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NEWSNAVYVolume 62, No. 12, July 11, 2019

END OF AN ERA: HMA Ships Success and Newcastle decommission

Medic to the rescue

Page 3

Page 4 Page 5

PLUSDeployments the new normalPage 2

SEA RAIDERS

Amphibious task force ready for Talisman Sabre

Centre

HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide sail in formation with amphibious landing craft during Exercise Sea Explorer in the lead-up to Exercise Talisman Sabre. Photo: LSIS Nicolas Gonzalez

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2 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

LEUT Ryan Zerbe

IT has already been a big year for the fleet.

Navy’s ships, submarines and embarked flights have deployed across the globe to participate in high-end warfighting, maritime security, international exercises and operations.

The remainder of the year will see the fleet similarly engaged with our allies and partners throughout the region, which COMAUSFLT RADM Jonathan Mead said was now the new normal.

RADM Mead has urged our peo-ple to reflect on their excellent work in sustaining operations and exercises off the Australian station.

Responsible for meeting Outcome One of Plan Pelorus 2022 – “provide maritime forces for current opera-tions, exercises, engagements and future contingencies” – RADM Mead said the regional deployments under-taken so far this year were proof that Navy was on track to achieving the milestone.

“Make no mistake – our people are working hard across the region with our allies and partners, securing our maritime interests and proving they’re ready to fight and win at sea,” RADM Mead said.

“We’re not spending any more time at sea than we have histori-cally, we’re just focusing our effort away from the Australian station to maximize high-end warfighting in complex maritime environments and international engagement opportuni-ties.”

Since January, more than a dozen

Deployments are the new normal

– COMAUSFLT RADM Jonathan Mead

The fleet’s focus is on maximising high-end warfighting in complex maritime environments and international engagement opportunities.

‘‘

ships with embarked flights, as well as submarines, have deployed off the Australian station to more than 20 countries and that effort will be matched in the second half of the year.

The centrepiece of Navy’s deployments has been Indo-Pacific Endeavour, a deployment of four ships and a submarine spanning the region from India to South Korea and the south-west Pacific.

Other significant deploy-ments have included HMA Ships

Toowoomba and Collins joining the French-led multinational Combined Task Group in Exercise LA Perouse in the Bay of Bengal, and HMA Ships Melbourne, Parramatta and Farncomb, which took part in the high-end warfighting exercise Pacific Vanguard, where a number of com-plex missile firings were completed off Guam.

Our minehunters – Diamantina and Leeuwin – deployed to Sri Lanka, further than their respective classes have ever sailed before.

RADM Mead said these were just a few examples of excellent work being undertaken by the fleet, which were enhancing our reputation and warfighting proficiency.

“Fleet and its people are funda-mental to the provision of maritime security across the region, which is critical to the economic prosperity of Australia,” RADM Mead said.

“Every day our people dedicate themselves to exercises and opera-tions that enable us to protect our sea-lines of communication, and I

am immensely proud of what fleet is achieving.

“In doing so, our women and men put the interests of their country and their fellow Australians ahead of their own.”

While June provided much of the fleet with time for respite and impor-tant maintenance opportunities, the coming months will see many ships return to sea on tasks across Asia and the Pacific, or supporting Exercise Talisman Sabre.

“Our largest ships – Adelaide and

Canberra – will execute the full spec-trum of amphibious operations during exercise Talisman Sabre with various aircraft and multiple landing craft projecting significant forces ashore,” RADM Mead said.

HMAS Ballarat will soon return home from a nine-month deploy-ment to the Middle East region on Operation Manitou, having under-taken almost 40 boardings and seiz-ing more than $1 billion in illegal narcotics.

Our minor war vessels, for 365 days a year, are the backbone of our border security commitment to Operation Resolute.

HMAS Brisbane will deploy overseas for the first time in August when she sails to the United States for weapons trials, and HMAS Hobart will deploy in company with an AMCAP upgraded frigate, HMAS Arunta, a capability pairing that will be second-to-none in the region.

Nine other ships will deploy to East Asia in task groups, while HMAS Choules will return to visit regional partners in the south-west Pacific.

All of this activity signals Navy’s ability to provide and sustain maritime forces, ready for high-end warfighting when and where needed.

“At the core of all of this activity across fleet are our sailors, who are among the finest in the world and who should be proud of their contri-bution to protecting the security and economic prosperity of the Australian people,” RADM Mead said.

BUSY YEAR FOR THE FLEET

HMAS Brisbane United States

Middle EastHMAS Ballarat

East Asia9 Ships

MHP Force Surface Force

Asia / PacificHMAS Adelaide HMAS CanberraHMAS FarncombHMAS MelbourneHMAS Parramatta

Combat Systems Trials

Operation Resolute

Sri LankaHMAS LeeuwinHMAS Diamantina

Search for HMAS Vampire

Operation Manitou

GuamHMAS MelbourneHMAS ParramattaHMAS Farncomb

Pacific Vanguard1st Iteration 2019

Task Groups

Exercise Talisman Sabre

South Asia / South-East AsiaHMAS CanberraHMAS SuccessHMAS NewcastleHMAS ParramattaHMAS Collins

Indo-Pacific Endeavour

South-West PacificHMAS ChoulesHMAS SiriusHMAS FarncombHMAS WollongongHMAS BroomeHMAS PalumaHMAS Mermaid

Regional Engagement

Bay of BengalHMAS ToowoombaHMAS Collins

Exercise La Perouse

3NEWSJuly 11, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

A DARWIN-based sailor has been branded a hero after she saved the life of a four-day-old baby, injuring herself in the process.

ABMED Carly Burke credited her training for giving her the confidence and skills to resuscitate the choking infant.

“I felt calm, I knew what I needed to do, and I focused on that,” AB Burke said.

“I had a baby rapidly deteriorating, but because I have been doing a self-funded paramedics degree as profes-sional development and I had just fin-ished a unit dealing with paediatrics, I felt confident I knew what was going on and I knew how to intervene.”

The incident occurred while AB Burke was on holidays in her home-town of Mount Gambier in South Australia. She was jogging along a quiet road in the morning when a car swerved and braked suddenly in front of her.

“I saw a man and woman rush out of the front and grab a baby from the back seat. They were panicking, which set off my alarm bells,” AB Burke said.

She ran over, spraining her ankle as she stepped off the curb.

“I introduced myself and asked if I could help. The parents just handed over the baby and said, ‘She has choked on something’,” AB Burke said.

“The baby was blue around the lips and wasn’t breathing. I told the father to call triple 000 and to tell them I was performing cardio-pulmonary resusci-tation on an infant.”

AB Burke fetched a blanket from the back seat and laid it on the bonnet of the car. She placed the baby on top and began resuscitation.

Thirty seconds later, the baby did something that AB Burke will never forget – she cried as she began to breathe again.

“It was most definitely the biggest feeling of relief but also accomplish-ment, not just because of a successful resuscitation, but also because when the infant started crying you could see the relief on the parents’ faces; their fears and uncertainty vanished,” she said.

Paramedics arrived as AB Burke handed the baby back to her mother. The infant was taken to hospital and released the following day.

AB Burke is posted to patrol boat HMAS Ararat.

Her CO, LCDR Khan Beaumont,

said the family was lucky they were so close to a trained Navy medic when the crisis occurred.

“This was an exceptional act by an exceptional sailor,” LCDR Beaumont said.

AB Burke said to be able to assist in such a situation was why she joined the Navy as a medic more than four years ago.

“I love this job because of the trust you earn and the people you meet, but

also for the training we receive,” she said.

“The ability to learn and work with the best medical professionals, but also the ability to adapt and overcome, especially with the situations faced at sea, is something you don’t get any-where else.”

After completing her paramedics degree, AB Burke plans to apply for a medic’s position on operations in Afghanistan.

Medic saves infant

– ABMED Carly Burket

When the infant started crying you could see the relief on the parents’ faces.‘‘

Awards recognise womenLS James McDougall

WOMEN from all three services, the APS and Defence industry, have been nominated in the Australian Defence Magazine’s Women in Defence Awards.

Now in its second year, the awards recognise women in seven categories. These include: commu-nications; legal/contracting; project management; engineering; technical trade, people and culture; and, ris-ing star.

Of 42 RAN nominations submit-ted, six were short-listed in five cat-egories. The winners were due to be announced at an awards ceremony in Canberra on July 11.

Among the nominees is POCIS Emily Dorey, who is in the running for the rising star award.

PO Dorey, who works at the

Defence Force School of Signals M a r i t i m e C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Information Systems Wing at HMAS Cerberus, has progressed quickly through the ranks because of her professionalism, devotion to duties, mentoring of others and

commitment to external activities.PO Dorey performs above and

beyond expectations, immers-ing herself in additional roles and training such as alcohol and drugs adviser, equity, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

She also volunteers at Recruit School quiz nights, supports the women’s AFL team and is a visible supporter of women in Defence and youth leadership activities.

PO Dorey said she gleaned great joy from mentoring.

“You can work hard for your own successes, but it’s just a dif-ferent feeling working hard for somebody else to be able to achieve something that they thought they couldn’t,” she said.

Emily is also a volunteer emer-gency responder for the Victorian State Emergency Services.

POCIS Emily Dorey

ABMED Carly Burke, of HMAS Ararat, alongside HMAS Coonawarra. Photo: POIS Peter Thompson

4 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

LEUT Ryan Zerbe

HMAS Success II, the longest serving ship in Navy’s fleet, completed her service to the nation and was decommissioned at her home port at Sydney’s Garden Island on June 29.

Dubbed the ‘Battle Tanker’, she had been a vital part of Navy’s capability over the past 33 years.

The 157m-long Durance-class replenishment oiler was the last major vessel built at Cockatoo Island in Sydney and was the biggest ship in Navy’s

fleet at the time she was com-missioned in 1986.

During her 33 years, Success sailed more than 1,000,000nm and completed almost 3500 replenishments at sea around the world.

She earned battle honours for her service during the Gulf War in 1991 and East Timor in 1999, and also participated in a record 11 Rim of the Pacific exercises and the search for the miss-ing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.

Despite her age, Success maintained a high tempo right to

the end, deploying twice since May last year and returning from a four-month overseas deploy-ment just weeks before her ser-vice life came to an end.

Her 23rd and final CO CAPT Darren Grogan said lowering the ship’s White Ensign for the final time closed a significant chapter in Navy’s history.

“Success will be missed. She’s been such an integral part of Navy over the past 33 years that most of our people today will not know the fleet without her,” CAPT Grogan said.

“However, this bittersweet

feeling is tempered by the knowledge that so many who have served in Success – many of them here today – are proud of her achievements on behalf of Navy and Australia.”

For ABBM Paul Wosomo, it was the first time he’d been part of a decommissioning crew.

“It was a massive honour to decommission a ship built in Sydney at Cockatoo Island,” AB Wosomo said.

Success will be replaced by new replenishment ship NUSHIP Supply II, which was launched in Ferrol, Spain, in November.

High tempo to the end

Members of the ship’s colour party conduct colours for the last time (left) and CO HMAS Success CAPT Darren Grogan marches off the ship for the final time during the decommissioning ceremony (right). Photos: LSIS Kieran Dempsey and ABIS Leo Baumgartner

CO HMAS Success CAPT Darren Grogan takes a selfie with the ship’s company after the oiler’s decommissioning at Fleet Base East. Photo: ABIS Leo Baumgartner

Last CO HMAS Success CAPT Darren Grogan and first CO Success CDRE James Longden (retd) after the ceremony.

Video of HMAS Success’s decommissioning can be seen at video.defence.gov.au/play/6250

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5NEWSJuly 11, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LEUT Anthony Martin

THE last Adelaide-class guided mis-sile frigate built in Australia for the Navy, HMAS Newcastle, was decom-missioned at a rousing ceremony at Fleet Base East on June 30.

Living up to the ship’s motto ‘enterprise’, the event was a celebra-tion of Newcastle’s dedicated service to the Navy and the nation over nearly 26 years.

More than 600 friends, family, serving and former serving members attended the ceremony.

Among the crowd of supporters was the ship’s launching lady, for-mer Newcastle City Lady Mayoress Margaret McNaughton, who watched with a tear in her eye – reflecting her pride in the crew and her long asso-ciation with the ship.

More than two-and-a-half dec-ades ago, Mrs McNaughton attended Newcastle’s launch ceremony and commissioning.

Newcastle was the first RAN vessel to bear the name of Mrs

McNaughton’s home city and Australia’s fifth largest.

Over the course of her service as a commissioned warship, Newcastle travelled more than 900,000nm, visit-ed more than 30 countries, conducted six maritime security operations and earned battle honours in East Timor, the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.

Newcastle also operated with regional navies, contributed to local and international maritime exercises and provided support to disaster relief and community assistance missions.

She conducted a multitude of ship-borne activities, including replenishments, weapons firings, boarding operations, flying opera-tions, and search-and-rescue missions.

For two crew members, the decommissioning ceremony offered a moment for reflection.

The ship’s CWO Jason McGraw and POB Shane Bellingham had both served in Newcastle for her commis-sioning and decommissioning.

“Not many can say they served in

a warship at the start and the end – I am excited to be one of those few,” PO Bellingham said.

“It’s been an incredible experi-ence and one I will never forget,” WO McGraw said.

For CO Newcastle CMDR Anita Sellick, the decommissioning was the closing act in a busy last 12 months at sea.

Newcastle recently completed a four-month deployment during which she contributed to Indo-Pacific Endeavour, where she exercised with regional navies and visited countries across South-East Asia.

Her final port of call before returning to Fleet Base East was to the city of Newcastle to pay tribute to her namesake port.

“Today is a little sad, but the ship and crew have done an excellent job preparing for this event. I couldn’t be more proud of their achievements,” CMDR Sellick said.

More imagery is available: images.defence.gov.au/S20191641

Closing a class act

Members of the ship’s company stand at attention during HMAS Newcastle’s decommissioning ceremony. Photo: ABET Jarrod Mulvihill

HMAS Newcastle’s guard of honour at the decommissioning ceremony at Fleet Base East (above) and CN VADM Mike Noonan greets the ship’s launching lady, former Newcastle City Lady Mayoress Margaret McNaughton during the ceremony. Photos: ABIS Shane Cameron

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6 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

AS part of Navy’s growth and reten-tion strategy, staff at the office of COMSHORE have been develop-ing initiatives to support our people while protecting traditional culture and history.

One of these initiatives is to rein-vigorate mess life across all naval establishments.

Commander Shore Force CAPT Steve Bowater said Navy mess membership continued to grow.

“Navy messes play an impor-tant role in enhancing Navy culture while building Navy values and giv-ing members a sense of belonging,” CAPT Bowater said.

“Fleet Command, through the office of COMSHORE, have invest-ed significant funds to improve mess amenities such as WiFi, cable television and upgrading of soft fur-nishings.

“As a result of the mess reinvig-oration focus, mess membership and patronage at social functions within WOs, senior sailors and wardroom messes have increased by an aver-age of 150 per cent.”

Junior sailors mess commit-tees across Navy establishments – such as HMA Ships Albatross, Coonawarra, Kuttabul and Stirling – have reinvigorated mess life with baristas, payday raffles and increased social functions, such as State of Origin nights.

CWO COMSHORE WO Bill Shepherd said the dining experience was being improved.

LEUT Todd Fitzgerald

HMAS Leeuwin helped a small Australian charity transport medical supplies and other donated items to Soibada, Timor-Leste recently, and the goods have had an immediate effect.

A washing machine delivered by the ship is now used at a maternity clinic in the remote village to clean soiled linen – a job previously done by

the midwives by hand in a river.Leeuwin also transported baby

clothes, school supplies, sporting equipment and five sewing machines.

Founding member of the Pittwater Friends of Soibada, Tamara Harding, said the delivery had “further cement-ed the bond between our two coun-tries”.

“Navy’s assistance demonstrates the role the ADF plays in supporting

our neighbours during peacetime,” she said. The plan is to assist the com-munity in Soibada to become self-sufficient, so we generally do not just donate material items.

“Donations such as the five sewing machines that Leeuwin carried will provide the opportunity for training and development of small business within the community.”

Leeuwin, an HMAS Cairns-based

ship, was already on the way to Timor-Leste via Darwin on a separate tasking when Mrs Harding requested Navy assistance.

The ship will also visit Palau and Pohnpei to conduct regional engage-ment, and survey operations, and will train with the Timor-Leste Navy.

CO Leeuwin CMDR Richard Mortimer said they were happy to help the charity and residents of Soibada.

“As part of Leeuwin’s mid-year deployment we were heading to Dili for survey work and training with the Timor-Leste Defence Force, so the opportunity to assist an Australian charity by delivering these stores was readily taken,” he said.

Mrs Harding is a former Navy officer who served in the Australian-led international force during the crisis in East Timor between 1999 and 2000.

Leeuwin delivers

the goodsPart of a package of donated goods destined for Soibada, Timor-Leste, a washing machine, is craned aboard HMAS Leeuwin alongside Fort Hill Wharf, Darwin. Photo: POIS Peter Thompson

Members sink teeth into better dining

“E&IG and their sub-contractors have listened, resulting in exciting programs such as ‘Grab and Go’ recently being introduced,” WO Shepherd said.

“Grab and Go provides members with a choice of a protein, such as a sandwich, wrap or salad, a snack item, a piece of fruit and a drink for the price of a standard meal ticket.

“The Grab and Go concept is very popular at HMAS Cerberus with over 30,000 meals provided since February this year.”

CAPT Bowater said the standard of catering across Navy-managed messes was high and would only improve with the introduction of the silver platter annual award for Shore Force-managed galleys.

The office of COMSHORE has also been looking at ways to improve transport options to sup-port personnel in Sydney and includes better options for parking at FBE.

Further announcements will be made on these initiatives.

CWO COMSHORE WO Bill Shepherd and CWO HMAS Cerberus WO Michael Connors talk with LS Alex Zourkas about the popularity of the ‘Grab n Go’ meals at Cerberus. Photo: POIS Nina Fogliani

New patrol boat to TongaAUSTRALIA has officially handed over a new Guardian-class patrol boat to the Kingdom of Tonga.

The Tongan Royal Navy’s Ngahau Koula was received by Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and CAPT Sione Ulakai, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff to His Majesty’s Armed Forces, at a cer-emony in Western Australia on June 21.

The vessel was signed over to CAPT Ulakai by Head of Navy Engineering RADM Colin Lawrence at the Austal Shipyards, Henderson.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds

said the replacement of the Pacific Patrol Boats was an important part of the gov-ernment’s $2 billion 30-year commit-ment to the Pacific region under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.

“The Australian Government is deliv-ering 21 new Guardian-class patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste, as well as delivering improved maritime surveillance capability to our Pacific partners,” Senator Reynolds said.

The first Guardian-class patrol boat was gifted to Papua New Guinea in 2018 and the second to Tuvalu in April.

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Praise for team at handover

CPL Veronica O’Hara

OUTGOING CJOPS AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld had a moment of reflection during one of his last runs around the perimeter of HQJOC.

“There’s this tiny little building full of amazing people that are the engine room for a major conflict in an exer-cise,” AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

“It struck me – it was so intense and all involved in one building, yet it was so peaceful out where I was.”

AIRMSHL Hupfeld’s reflective moment came just before he handed over command as CJOPS to LTGEN Greg Bilton on June 19.

He thanked everyone for their hard work, including their families.

“The work’s unrelenting; your ener-gy, dedication and passion amazed me every day I’ve been here, across all the branches, in my 12 months,” AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

“Enjoying the work and having a need to come to work every day was because of the people here that kept my energy levels up.

“It’s an amazing effort you put in continually, whether you’re in the build-ing, doing the support, contracts or uniformed, delivering what we do every day.”

LTGEN Bilton thanked his prede-cessor for his work and professionalism.

“I’ve had the good fortune to serve under and with him, as well as VADM [David] Johnston, and both men have provided me with an example of how to lead as calm, rational and considerate leaders,” LTGEN Bilton said.

“I couldn’t ask for two better role models to follow, and in this case in particular, to follow Mel into this role.”

LTGEN Bilton had recently served as Deputy CJOPS under AIRMSHL Hupfeld and hoped the disruption for staff would be limited.

“Thank you for the work you’re doing; I’m looking forward to joining you and coming back to this place,” he said.

LTGEN Bilton is now responsible for ADF campaigning operations and joint exercises, domestically and internationally.

AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld passes the weight to LTGEN Greg Bilton during the handover ceremony.Photo: CPL Veronica O’Hara

8 NEWS www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

On task to the lastHMAS Ballarat interdicted a large illicit cargo on its last patrol while deployed to the Middle East region on Operation Manitou.

During the boarding of a dhow in international waters in the Arabian Sea on June 26, Ballarat discovered and seized nearly 500,000 rounds of small arms ammunition and 697 bags of chemical fertiliser. The fertiliser can be used for the manufacture of improvised explosives.

Ballarat conducted 38 boardings on her nine-month deployment, during which her crew seized more than $1 billion worth of illegal narcotics, pre-venting a source of funding for terrorism and other illegal activities.

Some of the boxes of ammunition seized by HMAS Ballarat’s boarding party.Photo: LSIS Bradley Darvill

Video of the interdiction by HMAS Ballarat can be seen at

video.defence.gov.au/play/6248

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www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019 1110 CENTRETALISMAN SABRE LEAD-UP EXERCISES

IN 2005, then CN VADM Russ Shalders said amphibious warfare was “the most complex proposition for the future of Australian Defence

Force combat power development to 2025”.

Fourteen years later in Exercises Sea Explorer and Sea Raider, Navy and the broader ADF demonstrated how they have stepped up to the challenge.

These amphibious exercises were held in littoral areas between Townsville and Cairns in the lead-up to the multina-tional Exercise Talisman Sabre, which began on July 7.

The activities demonstrated the capacity of the joint amphibious task group to deliver an array of capabilities projected from HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide – the first time the two LHDs had conducted coordinated am-phibious operations together.

The exercises tested the ADF’s ca-pacity to execute complex amphibious warfare, as well as stability and security operations, and the evacuation of civil-ians from uncertain environments.

Almost 2000 full-time and reserve personnel from the Navy, Army, RAAF, Royal New Zealand Navy, United States Marine Corps, US Navy, US Army and the Royal Marines were coordinated across the land, sea, air and beaches during the activities, which included many firsts.

Commander of the Amphibious Task Force CAPT Paul O’Grady said the ac-tivities were a key part of building and delivering a highly capable amphibious force, ready to deploy as required by government.

“The Sea Series demonstrates our growing capabilities and builds confi-dence that we can operate effectively across the full spectrum of amphibious operations, up to and including high- end warfighting,” CAPT O’Grady said.

“Every year our capabilities are de-veloping by leaps and bounds.

“This year saw not only the two land-ing helicopter docks operating together for the first time, but also the sea-basing of Army’s armed reconnaissance heli-copters from Canberra – adding potent

firepower that can be brought to bear against land and maritime targets alike.

“We also demonstrated a capabil-ity to coordinate complex aviation and dock operations from both ships, in-cluding a night vertical replenishment of the Army’s M777 Howitzers.”

Commander Landing Forces COL Kim Gilfillan said the tempo of the ex-ercises accelerated every day and many people were working together for the first time.

“The cooperative and professional approach of our people – responding to challenges, putting people at the centre of our decision-making and support-ing innovation – meant we were able to overcome many of the frictions and challenges that the exercises offered,” COL Gilfillan said.

“We go into the Talisman Sabre se-ries with a robust and confident capabil-ity, ready to test our interoperability and ensuring we are prepared to integrate into broader multinational operations.” The Sea Series exercises finished on July 5.

READY FOR THE REAL DEAL

The joint amphibious task force was put to the test ahead of Exercise Talisman Sabre. LEUT Tony White reports.

LEUT Tony White

BEFORE joining HMAS Can-berra as her fourth CO on June 23, CAPT Terry Morri-son was Director Destroyers, in charge of the Hobart-class project.

As a Principal Warfare Officer, CAPT Morrison has spent most of his career at sea.

In addition to his time as XO HMAS Newcastle, CAPT Morrison has commanded HMA Ships Geraldton, Gawler and Darwin. He also exercised command of the Australian Navy Training Team ashore in Iraq as part of Operation Slipper.

CAPT Morrison took over from CAPT Ashley Papp, who completed his com-mand after serving more than two-and-a-half years in one of the most demanding seagoing command positions in the Navy.

At the changeover cer-emony, XO Canberra CMDR Brett Westcott said CN put considerable effort into selecting all his COs.

“I can only guess at the process for selecting the CO for his capital ship, but as has been demonstrated by the respective biographies of both CAPT Morrison and CAPT Papp, it is a selection made with scrutiny,” CMDR Westcott said.

“We have been blessed

with exceptionally experi-enced and tactically profi-cient officers.

“In the case of CAPT Papp, I have to acknowledge his experience as he relin-quishes command.

“I’ll not list all his sea postings, but I’ll highlight that having commanded HMA Ships Brunei, Choules and Canberra, he’s spent nearly seven years of his career commanding ships at sea.

“In his two-and-a-half years in command, Canberra has steamed over 53,000 nautical miles and has been underway for over 5800 hours.

“In the course of that time, there have been 22 port visits, several extended maintenance periods, one docking and one cracking deployment. You have em-barked thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles.

“Australia’s amphibious capability has continued to mature on your watch, much of it with your direct input and steerage.

“There has been con-siderable energy, effort and heartache expended in the pursuit of moving our capa-bility forward, and for that the Navy owes you a debt of gratitude.”

Baton passed from one pro to another

CAPT Ashley Papp passes the weight to CAPT Terry Morrison during the handover ceremony. Photo: ABIS Ryan McKenzie

A Navy landing craft trans-ports armoured personnel carriers from HMAS Ad-elaide to Cowley Beach. Photo: POIS Justin Brown

HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide in formation with amphibious landing crafts during Exercise Sea Explorer.Photo: LSIS Nicolas Gonzalez

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WHEN LSPTI Jan Gilmour joined the Navy in 1979, she did not know it would still

be years before women could serve at sea.

It was not until May this year that she had her first opportunity to serve on a ship.

LS Gilmour joined the Navy as a dental nurse and become a PTI in 1983 for “a more active role”.

She was one of the first females to be a PTI.

Getting there wasn’t easy as she found the PTI course challenging and had no emotional support at the time.

LS Gilmour said there were physical challenges she could not achieve and instead concentrated on excelling in other areas, including academics.

Despite the demands, she said it was an amazing experience to be involved with charities and partici-pate in a wheelchair marathon.

LS Gilmour then posted to HMAS Cerberus where she trained new recruits.

Even though she aimed to go to sea, when she applied in 1983 there were no positions on a ship for women of her rank.

As a result, in 1989 after 10 years in the Navy, she resigned and returned to civilian life.

She re-joined in 2007 as a reservist and had varied roles at

The Navy LS Jan Gilmour joined in 1979 is a far cry from the modern one she serves in now.

Long wait for sea change12 FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

– LSPTI Jan Gilmour

I feel accomplished to know I’ve contributed to the new Navy – one in which all women are empowered and encouraged to reach new heights.

‘‘

HMAS Albatross including as a PTI, being the lead instructor in the HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) course and jobs with the work experience program, Naval Aviation Prospects Scheme and community engagement.

She ran a women-in-aviation camp with Year 10 and 11 students and used her experience to motivate them to achieve their full potential.

During her time in the Navy, LS Gilmour has seen significant chang-es in the treatment of women and is happy to pass on her knowledge and expertise.

“I feel accomplished to know

I’ve contributed to the new Navy – one in which all women are empowered and encouraged to reach new heights,” she said.

In April she joined HMAS Adelaide and accompanied the New Entry Officers’ Course 60 on their sea training deployment.

“This has been the highlight of my career – fulfilling my lifelong dream to serve at sea,” she said.

At sea, the veteran PTI ran ses-sions for the NEOCs, varying each with creativity and fun.

Her skills enabled her to adapt to a changing environment and overcome challenges that do not arise ashore.

LS Gilmour got to know the NEO’s and enjoyed training them.

“They have a vision greater than themselves and that is to render ser-vice to humanity by being a mem-ber of the defence force. They’re meritorious,” she said.

“I love seeing the transformation in individual confidence and every-one’s ability to work effectively in a team environment.”

NEOC 60 benefited from LS Gilmour’s leadership and she earned the trainees’ respect – with many acknowledging her positive impact on their personal growth.

The trainees got a sense of what trailblazers like LS Gilmour have done, paving the way for other women to have successful military careers.

Todd Sampson is briefed by LSPTI Jan Gilmour before undergoing helicopter underwater escape training at HMAS Albatross during filming for the documentary Redesign My Brain. Inset: LS Gilmour with MIDN Amy Luke-Paredi, one of the participants in New Entry Officer Course 60, on the beach at HMAS Creswell. Main photo: LS Yuri Ramsey

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DEFENCE personnel were treated to a fascinating speech by joint Australian of the Year Craig Challen about the challenges

of extricating 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

While most Australians probably remember watching the drama unfold on their television screens in June and July last year, few would have been aware of the perils the team faced to save the members of the Wild Boar team

Speaking in Canberra at the R1 the-atrette, Russell, on June 20, Dr Challen said there were similarities between some military operations and what the rescue team did.

“You’ve got an objective that has to be attempted, you may not have the resources, the expertise and the knowl-edge to do this. You might even be in a situation where the likely outcome is pretty disastrous, but you have no choice but to press ahead and give it your best shot because the alternative is a complete disaster,” Dr Challen said.

He said cave diving rescues were rare as opposed to dry caves, for which there were well established organisations for rescue.

“Sad to say there is a very long his-tory of people drowning in caves because they were divers who thought they could

cave dive and didn’t have that set of skills and knowledge of the rules and techniques you need to use to stay alive,” he said.

Dr Challen said the cave was not dan-gerous to experienced cave divers.

“We did not at any time feel there was very much risks to ourselves. The boys were totally 100 per cent doomed if we didn’t do something,” he said.

“At the time we were totally con-vinced we would have at least some cas-ualties. It seemed fanciful we would have 100 per cent success rate and we never would have undertaken this unless there was absolutely no alternative. We tried everything we could think of to get out of doing this [rescuing the boys by diving].

“The main pressure was we knew the monsoon rains were coming and they were coming really soon. Once they real-ly arrived this cave was going to flood completely and there was no way to gain physical access to it after that; the flow coming out of the cave would be so strong you wouldn’t be able to drag yourself in.

“We’d be lying awake at night listen-ing to the rain on the roof and wondering if it was possible we’d be getting back in the cave the next day, or the flow would be so strong the boys would be trapped in there.”

Dr Challen went into detail about the intricate medical logistics of anaesthetising the boys.

“All of the other plans fell away and to our consternation we are left with this cave diving plan. It then gets a little bit worse because we are starting to dis-cuss the possibility of sedating the boys, and that conversation progressed to actually anaesthe-tising them for the trip out,” he said.

Dr Challen said this had never been done before.

“You don’t need to be a medi-cal person to realise anaesthetis-ing people and then sticking their head under water is not some-thing that you do.

“My dive buddy, Dr Richard Harris, is an anaesthetist – he was absolutely critical to the oper-ation. The anaesthetic only lasted for 45 minutes and so during this three-hour journey out the boys were going to have to have mul-tiple top-ups of the anaesthetic. The other divers involved in the rescue – a fireman, a road access worker, and a couple of IT dudes – some had never even given an injection before, so they had to be taught how to use a syringe and needle.

“It was particularly difficult for the swimming divers bringing the boys out. Not only did they have to cope with giving these anaesthetics, which they were far from confident about, but they were expecting some of these kids would probably die, they had no method of monitoring the kids apart from if … there were still bubbles coming out of the face mask.

“They were basically told how to recognise the signs of the boys starting to wake up, how to choose a dose to give them. We made that as simple as we could – they each had a dilly bag full of syringes pre-loaded with keta-mine [the chosen anaesthetic], marked with large or small and

RESCUE DETAILS REVEALED FOR FIRST TIMEthey would make a choice about whether they were dealing with a little kid or a big kid; and whether he was a little bit awake or a big bit awake. And select their dose accordingly and inject in the boy’s leg through the wetsuit and wait a few minutes, he’d go back to sleep and on they’d go.

“The instructions to these guys were if their child was to stop breathing they just were to keep swimming. There is no such thing as underwater CPR and there was nothing they could do in that situation, the bodies still had to come out so they should just go for it. If they swam as hard as they could there was just that outside chance that the kid might still be all right when he made it back to the surface, but that was more

wishful thinking than reflecting any sort of reality.

“The fact that it subsequently came to work, nobody is more surprised than me. Even to this day sometimes I reflect on this, and I think to myself I cannot believe it worked. At the time we were totally convinced we would have at least some casualties. It seemed fanciful we would have 100 per cent success rate and we never would have undertaken this unless there was absolutely no alternative.”

The Defence audience was interested in the command and control aspects and lessons from such a major international opera-tion.

“When we arrived on site it was chaos, it really was,” Dr Challen said.

“In the early days of the search particularly, all sorts of people were turning up from all over the place and just wandering in the cave.

“There was no coordinated effort. People were turning up with pumps and pipes, even run-ning a communications cable in to where the boys were – they got about 50 metres inside and gave up and just dropped the thing. [Later it] started to unravel and in our diving operations we were continuously getting caught up in this stuff and having to cut it off ourselves.

“A lot of credit in the story belongs with the US Air Force guys, a para-rescue squad that came down from Okinawa. Two of their guys, Major Charles Hodges and Master Sergeant Derek Anderson, really took the lead with rationalising the whole situa-tion and looking at all the different plans that were put forward.

“The US Air Force team had diving experience and assisted by reviewing the plans, eliminating them one by one. Only the cave diving plan was left.”

Associate Secretary of Defence Rebecca Skinner said Defence personnel were always interested in aspects of leader-ship.

“We love to tell stories of lead-ership here, as you can see by the attendance,” Ms Skinner said.

“Defence had its own role in supporting our friends in the Thai Armed Forces throughout that rescue and we were proud to play our role.”

VCDF VADM David Johnston thanked Dr Challen for sharing his story and for his insights.

“You’ve been very generous with your time, and you’ve cap-tured the interest of everyone, but I don’t think you’ll ever convince me to go cave diving,” he said.

– Dr Craig Challen, Australian of The Year

The fact that it came to work, nobody is more surprised than me.

‘‘

14 FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

Underwater heroes

Australian of the Year Craig Challen with Associate Secretary Rebecca Skinner and VCDF VADM David Johnston at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photo: SGT Max Bree

A daring rescue no one thought would succeedIt was a mission to save 12 boys and their coach from a cave, considered so dangerous it was expected to cost lives – and the world held its breath and watched.

NAVY AIRCREWMANSELECTION BOARD DATES

10–15 FEB 202022–26 JUN 2020

Applications open for Navy, Army, Air Force and Active Reserve Personnel

http://drnet/navy/FAA/Aircrewman/Pages/Aircrewman.aspx

LEUT Will Singer

A SERIES of podcasts on Australia’s naval history, featuring a variety of history experts, is available for Navy members to enjoy – whether they are at sea or ashore.

The series has been issued through Defence Library Services, Sea Power Centre - Australia.

Deputy Director of the Sea Power Centre CMDR Alastair Cooper said feedback from officers and sailors suggested the podcasts were useful in professional and personal growth.

“Officers and sailors should hear about our Navy’s history and pod-casts enable them to do that whenev-er it suits them,” CMDR Cooper said.

He said personnel could down-load the podcasts before they sail and listen to them while at sea, without

affecting the ship’s communication systems.

“Podcasters join the Defence Library Service that allows users to pull audio files from the Overdrive app to listen to on their computers or personal digital audio players – all for free,” CMDR Cooper said.

“Additionally, listening through podcasting is a useful avenue for con-tinual learning about our history and a helpful tool towards our Thinking Navy.”

CHAP Franco Siani, of Submarine Force, is an avid listener of podcasts.

“Everybody, everywhere seems to be busy and also facing some sort of challenge in our Navy, with time-scarcity problems,” CHAP Siani said.

“Snippets from podcasts covering topics like motivation, leadership and

character development are little gold nuggets that can help us cope in our busy lives.

“It would be great if future Navy podcasts would have experts shar-ing tips on healthy work-lifestyle balance, fitness, nutrition and well-being.”

Produced by the Naval Studies Group in conjunction with the Submarine Institute of Australia, the Australian Naval Institute, Naval Historical Society and the Sea Power Centre, the podcast series features a variety of history experts discussing topics, from the creation of the RAN to code-breaking in World War II and naval ingenuity.

The podcasts can be accessed directly via the Defence Overdrive website and/or via the Overdrive Media Console Mobile App.

Andrew Bujdegan

IT was a significant day for two sub-mariner WOs as they progressed to the commissioned ranks under the Navy’s Associate Engineers Direct Entry scheme.

Part of a recent initiative to provide a significant opportunity for technical category senior sailors to advance their careers, the scheme draws on the expe-rience and technical mastery already achieved by the members and allows them to further contribute to Navy in their chosen field.

With 27 years of Navy experi-ence – predominantly in submarines - WOMT Brett South is looking forward to his commissioning, achieving the next goal in his career and also getting back to sea as a Marine Engineering Officer Submariner (ME SM).

WOMT Mark Layton is also look-

ing forward to the next stage of his career, enabling him to meet new chal-lenges.

Collins Lifecycle Engineering Officer CMDR Matthew Butcher con-gratulated the new engineering officers on behalf of the submarine enterprise for achieving a significant and well-earned milestone.

“The promotion from warrant offic-er to lieutenant demonstrates an attrac-tive alternative career path for senior sailors that enables them to continue with a valuable and rewarding career within Navy,” CMDR Butcher said.

“I look forward to seeing both officers engage this new opportu-nity to lose the spanners and rise to the challenge of becoming heads of departments of major combatants and potentially progress to become senior officers.”

Taking advantage of career opportunitiesLEUT Mark Layton is promoted from the rank of WO by CMDR Dylan Findlater and CAPT John Sammons in front of friends, family and members of the submarine community at HMAS Stirling. Photo: LSIS Richard Cordell

15PERSONNELJuly 11 , 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

Free podcastsLSCSO Travis Onley, right, and CHAP Franco Siani check out the new podcasts. POIS Yuri Ramsey

16 PERSONNEL www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

LEUT Max Banavar

CO Albatross CAPT Fiona Sneath was surrounded by gleaming smiles at the recent opening of the impressive new dental facility at HMAS Albatross.

The smiles belonged to a wide cross-section of Albatross personnel, builders from Duratec and Estate and Infrastructure group representatives.

They were inspecting the state-of-the art facility on May 29, which boasts four dental surgeries adjoining the Albatross Health Centre.

While some long-term employees expressed feelings of sadness when the previous dental office was demol-ished after 47 years, guests on the day agreed that the new $2.8 million centre was a marked improvement.

Health Centre Manager LCDR Caz Hacker said the new facility was a “labour of love” by previous and cur-rent health centre personnel.

CAPT Sneath said while the idea of the new facility was conceived five years ago, it was only in August last year that construction began.

“The current staff are excited with everything the new facility has to offer and are looking forward to serving ADF personnel for decades to come,” CAPT Sneath said.

A new reason to smile

Getting women on board

Members of the dental department at the entrance to the new dental facility at the HMAS Albatross Medical Centre. Photos: POIS Lee-Anne Cooper

LEUT Max Banavar gives LCDR Carolyn Hacker and CAPT Fiona Sneath on a tour of the new facility.

PODEN Jessie Lantry cuts the cake at the opening of the new centre.

PLTOFF Buj Lorenzo Nike greets her DFR mentors WO2 Amelia King and PO Stephanie Clark at RAAF Base Wagga.

IN 2014, Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) established the Specialist Recruitment Team Women (SRT-W) to increase female recruit-ment to improve capability and diversity.

Women make up 51 per cent of the popula-tion and a critical part of the talent pool, yet remain under-represented in the ADF.

The SRT-W team is made up of serving women, whose job it is to speak about their experiences in the hope of inspiring more women to consider a career in the military.

PO Steph Clark said she got a lot out of serving with the team at SRT-W.

“I have served with some very strong, motivated and intelligent women during my career, which in turn encouraged me to apply for a posting at DFR in the hope of encourag-ing other women to apply for a career in the ADF,” PO Clark said.

“A posting in DFR brings so many differ-ent and rewarding opportunities, from present-ing to hundreds of students and chatting to the public at careers expos, to motivating candi-dates to work on their fitness.

“It is a great opportunity to learn more about the ADF and work in a triservice and civilian team environment.”

WO2 Amelia King, who has served in the

Army for more than 20 years and has been deployed multiple times, is passionate about passing on her knowledge to the next genera-tion of women.

“Being posted to Banda Aceh in Indonesia as a linguist after studying at the ADF School of Languages in 2002 was a highlight of my career and my most rewarding experience, until I was posted to the SRT-W team with DFR in Perth,” WO2 King said.

“I actively sought a posting with DFR as I am passionate about sharing my experi-ence with women from all backgrounds to encourage them to strive for a challenging and rewarding career, and share my story of hav-ing a family and continuing on with a success-ful career in the Army.”

WO2 King said attending appointment and enlistment ceremonies of candidates she worked with had been a highlight of her role.

For information on posting to DFR go to drnet.defence.gov.au/People/DFR/Pages/Postings-in-DFR.aspx or speak to your career adviser.

Toll Transitions is ready to help you relocate

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www.tollgroup.com/movemaestro/defenceRead Toll’s “Your Defence Relocation Guide”

New contractToll has been awarded the new contract to deliver Relocation Administration and Removal Services to the Department of Defence from 1 July 2019.

Full Scope of ServicesADF personnel and Defence APS will continue to receive the full scope of services and support currently provided.

Strong focus on Customer ServiceUnder the new contract there will be a strong focus on customer service and continuous improvement as Toll strives to provide the best possible relocation experience for ADF personnel, Defence APS and their families.

Complete your Application for Relocation (AFR) and your Inventory todayGo to www.tollgroup.com/movemaestro/defence to access and complete your AFR and Inventory. Contact your Toll Case Manager or Toll’s Customer Service Centre on 1800 819 167 if you have any queries or concerns about your relocation. We are ready to assist you.

If you have moved with Toll previously, you will be able to access your previous Inventory of household goods and personal effects at www.tollgroup.com/movemaestro/defence and can update and edit it as required for your new move.

Toll aims to provide the best possible relocation experience for you and your family. We look forward to helping you relocate this posting period.

17PERSONNELJuly 11, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

CPL Sebastian Beurich

“THERE’S no health without men-tal health” is the motto of men-tal health nurse CAPT David West, who received a humanitarian award at the 2019 Nursing and Midwifery Executive Awards in May.

With a mental health career span-ning 30 years – both in and out of Navy – CAPT West was recognised for his international support to the Defence and veteran communities and disaster-relief missions locally.

“Working with people who have lived through disasters and trauma is something I’m very passionate about,” CAPT West said.

“Partially because most of them do well in spite of their experiences, but also because there is a community expectation that all people who are exposed to trauma will be damaged by it – which hasn’t been my profes-sional experience.

“Of the people who experience trauma, some of them need a bit of assistance and a few need long-term treatment and care, but it’s really important to provide for them at the right level and the right step.

“People think that because some-one has experienced a trauma, they’ll be damaged for life, but the flip-side of that is that some people grow as a result of the care they receive after the event.

“Being able to help those who need the assistance is so important to me, because it enables them to live a full and functioning life.”

CAPT West said Defence had put

Pay and Administration Branch are advising members of changes to how they access Tax Zone Days de-tails in Defence One for taxation pur-poses. Defence People Group’s Di-rector of People Systems Business Analysis Kim Toussaint said that previously, the tax zone name and the number of days of service for the financial year used to be shown on the member’s annual Payment Summary under Tax Zone Name and number of days of service. As part of Employee Self-Service (ESS) enhancements, from Financial Year 2018-19, member Tax Zone details will not be included on their annual Payment Summary. Instead, these details will be displayed on a new printable Defence One ESS page.Members can access and print their own Tax Zone Days record using the following Defence One menu path: Employee Self Service > My Pay > My ADF Pay > Tax Zone Days.

Tax zone daysAward ‘a big honour’

CAPT David West receives his award from SA Health Minister Stephen Wade.

a lot of effort and energy into having the appropriate mental health sup-ports in place for its people.

“Some members might need help finding out how to get hold of them,” he said.

“Part of that is putting their hand up, while part of it is helping their

comrades get assistance if they need it.”

Although he was “embarrassed” and “humbled” by the award, CAPT West said the events that led to it were not spectacular.

“My father was a naval architect so I grew up around shipbuilding – as

a child, the scrap paper I drew on was the back of ship blueprints, I was des-tined to join the Navy,” he said.

“Being able to provide support for both Defence members and people in my local civilian community is a big honour for me.”

IN BRIEF

Home loan subsidyADF members applying for home loan subsidy assistance through the Defence Home Ownership Assis-tance Scheme (DHOAS) will have access to an adjusted assistance amount during financial year 2019-20. The primary index for DHOAS is the average house price across Australia during a 12 month pe-riod, which has fallen. As of July 1, 2019, the primary index used by the scheme has been set at $718,071. This is a decrease of $23,532 from the 2018-19 figure. For information on the scheme and tier subsidy levels, go to: www.dhoas.gov.au/calculate-subsidy.html

AN officer and a sailor are helping to map shipwrecks along Australia’s east coast, diving to significant depths

to document vessels sunk in both war and peace.

SBLT Ruslan Pnevski and AB Tom Gower are part of a civilian diving group called the Sydney Project.

The group’s mission is to find, film and document the wrecks of lost ships, solving mysteries of unfinished voy-ages and writing their untold stories.

In mid-June, the Navy pair and their Sydney Project teammates con-ducted two dives on ships sunk during World War II.

The first dive was on the wreck of the SS William Dawes, which lays at a depth of 135m – making her the third deepest diveable wreck in Australia

and the 17th deepest in the world.The team only had 15 minutes

on the bottom to inspect the wreck and then had to spend three hours decompressing while floating near the surface.

The SS William Dawes was a United States ‘liberty’ ship on wartime convoy duty.

She was destined for the Pacific theatre and perhaps New Caledonia and was operating alone off the coast of Tathra, NSW, when she was struck by torpedoes fired from a Japanese Imperial Navy submarine.

Five lives were lost when she sunk.The second dive conducted by

the Sydney Project team on the same weekend was on a wreck now thought to be the SS Coast Farmer – a United States cargo ship that was also sunk

by a Japanese submarine during World War II.

The wreck, which sits in 125m of water about eight miles off the coast of the NSW town of Bermagui, was originally thought to be the ship Iron Knight.

However, evidence collected by the Sydney Project during a series of dives suggests the wreck is in fact that of the Coast Farmer.

The Coast Farmer is the 24th deep-est diveable shipwreck in the world and the fourth deepest in Australia.

SBLT Pnevski, a Maritime Warfare Officer Trainee undertaking the Junior Warfare Application Course at HMAS Watson, said the equipment used to conduct the dives far exceeded conven-tional techniques used in recreational diving.

“This included using closed circuit rebreathers, exotic gas mixes with small amounts of oxygen and high amounts of helium, scooters, floating decompression stations and support teams,” he said.

“It was amazing to finally see months of preparation pay off with a successful dive, with absolutely breathtaking conditions, visibility of up to 40 metres and no current – con-ditions rarely experienced off the coast of Bermagui.

“Dropping over these wrecks and seeing them 40 metres below me, look-ing down as I descended to the bottom and being able to see the entirety of the wrecks and all the divers already on the bottom, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

ABMT Gower, who is posted to

HMAS Hobart, said the dives left him with a significant sense of achieve-ment.

“This has been on my bucket list for about five years, because it’s really pushing the limits of deep diving and is a huge achievement,” AB Gower said.

“It was also really meaningful because naval history for non-naval wrecks really interests me.”

Both divers hold the highest civil-ian diving qualifications and have been diving together for a number of years, with experience ranging from cave diving in Mount Gambier to deep wrecks in Bass Strait and off the coast of Sydney.

The deepest scuba dive ever conducted by a human being was to 332.2m – a record set by 41-year-old Egyptian Ahmed Gabr in 2014.

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18 FEATURES www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS July 11, 2019

Mapping the wrecksSome of our people are doing great things to preserve our maritime history, writes LEUT Sarah Welsh

SBLT Ruslan Pnevski, background, and John Wooden – a non-Defence member of the team – light up the stern of the SS Coastal Farmer at a depth of 125m.

One of the team members during a dive.

SBLT Ruslan Pnevski and AB Tom Gower.

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19SPORTJuly 11, 2019 www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS

LSIS Jayson Tufrey

ADAPTIVE sports have helped an Adelaide-based sailor overcome mental and physical adversity in the United States against military com-petitors from five other countries.

LSEW Vanessa Broughill, of the Joint Electronic Warfare Unit, along with three other sailors, formed part of the 23-strong combined ADF and Veteran Sport Australia team representing Australia in the 2019 Department of Defense Warrior Games from June 21-30 in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Hosted by US Special Operations Command, about 300 wounded, injured and ill serving and former serving military members participated at the Games.

In initially applying for the Warrior Games, LS Broughill said she decided she was at a point in her recovery where she needed to take the next step.

“Medication can only do so much – I needed something more,” she said.

“This is my second Warrior Games. I competed in Colorado last year. This year I was able to embrace a mentoring role.

“This has shown me exactly where I want to go from here. I want to con-tinue to grow, and at the same time help others feel as good as I now do.”

LS Broughill, who competed in track, field, indoor rowing, swim-ming, powerlifting and cycling, said sport brought people together and it was a powerful thing.

“I don’t think enough people real-ise just how effective physical activity is in the recovery and rehabilitation process,” she said.

“We always feel better when we get together and play a team sport. All those good endorphins get

released, and that’s something you can’t put in a pill.

“To take that one step further with adaptive sports, you bring together a group of like-minded people, with similar backgrounds and it’s just amazing to see their progress – you couldn’t achieve those results in any other way.”

LS Broughill said support from Defence with adaptive sporting programs made people better, both physically and mentally.

“Being released from work to compete here makes my recovery the best it can be,” she said.

“I think it’s really amazing and it proves how much Defence cares about its people, especially those with mental health barriers.”

LS Broughill said Defence had done a lot in the past five to 10 years in changing the way we look at men-tal health.

“It’s a lot more accepted now, which is great, and you do get the tools you need,” she said.

“There are courses now to help you to deal with people who might have suicidal thoughts or people who have anxiety. There are courses on managing stress.

“This just shows that Defence is committed to ensuring our people are the best they can be.”

While the Defence Adaptive sport-ing programs is not about the medals LS Broughill is proud to have won gold in discus; three silvers in pow-erlifting, one-minute indoor row and four x 50m mixed swimming relay; three bronze medals in four x 100m mixed relay track, four-minute row and 100m freestyle.

The other RAN representatives were ABMT Mark Daniels and ABML-C Matthew Brown, both of HMAS Stirling.

Calling the shots

LSEW Vanessa Broughill competes in a shot put event during the Warrior Games. Photo: LSIS Jayson Tufrey

Video of LS Vanessa Broughill in action can be seen at

video.defence.gov.au/play/6253

Volume 62, No. 12, July 11, 2019

SPORT

WARRIOR ON WHEELS

Wounded, injured and ill call the

shots at GamesPage 19

ABMT Mark Daniels prepares to cross the try line during a wheelchair rugby match at the Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida.Photo: LSIS Jayson Tufrey