Navy People: Meet June Cunningham from HMAS Cairns
8 July 2010
Toowoomba sailor June Cunningham (nee Thrupp) is a fitness professional who helps those who want to change something about their lives for the better.
“I enjoy my job as I see the results on the health goals individuals and groups,” said June.
But joining the Navy took everyone by surprise including June.
“My brother Malcolm was my hero, so when he joined the Army I also went into enlist. I missed out by only a few places, as back in those days when the quota was filled, that was it.
“So I tried the Navy and Air Force, and well, the rest is history I guess, “said June.
“I joined the Navy in 1978 as an Officers Steward but in 1981 the Physical Training Branch was opening up to female sailors. I tried out and was one of the first female PT sailors in the Navy — a very proud moment for me personally and a new challenge for women in the Australian Defence Force.
“I have been a Physical Trainer now since 1981 and have reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer,” said June.
In that time June’s commitment to training and professional development have lead to qualifications including Certificates III & IV in Fitness, a Certificate IV in Personal Training, a Diploma of Business and Frontline Management, an Advanced Diploma in Physical Fitness, Austswim Instructor and Bronze Medallion Instructor certification, a Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation (Abseiling, teambuilding and high ropes) and a Diploma of Massage and Reflexology.
Chief Petty Officer Cunningham currently serves as the Sports Officer at HMAS Cairns, the Navy shore base at Cairns.
“This is the first posting I have had to my home state of Queensland in 32 years in the Navy. My original home port was HMAS Moreton which is now the naval museum along South Bank in Brisbane” June muses.
“My various posting have been taken me all over Australia and the globe. I have served at HMAS Cerberus (Melbourne) four times, HMAS Coonawarra (Darwin) three times, HMAS Nirimba twice, HMAS Harman (Canberra), HMAS Creswell (Nowra), have been loan posted to HMAS Watson (Sydney) and HMAS Albatross (Nowra) and I was part of the Commissioning crew of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) back in 1986. I have served onboard HMAS Kanimbla as part of Operation Slipper in Solomon Islands and Kuwait. Serving on HMAS Manoora as part of Operation Relex I travelled to Christmas Island, Samoa and New Zealand. During my last trip on HMAS Manoora I was privileged to host over 300 family and relatives of the 645 sailors, airman and civilians that were lost when HMAS Sydney was torpedoed off Western Australia” June recalls.
“In 1994 I travelled to England on an exchange program to HMS Raleigh in Plymouth, Cornwall . I was there four months and had a rewarding trip, travelling to Cyprus, Scotland, Brussels, Paris, Luxemburg and the Netherlands. In 1994 I received the Order of Australia (Military Division) for dedication to Navy Education and Policy and the RAN whilst working for a Directorate in Canberra. I feel very privileged to receive the award and to this day I still get goose bumps when I wear it”.
Having been around Australia and the world, Chief Petty Officer Cunningham is pleased to be back in Queensland. “Currently I am in Cairns unattached as my partner Sue is still down in Victoria working full time at HMAS Cerberus as a Public Servant. I get to go home at least six times a year to see my partner and enjoy the comforts of home. We have our own house in Hastings, Victoria, and have two dogs: Murray 12yrs and Mitchell 12 yrs and a cat Charlie whose 7yrs” said June.
“I was born in Surat Queensland and we moved when I was very young to Toowoomba. I attended St Saviours College from prep to year 9 and then Harristown State High for year 10. I remember playing hockey for the Red Lions Hockey Club for a number of years, as Goal Keeper for Senior and Reserves Ladies league. I swam for many years for Olympic Swim club at Toowoomba’s Milne Bay Pool of which both my sister Janice and I we regular winners both at home and away swim meets. At age of 14 years I picked up two silver medals in the Darling Downs Diving championships in the Senior and Junior women’s 1 meter and 3 meter springboard category. So being a physical trainer in the Navy has been like coming home!” June says.
“My mother’s name is Mrs Jean Thrupp (nee Macleod) who married William Thrupp in 1940. He served in Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) back in WWII. He died in 1980s. I have a total of 8 siblings: Margaret (her husband was in Army and served in Vietnam and retired after 20 years as Warrant Officer Class 1), Nola, Patrick, Yvonne, Dianne, Malcolm (deceased), Patricia and Janice. While divorced I kept my married name,” said June.
“I balance my work and life by volunteering for different activities and events around Cairns and local areas. These include ANZAC Day, Coral Sea and Remembrance Day services, Legacy and Defence Recruiting Days, and at the RSPCA Stratford Centre in Cairns. I love animals and care about their welfare, so going out every chance I get, it gives me a great feeling of giving back to the community. It also serves as a break away from work and helps me unwind to be with the animals. I look after the cat enclosure (adoption and strays) making sure their cages are always clean and they have sufficient food, toys etc. Plus I make time to cuddle the cats and groom them, so they are looking their best for when prospective buyers come around. I also do dog walking and help with the feeding, grooming of the dogs as well. As a keen gardener I’m often seen doing the lawns at the RSPCA just so that the facility is looking its best at all times” June said.
Recently awarded Commanding Officer’s Commendations from Commander Bob Heffey, CO HMAS Cairns and Lieutenant Commander Damien Munchenburg, CO HMAS Tarakan, and on Australia Day was awarded HMAS Cairns Sailor of the Year for 2009 these accolades continue to accumulate. June admits “I was very surprised and humble to receive such awards from my fellow officers and sailors who think so highly of me”.
“I have made so many wonderful friends over the past 32 years and the list keeps growing, and there is never a dull moment. The camaraderie and mateship that you forge between all ranks is priceless, and there is always someone somewhere that you will run into that you know. It’s like having family all over the country, and there is always a welcoming smile and handshake to greet you” says June.
Chief Petty Officer June Cunningham acknowledges that “now that I’m in Queensland I can travel down to my mothers place in Mitchelton and see her and enjoy going out with the War Widows and Legacy Ladies that she associates with. At Christmas last year I travelled down to see my Mother and I ended up running the War Widows Raffles before we sat down for a lovely Christmas lunch. A lovely bunch of ladies who have taken me under their wings and are always asking when am I coming back”.
