Navy Cadets in HMAS Tobruk
21 January 2008
In a first for Australian Navy Cadets (ANC), 60 cadets and staff were embarked in HMAS Tobruk as the ship conducted border protection and fisheries patrols across Northern Australia as part of Operation Resolute.
They were the first contingent of an ANC detachment of 120 Navy cadets and staff who were given the opportunity to conduct sea familiarisation training in Tobruk from Darwin to Sydney. The voyage was divided into two legs, with the first group embarking in Darwin on 11 December 2007 to complete the Cairns leg of the voyage, and second contingent rotating onto the ship in Cairns on 17 December 2007 for passage to Sydney.
The cadets, many of whom had never seen a warship before, were drawn from Training Ships located in some of the most remote regions of Australia. Ranging from 14 to 18 years of age, they traveled from as far afield as Esperance, Carnarvon, Port Hedland and Broome in WA, Gove NT, Port Augusta in SA, and rural communities throughout the eastern states. As recognition of their achievement in winning the Navy Efficiency Shield, 12 cadets and four staff members from TS Voyager, including their CO, LEUT ANC Lisa Foley, were also selected to participate in the voyages.
On occasions as Tobruk patrolled the EEZ, cadets lined the guard rails hoping to catch their first sight of a suspected illegal entry vessel (SIEV). While no SIEV were detected, they weren't disappointed when the ship passed through several large fleets of Foreign Fishing Vessels. Cadet AB John Jenkinson of TS Darwin and Cadet RCT Chris Harris of TS Pilbara were particularly excited that during their 'watch on deck' duty that they had spotted the first of the fishing vessels through the ships 'big eyes' binoculars.
For 14 year old Cadet AB Tom Pulsford of Broome WA, every experience was a new adventure, but his excitement could hardly be contained after a trick on the ship's helm. Adding to his enjoyment was being a member of the winning quiz team who won the privilege of dining with Tobruk's Commanding Officer, CMDR Brett Wolski.
Without exception though, the overwhelming highlight for all was the chance to ride in the ship's Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). Cadet LS Mark Murphy described the experience as the 'most awesome' thing he had ever done!
All have enjoyed the opportunity to experience living and working in a ship board environment as the cadets were rotated through each of the ship's departments. Despite tiredness and the unaccustomed routines of communal living, as the cadets departed the ship at the completion of their voyage many expressed their desire to do it all again. The success of the voyage was entirely attributable to Tobruk's ship's company who extended their hospitality to the ANC and took every opportunity to integrate them into their departments.
Visit Australian Navy Cadets for more information on the exciting opportunities available.
