A snappy change of command
4 December 2009 By Leading Seaman Helen Frank
After two years at the helm of HMAS Coonawarra, Commander Ainsley Morthorpe CSM, RAN, handed the weight of command to Commander Richard Donnelly RAN, today. The ‘weight’ was a little less conventional than the norm. In true territory style a 6 month old saltwater crocodile was passed to the incoming Commanding Officer as sailors from the base watched on.
After being posted in the Darwin area for six years, Commander Morthorpe has almost earned the honour of being a Darwin local. ‘I have really enjoyed my time in the Top End,’ he said. ‘My family wasn’t keen for the move here initially but has since grown to love the place.’
With his love of the outdoors and keen interest in photography, he has found the Territory a great place pursue his hobbies ‘I’m somewhat spoiled in the resources and backdrops I have access to’, he said. And in testament to his photographic skills the Commander has had more that 30 of his photos shown on the ABC TV evening weather segment over his years in Darwin.
Commander Morthorpe may need to purchase some winter woolies before he takes up his new position in the Capability and Plans Branch in Canberra at the beginning of 2010.
Leaving the cool Canberra weather behind, Commander Donnelly has posted to Darwin from the position of Deputy Director Navy Establishments. He has been posted to Darwin before, as Commanding Officer of HMA Ships Balikpapan and Gawler, and has some knowledge of the workings of the most northern Naval base in Australia.
Commander Donnelly will take command of Coonawarra from 29 December 2009.
Further images of the ceremony are available in the images gallery
