ANZAC Day in Penang

4 May 2011

Leading Seaman Boatswain's Mate Howard from HMAS Ballarat participates in a joint Catafalque Party on ANZAC Day service in Penang, Malaysia.

HMAS Ballarat (CMDR G.W.L. Blackburn, RAN) was fortunate enough to be in Georgetown, Penang, one of the 13 states and three federal territories that make up Malaysia for ANZAC Day.

Ballarat’s crew attended an ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Cenotaph at picturesque Fort Cornwallis. Army and Air Force personnel stationed in Penang, were also in attendance, as well as representatives from the New Zealand Defence Forces. Ballarat’s LSBM Howard contributed to proceedings as part of the catafalque party.

Ballarat’s Commanding Officer, Commander Guy Blackburn, said members of his ship’s company who attended the ANZAC Day events were proud to be able to so in the lead up to Ballarat’s involvement in exercises MASTEX and Bersama Shield 2011.

“It is a great honour for serving Australian military personnel to act as ambassadors for our great nation whilst upholding the finest ANZAC traditions on an overseas deployment,” Commander Blackburn said.

After the Service was completed, personnel were invited back to the ‘Hostie’; the Australian All Ranks Club in Penang for a traditional gunfire breakfast. The hospitality displayed by local Australian, New Zealand and Malaysian military personnel was a true representation of mateship and a fitting tribute.

Australia and Malaysia are members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) that exist between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. FPDA is part of a regional security initiative that has been in place for nearly 40 years.