Commanding Officer HMAS Kanimbla Decommissioning Ceremony Speech
25 November 2011 By CMDR Brendon Zilko, RAN
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs and Mrs Griggs, past serving Commanding Officers HMAS Kanimbla, distinguished guests, fellow Commanding Officers, family and friends, I offer my welcome to the ceremony of the decommissioning of HMAS Kanimbla. Today we celebrate the final day of HMAS Kanimbla and the outstanding achievements she has achieved over some 17 years service in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). For me it is and has been an honour and privilege to have served as the Commanding Officer, having such a professional and dedicated ships company who have done an amazing job throughout my tenure in Command.
I must confess it has taken me some time to think about what I wanted to say today not so much because I am at a loss for words but more as there is so much too say about the people who have served in Kanimbla. The Fleet Commander has spoken about the deployments and operations she has conducted, and as we have heard, it is quite significant. The successes of the ship have been many, but those successes are achieved through the efforts of the men and women who have served and it is great to see a large number of those past serving personnel here today.
With deployments and operations come many stories and memories that become just as much of the ships history as the events themselves and in essence become the living memory of the ships past, never to be forgotten.
It is for this reason that, despite Kanimbla retiring, her history will live on as each and every one who has served in Kanimbla are, at the core, the heart and sole of what has been an incredible ship. As the final Commanding Officer, it is my privilege to have the final word however Command is about stewardship, ensuring you leave the ship and her ships company that much better when you leave. Today it is an honour to recognise the efforts of my predecessors for without their efforts, the achievements over her 17 years of service would not have been realised.
From the very start, Kanimbla has had an exceptional name for its commitment and willingness to do what was asked of her, and while the official motto for the ship is “CRY HAVOC” the unofficial motto “Last to know, first to go” is one that is proudly used. This unofficial motto reflects the dynamic environment that Kanimbla has been part of. What is not readily apparent, is the work that needs to be done to achieve this by the ships company. It is the challenges that this environment has generated that has encouraged and fostered such an outstanding work culture and a testament to the incredible people who have served in Kanimbla. The award of the Meritorious Unit Citation for Kanimblas key role during the 2003 Gulf War is one great example that recognises these efforts by the ships company.
The life in an LPA is a unique experience, requiring many specialist organisations and people to carry out the various tasks that we do. From navy and army helicopter squadrons, chaplains, doctors, nurses and trainees to Army infantry, engineers, communicators and command elements as well as Special Forces, and even military working dogs, though that is a story of itself, Kanimbla has been home to a very diverse group of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, for many their first sea experience.
Kanimbla is one of the few ships that has Army personnel as a permanent part of the ships company. While it is a team effort to make any ship run, I particularly want to recognise the Ships Army Detachment as, without their contribution, we would not be able to achieve our mission. Their knowledge will be invaluable as we prepare the ADF for its future role in amphibious operations and I thank them for their part in making Kanimbla such a great ship.
Throughout a ships life, close bonds are established between past and present crews of ships that have gone under the same name. It is fantastic to see some of the original Kanimbla 1 here this morning and I thank you all for coming today. I look forward to chatting with you after the ceremony to hear your stories and memories of Kanimbla as this proves that while ships come and go, the heart and soul lives on in all of us. There are also other equally important relationships established between ships and organisations, charities and towns. Kanimbla has those with the Australian Foundation for Disabilities, the town of Blackheath, located in the Kanimbla valley in the Blue Mountains, the Blackheath primary school and the Australian Naval Cadet unit TS Kanimbla. On behalf of the ships company, I thank you all for coming to this important and special day today.
However, the most important relationship, that determines the success of a ship, is the support and encouragement that their family and friends give that make the difference. Yesterday was an opportunity for our families and friends to explore the ship and see first hand where their loved ones and friends have worked, listening as they proudly showed them over their ship. At a Clear Lower Deck, we were able to recognise the outstanding achievements of some of your family and friends with the award of commendations and much deserved promotions. With you being there certainly made a special occasion that much more so. For this reason, it is with a humble gratitude that I offer my personnel thank you and that on behalf of the RAN and Army for your key contribution to ensuring our Navy and Army continues to be manned with such outstanding men and women. Without your support Kanimbla would not have been able to achieve all she has throughout her service and as such today is as much a thank you to you as it is to the ships company themselves.
Shortly we will formally retire Kanimbla from service, with the Australian White Ensign lowering for the last time. For the men and women standing before us on the upper decks of Kanimbla, and for many in the audience, today is one with a touch of sadness as we remember those from Shark 02 and Blackhawk 221 who did not return with us from operations. We will always remember them along with the many friendships that developed over the years and the fun times that we had, but importantly never forget or be prouder to say “we served in HMAS Kanimbla”.
While we mark the end of an era of the LPA, the future is exciting as we prepare for the next generation of amphibious ships in the knowledge that the men and women who have served have and will continue to shape the future. So as a tribute to all who have had the wonderful opportunity to experience Kanimbla and until the next ship bares her name, I say for one last time “CRY HAVOC and let slip the dogs of war”.
Order of Service
Order of Service for the Decommissioning of HMAS Kanimbla Ceremony 25 November 2011 (255kb PDF)
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