Navy People: Toowoon Bay Local at The King’s Coronation
1 February 2010
It’s a long way from Toowoon Bay to Tonga, but a worthwhile journey for Seaman Cook, Steven John Moore, who was recently aboard HMAS Ballarat and attended the coronation of His Excellency King Tapou V, the King of Tonga.
HMAS Ballarat attended the King’s coronation while on deployment to the Southwest Pacific.
Steven first joined the RAN in 1992, and then rejoined in 2001, as a cook. He serves 117 members of the HMAS Ballarat’s crew.
At 36, Steven has travelled around the world, serving the RAN on various deployments of the HMAS Ballarat, including in Iraq.
“I enjoy the good clean life that the Navy has to offer and I really enjoy seeing the places that not everybody sees,” Steven said.
The HMAS Ballarat, is a long range warship and is equipped to counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.
The ship’s main armament comprises of a five inch gun, capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship launched torpedoes and missile launch and decoy systems.
A combined diesel or gas propulsion plant enables the HMAS Ballarat to sustain sprint speeds of greater than 27 knots and gives it an operational range in excess of 6, 000 nautical miles at 18 knots.
The Navy lifestyle is a feature in Steven’s family with three of his siblings also serving in the Navy. Two brothers and a sister all enjoy the opportunities and way of life in the RAN.
During his time serving in the RAN, Steven has attained a Certificate 4 in Commercial Cookery. Aside from cooking for the crew of the HMAS Ballarat, Steven also serves as a valuable member of the Ship’s Medical Team.
These achievements are accompanied by the medals with which Steven has been honoured throughout his service to the RAN. These include the Australian Active Service Medal, IRAQ 08 Clasp, the International Coalition Against Terror Medal, and an IRAQ Campaign Medal.
“I have met some great friends on my travels and I enjoy my job because it is hard work with all the benefits,” Steven said.
