also fielded their best team in years.

Leading the way for Navy was rug-ged second-rower LSPT Damien Rex, HMAS Harman, who has lifted kamika-

ze-style tackling and running with the ball to whole new level.

LSPT Rex’s bone-crunching tackles served to lift the morale of the rookie players in the Navy team.

Navy’s other outstanding play-ers included SMNCD Sam Peters and SMNCD Mitchell Emmerson, of HMAS Waterhen, while the newcomers who will serve the Tridents well in the future include SMNSN Phillip Samuelu, of HMAS Waterhen, and ABCSO Drew Thornton, of HMAS Kuttabul.

The busy operational tempo only permitted one warm up match against the NSW Fire Brigade which the Tridents won 24-21.

Leut Garrett issued a call for more players, coaching staff and spectators to support the Tridents.

“The Tridents especially need new assistant coaches and a new head coach for the Navy side playing in the South Sydney District A Grade competition,” he said.

All Sydney based players and inter-ested personnel are invited to join in training sessions at Randwick Barracks at 5pm every Tuesday and Thursday for a chance to represent Navy at national level and at the A grade level through-out the 2012 season.

Players and s taff wi l l have the opportunity to tour Hawaii in September 2012.

For coaching and player nominations, con-tact CPO Shane Dwyer, (02) 9359 3607 or email shane.dwyer@defence.gov.au. Future information on Navy rugby league will be posted at www.ranrl.com.au

IT WAS life at sea, but not as we know it for an intrepid Navy sea kayaker tackling the rugged Tasmanian coastline earlier this year.

ABMUSN Penny Charles was Navy’s representative among 15 ADF participants in the annual Exercise Tasman Advance con-ducted by the Army White Water Association.

Led by exper ienced Sea Kayaking Uni t Adventurous Training Leaders, the novice group completed a number of paddles on the Tasman Peninsula and Bruny Island over 10 days in January.

AB Charles said despite some adverse weather, the physical chal-lenges and facing her fears provid-ed her with some career highlights.

She said paddling through spec-tacular sea caves, the giant kelp forest at Bruny Island and close

encounters with wildlife were just some of the memorable experi-ences.

“We went through what was called ‘the needles,’ which was probably the most terrifying day because it was really rough weath-er,” AB Charles said.

“The open ocean was horren-dous, so we popped into a bay and there were seals everywhere.

“I was in a cranky mood because of the weather and then there were all these seals frolicking with our boats, so I couldn’t stay mad.”

The adverse sea conditions saw the group take to the Huon and Derwent Estuaries and tackle a chilly 20km alpine bushwalk in Mount Field National Park.

“I really like the concept of being out of your comfort zone, because we rarely are and it’s inter-

esting to see how you deal with it – you sort of surprise yourself,” AB Charles said.

“My look of absolute terror apparently looks like I was smiling, so everyone thought I was brave, but I wasn’t.”

Other highlights included pad-dling past the Isle of the Dead at Port Arthur, exploring Constitution Dock in Hobart and paddling the Tasman Arch and the Candlestick on the spec tacu la r Tasman Peninsula.

“I absolutely recommend it to other Navy people; it was just an awesome experience and prob-ably the highlight of my time in the Navy, which is nearly 12 years,” she said.

Expressions of interest to attend Exercise Tasman Advance 13, 3-13 Jan 2013 can be sent to peter.amar-icai@defence.gov.au

ADF kayakers a sight to sea

Tridents struggle to make the grade

HARD ASK: AB Benjamin Keith tries to charge through the RAAF line in the Combined Services Rugby League competition. Photo: CPL David Gibbs

SigHt Seeing: ADF kayakers explore the Candlestick at Fortescue Bay as part of Exercise Tasman Advance.

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AND MEDAL MOUNTING SportVolume 55, No. 5, March 29, 2012

SIGHT SEA-ING

ABMUSN Penny Charles one of 15 intrepid ADF kayakers who participated in Exercise Tasman Advance Page 23

SERVING IT UPABMT Trent Russell wins Carr Cup

Page 22