HMAS Coonawarra
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| Commanding Officer | Commander Ainsley Morthorpe |
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Darwin is a vitally important Navy port - a gateway to our northern neighbours and the centre from which we conduct border integrity operations. Darwin plays host to major RAN and multi-national exercises and operations involving around 100 visiting Australian and foreign major warships each year. Currently, almost 600 Navy men and women are based in the Darwin area, most of whom work at Coonawarra or Larrakeyah Barracks, where they are focussed on supporting Fleet operations.
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History
With the establishment of the RAN in 1911 the Royal Navy's responsibility for Australia's maritime defence ceased. Darwin had been used as a coaling station by naval vessels during the First World War, but it could not ever have been considered a naval base.
The first RAN involvement in public affairs in Darwin took place in December 1918 when HMAS UNA (previously the KAISER's yacht) a gunboat on her way home from the North Sea was diverted to Darwin to protect the Administrator following industrial disturbance outside Government House. Some 1000 irate unemployed persons had attempted to storm Government House following the closure of Vestey's Meatworks at Parap. The ship's company, who were now due for discharge following cessations of hostilities, were kept onboard to prevent them fraternising with the local people lest they should become acquainted with the true position in Darwin . After almost a month at anchor in Darwin harbour HMAS UNA was sailed for fear of a mutiny onboard.
She was replaced by HMAS ENCOUNTER, a cruiser of 5880 tons with eleven 6 inch and nine 9 pounder guns, in January 1919. Her sailors resented the fact that they had been sent to Darwin to shoot fellow Australians, if necessary, in support of the protection for the Administrator Dr. Gilruth - a man who had not been working in the best interest of Australia but was believed to have been providing support to Vestey Brothers in their commercial ventures in the Northern Territory . Late in February 1919 HMAS ENCOUNTER sailed unannounced from Darwin to Melbourne with Gilruth onboard. This was the last Darwin saw of Dr. Gilruth.
During the thirties, the RAN had built oil fuel tanks on the harbour front, holding about 90,000 tons of oil. All were destroyed in the attack on the city by Japanese aircraft on 19 February 1942.
The first naval depot at Darwin was established in January 1935. This was a naval reserve depot, commanded by LCDR H.P. Jarrett. At this time Darwin was part of the Naval Reserve District of Queensland. In 1937 the Naval District of the Northern Territory was separated from the Queensland District and the first District Naval Officer LCDR J.H. Walker was appointed.
Perhaps the most significant event for the Navy in Darwin during the early period occurred in London in 1923, when the Imperial Defence committee recommended to the Admiralty and the Australian Government that High powered Radio Transmitters to supplement those in Rugby (UK) be installed in Canberra and Darwin. After many years of negotiations and investigation by both technical personnel and administrators, Darwin W/T was established in 1939. It is interesting to note that the Service/Civilian control argument was well to the fore even at that time. The chairman of a large electronics firm was commissioned by the then Minister to investigate and recommend the necessary communication to support the Fleet of the Empire East of Suez. He recommended that his firm provide the equipment and personnel to give the fleets the service they required - needless to say this proposal was unacceptable to the Navy on the grounds of Management and Security.
The period before World War II saw a build up of personnel, the establishment of fuelling facilities, a boom depot, and later the Navy paid for improvements to Darwin's water supply in order to provide an adequate supply of water for visiting naval ships.
Naval Wireless Transmitting Station Coonawarra commenced operations on 18 September 1939 under the guidance of the first Officer-in-Charge, WO Telegraphist W.R. Phuap, RAN.
At the outbreak of World War II the Naval depot in Darwin was named HMAS Penguin, and on August 1, 1940 was formally commissioned as HMAS Melville. There was however, no change in the status of Coonawarra, which was administrated by the parent establishment in Darwin with the OIC responsible directly to the Navel Board for Operational Communications. Throughout World War II COONAWARRA Wireless Transmitting Station provided essential communications service in support of Allied Operations in the South West Pacific regions. This service was recognised formally on several occasions by allied commanders.
The Wireless Transmitting Station continued its communications role, commenced in wartime, into post-war period in support of Australian and Allied Naval and Merchant ship communications. As Darwin developed the demand for Inner City real estate increased and as a result the area of land occupied by HMAS Melville diminished as Naval acreage was released for city development. This ultimately brought about a situation where the reduction of Melville co-jointly with the increasing naval presence in the Darwin area required larger premises than those available at Melville. Consequently it was decided to decommission Melville, but retain the central function of the RAN in Darwin being the COONAWARRA Wireless Transmitting Station. This merger occurred on 16 March 1970, but HMAS Melville was retained until December 1974 when Cyclone Tracy destroyed it.
Since commissioning, HMAS Coonawarra has expanded rapidly. A new Receiving Station at Shoal Bay was opened in 1975, and a new Transmitting Station at Humpty Doo (to replace the original Transmitting Station at COONAWARRA East, which was destroyed by Cyclone Tracy) became fully operational in October 1982.
Darwin's new naval base is a model of the latest technology for the home porting of patrol boats. Its vertical-lift facility enables ships to be removed from the water for repair and maintenance and during emergencies such as cyclones. The base, set into the cliff at Larrakeyah Cove, is designed to provide operating support and maintenance facilities for up to six FREMANTLE Class Patrol Boats and other vessels, including survey, mine counter - measures and landing craft.
The wharf can accommodate six vessels, berthed three abreast. Services such as fuel, electrical power, compressed air, sewerage out, oily waste suction, and defuelling is available at the berthing points.
The vertical lift comprises a 42 metre by 14 metre articulated steel platform suspended by wire ropes from eight hoists. To remove vessels from the water they are first floated over a suspended platform and then mechanically raised until completely clear of the water. They are then transferred by rail from the elevated platform to either under cover maintenance berths or outdoor tie down berths.
The facility has the capability to dock a vessel with a draught of up to two metres at any tide ad is capable of lifting or lowering a vessel up to 750 tonnes at a rate of 420 mm a minute (less than 1 ½ Ft/Min) and is designed to withstand cyclones.
Cyclone protection of the patrol craft requires their removal from the water by the vertical lift facility to dry land berths above surge level. The breakwaters also afford some protection to the vertical lift facility.
The facility provides much more efficient maintenance of vessels in Northern Australia, and thus, more time spent on coastal surveillance.
Training
Officers who have completed their initial training at HMAS Creswell and are fortunate enough to be posted to Coonawarra, can expect to undertake On the Job (OJT) training, some examples are:
- Navigation training provided by qualified Senior Sailors onboard a patrol boat
- Medical Officer
Divisional System
For all officers and sailors throughout the Navy, the divisional system will be in place for you. Throughout your career you will continue to be managed and supervised by senior personnel, and you will have a Divisional Officer who will be there to give you directions and instructions, provide guidance, advice, discipline and monitor your well-being and morale.
Lifestyle and Recreation
Accommodation and Meals
Officers posted to Coonawarra will normally be accommodated at the Officers' Mess at Larrakeyah Barracks, during peak periods, or at the Wardroom at Defence Establishment - Berrimah (DEB).
Cabins in the Officer's Mess and Wardroom are quite roomy and serviced daily by defence contractor cleaners.
Breakfast, Lunch and dinner is provided daily, and is of high quality with a variety of choices available, including vegetarian.
Senior and junior sailors posted to Coonawarra are also accommodated at Larrakeyah Barracks or DEB. Cabins at Larrakeyah Barracks and DEB are comfortable and tidy and every sailor has their own personal cabin with a single bed, air conditioning, desk with shelves and a wardrobe. Facilities such as laundry, toilets and showers are shared with other members (including females) of ship's company.
All junior sailors living at Larrakeyah Barracks or DEB take their meals in the cafeteria where meals are served three times per day. A wide variety of wholesome and tasty food is on offer with at least three main choices at every meal including a vegetarian option.
Approval from the Commanding Officer of Coonawarra may be granted to live 'ashore' in non-military accommodation. If approved you will be provided with an allowance to offset the cost of rent.
Facilities at the Officer's Mess at Larrakeyah Barracks include undercover barbeques, a modern 25 metre swimming pool, satellite TV (Austar), air conditioned recreation rooms, table tennis and snooker.
For junior sailors, Larrakeyah Barracks has an Other Ranks mess and recreation facility, allowing all junior sailors to unwind and relax and bring friends (civilian guests) onboard. Facilities include barbeque, swimming pool and snooker.
Bar facilities exist on Larrakeyah Barracks for all ranks and serve alcohol (not to personnel under 18 years of age), however no bar facilities are available for those living on DEB.
Sport
It is a mandatory requirement that all personnel are healthy, fit and active and ready to deploy, and sport is therefore encouraged. Sport is a popular activity for all trainees whether they're really good at it or really bad at it - everyone has a go. A variety of team sports ensure everyone has the chance to show off or learn something new and Departments play against each other regularly.
The ADF is the only organisation that pays you to play sport e.g., Volleyball, Aussie Rules, Cricket and Rugby Union. If you have the skills you can be selected to play for Navy in Inter-Service competitions against Army and RAAF, and play all around Australia and possibly overseas.
Larrakeyah Barracks has a modern well-equipped gymnasium, which includes weights, cardio machines such as rowing, cycling and walking machines.
Extra Curricular activities
From time to time, trainees will be required to undertake outside activities such as civilian disaster relief and representational duties. Trainees will be required to undertake guard training for specific events, such as ANZAC Day, the Bombing of Darwin ceremony and Freedom of Entry marches throughout the Northern Territory.
Leave
If you are not required for duty, and have no service commitments, then personnel can proceed 'ashore' on local evening/overnight leave. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, then you are required to return to quarters before 11.59pm.
Geographical and Demographic information
Coonawarra is located two kilometres or about 10 minutes walk from the Darwin city-centre. Darwin is a popular tourist destination, boasting several nightclubs, many restaurants, street markets and a Casino. During the dry season, May - October, the famous Mindal Beach markets operate showcasing food, arts and crafts from Australia and South East Asia.
Surrounding Darwin are a number of world class tourist destinations such as the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, Katherine Gorge, Adelaide River and there are plenty of other destinations for those willing to travel to some of the most picturesque places in Australia. You will find life in Darwin is unique and has much to offer. It has many attractions of great beauty within easy driving distance and the city offers a relaxed and friendly lifestyle.
Darwin also has a humid climate different to much of Australia for part of the year, The Wet season is often hot, very humid and of course wet. The remainder of the year is known as the Dry season and is best described as six months of paradise.
