Publication:Navy Annual 2005/A Productive Year in Tasmania
BY COMMANDER GEORGE SYDNEY, RAN
Officers and crews of HMA ships visiting Tasmania are always grateful for the support given by Navy Headquarters (NHQ) - Tasmania. Permanent and reserve personnel perform a number of significant support activities to ensure that the visiting crews have an enjoyable and productive visit.
Everything from berthing to bunkering, telephone connections, hire-cars, official visits and recreational activities are considered. sporting activities and community relations are always high on the agenda for the crew's leisure time. A comprehensive plan is agreed upon with the visiting ship long before the scheduled arrival date.
A wise sage once said that the only thing that is constant in our 21st century world is change - and that is certainly the case when it comes to ship visits. The ship visit plan is very much a dynamic document with necessary changes being made right up to, and sometimes even during, the scheduled visit.
Other activities supported by NHQ Tasmania include ceremonial occasions at which the royal Australian Navy is admirably represented. The White Ensign is proudly paraded at events such as ANZAC Day, and such occasions always attract positive loca media coverage. ANZAC Day marches in Northern Tasmania this year were spread over two weekends, and both events received excellent coverage and comment.
ANZAC Day in Hobart saw the local contingent joined by the officers and crew from HMAS Bendigo, and again the Navy's contribution attracted extensive positive media coverage.
The presence of the Navy reserve Band and Diving team 10 in Hobart also adds significantly to the Navy's reputation throughout Tasmania. Among other activities undertaken by Diving team 10 this year was their assistance to the Tasmanian Police to raise a sunken pleasure cruiser from the Derwent River. This also attracted positive local media interest.
The Navy reserve Band made numerous appearances at public functions throughout the state. The band is always welcome at annual icon Tasmanian events such as our Agricultural Festival and Carols by Candlelight.
Other activities supported by NHQ Tasmania during the past year included the development of national training packages and, more recently, the development of national competencies in Defence Public Affairs. This activity will culminate in an ACT recognition Authority-accredited Certificate III Advanced Diploma in Defence Public Affairs for all Defence personnel undertaking the training.
