HMAS Ballarat Moves to Newcastle

13 August 2010

The Australian warship HMAS Ballarat has arrived in Newcastle to undertake a major program of maintenance and testing at the Forgacs dockyard and Newcastle basin.

According to the Commanding Officer of HMAS Ballarat, CMDR Guy Blackburn, the ship will be spending two months in Newcastle before returning to her home port at Garden Island in Sydney.

“HMAS Ballarat combines not only the most sophisticated weapons and combat systems, but also the most complex ship design features available to modern navies.

“The work being undertaken by Forgacs and the conglomerate of sub contractors brings great credit to not only the people of Newcastle, but also the collaborative approach and positive attitude of the entire maritime industry and its support base in the Newcastle region,” said Commander Blackburn.

The maintenance contact, undertaken primarily with the Forgacs Group, together with money spent by ships’ company on accommodation and other living expenses, will inject over $8 million dollars into the local economy.

“The Royal Australian Navy has a long and proud tradition of affiliation with the people of Newcastle. Not only does a ship of the name continue to serve in the Fleet, but we regularly visit and return to these port facilities to help our ships to remain in first class condition.

“My crew and I are certainly looking forward to our extended stay in your fine city,” Commander Blackburn said.