The Italian Job

22 July 2009

By popular demand, pizza and pasta are set for a comeback onboard HMAS Toowoomba thanks to the Italian Navy.

Sailors from Toowoomba recently had a rare opportunity to conduct a Personal Exchange Program crossdeck with an Italian Naval Ship Borsini, after both ships departed the Gulf port of Abu Dhabi together.

The opportunity was taken for personnel to swap places with their counterparts for the day and experience a day at sea in a 'different navy'. Some of the In-Company activities involved Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres, Replenishment at Sea Approaches and the Borsini's Agusta-Bell 202 helicopter, the 'Godfather', conducting Deck Landing Practices on Toowoomba.

One lucky participant was Toowoomba's chef, AB Cook Scott Tysoe who had a 'Busman's Holiday' cooking in Borsini's galley. His Italians hosts were happy to trade secret recipes on authentic Italian pizza and pasta.

It was a great experience for Scott, who said, "We already make authentic Italian food but some of these new tips on magic ingredients will come in very handy".

AB Marine Technician Kane Turco also enjoyed the culinary experience, "The food they served us was just like my Nona used to make," he said. His Italian hosts were most impressed that Kane could also speak Italian.

SBLT Sarah Tame had a unique experience when she found herself in charge of Borsini for Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres. This was a special achievement for Sarah, as she was the first foreigner to be given the Con of Borsini.

Some of these moments were captured by the Prospero Film Crew embarked in Toowoomba filming an upcoming documentary series called Warship.

Toowoomba began Operation SLIPPER duties in June, conducting Maritime Support and Counter Terrorism operations in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Later this year, Toowoomba will be the first RAN ship to participate in Task Force 151 Counter Piracy Operations, where she is likely to encounter her new friend Borsini.