Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2005/Whyalla paid off in Cairns ceremony
By Master of Ceremonies Hugh McKenzie
What's the wet weather routine, I asked. "We get wet" was the reply and while Cairns had had periodic rain over the days preceding the decommissioning of HMAS Whyalla the rain held off on the day.
"Look at them," someone said, "You couldn't dent their morale with a 20 pound hammer." The reference was to Whyalla's crew formed up on the quarterdeck during rehearsal for her paying off. They were definitely a happy ship's company.
I didn't convert the reference to metric because it loses its impact and anyway I'm old enough to be still working in imperial weights and measures.
In her 23 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy Whyalla had traversed 617, 593nm of ocean, visited 20 countries, and conducted countless boardings and inspections. A point made in his address to invited guests by the new MCAUST RADM Davyd Thomas who made clear his appreciation of the role of the patrol boats in protecting Australia's interests.
LCDR Mitch Edwards, her CO, praised the boat and his crew, a tiny catch in his voice when he spoke of her ending her naval life in the boat shed in Cairns. LCDR Edwards made his address from the flag deck where CHAP Duncan Becsi led us in a service of celebration of the life of the boat.
ABMUSN Tracy Burke led the singing, her bell clear voice carrying the Naval Hymn out over the water, the Sydney detachment of the RAN Band providing the music and as the Hymn always does leaving a lump in my throat.
Twenty-three years ago Aileen Ekblom, then Mayor of Whyalla had commissioned the boat. She returned for this day, in her nineties, bravely inspecting the guard in her wheeled walking frame - and determined to do honour to her boat. Aileen's husband Anders was with her, a Merchant Captain and at one time Commodore of the BHP Fleet when it was 'The Big Australian'.
Whyalla's XO WO Ian Jordan, as parade commander, had readied the parade and the guard, commanded by SBLT Daniel Lord, turned inward awaiting the moment.
It came. A long slow drum roll and Song of Australia and HMAS Whyalla's Colours were lowered for the last time, her Commissioning Pennant struck, and her White Ensign ceremonially folded.
Naval tradition has it that the CO is the last man ashore and so it was, LCDR Edwards presenting his compliments to MCAUST with the words, "Sir Whyalla's job is done I commend her White Ensign to your safekeeping until the naming of a new Whyalla," and RADM Thomas's reply, "On behalf of the Navy I will hold this White Ensign in safekeeping."
So it was done, another chapter in the life of passing and renewal in the Royal Australian Navy closed - Whyalla to return to Darwin under the Red Duster her fate, like that of her sisters, as yet undetermined - we to go our separate ways.
