Navy People: Bundaberg boys on the high seas
18 August 2010
Two former Shalom Catholic College students are on pirate patrol in the waters of the Middle East.
Jeremy Richardson and Jason McDonnell, along with their 190 shipmates aboard HMAS Parramatta, are currently conducting counter-piracy and counter-terrorism patrols as part of their six month deployment.
Jeremy, now a Lieutenant, is the Deputy Supply Officer onboard. He originally joined the Navy in 1996 as a stores specialist. Later, promoted to officer, he completed his degree at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2005 and gained his Supply Qualification in 2006.
“My job involves overseeing the day to day aspects of the Supply Department [food and stores] and planning for activities such as port visits,” Jeremy said.
“Everyday, there is always something different and that’s why I love my job - I work with professional people who teach me new things almost every day.”
This is Jeremy’s first deployment to the Middle East but in his 15 year career he has been to Singapore, China, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, Noumea and Samoa.
Jason McDonnell has been in the Navy only half the time but he is already on his second Middle East tour. He’s also visited Hawaii, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.
“I joined the Navy in 2002 and trained as a cook,” said Jason. “Now I’ve got a Certificate 4 in commercial cookery and I’m the victualling manager onboard.
“This involves ordering, storing and issuing provisions, writing and costing a six week menu – as well as helping out in the galley!”
“In my job, I supervise five Able Seaman cooks, plus look after the payment and processing of invoices and maintaining correct financial records.”
“I love the fact I get to do a fair bit of travelling with the Navy plus my job varies a fair bit daily — and I get to be creative in how I handle things,” Jason said.
HMAS Parramatta will be heading home in September and Jeremy and Jason are looking forward to catching up with family and friends.
“I’m going to be visiting family between Brisbane and Tasmania catching up on the six months I’ve been away,” Jeremy said.
“I’m going to be visiting my mother and grandparents in Bundy and catching up with my brother and his new son in Alice Springs as well as seeing mates in Brisbane and Sydney,” Jason said.
