HMAS Newcastle receives top Navy honour
6 April 2010
The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Newcastle has been awarded the Gloucester Cup by the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, during a ceremony at Garden Island, Sydney.
Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore, AM, CSC, RAN, and Commodore Training, Commodore Daryl Bates, AM, RAN, joined the Governor-General in presenting the Commanding Officer of Newcastle, Commander Justin Jones, RAN, with the award which recognises the Fleet unit foremost in all aspects of operations, safety, seamanship, reliability and unit level training.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Her Excellency also inspected the Royal Guard and the ship's company on the flight deck.
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.
Commanding Officer of Newcastle, Commander Justin Jones, said he was honoured to lead the ship which won the Gloucester Cup.
“This is a very proud day for our ship and recognises the hard work each and every crew member puts in,” Commander Jones said.
“Each individual has played a critical role in helping us achieve this award. I am particularly pleased that many families were also able to attend the ceremony today. They too have played an important role in supporting the Ship’s Company’s performance. I feel very privileged to work alongside such a happy and dedicated crew.”
The ship was also presented two other fleet awards. The Spada Shield recognises the surface combatant foremost in operations, safety, reliability, warfare and unit level training, and the Australia Cup for excellence in marine engineering.
Last year the ship undertook its biggest fundraising effort ever by raising $57,000 for its charity, The Hunter Orthopaedic School in Newcastle. The Newcastle community was represented at the presentation by the Ship’s Lady, Mrs Margaret McNaughton AM, the Lord Mayor, Clr John Tate, and the Principal of Hunter Orthopaedic School, Mrs Allison Sellers.
HMAS Newcastle will deploy for four months in April to Guam, Japan and then Canada for the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy. The ship will also participate in the international Exercise RIMPAC in Hawaii.
