HMAS Kanimbla visits Samoa en route to RIMPAC 2010
29 Jun 2010 By Sub Lieutenant Alexandra Buchanan
Two weeks ago HMAS Kanimbla (Commander Timothy Byles) set sail from the wintery shores of Fleet Base East to take part in the multinational Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), held in sunny Hawaii.
In company with HMAS Warramunga (Commander Bruce Legge), Kanimbla set sail for the islands of Samoa on 09 Jun 10 for a short port visit prior to continuing on to Hawaii. It was here in Apia, the capital of Samoa, where the stage was set for Kanimbla to take part in a whirl wind of events and activities.
On arrival in Apia, preparations began for the Ships Army Department to crane off two fire trucks which were donated by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade to the Samoan Fire and Emergency Services. Displayed on the forecastle, Kanimbla delivered the two trucks along with spare parts which are to replace one truck which was destroyed in 2009 after responding to the tsunami. A small selection of Officers on board were joined by the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, the Australian High Commissioner, Mr. Matt Anderson (former Midshipman, RAN and Major in the Royal Australian Engineers), and a number of other official guests for the momentous delivery of the trucks, followed by an afternoon tea held on the bridge.
The Commissioner of Samoa’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SEFSA), Seve Tony Hill said he was very grateful for the new trucks, which further boosted the SEFSA’s fire fighting and emergency response capability.
“Thank you to the Melbourne Fire Brigade for the new fire trucks and also to the Australian Navy for bringing the trucks to Samoa. It will be a great help with our local fire fighting efforts to keep Samoans safe” he said.
The following day Kanimbla hosted students from the Australian Pacific Technical College, the Samoan Under 19’s Cricket Team, and staff from the Australian High Commission for a number of tours conducted on board. The tours allowed guests to not only gain an appreciation of the role Kanimbla performs in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), but for the students it was an opportunity to gain specific information and understanding on some of the roles and functions performed on board that relate directly to their chosen career path. A number of Junior Officers and Junior Sailors on board conducted the tours which ran throughout the day.
That day also saw a number of ships' company participating in a cricket game against the Samoan Under 19’s Cricket Team and a Touch Football Game against the Samoan Police Force. While Kanimbla suffered losses in both matches, the competition was tight and the day proved to be a great success, providing the Ship’s Company with the opportunity to interact with the local community in a fun and social environment.
The RAN Band Detachment also had the opportunity to interact with the locals, partaking in the Samoan Police Force daily morning march to raise the National Flag. After a quick practice with the Police Band at the Apia Police Station, the march began, with the Police Force leading, followed by the newly joined bands and an array of local schools, sporting associations, charities and organisations. The event saw crowds line the streets as the Navy Band marched proudly alongside their Samoan counterparts to the town centre. Here the bands played the National Anthem of Samoa while the Samoan flag was raised. On completion, they marched back to the station before proceeding to a local primary school to perform.
Students and teachers from the Vialia Beach School welcomed the RAN Band with excitement as they prepared to perform. The band was joined by three Junior Officers, Sub Lieutenant (SBLT) Alexandra Buchanan, Midshipman (MIDN) Michael Copland and MIDN Ian Manson who distributed a variety of Navy branded items, such as balloons, wristbands and pens to the students while the band performed.
The Band performed the traditional Beat to Quarters, followed by a brass quintet piece, and ended the day with a number of rock pieces to entertain the kids. The most impressive song was “walking on Sunshine”, which saw all the children jump to their feet to dance and sing along. Before the big finale, a small presentation of books to the school library was made on behalf of Kanimbla. Before leaving, it was the Band and Officer’s turn to be the audience when the youngest children in the school (aged between 3 – 5 years old) performed a number of songs to say thank you and show their appreciation. Overall the event was highly successful and enjoyable for staff, students and ship’s company.
That evening a number of Officers and Senior Sailors were invited to dinner at the residence of the Australian High Commissioner to Samoa. Donning their Fia Fia shirts for the event, they proceeded to the Commissioner’s house to enjoy a curry night.
The delivery of the fire trucks, along with all the activities conducted during Kanimbla’s visit represents the growing friendship between the two countries, and demonstrates Australia’s ongoing commitment and support to Samoa. Kanimbla departed Samoa on 17 Jun 10 and continued her journey north to Hawaii for Exercise RIMPAC. Stay tuned for more exciting tales from Exercise RIMPAC 2010.
