Publication:Navy Annual 2005/Farewell Old Friend

BY MR RUSS POWER, STAFF OFFICER EXECUTIVE HMAS CAIRNS

1810 Friday 2 September 2005 marked the end of an era for one of the Navy's finest minor warships, the Fremantle Class Patrol Boat HMAS Whyalla. The lowering of her 'suite of Colours' commemorating the decommissioning of the first Cairns Based Fleet unit was steeped in tradition, pomp and ceremony. Guests, including four previous Commanding Officers, former ship's company, family and friends witnessed an extremely memorable occasion.

The guest of honour was Mrs Eilene Ekblom, commissioning lady and a former Mayor of the south Australian town of Whyalla. Also attending the event were veterans from the first royal Australian Navy ship to bear the name Whyalla, a Bathurst Class corvette, which saw active service in World War II. Spending nineteen of her twenty-three years in Cairns HMAS Whyalla has an enviable record serving with distinction in regional areas, and with forces from New Zealand, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. she steamed a total of 617,593 nautical miles, conducted 726 boardings and has received several awards, the most recent the coveted 2004 Kelly shield as the most efficient patrol boat in the royal Australian Navy.

She has participated in a number of operations with the most recent being Operation ANODE, the Australian Defence Force contribution to the Australian-led HMAS Whyalla has provided outstanding service over the years and her role will be continued with the introduction of the next generation Armidale Class Patrol Boats. During the ceremony the Maritime CMDR rear ADML Davyd Thomas AM, CSC, RAN and the decommissioning Commanding Officer, LCDR Mitch Edwards, RAN, acknowledged the large part family and friends play in the life of Minor War Vessel personnel.