AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS GALORE

7 April 2009

During his visit to Cairns on 25 March, the Commander Australian Fleet, RADM Nigel Coates, called on HS WHITE Crew, embarked in HMAS Leeuwin, and presented the crew with two awards for 2008 – the Hydrographic Excellence Award and the Wormald Shield. Both awards represent significant achievements for the crew and this is the first time any Royal Australian Navy unit has received both of these awards in the same year.

The Hydrographic Excellence Award is contested between the Fleet Units within the Hydrographical, Meteorological and Oceanographic Force Element Group for overall proficiency, while the Wormald Shield is contested between all Fleet Units for Combat Survivability Proficiency. It was the second time the crew had received these awards, with Hydrographic Excellence Award received in 2001 and the Wormald Shield in 2006.

It was also a big day and somewhat of a surprise to those involved when RADM Coates took the opportunity to enact his right to ‘field’ promote SMNHSO’s Luke Housego, James Corkill and Ben Sullivan to Able Seaman. The Commanding Officer, LCDR Michael Gulyas, was charged with the enjoyable task of assisting RADM Coates in the unique ceremony of casting aside their Seaman insignia for a fresh set of Able Seaman Soft Rank Insignia.

Other awards presented by RADM Coates were the Sailor of the Month to ABCK Tyson McDonald for his outstanding efforts when the ship had to take avoidance action for Tropical Cyclone Hamish, a Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years service to the Executive Officer, LCDR Neil Cheverton, and the Australian Defence Medal to ABMT Troy Hopkins.

The visit proved to be a very enjoyable event and it is with much pride that the HS WHITE Crew sails into the challenges and highlights of 2009.