HMAS Melbourne receives top Navy honour

31 March 2011

The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, presents Commanding Officer of HMAS Melbourne, Commander Michael Harris, RAN with the Gloucester Cup.

The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC has recognised the achievements of Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Melbourne, awarding the Gloucester Cup during a ceremony at Garden Island, Sydney yesterday.

Commodore Support, Commodore Andrew Smith, RAN joined the Governor-General to present the Commanding Officer of Melbourne, Commander Michael John Harris, RAN, with the award.

The Gloucester Cup recognises Melbourne’s excellence in capability generation, safety, seamanship, reliability and unit level training during 2010.

Her Excellency also inspected the Royal Guard and the ship's company on the Flight Deck.

Commanding Officer of Melbourne, Commander Michael Harris, said the award acknowledges the sustained hard work and commitment of his ship’s company throughout 2010.

“Last year was challenging for the crew of HMAS Melbourne as we prepared to sail the first upgraded Adelaide Class Frigate on Operational Deployment. This award is testament to the role each individual has played,” Commander Harris said.

“Our accomplishments last year would not have been possible without the support of our families, without their steadfast support 2010 would not have been so successful.”

Melbourne returned from has recently returned from the Middle East where she served with distinction during Operation Slipper. During her six month deployment Melbourne was flexibly tasked to conduct maritime security and interception operations in support of both counter-terrorism and counter-piracy in the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and the Red Sea. During this time she successfully responded to 14 distress calls in relation to suspected piracy attacks.

The ship was also presented with The Spada Shield, which recognises the surface combatant foremost in operations, safety, reliability, warfare and unit level training.

The Gloucester Cup was instituted in 1947 by the then Governor-General, the Duke of Gloucester and acknowledges excellence in operational efficiency, seamanship, supply and administration, training, maintenance and resourcefulness.

Parade Commander, Lieutenant Mathew O'Loughlin, RAN stands tall and proud during the Gloucester Cup presentation on HMAS Melbourne.	HMAS Melbourne's Guard, stand at ease during the Gloucester Cup presentation.	The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, talks with Able Seaman Steward Kayla Stephenson, during her inspection of the guard.
The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, addresses ship's company of HMAS Melbourne to congratulate them on being awarded the Gloucester Cup.	The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, presents Commanding Officer of HMAS Melbourne, Commander Michael Harris, RAN with the Gloucester Cup.	Commodore Andrew Smith, RAN, addresses ship's company of HMAS Melbourne, to congratulate them on being awarded the Spada Shield.
Commodore Andrew Smith, RAN,(right) presents Commanding Officer of HMAS Melbourne Commander Michael Harris, RAN,(left) with the Spada Shield.	Commander Michael Harris, RAN, Commanding Officer HMAS Melbourne, congratulates ship's company on being awarded the Gloucester Cup.	HMAS Melbourne's guard present arms in salute for the arrival of The Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC.
Spada Shield (left) and Gloucester Cup (right) presented to HMAS Melbourne during a ceremony onboard.