HMAS Parramatta visits Lumut, Malaysia

2 May 2011

Royal Malaysian Navy Officers, Commanding Officer and Officer's of HMAS Parramatta at the Opening Ceremony of MASTEX 11 at PUSTAKMAR Lumut, Malaysia.

HMAS Parramatta (Commander Heath Robertson, RAN) recently visited Lumut, Malaysia, as a lead up to their bi-lateral participation in MASTEX 11. During Parramatta’s stay, Lumut was hosting Navy Week celebrations for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the town was more than welcoming to the officers and sailors from Parramatta.

A formal opening ceremony was held at the Lumut Naval Base with CO Parramatta reciprocating by hosting VADM Dato’ Wira Jamil bin Osman RMN Fleet Commander, to an official reception onboard with other guests drawn from the RMN and local businesses.

Parramatta participated in various activities organised with the RMN and by the Ship including a challenge to a game of futsal (similar to indoor soccer) by the RMN, visits to Kuala Lumpur as well as local culture around Lumut and Pangkor Island.

ANZAC Day was also commemorated during their visit. CHAP Jason Wright, RAN led a service for the Ship’s company on the flight deck, which was followed by a breakfast cooked by the Chief Petty Officer’s Mess and a traditional game of Two-up for those wanting to get into the ANZAC spirit.

A contingent from Parramatta also made the lengthy but rewarding journey out to Taiping Commonwealth War Cemetery. Here, more than 850 Commonwealth servicemen are laid to rest with only 332 identified. Amongst them are several Australian soldiers and airmen that were killed in action on the Malayan Peninsula during World War II of whom, only a few are identified. CHAP Wright gave a short service and a wreath was laid by LCDR Graeme Bick, RAN and SMNCIS Jamie Ehlers. The contingent then had the opportunity to wander amongst the pristine gardens of the cemetery and reflect on ANZAC Day.

Parramatta is currently deployed to South East Asia and will be visiting a number of ports and participating in a range of key activities in the region including EX MASTEX 2011, EX BERSAMA SHIELD 2011 and EX AUSTHAI 2011.

Imagery is available at: images.navy.gov.au