News - Updated 01 September 2010
Website update 01 August 2010
Video Gallery Update
The Video Gallery has been updated to include the following:
- 2002 Deployment
- 02 News Review 1993
- Antiflash Man
- Ship at Sea - Greenie over the Bow
- Latest Diving Video...More
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Commanding Officer of Young Endeavour departs
Former HMAS Canberra Commissioning Crew member Lieutenant Commander Gavin Dawe OAM RAN has departed the Young Endeavour after completing over 2 years as the Commanding Officer.
Gavin was posted to the Commissioning Crew of HMAS Canberra in Seattle, USA in 1981 and went on to serve on Canberra on three separate occasions throughout his career. Promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1988 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the Navy...More
Gavin served in with another former HMAS Canberra Commissioning Crew Member CPOPT Taffy Evan in Young Endeavour .
Taffy is still serving in Young Endeavour as the Bosun responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the ship's rigging and sails.
He joined Young Endeavour in January 2009 following a twelve month role with Navy Personnell Training Centre East. Taffy returned to the Navy in 2007 having spent time as a Marine Park Ranger with Parks Victoria. When it comes to sport and competition, he will always give it a go
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Rear Admiral appointed to YA Safety Committee
Rear Admiral Chris Oxenbould AO RAN (Rtd) has accepted an invitation to join the Yachting Australia National Safety Committee. Admiral Oxenbould retired as Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Navy in 1999 after 37 years in the service, the last six as a Rear Admiral.
His career included command of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet and the Australian Task Group during the first Gulf War. Previously he was captain of the destroyer HMAS Perth and the frigate HMAS Canberra.
On leaving the Navy Admiral Oxenbould maintained his links with the sea through appointments as Chief Executive of the Newcastle Port Corporation 2001 to 2004 and Chief Executive of NSW Maritime 2004 to 2008.
NSW Maritime is the state’s maritime regulator with broad ranging responsibilities for the safety of recreational and commercial vessels. While at NSW Maritime, Oxenbould represented the state as its member of the National Marine Safety Committee.
Chris Oxenbould is also an accomplished ocean racing yachtsman with more than forty years experience sailing off the southeast coast of Australia. He has competed in ten Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races.
He was the chairman of the 2000 and 2001 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Committees and more recently, chaired the internal CYCA Flinders Islet Inquiry which was completed in January 2010.
“We are delighted that Chris has agreed to join the National Safety Committee,” said David Gotze, Chairman of the Committee and a Board Director of Yachting Australia. “He brings a wealth of expertise and experience which is vital in dealing with some of the often complex issues we face in the area of Yacht safety.”
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Vale ex-LSRP AC Bevan "Squiz" Taylor
Bevan Taylor 1987
Vale ex-LSRP AC Bevan "Squiz" Taylor passed away after a long illness in Queensland on the 11 July 2010, Bevan served in HMAS Canberra 1987-89 and was a proud TOPJACK.
His funeral service took place at Dalby in Queensland on the 16th of July 2010.
I was in contact with Bevan over the past 3 years and he discussed the great times he had in the Navy and the wonderful memories of his friends and ship mates, the best years of his life were in the Navy he proudly told me.
Rest in Peace Bevan, Many thanks for being a great shipmate with a flair for being a scallywag with a greatl sense of humour, my thoughts are with your Family at this difficult time.
Bevan with his son Tom 2008
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Formation of Radar Plot Association
The formation of the Radar Plot Association being organised by former RP Branch stalwarts.
The following email was sent by Peter "Pricky" Reed to gauge the interest in forming a Radar Plot Association.
G'day All,
Want to go down in history as a founding member of the RP Association?? Read on.
After the huge success of the 2008 reunion at Watson, we want to do it as good if not better next time and get more ex RPs involved in the next reunion. Mick Lowe and his merry band did an excellent job of organising the last reunion but we are pretty restricted when using Watson and we want to get more people involved over a few days, not just the one night.
So, after much discussion over the last couple of days at the JRs reunion, I have been detailed off by a few other senior RPs (Bob Macgregor, Bob Thomas, Barney Hanson, Pony Moore and Taity) to get the Radar Plot Association up and running so I need your help.
Can you forward this email onto any ex RPs you may have in your address books and get them to forward me their details at this email address ran_radar_plotters@hotmail.com , so we can start a data base up of personnel interested in forming a Radar Plot Association.
Once we get sufficient numbers, we intend to send out a questionnaire and get some feedback on the way you all think we should be heading and what we should be looking at.
If you are not interested in joining the association, no pressure, but please forward this email onto any ex RPs that you may know as they might want to join up.
Thanks very much for your time and assistance.
Pricky Reed
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Latest Video
Latest diving video of HMAS Canberra posted on You Tube 22 June 2010...More
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Fundraising in honour of the late RADM Nigel Coates AM RAN
A mesage from LS Kerry Cousins who is fund raising in the honour of Nigel Coates, please give generously
My name is LS Kerry Cousins, I had the privilege of being RADM Nigel Coates valet when he was Commander Australian Fleet. As many of us know, RADM Coates passed away in June of this year from Cancer.
He was a great man and an inspiration to many including myself.I have entered the Perth City to Surf 12k run, for anyone who knows me, running is not a strong point of mine.
I am raising money to be donated on behalf of RADM Nigel and Vickie Coates to the Cure for Life Foundation, this is a foundation involved in Brain Cancer Research and with Support for Families.
Any donation will go a long way in helping to find a cure, please dig deep and make a donation. If only to inspire me to run further and faster.
If you wish to assist please go to this website http://www.everydayhero.com.au/kerry_cousins
Please give generously
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The Queen's Birthday 2010 Honours List
Vice Admiral Matthew John TRIPOVICH AM CSC RAN
Commanding Officer, HMAS Canberra 1994-1996
Awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service as Head Capability Systems and Chief Capability Development Group
Vice Admiral Tripovich has made an enormous contribution to both the current and future performance and effectiveness of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force throughout his distinguished career. As Head Capability Systems and now Chief Capability Development Group he continually displayed outstanding leadership, integrity and dedication through a period of extraordinary change and development, culminating in the publication of the Defence White Paper of 2009. His leadership, vision and management of the Capability Development Group will have a profound impact on the operations and support of the Australian Defence Force far into the future...More
Commander Matt TRIPOVICH CSC RAN, Commanding Officer, HMAS Canberra 1994-1996
Matt opening the Gangway of HMAS Canberra at Fleet Base West to signify the start of the Ship's home basing in Western Australia 1995-2005.
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Vale RADM N.S. COATES AM, RAN
Nigel passed away on the 02 June 2010 after a short but aggressive illness. The Royal Australian Navy prematurely lost an outstanding individual and consummate professional, who committed his entire working life to serving his country with great skill, dignity and honour. The Navy, Australian Defence Force and the broader Australian community have lost one of
their finest military leaders and a great mate...More
Chief of Navy - Signal, passing of RADM Nigel Coates AM RAN ...More
The Funeral arrangements for the Late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN...More
The Funeral of the Late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN...More
Video of The Navy farewell the Late Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN...More
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Commissioning Crew Thommo's Catch up
The Thommo's 1981
Ian Thomas and Alan Thomson 2010
This photo was taken on Friday 21/05/2010 at Caloundra Qld. Thommo and his family actually flew out of Brisbane this morning back to Canada (27/05/2010). He was over here visiting his family in Bowen and we arranged to meet up in Caloundra. He is a "Master Corporal" in the Canadian Air Force and a systems operator in P3 aircraft. He always wanted to fly and is now living his dream that he couldn't do in the RAN. He is aiming to come back again next year for holidays. He flies out of Comex Canadian Forces Base on Vancouver lsland. It was great catching up with him.
Thommo the RP
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ANZAC DAY - HMAS Canberra 1 - Sydney 2010
HMAS Canberra 2 Veteran CPOB Phil McDonald marched with the HMAS Canberra 1 veterans on Anzac Day in Sydney.
HMAS Canberra 1 Contingent Marching - Anzac Day 2010
Phil commissioned HMAS Canberra 2 and has served in the ship on several postingsover the life of the ship including Operation DAMASK following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait 1992.
Phil Marching with HMAS Canberra 1 Crew
Phil enjoying a beer with his daughter Sarah and son in law Scott in Sydney
Phil resting after a very busy ANZAC Day 2010
Congratulations to Phil for supporting the HMAS Canberra 1 on Anzac Day.
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Website Update -North West Indian Ocean Deployment - 1986
12 April 2010
The HMAS Canberra North West Indian Ocean Deployment - Webpage incorporated into the site it includes a brief History, Ships Company Nominal list and Deployment Cruise Book Gallery
Website Update - News Article Gallery
12 April 2010
The News Article Gallery has been updated with Navy News Articles from 1980-2000
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Website Update - TOP JACK 3 Mess HMAS Canberra 1987-90
12 February 2010
The TOP JACK 3 Mess 1987-88- Webpage incorporated into the site it includes a brief History, TOP JACK Nominal list and TOP JACK Image Gallery
Vale ex-POCSS Phillip "Skimmo" Skimmings
ex POCSS (EW) Phillip "Skimmo" Skimmings passed away in Queensland on 01 February 2010, Skimmo served in HMAS Canberra on 2 occassions as a LSROEW from 5/4/88 to 12/8/90 and a PORSEW from 20/12/93 to 5/12 94.
His funeral service will take place at Allambie Crematorium and Memorial Park, Nerang at 1100hrs Wednesday 03 February 2010.
Drinks at the Nerang RSL at 1300hrs
Brian Brennan a former shipmates tribute" Phil Skimmings, this world will be a little less colourful without you. I'll miss you. Who can forget the chicken dance or the parrot costume? You left us a great legacy of fun and friendship. Stand easy sailor."
Rest in Peace Skimmo, without a doubt you were a fine and caring shipmate with a wonderful sense of humour who will be sadly missed by the Navy Family, our thoughts are with your Family at this difficult time.
Yours Aye,
Lee " Bickies" Webster
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Australia Day Awards 2010 - Former HMAS Canberra Commanding Officer awarded CSC
Ray Leggatt on the Bridge Wing of HMAS Canberra 2005
Captain Ray Leggatt CSC RAN the Decommissioning Commanding Officer of HMAS Canberra 2004-2005 has been awarded the CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC) For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer HMAS Watson and as the Training Authority Maritime Warfare.
Captain Leggatt’s contribution in one of the Royal Australian Navy’s most senior command and training roles has been outstanding in every respect. As Commanding Officer he has provided first class leadership to those under his command. As Training Authority Maritime Warfare, he has directed output from a complex and diverse organisation to produce outstanding results that will have a lasting benefit for the Royal Australian Navy.
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AASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ and ASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ - HMAS Canberra 1993
On 29 November 2009, the Governor-General signed new Instruments of determination for the AASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ and ASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’.
A recent review by the Nature of Service Branch determined that service on Operation DAMASK VI during the period 13 January 1993 to 19 January 1993 was inappropriately classified. In June 2009 the Prime Minister, following a recommendation by the CDF, agreed that the Operation DAMASK VI operational area be added to Schedule 2 of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA).
The determinations for the AASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ and ASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ have been updated to reflect appropriate recognition for the ship’s company of HMAS CANBERRA engaged on Operation DAMASK VI in January 1993.
The Instruments amend the AASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ by adding a specific provision for service on Operation DAMASK VI, and amend the ASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ by adding an exclusionary clause preventing members being awarded both medals for the same deployment.
In accordance with established policy, eligible personnel who have been awarded the ASM with Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ for Operation DAMASK VI will not be issued with the AASM until they physically return the previously awarded ASM; the exception being in cases where other clasps to the ASM are held, or where the Clasp ‘KUWAIT’ has been awarded for a separate deployment.
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Website Update -North West Indian Ocean Deployment - 1983
03 December 2009
The HMAS Canberra North West Indian Ocean Deployment - Webpage incorporated into the site it includes a brief History, Ships Company Nominal list and Deployment Cruise Book Gallery
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Website Update-Claude Choules
Britain's last surviving WWI veteran commissioned HMAS Canberra 1
Claude Choules
He was a commissioning crew member of the HMAS Canberra and served with her until 1931 when he discharged from the RAN before rejoining as a torpedo and anti-submarine instructor in 1932...More
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News Image Gallery
