Navy People: Park Ridge sailor Cambodia bound

17 February 2010

Four years ago, Park Ridge local Cameron Bridge decided stop working in a warehouse. Now he’s maintaining weapon systems in one of the Navy’s most modern warships.

This former Park Ridge High student has already seen service ashore in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and already visited overseas ports including Singapore and Korea.

“Seeing the world and getting paid for it is something I could never achieve working in a warehouse and there are more overseas visits coming up soon,” said Cameron.

Now promoted to Able Seaman, Cameron has specialised as an electronics technician. On board the Frigate HMAS Anzac, he is responsible for maintenance of Harpoon anti-ship missiles, torpedo tubes and the vertical launch system which carries Sea Sparrow missiles.

His new skill sets can be applied in a number of industries, but Cameron isn’t planning to change anything just yet.

“I am doing things I would never have dreamed about when I was in the warehouse,” he said.

After moving from Park Ridge to attend initial training at HMAS Cerberus near Melbourne, Cameron is now based in Perth.

“Perth has a relaxed atmosphere, just like Brisbane. The weather is good, sunny without the humidity.”

But for the next few months Cameron and his shipmates are much nearer home. They are exercising off the eastern seaboard with other Australian and New Zealand ships, practicing for disaster relief and actual conflict

The Cameron and his shipmates will be heading for ports in New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia.

“There are more exercises to participate in but we will have a chance to step ashore in most places,” said Cameron.

“The Asian trip is something everyone on the ship is looking forward to, especially Cambodia as our Navy does not get to visit there very often,” said Cameron. “It’s strange really. When I was a civilian, it seemed I was working all the time but now we are able to do our work and get to experience some really cool things as well.”