Sydney and Ballarat host their first Official Reception in India

14 May 2009

HMA ships Sydney and Ballarat recently kicked off Operation Northern Trident 2009 with an official reception for 100 guests as part of their three day port visit to the vibrant city of Kochi, India. Situated on India’s south-west coast, Kochi is a hot, humid and rapidly expanding town, famous for spices and the local speciality of Dosa.

Hosted by CO Sydney, CAPT Peter Leavy and CO Ballarat, CMDR Kevin Turner, the reception was attended by Australia’s High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Mr John McArthy, Rear Admiral H.C.S. Bisht, Chief of Staff Southern Naval Command India, Rear Admiral Sunil Lanba, Indian Navy Flag Officer Sea Training, and representatives of the defence industry.

The reception was also a reunion for Rear Admiral Bisht and Australia’s Defence Attache to India, CAPT John Mead. The two studied together in 2007 at the National Defence College in New Delhi, and were pleased to have the chance to see each other again.

The event was also an outstanding opportunity to showcase some of Australia’s food and wine with the kangaroo skewers and gazpacho with Sydney rock oysters proving to be extremely popular. For entertainment, members of the embarked RAN band provided a musical backdrop of jazz before switching to the more traditional “Beat to Quarters” for the Ceremonial Sunset at the conclusion of evening.

Official receptions on board Navy ships are held regularly in port to entertain members of other navies, local dignitaries and business people, and are a great opportunity for ship’s company to learn more about foreign navies as well as different cultures before going ashore.

India is the first stop on Operation Northern Trident and the visit assisted in strengthening the Royal Australian Navy's ties with the Indian Navy as well as recognising the crucial role that India plays in maintaining security in the Indian Ocean region.