Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2003/Call to Warfare Officers
By LCDR John Holman, RANR (Retd) President, Naval Warfare Officers' Association
The Naval Warfare Officers' Association is the new name for an old association, viz the Anti-Submarine Officers' Association, which is approaching some sixty years in existence, but with a new lease on life and new horizons.
It was formed in mid 1946 by Officers still serving or demobilised whose criteria for membership was that they had been trained initially in anti-submarine warfare at the Anti-Submarine School, HMAS Rushcutter, Rushcutters Bay, NSW.
The Anti-Submarine Association has been a tight and happy community, which over the years has developed a close association with HMAS Watson– that establishment having taken over the Anti-Submarine Warfare Training on the closure of the old Anti-Submarine School shortly after the end of World War II.
The objects of the Association are, and always have been, to honour the proud wartime record of its members and to promote and foster amongst its members, the spirit of comradeship and service to the Navy and the Nation. Additionally, we wish to maintain our connections with the past yet offer a sense of community to the younger members of the warfare fraternity.
The association's patron is Admiral Alan Beaumont AC RAN (Rtd)
The Association marches together each Anzac Day followed by the AGM, which is held aboard MV' Radar' on Sydney Harbour. In addition an annual luncheon with a guest speaker is held each November at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
The Association newsletter, published three times per year, contains articles relating to our history, heritage and warfare issues that are of interest to both serving and ex-RAN members. All association members are encouraged to contribute articles for publication.
The cost of membership is $15 per annum and application forms are available from the Honorary Secretary as follows: Honorary Secretary, Naval Warfare Officers' Association, CMDR R.F. Tighe RFD RD RANR (Rtd) Telephone 02 9948 3479 or Fax 02 9948 5100 or e-mail tighe@bigpond.net.au
