RAN BAND NEWS by Band Tune Up Solutions

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2003

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

HMAS STUART’S HIGHLAND FLING WITH THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND The Royal Australian Navy commissioned its latest ANZAC Class war ship, HMAS Stuart, on Saturday 17 August 2002. Fleet Base East witnessed the first commissioning of an Australian warship in decades, and 165 ship’s company marched proudly onboard to “man ship”. HMAS Stuart will be the first of the ANZAC’s to be homeported in Sydney, while it’s three predecessors; Anzac, Arunta, and Warramunga, are all homeported at HMAS Stirling, south of Perth. The final three of the class; Parramatta, Ballarat, and Perth, will receive their commission by 2006, and all are anticipated to enjoy 30 years of service. The first of the Stuarts was a destroyer, handed to the RAN by the Royal Navy in 1933. This ship formed part of the ’Scrap Iron Flotilla’, and served throughout WW2. The second Stuart, known as the “Tartan Terror”, was a locally made River Class Destroyer obtained by the Navy in 1963.

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT ON PARADE WITH ST MARY’S PIPE’S AND DRUMS

CONTENTS

The Scottish clan links remain and the Navy’s newest ‘Tartan Terror’, HMAS Stuart, was supported during the ceremony by the St Mary’s Pipes and Drums. St Mary’s are the only Pipes and Drums in the Sydney district that wear the tartan of the Stuart Clan. The commissioning ceremony of HMAS Stuart was a high profile event for the Royal Australian Navy. The Sydney detachment, complemented by a ceremonial fanfare team from the Melbourne detachment and St Mary’s Pipes and Drums, provided the occasion with support of ceremonial and musical excellence. The proceedings for the day were opened with a stirring performance from Able Seaman Tracey Burke singing I am Australian, accompanied by the RAN Band Ceremonial Parade Band and Fanfare Team. The combination of our Ceremonial Parade Band with the St Mary’s Pipes and Drums also contributed to the moving ceremony that was well received by the thousands of onlookers. Cheers and applause were echoed across Woolloomooloo Bay, as the bands played an electrifying arrangement of the Scottish traditional, Highland Cathedral.

Welcome from the Director’s Desk

Sydney Detachment

Melbourne Detachment

South Australian Detachment

Queensland Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Warrant Officer Lincoln Moves On

Profiles

Bandies at Sea

Ceremonial Silver Drums Find New Home

Quiz 2002

Elbert Einstein Quotes

Progress on National Goals

Our Band

Our Purpose and What We Stand For

‘On the Quarterdeck’ and ‘Live in Concert’

Released

WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK Welcome to the first edition of the RAN Band News. I hope that this twice-yearly publication will prove a useful way for all of us to keep in touch, as well as becoming another medium in which to provide category specific information. I would like to commence by stating that I am fortunate to have the privilege of leading the Royal Australian Navy Band—one of Australia’s premier military ensembles, and I am grateful to my predecessor, Commander Ashley Greedy AM RAN for the excellent shape that the band was in when I assumed my watch last July. Commander Greedy dedicated most of his working career to the Royal Australian Navy. His achievements were acknowledged in 1993 by an award in the Member in the Military Division of the Australian Honours and Awards, and by a Chief of Navy Commendation last year. It was humbling to witness the generous level of personal acknowledgment given Commander Greedy during his farewell visits to each detachment. Commander Greedy is now enjoying the 19th hole on Norfolk Island and, on behalf of the Musician Category, I formally thank him for his tremendous contribution.

THE WIND ORCHESTRA ON STAGE AT NEWCASTLE CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC FOR THE ‘LIVE TO AIR’ BROADCAST ON ABC CLASSIC FM.

ABC Classic FM; Chief of Navy and Maritime Commander Ceremonial Sunset ceremonies; the Stuart commissioning; and various welcome home and farewell ceremonies. This initiative has been a resounding success, generating a high level of interest from potential recruits, and securing our position within Navy as an organisation able to present a world-class product. The retention situation has eased to a 10 percent annual exit rate and, notwithstanding a high failure rate during the enlistment medical process, I expect more than 95 percent of our positions to be filled by July. Our reserve detachments continue to achieve good outcomes towards our national marketing effort—despite significant pressure on reserve salaries, scrutiny by this office, and national structural reform for the Naval Reserves. There is little doubt that my next task is to address the growing concerns of our reserve people. However, I acknowledge that achieving a balance between organisational goals and the career aspirations of our reserve members is not going to be easy. Also, you should all be aware of the proposed transfer of control of the RAN Band from Maritime Command to Systems Command. I convened a number of category meetings last year with representatives across the category; the Systems Commander, Commodore Crane; and the Chief of the Combat Support Group, Commodore Robinson. I have been working with Commodore Robinson to ensure that our position of strength is not compromised as a result of the transfer, and to ensure that our level of reinvigoration to the Fleet continues. Commodore Robinson has been particularly helpful during this period of uncertainty.

There has been much change during the previous sevenmonth period. This change was foreshadowed in our Category Management Plan and began to gather pace as our people regained their sea legs and commenced short deployments to sea. During the course of this financial year, almost thirty percent of the category would have enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time at sea. Some interesting stories are contained in this first edition, which gives some insight to the sea-ride in HMAS Kanimbla and deployment to North East Asia in HMAS Sydney. Currently, four members are embarked in HMAS Kanimbla as flight deck teams, and other opportunities are being explored to embark elements of the band in HMAS Adelaide, HMAS Success, and HMAS Manoora. However, there has been a cost associated with getting our people back to sea. Six months ago, no one was qualified for sea; by the completion of this financial year, almost 100 percent of the category will be readily to embark at short notice. Getting people requalified has resulted in a lot of disruption to each of the permanent detachments. This disruption, combined with the high training liability for the January / June period, has to be managed carefully and I am working closely with each of the Music Director’s to minimise any potential risk to our activities. In the Category Management Plan I identified a series of activities, which were to be resourced and funded to achieve nation best standards. These benchmark activities have included; the national tour to Newcastle, Melbourne and Adelaide; the ceremonial recording in Sydney; the ‘live to air’ broadcast on

To quote Albert Einstein, ‘In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity’. Hopefully, we will be able to work together in the coming months to make opportunity out of the difficulties in reserve salaries and the forthcoming transfer of control to the Commander, Australian Navy Systems Command. Thank you all for your support and for your achievements. Phillip Anderson

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

on the 6th July. I wish you both a happy and prosperous life together.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT PAUL COTTIER

Congratulations to Leading Seaman Kirsty Jones and Kara Williams for successfully completing and passing the 1 / 02 Group Leaders Course. This course is a prerequisite for promotion to Petty Officer. Also PO Gabe Kicsak successfully passed the 1 / 02 Assistant Band Leaders course, which is the prerequisite for promotion to Chief Petty Officer; well-done Gabe. LS Chris Palamountain, AB Grant Metcalfe and AB Tim Whincop were successful in passing Skill Grade M3, which is a performance based exam assessed by DMUS-N. All three are fine musicians and performed extremely well. LS Alistair McCarthy is currently on his Leadership Management Course, which will confirm his rank of Leading Seaman. We were fortunate to have Corporal Iosua Samia and Constable Finauga Loto from the Somoan Police Band conduct On the Job Training with us from the 30 June to 24 August 02. The Somoan Police band is part time with all musicians performing police duties as well as playing in the band three days a week. It was obvious by their emotion departure that they both enjoyed their time with us. Iosua and Loto were fine ambassadors for their country and hopefully our paths will cross in the future.

WELCOME HOME CEREMONY FOR HMAS MANOORA

Welcome to the first edition of the RAN Band newsletter from the Sydney detachment. I am pleased to announce that other than the shortage of french horn players the band is in very good shape. I have been working hard along with DMUS-N trying to rectify this shortage and have had two very good auditions in the past month. We have also accepted a couple of trumpet players and a pianist. Now it is up to the recruiting department to finalise their application.

We have been fortunate to give our sailors the opportunity to experience sea life. In addition to six musicians deploying on HMAS Sydney which visited China and Singapore, nine musicians joined HMAS Manoora for a visit to Burnie, Tasmania. The musicians assisted members of the Tasmania detachment in a Freedom of Entry parade in Burnie. December saw four musicians join HMAS Kanimbla for a six-month deployment to the Gulf. The ship sailed in January and the musicians will be employed as Flight Deck handlers and Ships Medical Emergency teams.

I would like to welcome Chief Petty Officer Doug Antonoff as 2IC of the band. Doug has been the bandmaster of the Adelaide detachment for the past four years. CPO Andrew Stapleton leaves us and replaces Doug in Adelaide. I wish Andrew all the very best with his first command and I thank him for is loyalty and contribution to the team.

December was its usual hectic month. Commitments included the annual HMAS Watson and Queanbeyan Carols by Candlelight. Chief of Navy and Maritime Commander Australia had their end of year Cocktail Parties, which included the traditional Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset. Both events were extremely successful and demonstrated the high standard of musicianship, dress and bearing which is expected by the RAN Band.

It is always regrettable to farewell quality musicians. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Petty Officer Matthew Morrissey and Able Seaman Melissa Wyard all the best for the future as they leave and become civvies. Matthew and his wife Jacinta have moved to Canberra and Melissa leaves us to join the NSW Police department. Thank you both for your support.

I would like to finish off this newsletter by thanking everyone for his or her continued support. Until our next publication, all the best.

To our ranks I welcome AB Sean Tattnell (trombone) who joins us from Brisbane, AB Edward Solecki (piano) from Adelaide and AB Sharon Jarvis (clarinet) who has rejoined the RAN Band. All are fine musicians and they will be great assets to our category. Two weeks after Edward joined us his wife Melanie gave birth to their first child Sam. Also, AB Chris Goninon and AB Michele Schroeder became parents with the arrival of their daughter Melanie. Congratulations to you both. PO Raymond Dowler and AB Bronwyn Christensen tied the knot

GRADUATION CEREMONY WITH NAVY’S VALUE STATEMENTS IN THE BACKGROUND.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

eight months since taking over the reins of the Melbourne detachment, and reflect on just how busy the band has been and some of the significant achievements that have been made.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVEN COTTIER AND LEADING

Special Moments

SEAMAN SARAH MACDONALD

The launch of NUSHIP Ballarat in May gave us the opportunity to work with the Ballarat and Clarendon College Children’s Choir. The great success of this event has established a basis for a future benchmark activity when NUSHIP Ballarat is commissioned in mid 2003. Later in the same month, we were involved in what became a very emotional farewell for the former Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton. In a combined Divisions and Recruit School Pass Out Parade held on the Parade Ground at HMAS Cerberus, VADM Shackleton extended his personal thanks to the RAN Band for the tremendous support that they had given him over the years. His ability to recognise the importance of the group and the individuals that make up our team was highlighted when he personally asked LSMUSN Sarah Mac Donald, during the inspection of the band, if she was going to sing for him. Interestingly though he me asked, “Which one are you, Paul or Steve”! While the singing was not to eventuate, what did were the tears that poured from our Chief as we marched past and saluted him for the very last time—a very special moment indeed.

Greetings to all! In a year that saw the first anniversary of the September 11 tragedy, I have taken the time to reflect on the significance that the Navy Band has on both our Navy community and the general community at large. My thoughts are reinforced by the overwhelming support and gratitude that we received from the Officers and Sailors of HMAS Cairns, while attending Navy Week in early September. In just those few short days our activities included a Ceremonial Sunset, Freedom of Entry, public concerts at local schools, and a live performance and interview on ABC FM Radio that extended throughout Northern Queensland, the ‘top end’ Islands and into the Northern Territory. All were activities that provided important links with both the Navy, and the surrounding community. During that same period, a number of my musicians supported the Sydney detachment as they promoted the Navy and the capabilities of the band at concerts in Melbourne and Adelaide, as well as members deployed in HMAS Sydney. While these activities reflect only a very small period in the calendar year, the key point that I bring to you is that wherever we may be and in whatever capacity, we continue to work in line with the Chief of Navy’s goal of promoting the Navy. On this note, I look back on the past

In June we had the honour of being involved in the farewell dinner to Victorian RSL President Bruce Ruxton. Held at the Palladium Ballroom at Crown Casino, it gave us an invaluable opportunity to work with a professional production company and some great well-known artists.

In August, a small element made a fleeting visit to Perth to welcome HMAS Canberra back from the Gulf. With this, I would like to extend my personal thanks to ABMUSN Katrina Caton from the South Australian detachment for supporting us as lead vocalist. A request that was made at extremely short notice, due to the sudden unavailability of our own vocalists for the trip, Katrina’s very personal rendition of ‘I Am Australian’ brought tears to the many families that stood on the wharf. Thank you also to ex PN, now Reservist CPOMUSN Peter Legg for making available the use of facilities at Kolbe College to conduct workshops and concerts for the students of Rockingham—it was great to catch up with Pete.

Commander, as well as the very exciting launch of our new CD’s, ‘On the Quarterdeck’ and ‘Live in Concert’. But all good things must come to an end, and no more fittingly so than with the Recruit School Pass Out Parade for GE 200, inspected by the Maritime Commander, which was ended with a Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters and fireworks finale. This particular occasion also marked the end of a very long and successful career of one of our branch members. POMUSN Graham Carter bid farewell to the Navy after a distinguished career that spanned 22 years. While it was a sad time, it was also a time to wish he, his wife Julie and family all the very best for their future life in Eumundi, Queensland; growing organic vegetables!

As important and significant events come and go, it has also been very pleasing to see the amount of interest that has been shown by members of the community regarding future careers in the RAN Band.

Recruiting

Visits to the University of Melbourne and the Victorian College of the Arts, plus countless enquiries from members of the community have seen the interest in the opportunities that the RAN Band has to provide, continue to strengthen. Most recently, we have been very fortunate to audition two Tuba specialists that are of the calibre of Australian National Champions. While both have been successful in their auditions, there is still a steady road to travel before they join us, so we wish them all the best and look forward to them being a part of the branch in the not too distant future. Involvement in the very important recruiting process made its way to Hooker Auditorium at HMAS Cerberus in late June. This was when LSMUSN Simon Potter and ABMUSN Esa Thomas took on ‘Movie Star Status’ in the recruiting video ‘A Day in the Life of a Musician in the Navy’. For those who have seen the video I am sure will agree that it is an excellent tool in recruiting future musicians to the Navy.

LS SPONIER WITH STUDENTS FROM KOLBE COLLEGE

Following the previously mentioned trip to Cairns in September, the final months of the year proved both very busy, and exciting. Such commitments included a four-day trip to Shepparton, the Monbulk Jazz Festival, and a small ensemble that flew to Perth to support the West Australian detachment in a number of activities, including the opening of the new Western Australian Maritime Museum.

Talking about recruiting, I would like to extend the warmest welcome to our newest members, ABMUSN’s Matt Capper (percussion), Heather Wright (percussion) Jamie Lawson (trumpet), Beth Winterhalter (trumpet) and SMNMUSN Nat Urquhart (alto sax).

With December suddenly upon us, we began to bring the year to a close with the very successful HMAS Cerberus ‘Carols by Candlelight’. Despite the lack of sunshine and the slight hiccup of pouring rain, it was a highly successful night that saw a packed Cinema complex and the arrival of Santa Claus. A special thanks to PO’s Deb Maude and Brad Scudds and a small team of helpers who stayed behind and organised the show while the rest of us were in the West.

In the past few months, a number of our people have been involved in courses both inside and outside of the branch. They have included LSMUSN’s Matt Jessop, Camille Temple and Nat Erskine who successfully completed the Group Leaders Course at the Defence Force School of Music. ABMUSN’s Robert Flynn and Esa Thomas completed the Section Leaders Course, also held at DFSM, and LSMUSN’s Sarah Mac Donald, Matt Klohs and Simon Potter completed the Leading Seaman Leadership Course at the Sailor’s Leadership and Management Faculty at Garden Island.

Personal Achievements

In the final 10 days before the official holiday period, many members of our team seemed busier than ever. In particular, the Fanfare team assisted the Sydney detachment with the Sunset Ceremonies and Beat to Quarters for the Chief of Navy and the Maritime

In particular, I would like to congratulate POMUSN Debra Maude who was awarded the John Stucas Memorial Shield for the best Navy student on the Group Leader Course. SMNMUSN Nat Urquhart on winning the Literacy Skills Award for Recruit School General Entry 194, for her essay entitled ‘Balikpapan – Australia’s Largest Amphibious Attack’. ABMUSN Beth Winterhalter who won the Literacy Skills Award for Recruit School General Entry 199, with her essay ‘A History of the RAN Band Branch’. And finally, LSMUSN’s Sarah Mac Donald and Matt Klohs who were awarded the Peter Mitchell Trust Award for Leadership on completing the Leading Seaman Leadership Course. Not bad eh, I’m sure you’ll agree.

with our performance, in particular, the efforts of SMNMUSN Belinda Marks, who has enthusiastically taken on the female vocal roll and is quickly becoming a wonderful vocalist. Over the next few days DMUS-N and I took the opportunity to meet with the Senior Naval Officer for South Australia, the Australian Defence Force Recruiting Unit in Adelaide and the major music institutions in the area, in particular the Adelaide University.

There have also been those that have been involved in other areas of activity of Navy life. With this in mind, I would like to commend ABMUSN’s Gordon Orr and Brett Douglas on their commitment to their three-month stint on Kanimbla during OP RELEX. The reports that I received back on the conduct of our members was not only a credit to the people themselves, but to the Band branch as a whole. In addition to this, I would also like to commend POMUSN Nick Pearce and LSMUSN’s Nat Collins and Simon Watson on the fine effort that they gave to their deployment to South East Asia aboard HMAS Sydney.

MEMBERS OF THE BIG BAND PERFORMING AT THE ARMOND BLOSSOM FESTIVAL.

In concluding, may I take this opportunity to wish everyone and their families a wonderful and safe Christmas break. Catch you on the counter march somewhere in 2003.

The Royal Australian Navy Band has enjoyed a marvellous relationship with the Adelaide University and in particular the Elder School of Music. A number of talented musicians from the university have long been enthusiastic and integral members of the South Australian detachment of the band, with many transferring to full-time service. Adelaide has always been an area of high recruitment potential for musicians and a recent visit to the university by the Director of Music, proved quite fruitful. More on that shortly.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

The first major commitment in August was Vietnam Veterans Day on the 18th. The concert also featured the Australian Army Band - Adelaide and a host of local and interstate artists. Our Rock Group opened the second half of the concert, much to the delight of the thousands of people who have a fantastic regard for the group’s energy and style of music. ABMUSN’s Katrina Caton and SMNMUSN Belinda Marks, along with POMUSN Rory McKinnon worked the crowd into frenzy. We were then responsible for providing the backing music for a number of artists who many years before had performed in Vietnam, they included Anne & Sue Wills, Beverly Sands and the whole cast for the finale number.

These events took place in South Australia between 1 July 2002 and 13 Dec 2002. Sunday 7 July, was Reserve Forces Day and my first opportunity to see the Big Band in action. On completion of the Commemorative Service, the official party, which included the Governor of South Australia and the public, were invited to proceed down to Torrens Parade Ground to view the various displays. There was a Recruiting Van, a static display of Army equipment, a modest collection of military vehicles and the Navy Band. Apparently, Adelaide sees fog for only a few days of the year, and so as the fog enveloped the Torrens Parade Ground, a small crowd gathered to listen to the bands enthusiastic performance.

We finished the month of August and then into September, supporting Headquarters 9 Brigade at the Royal Adelaide Show with their Recruiting efforts, performing to a throng of show goers and helping to provide a Navy presence.

On 28 July, we made the 45-minute journey down to Willunga for the Almond Blossom Festival. Under most circumstances the commitment would have been a washout, but the organisers had in place a large marquee and the show went on, albeit cold and wet. The Director of Music – Navy, LCDR Anderson was in attendance and was pleased

The major event for this quarter would have to be the visit to Adelaide by the Wind Orchestra of the RAN Band. This

group comprised members from the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and Tasmania detachments who combined for the Director’s National Tour. As mentioned earlier, this visit continued to foster the valuable link between the Navy band and the Adelaide University.

This was a huge event, many years in the planning and included aircraft from all over the world. We played to very large crowds in the morning as people viewed the aircraft on display. I’d say our exposure would have been in the tens of thousands. As the actual flying demonstration began, we packed up and headed back to town to prepare for the Navy Fortnight Church Service that evening. POMUSN Clayton Tschirn conducted the ensemble for the service and did very well.

The enthusiasm of the Head of Woodwind, Elizabeth Koch, and the Dean of the Elder School of Music, Charles Bodman Rae, to provide as many career alternatives as possible for graduating students became the catalyst for a number of exciting projects.

The highlight of Navy Fortnight for me was a short visit to the Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital to bring some music and cheer to many sick and injured kids. They didn’t need much encouragement. One ward in particular went to a lot of trouble to decorate their beds with ‘HMAS Popeye’ signs and even made navy hats out of paper plates. I got ‘Little Johnny” up a number of times to conduct the small group of musicians and the whole thing worked beautifully, even my jokes got a laugh. Many thanks to LSMUSN Cassey Mohapp in Sydney for her music suggestions. We finished the month of October supporting HMA Ships Success and Stuart with the climax of Navy Fortnight being the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset and a number of other activities. The team really came through for me throughout October with most members making themselves available for rehearsals that were focused on a short but challenging marching display. From all reports they nailed it and I cannot say enough about how proud of them I am and I commend them for their effort and professionalism. Special thanks also to the members of the Sydney detachment who supported Navy Fortnight in Adelaide by performing as a Jazz Combo for the Cocktail Party, a recital in Rundle Mall and HMAS Stuart open day.

BEATING TO QUARTERS ON STAGE AT ELDER HALL, ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY.

The first was a workshop with the University Wind Ensemble and the Royal Australian Navy Band. This was an ideal opportunity to meet and perform with some fifty musicians studying at the Elder School of Music and for them to realise a potential career with the Royal Australian Navy Band. An evening concert at the Elder Hall on Thursday 12 September showcased a variety of music including works by, Percy Grainger, Joaquin Rodrigo, Richard Wager and an exciting work by David Gillingham titled Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble. The program also included a number of jazz works by the Admiral’s Own jazz orchestra and Solo's performed by members from Adelaide.

Navy Fortnight concluded (yes it was still going) with a ball in town which was attended by over 300 people, bringing the Adelaide navy family together in a most enjoyable evening. The Big Band and Rock Group were naturally the highlight of the evening and it was one of the few times I’ve ever seen the dance floor packed right from the first tune.

A second performance took place at the Noarlunga College Theatre on Friday 13 September. The enthusiasm and support from John Wilson at the College Theatre was instrumental in bringing the Navy Band to Noarlunga in what was an excellent finale to the band's National Tour.

The commitments that ended this quarter included a charity ball for St Andrews Hospital, held at the Norwood Concert Hall and the Mannum Xmas Pageant, which included a parade led by the South Australian detachment and a spirited performance for the street party afterwards.

One week is not enough; so on the 17 Oct, as a huge Australian White Ensign was hoisted to the top of the massive flagpole on Port Road, Navy Fortnight (twice the fun) was heralded in to the dulcet tones of a bugle sounding General Salute. One of my best renditions.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank, CPOMUSN Dave Copley, for his assistance with my transition to bandmaster of the South Australian detachment over the last six months. Dave’s advice and guidance has always been most appreciated. Dave Copley will transfer to the Standby Reserve early in the New Year ending 20 years of dedicated and committed service to the Navy Band in South Australia. The fact that everything Dave does is with the best interest of the band in mind is a testament to a

On Sat 19 Oct, HMA Ships Gascoyne and Diamantina were along side at Port Adelaide as part of Navy Fortnight. The South Australian detachment was there in support of both ships being open to the public, which saw an estimated 3,000 people view two of the fleet’s newest assets. The following day was Defence Open Day at RAAF Edinburgh.

man with a genuine passion and enthusiasm that will surely be missed.

Veterans in Coffs Harbour and then for the Naval Association in Ballina.

I’d also like to thank my predecessor, CPOMUSN Doug Antonoff, for leaving behind a very strong and well-equipped unit and his valuable support and patience during my early days here in Adelaide was much appreciated.

Finally, the 2002 promotion list has arrived and it was pleasure to promote ABMUSN Mick O’Loughlin to the rank of LS. Mick has been with the band for 8 years, plays Eupho, Piano, PA / Sound Engineer and joker.

All the best from South Australia.

Our French Horn / Trombone / Bari Sax, (on the odd occasion – very odd), PO Karina Bryer has been loaned to RANB-S for duties in the recent recordings and ABC Concert. It is a pleasure to see the Reserves being used in this manner and if there are any other events that require extras the Reserves are a great place to start looking.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

At the end of last year, it was with sadness that we farewelled one of our long time members, ABMUSN Mark Jempson. Mark joined the band in 1985 and has been our lead Alto Sax player. Mark will certainly leave a hole behind which will be hard to fill and we wish him the very best wishes for his and his families future in his new position in Melbourne.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PHIL CLEVELAND

Well Hi from the sunny state. Over the past few months the Queensland detachment has been moving along rather steadily with a few commitments here and there, a promotion, a member loaned to the Sydney detachment and a discharge looming. That’s the news in a nutshell…. To expand: Since mid year we have performed quite a few engagements, from Opening Day at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron to Mess Dinners. One highlight was a combined Aust Army Band – Brisbane, 2/14 Light Horse Band, QLD University Regiment Band, 1st Field Regiment Band and overselves combined in concert. It was in aid of the Reserve Forces Open Day held at the Bulimba Army Depot. The day started with our detachment welcoming the guests into the barracks with a bag band blow, we then handed over to the QUR band who performed the Army traditional Trooping of the Colour. At lunch our Big band dodged the precipitation to perform for the crowds. At 1400 the combined bands, approx. 120 musos, blew up a storm…………….literally!!

ON PARADE AT THE EKKA.

The Governor of QLD and group arrived, Major Pat Pickett opened the proceedings, I followed and then handed over to WO John Franklin of the 1st Field Regiment Band. As John finished his chosen piece, the heavens opened and down it fell……….. for about two days! Fortunately, for us, unfortunately for the Army, all the electrical equipment belonged to the Army so all except our uniforms escaped unscathed.

A loss for the permanent detachments is sometimes a gain for the reserve units in the form of POMUSN Graham Carter. Graham has paid off, has purchased his new lifestyle in Eumundi QLD, and will join us whenever he can drag himself away from his country lifestyle. A highpowered Horn Section—one CPO and three PO's. Finally, the buzzes are right. I have decided to swallow the anchor as of 6 Apr 03. I sincerely wish to thank everyone for their friendship over the past 23 years and look forward to seeing you all on the other side. The RAN Band has been my life and I have seen many changes, some good some not so good, but you get that in any job!

Another commitment which proved to be a top job was the RAN Band Association reunion commitment on 5th of October. The rehearsal for the show a few days before had some of our members concerned because, “they are all musos and have critical ears.” Well the job went over wonderfully with the ex’s. We played that well that even I had to check to make sure that it was the same group as I had heard at the rehearsal a few days before.

Well that’s it from the sunny north. As they say beautiful one day, crab pots filled the next. Until the next edition, “Keep on blowin’”

Toward the end of last year we were fortunate enough to get away for a couple of quick jaunts to perform for the Vietnam

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT WRIGHT

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER AREND BEKENDAM

The News South Wales detachment in Sydney has had another productive year in which we have maintained our numbers and extended our repertoire to include a range of items with our vocalist ABMUSN Jen Monk. We have been fortunate to have the assistance of POMUSN Andrew Stokes and the musical input of LEUT Steve Stanke, RAN.

Welcome to the new official RAN Band newsletter. I have been in this seat for approx 18 months now and I must admit, it has been a real eye opener, the dedication and loyalty to the "job" that the Reserves display is an inspiration. With only 16 general and several standby Reserves, musical combinations have been somewhat restricted, yet we have still been able to "fly the flag" on many occasions. Without the addition of the Standby guy's, we would probably not be able to function, and without meaning to putting "noses out of joint", most notable are: CPOMUSN Andy Rourke, LSMUSN Dave Hicks, ABMUSN Murray Jongeling, CPOMUSN Pete Legg and more recently, POMUSN Brian Horlock. Despite the obvious lack of funding (which is hurting our performance output), we have still been able to perform at some very creditable functions. Some highlights so far have been the HMAS SYDNEY II Dedication in Geraldton and more recently the W.A. Citizen of the year awards that were both very well attend and received. Further highlights down the track will be a tour to Exmouth for the FOE of HMAS Gascoyne, Official opening of the new Maritime Museum (which looks a little like a miniature Sydney Opera House) and Christmas Carols on Rottnest Island, which will be a very nice way to cap off the year.

MEMBERS OF THE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ON MANOORA FOR AUSTRALIA DAY 2003

Besides the usual jobs at Garden Island Chapel and Wardroom and Senior Sailor dinners and Cocktails Parties at Kuttabul, Penguin and Watson we have performed to public acclaim at the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour for their Wooden Boats Festival in March and played a very significant role in leading the Reserve Forces Day parade through the city. A successful lunch and concert at Penshurst RSL allowed us to present a wide variety of music and showcase the band’s versatility in providing a range of genres during the afternoon.

At the moment we are looking at community newspaper support for advertising and trying to drum up prospective musicians, to fill our billet quota and hopefully for the "perms" as well, time will tell how successful we are. With promotions as slow as they are in the Reserves, I would like to commend two members of this detachment who voluntarily moved to the Standby, to make way for some "Younger" members to reach the dizzy heights of the next promotion, and they are: CPO Charles Galliott and LS Eric Davies. Having done that, we now find that promotions in the Reserves have been frozen for the time being while

Our rock/jazz group played for the USS Portroyal’s Cocktail Party and were complimented by the Captain as being better than the 7th Fleet band. (Don’t they know how to lay it on! – though we did sound pretty good) After a quiet couple of months during which we were able to explore and extend our repertoire, the later part of the year provided a number of performance opportunities at church services, the HMAS Parramatta march and memorial service (with the temperature in the low 40’s) and a combined concert with the Central Coast Concert Band. The Central Coast Band’s musical director is an old bandie – Robert Bedwell, and while the average age of the audience probably was more than double that of the combined bands; the Laycock Street theatre was packed and the audience reaction was exceptionally warm and enthusiastic.

OUR DISCO GROUP GETS INTO THE BEAT!

Canberra sorts out the Scheme of Compliment, and hopefully this will be done by the end of this year.

members, WOMUSN Dale Granger and ABMUSN Tracy Cooke, to travel aboard Manoora from Sydney to Burnie. We finished the year with carols at Glenorchy and Launceston; the latter has become a major event with some 16,000 people in attendance.

Unfortunately some times people feel they have to move on to better things and this was so with my lead Trumpet / Cornet LSMUSN Shane Cook, who was recently commissioned and is now with Shipping Control and Intelligence. Another loss (but only for a short time) is ABMUSN Peta Crogan (Clarinet / Sax) who has moved south to look after the family property. The only additions to the "Family" have been babies, with baby girls to Peta and Phil Crogan and Rohan and Nicole Mc Intyre and a Baby boy to Trevor and Emily Goddard, congratulations to all. There are a couple of others in the pipeline; however, we will have to wait further down the tracks for the outcomes. Who said the system is slow? it has only taken a short twenty year’s (after retirement), for former member LSMUSN Ludwig Reitzenstein to receive his "gong" recently, and ten and five respectively for AB Dave Hicks and PO Phil Mander ( in fact Phil had to put in a request for his bar before he received his gong) to receive theirs. Another thing I have learned is that you have to continually be on the back of DSCM-R as they do not inform GR members (or anyone else) of pending discharges etc as they do not have the staff numbers to keep track of them, so it is up to us. One member of this team was discharged approx two years before I arrived here, yet no one knew as he was still on the pay system and getting paid for commitments (who's not talking to who?), communication is a great tool, people should use it. After a couple of nasty calls to DSCM-R, he was reinstated with no detriment to his entitlements. I have had a couple of other like wise mishaps, and some of the stories I here about the past would make you laugh or cry. It just goes to show that you have to work the system and not let the system work for you.

AT PLAY AT THE ANZAC BALL

We had further opportunities to travel and perform with other musicians by sending LSMUSN Paul Parnell to Sydney, to support the recording of the new CD and the National Tour, and LSMUSN Greg Hince on a tour with the Melbourne detachment. We say goodbye and good luck to ABMUSN Dan Freeman, a very good sax player who has been our bass player in recent times. Dan is off to Europe to perform and learn. He has been a vital member of our group and will be missed. Congratulations to both LSMUSN’s Miriam and Damien Norman on the birth of their first baby girl. This is a first for this detachment to have a baby with both members as parents. Unfortunately for us Miriam will be playing mum for at least a few months.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

Recruiting looks good with four on the books to join early 2003 if they all pass the medical. They play bass guitar, guitar, percussion and trumpet. This will take a huge strain off us and enable us to perform on our own in most circumstances.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT HILLHOUSE

LS PAUL PARNEL FROM THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT JOINS THE WIND ORCHESTRA FOR THE NATIONAL TOUR

The Tasmanian detachment started slow and increased in tempo as the year went on. We performed for the arrival of the new Tasmanian ferries in August and the Navy Ball and Triabunna Seafarers Memorial in October. We combined with members of the Sydney detachment for the Freedom of Entry of Burnie by HMAS Manoora in November, which provided the opportunity for two of our

WARRANT OFFICER LINCOLN MOVES ON ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MICHELLE ROSENBOOM

Ken Lincoln joined the Royal Australian Navy on the 8th of February 1977, at the age of 17, hailing from Dubbo, NSW. Following his recruit school training, Ken studied clarinet and all the other finer points of becoming a Navy Musician at the Navy School of Music. Although Ken’s primary

instrument is the clarinet, like so many musicians, he has more than one string to his bow, also playing saxophone and piano.

PROFILES

Ken’s long career has seen him posted to various ships and bases throughout the country. In January 1979, he was posted to his first band at HMAS Penguin in Balmoral, NSW. This posting lasted for one year when Ken was first posted to sea, on board HMAS Melbourne. This posting was also for the duration of one year before Ken returned to HMAS Penguin in January 1981. Ken was promoted to Leading Seaman on 31st December 1985 whilst at HMAS Penguin. After a longer posting the second time around, Ken was once again posted – this time to HMAS Cerberus, Western Port, VIC on 28th December, 1987.

ABMUSN Matthew Capper My name is Matthew Capper; I am 23 years of age and joined the Navy from Brisbane. I have a varied background of experience in the field of music. In 1996, I toured the USA with the National Children’s Wind Orchestra of Australia, attended the Young Conservatorium in Jazz studies and played in three musicals for the Harvest Rain Theatre Company.

In 1989, it was time for Ken’s next sea posting, this time on board HMAS Stalwart. After a short loan posting on board HMAS Jervis Bay, LSMUSN Lincoln was posted back to HMAS Cerberus on 17th January 1991, just two weeks before his promotion to Petty Officer on 31st January. In July of 1992, the band was moved to HMAS Lonsdale in Port Melbourne. Unfortunately for the band, HMAS Lonsdale was closed down in November of that year, so the band, along with Ken, once again found themselves at HMAS Cerberus. Ken remained at HMAS Cerberus for a few years, before moving to the newly opened Defence Force School of Music in Macleod, VIC as an instructor. In January 1995, Ken moved to Sydney, once again with the band. Ken was promoted to Chief Petty Officer on 31st October 1995 whilst in Sydney.

1997 saw the beginning of university, studying a Bachelor of Music majoring in classical percussion. While at Uni, I played in the Q.U.T Wind Symphony, various jazz ensembles and numerous small chamber ensembles. This included collaboration with final year dance students, which music was written for, performing in the contemporary Brass quintet, the Seventh Chapter of Fine Brass, and an Australian Brass tour under the direction of Barrie Gott.

In January 1996, Ken moved to Brisbane to be in charge of the Queensland detachment, a position he held for five years. In January 2001, Ken once again moved – back to the band in Sydney. This time however, there was a major difference, as his wife Vicki and their children stayed in Brisbane. This, of course, saw Ken making as many trips to Queensland as possible throughout the year.

The years 2000/01 took me to part-time teaching at various Brisbane schools, most notably Brisbane Boys Grammar School, where I conducted a Concert Band and three percussion ensembles, as well as teaching group and private lessons.

On 10th January 2002, Ken was promoted to Warrant Officer. With this promotion came another posting - to the Defence Force School of Music in the Training Development Cell.

I see the Navy as an opportunity to constantly improve my abilities as a musician, while earning a stable income.

This posting has been Ken’s last. After a fulfilling and exciting career spanning over 25 years with the Royal Australian Navy Band, Ken is now retiring from the service to Brisbane with his wife Vicki and their children, Jesse, Sasha, and Harry.

ABMUSN Heather Wright Music has always been in my life. Right from the day I was born my parents would take me along to their rehearsals and performances, so it was inevitable that I too would become a musician. I began music lessons on the Violin and Piano then changed to percussion at the commencement of high school.

The Officers and Sailors of the Royal Australian Navy Band would like to thank Ken for his many years of dedicated service, and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.

I studied a Bachelor of music performance at the Victorian Collage of the Arts, and during my final year decided that the Navy was the career for me. It was a long hard battle to

get in, but through all the recruiting and interviews it was well worth the wait. The Navy has changed my life, because that’s what it is. A life, not a job. I would not have done or seen half the things I have if I hadn’t have joined the Navy.

Queensland State Youth Wind Ensemble, which toured to South Korea in 1997. When I left school, all that I wanted to do was to have the opportunity to continue playing with bands and have the opportunity to further my abilities. That is when I decided to join the Royal Australian Navy Band, which I have always considered to be one of the best in the country.

ABMUSN Jamie Lawson My name is Jamie Lawson; I am 27 years of age and have recently joined the Navy as a Trumpet player in the R.A.N. band Melbourne.

I have now been with the band a little over two months and am enjoying the experience immensely. Already I have been involved in important military ceremonies and have been on tour to Cairns in Far North Queensland.

I started playing the cornet at the age of fifteen in my High school brass band, St Leo’s C.B.C, in Box Hill Victoria. Discovering my love for the instrument, I went on to study classical trumpet at the Victorian College of the Arts in 1994. After 2 years of study, I auditioned for entry to Salford University (U.K) on cornet to play and study under the best brass band musicians in the world completing a further two years study there. This was and still is a highlight of my playing carer. While at Salford, I was appointed Principal Cornet of Walkden brass and competed across the country with them developing my roll as a soloist and band leader.

One of the best things about being with the band is the knowledge and skills that I am gaining to further my abilities as a musician. Whilst my main instrument is saxophone, I have performed on cymbals in the Parade Band and am enjoying learning to play the side-drum. Overall the experience has been amazing and I can easily say that as a musician, this is the best job in the world.

BANDIES AT SEA

Upon returning to Melbourne I completed my studies at the V.C.A. and became Principal Cornet of Footscray Yarraville band, a position I still hold. Before joining the Navy, I taught brass at several high schools, played in Latin bands around Melbourne, was co-owner of a professional swing band and worked as a junior tech for a small I.T. company. 2001 saw the birth of my daughter and my decision to audition for Navy came shortly after.

Article by AB MUSN Gordon D. Orr Early June 2002 the Musician Branch was asked for volunteers to board HMAS Kanimbla (Amphibious Class) for a twelve-week tour of duty somewhere to an unknown destination. With only 24 hours notice due to a decision on NBCD training, the following personnel were lucky enough to be chosen:

The Navy has offered me a stable career doing what I love most and was probably the most sensible decision I have ever made as a player. I am currently having a ball and look forward to spending many years with them.

ABMUSN Shannon Rankine ABMUSN Sonya Henderson ABMUSN Karen Collidge

SMNMUSN Natalie Urquhart

ABMUSN Brett Douglas

My name is Natalie Urquhart; I am 22 years old and am a musician with the Royal Australian Navy Band – Melbourne. I was born in Queensland in small town called Wondai. I’ve lived in many other small towns across Queensland from South Burnett, to Central Queensland, and back down to the South-East, settling in Brisbane.

AB MUSN Gordon Orr HMAS Kanimbla left Sydney, whilst Brett and I were flown to Darwin to meet the Ship. On joining the ship we had 15 minutes to stow our gear and get straight into NBCD training. We completed three days of theory on the ship and then spent a day of practical application of what we had learnt out at the fire training ground at HMAS Coonawarra. The practical component consisted of Fire fighting, entering a closed compartment with full fire fighting gear and extinguishing a real fire, entering a flooding compartment and stopping the leaks with shoring, plugs and pipe clamps. We also learnt how to operate a thermal cutter, which cuts through 12mm steel (invented by a bank safe robber) and learnt how to use a ramset tool (a nail gun used to nail steel sheets to bulkheads).

I started my love for music as an eager 10 year-old living in Central Queensland, when I was handed my first saxophone at school. I fell in love with it instantly and have been playing ever since. My ambitions really took off when I first got to High School. Yeppoon State High School (also in Central Queensland), had a fantastic music program. From that point I knew that music was going to be a career choice for me. I started sitting AMEB exams and was selected to play with the

On Watch we would be expected to be on the Helm, Port/Starboard Lookout, or be the Quartermaster assistant, which included answering phones, making pipes, recording weather and sea state. We all had the opportunity of being on the helm during Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres and we all completed over 10 hrs on the helm thus received our Helmsman Certificate Qualification.

Our mission was called “Operation Reflex II” and our goal was to patrol the waters around Christmas Island to stop any illegal fishing or immigrating refugee boats. Our task on the ship was to work as Spare Hands, and as such, we were assigned a program of working within other departments for a week at a time.

The CO CMDR David McCourt and the XO LCDR Edwards were very pleased to have us bandies on board their ship and as such asked if we could provide some music for an upcoming wardroom dinner on the aft flight deck. We accepted the challenge and with the odd combination of instruments that we had, set about transposing some Clarinet, Trumpet and Saxophone quartets that I had brought along that also had taped rhythm backing. The music at the wardroom dinner worked well playing songs such as; Proud Mary, 25 or 6 to 4, Old time rock n Roll, New York New York, Theme from Ice Castles, Little Boy Lost, and Georgia. Duets (CD Backing) (Trom & Clary) Mood Indigo, Satin Doll and other Ellington favourites.

ABMUSN KAREN COLLIDGE

The departments we worked with included:

Other musical highlights of the trip included, playing marches and incidentals on the GDP Deck to HMAS Sydney, HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Melville during Replenishment at Sea (RAS), Entering and Leaving Darwin harbour, and various Church Services both on board and at Christmas Island. Another highlight was providing music for the Ships cocktail party and Ceremonial Sunset. With the help of CAPT Lindsey Mee (OIC Army Band Darwin) I was able to secure the services of side drummer MUSN Sheryl Wilson and with her help made the night a great success. All music provided was very successful due to the versatility and ability that is to be expected from today’s RAN Band musicians.

Bosun’s Mate * Rope/Boat work, armoury & ship repair. Naval Stores * Checking off inventories. Café Party * Setting up Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner and cleaning duties. Aviation * Learning about Sea king helicopter operating procedures. Chiefs Mess * Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner meal serving and cleaning. Medical/Dental * A day spent with Medical & Dental to observe their work. Photography * 2 Days working with photographers. Our routine consisted of working with the above departments from 0800 to 1200hrs and then having music rehearsals from 1300 to 1600hrs before commencing Watch on Deck duties. The Watches are:

ABMUSN’S BRETT DOUGLAS AND SONYA HENDERSEN

First dog 1600 – 1800hrs Last dog 1800 – 2000hrs First

2000 – 2359hrs

Middle

0001 – 0400hrs

As for refugee boats, none spotted, although one steel ship with 633 refugees that was due to leave Indonesia but was stopped by authorities before sailing. Some Type 3’s (Indonesian fishing boats) were spotted by Kanimbla and

Morning 0400 – 0800hrs

challenged by the Patrol boat HMAS Launceston that was shadowing us.

Article by POMUSN Nick Pearce

Christmas Island is a small island rising sharply up out of the sea. An interesting fact is that we were sitting in 600m of depth when tied at the buoy 200m from shore. It has a population of approximately 1500 which are mostly Chinese, Indonesian and Island migrators with some ex-Australian Mainlanders thrown in.

Somewhere at Sea Everyone in the RAN will tell you, "Never volunteer for anything". In this case, common dog was ignored. In less than forty-eight hours after being informed of this deployment, a seven-piece ensemble had been selected from a list of names submitted from the musicians of Sydney and Melbourne Detachments.

We were able to go ashore in groups of 60 a day for day leave if on the nominated sheet and not required for duty. Other times we got to go ashore were for the Kanimbla verses Christmas Island sport days i.e. Soccer and touch footy. Ship's company could also volunteer to go ashore to help restore a run down Gun emplacement and bunker, which was overthrown by the Japanese during WWII. This was a good-will contribution from the ship to the Island people.

The musicians chosen for the deployment, PO Pearce, (sax/clarinet/vocals), LS Collins (trombone/keys), LS Watson (tuba/electric bass), AB Honor (saxophones/flute) AB Goninion (drums), AB Hansch (trumpet/bugle), SMN Dowd ( vocals/guitar/bass drum). The ensembles roles have been to perform beat to quarters followed by ceremonial sunset's and to provide the ship with a rock band, jazz ensemble and a small parade band for all other functions and occasions.

On the way back to Darwin the ship stopped to help a stricken yacht, which had a broken rudder. The ship sent over a dive crew to remove the broken rudder, had the ship’s carpenters make up a new one and had the divers refit it. The yacht was back underway within the day.

After completing our basic NBCD course at HMAS Creswell we managed to get a few days of quick rehearsal at Sydney studio to brush up our drum corps skills and to quickly go over a twelve song forty minute set with the rock band. We departed Sydney airport early on the 11Sep 02 and made our way to Darwin to meet HMAS Sydney. The next day we waited on the dock of Darwin Navy Base until approximately 1000. Sydney steamed into Harbour and anchored, we loaded our equipment into a workboat and climbed onboard, were issued bedding, boots, anti-flash and overalls and then continued to post in.

Back in Darwin we were fortunate enough to be selected to go on an expedition to Katherine Gorge with 30 other ship’s company. We experienced canoeing Katherine Gorge, various national parks, thermal pools and various waterfalls. Our time with the ship gave us a valuable insight into how other departments function within the daily running of a ship. We all got along well with the ship's company including all ranks. The ships crew appreciated our playing of wakey, wakey in the mornings and beer calls. They would often ask us to play their favourite tunes and we would learn them by ear to play at the next available pipe. This helped to boost morale, as it was different from the norm. It was also good for other sailors to see that we can “hold our own” when given other challenges outside of our normal band work and perform hose challenges well.

A large transit accommodation sleeping space that looks like a giant chest freezer was set up in the stb hanger for most of the band's Junior Sailors whilst the remaining moved into respective female and PO'S messes. The port hanger has been our nominated equipment storage and work place area and is our part of ship for daily routine rounds. Five days of calm sea's made it easy to productively rehearsed up the rock band and drum core for Beat to Quarters with the guard before the first port of Manilla.

I would recommend sea trips to other bandies so that they can get “out there” and experience “sea life” as it is. Then they can answer the question that we are all so often asked, “What’s it like being at sea?”

1000 Procedure Alpha for Manilla worked well on the flight deck although we had to quickly get the equipment out of the way and help rig up the gangway, the awning, store the ship with fresh rations, eat lunch and rehearse the Beat to Quarters with the guard. On completion we set up for the cocktail function and had enough time to get three hours ashore to regain our land legs, and make calls home and be back in time to scran up, dobe up and commence playing smooth background cocktail function jazz by 1830 to 1945.

I Would also like to take this opportunity to thank Able Seaman’s Henderson, Rankine, Collidge and Douglas for their hard work including, team work in transposing and rewriting charts, their valuable input during rehearsals, and lastly the enduring and trying times finding a suitable rehearsal space. Job Well Done. Also thanks to CO HMAS Kanimbla CMDR McCourt, DMUS-N and the Band Officers for giving us the opportunity to experience life at sea.

The Beat to Quarters at 2000 was successful and very much applauded and appreciated. We then continued

ashore around 2145 and in fine Navy band tradition on the first night in, had lots of fun.

Historically, the set is considered priceless; however, a conservative replacement value at time of production was estimated to be in excess of one quarter of a million dollars. These drums are only paraded on the most important ceremonial occasions.

We are fitting in with the ship's company well and are now a part of night watch duties. These duties comprise of man overboard sentry, helm, lookouts and anything that is piped for spare hands like cheering ship when in light jackstays with Japanese ships. We are also keeping protection force duties and will be shore patrol guards in Guam. We have visited Qingdao in China and Japan's port of Nagasaki where we again performed to everyone's expectations and repeated all sailor traditions in the art of buying rabbits, having a look about and consuming a quiet ale here and there. We are presently in defence watches at sea on exercise with the Japanese Marine defence force in a small typhoon two days south of Tokyo and are looking forward to seeing the bands and ships of other Navy's.

Specifications for the Silver Ceremonial Drum Set are: Eight Side Drums: 35 cm diameter x 30 cm of 16 gauge sterling silver weighing 10 kg Two Tenor Drums: 40 cm diameter x 30 cm of 16 gauge sterling silver weighing 11.8 kg One Bass Drum: 70 cm diameter x 30 cm of 16 gauge sterling silver weighing 18 kg Current value:

$1.4M

That’s a lot of weight on those shoulders!

To date we have performed with our many ensembles two flight deck concerts, three cocktail functions, three beat to quarters and sunset ceremonies, one touch football match, one basket ball match and six procedure Alpha's. Our performances have been very well received by all ranks.

CEREMONIAL SILVER DRUMS FIND NEW HOME ON PARADE AT THE MARITIME COMMANDER HANDOVER CEREMONY

The Royal Australian Navy Silver Drums were commissioned by the Commonwealth and States of Australia and presented on the 10th of July 1961 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy. The set is now located in the foyer of Maritime Headquarters in a specially made cabinet.

QUIZ 2002

The set consists of eight side drums, two tenor drums and one bass drum. Queensland, South Australia, Western Australian and Tasmania each presented one side drum. New South Wales and Victoria each presented one tenor drum, while the Commonwealth and Territories presented the remaining four side drums and the bass drum.

Who did Ed Wilson team with in the late 60s to form one of Australia's premier big bands?

Each drum is emblazoned with the Royal Cypher and the Royal Australian Navy Badge. Four of the side drums and the two tenor drums are emblazoned with the State Badge, while the remaining four side drums and the bass drum have the Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

Which song begins "There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold"?

Who was the American jazz pianist whose real first names were Edward Kennedy? Holly Valance formerly starred in which Australian soapie?

Which Elvis Presley song was included in the 2001 film remake of "Ocean's Eleven" and began with "Come on baby I'm tired of talking, grab your coat and let's start walking"?

Drouyn and Drouyn of Brisbane in Queensland manufactured the drums. The construction of these drums used up almost the entire stock of standard silver available to the eastern coast of Australia. At the time, the bass drum shell was the longest continuous piece of silver rolled in the Southern Hemisphere. The side drum sticks are made of Queensland Black Bean and are fitted with two-inch Sterling Silver leaf chased ferrules.

How many symphonies did Ludwig van Beethoven complete? Who composed "Lush Life", a complex jazz song withheld for many years by the composer until the emergence of a singer deemed capable of sufficient interpretation?

Who wrote 4 minutes 33 seconds of silence?

What song did Marilyn Monroe sing to President Kennedy in a Democratic Party fundraiser and birthday salute concert in May 1961 in Madison Square Garden?

Who wrote "White Christmas"? Which flamboyant pianist, born in 1919, was famous for his piano-shaped swimming pool?

On what tune is Edward Elgar's "Enigma" Variations based?

Whose first hit was 'Young Guns (Go For It)', released in 1982?

Which conductor began his professional career at age 25 with the New York Philharmonic in 1943 when, as the assistant to the assistant, he stepped in with less than 24 hours notice to conduct a concert to critical acclaim, gaining national headlines and becoming the first American born and trained conductor to achieve national recognition?

What was the "Strange Fruit" in the song of the same name recorded by Billie Holliday in 1939? What term was coined by the American composer/conductor/musicologist Gunther Schuller in the 1950s to denote a mixture of jazz and western classical music?

Answers below. All comments and suggestions to Lieutenant Steven Stanke.

An Italian 6th chord based on C contains what other notes? Known for his caustic wit (and phenomenal speed and technical dexterity), which legendary American jazz drummer, while on the operating table for treatment for a terminal illness, when asked if there was anything to which he was allergic, exclaimed "Only country music"?

Quiz 2002 answers Warren Daly Duke Ellington Neighbours Stairway to Heaven A Little Less Conversation Nine Billy Strayhorn John Cage Irving Berlin Liberace Wham Lynched African-Americans. Third stream. E and A# Buddy Rich Diana Doherty Paul Grabowsky Madonna She Came In Through the Bathroom Window Morning Train by Sheena Easton Glenn Miller Trainspotting. Massachusetts The Boomtown Rats. Frederick Fennell A Little Night Music My Heart Belongs to Daddy Happy birthday Unknown Leonard Bernstein

Who is currently the principal oboist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra? Who is the composer, formerly of "Tonight Live with Steve Vizard", of the opera "Love in the Age of Therapy" premiering in November 2002 in the Sydney Opera House? Which singer is providing the theme tune for the next Bond film 'Die Another Day'? The following lyrics are from which Lennon/McCartney song? "Protected by a silver spoon, and now she sucks her thumb and wonders." What 80s song contains these lyrics "I wake up every mornin', I stumble out of bed, stretchin' and yawnin', another day ahead....My baby works from nine till five and then....He takes me to a movie, or to a restaurant, to go slow dancing, anything I want..."? Who wrote Moonlight Serenade, as recorded by Glenn Miller and his orchestra? Which 1996 film soundtrack includes New Order's 'Temptation' and Pulp's 'Mile End'? Which US state gave the Bee Gees a hit in 1967? Which group had a hit in 1979 with 'I Don't Like Mondays'? Who founded the Eastman Wind Ensemble in 1952 and became its principal conductor for its first decade? From what 1973 musical by Stephen Sondheim is the ballad "Send in the Clowns?" The following lyrics are from what 1938 Cole Porter song, "I used to fall in love with all those boys who maul refined ladies. But now I tell each young gazelle to go to hell... I mean, hades."

ALBERT EINSTEIN QUOTES

FY 01/02 10.1 percent, FY 02/03 forecast based on current indications will be less than 10 percent. Local managers are maintaining good working environments with flexibility and well managed workloads:

PROVIDED BY ACTING POMUSN KIRSTY JONES

Nil reports of poor behaviour, high approval rate for workplace requests.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."

Benchmark activities have been identified, resourced appropriately and completed for very good results:

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."

National tour, national radio broadcast, NUSHIP Stuart Commissioning & recording.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge, for knowledge is limited while imagination embraces the entire world."

Achievement: YELLOW moving to GREEN

"The important thing is not to stop questioning"

Extend Navy’s public relations reach:

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds"

National Marketing Plan Implemented with the following outcomes:

[Source: Strength to Love, 1963.]

Tasks:

252

Direct audiences numbers:

PROGRESS ON NATIONAL GOALS

646,635

Indirect audiences numbers: 1,430,000 Service personnel numbers: 50,800 Media hits:

The following is a report regarding the current progress on our national goals:

162.

Achievement: GREEN National mailing list and market information system is being developed.

Foster and promote value-based behaviour for members of the RAN Band:

Strong results from customer surveys and letters of appreciation with figures yet to be collated

Navy value statements have been distributed to all detachments.

Biannual Newsletter released

The band’s cultural and value statements have been revised and published in internal posters and promotional material:

Achievement: GREEN

100 % compliance of equity and diversity training requirements achieved

Update the band’s promotional material to reflect professional standards:

Achievement: GREEN

Booklets and advertising posters completed

Review the Category Management Plan:

CD’s completed

Key personnel shortfalls are being addressed:

Guidance from DPA, Fleet RO and DFRO achieved

Visits by the band to Newcastle, Melbourne & Adelaide Universities.

Achievement: GREEN Well done to all for your efforts!

Strong interest achieved from key target audiences (french horn x 4, trumpet x 5 & tuba x 3) It is likely that the category will be fully manned by the completion of FY 02/03. Achievement: GREEN Retention issues currently being addressed. An exit rate averaging 10 percent over a two-year period is achievable;

OUR BAND

To that end, we aim to be a world-class military organisation that provides quality ceremonial, musical and public relations support for the Royal Australian Navy.

‘ON THE QUARTERDECK’ AND ‘LIVE IN CONCERT’ RELEASED

The band consists of two major detachments of full-time musicians stationed at the naval establishment HMAS Kuttabul, Potts Point, New South Wales and HMAS Cerberus, Westernport, Victoria. A third detachment consists of reserve musicians who are stationed in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, and Perth. To assist in fulfilling its mission, ‘promote the Royal Australian Navy’, the band incorporates a fleet of ensembles. All members of the band perform in the Ceremonial Ensemble of each of detachment. However, to ensure versatility, each detachment maintains other capabilities including wind orchestra (Sydney only), concert band (Melbourne only), wind chamber ensembles, a show band and small jazz combinations.

Our new CD’s, ‘On the Quarterdeck’ and ‘Live in Concert’ have just been released. These CD’s will be distributed to schools, and libraries throughout the nation free of charge. The music will also be used for compiling ceremonial music for ships deploying on deployment.

A great deal of work has gone into this project; particularly in the mixing stage. Many thanks to Chris Lastelle and LS Dan Hobson for their valuable contribution.

For information about the band or performance details please call the Director of Music—Navy on 02 9359 3802.

OUR PURPOSE AND WHAT WE VALUE Our fundamental purpose is to ‘Promote the Royal Australian Navy’. We recognise and value the investment given us by the Australian people and Navy, and strive to exceed the expectations of the people with whom we do business. We also recognise that teamwork is imperative to our success and support the unique role of the individual within the team. We give our personal commitment to ensuring that our workplace remains free of discrimination and is one that allows equal opportunity for all members, and our culture reflects Navy’s values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty.

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 2 OF 14 JULY 2003

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

MUSICIANS DEPLOYED IN A COMBAT ROLE

The first time since the Vietnam War that Navy musicians have been engaged in combat operations. the shuddering sounds of the ship creaking and rocking, and of the waves crashing about outside… very eerie.” It wasn’t till later we found out the extent of damage to the ship. The superstructure and all of “Aft Repair” had been wiped out. This included us. We were for exercise, dead. We could only imagine what this would have been like for real. Continued page 11

LEADING SEAMAN CHRIS, LEADING SEAMAN MEREDITH AND ABLE SEAMAN SONYA

CONTENTS

In September 2002 four musicians from the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band volunteered to join HMAS Kanimbla (Leading Seaman Chris, Leading Seaman Meredith, Able Seaman Sharon and Able Seaman Sonya) for a six month deployment to the Gulf. We were trained up to work with the Aviation Department as part of the flight deck team. On January twenty third, five weeks early, we set sail from Sydney Harbour to a very expectant war on Iraq. As we sailed into the tropics we sweated our way through an intense week of simulated damage control work ups; multiple fires, floods, smoke bombs, mine blasts, crashes on deck, toxic hazards and our least favourite chemical threats. Tired but relieved to have passed our Operational Readiness Examination, we pulled into Darwin for a beer and said goodbye to Australian soil.

Welcome from the Director’s Desk

RAN Band Received Maritime Commander Commendation

Sydney Detachment

Melbourne Detachment

A Week in the Life

South Australian Detachment

Queensland Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

Musicians Onboard HMAS Adelaide

Here are some memorable moments from our trip.

Fleet Human Resource management Cell

DCX 400…

Music as Therapy

The Xylophone

An Evening with George Benson

The Art of Encouragement

Royal New Zealand Navy Band Trip

Progress on National Goals

Our Band

Our Purpose and What We Stand For

Calendar

(Meredith and Sonya) The alarm for action stations rang loud. We (Meredith and Sonya) donned anti-flash and rushed to our action stationAft Repair. Assigned the duty of “tank deck rovers”, our task was to bring our section of the ship to “state one condition Zulu”. Not a minute too soon it was piped to “BRACE! BRACE! BRACE!”…”BOOM!”…. …”we are sitting in a dark compartment with only one emergency escape light. The ship has been “hit” and is drifting aimlessly in the ocean. No communications are working in a situation which would normally call for frequent, fast, detailed sit reps. The silence of the engines leaves only

WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK Welcome to the second edition of the RAN Band News. There has been much achievement and acknowledgment during the previous twelve months period, and it is timely that I review that achievement and acknowledgement in this edition as we transfer from Maritime Command to Navy System Command. Our effort to reinvigorate the band’s contribution to the Fleet has been a resounding success. Since July last year we have embarked elements of the band on four separate occasions; in all, a total of 25 musicians have been deployed on Major Fleet Units. You would be aware of the costs associated in getting back to sea. To remind you; this time last year no one was qualified for sea and we had a significant shortfall in personnel, and getting people requalified resulted in a lot of disruption to each of the permanent detachments.

THE CEREMONIAL DRUM CORPS ‘BEAT TO QUARTERS’ WITH THE CEREMONIAL SILVER DRUMS LIVE ON THE TODAY SHOW FROM HMAS STUART

the work undertaken across the country by all of our people, as does the signal from Commodore Crane which state, “I AM WELL AWARE OF YOUR PREVIOUS EXCELLENT SERVICE TO NAVY UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE MARITIME COMMANDER AUSTRALIA AND I ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DELIVER THOSE HIGH LEVELS IN THE FUTURE.”

This disruption, combined with the high training liability for the January to June period had to be managed carefully, and required some of our reserves to undertake continuous full time service. I would like to acknowledge Lieutenant Steve Cottier and Lieutenant Paul Cottier for their support of this initiative and their ability to manage any disruption within their detachments.

Other effort has recently been rewarded. Lieutenant Paul Cottier received a Maritime Commander Commendation for his work in promoting Navy and for his support to reinvigorate the band’s commitment to the Fleet, and Petty Officer Michael Vaughan was awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal for services during the Federation year. Chief Petty Officer Bill Bekendam was promoted to Warrant Officer after many years of loyal and dedicated service to the Musician Category and takes up his posting to the Defence Force School of Music this month.

I am pleased to report that our recruiting effort has also been a resounding success. As we move into the next financial year all of our allowed positions are full, and we have a significant list of applicants waiting for positions to become vacant. There is still some mismatch with regard to instrumentation balance; but I expect this to be resolved over the coming year.

Many thanks to Warrant Officer Dale Granger who returns to the Tasmanian detachment after a period of full time service at the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM), and thanks also to Lieutenant Steve Cottier, particularly for his support in implementing organisational change; Lieutenant Cottier is returning the DFSM as the Senior Instructor. Thanks also to Lieutenant Steve Stanke for a job well done as my assistant; I’m sure he will enjoy the many challenges ahead as the Music Director of the Melbourne detachment.

Despite a budget that is less than we would all hope for, we have managed to achieve impressive outcomes; these outcomes are reported at the end of this newsletter in ‘Progress on National Goals’. Our new public relations material and recordings have been very well received, and our position within Navy as an organisation able to present a world-class product was recently acknowledged by a Maritime Commendation. The text is included in full on the next page along with an ‘all ship all shore’ signal from the Maritime Commander and a signal from the Navy Systems Commander, Commodore Crane.

This edition contains some great input from across the category. For me, the articles from our people at sea are a particular highlight. The articles on Music as Therapy and the Art of Encouragement provide good inspiration, and the article ‘A Week in the Life of the Melbourne detachment’ shows the great flexibility of our people and their willingness to accept the sometimes very difficult tasks given them.

It is worthy of noting that during the presentation ceremony at Maritime Headquarters last week the Maritime Commander made a point of emphasising the following sentence from the commendation, ‘‘The Royal Australian Navy Band promotes awareness in the wider community of Navy’s critical contribution to the nation”. In his signal, Rear Admiral Gate states, “THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND IS ONE OF THE FEW PLATFORMS IN WHICH NAVY CAN TAKE ITS MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA”. The commendation and signal acknowledge

During the next twelve months I will be reinforcing some of the change undertaken when I assume the role as Director of Music. I look forward to your continued support. Phillip Anderson HEBREWS 13:17

RAN BAND RECEIVES A MARITIME COMMANDER COMMENDATION

The RAN Band promotes awareness in the wider community of Navy’s critical contribution…

MESSAGES ACKNOWLEDGING THE TRANSFER TO AUSTRALIAN NAVY SYSTEMS COMMAND

The Maritime Commander Australia commends the Royal Australian Navy Band on its outstanding achievements in promoting the Royal Australian Navy and for its support provided to Maritime Command. Since the band was transferred to Maritime Command in July 2000, the Royal Australian Navy Band has been involved in many events of national significance, notably support for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games and for the Centenary of Federation. Other highlights were its support for veterans’ pilgrimages to Gallipoli and Crete in 2001.

FROM: MCAUST

During this past twelve month period the band’s direct role within the Fleet has been notable by musicians embarked in HMAS KANIMBLA for Operations RELEX and SLIPPER, another eight embarked in HMAS SYDNEY for a high profile deployment to North-East Asia and currently with eight members embarked in HMAS ADELAIDE. The band’s support in farewell and welcome home ceremonies for Fleet Units departing to, and returning from operations has been superb, adding immeasurably to the significance of those occasions. The Royal Australian Navy Band promotes awareness in the wider community of Navy’s critical contribution to the nation.

TO: HMAS KUTTABUL HMAS KUTTABUL FOR DMUS-N SUBJ: TRANSFER OF RAN BAND FROM MARITIME COMMAND TO SYSTEMS COMMAND 1. AS YOUR TRANSFER TO SYSTEMS COMMAND ON 01 JUL 03 DRAWS NEAR, I WISH TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL MEMBERS OF THE RAN BAND FOR YOUR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS WHILST PART OF MARITIME COMMAND.

The dedication, enthusiasm and initiative demonstrated by members of the Royal Australian Navy Band in the performance of their duties embrace Navy’s core values, are of the highest order and are in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy. 27 June 2003

2. THE RAN BAND HAS BEEN PART OF MARITIME COMMAND SINCE JULY [2000]. SINCE THEN THE BAND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY EVENTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFIANCE AND REINVIGORATED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE FLEET. NOTABLE WAS ITS ROLE IN PROVIDING MUSIC SUPPORT FOR THE SYDNEY 2000 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES AND FOR THE CENTENARY OF FEDERATION AND SUPPORT OF VETERAN PILGRIMAGES TO GALLIPOLI AND CRETE IN 2001.

R.W. GATES Rear Admiral RAN Maritime Commanders Australia

3. DURING THE PAST 12-MONTH PERIOD THE BANDS DIRECT ROLE WITHIN THE FLEET HAS BEEN REINVIGORATED BY AN INITIATIVE TO GET ITS PEOPLE BACK TO SEA. LAST YEAR FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BAND EMBARKED IN HMAS KANIMBLA FOR OP RELEX, AND ANOTHER EIGHT EMBARKED IN HMAS SYDNEY FOR A HIGH PROFILE DEPLOYMENT TO NORTH-EAST ASIA. EARLIER THIS YEAR FOUR BAND MEMBERS EMBARKED IN HMAS KANIMBLA AS FLIGHT DECK TEAMS FOR OP SLIPPER, AND CURRENTLY EIGHT MEMBERS ARE EMBARKED IN HMAS ADELAIDE FOR A HIGH PROFILE SOUTH EAST ASIAN DEPLOYMENT. THE BANDS INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY FOR HMAS STUART IN AUGUST 2002 WAS NATION-BEST AND ATTRACTED WIDE APPLAUSE. ITS SUPPORT TO FAREWELL AND WELCOME CEREMONIES FOR OUR SHIPS DEPARTING TO AND RETURNING FROM

SEAMAN KEN BRADSHAW (OUR NEWEST MEMBER) ACCEPTS THE COMMENDATION FROM REAR ADMIRAL GATES

WELCOME FROM CHIEF STAFF OFFICER (OPERATIONS)

OPERATIONS HAS BEEN SUPERB, AND ADDED IMMEASURABLY TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THOSE OCCASIONS FOR OUR PEOPLE AND THEIR LOVED ONES. 4. THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND IS ONE OF THE FEW PLATFORMS IN WHICH NAVY CAN TAKE ITS MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA. ITS MUSICIANS PROMOTE AWARENESS IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY OF NAVYS CRITICAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATION. THEY REFLECT THE QUALITY OF NAVYS PEOPLE AND THE VALUES FOR WHICH WE ALL ASPIRE.

ARTICLE BY CAPTAIN RICHARD MCMILLAN

Welcome to Navy Systems Command and in particular, the Operations Branch. I view your achievements with much interest and echo the System Commander’s comments about the RAN Band’s excellent service to Navy. The Operations Branch consists of 26 business units and my responsibilities include exercising command responsibilities towards regional Naval headquarters, assigned Naval establishments and associated services, and for managing the provisions of Navy Provost Marshal and Naval Security services. The Master Attendant manages the National Port Services Organisation on my behalf and from 1 July 2003 the Director of Music—Navy has managed the RAN Band on my behalf.

5. I CONGRATULATE THE BAND ON ITS ACHIEVEMENTS IN PROMOTING NAVY AS AN ORGANISATION WORTHY OF THE CONFIDENCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE. ITS ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUPPORT OF MARITIME COMMAND REFLECT THE HIGHEST STANDARDS AND ARE IN THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE BANDS CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE FLEET.

My responsibility to you will be to provide the necessary resources to enable you to achieve your mission for Navy. I look forward to meeting that challenge and to engaging with you on how best to provide that support.

FROM: COMAUSNAVSYSCOM TO HMAS KUTTABUL HMAS KUTTABUL FOR RAN BAND

Richard McMillan

SUBJ: WELCOME TO SYSTEMS COMMAND

Captain, RAN Chief Staff Officer (Operations)

A. CN AUSTRALIA ZAC/ZAA 292210Z JUN 03 1. AS ADVISED AT THE REF, 01JUL03 MARKS YOUR ENTRY INTO THE NAVY SYSTEMS COMMAND AND I PERSONALLY WELCOME YOU TO THE TEAM. 2. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE BEST PEOPLE, SAFETY AND SUPPORT SO THAT NAVY CAN FIGHT AND WIN. WE DO THIS THROUGH A FOCUS ON OUR CUSTOMERS, MARITIME COMMAND, NAVY HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER DEFENCE GROUPS CONTRIBUTING TO THE NAVY OUTCOME 3. I AM WELL AWARE OF YOUR PREVIOUS EXCELLENT SERVICE TO NAVY UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE MARITIME COMMANDER AUSTRALIA AND I ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DELIVER THOSE HIGH LEVELS IN THE FUTURE. MY CHALLENGE, DRAWING ON THE NATIONAL RESOURCES OF SYSTEMS COMMAND, IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NECESSARY LEVELS OF SUPPORT TO CONTINUE TO DELIVER AND IMPROVE THOSE SERVICES.

ABLE SEAMAN STUART VANDEGRAAFF IN CONCERT

3. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. 4. HEBREWS 13:2 Remember to welcome stranger in your homes. There are some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

building and reinforcing these qualities this detachment participates in regular PT and sporting activities. These events have included a round robin sports carnival, participating in the Garden Island / HMAS Kuttabul fun run and walk.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT PAUL COTTIER

It is hard to believe that we are almost half way through another year. It feels as if the ink on our first newsletter hasn’t had time to dry. It is always satisfying to report that I feel the Sydney detachment and the band category as a whole is moving strongly in the right direction.

This year has seen for the first time since the Vietnam War musicians engaged in a combat role. Three musicians from the Sydney detachment were posted to HMAS Kanimbla as flight deck handlers as apart of Australia’s contribution against terrorism. I am unable to name the musicians at this time however I would like to say how proud we all are of you all to this task and the credit you have brought towards the band category. We look forward to your safe return. Also at this time an eight-piece group is currently deployed on HMAS Adelaide visiting India, Phucket and Singapore. We wish you all well with your sea time.

The endless phone calls and advertising in regards to recruiting is paying great dividends. I would like to welcome to the Sydney detachment Tim Rees (clarinet), Sam Oram (french horn), Cathy Wainwright (flute), Ken Bradshaw (saxophone), Marcus Salone and Ian Aston (cornets). Cathy is an ex Royal Australian Air Force musician and Ian has transferred from Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. Neil Mildren (percussion) also joins us from South Australia. Neil is a reentry who left the navy in 1988. We also welcome Heather Wright and Matthew Capper both percussionist’s who have been posted from the Melbourne detachment and Petty Officer Louise Hunt from the Defence Force School of Music. All are fine musicians and I wish them well with their future careers. By the time this newsletter is released Chief Petty Officers Doug Antonoff and Andrew Stapleton will have swapped postings. It is hard to believe that 12 months has gone by. I would like to thank Doug for his loyalty and the efficient manner in which he has carried out his duties as Bandmaster. Also, Able Seaman Chris Goninon has been posted to the Melbourne detachment. I would like to wish his partner Michelle and daughter Melanie every success in their new location. Thank you for your support Chris. We farewell Karl Deitz who has left the navy to continue his career in marketing and human resources. We wish you well in your future ventures and thank you for your service to the band category.

Our workload throughout the first six months of this year has been very spasmodic mainly due to financial constraints. The following are some of the highlights of our year to date.

I would like to congratulate Petty Officers Gabe Kicsak and Michael Vaughan who will be promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer with effect 1 September 2003. Kirsty Jones and Kara Williams have both been given temporary rank to Petty Officer. Kirsty is currently working out of category at Maritime Headquarters in Human Resource Management. Able Seaman Brett Donovan, Chris Goninon, Sonya Henderson and Jason Campbell will be promoted to Leading Seaman with effect 1 July 03. Shaun Tatnell, Tracy Burke, Juliana O’Brien and Damian Dowd have all been promoted to Able Seaman. Congratulations to you all.

a. Jazz on the Water—Australia Day; b. Performing on Australia all Over for ABC radio— Australia Day; c. Commissioning of HMAS Yarra; d. Sydney Harbour week; e. Fleet Divisions Darwin and Cairns; f. Numerous farewell ceremonies for ships deploying to the gulf; g. Sydney Symphony Orchestra Superdome Spectacular; h. Submariners National Conference; and i. Darling Harbour Jazz Festival.

It is very satisfying when one of our musician’s is recognised for excellence. Petty Officer Michael Vaughan has been awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal for services during the Federation year. Congratulations Mike you deserve it.

As our leave period is upon us I would like to thank all members of the Sydney detachment for their efforts and support throughout the past six months. I hope you all have a well earnt and safe break.

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT IN ACTION AT THE SYDNEY SUPERDOME SPECTACULAR.

Teamwork and cooperation are two very important ingredients to build harmony, trust and loyalty. As a part of

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

many of the children had experienced the spectacle of a live band, let alone one that marched! They were struck with wonderment at the business of the drum corps and were thrilled with the bugles. Following the parade around the National Go-Cart Grand Prix circuit (which was also being held in Tennant Creek that weekend), the band and guard moved on to their next commitment. A reception was being held at the town hall to honour HMAS Warramunga, its relationship to Tennant Creek and the Warramunga tribe, many of whom were in attendance. At this reception, our Drum and Bugle corps transformed into a jazz group and were able to provide appropriate lunchtime music. The band and guard were given the opportunity to liaise with members of the Warramunga tribe, which deemed a successful learning experience for all parties concerned. The next day began with a very early start to another fivehour bus trip to Alice Springs, followed by an aeroplane ride to Adelaide, then on to Melbourne. Eventually the band retired to HMAS Cerberus having had a rewarding tour in the red centre.

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN ESA THOMAS

Greetings! The Melbourne detachment this year has seen us giving continual support to the Navy and general communities. Though trips have been few this year thus far, it has provided excellent support for naval activities and has reached many enthusiastic audiences who have been very appreciative of our efforts. The first trip of the year occurred not long after arriving back from leave, with us heading over to Perth to provide support for the Maritime Commander’s Divisions at Feet Base West, HMAS Stirling. In early February a modest contingent of the detachment travelled to Hobart to perform at the annual regatta. The ceremonial element heralded the arrival of the Governor of Tasmania and performed marches whilst he disembarked from his private watercraft. In the evening both the big band and rock band elements performed to an appreciative audience as a prelude to a stunning fireworks display that concluded the event.

On the 16th of May the Royal Australian Navy launched its newest ANZAC Class frigate, NUSHIP TOOWOOMBA, at the Tenix shipyards in Williamstown. Named for the WWII Bathurst Class Mine Sweeper, the ninth of ten ANZAC’s being built for the RAN and RNZN, slipped into the waters of Port Phillip Bay to the accompaniment of the band playing RAN and Anchors Aweigh under the direction of Lieutenant Steve Stanke. A large crowd witnessed the launch, including the Chief of Navy, the Premier of Victoria, the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, and veterans of the first HMAS Toowoomba. During the service we accompanied the Williamstown Children’s Choir, specially formed for the launch, in a medley of Australian songs, in addition playing a variety of different marches for the crowd’s enjoyment.

The month of March saw us once again travelling back to Inverloch for the annual Jazz festival. The festival kicked off with the ceremonial element of the detachment leading the street march, followed by numerous floats and Dixie band players. The parade concluded with a marching display by us which the crowd enthusiastically supported with much cheering and applauding. The big band element ‘Full Steam Ahead’ proved to be a huge success with the audience sitting back to enjoy some old favourites while having a cup of tea. Sunday morning saw us heading off to Portsea to provide entertainment for the start of the Osaka Yacht Race. An enthusiastic crowd showed their appreciation before heading down to the pier to watch the racing yachts set sail. It was then back to shore where the ever-growing crowd gathered for lunch and more entertainment by us.

May also saw us extending our versatility with Leading Seaman Pollard travelling to Perth and meeting up with four members from the Sydney detachment. This group came together to form a jazz ensemble as well as integrating into the ceremonial parade band of the Western Australian detachment. Their trip turned into somewhat a busier one than they expected. In addition to performing in the commissioning parade and reception, they travelled across town to provide pre-dinner music for the ball that evening at Burswood Casino. The following morning, wearier than ever, they made their way to the airport and said their goodbyes as they parted company to reattach themselves to their respective detachments.

Imagine a twelve-piece RAN drum and bugle corps surrounded by red dirt in the centre of Australia…Sound unusual? The story begins in the start of May when a Drum Major, two buglers, two cymbal players, a bass drummer and six side drummers made the journey to Alice Springs one dark night. After admiring the unique scenery of the red centre, early the next morning the contingent trekked five hours up to Tennant Creek with the ship’s company from HMAS Warramunga. The drive was a scenic one as the coach passed by the Devil’s Marbles. After a snappy photo stop the coach pulled into Tennant Creek an hour later. The following day held the reason for the band and HMAS Warramunga being in ‘the creek’. A Freedom of Entry parade wound its way through the township and was supported by the entire population of Tennant Creek. It was an emotionally moving parade as the locals were immeasurably proud of their Navy. It was the first time that

We have had a large increase in recruiting with seven new members joining us. April saw five people making the big move from recruit school across the road to the Band and Cinema Complex. These were Able Seaman’s Bruce McIntyre (percussion), Nick Edwards (percussion), Matthew Booth (trombone), Claire Murray (clarinet) and Seaman Fisher (tuba). Most recently we have been joined by Able

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF THE MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

Seaman Yoshinari Izumi (guitar), and Seaman Stephanie Monk (voice) who has come from the Tasmanian detachment. Congratulations to Able Seaman McIntyre for receiving the Bataan Achievement Award, and Able Seaman Izumi for receiving the Academic Award for Training Excellence whilst in recruit school.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE COTTIER

In May we farewelled Leading Seaman’s Simon Watson and Sarah Mac Donald. We wish them all the best in their move to Toowoomba in Queensland where Simon will pursue a career in nursing and Sarah will continue her studies in psychology. We thank them both for their support. Also soon to leave is Lieutenant Steve Cottier. We have valued his contributions during his time with us, and wish him all the best as he is posting to the Defence Force School of Music as senior instructor. Currently on their Group Leader’s Course at the Defence Force School of Music to become eligible for promotion to Petty Officer are Leading Seaman Matt Klohs and Leading Seaman Simon Potter. Congratulations to Able Seaman Daniel Blackmore for successfully completing the Section Leaders Course held earlier in the year. Able Seaman Brett Douglas and Able Seaman Jamie Lawson were also successful in May in passing Skill Grade M3 assessed by the Director. Both demonstrated their exceptional musical skills in the May Complex Concert to a very full, and appreciative, house. The Band Officer’s Course (BOC) is also currently being undertaken at DFSM. This has seen our detachment have two conducting tutorial days with SubLieutenant Andrew Stokes, Staff Sergeant Wendy Kehoe, Sergeant David Bird and Sergeant Stephen Button visiting us at Cerberus. This has been a great opportunity for all involved, with the conductors being able to work with a different group and us to run through some new repertoire, and even the occasional ‘well-loved’ pieces, nevertheless allowing us to experience different interpretations and styles. The BOC along with Lieutenant Rosenboom have also supported us with the monthly Complex Concerts on base by conducting a concert in April, as well as our last concert for this half of the year to be held on June 11.

GRADUATION CEREMONY WITH NAVY’S VALUE STATEMENTS IN THE BACKGROUND.

Expect the unexpected; a motto that we are accustomed to as members of the RAN Band, particularly for those that have been around awhile. What the Melbourne detachment thought was going to be a relatively easy week prior to mid year leave, with the customary sports day, BBQ and the like, transitioned into one of the busiest weeks for quite sometime. Monday and Tuesday (16 & 17 June) saw the detachment on the parade ground supporting the 1/03 Drum Major Course. Congratulations must be given to Leading Seaman Simon Potter, Leading Seaman Matt Klohs and Leading Seaman Dan Hobson for the high standards they produced while conducting their final practical assessment. I was very impressed with their achievements, considering the limited time they had in front of the parade band. A special ‘BZ’ to Leading Seaman Potter for not tripping over the cutlass! I thought for a while that we were going to have to swap it with a steak knife to avoid an OH&S mishap. He was obviously well trained by his instructor, Warrant Officer Dale Granger, on the dangers of being an under sized Drum Major! On a serious note, I would like to thank Warrant Officer Granger for his contribution to the Group Leader and Drum Major Courses during his tenure at the Defence Force School of Music.

Once again we see our musicians providing support for a ship with their musical capabilities. Petty Officer Brad Scudds and Able Seaman Aaron Geeves have joined HMAS Adelaide on a six-week deployment. We continue to promote the Navy by providing support for service functions, especially those concerned with Recruit School Passout Parades, Divisions and mess dinners, and also have reached audiences through regional and interstate visits to Perth, Hobart and Alice Springs.

A phone call from the Director, just before lunch on the Monday, confirmed that a 28-piece parade element from our detachment was required in Canberra Wednesday morning for rehearsals in support of a State Funeral for the late Vice Admiral Sir James Willis. The funeral was to be held at the Royal Military College, Canberra, on Thursday afternoon. Well done to Petty Officer Ray Dowler for arranging our flights, accommodation and expenses at very short notice; I know he had many anxious moments.

The saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” was very appropriate after seeing the grimacing face and white knuckles clenching the arm rests of one of our newer members, Able Seaman Clare Murray (clarinet), as the aircraft quickly gained speed down the run way. This was the very first time she had flown.

Waltzing Matilda. On completion of the march the three service bands were invited to attend the official reception, sponsored by the Federal Government and the city of Perth. The reception was a token of appreciation for all those who served in the Operations of uncertainty and their families, including members of the SAS who were not allowed to parade in front of the general public. The Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, CDF and the Service Chiefs were just a few of the VIPs in attendance. The invitation to the reception gave the Melbourne detachment not only an opportunity to unwind after a demanding week, but also an opportunity to mix with other service musicians and to reacquaint themselves with friends that had served in the recent operations.

Rehearsals for the funeral all day Wednesday and Thursday morning proved to be an excellent learning experience for the detachment, with so many new members on parade. Lots of standing to attention, slow marching practise (now experts) and the mandatory waiting around for the funeral parties to be trained in typical Canberra winter weather was certainly one of the tougher assignments we have to do. The funeral itself, which was attended by no less than the Chief of the Defence Force and Chief of Navy, went like clockwork. Three hours on parade from start to finish is a long time. Congratulations must go to Able Seaman Jamie Lawson for his rendition of the ‘Last Post and Reveille’ in front of so many of our superiors. It would be remiss of me not to thank Warrant Officer Wright, wearing the cap of Ceremonial Parade Trainer. His wealth of knowledge and experience ensured that the rehearsals and funeral ran smoothly. Also the assistance of Warrant Officer Granger on cornet, who thought he was going on a ‘jolly’ was also appreciated.

After a delayed departure from Perth, and another stopover in Adelaide to disembark the locals and re-fuel, we finally arrived back in Melbourne shortly before 0100 Saturday morning. As you can imagine the mandatory one and a half hour bus ride to Cerberus was quite uneventful with lots of “shut eye” on the agenda. Quite a week; I’m sure you’ll agree. In closing I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have served under me during my 14-month tenure as Music Director and Officer in Charge of the Melbourne detachment. As a branch we have undergone some significant changes during this time. Your enthusiasm, loyalty and professionalism have been very much appreciated. Your input of ideas and constructive criticism in order to continually improve our vision has also been greatly valued. Thankyou for your support, and I wish you continued success under the direction of Lieutenant Steve Stanke.

The return journey to Melbourne had the detachment split up on three different flights. Two of the flights went via Sydney with a two-hour and four-hour stopover respectively, and a four-hour wait at Canberra airport for those travelling on the direct flight. After only a few hours rest at a motel close to the airport, it was back again by 0530 to prepare for our day trip to Perth in support of the Welcome Home Parade. Our chartered Qantas 767, with the three Melbourne based service bands’ onboard, departed at 0630, landing in Adelaide a little over an hour later to pick up approximately 120 sailors and soldiers that had served as part of Op Falconer and Relex. Almost an hour and a half wait on the tarmac at Adelaide airport, while the plane refuelled, had us arrive at Perth International Airport somewhat late! After a quick change into uniform, a little confusion and a search for our instruments, we headed to the city for a quick rehearsal and sound check. A big thank you to the members of the Western Australian detachment under the our newly appointed Warrant Office Arend Bekendam, for their support in enabling us to parade a 40piece parade band, and to another Reservist, Seaman Stephanie Monk from the Tasmanian detachment, who sung the National Anthem as part of the tri-service vocal trio.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

These events took place in South Australia between 20 Jan 03 and 30 May 03 as part of the South Australian detachment commitments. We kicked off the year with a visit to Kangaroo Island at the invitation of the Cygnet River Jockey Club for a weekend of racing and Australia Day activities. The January long weekend is a special time on the island as it incorporates the first race meeting of the year at the Cygnet River Racecourse on Saturday 25 January. Many of the island’s residents attended the event, as did hundreds of visitors from the mainland. A feature of this year’s event was a series of performances throughout the day by the South Australian detachment.

The march was very well received by the citizens of Perth, with many thousands waving Aussie flags and praising the taskforce, as the parade wound its way through the city streets. If the appreciation displayed by the public didn’t make you feel proud to be a member of our Defence Force, then I believe nothing will, especially when the Melbourne detachment concluded the parade by marching off to

The Rock Group played a mix of soul, blues and rock which proved to be too much for many patrons who couldn't help but get up and dance in the 40 degree plus temperature. The weekend continued on Sunday with the Australia Day breakfast at the Kingscote Yacht Club. The breakfast brought together locals and visitors to the island who had attended Australia Day celebrations in Kingscote and the event also coincided with the K.I. to Adelaide Yacht Race. The final performance for the weekend was on Sunday evening at the Penneshaw Town Hall. It was billed as a Cabaret Show and the organisers went to great lengths to dress up the hall and create a club-like atmosphere, which set the scene for a truly memorable night. The Stage Band’s reputation had filtered throughout the community and this ensured a packed house. As well as the usual selection of popular music, we played practically every swing tune in our repertoire. Soon after the show began, the dance floor was packed and stayed that way throughout the entire show. The weekend was seen as a great opportunity to bond and get the band quickly up to standard early in the year.

The detachments ANZAC Day began at the Port Adelaide Dawn Service, and apparently it was one of the biggest turnouts in many years. On a lovely autumn morning, the detachment provided excellent musical support to what is a well organised and moving service. Breakfast at the Naval Association was terrific and we were in good spirits for the Commemorative March. We played well on the march to enthusiastic crowds, the ‘Rig Run’ to the Union Hotel and street party was well worth a look and overall my first and last ANZAC Day in Adelaide was quite memorable. ANZAC Day this year coincided with the Far East Strategic Reserve reunion in Adelaide. Our main involvement was for their reunion dinner. The Jazz Group provided dinner and dance music and then we kicked it along with Rock Group later on. Our contribution was well received and appreciated. For many months I’d gradually been working up new charts for a formal concert performance at the Noarlunga College Theatre. The theatre seats about 500 people and is well equipped for band performances. The show was a huge success and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone for their professionalism and commitment to the performance. I managed to get everyone kitted up with the new Concert Uniform; so visually we all looked quite smart. The Director of Music, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson was at the performance and was impressed enough to agree to a repeat performance. The concert is planned to coincide with Navy Week in South Australia and will be held at the Elder Hall in November.

February saw the first ship’s visit for the year by HMAS Adelaide. The ship’s program included a Ceremonial Sunset and Freedom of Entry; so there was much to do with only two rehearsal nights. The detachment had demonstrated last year that they were capably of performing a technically difficult but entertaining marching display, so I was very keen to maintain our reputation as a quality marching ensemble. Once again, from all reports the marching display and Ceremonial Sunset went very well and the Freedom of Entry went without a hitch, including the seven beat drum halt.

My tenure here in Adelaide comes to an end in July. Chief Petty Officer Doug Antonoff will be returning as Bandmaster and I wish him a happy and rewarding posting. I’d like to thank all the members of the South Australian detachment during my time as Bandmaster for their support, dedication, enthusiasm and sense of humour. In particular, I’d like to thank Able Seaman Belinda Marks who took up the challenge of lead female vocalist at short notice and surprised everyone with her talent and versatility.

March saw us perform at a number of major events, including the SA Police Expo where an estimated 100,000 people took the opportunity to view the impressive displays painstakingly constructed within the grounds of the Fort Largs Police Academy. Our Rock Group attracted very large crowds to their marquee where the visitors to the expo could sit and enjoy their lunch while being entertained by the group. Mid March saw us perform to good crowds at the Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival and the Moana Surf Lifesaving Club.

We have all grown together and our achievements have been significant. I wish all members of the detachment good luck for the future and extend my sincere gratitude for all their efforts.

The Public Event of Significance for this financial year was the Clipsal 500, and there was plenty to see apart from noisy racing cars, colourful petrol heads and scantly clad promotion girls! We have a terrific reputation at the event with a designated performance area, flexible performance times, a guaranteed enthusiastic audience, excellent admission passes and if you like fast cars there’s plenty of them too. We received outstanding Public Relations support, set up by the Public Affairs and Corporate Communication department at Keswick Barracks, which included TV coverage, a Radio interview, PR shots with one of the V8 Pit Crews and exposure to an audience in the tens of thousands.

All the best from Adelaide.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PHIL CLEVELAND

Hi again from the northern border. Up here in sunny Queensland we have been busy performing for everyone

form school kids at Beerwah to Surf Girl Quests…. To expand:

May brought us the Coral Sea Memorial Service, the unforgettable Ipswich Show and the World Seniors Rugby Tournament Opening Ceremony in which 5000 participants from all over the world converged on Brisbane for a week of football. For those who are unaware of the rules of this tournament; the general rules were applied to players under the age of 60 with normal tackling rules applied; over the age of 60 was touch only and the player had to drop the ball. If the player was over 70 and actually got the ball, they couldn’t be touched in anyway shape or form; so therefore if your team is behind, give the ball to your 70+ yr old player and you could score a try as long as he didn’t drop the ball involuntarily. It was definitely something different!

The start of the year was somewhat slow but it soon sped to a feverish pace around March. We started with the Naval Association State conference in Redcliffe, where we performed a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset for the public and members of the associations who were present outside the Redcliffe RSL. Then we moved inside where our Brass Group, Jazz Group and finally the Stage Band performed for the night. We received a standing ovation when we marched into the hall performing marches from the older era. As a spin off from this job we have been requested in August to perform in Maroochydore for a Jazz Festival with James Morrison.

Toward the end of May we also broached new territory and played at the Brisbane Town Hall for the Citizenship Ceremony for 600 new Australians and their families and invited guests.

March also saw us back on North Stradbroke at the Little Ship Club for the Opening Day of the Sailing Season. The Senior Naval Officer of Navy Headquarters, South Queensland, is the patron for the club and as patron is expected to open the season and bless the fleet. After the official ceremonies concluded we flashed up the stage band and played into the wee hours of the night. The event is always well advertised and attracts tourists from the mainland who actually have nothing to do with the Club but hear about the great night that is had by all and can’t wait to tell their friends and relatives and come over to enjoy the festivities.

We are now well into June and we have just finished a Jazz Festival on North Stradbroke Island, which was well serviced by bands and patrons. We are heading towards the Reserve Forces Parades in Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle. The last time the Queensland detachment was in Sydney was for the 1988 bash at the Opera House and the Fleet Review; so we are really looking forward to getting out of Brissy for a few days and spreading our wings.

April was the usual ANZAC Day run around; we started with a coup when we performed at the Dawn Service in Brisbane, which is the first time a Navy Band has performed at this service. Able Seaman Dave Coit performed one of the best renditions of Last Post and Reveille that I have heard in quite a while. Dave also was interviewed by one of the leading radio stations and his interview and call was played throughout the day. Whilst that was going on Able Seaman Darren Skaar was at Bulimba Barracks playing for their Dawn Service before we combined to march down the main street of Bulimba for the Bulimba Memorial service. On completion, we travelled to the city where we marched onto the parade prior to the main march. We start every year at the bottom end of the city and march to the top end; it’s one of those naval traditions in Brissy that the public and the participants of the march look forward to seeing. We were number 63 in the parade this year so about one hour after marching onto the parade we stepped off again for the main parade. After the parade we embarked our coach again and headed for the Kedron Wavell Services Club and performed a concert for the members and guests of the club. We had an audience of around 400 in the auditorium and that finally concluded our ANZAC Day.

By the time the next edition is due, I will have handed over the reigns, so from me to you and yours, thanks for heaps of great memories, experiences and good times and I look forward to catching up with you all for a cleansing ale or two. If you’re ever in Brisvegas drop me a line or give me a call. You can leave the Navy but the Navy can’t leave you!!

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT HILLHOUSE

The Tasmanian detachment’s year started with a stage band performance at the Clarence Jazz Festival in February. The festival attracts interstate jazz musicians and is considered highly amongst musicians. We have Warrant Officer Dale Granger posted to the Defence Force School of Music as Assistant Training Development Officer from January to June and Able Seaman Stephanie Monk posted to the Melbourne Detachment as a vocalist for the second half of the year. Leading Seaman’s Miriam and Damien Norman have taken six months off to be with their new baby girl and Able Seaman Dan Freeman (saxophone and bass guitar) is trying his hand as a musician in Europe. This has put a lot of pressure on the band with so many away. The good news is we welcome Recruit’s Angus Donald (guitar), Richard Armstrong (bass guitar), Emerson Shuey

Also in April we visited the Beerwah State School and performed a workshop and community concert for the residents of Beerwah. The whole town turned out; all 100 of them. The audience appreciated the concert and the students got a real kick out of hearing and playing with a “real” band.

(trumpet) and Bryony Dwyer (saxophone/vocalist). They fill vital positions that we could not operate without and make the prospect of a better and busier second half to the year.

pack my personal belongings in preparation for my posting to the "College of Knowledge" next month. My replacement, Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron takes over the reigns on 23 Jun 03, and I wish him the best of luck in his new role as the Bandmaster of the Western Australian detachment. For those who don't know, Danny (and Cath) is coming from Canberra where he was the Navy's Recruiting Target Manager and I have no doubt that he will be bringing with him some very useful knowledge in this area. My time here has been very informative and rewarding. Some changes have been well received and some not so well received, but all have been for the betterment of the Branch in general. Unfortunately, as we don't have ACT's anymore, thus are unable to work together as often as would be preferred, you will have to take my word for it that I am leaving a very effective and harmonious unit behind, which is only going to get better under Danny’s guidance. Lastly, I would like to thank all the members of this detachment for their loyalty and dedication to me AND to the job, over the past two and a half years.

Able Seaman Tracy Cooke has been selected for the Tasman Scheme and has spent two weeks with the New Zealand Navy Band in June. I have asked her to write an article for the newsletter. The Tasman Scheme offers an exchange between New Zealand and Tasmania but is trying to open it to other states. On return she is required to make a presentation, a small price to pay for a paid trip away. Able Seaman’s David Anderson and Tracy Cooke have been on the Section Leaders Course, prerequisite for promotion to Leading Seaman. This is the first time the course has included reserves and has traditionally been a six-week course for regular members. As part of the integration of reserves and regulars they get 12 months to complete the course as a Distance Education Training (DET) package. Able Seaman David Anderson is leaving us in August to teach English in Japan for a year. He has recently completed a composition degree and has been our keyboard player and arranger for the last five years. Although he plans on returning he has been the anchor in the rhythm section and will be missed. We wish all the best on his overseas adventure.

Yours AYE Arend Bekendam

MUSICIANS DEPLOYED IN A COMBAT ROLE

We say goodbye and good luck to Able Seaman Simon Tyler (trumpet). He has recently purchased a bicycle and plans to ride from Melbourne to Perth. On completion he would like to continue his university studies interstate. We may see him with the Western Australian Detachment in the future. Simon has been our lead trumpet since WOMUSN Granger left and will be missed. We wish Simon safe roads and a good tail wind.

Continued from page 1. A ‘Medical Evacuation’…. (Chris) It was the big one, the ORE (Operational Readiness Examination), the culmination of our intense ‘O Loc’ workup. We were an hour into the DCX (Damage Control Exercise) when we the ship came under simulated attack from enemy fighter jets. Our repair base suffered major damage and to make it as real as possible a member of ‘The Green Team’ came into our compartment and handed out injury/fatality cards. For the ones ‘lucky’ enough to be ‘killed’ it was the end of the exercise. My card, complete with a real photograph of the injury, stated that I had sustained a massive compound fracture to the right leg. After initial treatment by the medics I was moved to the ships hospital. There it was decided that due to the serious nature of my injuries I would have to be airlifted off the ship. A nervous stretcher ride out to the helicopter followed (I was sure they were going to drop me!). There the realism of the exercise was relaxed a bit and instead of going into the helicopter on the stretcher I was able to sit in one of the seats. We then took off and flew around for 20 mins to simulate the journey to a hospital before landing back on the ship. Since I was theoretically off the ship at that point I

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER AREN BEKENDAM

Is it that time of year again? Boy how time flies when you're having fun. Since our last newsletter we have had three promotions, and they were Chief Petty Officer Tait, Petty Officer Starkie and Leading Seaman Cobb. Congratulations again to those members. So far this year things have been fairly quiet, but we have still been able to retain a presence in the area with various commitments, probably the most notable of them being the Rockingham Mussel Festival (YUM!!), which was in conjunction with the Tourism and Aquaculture Commissions, and the Commissioning Ceremony and consequent Ball (along with six members of Sydney detachment) for the last of the Collins Class Sub's HMAS Rankin. It is with a slightly sad heart that I start to

was not allowed to take part in the rest of the exercise, which went on for another couple of hours, lucky me!

Muscat, the port city of Oman. We also look forward to stopovers in Colombo and Singapore before we finish our deployment with a family cruise from Cairns to Sydney.

Desert Duck

As we begin sailing for home we can reflect on how lucky we have been. Although we faced numerous threats and at times ‘sailed close to the wind’, we are relieved that we have come through the experience unscathed. It’s been an amazing five months and a chapter in our lives that we will never forget.

(Chris) “Hands stand to flying stations, prepare to receive Desert Duck aft”. This was one of the most eagerly anticipated pipes made during our time in The Gulf. Desert Duck is the nickname given to the fleet of Sea King helicopters that transport stores, passengers and more importantly mail to and from naval ships in the area. They would land on Kanimbla once or twice a week but we never knew if they were carrying mail until we actually started unloading.

MUSICIANS ONBOARD HMAS ADELAIDE

The other interesting thing about ‘The Duck’ is how their aircrew painted yellow prints across our flight deck. We had been pre-warned that this was the habit of theirs, kind of like a calling card to say that they had landed on the ship. It took about a month but sure enough one day they got us. Just before the aircraft was due to take off one of the aircrewmen jumped out and stamped the deck with a line of yellow duck prints.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

After all the gear had been freighted from Sydney to Perth, the eight members that were nominated for sea were ready. All NBCD and Advanced NBCD courses were completed, medicals done. After collecting medical and dental documents, our post-out was complete.

Sand Storm

Monday, 26 May 2003, all our bags are packed and we are waiting at the airport. Usual story; hurry up and wait as our plane was delayed by 90 minutes. The flight over was smooth and transport at the other end was waiting for us. We went via Irwin Barracks to be greeted by Chief Petty Officer Bekendam who had all our gear waiting for us. We loaded it into the trailer and were on our final destination to HMAS Adelaide at Fleet Base West.

(Sonya) One night before the war, our flight deck team was psyched up for five deck landings of which most would be hot refuels. During the twilight we had landed a helicopter with no problems, and now at 23:00 we stepped outside with a cylume stick each in our sleeve pockets and our cranials on ready to receive our next land on. We waited on the aft flight deck, and waited,… and waited. There was a strange substance in the air. Visibility waning so that we could no longer see any lights on the water or in the sky. Like mist or fog- yet neither, we concluded that it was dust! We were tasting the little gritty bits in our mouths. Very strange! We were in the middle of a sand storm, which from Kuwait, had blown itself out to sea. Bad news for the visiting helo that spent fifty minutes trying to find us! In an effort to help them our ship’s searchlights shone at full beam from the main mast into the dust blanket hovering over the ship. Though at one stage we distinctly heard the helo, we could see only dust and darkness. Even the idea of a trail of smoke flares from the pyrotechnics locker seemed futile. An hour later they radioed us to say they were safely on US ship Valley Forge. They would otherwise have had to ditch in the ocean.

We arrived at the gangway, met the Officer of the Day and were told that they weren’t expecting us until Thursday. Lucky we got there on Monday, as power for the amps was hard to get. We finally had power for everything by Wednesday afternoon.

Back inside the hanger the dust filled the air and looking up the breezeway you could barely see the roller door at the other end. Our faces (bar a patch around our eyes from the goggles), were caked with sand as were our cranials, overalls and boots. It was so dusty. I can only imagine how it would have been to experience this dust storm ashore.

The ships program had changed at the last moment. We were now going to sail on Saturday morning instead of Friday. First day out at sea was great. No one in the band got seasick. Rehearsals had already begun whilst we were alongside and now rehearsing at sea. Our first gig was for Replenishment at Sea with United States Naval Ship Yukon. After six days at sea, we finally saw land. We were

(Chris, Meredith and Sonya) We have now left the Northern Arabian Gulf and have begun our journey home. As we write this we are pulling into

going to refuel at Christmas Island. The Ships Company were granted a SWIMEX for about an hour in crystal clear blue water. We weighed anchor and finally en route to Chennai, India.

We all had Damage Control walkthroughs and were confident on how to use a Bauer Air Compressor. Damage Control Exercises happened and the band were manning the compressors and recharging the bottles for the next exercise. This freed up the ship’s company to do their jobs and everyone was happy again. The ship’s next stop was Singapore as Phuket was cancelled because of high terrorism threats. All the Able Seaman had a day each doing Force Protection in both Chennai and Singapore. Not many gigs were scheduled whilst alongside. Our only gig whilst in Singapore was a cocktail party onboard HMS Marlborough on the second night in. There was lots of shopping to be had by all and people comparing prices on whom got a better bargain. All in all, everyone picked up a great bargain and saved about 50% off prices compared to home.

Monday morning came and we pulled into Chennai (formerly known as Madras). Final rehearsals happened for Ceremonial Sunset and the Cocktail party. About 150 guests were present for the evening function.

Six days in Singapore was the duration of the stay. Once again, we weighed anchor and were now involved in “Flying Fish 2003”. This exercise saw Malaysian, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Singaporean ships. The band played for RAS’s, Steel Deck BBQ’s and also a Sports Day. We are in middle of the exercise and won’t be back for another two weeks. We will stop in Singapore for a snappy refuel and food before returning back to Perth on the 10th July. The band is staying another day onboard Adelaide as she will be hosting a Family Day on the 11th July.

The next day we played at Mithra School for disadvantaged and less fortunate children. The day was a big success on the musical side. Most of these kids have never seen a saxophone, trombone or trumpet in their life before. Talk about having a completely captivated audience that were entranced by these instruments. The ship’s company built the school a new playground while others painted a mural including the talents of our newly promoted Petty Officer Kara Williams.

I would like to take this opportunity to thanks the members that were my sea buddies onboard the mighty Adelaide. They are: Petty Officer Brad Scudds (Drums), Petty Officer Kara Williams (Keyboard), Leading Seaman Aaron Geeves (Guitar), Able Seaman Tracy Burke (Vocal), Able Seaman Kirstin Sampson (Trumpet), Able Seaman Shaun Tatnell (Trombone) and Able Seaman Stuart Vandegraaff (Saxophone and Vocal). A good time was had by all. We helped where we could to relieve the ships companies duties. We cooked, we washed, we repaired computer systems that backed up vital data recordings (I did anyway) and did jobs that no one else wanted. Our Divisional Staff could not thank us enough. In the end, it was a job well done and the ship does not want us to go. Thanks to all once again.

That night, the group rigged up again at the Park Hotel for a fundraiser for the Rugby Club and the school we played for earlier that day. Most of the ship’s company turned up to the function including Maritime Commander. The night turned out to be a mini ship’s ball and a great time was had by all.

FLEET HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT CELL ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER KIRSTY JONES

Friday morning we set sail again and sailed into heavy seas. Exercises were the order of the day with an Indian ship. Late afternoon saw us all manning ship. The Indian ship sailed past us and we “Cheered Ship” to each other. This is the first time I have seen a “Cheer Ship” other than a commissioning.

Since December 2002 I have been performing the role of Fleet Manning and Training Assistant (FMANTA) in the Fleet Human Resource department (FHRM) at Maritime Headquarters (MHQ). My team consists of myself and Fleet

MUSIC AS THERAPY

Manning and Training Officer (FMANTO); together we deal with Personnel Deficiency Reports (PDR), Personnel Impact Reports (PIR) and Augmentation issues for all FLEET Units. The majority of my FMANTA role however, is consumed with satisfying PDRs and reporting on personnel deficiencies to the Chief Combat Support Group and Maritime Commander.

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ANN BRADBERY

Simply put, music can heal people1 Music Therapy is a profession that utilises music to attend to the identifiable requirements of individuals with illnesses, disabilities and other special needs. As with physiotherapy and occupational therapy, music therapy is a part of the greater healthcare industry. It is a field of study that attracts music educators and musicians who wish to use their musical skills in a more therapeutic manner. Music therapy is being used increasingly in the areas of correctional and forensic settings, response to crisis and trauma, special education, mental health, as well as with young children and older adults. It is a therapy that can be applied across the widest spectrum of the community because it does not rely on clients having had any previous musical experience.

FLEET Units produce PDRs when position vacancies arise for short periods of time (under 91 days) which affect operational capability. These vacancies normally arise due to the incumbent becoming temporarily unfit for sea service or requiring leave for urgent compassionate circumstances. Once we receive the PDR, the Hazard Risk Indicator (HRI) is assessed and a priority is assigned according to capability impact. High priority PDRs infer the Unit is unable to complete the assigned task or mission and the ship will be unable to sail without the appropriately qualified operational relief. The FLEET Activity Schedule (FAS) normally entails Units sailing on Monday mornings and PDR trends reveal Friday morning as the most popular time for personnel to become TMU; hence our Friday afternoons can become very hectic. During my short time as FMANTA we have come very close to tying up HMA Ships alongside due to these personnel deficiencies, and on numerous occasions we have certainly delayed sailing a few hours in order to transport the appropriate relief interstate.

MUSIC THERAPY IN CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS Music therapists work with clients who may be in prison, in secure mental health institutions, in group homes as well as with clients who may be in the community on parole or probation. Their role is to firstly assess the client’s needs and then to develop and instigate a treatment programme based on those needs. The needs of these clients are many and varied and may include cognitive, physical, psychological, emotional, social, spiritual and communicative struggles.

All Royal Australian Navy personnel posted to shore establishments have an operational relief obligation of up to 91 days per year and volunteer status is not required. We do however, try to maintain a reasonable level of human resource management by relying on the good will of Regulators to provide the personnel we require at ‘the sharp end’ with very short notice. In sourcing an operational relief, much time is spent liaising with the relevant Sailor and Officer Career Managers, the Force Element Groups (FEG), Regional Reserve Pools (RRP) and shore establishments nationally. The greatest challenge in identifying an operational relief is due to the critical undermanning of many categories including Cooks (CK), Communications Information System operators (CIS), and specific streams of the Marine Technician (MT) and Electronic Technician (ET) branches. Specific personnel issues are flagged to MC in a weekly brief and we engage in regular video conferences with DNOP, DSCM, and the FEGs to discuss ways ahead.

Music therapists in correctional settings use four methods of treatment:

Working in this position at MHQ has been extremely challenging professionally. The experience has given me the opportunity to dramatically increase my service knowledge of the FLEET, while gaining visibility of the critical human resource issues present in today’s NAVY. The opportunity to experience crisis management of personnel on this level has been exhilarating and the opportunity to work in a highly motivated team environment, inspiring. As with all out-of-branch opportunities experienced by the Musician Category, I believe we are bringing further credibility and respect to our professional capabilities through working to ‘bridge the gap’. I am confident the category will only benefit from the skills and knowledge gained through experiences such as these.

RECEPTIVE methods involve listening and responding to music that is either being performed live, or from a recording. For example, music is used to promote dance and movement for clients that are normally confined to small restrictive environments, such as a prison cell.

IMPROVISATION uses the voice, instruments and body percussion to invent and perform music. This is particularly useful for rechannelling detrimental emotions of both individuals and groups.

RECREATIVE methods involve clients practicing and performing written music. This allows clients to gain a sense of mastery and also promotes productive use of their ‘spare’ time.

Reid, H. in American Music Therapy Association (ed) “Quotes about music therapy” American Music Therapy Association. n.d. http://www.musictherapy.org/quotes.html (29MAY03)

COMPOSITION can take the form of songwriting or other more formal types of music. This method of music therapy encourages clients to follow a thoughtful process over a period of time, which can be therapeutic in itself. The client’s composition can be printed and/or recorded.

Alzheimer’s disease, the wife said: “Thank you for helping us dance. It’s the first time in three years that my husband held me in his arms.” Tearfully, she said that she had missed him just holding her and that music therapy had made that possible. 4 The role of the family in the treatment of the older client is significant. Music therapy is able to provide an opportunity for interaction between the older client and their partner or family. This translates as a positive communicative experience. It establishes a space where creative time spent music making and listening allows families to relax and also to re-establish a feeling of closeness in the family unit. Music therapy creates a medium where family bonding is able to begin and this occurs in the form of both verbal and non-verbal communication through music. Importantly, the therapeutic use of music provides the opportunity for the older adult’s primary caregiver to take much needed respite time.

MUSIC THERAPY RELATED TO CRISIS AND TRAUMA Music therapy is not designed to solve the problems that clients experience as a result of a crisis or trauma. It does however, help both children and adults learn the skills to deal with their difficult emotions. More specifically, music therapy evokes emotional reactions because of the familiarity and predictable nature of the music. It is able to affect the client’s relaxation, respiration rate, pain levels and degree of anxiety. [Music therapy] can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between isolation and interaction, between chronic pain and comfort – between demoralisation and dignity. 2

MUSIC THERAPY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

MUSIC THERAPY AND OLDER ADULTS

Children with special needs are able to reach educational goals through the intervention of music therapy. It stimulates their motivation to participate and heightens attention, as well as developing communication skills, amongst other positive effects. Music therapy is also effective in the treatment of children with autism.

The application of music in the therapeutic treatment of older persons is beneficial for targeting physical, psychological, cognitive and/or social functioning. For the older client, music therapy is able to promote positive changes such as memory recall, anxiety reduction, stress alleviation, pain management, social interaction and emotional intimacy.

Music therapy can enable those without language to communicate, participate and express themselves nonverbally. Very often music therapy also assists in the development of verbal communication, speech, and language skills. The interpersonal timing and reciprocity in shared play, turn-taking, listening and responding to another person are augmented in music therapy with children and adults with autism to accommodate and address their styles of communication. 5

I regard music therapy as a tool of great power in many neurological disorders–Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s– because of its unique capacity to organise or reorganize cerebral function when it has been damaged. 3 As an example, with the assistance of music therapy, older adult’s memory recall improves which increases the client’s contentment with their life. This improvement occurs because the older adult is able to reminisce about their life and thus recall positive experiences, which enhance their current outlook. In a like manner, emotional intimacy can be developed when music therapy involves both the older client as well as their partner or family. This is amplified by the following quote:

CONCLUSION Music therapy is a valuable and viable therapeutic tool. It can be applied to the broadest spectrum of the community and will produce positive and beneficial results. Music therapy is an important discipline that produces amazing improvements in clients, not only reducing levels of pain and discomfort but also developing meaningful

When a couple danced together for the first time after five years of the husband’s deterioration from probable

Crowe, B. in American Music Therapy Association (ed) “Quotes about music

therapy”

American

Music

Therapy

Association.

n.d.

Adults”

http://www.musictherapy.org/quotes.html (29MAY03) 3

American Music Therapy Association (ed) “Music Therapy and Older American

Music

Therapy

Association.

n.d.

http://www.musictherapy.org/factsheets/olderadults.html (29MAY03)

O. Sacks M.D. in American Music Therapy Association (ed) “Quotes

American Music Therapy Association (ed) “Music Therapy and

about music therapy” American Music Therapy Association. n.d.

Special Education” American Music Therapy Association. n.d.

http://www.musictherapy.org/quotes.html (29MAY03)

http://www.musictherapy.org/factsheets/specialed.html (29MAY03)

relationships with family members and encouraging educational achievements.

electronics are now to be found in as large a quantity as works for percussion ensembles or solo percussion with orchestra.

THE XYLOPHONE

After a period with no art during the war years, the boundaries opened up for creative artists and art-lovers alike. The paths between nations became shorter, mutual understanding greater. The musical world of one’s neighbours presented itself for comparison and it was established that percussion in other continents belongs to the musical reality of ordinary life. Whether it was South American folklore, Asian ritual dances or African communication rites – percussion instruments played, and continues to play a dominating role.

“Two skeletons copulating on a tin roof.” (Sir Thomas Beecham)6 ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN PETER COBB

It is an unfortunate, hardly explicable phenomenon that western musical culture has been capable of devaluing percussion instruments as musical instruments – putting them quite simply ‘on the shelf’ over a period of centuries. The almost inexhaustible sound potential of percussion went unheard, stayed forgotten, and for a long time it eked out a more than wretched existence on dance floors [and street corners].7

It is not only the composers and performers of the New Music and Avant-garde who helped percussion to integrate itself into our musical culture, it was above all the ‘navvies’ of academic musical training. More and more teachers discovered that with the help of percussion instruments they could bring children out of the passive attitude that become so customary. In musical pre-education even the smallest children had a lasting feeling of success when playing percussion instruments. The different materials (skin, wood, metal) awaken the sensitivity towards natural sounds in children precisely at this important age. Musical therapy also values the use of meditative percussion music in the successful ‘treatment’ of autism, children with drug addiction, etc.

This ‘cloak of oblivion’ first started to be lifted when Claude Debussy rediscovered percussion upon seeing a SouthEast Asian Gamelan Orchestra at the World Exhibition in Paris in 1878.8 It was lifted completely when Bela Bartok wrote his ‘Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion’ (1930). Igor Stravinsky (‘The Soldier’s Tale’, 1918), Carl Orff (‘Carmina Burana’, 1936) and other 20th century composers finally took percussion instruments out from their hiding place. In particular, the uninhibited American John Cage, who wrote compositions for pure percussion ensembles, was not bound to a rigid musical aesthetic (‘First Construction in Metal’, 1937).9 He created his works with the American pioneering spirit of those who lack an established tradition, who were able to construct new things without demolishing the old.

The rediscovery of percussion has a variety of reasons. On the one hand it is a long overdue release from the narrow restraints of western musical culture. On the other hand, creative sterility is dispelled in a striking way by working with percussion instruments. And finally there arises here the fascinating kaleidoscope of a world of sound that spreads out in front of those who surrender themselves to the magic of percussion.

This subsequent generation of composers recognised the untapped resources of sound of an almost limitless number of percussion instruments. Pierre Boulez (‘Improvisation sur Mallarme’, 1957) and Mauricio Kagel (‘Match’, 1952) succumbed to this fascination just as much as Karlheinz Stockhausen (‘Kontakte’, 1959-60) or Roman HaubenstockRamati (‘Symphonies de Timbres’, 1959)10. The literature of percussion has grown since the 1950’s into an independent library. Works for solo percussion and solo percussion with 6

Blades, J. (1977) Drum Roll, Faber and Faber Limited, p. 259.

Hausemann, S.V. (1975) ‘Drums in Action’ Percussion Ensemble

And so, the lonely kettle-drummer who survived all negations of percussion instruments in the past, received more and more company soon after the event of Debussy at the World Exhibition.11 Still, it took some time until percussion instruments were formed into independent orchestras or ensembles. What happened to be a great musical event for the European people was already quite popular in other parts of the world. Just think of the steelbands of Trinidad, or the spontaneously-formed rhythm bands while the carnivals of Rio take place. Even older are the Indonesian Gamelan orchestras and the percussion groups of the African races which accompanied rituals such as divine services, weddings and funerals.

Siegfried Fink, MTH 183, Thorofon Capella, Disc sleeve p. 2. 8

Hausemann, S.V. op.cit., Disc sleeve p. 1.

See Vincent-Malettra, F. (1975) “Americana” Les Percussions De Strasbourg, Philips 6526017, Prospective 21 Siecle, Disc sleeve p. 2.

Hausemann, S.V. (1974) ‘Drums in Concert’ Percussion

See Smith Brindle, R. (1975) Contemporary Percussion, Oxford

Ensemble Siegfried Fink, MTH 149, Thorofon Capella, Disc sleeve

University Press, pp. 90-96.

p. 4.

And, it is worth remembering what often results out of ‘potbeating’ on children’s birthdays: boys and girls have a great time with their passionate drumming – the first step to an ad-hoc percussion ensemble.12 In spite of the responsibility, today’s percussionists seem to feel they can not avoid the natural feeling and passion for ‘striking in a musical fashion’. A typical example is the school percussion ensemble which plays with the enjoyment of children beating their mother’s pots and pans and shows, at the same time, the intelligent analysis of metre and sound construction.

instruments were constructed which made it possible to explore new eras of sound, but new, previously undreamed-of riches were also being found in instruments known for a long time – percussion. The composer’s curiosity about tones and sounds which might interpret the dynamics of the new era led the bruitists (from the French “bruit” meaning ‘noise’) and the futurists to experiment with different so-called ‘noise instruments’ in the beginning of the 20th century.15 Possibly the first composer to write music especially for percussion was Dmitri Shostakovitch who, in 1923 composed ‘Intermezzo No. 14’ for an independent percussion orchestra in his opera ‘Die Nase’ (The Nose). However, the first composer who really showed the way to new developments with percussion was Edgard Varese who, in 1931, wrote ‘Ionisation’ for 13 musicians playing 40 percussion instruments.16 Since then hundreds of works have been written for percussion – solo or ensemble – and many virtuosic ensembles have been organised to perform the new and ever-increasing repertory.

Many of today’s composers experiment with the possibilities of percussion. Therefore they risk composing ‘sound pictures’ which cannot be mastered by traditional ensembles. Without the composer who works on the realisation of rhythm and melody, these groups are hardly able to transpose the composer’s ideas. As such, the composer of today’s percussion ensemble music offers a so-called service which is a world-wide exception: an ensemble playing music in all kinds of styles with absolute virtuosity. The repertoire includes everything: Jazz, Rock, Popular music, Avant-garde and the transcription or arrangements of classical music. There is hardly another ensemble which is both a ‘workshop’ and a ‘concert’ at the same time for the composers of contemporary music who love to use all kinds of styles.

‘Symphony for Percussion’ by Jose Serebrier. The career of Jose Serebrier is typical of the progress towards internationalism encountered amongst the younger Latin-American musicians.17 Serebrier’s career, like that of Edgard Varese, has been divided between conducting and composition. He was born in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1938, and studied at the Curtis Institute (1956-8) and University of Minnesota. His conducting work was then under the direction of Antal Dorati. He also attended composition classes at Tanglewood with Aaron Copland, and conducting with Pierre Monteux. He has since conducted many orchestras (including Australia’s ABC Orchestras), and was for two years composer-in-residence (1967-70) with George Szell’s Cleveland Orchestra. He has composed fairly prolifically, mainly chamber music and works for small orchestra.

The evolution of instruments is inextricably bound up with that of performers and composers. An exceptionally gifted virtuoso or a really outstanding ensemble of musicians triggers off a process, examples of which stand out like milestones in the history of music: because composers are always eager to extend their expressive resources, they eagerly seize these opportunities and create new and startling works, which in turn beget musicians capable of performing them. Fashion and taste play their part as well, galvanising the interest of the public for shorter or longer periods. The harpsichord, for example, after a long period of eclipse has enjoyed a revival of interest. Although percussion instruments are a very different case, they too exemplify this phenomenon in an interesting way.13 They used to be considered merely one element in the orchestral whole, but in the past four decades they have proven to reveal a remarkable capacity to take on the solo or pure ensemble roles, thanks to the strong personalities of an ever-growing number of virtuoso players.14

Serebrier’s Symphony for Percussion dates from 1964. It is written for five percussionists, playing on an extensive array of instruments: Percussion 1 Small suspended cymbal, small bongo drums, claves, cowbell, snare drum, large conga drum, maracas, tam-tam, guiro.

What was usually called “the music of our time” was marked to a high degree by discoveries, inventions. New electronic

Percussion 2 Medium suspended cymbal, conga drums, bass drum, timbales, wood block, large tenor drum, xylophone.

See Gell, H. (1967) Music, Movement and the Young Child, Australasian Publishing Co., pp. 211-212.

Mannoni, G. (1977) ‘Sylvio Gualda’ Percussion Vol.2, STU 71106,

Caprice, Disc sleeve p. 2.

Erato, Disc sleeve p. 2. 14

Johnson, B.E. (1976) ‘Rainer Kuisma’ Slagverk, CAP 1073,

See Serebrier, J. (1964) Symphony for Percussion, Peer International Publications.

See Smith Brindle, R. op.cit., pp. 102-104.

See Serebrier, J. op.cit.

Percussion 3

the start goes in triplets that are accentuated in two’s, against a number of syncopated elements in the accompaniment of bongo drums, timpani, cymbals and dance-band set. The xylophonist eventually turns the triplet theme into a semiquaver pattern, and the music works up to a climax, whereupon there is a short cadenza for the dance-band set player, who improvises around the motifs supplied (or plays it as written, if preferred). There is a short coda speeding up to the final flourish.

Timpani, xylophone, large suspended cymbal. Percussion 4 Tam-tam, bass drum, snare drum, guiro, tamboriles, wood block, maracas, crash cymbals, large suspended cymbal. Percussion 5 Medium suspended cymbal, dance-band set, vibraphone. Note: The ‘dance-band set’ consists of the standard 5-piece drum kit (including kick-pedal), suspended crash and ride cymbals and pair of hi-hat cymbals (including foot pedal). Analysis The work is a symphony in the sense that motifs are developed, juxtaposed and generally ordered into a coherent musical argument; and also in the older sense of the word ‘symphony’, a sounding of instruments – the music growing out of the very nature of the instruments used.18 There are 3 movements: Adagio-Conga, Solo (for Percussion 4 only) and, Moto Perpetuo e Cadenza. The function of the opening Adagio is to set the stage for the main Conga, which it does with a long build-up from pianissimo to triple fortissimo. Initially also, there are some curious effects as Percussion 1 scrapes a coin on the edge of a small suspended cymbal before reverting to normal stick technique. Percussion 1 has the main motif of the Conga, starting off Allegro comodo; played on the small bongo drum with hands. There are embellishments from conga drums and timpani, then bass drum and the danceband set joins in. The music grows quickly into an elaborate texture of fast semiquaver (sixteenth note) patterns exchanged between the various players. A change of tempo to Poco piu mosso introduces a new rhythmic motif on wood block and dance-band set in 6/8 + 2/8 times; the rest of the ensemble joins in immediately and the tempo moves into an even faster tempo as the maracas play a 4/4-time motif. Again, the texture becomes elaborate, the music excitable. Gradually, however, the pace moves back to a tempo just above that of the Adagio, with several bars of tremolando and trills and dynamics varying from one extreme to the other.

Bibliography

Blades, J. (1977) Drum Roll, Faber and Faber Limited, UK. Blades, J. and Bowen, M. (1977) ‘Music for Percussion Vol.1’ Tristan Fry Percussion Ensemble, GMFD 176004, Gale Maximum Fidelity Limited, UK. Gell, H. (1967) Music, Movement and the Young Child, Australasian Publishing Co., Australia.

The second movement is a short solo for Percussion 4, who moves in turn from snare drum to bass drum, tenor drum to suspended cymbal, and eventually tam-tam which is finally struck gently with the fist. The finale is a tour de force in textural subtlety, and although it is in 4/4-time, there are numerous, tricky cross-rhythms to engage the players’ fullest concentration. A xylophone theme, for instance, near

Hausemann, S.V. (1974) ‘Drums in Concert’ Percussion Ensemble Siegfried Fink, MTH 149, Thorofon Capella, Germany. Hausemann, S.V. (1975) ‘Drums in Action’ Percussion Ensemble Siegfried Fink, MTH 183, Thorofon Capella, Germany. Johnson, B.E. (1976) ‘Rainer Kuisma’ Slagverk, CAP 1073, Caprice, Sweden. Mannoni, G. (1977) ‘Sylvio Gualda’ Percussion Vol.2, STU 71106, Erato, France.

See Blades, J. and Bowen, M. (1977) ‘Music for Percussion Vol.1’ Tristan Fry Percussion Ensemble, GMFD 176004, Gale Maximum Fidelity, pp. 7-8.

“Huh? Oh yeah. That’d be great.”

Serebrier, J. (1964) Symphony for Percussion, Peer International Publications, USA.

“No worries. I’ll see if I can get you a towel for your shirt.”

Smith Brindle, R. (1975) Contemporary Percussion, Oxford University Press, UK.

“Thanks mate.” I can’t believe how badly this simple Christmas dinner party with George Benson is turning out to be. Oh well. I’ve just got to take a few deep breaths. Cut the losses. Regroup. And now focus on just being cool for when Mr Benson arrives.

Vincent-Malettra, F. (1975) “Americana” Les Percussions De Strasbourg, Philips 6526017, Prospective 21 Siecle, France.

AN EVENING WITH GEORGE BENSON

The doorbell rings. Oh crap. I begin to hyperventilate. My shirt! The stains on my shirt! My sweaty hands! What do I do with this empty beer bottle? Do I swap it over to my other hand? But what if I drop it? That it slips out of my hands because they’re all sweaty. Oh crap.

BY ABLE SEAMAN STEPHEN FOXE

Have you ever had one of those experiences where no matter how much you go through things over in your mind before an event, what ends up happening is completely surreal? Like the elation Cathy Freeman felt when she won the 400m at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. I kind of had an experience like that when I got to have dinner with a hero of mine, Mr George Benson late last year.

George is in the room, and somehow, we’ve all lined up to meet him, like the way people line up to greet the Queen at those gala nights that you see on the ABC on a Saturday night at ten o’clock. George is two away from me, and I realise this empty beer bottle is in my right hand. I’ve got to swap it over, without dropping it. I do it, and no drop. But now I realise the beer label has stuck to my right hand. And now George is one away from me. I start to madly wipe my hand on my shirt. But the label is only coming off in small shreds. It’s too late. I’m now being introduced to George Benson.

It happened like this. I’m standing in my neighbour’s lounge room talking all things frivolous as you do when you’re at a dinner party. I’ve got a Hahn Premium beer in my right hand while my left is working overtime scooping up a variety of nibblies and tid-bits on the nearby coffee table. The conversation I’m having is three ways. My neighbour, a civil rights lawyer, is asking me if I’m going to be going off to war soon, while my Dad is telling us that the family business should do well over this Christmas period. I can hear my Mum in the background talking to my neighbour’s wife about some new recipe for eggnog she’s dying to try out on Christmas day. Anyone looking in would see it as a typical Christmas gathering of friends and family. There is a relaxed, calm, pleasant feel in the room.

“…And this is Steve Foxe. He’s in the Navy. …He’s a musician…” I can see George’s beaming face. I stick out my hand to shake his, not daring to look at my own. I can only imagine what it looks like. White bits of paper, with yellow stains, all mixed up with sweat. We shake hands. He moves on. Doesn’t mention anything. I look at his hand. It’s got bits of paper stuck to it, which he quickly brushes off onto the side of his black trousers. He goes on meeting the other guests in the room.

Except from where I’m standing. While I’m trying to sound interested in the three way conversation that I’ve been caught up in, my mind is very distracted. Any minute now, George Benson is going to come through that door. What am I going to say? “George, I’m a huge fan!!!” Nah – too soppy. “Mr Benson. It truly is an honour.” Ah, jeez man. Get it together!

And that’s it. That’s my encounter with George Benson! Piece of cake really. Had it all under control. Yeah right!! The rest of the night goes extremely well. Terrific fellow. He’s got so many stories, like the time he caught up with Jaco Pastorious before going into an elevator in Iowa. I got to ask him heaps of questions about his career, his view on life and success. And he asked us questions, like what’s like to be an Aussie, and is everyone in Australia like Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter. “Yeah definitely. Right on Mr Benson!”

I’ve got sweaty hands, so I rub them onto my shirt. I forget that I’ve just finished a handful of cheezels, so now I’ve got some kind of wet cheese snack stain on my brown shirt. Excellent! “You’re finished!!” It’s my neighbour talking to me. “You’re finished!” I get this incredible heating sensation in my face, and my ears feel like they’re going to burst. I look down at my shirt.

The night gradually comes to a close. But not before I get George to sign my guitar and get a couple of photos for the record. He’s probably done this a thousand times, but he acts like it’s a big thrill for him also.

“I know. How stupid of me.”

We line up again to say our goodbyes, with George shaking hands and mentioning something about what that person

“No your beer. You’re finished. Want another?”

had mentioned over dinner. I stick my hand out to shake George. It’s clean, and it’s not even sweaty. He says something like “Keep on practising man” and then he’s out the door.

negative response should always be the last resort. Rather, a redirective response should be attempted. The Redirection Response20 Describe the error or problem as soon as possible, clearly and without blame

I so wished that my beginning to the evening could have gone as well as my end to the evening. And while I rehearsed what I was going to say to George Benson, like Cathy Freeman, I could not anticipate what exactly that moment was going to be like. I think next time I’m just going to have to be cool. But I somehow get the feeling I’ll probably end up having an experience that is not entirely different from this one I had when I spent an evening with George Benson.

Show its negative impact If appropriate, take the blame for not making the task clear Go over the task in detail and make sure it is clearly understood. Express your continuing trust and confidence in the person

THE ART OF ENCOURAGEMENT

The intention of the redirective response as illustrated above is to set up a positive response by redirecting energy back onto the task at hand or onto something else. This again opens up the possibility where we can catch people doing things right! However, if someone continues with unacceptable behaviour, despite knowing what is right, then it becomes an issue of character and attitude. Also, it is important to understand the value of praising progress and not just waiting until the outcome is perfect. Through praising progress we actually build for success in people’s lives.

Praise people immediately Be specific about what they did right or almost right Share your positive feelings about what they did Encourage them to keep up the good work19 ABLE SEAMAN LUKE GILMOUR & ABLE SEAMAN TIMOTHY WHINCOP

In a musical environment, the idea of creating an encouraging and uplifting culture is even more important. As Roy Burns says in his article in Modern Drumming Concepts, “When you develop this type of positive attitude, negative people can’t touch you…you are so busy enjoying practicing, improving, and experiencing the joy of music…”21

Creating an environment or culture is an aspect of work life that is often misunderstood, forgotten, or unwittingly dismissed as an unnecessary concern. Yet, the culture of any team is one of the most important and defining characteristics. Understanding environment creation within the workplace, how it works, how we can change it and what we should change into, can provide higher morale, greater capacity to fulfil expectations, and a greater mutual respect for leaders and sub-ordinates alike. We currently have a work ‘environment’ or ‘culture’ whether we like it or not! The question is this, “How can we enhance this culture to provide solutions to performance, expectations, morale and foster excellence?” True and sincere encouragement enabled by catching people doing things right, has proven time and time again that it can bring out the best in people.

In fact, in our experience working with other successful teams outside of the Navy we have found that encouragement is one of the single greatest tools used by successful leaders. World-renowned management and leadership guru, Ken Blanchard highlights the importance of appreciation (encouragement) alongside a number of defining characteristics of high performing teams22: Purpose

Successful business people around the world use the power of encouragement to build a workplace that helps fulfil the complex employer/employee relationships and expectations. Nevertheless, the idea of encouraging is often misinterpreted to mean correction should never be used in the workplace. This is far from the truth. Correction and accountability are very much a part of living a mature life but it should be framed within the context of encouragement. A

Empowerment Relationships and Communication Flexibility

ibid, Pg 34

Pg 40; “Whale Done – The Power of Positive Relationships” – Ken

Pg 21; “The One Minute Manager Builds High performing Teams” –

& Unwin Publications

Harper Collins Publishers

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY BAND TRIP

Optimal Performance Recognition and Appreciation Morale

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN TRACY COOKE

In delivering our appreciation, it is imperative to bring it out of a heart of sincerity and a desire to see people move on. People can see right through fake praise and it often has the reverse effect and breeds an environment of mediocrity.

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to be chosen to participate in the Tasman Scheme. The Tasman Scheme offers the opportunity for junior Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers to travel to New Zealand on exchange. After heavy discussion it was decided that my destination would be the Royal New Zealand Navy Band (RNZN Band), which is the only Navy Band unit of any description in New Zealand. The New Zealand Navy Band has a compliment of twentyfive members. As a concert band the band struggle at times to play larger concert band works, due to the restriction that they have on numbers. Despite this the band is able to maintain a good working standard with the usual smaller groups associated with military bands.

We need to create a culture that allows and encourages others to shine. Interestingly though, only people who are secure in themselves, tend to empower others to shine. Benjamin Zander, founding Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, writes in his book ‘The Art of Possibility’, “A monumental question for leaders in any organisation to consider is: How much greatness are we willing to grant people? Because it makes all the difference at every level who it is we decide we are leading…listening for passion and commitment is the practise of the silent conductor whether the players are sitting in the orchestra, on the management team, or on the nursery floor. How can this leader know how well he is fulfilling his intention? He can look in the eyes of the players and prepare to ask himself, “Who am I being that they are not shining?”23

After an arduous trip from Tasmania to Auckland I finally arrived at my destination at 2350, having left from Tasmania at 1230. I was very relieved to find upon my arrival that three members of the band had waited to greet me at the airport. I was then driven to the navy base HMNZNS Philomel, where I was accommodated for the duration of my stay. As the next morning was a Sunday, it was decided by my host that I would attend a Navy Soccer match, in which one of the band members played. Unfortunately Leading Seaman Butt mistook another opposition member’s forehead for the ball and suffered a broken nose for her troubles. She did, however show an impressive display of courage when she demanded that she be allowed to finish the game.

How can we enhance our working environment into one of encouragement, where ‘shining eyes’ are the rule rather than the exception? The answer is simple and comes in the power of decision. Make a decision to encourage! Make a choice to actively look for the best in people. Try and catch people doing something right rather than wait until they do something wrong before attention is given. In life you often get what you look for and what you give attention to. Accentuate the positive and you will get more of the right kind of behaviour. Again, focus on the good in people, the good in yourself and the change that occurs will astound you.

Upon arriving at work on Monday morning I was introduced to the remaining members of the band, including the director of the band Lieutenant Commander Keith Anderson. Within a few short hours I was being treated like simply another member of the band. Before departing for New Zealand I was told that a former member of the Royal Australian Navy Band (RAN Band) Leading Seaman Steve Packer, was working in the band. Leading Seaman Packer was more than happy to point out to me the difference between the RNZN Band and the RAN Band, which helped me to understand better the position which the New Zealand members were coming from. I was also surprised to learn that there are in total five Australians working in the band. During my posting I was invited to play saxophone in both the Concert and Stage bands, as well as, being asked by members of the Rock Band what types of material our Rock Bands at home might be playing. I was only too happy to brag outrageously about the skill of the bands at home, although I am not so sure that they believed how high the standard is.

In conclusion, we must remember that to create an environment that uplifts and inspires us to new heights it all starts with us. We must take responsibility for our decisions and we must also remember to encourage ourselves. Reminding yourself what you do well can empower you to make a positive contribution to the lives others. Finally, though we can’t often change the circumstances we are presented with on a daily basis, we all have the choice as to how we respond. What will your response be? Remember people are special. Love people and Encourage! Encourage yourself, encourage friends, encourage colleagues, encourage leaders, encourage those you lead – encourage everyone.

•

During my stay I was lucky enough to have the chance to socialise with other members of the group, as well as, spend time wondering around admiring the sights of Auckland. I attended concerts, visited museums and dined in numerous restaurants. The trip was a unique opportunity for me as a musician, and a broadening one for me as a person. As a reserve musician I was given a chance to experience what it would be like to work in a permanent capacity in the navy, an experience that I hope to build upon in the future.

Achievement: YELLOW moving to GREEN Extend Navy’s public relations reach: National Marketing Plan Implemented with the following outcomes:

PROGRESS ON NATIONAL GOALS Foster and promote value-based behaviour for members of the RAN Band:

•

Tasks:

423

•

Direct audiences numbers:

909,020

•

Indirect audiences numbers:

5649096

•

Service personnel numbers:

62,798

•

Media hits:

325.

Achievement: GREEN

The following is a report regarding the current progress on our national goals:

•

National tour, national radio broadcast, NUSHIP Stuart Commissioning & recording.

Navy value statements have been distributed to all detachments. The band’s cultural and value statements have been revised and published in internal posters and promotional material:

•

National mailing list and market information system is being developed.

•

Strong results from customer surveys and letters of appreciation with figures yet to be collated

•

2nd edition of Biannual Newsletter released

Achievement: GREEN •

100 % compliance of equity and diversity training requirements achieved

Achievement: GREEN

Band’s promotional material updated to reflect professional standards: •

Booklets and advertising posters completed

•

Two CD’s completed

Review the Category Management Plan:

Achievement: GREEN

•

Key personnel shortfalls have been addressed:

Well done to all for your efforts!

•

Visits by the band to Newcastle, Melbourne & Adelaide Universities.

•

Strong interest achieved from key target audiences

•

103 of the 99 positions filled (105 MRU).

Achievement: GREEN •

Retention issues addressed.

•

An exit rate averaging 10 percent over a two-year period; •

FY 01/02 10.1 percent, FY 02/03 forecast based on current indications will be less than 10 percent.

•

Local managers are maintaining good working environments with flexibility and well managed workloads:

•

Nil reports of poor behaviour, high approval rate for workplace requests.

•

Benchmark activities have been identified, resourced appropriately and completed for very good results:

OUR BAND

To that end, we aim to be a world-class military organisation that provides quality ceremonial, musical and public relations support for the Royal Australian Navy.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band is a prestigious ceremonial unit of the Australian Defence Force, and is one of Australia’s premier military ensembles. Its history can be linked to the various bands of the colonial naval forces, which were in existence prior to Federation, and to the Commonwealth Naval Force which was established in 1901. Throughout its history, the band has performed for thousands of audiences within Australia and around the world. Today, it continues a proud tradition of providing ceremonial, musical and public relations support for the Royal Australian Navy. The band consists of seven detachments. Two full-time detachments are stationed at the naval establishment HMAS Kuttabul, Potts Point, New South Wales and HMAS Cerberus, Westernport, Victoria. Five reserve detachments are stationed in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, and Perth. To assist in fulfilling its mission, ‘promote the Royal Australian Navy’, the band incorporates a fleet of ensembles. All members of the band perform in the Ceremonial Ensemble of each of detachment. However, to ensure versatility, each detachment maintains other capabilities including wind orchestra (Sydney only), concert band (Melbourne only), wind chamber ensembles, a show band and small jazz combinations. When performing in concert the variety of music covered by the band includes marching and traditional repertoire, music from the swing era, chamber music, vocal presentations and music with a modern beat. In a word, the band is versatile! For information about the band or performance details please call the Director of Music—Navy on 02 9359 3802.

CALENDAR

SYDNEY DETACHMENT 21 August 2003—12 noon at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES

4 September 2003—Chamber recital commencing at 12 noon at the Garrison Church, The Rocks.

A FLAGSHIP RECITAL FEATURING THE WIND ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND Conductor: Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson

20 November 2003—12 noon at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. For information call 02 9319 4035.3

Eugene Goosens Hall ABC Centre, Harris Street, Ultimo (a short walk from Central Railway Station) 7 pm until 9pm Friday 1 August 2003

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT 10 September 2003—7.30pm HMAS Cerberus Concert For information call 03 5950 7200.3

Performing Konisgmarsch March by Richard Strauss, the Flying Dutchman Overture by Richard Wagner and Third Symphony by James Barnes.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT 9 August 2003—Brisbane EKKA

For reservations call 02 9359 3553.

12 August 2003—Brisbane EKKA SOUND WAVES WITH THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND Conductors: Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson, Lieutenant Paul Cottier and Lieutenant Steve Stanke.

16 August 2003—Brisbane EKKA

Eugene Goosens Hall ABC Centre, Harris Street, Ultimo (a short walk from Central Railway Station) 7 pm until 9.15 pm Friday 3 October 2003

For information call 07 3332 3504.3

Featuring the Wind Orchestra, the Commodores Chamber Ensemble, the Admiral’s Own Jazz Orchestra, and the Ceremonial Ensemble with Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset.

30 & 31 August 2003—Adelaide Show

For reservations call 02 9359 3553.3

For information call 08 8305 6753.

23 August 2003—Cleveland Street Festival 30 August 2003—Queensland River Festival

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT 17 August 2003—Veteran’s Concert 6 September 2003—Adelaide Show 9 November 2003—Elder Hall Concert 3 WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT 17 August 2003—Vietnam Veteran’s Parade 23 August 2003—Beverly Agricultural Show For information call 08 9383 6471. 3 TASMANIAN DETACHMENT For information call 03 6237 7305.3

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 3 OF 19 JANUARY 2004

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

TOUR DE FORCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN SHANNON RANKINE

CONTENTS

After a week of intense rehearsals, sorting out our program and having many a BBQ (I can tell you now if we have to have one more BBQ!), we packed our bags, said goodbye to our loved ones and began a journey like none other. As a group we were about to embark on the journey of a lifetime and it is this journey that will bond us together with some of the most incredible memories.

From the Director’s Desk

From the Chief Staff Officer (Operations)

We met at Kingsford Smith International Airport on Saturday 20 December 2003; I don’t think it actually hit home for many of us as to where we were about to go as we had been so incredibly busy with work. We had 17 hours to relax and enjoy the creature comforts of our flight, but first we began with some food and drink in the New Zealand Air Lounge whilst we waited for our friends from Kintama (a civilian rock group), Angry Anderson, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Reynolds and our mover Perryn Smidt to arrive. Once in the air we settled into the flight, the televisions came out and Grant promptly checked the heads to see if Gulf Air compare to the standards of Singapore Airlines— they didn’t with the deciding factor being no cologne or flowers! Over the next 17 hours we ate like we had never eaten before (story continued page 5)

Acknowledgment from TG 627.5

2003 Sea Deployment List

Tour de Force continued

One of the Most Frightening Experiences of My Life

Sydney Detachment

Melbourne Detachment

South Australian Detachment

Queensland Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

Training Matters

Good Morning Vietnam

Missiles and Musicians

Internet Downloads

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

I received an invitation from the Forces Advisory Committee on Entertainment (in mid November) to send an element of the band to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) during Christmas and the New Year to support Australian and Coalition forces deployed in the Gulf. I had the privilege to take sixteen very good people and talented musicians on a deployment that demonstrated the calibre of our people and the flexibility and effectiveness of our organisation. We joined with an Australian Legend of Rock n Roll, Angry Anderson, and a Canberra based rock group called ‘Kintama’ to form Tour De Force MEAO 1. Articles in this edition from some of the members give more detail; however, there can be no doubt about how our people and our organisation were received. This was an outstanding result and a testament to the quality of our people and our strength as an organisation. Eighteen months ago I inherited an organisation that was respected and had a strong history. It was in good shape but in need of some reform; particularly, as its budget had diminished significantly over 12 consecutive years (and it was clear that this trend would continue). Vacancy and exit rates were high, sea deployments had all but ceased, PR material did not exist nor did a branch newsletter. Only one CD had been released since 1992. Almost none of our people had the prerequisite training for sea and our reserves received little funding support from the band’s financial allocation.

THE FIRST OF TWO FLAGSHIP RECITALS MARKING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAN BAND. IMAGE TAKEN 1 AUGUST 2003.

Much as happened since our last edition. I am pleased to report that our effort to enhance the band’s support to Fleet activities has continued during the July to December period. For a short while we had two elements of the band deployed at the same time with eight musicians embarked in HMAS Warramunga (in the Pacific) and seven in HMAS Tobruk during its North East Asian deployment. The article Good Morning Vietnam by Able Seaman Sharon Jarvis and Missiles and Musicians by Petty Officer Matt Jessop are excellent commentaries on the importance of these deployments; both in terms of how they add value to our image within Navy and to the individuals who were fortunate enough to accept the opportunity for sea deployment. I am also pleased to report that during this period that the band completed 51 more tasks than for the same period last year. We have released two more recordings and funded a number of benchmark activities to achieve very impressive results. The first of these two recordings was a double compact disc which marked the 90th anniversary of the band. The music was taken from two Flagship Recitals held in the Eugene Goosens Hall at the ABC Ultimo on 1 August and 3 October. This double compact disc is an important milestone: As an organisation we had not previously recorded a major symphonic work; we have now released a double CD, A Flagship Recital, which contains two complete symphonies. Disc one is the Third Symphony Opus 89 by James Barnes and disc two is Lord of the Rings by Johan Meij.

DISC ONE OF A DOUBLE CD ‘A FLAGSHIP RECITAL’ MARKING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RAN BAND

From a starting point of one, we now have 21 people entitled to wear the Australian Active Service Medal. We have supported six Major Fleet Units with thirty nine musicians and most of our people are now fully qualified for sea. Including the recent deployment to the MEAO, 56 musicians have deployed overseas. All of our permanent positions are full and significant progress has been made in meeting shortfalls in our reserve detachments. The reserves are now receiving a greater share of the financial allocation and are travelling outside of their metropolitan

Each of our seven detachments is represented on the second recording, Cruising Stations. This CD also showcases some of our very talented soloists. Another benchmark activity was the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Parramatta. There can be no doubt that the contribution given by the band to ship commissioning ceremonies is nothing less than first class.

areas. We have produced and released four CDs and PR material. We have also conducted numerous benchmark activities; that is, tasks of national importance funded and resourced to achieve nation best standards. Other opportunities are planned including embarking eight musicians for a deployment to North East Asia in April (yet to be agreed) and 15 musicians will be visiting Anzac Cove this coming ANZAC day. Also, a Review of our training needs (a key recommendation in the July 2002 Category Plan) has commenced along with an external review on our future funding needs. These are significant achievements.

In today’s Navy, both activities are vital. And it is vital that the Band continues to renew and reconfigure itself to serve the Navy as the needs of that Navy change. We no longer have Aircraft Carriers with integral Bands in their ship’s companies. Our larger ships such as the LPAs and tankers have some spare capacity when not conducting operations, but the majority of the Fleet consists of ships of Frigate size and smaller with little excess accommodation above the requirements of their crews. So: we either support the Fleet with small detachments of omnicompetent personnel, or we lose our connection with the Fleet.

Thank you for your contribution towards ensuring we remain ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’.

The latter option is untenable: the day that the Band’s activities do not support in some tangible way the generation of combat capability at sea will be the day the Band no longer has a role in the RAN.

Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson RAN Director of Music—Navy

My challenge is to resource the Band to conduct a balanced and active program to meet Navy’s objectives, when more money for tours and gigs means less money for establishments, port services, security and other responsibilities undertaken within my Branch. So the Band is neither first nor last—it is one of many equally important capabilities that I need to ensure are bringing value for money to the RAN.

FROM THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER (OPERATIONS) This issue of the RAN Band News is packed full of first-hand reports of significant detachment activities ranging from chilly and dangerous Iraq to the steamy bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, the tropical calm of New Caledonia, the breadth of activities and experiences in Hawaii, hospital visits in Adelaide and the joys of the Defence Force School of Music. These events cross all ranks, and encompass the activities of Reserve and Permanent Navy people. I know that Able Seaman Starkie was not the first member of the Reserve to deploy with her Permanent Navy colleagues, but her membership of the contingent in Iraq exemplifies the truly ‘all of one company’ ethos of the RAN Band to be found in all the articles in this edition.

That is why Navy Headquarters and Maritime & Systems Commands have combined to resource a Band and Ceremonial review in the first half of 2004. This will be a very hands-on review of Band resources to ensure that Navy fully understands the ramifications of the steady funding reductions of the past few years, so we don’t break something that is irreplaceable. It is very much an opportunity to improve the Band for the future, and not a threat to the Band’s future. Each member of the category is an important contributor to the review and I encourage you to participate when it swings by your Detachment’s home port.

Anyone with an interest in the RAN knows that the last 2-3 years have seen our highest operational tempo in over 30 years. The activities listed in this newsletter are reflections of the new reality for the Band: increased commitments, including support to the Fleet, in a time of resource constraint for the Band (and many other activities) as Defence’s focus and money is increasingly directed towards capability undertaking operations.

I am moving on from HQAUSNAVSYSCOM in late Feb 04 and so won’t directly see the results of the review. My relief is Captain Mark Kellam RAN. Let me close by saying how genuinely pleased I have been to have played some small part in the life of the RAN Band over the past seven months. I regret not being able to meet the Queensland and South Australian detachments, but I have met almost everyone in the other detachments over the past seven months and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Keep up the good work—I’ll always be an enthusiastic member of your audience.

I describe the Band as having two distinct areas of activity: Maintaining one of Navy’s most consistent and significant public engagement profiles. The Band plays an invaluable role in keeping the whole Navy in the public consciousness.

Captain Richard McMillan RAN Chief Staff Officer (Operations)

In more particularly supporting Government and Fleet engagement activities through ship borne deployments of small elements of Musicians, the Band provides personnel who are cross-trained in a range of mariner and non-category specific skills so that they also make a very meaningful contribution to the capability of the ships that they join.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMBARK A RAN BAND DET

R 041307Z NOV 03 FM CTG 627.5 TO RAYPZD/HMAS TOBRUK RAYRLAE/RANBAND DET SYD INFO RAYWMCF/COMAUSNAVSYSCOM RAYMD/MCAUST BT UNCLAS SIC WHA SUBJ: RAN BAND DET TO TG 627.5 1. AS THE ELEMENTS OF TG 627.5 DISPERSE TO THEIR NEXT TASKING I WOULD LIKE TO PASS MY SINCERE THANKS TO THE SECTION OF THE RAN BAND DET, ABLY LED BY CPO STAPLETON, WHO ACCOMPANIED THE SHIPS DURING THE SE ASIAN DEPLOYMENT. THE DET ADDED A DASH OF FLAIR AND PIZZAZZ TO THE TRIP AND SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE TG ACHIEVING ITS GOALS OF REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA TO THE NATIONS OF SE ASIA

5. TO THE TG 627.5 RAN BAND DET THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO A SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT AND WELL DONE

2. THE DET SHOWCASED THEIR VERSALITY AND DEPTH OF TALENT IN THE ARRAY OF EVENTS FROM CEREMONIAL TO INFORMAL JAM SESSIONS. WITHOUT FAIL THEY WON THE HEARTS OF ALL THEIR AUDIENCES INCLUDING CAUTIOUS SCHOOL CHILDREN, BOISTEROUS VIETNAMESE SAILORS, HOMESICK EXPATS, STAID GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OF COURSE THE CREWS OF TOBRUK AND ARUTNA. MY PERSONAL FAVOURITES WERE THE MUSICAL ENTRY TO HCMC AND THE CO DINNER MUSIC AT SEA. THEIR PERFORMANCE OF THE TRADITIONAL BEAT TO QUARTERS AND CEREMONIAL SUNSET HAS SET THE NEW STANDARD FOR CTP IN THE REGION

HMAS ARUNTA

2003 SEA DEPLOYMENT LIST HMAS KANIMBLA HMAS ADELAIDE HMAS WARRAMUNGA HMAS TOBRUK

LEADING SEAMAN CHRIS, LEADING SEAMAN MEREDITH AND ABLE SEAMAN SONYA ONBOARD HMAS KANIMBLA

3. AT THE PERSONAL LEVEL THE DET QUICKLY INTERGRATED INTO THE SHIP COMPANIES OF BOTH SHIPS, AT ALL TIMES DISPLAYING FAUTLESS BEHAVIOUR, GOOD HUMOUR AND PROFESSIONALISM. THIS WAS DESPITE BEING SHUNTED BETWEEN SHIPS AND WHILE IN ARUNTA LIVING IN THE HANGER DURING THE HEAT OF THE TROPICS 4. IN A NAVY OF PRESSING OPERATIONAL IMPERATIVES THE DET HAS PROVED A POWERFUL WEAPON IN THE WINNING OF THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ANY UNITS ENGAGED IN REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES BE

REHEARSING IN THE HANGAR ONBOARD HMAS ADELAIDE

Over the next few days we all successfully passed our weapons trade test (which was a mandatory requirement for our leg into Iraq), and were issued and fitted with CBA, patrol webbing, a weapon and ammunition. We also conducted our first concert, which was a resounding success. We had all of the Aussie’s up and dancing and we could tell the Yanks were enjoying the show as well although their body language was far less flamboyant. After the first concert, a three hour extravaganza, we were all pretty tired. After the gig we packed down and moved all the gear to the warehouse where it needed to be re-packed onto the pallets ready for our early start in the morning. Our pack down finished at midnight and the start time was for 0530.

(Tour de Force continued from page one) with meal after meal—three breakfast meals during the flight was a little too much. Most of the group caught up on much needed sleep, so the trip over was relatively quite. Just before arriving in Singapore we received the first breakfast meal. Singapore was a stop for refuelling. It was the 21st of December and Carl’s 21st Birthday; the crew sang Happy Birthday and promise Carl a bottle of Champaign, which he never sets eyes on!! We then flew onto Bahrain International at 0300 and shortly after take off were given another breakfast. We landed in Bahrain to a very different landscape; lots of sand, flat plains and concrete buildings. We rushed through the airport (quite a way), through the detectors and into a very large woman who, because I beeped, gave me a very thorough pat down—and I wasn’t going to argue! We finally got through customs then back onto another shuttle bus, which drove us all the way back to where we started—our connecting flight was right next to the plane we got off! The flight to Kuwait was only an hour long and you guessed it, another breakfast! We were met at the Airport by some officers who led us through customs. Once we had our bags we boarded a small convoy including at the head one Suburban, our coach and another Suburban. All personnel in the escort vehicles were armed and we wore Combat Body Armour (CBA); the reality of how dangerous this tour was began to set in. The trip to Camp Doha was an eye opener. Every couple of kilometres we passed tankers and Humvee’s with 50 cal weapons and all US military personnel had weapons. Camp Doha is a huge American military base with a very small Aussie contingent. After being shown our accommodation and enjoying lunch in the “chow hall” we settled in for an afternoon and evening of briefings that was broken up by weapons training. The main lesson was on ‘force protection’ something us Aussie’s take very seriously. Rules of Engagement were covered and we were told about some of the threats including Improvised Explosive Device’s. All of us enjoyed a decent night’s sleep and were ready to tackle the next day feeling a little more human.

THE GIRLS ON STAGE AT CAMP DOHA

The PX store here was amazing and had an adjoining food court with Baskin ‘n’ Robbins, Subway, Pizza Hut and Starbucks to name a few. Not what we typified with a ‘war like’ situation but something we were to quickly become accustomed to. An early start as we head off to Camp Victory and it was hilarious just getting to the flight. This was the first time we needed all our CBA and webbing and didn’t we all look like the real deal. Grant had his little GI Joe figurine from his children and he looked an exact replica of the GI Joe, so much so that it became known as GI G!!! The CBA, webbing and our weapon weighed about 30kg and after a couple of hours wearing it you somehow don’t feel like the GI G you did earlier. Our flight into Baghdad International Airport was interesting to say the least, however as was to become the norm Kirstin and I slept through pretty much every plane trip. The weather in Baghdad was extremely cool and at night time it got down to about zero degrees, just the right kind of weather to be doing pickets throughout the night. On our second night we were re-joined, as a full concert group, after a smaller group went into Baghdad and a few other locations to perform to our troops. The concert was held at Aussie Island in Camp Victory and although the weather was freezing our fans were up dancing and nothing was going to stop them from enjoying themselves.

MEMBERS OF THE RAN BAND ELEMENT UNDERGOING WEAPONS TRAINING AT CAMP DOHA

imagine from the Christmas ham to prawns and for desert Christmas cake and ice-cream. Santa made another visit, this time looking a little different (he was wearing a pistol) and of course his sack was full of presents. The jazz group did a wonderful job presenting some jazzy carols. Something we didn’t expect and that I didn’t even realize was that Chief of Defence Force (CDF), General Cosgrove, was serving the corn. I went straight passed him, said ‘yeah, I’ll have a bit of that corn, ta’!!! After lunch General Cosgrove made some presentations to the band and awarded medals to some other personnel. He was very much appreciative of the work that we had been doing to support our troops. Our troops spend around six months away whilst our coalition friends, the Americans, do around 12 months. Having the RAN Band in the Middle East allowed the troops some time to relax and, for the time being, forget what they’re actually here to do.

A few of us went to bed quite hungry as food had become a rarity and sometimes hard to get; the ‘chow hall’ was over a kilometre from Aussie Island and most of us couldn’t be bothered with the long walk in CBA and weapon. We’ve gotten used to the Rat Packs the US Army provided, with the out of date M ’n’ M’s!

After lunch we had a quick tour of the palace and what a palace it is! Just in the entry alone is a huge chandelier that’s nine metres wide. It’s been an experience showering in marble showers and using marble toilets, however, they’re still a little behind the times here and the pipe system is yet to learn how to cope with toilet paper! This particular palace has about 17 smaller palaces around a huge man made lake. There used to be masses of bush land around the palace where wild animals from India and all over the world roamed, so that the ‘royals’ could do a spot of hunting whenever they felt like it.

KARA, SHANNON, KIRSTIN, HEATHER AND NADENE RECEIVE A CHRISTMAS CUDDLE FROM ANGRY.

Again, like yesterday, this was a very different way to spend Christmas. We began with opening our Christmas presents on the roof, and yes, we had our very own Santa weapon (Petty Officer Kara Williams) complete with weapon to hand out our presents. Some of us got some interesting and hilarious gifts from each other. It was nice to be able to take some time out and give and receive some Chrissie presents. After the present opening we headed off to church where, with our fine voices, Santa hats and headbands with Tinsel on top, we were church choir! It was a nice service and a time to reflect on the day and remember our families back home. It was quite different sitting in church and having Blackhawk’s fly past the window; not something you see everyday. After quick calls back to Oz, we loaded the jazz group gear onto a truck and headed down to the main palace where lunch with just the Aussie’s was to be served. The function room was absolutely amazing and it was a feast fit for King’s and Queen’s with everything you could

THE BOSS INTRODUCING THE CHRISTMAS EVENING CONCERT WITH GRANT IN THE BACKGROUND. SURE LOOKS COLD!

Carl, Shaun and Andrew had a dip in the ‘royal’ pool, crazy stuff as it was bloody freezing! This part of the trip has been an amazing experience one which will not be forgotten. In the afternoon jazz group played for the Aussie’s again at the headquarters and in the evening we gave another concert (the best of the tour). We gave another three hour show in freezing cold conditions with about 300 people in the audience. The Force Protection brief given immediately before the concert started certainly reminded us of where we were! A few members of the 5th Corps US Army band came and played a few charts with us. This band has been THE SIGN AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE ‘CHOW HALL’

posted to Camp Victory since June 03 and don’t know when they’re going home.

things, the jobs some people do are just crazy. We saw the bomb squad, F15 and 16 fighter jets, British Tornado’s, the trusty old C130’s and the US C17’s. All in all it was a very interesting day and the British guys put on an awesome fly past for us. After this the jazz group and the acoustic version of Kintama set up and we had a pizza and volley ball night. Our time here in the Middle East is rapidly coming to an end and tomorrow we fly out for a few more concerts (can’t say too much about that but HMAS Melbourne received some Christmas cheer from us as well.).

As our time at Camp Victory came to an end we went to sleep with some amazing memories. Boxing Day had us on the move early again, once again all in CBA. We headed for the airport for our flight out. This time Kirstin and I weren’t missing any of the fun and again we had a very interesting experience during the flight. Once on the ground in Kuwait we handed back our weapons, CBA and webbing (much to the disappointment of the Chief who loved every minute of our time at Camp Victory). We boarded again and continued our journey to Camp Andy our next destination. Again, the scenery was very different and interesting; one thing we did enjoy was the warmer weather!

Our last day started early (again) with cleaning the equipment. We say goodbye to our Aussie troops and head for Dubai. Once in Dubai we had a few hours before our flight to Sydney departed. All of us headed into town for some retail therapy………. All in all I think we can say that we’ve had one of the best experiences of our lives and careers. It’s been an amazing experience and we’ve made friendships and memories that will never be forgotten. The guys of Kintama did an awesome job and were brilliant, Angry was fantastic and might I say is the massager from heaven (and the other girls will attest to this). Our mover for the trip, Perryn, did a wonderful job and made our travels go smoothly; it didn’t take him long to settle into our group! Thanks must also go to our Chief, Andrew Stapleton, who had a lot of running around to do, making sure that we were all informed of what was going on throughout the trip. To our boss, Lieutenant Commander Anderson, thanks for your hard work in getting us here, you picked an awesome bunch of people. Lastly, to Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds, the Commanding Officer for Tour de Force; this has been amazing, thank-you for giving us the opportunity to play for our troops—we certainly won’t be forgetting this anytime soon.

TENT CITY AT CAMP ANDY

Again, like many other bases we’ve visited Camp Andy was predominantly American troops. This base can only be described as ‘tent city’. As far as the eye can see there are tents and one word that will sum it up is ‘Mash’; we felt like we were in an episode of Mash. In the middle of the camp was a place called the Wagon Wheel, which was the hub of entertainment once the sun had set. This camp permits a beer issue of three cans per day, unit permitting and we loved to sit back after our gigs relaxing and having a few beers or vodka’s. The CO and XO of the Aussie headquarters here went out of there way to make our stay as enjoyable as they could, which was very much appreciated. Our gigs at Camp Andy were great; we even had some rises built in a few hours for our first concert! The Aussie’s again were great supporters and although the American’s told us how much they enjoyed our concert it was extremely hard to tell during the show; they just sat back and listened and none of them got up and danced.

ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING EXPERIECES OF MY LIFE ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN GRANT METCALFE

The deployment of ten personnel from Baghdad International Airport to the Security Detachment in Baghdad City was one of the most inspiring and frightening experiences of my life. Upon arriving at Baghdad International Airport we were greeted by soldiers from the Security Detachment in two Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs). We then loaded all music equipment onto a Unimog truck. Movement orders were then issued in an extremely serious, matter of fact tone. It was then that it hit me that we were going into Baghdad. Picture it; eight bandies in

During our few days at Camp Andy we had a little bit of time off to sleep, and do a little bit of shopping at the PX store. Our shopping day into the local town was cancelled due to troubles with the government trying to organize our visas. Some of the Aussie’s took orders and went in for us and we got perfume, DVD’s, remote cars and lots of other goodies. We went on a tour of the base and saw some amazing

Desert Cams with Combat Body Armour, Kevlar Helmets, full Patrol Webbing and a Steyr rifle at the load state, stepping into the rear of an ASLAV—very surreal. Joining us for this leg of the tour was Angry Anderson and the tour Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Reynolds.

about 30kgs to our weight so by the time we got to the top we were all a little red faced. A stark contrast to the chisel jawed soldiers leading the way. We were given a clear picture of our position and could see all the major infrastructure of the city.

Our convoy travelled into the centre of Baghdad. The exact location is secret; however, it is certainly in one of the main areas of security concern in Baghdad. The trip was hairraising. ASLAVs travel through the city at top speed with soldiers aiming the 1.05mm turret gun and sighters to each side—120kmph in an ASLAV is fast.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL REYNOLDS AND OUR EIGHT NAVY BANDIES

By the end of the evening we were all well and truly worn out so it was off to sleep (by the way, it was freezing!). All things going well until I stirred to some strange sounds. It took me only a few seconds to work it out though; gun fire, and lots of it. Solid machine gun fire followed by massive blasts and a sort of loud coughing sound. We could feel the shock waves. I was scared ……..! It sounded like it was outside the building. No time for heroics. I stayed tightly in my spot with my sleeping bag pulled up to my chin, silently listening with awe, fear and excitement. I later found out that Chief Petty Officer Stapleton was doing the same thing; too scared to talk but unable to stop listening, totally awestruck.

KIRSTIN, STEPHEN, DAMIAN AND MATTHEW RIDE IN THE BACK OF AN ASLAV

We arrived safely and disembarked. The soldiers live in a heavily fortified building with no windows or doors; basically, it’s a gutted high rise that provided ample viewing aspects for force protection duties. The scenes in front of our eyes of ASLAVs, soldiers, 50 cal weapons in sandbag bunkers was straight out of a movie, except for one thing; it was very, very serious and most definitely the real thing.

The next morning we found out that the fighting lasted about two hours and was about four kilometres away. Most of the noise came from a C130 spectre gun ship. Basically, it’s a Hercules gunship with massive weapons.

Our duty for the evening was to perform two gigs to two groups of soldiers on watch rotation. That sounded easy enough but before any of that we had to receive more safety and security briefs, establish our sleeping arrangements, put together our racks and try to come to terms with our surrounding.

My impressions of these Aussie soldiers on the front line are hard to describe; but pride, admiration and complete respect go some way towards it. And remember these are Aussies; so their mateship and humour was present in abundance.

All that done we began the setup. Surprisingly, the main dining area was brilliantly well appointed. A great cook and a few homely touches like footy posters, movie posters and other posters (no surprises for guessing) and a Christmas tree and some lights helped us to feel at home.

Our next duty was to return to Baghdad International Airport; so it was movements’ briefs, combat protective armour and loaded weapons into the ASLAV and 120 kph through the city.

So we got to it. Angry Anderson is one of the most outgoing and friendly people I have ever met; so his warmth and friendship was well received. As best as we tried, we failed in getting these hard core Aussie soldiers up dancing; however, they all loved and appreciated the music we played.

Upon return we began setting up for another performance. We were joined by ‘Kintama’ (a civilian rock group) and basically rocked the place. Everyone loved it. Angry was masterful and the line for a photo with the little guy was huge. After that gig we boarded the ASLAVs again and made our way to Australia Island. We met with the rest of the touring

We had the opportunity to go to the top floor for a viewing of Baghdad city. The body armour, helmet and weapon added

party, exchanged stories, and you guessed it, started to set up for another gig; and oh what a night it turned out to be.

personnel to meet other defence force musicians. They also visited Dunedin, New Zealand. The second deployment was to Vietnam onboard HMAS Tobruk for a goodwill visit. Ports visited included Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Fremantle, Adelaide and Hobart. The group performed extremely well and were very well received. For the first time in years the Sydney detachment is at full strength. Although we still have issues with instrumentation (which will only be fixed with time) our category is certainly heading in the right direction. October saw us farewell Leading Seaman Melanie Davies (french horn) who has moved to Adelaide with her partner. Mel is a fine player and a very loyal and reliable sailor. We wish her well for the future. On a positive note we welcome Able Seaman Doug Ross (french horn) and by the time this newsletter is published Cindy Sims (french horn) and Linda Huntington (bassoon) will have graduated from recruit training. I would also like to welcome Paul Panichi who has joined the New South Wales detachment. Paul is one of the finest trumpeters in Australia and is of world standard. His presence can only raise the profile of our organisation and he will be a fine asset. We also welcome Petty Officer Brian O’Kane who has transferred from Her Majesties Royal Marines. Brian was a principal clarinettist with the marines and his high level of performance and experience will also be of great benefit. We also welcome Brian’s wife Liz and daughters Natalie and Rebecca into the naval family.

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT PLAYS AT THE FAREWELL CEREMONY FOR HMAS MELBOURNE.’S DEPLOYMENT TO THE GULF

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT PAUL COTTIER

The start of the new financial year saw the Band category move from Maritime Command to Systems Command. The second half of the year also started with the participation in the Diamond Jubilee of HMAS Harman. The week of celebrations included Governor General Divisions, unveiling and dedication of a new memorial, which was situated at HMAS Harman and pays tribute to the Women of the Royal Australian Navy. Other activities included a Ship’s Company Ball, Church Service and a Family Day. The highlight was a Flagship Recital at Llewellyn Hall, Australian National University. The variety concert was very well received and attended by the Systems Commander Australia, Commodore Russ Crane.

The past six months has also been a busy time for promotion courses and promotions. Mike Vaughan successfully completed the Assistant Band Leader Course and has been promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Gabe Kicsak was also promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. I congratulate you both on your promotion and thank you for your dedication and commitment to the category. Kara Williams and Kirsty Jones have been promoted to the rank of Provisional Petty Officer. Daniel Hobson successfully completed the Group Leader Course, which I believe to be the most demanding course at the Defence Force School of Music. Well done to you all. Jason Campbell, Aaron Geeves and Brett Donovan have been promoted to Leading Seaman. All sailors deserve their promotions and I wish them well with their future careers. Sonya Henderson and Tim Whincop successfully completed the Section Leader Course and Heather Wright completed the Introduction to Live Sound Course. Well done team.

The second half of the year saw the Sydney detachment involved in numerous commitments. The variety has been wide including the commissioning of HMAS Parramatta, Flagship recitals, Ship Company balls, school concerts and the usual establishment Division Parades and mess dinners. It is encouraging to see the amount of requests for defence activities which highlights our importance as an organisation. We have continued our support of the fleet with two sea deployments with the majority of the personnel coming from the Sydney detachment. The first deployment was onboard HMAS Warramunga, which visited Hawaii and the United States Navy missile firing range. Although missile firings were the primary reason for the ship’s visit to Pearl Harbour, from the stories I have heard there was plenty of time for our eight-piece group to enjoy the sights and recreational activities of the Pacific. The group also had the opportunity to work with the United States Marines, Navy and Air Force Bands in Honolulu. This was a great opportunity for our

Able Seaman Bronwyn Dowler gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Elizabeth. Bronwyn’s husband Petty Officer Raymond Dowler is currently working at the Director of Music Office and it is obvious that he has had too much time on his hands. On a serious note congratulations to you both.

commitment with the Melbourne detachment before returning to Tasmania, and Leading Seaman Jason Beach who stepped into the breach when Steph fell ill, leaving us with no female lead vocalist.

As Christmas approaches I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Sydney detachment for their hard work and commitment. As a unit I believe we lifted the bar this year and are heading in the right direction. I am moving out of category next year and taking up the position of Staff Officer to Chief of Staff (Deputy Maritime Commander), Commodore Nigel Perry. My replacement is Lieutenant Michelle Coleman and I wish her every success in her new position. I would like to wish all members of the RAN Band and supporters of the Band category a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

ON PARADE AT HMAS CERBERUS

THE

INITIAL

TRAINING

FACULTY

The next trip saw the big band travelling to Bendigo on the 24th October to play at the show. Due to the location and set up, a well-timed moo from a very loud cow from the “pet and animal” stall next door frequently added to the our sound. We continued with a couple of sets of music with a mixture of jazz and contemporary funk styles, the traditional numbers being best received by audiences. The next tour was a trek out to Ballarat on November 8 to attend their annual show. This time everyone was involved, including the woodwind quintet, big band and parade band. Our first job of the day was to lead the parade of prize winning farm animals around the oval to the jovial tunes of Royal Australian Navy and Blaze Away. While most of our members were concerned about playing and avoiding potholes simultaneously, Petty Officer Siggs was more anxious about the herd of award winning bulls that were parading right on his tail! After completing a lap of the oval, the parade band continued to play marches for the large crowd that had gathered to watch the show’s parade. On completion, the appreciative audience applauded loudly and the cows continued their thunderous choir. The wind quintet performed in the late afternoon inside the main pavilion. There were numerous inquisitive school age children asking about the instruments and many others congratulated the wind quintet on the wonderful music. One man ever mentioned to Able Seaman Murray that “Able Seaman Douglas had a ‘sweet gig’ working with four women!” All five in the quintet really enjoyed this performance because of the audience’s positive reception. The big band played later in the evening inside a large circus tent, where Petty Officer Pearce featured numerous times on vocals with favourites like, Have you met Miss Jones? and Mac the Knife.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA THOMAS

Since returning from leave in July, the Melbourne detachment has kept busy with both service and civilian commitments. The first tour on return to work was to Cairns in Queensland to support the Far North Queensland Navy Week. The Rock Group went first to play for the HMAS Tarakan ship’s ball and the HMAS Cairns Open Day. The ships company of Tarakan, although small in number, thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment, as did the Chief of Navy, noticeable by his dancing style! In the week that followed our group played at many different schools throughout the Cairns region. As usual Leading Seaman Jason Beach led the schools to a rowdy reception, and had the kids dancing and screaming with delight. Another 11 people joined the rock group half way through the 10 day trip for the ceremonial component of the Navy week, which included two Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunsets, and a concert at the opening of the Barlow Park Athletics Track, where a 100 piece strong American Marching Band did a fantastic one hour performance. The detachment did a variety of other gigs throughout the ten days in our very hectic schedule; however, we still found the opportunity to visit Kuranda, Mossman Gorge, and Green Island. Highlights of the trip would have to include Leading Seaman Goninon's fantastic MC’ing skills, and the bopping horn section of Leading Seaman Blackmore and Able Seamen Lawson and Chapman who showed up the singers with their dancing prowess [!] The trip finished as it started, with just the rock group and another ball. Special thanks must go to Seaman Stephanie Monk, for whom the tour was her last

Throughout this second half of the year, the Melbourne detachment was occupied with various concerts, including monthly concerts held in the Band and Cinema Complex on base at HMAS Cerberus. There were a couple of visits to local schools, with a program that included concert band charts, demonstrations of instruments, and a rock group finish which got the students and teachers alike up and dancing. Although this detachment is stationed an hour and a half drive from the city of Melbourne, there were a number of performances inside and out of Federation Square, and across the road in St Paul’s Cathedral. One trip saw the parade band forming up on the track at Flemington Race Course on Melbourne Cup Day to perform a National Anthem salute for the arrival of the Governor General. “Sunny Cerberus” once again lived up to its nickname with the Cerberus Open Day this year being held on the 26 October when the day started and finished on what felt like

sub-zero temperatures. There was a large crowd though to see us play a Big Band set, and four Sunset and Ceremonial routines throughout the day. December became our busiest month, making those fast approaching weeks to Christmas appear to sneak up rather quickly. The Big Band and Rock Group were kept busy with Balls for the Officer’s graduating class from the RMIT University, and the HMAS Cerberus Wardroom. The Big Band performed between the two consecutive ball evenings at the opening of Hastings (10 minutes from Cerberus) Aquatic Centre, Pelican Park. The HMAS Cerberus Christmas Carols this year were successfully held outside after a gloriously hot day. The crowd enthusiastically took part in singing along with the carols, and the children eagerly awaited the arrival of Santa, who arrived in style on a fire truck. On December 3, the RMIT Officer graduates had a combined parade with Cerberus Divisions and on the evening of December 11, the final Pass-Out parade for recruit school was held, complete with a Sunset and Ceremonial routine and fireworks. CO Cerberus later stated that it was the best naval parade ever! The final parade for the year was held at a half-filled Telstra Dome for 6000 graduates from RMIT University.

•

Senior Naval Officer Naval Headquarters South Australia Cocktail Party

•

Royal Adelaide Show Parade and playing at the show at the Defence Force Recruiting Site.

Then there was Navy week! Navy Week kicked off with a visit by HMAS Darwin and HMNZS Te Kaha. We had a number of engagements with Darwin alongside including playing her in, providing entertainment for both ships open days and a cocktail party on board Darwin. Other Navy week activities included the annual Navy week Church Service at Christchurch North Adelaide, a memorial garden service and one of our favourite Navy week engagements, playing for children spending time in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. It’s always great to brighten up the day of a sick child. It was extra special for one of our members, Able Seaman Musician Fred Whitson, whose son Leigh was spending some time in another ward. We were glad to make a detour from our planned schedule and call in and pay a special visit to Leigh. Navy week then culminated with a recital by the detachment in Elder Hall—the main performance hall of the Elder School of Music, Adelaide University, with which the Royal Australian Navy Band has been increasing ties with over the last year or two. The recital was well attended and received with an audience of approximately 550, with the detachment playing a wide variety of items from swing to rock and soul. Many feel the highlight of the program was the finale in which the Australian Army Cadets 413 Regional Cadet Unit Pipes and Drums band joined us for emotional renditions of ‘Last of the Mohicans’ and ‘Highland Cathedral’. Rumour has it the former brought a tear to the eye of previous Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral David Shackleton, RAN (Rtd). It was great to have Chief Petty Officer Musician Dave Copley return from Standby Reserve

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY RECRUIT TOM BASTIANS

The second half of 2003 has been a rewarding time for all with at least a part of the detachment performing at approximately 26 engagements in the past six months. Half of them occurred in November, which has always been the detachments busiest month. We started the financial year with Reserve Forces Day in Rundle Mall, representing the Navy in South Australia, performing along side Royal Australian Air Force and Army Reserve units to enthusiastic shoppers. This performance marked Chief Petty Officer Stapleton’s first job with the detachment in 2002 and this year his last. Following Chief Petty Officer Stapleton’s departure, we were happy to welcome back Chief Petty Officer Doug Antonoff to the post of Bandmaster to the South Australian Detachment. It’s good to hear that Chief Stapleton has settled back into Sydney life well, and Chief Antonoff to Adelaide.

ABLE SEAMAN NICOLE BATES AT THE WOMENS CHILDRENS HOSPITAL

Engagements in the past six months have included: •

Premier’s reception for Service Men and Women returning from OP Falconer at the newly refurbished Adelaide Convention Centre

to assist us with the performance as our sound technician on the day.

•

LIFE Dinner for the SA Medical Research Trust

•

Royal Australian Army Nursing Corp Dinner

The detachment also provided the music for Adelaide’s Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Memorial in the City a few days after the official end to Navy Week. Chief Petty

Officer Antonoff and Deputy Senior Naval Officer Naval Headquarters—South Australia, Lieutenant Commander Richard Watson received many thanks from the diggers who were so happy to see their uniforms out on parade—a great response confirming the value the detachment holds within the community.

(Alto Sax) and Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell (Alto Sax) are both playing on cruise-ships in exotic ports all around the world. We have welcomed Recruit Musicians Katia Labozzetta (Piano and Vocals), Yuri Markov (Drums) and Francesco Mulraney (Drums) into the detachment and wish Stuart Earl, a recent Graduate of the Elder School of Music, Jazz Saxophone good luck with his audition and recruiting applications. In September Seaman Musicians Darcy Fitzpartick (Trumpet) and Nicole Bates (Clarinet and Vocals) were promoted to Leading Seaman. Other big news includes the upcoming marriage of Able Seaman Craig Jones (Bass) on 03 January 2004 to Charmin and my own wedding to Larla on 27 December 2003, two weeks before recruit school!

The end of the year has once again brought with it, a whole heap of Christmas gigs. We started our Christmas season playing opposite Santa’s Magic Cave on the lawns of the South Australian Museum for the Credit Union Christmas Pageant. We even did away with the Class 2 Cap and replaced it with red and white Santa hats for the occasion. The following week we provided entertainment for the Port Adelaide Christmas Party. We were lucky enough to have Able Seaman Musician Sean Tatnell (Trombone) and Seaman Musicians Carl Riseley (Trumpet) and Ken Bradshaw (Tenor Sax and Harmonica) under the leadership of our old bandmaster, Chief Petty Officer Stapleton, all of whom were in town on HMAS Tobruk. All three took great solos with Ken taking energetic harmonica solos in our rock/soul bracket. Most recently, the detachment provided the entertainment for the Naval Headquarters—South Australia Christmas party here at Keswick Barracks, which was a trial replacement for the Annual Navy Ball. Despite some rain at the start, the party was a great night with a bouncing castle, pony rides, face painting and good SCRAN for all, not to mention a visit for the kids by Petty Officer Clearance Diver Troy Pudney as his alter ego, Santa Claus.

We have only a few working days left this year but the group presses on with the Rock Group playing for the launch of a new Sea-Link ship this coming weekend, the first weekend of Christmas leave! The detachment is also sending Able Seaman Musicians Fred Whitson (Alto Sax) and Kevin Orchard (Trombone) to assist the Tasmanian detachment for a few days with the Glenorchy and Launceston Carols by Candlelight over the same weekend. As we head into 2004, the possibility of assisting in the Fleet Divisions in Darwin in February and a trip to Perth in March have people chomping at the bit to travel and see the wider Navy and Australia while they’re at it. On behalf of Chief Petty Officer Antonoff and everybody in the South Australian Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band, Merry Christmas and safe travels.

To finish the year off, the detachment made a trip South East to Robe to play for the annual Robe Village Fair. Set up was early on Sunday morning, so the decision was made to travel the afternoon before and have a nice relaxing night at Robe—a great opportunity for the group to bond. The gig on the Sunday was well received and we packed up and made our way back home later that day. The trip to Robe was a great way to both welcome and farewell a few members of the detachment. It marked the last job for Able Seaman Musician Cameron Howlett (Trombone) before he transfers to the Army. It also marked my last job as I transfer from Reserve to Full Time to join HMAS Cerberus for recruit training early January as part of the Tertiary Musician Entry Scheme (TMES). It was also a great chance for fellow TMES student Recruit Musician Belinda Knowles (Clarinet) to experience a trip.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PHIL CLEVELAND

July to October 2003 Well as this is definitely my last entry into this journal of bandies. I look back on a few months that the Queensland detachment provided heaps of entertainment and PR to many onlookers, including audiences from Southport to South Stradbroke Island to Caloundra. The Queensland detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band was tasked to perform in the Reserve Forces Day Parades in Newcastle and Sydney recently. After the Sydney detachment and the New South Wales Reserve detachment were already occupied with other tasks or on leave, the next closest was the Queenslanders. So, down we went on Friday 4 July 2003 to Sydney. Due to the accommodation shortage in Sydney, the Junior Sailors were all accommodated at HMAS Penguin and the Senior Sailors at HMAS Kuttabul.

Other personal news includes the Continuous Full Time Service contracts of Leading Seaman Musician Anthony Rogers (Euphonium) and Able Seaman Musician Belinda Marks (Oboe and Vocals) from May to August this year assisting the Sydney detachment. Able Seaman Marks stayed on and is now working with the New South Wales reserve detachment. Able Seaman Musician Tristan Courtney (Bass and Guitar) is away from the detachment for a while, playing his way around Canada. Seaman Musician Stephen Tabe (Piano and Percussion) is doing conservation work on Kangaroo Island. Leading Seaman Luke Townsend

The next morning was an early start and very fresh for us Queenslanders with the temperature on Central Station at 0630 a low 7 degrees; to say the least—it was bloody cold to us! On the platform were the Reserve Forces Platoons from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand, and a few of us Aussies thrown in. We left on the “Troop Train” at 0720 and arrived in sunny Newcastle, which incidentally Petty Officer Musician Jimmy Carter and I are natives. We fall in shortly after arrival and parade from the Customs House to Nobby’s Beach with a few thousand spectators and well-wishers. The parade was also well represented with local bands, scout troops and Royal Australian Air Force personnel from the WILLIAMTOWN RAAF Base. On completion of the parade there were a few speeches and congratulations to everyone on a well turned out parade and it was off to the BBQ and refreshments. The RAAF also showed us some fantastic hospitality when we were invited to the Newcastle RSL to join in their celebrations. The “Troop Train” departed just before 1500 and it was off to Sydney for some relaxation and recuperation for the night anyway. The train trip back to Sydney was a very social affair with everyone mixing in one of the carriages for issues of first aid.

THE QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ON STAGE AT THE CALOUNDRA JAZZ FESTIVAL

course and our people stepped out of their normal range and played like they were possessed. In my three years of being the Bandmaster I have never heard them play any better and I’m not sure that I ever will again. The Queensland detachment represented the Navy in the very best way possible and the audience was asking if we were going back on again after the main act, who happened to be James Morrisson. We did decline the offer and returned to Brisbane with a decidedly bigger egos than we had when we arrived

Sunday morning brought the Parade to Sydney streets. We fell in at 1030 in College Street and listened to the speeches from all of the official party including Chief of Army and the Governor of NSW. We stepped off at 1230 and head into Macquarie Street right down almost to the Opera House. The parade was serviced by almost every band and reservist in Sydney. If I had to guess I would say that there would’ve been about 15,000 in the parade and 10,000 watching. It was a fantastic sight to behold with that many uniforms and the likes in a formed parade marching down the Sydney streets. After the parade we embussed to Kuttabul, changed and headed off to Maroubra for some lunch then the airport for the flight home.

From there we slowed slightly and performed for the conclusion of the Seniors Week in the town of Cleveland, (great place that!!), until we upped the tempo once more. The last time Brisbane had a Navy Week was in 1993, 10 years later we had HMA Ships Canberra, Melbourne, Success, Stuart, Shepparton and Bendigo alongside, so the headquarters couldn’t resist but to rekindle the Navy Week celebrations….. that put us on watch on stop on.

The EKKA (Royal Brisbane Show) always sees the Queensland detachment busy with performing for the Opening Ceremony with the combined guard from the Army, RAAF and the Queensland Mounted Police providing a spectacle of grand style before the Governor of Queensland and approximately 50,000 spectators. The next day we returned to play for the crowds at the Bandstand. We were supposed to be there for the Sunday but received a better offer.

With the assistance of the Fanfare Team from the Sydney detachment we provided support to the ships’ arrival, Cocktail Party and Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset onboard HMAS Stuart on the Friday, the Freedom of Entry of 816 Squadron in Caloundra followed by the Ships’ Open Day on the Saturday, the Mission to Seafarers Church Service on the Sunday and the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset on the forecourt, King George Square, of the Brisbane Town Hall on the Monday. For a bunch of Reservists trying to earn a crust in their civilian employment, this was a big ask, but one that they relished and performed highly over the four days. We almost had the crew from Sydney ready to jump ship and stay with us for a bit longer.

Caloundra Jazz Festival was kicked off with our stage band getting rousing rounds of applause and cheers throughout our warm up, tune up and sound balance. We knew right then that they were an appreciative crowd. By the time we actually started the crowd had grown to approximately 10,000 enthusiasts. We played for two hours with a break of

On the 22nd of October it gave me the pleasure to promote three of our sailors. The Senior Naval Officer of the Naval Headquarters—South Queensland officiated the ceremony where Seamen Matt Currell, Madonna Mallon, Tim Murphy and Gemma Tilly were promoted to the rank of Able Seaman. Congrats to all.

Even though the trip was short, our members had the chance to have a quick look around Newcastle and Sydney and for some of us a chance to catch up on bygone days with recollections of experiences around the cities visited.

On completion, we also welcomed the arrival of Chief Petty Officer Brad Scudds where the ceremonial handover of the Drum Major’s Mace took place (for the media of course). I personally wish him the very best and hope that he continues maintaining and/or improving the standards that has been left to him.

Our next big commitment will be Australia Day 2004, in Brisbane and Caloundra and promises to be a long day. That’s all for now, take care and enjoy the music.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER BRAD SCUDDS

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT HILLHOUSE

“With change of leadership comes new ideas and direction”.

Since the last newsletter we have been busy recruiting new members; Recruits Caleb Wilson (trombone, keyboard and drums) and Robert Schultz (trumpet). They join existing recruits Angus Donald (guitar), Richard Armstrong (bass guitar), Emerson Shuey (trumpet) and Bryony Dwyer (saxophone/vocalist). All will attend Recruit School training at HMAS Cerberus on the 12 January 2004.

Hi from the sunny state. My gradual introduction (bungy jump) into this new role as Bandmaster of the Queensland detachment has been a real shock to the system. From percussionist to personnel manager is a frightening step. I joined this detachment in late October and met the group at a Wednesday night rehearsal. All were in attendance, not just for me, but also to farewell the departing Bandmaster, Chief Petty Officer Cleveland, and to witness the promotion of four personnel.

Our percussionist Paul Parnell was promoted to Petty Officer on 01 October 2003 and was recently successful in auditioning for a casual position with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for 2004.

The Commanding Officer Navy Headquarters—South Queensland, Commander Michael Houghton was available to promote Seamen Matt Currell, Madonna Mallon, Tim Murphy and Gemma Tilly to Able Seaman. Speeches were said, tears were shed, (well it rhymed anyway) and the cups of tea flowed. My first commitment as Bandmaster was a jazz afternoon at Bribie Island. The first set was shortened and timed well enough to enjoy the rain and hail as we were leaving. Rather strange, because it doesn’t hail at Cerberus, so I couldn’t be blamed for that one. The following week, we performed parts of our marching display in front of 9178 people watching the Queensland Bulls versus Victorian Bushrangers Day/Night cricket match at the GABBA. I say parts of our marching display, because ten minutes into the job, it rained - again. The detachment made a beeline for the exit under the joyous strains of Waltzing Matilda.

THE ROCK GROUP FROM THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT AT THE NAVY BALL

Performances have been varied starting with a trip to Burnie in July. We performed with our stage band and jazz group for an afternoon of jazz at the Chancellor in Burnie Hotel. The next morning we performed for the Sea Sunday service with the Principal Anglican Chaplain RAN Eric Burton and the Director of Music in attendance. It was an excellent weekend with plans afoot for next year.

Mid November saw a five-piece jazz group travel to Ballina, to perform at the Naval Association annual dinner dance. This was followed by a bugle call the following day at a church parade memorial service. Over the last half of this year, the Director of Music and his audio team have travelled from state to state collecting samples of each detachment’s musical best. During October, our stage band recorded two songs – “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin and “Swing Street” by Eddie Arkin. We have since received “a first listen” compact disc. I am impressed with the quality of music and commend the group and in particular Able Seaman Andrew Peck on his vocal contributions.

Navy week in Tasmania started with an open day for HMAS Canberra on 11 October. The detachment performed with the rock group consisting of eight members, six of whom are recruits. This was the first performance with this combination and it made for an exciting day. The following week we had the Navy Ball at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in Hobart. We started with a Sunset performance outside the club with all the yachts in the background. We used the cadet drum corps from TS HOBART for a drum ruffle with 12 of us to play the hymns. Hobart put on the fine

weather for us and everyone had a good night. The next day, Saturday 18, we travelled to Devonport for the HMAS Quiberon Reunion and back to Hobart on Sunday to record the new Compact Disc.

During November, Chief of Navy (CN) was invited as guest of honour to the International Naval Cadet Conference in Fremantle, which is hosted by a different country each year. Conference delegates gather to discuss the future direction of Naval Cadets internationally, and this was preceded by a parade reviewed by CN. Our support of the Australian Naval Cadet Association is significant, as naval cadets continue to be a potential pool from which the Navy, historically, has drawn an important percentage of its workforce. Many cadets, who have been nurtured and encouraged at a young age, have continued to follow a career in the RAN. To quote the Catholic Church, “Get them young and you’ll keep them for life”.

Other performances include; Navy week cocktail party in Launceston, Triabunna Seafarers Memorial, TS HOBART’s 10th Anniversary dinner and HMAS SYDNEY ll Memorial Service.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

We are all looking forward to the release of the new CD featuring the combined performances of each of our detachments. I know a great deal of work went into this production and I believe it’s a project that would be considered the first of its kind.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANNY MULHERON AND LEADING KATHERINE MULHERON

Greetings and salutations to all from the far side.

The year ahead looks to be exciting as we attempt to break new ground in previously untried areas of exposure. Perth has a huge commitment to the arts and music festivals are abound in nearly every town in some shape or form. A short tour to the gold fields of Kalgoorlie is being planned for April, to participate in the “Rhythms in the Outback” music festival.

It has now been six months since Katherine and I made the move from the nation’s nerve center in Canberra to Perth and we have both settled comfortably adjusting to a new lifestyle. For the uninformed, Katherine spent 12 months posted to HMAS Harman as assistant regulator and watch bills cocoordinator and general trouble shooter for all non-descript administration tasks that didn’t come under a specific category. On the other hand, I enjoyed a position at Recruiting Headquarters that initially required a crash course in the fundamental workings of General Entry enlistment (Navy) and a love for excel spreadsheets. Generally speaking, it was a very educational time for the both of us.

Band members were very proud when it was announced, that one of their own, Able Seaman Nadene Starkie was invited to become part of a band contingent, to deploy to Iraq during the Christmas - New Year period. The decision to accept the offer was a difficult one for Nadene, with anxious feelings of unknown possible risk and leaving behind young children during the festive season; it was an opportunity that would rarely come along. Nadene has since returned, saying it was an experience she will never forget and that she was glad she made the decision to deploy. It will be counted as one of her major personal achievements.

Katherine now works for Manpower recruiting, conducting interviews and testing applicants, while I return to the job of music. Since arriving as chief of the Western Australian detachment the job has quickly proven to be a very challenging, and yet rewarding experience. From a musical commitment perspective, our bookings calendar probably looks very similar to any other reserve detachment around the country. During the past six months, we have performed for numerous ships balls and cocktail parties, supported memorial services for various naval associations, with a sprinkle of an agricultural show or two, and the odd local festival.

That’s about all the news from this side of the world. All the best

TRAINING MATTERS ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE COTTIER

One of the most notable jobs to date was performing at a cocktail party for 500 guests aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson while at anchor in the middle of Fremantle harbour. Playing inside a hanger with a Tomcat for a back drop was certainly impressive. By the way, the American’s idea of cocktail party finger food is like going to a Texan BBQ. Everything’s big and there was lots of it; unfortunately there were no party pies to be seen.

First of all I would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate all of our musicians who have successfully completed courses at the Defence Force School of Music this year. In my relatively short tenure here as Senior Instructor (2nd time around), I have been very impressed with the high standards achieved by our future leaders, and in particular the recent Section Leader Course. The standard of musicianship, enthusiasm and loyalty to the

There was a Single Entitlement Review (SED Review) conducted on the Australian Army Band Corps and the Defence Force School of Music earlier this year—one of the outcomes of the review was for extra positions to be approved for the Training Wing (TW). While it does not impact on the Navy to provide additional staff, it will have a significant impact on how the wing does its business. Hopefully this initiative will take away some of the additional pressure that has been placed on the current staff complement, and will enable us to provide more one on one instruction and support to all courses. Squadron Leader Graham Lloyd returns to the ‘Green’ in February to take on the position of OC/IC Training, Warrant Officer Class1 Steve Hladio takes on the appointment of Regiment Sergeant Major, and Corporal Darren Cole will be assigned Distance Education Training Sergeant. Other positions to be filled are Business Manager (civilian), Doctrine – Warrant Officer, Training Development – Sergeant and Information Technology Sergeant.

Navy by most was very pleasing, and will hold our category in good stead in the coming years. I trust that the tools you attained while under training will benefit you all with your future endeavours.

ABMUSN BRETT DOUGLAS ON THE “INTRODUCTION TO LIVE SOUND COURSE”

A word of advice for those of you attending promotion courses at the school in the future; please take the time to look at the Tomasz Speiwak Aural Package. It is not an enabling subject as most people believe and failure to meet the required entrance standards may result in you being removed from the course. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to give me a call; however, there are enough musicians in the detachments with the knowledge to assist.

We recently saw two of our members, Able Seamen Musicians Brett Douglas and Heather Wright attend the newly developed ‘Introduction to Live Sound’ Course. This course is a six-day course open to both members of the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army Band Corps, and is designed to educate the trainee in setting up and operating a PA system. The course has accredited competencies (units) toward a Diploma in Music Technology and is instructed by Sergeant Pete Sforcina, who I believe is one of the best sound technicians in the country. From all reports, Brett and Heather thoroughly enjoyed the course and gained valuable knowledge which, was put to the test when they operated the sound for the Twilight Concert; their final assessment. The follow up to this course is the ‘Introduction to Studio Recording’. This course is a five-day course designed to train members in studio recording. The final assessment has the trainee recording and mixing a live performance, which is then burnt to compact disc. If anyone is interested in nominating for these courses please be aware that the ‘Introduction to Live Sound’ is a prerequisite to the ‘Introduction to Studio Recording’; primarily because of the civilian accreditation process. While on the subject of accreditation, all courses at the Defence Force School of Music are currently undergoing re-accreditation, which is hoped to be completed by the end of this year; more on that in the next edition. The last accreditation was implemented in 1998. The only exception to this is the Band Officer Course, which is going to be re-designed next year.

In closing, I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Melbourne detachment under the direction of Lieutenant Steve Stanke for the support they have given the school this year, and in particular to the Band Officer Course. The conducting tutorials you supported at Cerberus were invaluable to their training and something they regularly looked forward too; I hope you enjoyed them and gained something out of them as well. I also appreciate that the drive to Simpson Barracks is an uninspiring one, but once again your support to our ‘At Home Concerts’ and Band Officer Course compositions was also essential to the training. (Special thanks to the double reeds and horns!!) Congratulations to Sub Lieutenant Andrew Stokes for successfully completing the Band Officer Course. His devotion to hard work has certainly paid off and we are about to see a very good Band Officer. Sub Lieutenant Stokes will be promoted to Lieutenant on 05 Jan 2004 and will then depart for Creswell to attend the Warrant Officer/ Senior Sailor Entry Officer Course and the Junior Officer Leadership Course before joining the Directorate as Assistant Director of Music—Navy in March.

Another course that is now in circulation is the Section Leader Course (SLC) Distant Education Training (DET) package. This course is designed to qualify Reserve Musicians of the Australian Defence Force to the rank of Leading Seaman Musician / Corporal. It is a 12-month, selfpaced course with a mentor (usually the Bandmaster) supervising all of the course subjects. The Group Leader Course Distance Education Training package was also introduced on 01 Nov this year.

On behalf of Warrant Officer Musician Bekendam, Petty Officer Musician Erskine and myself, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, keep safe and we’ll catch you on the counter march next year.

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM

Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset was very well received and many favourable comments were made. We then disembarked Arunta, moved back onboard Tobruk and proceeded to explore Bangkok, "The City of Angels".

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN SHARON JARVIS

The day of departure saw yet another change in our routine. It was decided that the group would play on the flight deck of Arunta for arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, so we packed up and headed back to our second home, the hangar on board Arunta.

On 2 October 2003, seven musicians from the Sydney detachment flew out of Sydney to join HMAS Tobruk in Darwin for a two-month deployment "up top". The embarked ensemble consisted of Chief Petty Officer Stapleton, Able Seamen Tatnell, Mildren, Solecki, and Jarvis, and Seamen Bradshaw and Riseley. For some it was not only their first taste of life at sea, but also their first time out of Australia. We arrived in Darwin and once on board Tobruk organised our messing arrangements, secured the equipment for sea and then, as only one would do, proceeded ashore to soak up the ambience of what is a great city before sailing the following morning. First stop Singapore!

It pays to remain flexible and keep ones sense of humour at all times! At last the day arrived that everyone was looking forward to—entry to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). To say that this was the most enjoyed port visit is an understatement. It was a great visit, fantastic people with a fascinating culture, and the shopping was incredible. Ho Chi Minh was also to be the port where we had many highprofile commitments due to the Maritime Commander being present and the response from everyone was overwhelming. The detachment did an outstanding job, covering commitments from the Maritime Commander’s Official Reception and Ceremonial Sunset, playing at a volleyball match between the Vietnamese Navy and the Aussie crew, and a primary school commitment that whipped the local children into a frenzy. The last day in port gave everyone a chance to snap up many of the bargains on offer. It was agreed that Ho Chi Minh was a favourite for everybody.

The first week saw us take on the role of "Super Cafe Party", experience the joy of the "DCX”, squeeze in rehearsals in our own little classroom down on the tank deck and witness the ancient ritual according to the laws of the deep, THE CROSSING OF THE LINE CEREMONY!!! There were three musicians that were initiated—Seaman Riseley, Seaman Bradshaw and Able Seaman Solecki. The rest of us looked on, had a good laugh and provided some musical accompaniment. On the second morning at sea, Seaman Riseley commenced playing wakey-wakey, receiving many favourable comments from all on board and was inundated with requests. On arrival in Singapore we were informed that there were no official functions, so unfortunately we had to hit the road and do our part in kicking along the local economy!! To top it off, our departure from Singapore was delayed a day due to an unspecified administrative complication, but luckily there was much to do to pass 24 hours. Life is good!!!

All good things must come to an end though and before we knew it, we were back on the high seas and back on Tobruk - destination Fremantle. During the two-week passage back to Australia the ship held its concert, which saw the embarked ensemble provide musical support to over seven acts. A big BZ to Able Seaman Solecki and Chief Petty Officer Stapleton for the time taken to write out the charts for the numerous acts. It was a terrific evening for all and a huge success.

The morning of departure we soon came to realise how quickly your day can change when you are a musician at sea. As we were in company with HMAS Arunta, and being a day behind schedule, it was suggested that we get ourselves and our equipment onto Arunta, as she would make better time to Bangkok where we needed to be for the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset. Great thinking, but definitely hard work when they add that you have only 15 minutes to do so! Of course we rose to the challenge and before we knew it we were aboard and heading for Thailand.

From Fremantle we headed down to Adelaide. Able Seaman Tatnell, Seaman Riseley and Seaman Bradshaw joined in with the South Australian detachment for a twohour performance, coincidentally down at Port Adelaide right where the ship berthed; their efforts greatly appreciated. Hobart was our last stop. There was one more commitment, that being the Senior Sailors/Senior Non Commissioned Officers Cocktail Party. There was one slight problem however - we did not have a drummer as Able Seaman Mildren departed in Fremantle due to personal issues. Luckily, the newly promoted Petty Officer Musician Paul Parnell was more than happy to fill in and a great night was had by all. Thanks Paul for doing an outstanding job. Great to see that you have still got it!

We commenced rehearsals for the Ceremonial Sunset and before we knew it, the morning of arrival was upon us. Due to an increase in security, forced protection was in place and Seaman Bradshaw and Able Seaman Tatnell volunteered to do a watch. They certainly looked the part decked out with kevlar helmet, flack jacket, two way radio and steyr!! Their contribution was greatly appreciated by the Seaman department. The evening’s performance of Beat to

November 26 was upon us before we knew it and Seaman Riseley stepped up to the challenge to not only do vocals but play the drums so that we could do entering harbour in

Sydney. He did a fantastic job and this is definitely one young guy to keep an eye on. I am sure that he will have a very successful career. He is also to be commended for his outstanding contribution to the numerous memorial services held whilst onboard. Also, a big BZ to Able Seaman Tatnell for his impressive bass guitar playing - not bad for a trombonist!

destination, Pearl Harbour. Pearl Harbour would have to be the most famous and exciting of all naval harbours in the world. One of the first things you are confronted with when entering harbour is the enormous bulk of the USS Missouri. She is bigger in real life than I had ever imagined and dominates the harbour from where she is permanently berthed as a tourist attraction. Immediately behind her is the very sombre memorial to the USS Arizona on which 1100 sailors were killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Later in the trip we were privileged enough to be able to visit the memorial site; an experience I am sure none of us will forget.

We are all grateful to have been given the opportunity to partake in such a memorable deployment. Everyone should put their hand up when such opportunities arise, as I can assure you, you will have the time of your life and memories that will stay with you always.

And so the “little green Australian ship”, as the Americans liked to call us, arrived in Pearl Harbour with the music of Cold Chisel, U2 and Men at Work being played from the flight deck. On arrival there was no time for rest as we immediately started preparing for that nights cocktail party. It was a welcome change to rehearse the marching display on a steady deck after rehearsing at sea. All went well with the cocktail party and those who count seemed happy with what we had put together for the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset.

MISSILES AND MUSICIANS ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER MATT JESSOP

On 17 August 2003, eight members of the Royal Australian Navy Band were gathered on the flight deck of HMAS Warramunga watching the rapidly receding coastline off Darwin as they headed for the Islands of Hawaii. For seven of the eight members of the deployed group it was their first time at sea. For one member, Able Seaman Chris Ellis, it was only his third week in the job.

After two days of sight seeing it was back out to sea for the ESSM firings. This was an experience we would not forget as the crew were allowed to stand on the flight deck to watch the first firing. The noise of the missile is incredible, even with full hearing protection and anti flash on there was a ringing in the ears for minutes to come. Our first launch was most successful with the ESSM striking the incoming missile head on, a feat rarely achieved. Firings proceeded over the next two days before we headed to our next port of call, the Island of Kauai.

This small group of musicians had come together during the previous week for rehearsals in Sydney. Two members of the Melbourne detachment, myself and Leading Seaman Klohs and six members of the Sydney detachment, Leading Seaman Kennedy, Able Seamen Foxe, Aston, Dowd, Cairncross and Ellis were to form this sea going element. We had been tasked with supporting the first operational firing of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). This involved ceremonial support at numerous cocktail parties throughout the eight-week trip. The principle one being at Pearl Harbour with dignitaries such as our own Chief of Navy, and four of the top ranking United States Navy Admirals among the 150 guests invited.

Kauai is the island where Jurassic Park was filmed and no explanation can be given to the extreme beauty of this place. Steven Spielberg would have had to make no changes to the scenery to achieve a prehistoric feel for his movie. Once again there was no time for rest on arrival, as we had to prepare for a Ceremonial Sunset that night. The following day we performed at the local shopping centre to a very appreciative crowd of around 150. That night we played for the ship’s company at a local bar owned by an expatriate Australian. It was a great night had by all with promises being made of a tour of the island the next day. So the next morning we all piled into the back of a Chevy pickup for an interesting bushwalk to “Secret Falls”. These waterfalls are in the valley shown at the start of the movie Outbreak, and proved to be most interesting.

After a day of settling in we were able to commence a daily routine which was to become the norm whilst at sea; this consisted of music rehearsal from 0800 until 1200 and then commencing other daily ships duties from 1200 until 0800 the following day. Duties we were tasked with whilst on board included bridge watch keeping, assistant officer of the watch, laundry, scullery, cooking and working in the engineering department. We found that assisting with these extra duties greatly helped with our integration into the Ship’s Company. It did however have its entertaining moments. One example was when the Commanding Officer came up to the bridge to find one musician on the helm and another navigating. He managed to mask his look of horror rather quickly and rapidly gained confidence in us.

Our time at Kauai had to come to an end and it was with regret that we headed back out to sea for some exercises with a Los Angeles class attack submarine. The sub fired a total of six torpedoes at us over the period of two days and then it was time for us to return to Pearl Harbour for a further four days alongside.

After 12 days at sea, a crossing the line ceremony, ships concert and a replenishment at sea, we arrived at our first

This visit to Pearl Harbour was to bring the musical highlight of the trip. Whilst at sea we had been in contact with the United States Marine Corps Band who had invited us to play at the Honolulu street festival. Little did we know that we would be performing in front of four US service bands and thousands of people on the main street of Honolulu. It was a career highlight for me with the detachment performing to its highest level in front of a wonderful audience. The generosity and friendship shown by the Marine Corps Band was also something to be experienced. Before we knew what hit us they had thrown a welcome party and were showing us around the island. I only hope that we will be able to return their generosity when they come to Australia in March 2004 for the Victorian Military Tattoo. Our next port of call was New Caledonia.

Arriving home is a wonderful feeling that should never be underestimated. Playing Khe San on the flight deck, whilst travelling up Sydney Harbour was an experience that I will never forget. For me this trip has been the highlight of my Navy career from both a personal and professional viewpoint. Not only have I made some wonderful new friends, I have seen some things only a privileged few are ever lucky enough to see. From a professional aspect it has been the greatest privilege for me to lead a wonderful group of musicians on this deployment. My thanks go out to them for their outstanding efforts during this trip.

INTERNET DOWNLOADS

New Caledonia was only a short stop of three days but gave us the opportunity to watch the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final. On the night of our arrival we performed another ceremonial sunset for the French navy and local dignitaries. With no previous abilities to speak French, Able Seaman Dowd did a magnificent job performing the French national anthem in the local language, much to the delight of the local crowd. The following day we performed at the local marine festival on behalf of the Australian embassy. On completion, it was off to a local establishment to catch a live broadcast of the AFL Grand Final. After joyfully watching Eddie Maguire crying on public television it was off to perform a concert at another waterfront establishment. It was great to see the majority of the ship’s company turn up at these non-compulsory affairs with the Commanding Officer and the wardroom leading the way on the dance floor. Next it was off to the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand.

Downloads Naval Hymn.pdf Advance Australia Fair.mp3 Waltzing Matilda.mp3 On the Quarterdeck.mp3 Royal Australian Navy.mp3 Eternal Father.mp3 Lastpost.mp3 Sunset.mp3 Bay of Biscay.mp3 Song of Australia.mp3 Song of Australia Score.pdf reveille.mp3 Proud Echo Score.pdf Bugle and Drum.mp3 Proud Echo.mp3 Iolanthe.mp3 General Call.mp3 Beat to Quarters.mp3 Bugle and Drum.mp3 Drum solos 01-10.mp3 AAF-Olympic Podium Pride of the Fleet.mp3 Nancy Lee.mp3 Drum solos 11-20.mp3 Drum bugle gamma.mp3 Drum bugle cheltnam.mp3

With the World Cup looming, it was always going to be interesting being in New Zealand as an Aussie. If only we had been there after the semi final! Once again it was another ceremonial sunset upon arrival for the local New Zealand Navy and Dunedin’s dignitaries. This was a four day stop over with the detachment once again performing their final ship’s concert at a local establishment. Some members of our group grabbed the opportunity of a day off to do some sight seeing in Queenstown, only to return to Dunedin in a blizzard and to find Warramunga blanketed in snow. New Zealand may be a spectacularly beautiful country but the weather leaves a great deal to be desired! Next it was off to Hobart and a return to local shores. The journey to Hobart around the South end of New Zealand provided the worst weather of the trip with Warramunga encountering an anti cyclone producing winds of 70 knots and huge seas. Arrival in Hobart once again had us performing a ceremonial sunset but gave us the opportunity for two days off over the weekend. Whilst it was great to be overseas, it was wonderful to be in Australia again. After a brief visit, we commenced the final leg home to Sydney.

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RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 4 OF 30 JUNE 2004

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

FROM PARKES TO BAGHDAD Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton reports from the Dawn Service in Baghdad

My mind drifted back to the 10 year old boy in the Parkes Town Band uniform nervously awaiting the cue to commence his first rendition of the Last Post on ANZAC Day all those years ago. Had all the bugle calls and all the services and ceremonies been leading to this point in time and if so, how would I perform. The Prime Minister and Senior Representatives of the Coalition took their places among the Australian personnel who had gathered. The service commenced with the singing of ‘Abide with Me’ and continued with a reading from Commodore Darby and an address from General Cosgrove. (Continued page 3)

CONTENTS

ANZAC DAY 2004 BAGHDAD ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTYOFFICER STAPLETON

As the dim light of dawn filtered through the crisp, clear night my attention was drawn to the sound of sporadic gunfire off in the distance, to my estimation somewhere just north of Camp Victory. As always, when outdoors, my weapon was slung over my left shoulder and hung comfortably down the middle of my back. I checked my left pocket for the live magazine that was always strategically placed there for easy access. My heart lifted a little more as the crack of small arms fire continued and the anticipation of the service to come drew near. The ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Baghdad was about to begin. The eerie tranquillity was disturbed as the Catafalque Guard slow marched into position, their boots lightly scraping the ground. I couldn’t help but wonder how I got here, to this place, this moment.

From the Director’s Desk

Anzac Day 2004 continued

Sydney Detachment

Melbourne Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

Queensland Detachment

South Australian Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Defence Force School of Music

Maritime Commander Commendation

Rhythms in the Outback

Anzac Exchange

Anzac Day at Gallipoli

Thankyou from Snowflower

Our Band

Our Purpose and What We Value

Results from Our Climate Survey

Website Results

Missions, Deployments and Other Outcomes 20

FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK

initiative on our terms by choosing the right deployments and where possible, only sending people who seek this opportunity. The deployment of an element of the band to the Middle East as part of the Tour de Force Middle East Area of Operations during Christmas 2003 and the New Year demonstrated to our deployed forces the calibre of Navy’s musicians along with the band's impressive musical capability. More recently, the band’s detachments extended Navy's reach in the week prior to Anzac Day with performances in Kalgoorlie and Alice Springs, and on Anzac Day detachments of the band performed in most major capital cities across the nation achieving wide media coverage. The reserve component of the band plays an important role in extending the band’s reach. These small ensembles of part-time musicians continue to find improvement in the quality of their output and remain a very effective contributor to the band’s national image and its outcomes.

ANZAC DAY IN SYDNEY WITH THE SYDNEY AND NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENTS PASSING THE CENOTAPH AT MARTIN PLACE

This month marks two years since I was given the privilege of leading the RAN Band. It is timely that in this edition I recap on some of our achievements during this period but in particular, our outcomes since the band transferred from Maritime Command to Australian Navy Systems Command last July.

The performances to record crowds at the Dawn Services in Melbourne and Sydney were noteworthy; as was the contribution by one of our buglers at the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Tennant Creek. Furthermore, the performances at Anzac Day services in Hobart by former members of the band help to keep Navy's image alive in the wider community. This unofficial 8th detachment (past members of the RAN Band) has an important role in supporting the current generation of musicians and represents the significant contribution members of the band have given their nation over many years. I was pleased to recently be invited to become one of the Patron’s of the RAN Band Association. I have accepted that invitation and hope that my involvement with the association with help to reestablish our ties with our past members.

The previous editions of our newsletter give testimony of where we’ve been and how we travelled that journey. However, recent tasks have highlighted a period of significant achievement. Importantly, since the transfer to Navy Systems Command the band has continued its effort to renew and reshape itself to serve Navy as its needs change. The band’s funding situation remains difficult and this has, to some extent, required us to review the way that we do business. Nonetheless, and despite the angst caused through this funding position, the band’s national results have been impressive. Since the transfer the band has completed more than 510 missions for Navy (that’s 85 more task than last Financial Year). Our performance for the Welcome Home Ceremony for HMAS Kanimbla, the release of two new recordings (a Flagship Recital and Cruising Stations), our contribution to the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Parramatta, our Flagship Recital at the Eugene Goosen's Hall in Sydney marking the 90th anniversary of the band, and our role in the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Ballarat were nation best.

However, most notable and reflecting the significant role that the band has in promoting Navy's image across the nation and on the international stage were: radio interviews from Gallipoli with some of our musicians; performances by our musicians at the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove and at the memorial service at Lone Pine; and

Furthermore, our public relations figures remain strong and our web-site has achieved significant page view and music down load results since going on the net. Importantly though, since the transfer to Australian Navy Systems Command we have continued to re-establish our links with the Fleet by embarking musicians in HMAS Warramunga, HMAS Tobruk, HMAS Arunta and HMAS Parramatta. These deployments have followed on from the previous year with deployments in HMAS Kanimbla (on two occasions), HMAS Sydney, and HMAS Adelaide. The results from this Sea Deployment initiative have been significant and integral to the band’s image within the wider naval community; they have also brought much overseas travel opportunity for our musicians. We will continue to manage this

the contribution by one of our buglers at the Dawn Service in Baghdad in the presence of the Prime Minister, Senior Representatives from our Coalition Partners and members of our deployed forces. The RAN Band plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness. It maintains one of Navy's most consistent and significant public engagement profiles, and continues to support Fleet activities through ship borne deployments of small elements of musicians. This edition of RAN Band News contains many personal accounts from members and their experiences on Anzac Day as well as articles which so how busy we have been

and all the fantastic places that we have taken Navy’s image.

gesture. In my own being I knew I’d performed well. I had to, for every experience, every nerve-racking performance and everything I’ve ever done in the past had prepared me for this great honour and what an awesome time it was.

Well done on your achievements. Before I sign off I would like to acknowledge the very strong contribution given the RAN Band by Lieutenant Steven Cottier who departs the Royal Australian Navy in the coming months to commence a new path in his career. Steven has been a loyal and hard-working member of the RAN Band since he enlisted on 17 September 1978. He is currently the Senior Instructor at the Defence Force School of Music and has enjoyed postings as a musician in all of our permanent detachments as well as leadership experience as the Bandmaster of the South Australian detachment and Music Director of the Melbourne detachment. A more dedicated member of our team would be hard to find. On behalf of the RAN Band I wish him, Karen and family every success on their next journey together and thank them for the friendship that they have shared with us.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MICHELLE COLEMAN

HEBREWS 13.5-7

THE CEREMONIAL FANFARE TEAM AND DRUM CORPS FROM THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT ONBOARD HMAS BALLARAT DURING HER COMMISSIONING CEREMONY.

As I write this in early May, it is hard to believe that we are already into the fifth month of the year. The year has certainly flown since I commenced the position of Officer in Charge and Musical Director of the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. This detachment has had quite a busy start to the year, with commitments including our regular St Andrew’s Cathedral concerts, ship Welcome Home ceremonies, commemoration services, parades, cocktail parties and Ceremonial Sunsets just to mention a few.

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON PLAYS THE LAST POST AT THE DAWN SERVICE AT BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

(Continued from page 1) As the Prime Minister moved forward for his address, the extra security around the perimeter was now visible in the pervading morning light. Special Forces Troopers had their attention firmly focused outside the Air Traffic Control compound as the firefight off to the north intensified.

We have also had some of our personnel deploy on ships and overseas. These include eight personnel who joined HMAS Manoora for a two week period visiting New Zealand. We have also had members deploy to Gallipoli and Baghdad for ANZAC day services. We are now in the midst of working out plans for upcoming deployments—so there should be some more exciting tales soon of visits to foreign ports.

With the laying of wreaths came my cue to move into position for the ‘Act of Remembrance.’ As one wreath after another was brought forward I noticed my nervousness and anxiety ebbed away and was replaced by a sense of calm and confidence. I raised my bugle in preparation for the General Salute from the Catafalque Guard, my hand did not tremble, my mind was focused, and I was determined to play well.

For the first time in a few years, we have had a musician involved in the ANZAC exchange. In early March, Able Seaman Grant Metcalfe headed across the Tasman to work with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. We have had the pleasure of hosting Leading Seaman Riwai Hina from New Zealand at the same time. It has been a great pleasure to work with Riwai—he has helped us out immensely since he has been with us, and I know has made many friends during his relatively short stay.

On completion of the service, as personnel jockeyed for a photo opportunity with the Prime Minister, I noticed General Cosgrove walking my way. My attempt to stay modestly in the background had failed. The General shook my hand and said “I can’t believe I had to travel half way around the world, to Baghdad for ANZAC Day to hear one of the best bugle calls I’ve ever heard.” He then presented me with a signed copy of Ataturk’s famous poem. I was humbled by his comments and gratified by the

As always there have been a few new arrivals to our detachment since the beginning of the year. Petty Officer Brian O’Kane (Clarinet) joins us from the Her Majesty’s

Royal Marine Band. Brian, his wife Liz and their two daughters Natalie and Rebecca have packed up and travelled from Portsmouth to join us. It is with a great deal of pleasure that the O’Kanes are welcomed into the Royal Australian Navy family, and I hope that they enjoy all that we, and Australia has to offer. Fresh from recruit school are Able Seamen Linda Huntington (Bassoon) and Cindy Sims (French Horn). We also welcome our newest Tertiary Musician Entrance Scheme Graduate from South Australia Able Seaman Tom Bastians (Saxophone).

The first four months of this year in my new position have been fantastic. I am very fortunate to be the Music Director of a great bunch of people. Not only are they collectively a very talented group of musicians, but also wonderful people to work with. I am very happy with what they have achieved over the last four months, as they have adapted to working with a new Music Director. I look forward to catching up with one and all when I return from exchange in September.

With arrivals, come the inevitable departures, and we have recently said goodbye to Able Seaman Karen Collidge (Clarinet) and Stuart Vandegraaff (Saxophone). Karen and Stuart leave us after four years full-time service; however, they have both joined the Naval Reserves so we have not lost their talents and experience. Petty Officer Louise Hunt has also recently been posted and is now at HMAS Cerberus with the Melbourne detachment.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVEN STANKE

Our focus this year has been to explore our Public Relations claim that “in a word, the band is versatile.” Our monthly studio concerts have included performances not only by the concert band, but also big band, jazz group, brass group and woodwind group. Also, we have included solos and various chamber groups, which have all been very well received by the packed houses. With all this variety it is no surprise then that the musical content is likewise varied. The limits of musical acceptance and professionalism are being well and truly stretched at Sunny Cerberus. Along with the usual quota of Recruit and Communications Schools Graduation Parades, Cerberus Divisions and assorted local and city parades, our year so far has contained many activities. First up was a performance in February at a family gathering on the oval at Club Cerberus. “Cerberus Celebrates” was initiated by the base Chaplains as an opportunity for the naval community to get together for reasons other than a parade or a funeral and to enjoy good company, food and entertainment on a balmy summer evening. Now in its second year, it was attended by a crowd of some 500 who were entertained by our big band and rock band. Local singer Ann Marie Wilkinson added impressive vocal colour.

AT ST ANDREWS CATHEDRAL, FROM LEFT, LEADING SEAMAN MEREDITH REEVES, LEADING SEAMAN CHRIS PALAMOUNTAIN, LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES AND ABLE SEAMAN SONYA HENDERSON

Moving on to family matters. Able Seaman Steven Stojcevski became a happily married man on 24 April. Leading Seaman Dan Hobson and his wife Nyree are the proud parents of their firstborn, daughter Bronte, and also first time parents to daughter Alexandria are Leading Seaman Jason Campbell and Able Seaman Rachel Campbell. Congratulations to you all. As I write this article, members of the Sydney and Melbourne detachments are in rehearsals for our upcoming compact disc, ‘The Seafarer’. Following the rehearsal and recording sessions, we will be back in full swing fulfilling our commitments to the Naval and wider public community, with what will hopefully be a couple of very exciting months.

February also kicked off the Jazz Festival season, with performances by the big band at Paynesville, Inverloch and Melbourne Zoo. All these performances induced wild applause and good karma from very appreciative audiences; caused not the least by the ever growing jazz talent within the RAN Band. All members gave very strong contributions and special thanks must go to those who live and breathe jazz as evidenced through their solos and knowledge of repertoire. At Paynesville, Don Burrows was a guest artist and reaffirmed his status as one of Australia’s most influential jazz performers. At Melbourne Zoo, we were joined by one of Sydney’s finest trumpet players, Recruit Paul Panichi (New South Wales detachment), who shared his skills gleaned from many years of performing with world class artists. An estimated four thousand attended this gig which also included dancers from Swing

The astute reader may have noticed that I have written this article in May—somewhat sooner than publication date. Yes, there is a reason as I will very shortly be heading off to the United Kingdom, as part of the Longlook exchange program. For a four month period I will be working with the Royal Marine Band Service. This is a great opportunity for me and I know that it will be an incredible experience. I’ll be back in mid-September and will be looking forward to seeing out the year with new knowledge, experiences, and hopefully, lots of great ideas! Lieutenant Andrew Stokes (Assistant Director of Music—Navy) will be assuming my responsibilities in my absence.

Patrol, providing a visual compliment to both band sets. Band members consistently rate this gig as one of the highlights of the year.

On 27 March, Cerberus Football Club, whose members are affiliated with Hawthorn, asked us to provide parade music for their players as they marched around the MCG as part of the season opening spectacular. Sounds like a good idea in theory but it was missing one crucial element—an audience. The parade took place at midday in front of a crowd of less than 100 people. The MCG can look mighty big and lonely when empty and all members agreed that this job rated in the top five of Worst Gigs.

Also, a major highlight was the attendance of the big band at James Morrison’s “Generations in Jazz” at Mount Gambier in May. Exposure to Australian jazz legends such as Morrison, Graeme Lyall, Ross Irwin, and again Paul Panichi, and entertainer Daryl Somers continue to provide musical stimulation and opportunities not only for members of the RAN Band but also to numerous burgeoning talents from the competition entrants and attendees.

The rock band has also had their fair share of performances, including Cerberus Celebrates, West Head Gunnery Open Day, TS BENDIGO Ball and “Dress to the 9s” at HMAS Cerberus Junior Sailors bar. This group is also a crucial component of school performances.

In April, the band also performed at Melbourne’s Federation Square, which is proving to be a major city entertainment centre. The outdoor stage attracts a large lunchtime crowd and should become a regular city venue.

Anzac Day performances have had an international focus this year with Navy providing the band for the services at Gallipoli. The four members of the Melbourne detachment who joined members from the Sydney detachment have had an experience that is hard to match and even harder to describe. The sense of awe and responsibility when standing on the beach at Anzac Cove was palpable and the friendships that developed between the Australians and Turks at this years ceremonies were evidence of two communities at ease with each other.

Two new venues for our concert band were explored this year with a great degree of success. Chaplain Russell Joyce suggested we consider a concert at his church in Brighton which we scheduled for February 29. Although the church turned out to be almost too small for our full complement, there was a full house, standing ovation, good acoustics and even better food. Members of a nearby parish who had a larger church begged us to present a concert at their church, which we duly scheduled for May 30. Again, a full house, standing ovation, good acoustics and food. With results like that, how could we refuse return visits? Further concerts have been scheduled at both churches later in the year.

In Melbourne, Lieutenant Andrew Stokes directed the Melbourne detachment in the city and at the Shrine of Remembrance in my absence. He reports that the RAN Band, Australian Male Welsh Choir, and Sarah Morse, associate principal cellist from the MSO performing “Hymn from Finlandia” before a crowd of some 15,000 was definitely a moment to cherish.

On 14 March, the jazz group performed at the opening of Melbourne Fashion Week. All members, (males) report that it was a very poor gig and not to be accepted again. However, if there was an option of a repeat performance, then they would begrudgingly accept; to save the embarrassment of any other group having to endure the ordeal.

Lieutenant Stokes also directed the Melbourne detachment at the Freedom of Entry Parade in Bendigo for patrol boat HMAS Bendigo. On this parade, the band gave the world premiere of his march “The Force”. Other world premieres of compositions by Leading Seamen Mat Klohs and Nat Pollard were given by the Melbourne detachment at concerts this year. Leading Seaman Pollards “Crimson Sand” was also performed at Anzac Cove to close the preservice entertainment and was the perfect choice.

In March, NUSHIP PERTH, the last of the Anzac’s, was launched. Because we did not have a fulltime singer at that time (Able Seaman Jen Monk was still in recruit school), Able Seaman Tracy Burke from the Sydney detachment provided the vocals. We were also pleased to join with the Australian Children’s Choir for several pieces.

Several members have joined HMAS Parramatta for a deployment to EXERCISE RIMPAC 2004. Able Seamen MacFie and Lo have shaken off first sea trip nerves and are currently somewhere in the Pacific learning the finer details of life at sea as a musician. An initiative by the Commanding Officer, HMAS Cerberus, to promote the navy in the local community by encouraging schools to come to our studio has been well received. To date we have hosted several local schools with more planned for the coming months. Our excursions to more distant schools remain though, and our focus for these concerts is entertainment. Our blend of traditional naval ceremony, concert band, big band and rock band continues to elicit pleasant surprise from school staff and students who often expect a far less entertaining experience.

THE MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ON PARADE AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY FOR HMAS BALLARAT. THE CEREMONIAL FANFARE TEAM AND DRUM CORPS FROM THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARE IN THE BACKGROUND.

All junior sailors have been encouraged to continue their performance development this year by presenting several five minute in-house recitals. Although it is acknowledged that not everyone aspires to be a world class soloist, all members have nonetheless accepted the challenge of maintaining basic performing skills by showing the band their skills.

appearance of the Australian Army Pipes and Drums. The concert was a huge success according to organisers and we look forward to an invitation next year. In the months to come we will be performing at the York and Toodjay Jazz Festivals in between the various annual ships balls that normally occur latter in the year. This year the Submarine Force Element Group is trying a new approach, where the squadron will combine to hold the event on the same night. It is anticipated that guests will number around the 600 mark, making this a significant calendar date.

Congratulation to Leading Seaman Rob Flynn and Able Seaman Beth Winterhalter for obtaining their Musicianship Skill Grade Three.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

That’s about all from the West for now. Katherine and I hope you are all keeping well and we look forward to seeing you soon.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANNY MULHERON

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER BRAD SCUDDS

Since taking over the role as Bandmaster of the Queensland detachment Royal Australian Navy Band, I am happy with the progress and changes we have implemented, and the new direction we are taking. I look forward to working in and around Brisbane during the next financial year with the hope of raising the profile and public awareness of the Navy and this detachment.

AT THE ANZAC SERVICE IN PERTH

In January, we participated at Australia Day functions in both Brisbane and Caloundra. We performed at the Brisbane Town Hall in front of 1200 people including the 900 new Australians participating in the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony. Our vocalist Able Seaman Madonna Mallon was well received with her rendition of Advance Australia Fair.

The past four months have been quite busy for the Western Australian detachment here on the West coast; no doubt as it has been for everyone else. Since my arrival last year, the word has spread quickly that a Navy bugler is in town and the job requests for memorial and funeral services continue to flow in.

At Caloundra, we entertained some 1500 people in an open-air venue. This was the first appearance of Leading Seaman Sarah MacDonald, since leaving the Permanent Navy midway through 2003, and joining our Reserve detachment. Together with Leading Seaman Linda O’Hara, they sang in front of our Stage Band and were thoroughly enjoyed by all in the audience.

The detachment has performed beyond my expectations during this period, while the quality and profile of our commitments continue to increase. The workload has been a fine balancing act between members’ civilian work responsibilities and the time available for families. With that I would like to thank the wives and families who have given their support to the unit this year. Without their understanding many operations of this detachment would not be possible.

During this month, we reintroduced the rock group into our suite of capabilities. The allotted rehearsals on a Tuesday night went well for a while until our Clearance Diving friends, who we share the “shed” with, felt that they couldn’t feel as one with their Bower Compressor over the “noise” of the rock group rehearsing. We have since moved those rehearsals to a Thursday evening and have an acceptable repertoire under our belts and another string to our bow.

There have been two significant commitments that have raised our profile in and around Perth this year. Our participation in the Cottesloe Twilight Concert Series in March and a weekend away to Kalgoorlie in April were very successful. The town of Cottesloe is to Perth, as Beaumaris is to Melbourne. The concert series is held January to March on a Sunday evening and attracts a very diverse audience. The venue is on the lawns of a historic homestead close to the ocean, where we performed a two hour concert with a featured

Mid February saw four of our members travel up north to support an element of the Sydney detachment at Fleet Divisions in HMAS Cairns. They were well received and a

worthwhile and enjoyable time was had by all who attended.

saxophones. Both girls are students and come from the Toowoomba / Ipswich area.

During March were the usual Naval Association commemorative services for HMAS Perth and the Battle of Java Sea plus all the associated bugle calls around that time. The WRANS Association held a service, parade and dinner mid March making use of all our numbers and small groups.

That’s all I have for this edition. Fair weather and full crab pots.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

In April our saxophone group performed at Customs House in Brisbane for the opening of a new facility for Veterans Health. Many high profile people were present and the feedback received was very favourable.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTYOFFICER ANTONOFF

The workload for this ANZAC Day was reduced compared to previous years. We had the mandatory Dawn Service onboard HMAS Bulimba (Barracks) followed by a street march down the Bulimba main street and service in the park, and then flew into Brisbane for two street marches finally wrapping up by midday. I say reduced, because previously we would get back on the bus and head off to the Colmslie RSL for an afternoon concert and then finish the “longest day” with a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset at another RSL on the other side of town. (Phew, it was hard enough work just explaining it). I put it to a vote with the majority deciding they would like to enjoy, on that special day, the ANZAC spirit (and beer and wine and …). Early May we went to Mooloolaba to help with the commissioning of a new patrol craft for the Mooloolaba Coast Guard. Despite the cool weather (22 or 23 degrees) and the low audience numbers on the day, the organisers were very appreciative of our efforts.

MOST OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE ON SAXOPHONE GOING TO ABLE SEAMAN VASHTI TYRRELL AND ABLE SEAMAN YURI MARKOV RECEIVED THE JOHN REYNOLDS MUSIC CITY AWARD FOR TOP UNDERGRADUATE ON DRUMS.

The following day we were invited to support the Lest We Forget Fun Run. A large crowd of supporters and runners were around to enjoy the music provided by our Jazz Funk Group.

The end of 2003 marked a change in direction for some members of the South Australian detachment. Following the successful completion of his Bachelor of Music degree, Able Seaman Tom Bastian's transferred to the Permanent Navy and was posted to the Sydney detachment following Recruit Training at HMAS Cerberus. Cameron Howlett will be posted to the Australian Army Band Melbourne upon completion of recruit training at Kapooka whilst Able Seaman Hugh Harvey relocated to Melbourne to study for his Honours degree in music. All three musicians provided a significant contribution to the South Australian detachment and will be missed. On behalf of all members of the South Australian detachment I thank them for their contribution and wish them well in their careers and further studies Several musicians took advantage of the Christmas period to travel the seas around the Caribbean on cruise ships as members of the ships band. Able Seaman Katia Labozetta is still enjoying the warm weather of the Caribbean whilst Leading Seaman Luke Townsend and Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell returned refreshed and ready to go in what is building up to be a busy finale to this Financial Year.

MEMBERS OF THE JAZZ FUNK GROUP PERFORMING AT THE FUN RUN

Most recently, we took part in the Vietnam Veterans Parade through the streets of Brisbane, and a Sunset Ceremony the following day. Again, Able Seaman Madonna Mallon accompanied us and sang a Hymn and the anthem, Advance Australia Fair. I am told that people were very moved during her performance, applauding after the Hymn AND Advance Australia Fair.

Prior to commencing recruit training Tom Bastians married the lady of his dreams, Karla. Petty Officer Rory McKinnon also took the plunge and married Bronwyn. Rory and Bronwyn are now the proud parents of Sarah Christabelle. Able Seaman Joel Walker and wife Sarah also became the

New members to this detachment are: Recruit Angela Davis on saxophones, and Recruit Sarah Swann on Flute and

proud parents of Samuel. We wish them well as they commence their journeys of marriage and parent hood.

The first gig for the year was one of our favourites; particularly for the petrol heads—Clipsal 500. The South Australia detachment's Rock Band, fronted this year by Petty Officer's Rory McKinnon and Clayton Tschirn and Able Seaman Nicole Bates, is a firm favourite of many regular Clipsal 500 patrons. This year's participation in Clipsal was particularly exciting and uplifting for the reserve musicians in the Rock Band who proved they could back the best in the entertainment world as they backed one of this year's main attractions, Australia's music legend, Glenn Shorrock of the 'Little River Band'.

The South Australian detachment has attracted some of Adelaide University's best musicians studying for their music degree. This was highlighted with the Adelaide City Council Award for Most Outstanding Undergraduate on Saxophone going to Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell and Able Seaman Yuri Markov received the John Reynolds Music City Award for Top Undergraduate on Drums. Vashti, who also has a degree in Architectural Design, plays with local jazz-funk band 'Sukatash' and various other groups. She also plays flute, clarinet, piccolo, soprano and baritone saxophones and says she took up the sax seriously when she started her music degree course in 2000.

Recent losses of members caused a significant depletion of our drum corps prior to the ANZAC Day parade and the South Australian Naval Cadets Freedom of Entry to the city of Noarlunga. This presented a challenge to our recently graduated recruits under the direction of Leading Seaman Belinda Tucker to reach the required standards with little time to ensure the band's traditional participation on ANZAC day. Able Seaman Yuri Markov and Seaman's Steve Tabe and Francesco Mulraney responded to the challenge with enthusiasm and a commitment to excel at the task. Supporting and encouraging each other they achieved their objective and proudly led the band in both parades.

Able Seaman Yuri Markov migrated from Russia where he was the principal drummer in the Russian Army's President's Band. Upon arrival in Adelaide he joined the Australian Army Band Adelaide for a brief stint before seeing the light and transferring to the South Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. An excellent drummer and percussionist, Yuri is in great demand locally and somehow manages to fit the South Australian detachment in between his other commitments. Yuri's ambition is to transfer to one of the full-time detachments. The RAN Band 'one band' concept is working well and has provided several opportunities for the reserve musicians in South Australia to work along side the reserve musicians in Tasmania and Permanent Force musicians in Alice Springs and Darwin.

Current focus for this detachment is on stage band as we work up to support the ARTS College students who focus on music, sound and stage and, play at a dinner to be held by surviving members of the HMAS MELBOURNE / USS FRANK E EVANS collision. The latter should be quite an occasion with many American survivors making the journey to Adelaide to participate in the memorial service and dinner.

Able Seamen Troy Ottens, Jason Chalmers, Guy McRedmond and Vashti Tyrrell flew to Alice Springs to support the Melbourne detachment at HMAS Arunta's Freedom of Entry. They enjoyed the experience and the pressure is now on here to implement some new ideas for parade band and change our marches.

Until the next newsletter, on behalf of all members of the South Australian detachment make the most of and enjoy the opportunities provided to you as member of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Able Seamen Nicole Bates, Troy Ottens, Guy McRedmond and Jason Chalmers went to Darwin for Maritime Commander's Fleet Divisions in February. Able Seaman Craig Jones and Seaman Steve Tabe will be off to Tasmania in June to assist the Tasmania detachment at their Navy Ball.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT WRIGHT

Since our last report we have farewelled Petty Officer Louise Hunt in her role as our Permanent Navy Liaison Officer and welcomed Chief Petty Officer Gabe Kicsak. What goes around comes around! As many would be aware, Gabe began his relationship with Navy music back in the days of the Sydney Port Division Reserve Band, when we were based at HMAS Waterhen, and he was just a young teenager. (It feels like light years ago!) We also welcome new recruits Melanie Speet, Melanie Donohoe and Mick Donohoe. We look forward to their contribution to the NSW detachment and their progress in the RAN Band.

MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT WITH MUSIC LEGEND GLEN SHORROCK AT THE CLIPSAL 500

While we have a reputation as the “best little church band in town”: we do a lot of jobs at GID Chapel; we have been fortunate to grab some pretty good jobs with significant exposure. The Remembrance Day Dinner at Burwood RSL provided a great opportunity for Stage Band to present a couple of hot brackets to a most appreciative audience—we look towards more performance requests for what is developing into a really solid, yet kool, sound.

band and rock group to entertain for the evening. The highlight of the evening was the Ceremonial Sunset performed by combining with TS HOBART, Australian Navy Cadet Band and a guard from Navy Headquarters Tasmania. The cadets marched on as a drum corps and performed a drum display followed by our band playing the hymns for sunset. There was hardly a dry eye in the room as the ex bandies stood and sung along with the hymns.

Among other recent highlights: Able Seaman Terry McCleary went a-bugling to Christmas Island; a small group went by sea down to Burnie; the jazz group entertained the dinner for the Navy Reserve Symposium (thanks for your help WO); the dedication and memorial service at Nirimba; and Anzac Day parades.

ARTICLE BY RECRUIT MUSICIAN’S CALEB WILSON AND BRYONY DWYER

May 2004 saw the Derwent Valley Concert Band of Hobart travel to Denmark to participate within the surrounding festivities of the Royal Danish wedding of Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Tasmanian commoner Mary Donaldson. Four defence personnel were among the 60piece band; two from the Australian Army Band, Staff Sergeant Graeme Curran and Staff Sergeant David Schmidt who is the band’s Drum Major; and two from the Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. The Derwent Valley Band, the only non-Danish band to play for the celebrations, played with 15 other Danish Marching Bands. Trombonist, Recruit Caleb Wilson, and Saxophonist, Recruit Bryony Dwyer, were also members of the 40-piece marching band that marched through the streets of Copenhagen as part of the wedding processions. The 5km wedding day march was preceded by a static performance and collectively took five hours from start to finish. Many then walked back into Copenhagen to watch the newly weds appear on the balcony at the Queen’s Palace. The band had a minimal amount of time to go sight-seeing and shopping, however we did get to go to play at Tivoli Gardens in the centre of the city and spend the evening there. The band played in the province of Roskilde and visited the Viking Museum there. They played outside the cathedral in which the Royal couple was married on a day dedicated to the children. The whirlwind trip was immensely enjoyed by all and was an experience that will be remembered for quite some time.

The future looks interesting with Reserve Forces Day parades at Newcastle and Sydney, the Voyager Reunion at Coffs Harbour, and the Stage Band's workshop with John Morrison and a very busy November. Along with the emerging Stage Band, the NSW detachment now is developing a sax quintet and a brass quartet. This will enable us to meet a broader range of jobs in realising Navy’s mission.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT HILLHOUSE

This year started with a large contingent of this detachment attending Recruit School. Recruit’s Angus Donald, Richard Armstrong, Emerson Shuey, Caleb Wilson and Bryony Dwyer all completed training at HMAS Cerberus in January 2004. They all came back with mixed thoughts on the process; from Richard, who did not enjoy the experience, to Bryony who wanted to stay. We say goodbye to Able Seaman Jason Clendining who has moved to Sydney for work and Able Seaman Stephanie Monk who has moved to Darwin. Stephanie has recently auditioned for Australian Idol and has made it through to the top 100. She will be in Sydney for the next stage in June 2004 so tune in and vote.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

In February we performed briefly at the Clarence Jazz Festival before the rain closed in. The audience pulled out the umbrellas, opened another bottle of wine and was determined not to let the rain win. Many bands performed in between the rain breaks but one in particular, the Rosny College Stage Band, has three of our members; Recruit’s Caleb Wilson, Robert Schultz and Bryony Dwyer. Although a wet day it was good for recruiting. We currently have two musicians interested in joining us from the Rosny band.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE

Well it’s been a quiet start to 2004 from the Navy side of things here at the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM). The year started with the Section Leader Course, which unfortunately involved no Navy Musicians. Able Seaman Brett Douglas attended the “Introduction to Studio Recording Course” which was instructed by Sergeant Pete Sforzina. From all reports, Brett enjoyed the course and gained a lot of knowledge from it. Recently we saw Leading Joanne Holloway and Leading Seaman Lucas Kennedy attend the Group Leader Course and I must say it is great

In April we had the Royal Australian Navy Band Association Reunion weekend. It started with a Meet and Greet at the Navy Club on Friday night the 23 April. We had our jazz group performing to start the night but before long the ex bandies were on stage. A good night was had by all. On the Saturday night we performed for the Official Dinner. We had our stage

to catch up with musicians from the RAN Band detachments. As I am currently in the Petty Officer Musician position here at the school, I thought it appropriate to explain exactly what goes on here from my point of view. There is a lot of green wandering the corridors, (which is understandable), but I’m sure you would be hard pressed to find a more devoted, capable and friendly team. My role includes instructing on the Basic Musician Course, Section Leader Course and Group Leader Course. It makes me proud to hear the high musical standards of the Navy Musicians that attend the various advanced courses. Being a part of a Navy staff of three, I love to see Navy musicians doing us proud. The day to day activities includes Physical Training (yes Army PT)! Actually, it sounds worse than it is. Be it a team run challenge, battle PT, pirates or a pool recovery swim, all in all you do feel exhausted but boy do you get fit. Working with the Basic Musicians course is both challenging and hard work but very rewarding personally; never a dull moment! From the day the trainees arrive with eyes as big as “pusses’ duff bowls”, to the large proud grin of achievement on their face when they receive applause at their final recital. All in all they are great people working hard to graduate and get out there into the Band Corps. There are 12 trainees at present all keen and eager. Most seem to have a fascination as to what it’s like in the Navy and I am constantly bombarded with Navy questions on the slang and Navy life in general. Recently we managed to attend a concert held at Federation Square by the Melbourne detachment performing their Big Band and woodwind quintet. It certainly inspired the trainees to aim for a higher personal level. In the future we hope to take the trainees down for a visit with the Melbourne detachment to help broaden their experiences and make a few musical ties where otherwise they would never meet. With a strong emphasis for continual improvements in training here at DFSM there continue to be changes, with both the delivery of training and the course content as well. The Officer Commanding / Chief Instructor of the Training Wing has been initiated by Army and the current incumbent is the ex-Director of Music, Airforce, Squadron Leader Graham Lloyd (now Major Lloyd), who brings with him a vast wealth of musical knowledge and experience. This knowledge he imparts on the instructors as well as the courses he instructs, having a positive effect on the whole system. A major part of the delivery of training is the strong push to have all instructors Certificate IV qualified in Workplace Assessment and Training in accordance with the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) guidelines and competencies. Although Navy covers most of the competencies in the Instructor Technique course held at HMAS Cerberus, we still need the civilian competencies to keep all training civilian accredited. So for now, the trainers are the students. The Training Development Wing has also been very busy as they are the ones who advise on and implement these changes and “police” all training activities to ensure that the best practices are in place.

I encourage Navy personnel to come in and visit DFSM; the resources and facilities available will certainly impress those that have never visited the school. Individual practice rooms are ample and working with Australian Army Band Melbourne is a great opportunity to spend time performing with such a professional unit. So if you’re in the area be sure to pop in for a brew.

MARITIME COMMANDER COMMENDATION Petty Officer Kirsty Jones was recently awarded a Maritime Commander’s Commendation for her outstanding performance whilst serving out of branch in Maritime Headquarters. Her role during this time was as the Assistant Fleet Manpower and Training Officer, a position that Petty Officer Jones assumed for a period of approximately twelve months. It is a credit to Petty Officer Jones to achieve such an award and she has proven to be a fine ambassador not only the band branch but also for the Royal Australian Navy. Petty Officer Jones is currently employed as an instructor at the Leadership and Management School and recently was an officer selection board. The commendation reads: The Maritime Commander commends Petty Officer Kirsty Ann Jones for her outstanding performance of duty as the Assistant Fleet Manpower and Training Officer, Maritime Headquarters. Petty Officer Jones’ exceptional dedication to provide relief manning for ships has directly contributed to maintaining the availability of Fleet units, appreciably and positively contributed to the morale of personnel at sea, and ultimately assisted in maintaining the effectiveness of the Fleet. Petty Officer Jones’ tireless enthusiasm, concern for others and a remarkable sense of loyalty to the Service has made her a most highly regarded emissary for the Navy in the local community. This is particularly demonstrated in her participation in the voluntary Street Retreat Program, a New South Wales Police initiative focussed on mentoring homeless children. She is in every respect an excellent Senior Sailor and role model, and her exemplary conduct is an example to all. Petty Officer Jones' dedication, energy and initiative embrace navy's core values, are of the highest order and are in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy. From the Director and members of the Royal Australian Navy Band: Congratulations and well done Kirsty.

RHYTHMS IN THE OUTBACK

little uncomfortable as the thermometer nudged towards the low 40’s and the concert proved to be meteorologically challenging. Without a cloud to be seen, the brilliant blue of the desert sky was penetrating, as we performed on the forecourt to the Kalgoorlie Arts Centre, where a good crowd of 200 supported us.

KALGOORLIE MUSIC FESTIVAL ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MULHERON

On the weekend 16 to 18 April the Western Australian Detachment Royal Australian Navy Band embarked on a tour to Kalgoorlie, some 500km’s inland, to participate in the “Rhythms in the Outback” Music Festival. The festival was organised to support The Royal Flying Doctor Service and so we saw an opportunity to fly the flag in areas rarely visited by defence bands. We left Perth at 1300 Friday afternoon and headed East about 250kms to the wheat belt town of Merredin, to link up with a former band member Lloyd Mais. Lloyd was our liaison who organised a cabaret show at the Cummins Theatre Merredin to help raise funds for an ongoing project for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reflection Pool to be built in the town. An intimate crowd of 120 turned out to watch us go through our paces until midnight. After all the equipment was packed and the socialising complete, we headed to our accommodation about 0200 for a couple of hours sleep before an early start. Our heads seemed to have hardly hit the pillow, when at 0530 calls of WAKEY, WAKEY were heard and we reluctantly woke to prepared to leave Merredin and travel another 4 hours for Kalgoorlie. We rolled into town with the thoughts of Eldorado and nuggets of gold, but arrived directly to a new venue and the prospects of getting ready for our next gig. Setting up was a

Afterwards we had a bit of time to relax before heading off to Kambalda, a nickel and gold mining town approx 40 minutes south of Kalgoorlie. Local families travelled from outlying properties to be with us, and enjoyed an excellent night of entertainment at the Country Club. The Detachment put on a show from 1930 to 2300. Many of the people had not seen a live band for months. On conclusion of the concert we headed back for a late night photo shoot in the streets of Kalgoorlie and then onto some much needed shut eye. Sunday morning we were up early again, travelling to location for another PR photo shoot at the Kalgoorlie Hall of Fame, a preserved gold mining site from the late 19th century. On completion we returned to the Kalgoorlie Arts Centre where we set up for our main show at the centre’s concert hall. The RIO Family Variety Concert was the finale to a week of entertainment, which was greatly appreciated by an enthusiastic crowd of 300. On conclusion of the show we packed up ready for the journey back to Perth. It was a quiet trip home on the bus as many members tried to catch some sleep to be ready for an early morning start, returning to their civilian employment Monday morning.

ANZAC EXCHANGE 2004

Commander Keith Anderson. Following a brief chat I met the Senior Sailors and the rest of the band. I'll point out some statistics to give comparisons.

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN GRANT METCALFE

Kia Ora, from the "Land of the Long White Cloud". Just a little note to let you all know how things are going over here in New Zealand on Anzac Exchange 2004. It all started at Randwick Army Barracks Sydney. The administrative details needed to be handled first and it was a surprise for me to realise that there was a tri-service representation of 57 Anzac Exchange participants. After we were processed and received our Administration Orders it was out to RAAF Richmond for a Hercules flight to New Zealand. For anyone who hasn't flown in a Hercules aircraft, let me assure you that 5 1/2 hours in partial darkness with earplugs can be a long time of sensory deprivation. The excitement of the trip ahead more than made up for this and the RAAF are experts, so it was smooth sailing, or should I, say flying. We arrived at the RNZAF base Ohakia and were greeted by a traditional Maori ceremony. They performed some traditional warrior dances and sang sweet Maori songs for us. Beautiful choir like harmonies and wonderful expressive voices. After they finished the group leader of our trip, an army captain, turned to me and asked ME to lead us in a few choruses of Waltzing Matilda!! "This was the traditional means of thanking our host, via a song" so he told me. So off we went. Totally unrehearsed with three choruses in as many keys!! It was something to hear 57 people attempting that. Our hosts were ever gracious and clapped enthusiastically. I also met Leading Seaman Riwai Hina, my exchange buddy, who was about to depart for HMAS Kuttabul to join the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. That was the last time we have been together as a whole group. After a nights stay, we departed as single services to our destinations. We were to travel on another Hercules flight to Auckland; however that changed overnight. It was a train for the Navy. A ten hour trip through the beautiful countryside of the North Island was a fantastic introduction to the geography of this scenic place. It is a stark contrast to the open plains and 'wide brown land' that I was used to. Steep mountain peaks, high bridges traversing deep gorges, spectacular waterfalls, rolling green hills, and of course sheep - lots of 'em. It was a good chance also to meet the other navy exchange participants. We arrived at Auckland Central Station and were transferred to HMNZS Philomel arriving around 11pm. The next morning we met the Commanding Officer of the base and visited the Navy Morae, a Moari "Church" where we received a formal welcome, again in a traditional Maori ceremony. We were a little better prepared this time and our rendition of Advance Australia Fair went over well. We were treated to a guided tour of the Morae and it was starting to become apparent to me that there was a real engagement of two cultures operating, the Maori culture and the New Zealand Navy Culture. I was then able to meet the Band of the New Zealand Navy. I was introduced to the Officer in Charge, Lieutenant

The Band of the New Zealand Navy has 28 Members and is the only naval band in New Zealand. It is located at the Narrowneck Campus of HMNZS Philomel, which is about 5 minutes from the main base. The Band moved to these brand new premises in October of 2003. They are very proud of their new building and it features a lot of the professional facilities which the permanent detachments of the Australian bands have, including private practice rooms, recording studio, separate brass and woodwind rehearsal rooms etc. I have viewed their former workplace and would agree that they are much better off now. Recruitment into the band is via an audition and new band members are required to partake in a two week information course within their first year of joining the band. This enables promotion to Able Seaman and completes the training requirements. The band, due primarily to its size, does not have sea going capabilities. The day to day routine is similar to Australian Bands; leave expires at 0800 and concert band rigs up from 0900 till 1000 everyday in preparation for any upcoming commitments. Any other ensemble rehearsal, such as big band, brass quintet or woodwind group, takes place after stand easy at 1030. The afternoon is dedicated to administration, personal practice and private study as required. From 1500 there is a group PT session in the nearby gym. In terms of the band itself the small number of personnel means that all band members, from Warrant Officer down, perform in the concert band. The similarity in performance material, core audience and programme structure to our band is very evident. It is an approach which proves very popular with their audience and the band is always well received. The Band performs regularly at the Bruce Mason centre and the tickets are sold out months before the performance. I have been fortunate to perform at this venue twice during my stay and both concerts were to capacity crowds. A mixed programme of concert band works, stage marches and big band vocals, always had the crowd calling for encores. The Parade Band does have some marked differences. They perform some drill movements adopted from the American marching band style such as the Kansas about turn, gate counter marches and all files right and left turns. The step offs and halts often include a 'check' pace. They are very successful in moving a small parade band around in tight places, and from an audience perspective can increase the visual impression of the band during marching displays. Their choice of material is also a little broader, ranging from Crowded House's 'Six Months in a Leaky Boat' and 'Kokomo' by The Beach Boys, to Irish reels and of course, traditional military marches. The parade band employed this variety of material at the playoffs for the Olympic Women’s Hockey and had great appeal.

The toughest thing to adapt to so far has been the differences in the drill, especially the mace signals. They are practically a reverse of our system with vertical gestures referring to the feet movement and horizontal referring to the music! At least it gave everyone in the band a bit of entertainment at my expense. The parade band performs all the core ceremonial requirements of the Royal New Zealand Navy. Since I have arrived we have performed divisions, a new recruit pass out parade, marching displays and street marches including Anzac day. One of the key aspects in the Band's success is its ability to seek out and utilise the added value potential of all of its members. A respectively high number play at least two instruments very well. This allows the presentation of a variety of music styles and provides for contingencies in the event of illness, promotional courses or sectional weaknesses. As with any professional organisation, ' The show must go on'. I hope this gives you a snapshot of my experience. This is not exhaustive as I would need many pages to detail all of the adventures during my stay. I believe the New Zealand Navy's vision statement aptly describes the efforts of the Band of the New Zealand Navy... "to be the best small nation navy in the world". It is obvious to me that they hold a great deal of pride in their achievements. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be given the opportunity to be involved in the Anzac Exchange and my time here has been very rewarding. The Band’s positive approach and genuine friendliness helped to make my three month 'adoption' effortless. I have made many new friends and am thankful to each and every one of them for an amazing exchange experience.

ANZAC DAY AT GALLIPOLI ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE COTTIER

LIEUTENANT STEVEN COTTIER CONDUCTS TE BAND AT AN ANZAC DAY CEREMONY IN GALLIPOLI

As I am sure most of you are aware, the RAN Band provided 15 musicians as part of a 30 person ADF Contingent to support the commemoration of the 89th Anniversary of the ANZAC landing. The band consisted of 10 members from the Sydney detachment, four members from the Melbourne detachment and was directed by myself who was also given the auspicious task of administration officer for the overall deployment! The

remainder of the contingent included a senior ADF representative party, a RAAF Chaplain, a detachment from Australia’s Federation Guard and a Public Affairs and Corporate Communications element. I don’t intend to go into great detail about the deployment as I have asked Petty Officer Kara Williams and Able Seaman Beth Winterhalter to pen their thoughts and reflections of the sortie. I would like to say however, that Gallipoli 2004 was a resounding success and this can be attributed in no small way to the professionalism and attitude displayed by the musicians who represented our branch, the RAN, ADF and ultimately the Australian community. The RAN Band is renowned for trying something different, therefore the initiative to provide entertainment prior to the Dawn Service and on completion of the Lone Pine Service should come as no surprise. To see approximately 8,000 Aussies at Lone Pine doing the ‘Mexican wave’ while singing out the chorus’s of “I am Australian” and “Khe Sanh”, is something that will remain in my memory bank for along time. It has also set precedence for service bands that represent our nation at Gallipoli in future. Another significant highlight for me as the Officer in Charge was the comradely displayed between all elements of the contingent to help each other to get the job done. The members of the Australia’s Federation Guard would not hesitate to give a hand to us when moving equipment and conversely the musicians were always willing to assist the Guard when required. This made for easy management. It was also pleasing to see everyone mix socially as well! Although the deployment was a real team effort I must personally congratulate Able Seaman Beth Winterhalter for her renditions of the bugle calls at both services which she performed under extreme pressure, both professionally and in pretty tough weather conditions. I can honestly say that in 25 years service in the Royal Australian Navy I don’t recall hearing better. Also congratulations to Able Seaman Damian Dowd for his vocal work and entertainment value; a legend in his own right! It would also be remiss of me not to thank Leading Seaman Aaron Geeves for his commitment in organising the jazz and rock ensembles and Petty Officer Kara Williams for the assistance she readily gave me. A member who didn’t deploy but I would like to pay tribute to is Leading Seaman Nat Pollard. Thank you for allowing us to play your composition “Crimson Sand” which I believe you wrote specifically for this occasion. It was a perfect prelude to all of the commemoration services and received much favourable comment from many including the Minister of Defence, the Australian Ambassador to Turkey and the Chief of Air Force. I believe a key measure of success is the positive feedback that you receive. If this is a reflective statement then the RAN Band overwhelmingly accomplished its mission at Gallipoli 2004.

Finally, on a personal note I would like to thank the Director for “volunteering” me for the deployment and to the Commandant at the Defence Force School of Music for approving me to attend. All in all it was a wonderful experience and an honour to a part of a deployment of such national significants. ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER KARA WILLIAMS

The 2004 Gallipoli contingent arrived in Dubai a little over 14 hrs after departing Sydney two hours late a little bit worse for wear and ready for the opportunity to either shop or drop for a few hours! The plane from Dubai to Istanbul was also delayed and a 4 ½ hour journey was eased out over a few more hours! This wasn’t really a problem as the hospitality of the private Maharbar lounge at the airport provided by Emirates Airlines made everyone more than comfortable! Our arrival into Istanbul was met with knife blade precision. The freight was offloaded and our luggage and passports fast tracked while we sat in the VIP lounge of the airport receiving introductions to key personnel and briefs on security, our accommodation and the next day’s activities. A very interesting sight it must have been for the local guides and Military staff assigned to us to see 30 bleary-eyed travel weary military personnel shuffling themselves off the airport bus and into the VIP lounge! The need for an alarm clock was painfully undercut as the local Mosque (a block or so away) started “call to prayer” at around 5am! Was it 5am? Already?! The early wake up call was quickly forgone to the sight of the culinary delights spread from one corner of the hotel restaurant to the other for our breakfast dining pleasure! I’m not so sure I would get used to olives, cheeses, large amounts of pickled meats or tomato and cucumber for breakfast, but the choice for us Aussies in the form of cereals, eggs, sausages, fruits, yoghurt, breads and spreads and the most wonderful teas and coffee were aplenty! It was just as well a hearty breakfast was on offer as the day’s proceedings of a tour of the sites of Istanbul conducted by our allocated guides was non stop but a once in a life time adventure. We were fortunate to visit some of Istanbul’s premier tourist attractions including the Hippodrome and monuments where the crowds used to gather to watch Gladiator Battles, the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia’s (originally a Roman Catholic Church then Mosque and now a museum), the Basilica Cistern and best of all, the Turkish Grand Bazaar! 4000 stalls of shopping pleasure! At one point one of our police escorts was heard to announce: “Step away from the Australians, I repeat, step away from the Australians!” over a loud speaker to the local spruiking salesmen! (This did make the Contingent Commander a little nervous because of the security alerts). We were constantly tailed and looked out for by our own personal men in black and the entire Turkish police force. The gross national earnings for Turkey (particularly from the purchase of leather jackets) was, at very least, doubled in the few hours the contingent spent at the Bazaar! But that wasn’t all our guides had in store for us…. A six-course meal and a dose of the local liquor “Raki” ensured the night was going to be interesting. Local traditional dancers, scantily clad (and extremely talented!) belly dancers made the

Padre’s night extremely interesting as one rather voluptuous dancer plonked herself down and proceeded to shimmy her way across the Padre’s lap! Nothing but nothing though was to prepare us for “Singing around the world” with Mr. Charisma himself, the “Julio Inglesias/ Elvis” of Turkey! A musical event we will never have the opportunity to repeat!! Fatigue was starting to show and despite enjoying the whole day’s entertainment, everyone was more than ready to fall into bed and sleep. Call to prayer: 0515! Woo Hoo, a sleep in!!! Today would find us packing bags and getting onto our busses (with our police escort) to travel from Istanbul to the Gallipoli peninsula, a four hour trip by road. On our arrival we were greeted by to local historians who guided us through a most memorable tour of the gravesites and in particular, a visit to ANZAC Cove and Lone pine memorial sites. Each of the memorials were beautifully maintained, an obvious recognition of the kinship and mutual respect between the ANZAC and Turkish nations. The pristine shores of the coves along the peninsula did not, however, belie the terrible loss of predominantly young lives during the Gallipoli campaign. The thought of scaling massive cliffs, cold and wet, with masses of gear strapped to your back and a rifle in your hand while dodging a barrage of fire in the pre-dawn blackness sent a chill right through me. There was, however boundless tales of mateship and gentlemanly candour as ANZACs and Turks exchanges cigarettes, food and other items of comfort during the quieter times and had a respect for one and other as brothers in arms that have carried through to the present. On completion of this most exhilarating experience we bussed down these narrow winding roads to Eccabat where we boarded the ferry for a bit of sea time across the Dardanelles to our accommodation in the seaside town of Cannakie. That evening saw us do our own thing for dinner in the mandatory groups of four or five.

MEMBERS OF AUSTRALIA’S FEDERATION GUARD AND RAN BAND CONTINGENT

The following morning saw us back on the ferry and across to the Peninsula to do some work (yes, work)! We represented Australia in the march past at the Turkish International Service held at Mehmetcik and was also apart of the congregation at the Commonwealth Memorial Service at Cape Helles, where we also provided two

buglers for the Last Post and Reveille. In the afternoon a breakdown in communication prevented us from having a sound check at both ANZAC Cove and Lone Pine as we were on a tight time frame to get the Jazz Group and Boss back to Cannaklie for the Australian Embassy ANZAC Day reception that evening. ANZAC Day commenced for us at about 2359 with unwelcomed shake from reception, as we needed to be at our own hired ferry by 0100 to try and beat the traffic across to the Cove. A trait that came to light as we arrived at ANZAC cove at about 0300 on ANZAC morning was that if you tell an Aussie not to do something, it will only make them want to do it more! The forecast “low key” 2004 dawn ceremony was expected to have around a 5000 person attendance, which shortly after, reports swelled to 8000. Nothing was to prepare us for the 14 to 15 thousand die hard pilgrims forming a living carpet on the grassed areas in front of the ANZAC memorial site. Picking our way through a sea of arms legs sleeping blankets and picnic rugs, we made our way to the hastily constructed stage to the cries of “Yay! The band’s here! Awsome!” Our impromptu sound check was met with roars of appreciation from the crowd. The sounds of Crowded House and Diesel echoed around the hills intermingled with anticipation, elation, sombre remembrance and a willingness to keep the spirit of all that served at Gallipoli and became sons of Turkey forever.

back to the hotel in Cannakkale and those that had the energy celebrated the night away. The realisation that the reason we were here has passed was quite abrupt. It was a strange sensation reflecting as we made our journey back to Istanbul. The service, the day, the colour and ceremony the solemn moments and the elation seemed like so long ago- but it was all just yesterday. I was so glad there would be so many photographs as the whole experience felt more like a dream than reality and I felt I would need a tangible reminder of what we had experienced. As I sit here today at my desk with photographs of the trip on my wall I think to myself how lucky I was to have been part of the experience of the Gallipoli legend. Just setting foot at ANZAC cove was unforgettable enough, let alone being a part of the ceremony to remember the men that not only lost their lives there but help forge the “Australian” character that we all carry with us in some part today. This, I will never forget. ARTICLE BY BETH WHINTERHALTER

At about 0450 it was down to business with the band preparing the crowds for the arrival of the VIP’s and the Dawn Service itself. On completion of the Dawn Service, the contingent and official guests were invited back to the Kum Hotel for ANZAC day’s “shotgun” breakfast banquet. Having left the Hotel in Cannakkale some 12 hours before, the food and beverages (and the odd Bundy and coffee!) were more than welcome to get the two-up rolling into full swing. I think the highlight of breakfast was the boss winning 1,000,000 Turkish Leura ($1.00 AUS) of the Minister for Defence in a game of “Two Up”. (He took it too)!! The Australian service was preceded by a stream of thousands slowly trickling along and up the steep winding roads from ANZAC cove to the memorial at Lone pine. Emotions were high and remembering the Aussie’s that had lost their lives particularly at ANZAC Cove and “The Nek” brought emotions welling up in the faces of the crowd, the ancestor of an original Pine standing gnarled but proud among them. The memorial service culminated in the crowd of approximately 8, 000 coming to its feet. Mexican waves washed around the seating and Australian flags were being waved at every opportunity. The crowd literally roared for the band to play. I have never played for and been part of such an appreciative and proud group of people. The feeling was that of completely uplifting natural high mixed with the sombreness and severity of the reason we were all amassed at this place at this time. Quite unforgettable! After another wonderful banquet for lunch, the contingent heaved themselves into the busses and made for the journey

ABLE SEAMAN BETH WHINTERHALTER REFLECTING ON HER EXPERIENCE ON THE SHORES OF GALLIPOLI

It was the day before Anzac Day, and all through the band, the excitement was growing and the nerves were rising. Rehearsals went well. Services at the Turkish Memorial and Commonwealth Memorial went off without a hitch. Able Seaman Sampson played the bugle at the Commonwealth Memorial Service and I played the echo.

The first real gig for the trip was finally here. I couldn’t believe it. The next day was Anzac Day. THE DAY!! We were required to be up at 0001 hours. The Contingent Commander made wake up calls to every room, to ensure all personnel were ready. I was really excited as we boarded the ferry at 0130 to cross the Dardanelles. It was very eerie at this time of the morning, cold, dark and extremely windy. But not raining which was a blessing. We arrived at Anzac Cove at around 0240. The buses stopped short of the cove, and we were informed that this was as far as the buses were going. There were too many people to go any further, and that a satellite picture had shown more than 15,000 people were in attendance already. The first image I saw (after getting off the bus) was a huge mass of bodies, lying and standing every where, dancing, cheering singing. The massive TV screens with the Australian Flag on them and a DJ playing really loud Aussie music. The vibe was so awesome. I was not nervous; this just made me want to get up in front of the 15,000 people (and the whole world) and show them what I could do. I just wanted to play with such honour on this extremely important day - ANZAC DAY!! The funny thing is the day before I was really nervous, Lieutenant Cottier had asked me how I was feeling about it all and I said “to tell you the truth sir I’m petrified!! He said “you’ll be right…I have total faith in you……” Some how I seemed to absorb the positive vibe and the excitement from the crowd, which gave me the courage I needed. So the service began. It was cold and really windy, the ropes were banging vigorously against the flagpoles and the dawn began to break. The waves were crashing behind us, and the blue glow of the sun began to highlight the Gallipoli ridges and the sphinx. At that point the snipers came into view. They were everywhere; on the ridges, the roads and in amongst the scrub. Before going on the trip I was concerned something bad was going to happen due to the media coverage, which had been so intense regarding terrorism. People had been advised not to attend the Gallipoli service and here I was a lone bugler standing out the front, a perfect target. However to this point nothing had happened. There were reports that there were more military personnel on the Gallipoli Peninsula on Anzac Day 2004, than in 1915 when the battle occurred; so we were very safe. My time came and I was to leave the band and mount the Bugler’s Box. By this stage my hands were freezing and blue, and not much feeling in them at all. (and, I had three layers of thermals on as well as long-johns!! Lucky for them or I would have been frozen). I was just glad the bugle didn’t have any valves. I may not have had enough movement in my fingers to press them down. I put my cornet down and adjusted my uniform, rubbed my hands vigorously to get the blood flowing and said to my self “This is it!!” This is what I had come to do, and I was so pumped to do it. I walked behind the monument wall and mounted the box,

carefully, trying not to be blown off by the wind. I came into position and waited for the moment to come. I was finally there. Standing on the Bugle Box and waiting to play the Last Post and Reveille. It seemed to take forever for this day to come. I was so proud to be standing in front of the whole world, so honoured to have been chosen to play the bugle at the most important service on ANZAC DAY. I kept thinking how lucky I was - a girl from a small country town in Victoria, chosen to play the bugle at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. An opportunity I had only dreamed of since joining the Navy. The ode was read, I began to play, praying to god that there were no glitches. It was a spine tingling experience; so much emotion came over me. The Last Post was over. I could see tears flowing from people in the crowd. The sombre mood and the goose bumps began to rise. I began to count to 120 (for the two minutes silence) when just before I got to 120 some idiot in the crowd blew a toy trumpet. They just couldn’t help themselves. Inconsiderate person!! It startled me a little, but thankfully didn’t upset my performance. I then brought the bugle up once again and played The Army Reveille. Being a Navy Bugler I had never performed this call before, and so again prayed there would be no slips. All calls went perfectly. I was so happy and was still really pumped. The cheer from the crowd afterward was amazing. Once completed I remember thinking “I’m still alive, I didn’t get snipered, or blown up.” I was very happy. This was such an honour and the experience of a lifetime. I was so proud to be a member of the Australian Defence Force and to represent my country on one of the most important days in Defence History. I carried the original bugle used in the 1915 battle for the whole day. I was honoured to do so and know that the diggers who gave their lives in the cause of freedom would have been proud.

ABLE SEAMAN BETH WHINTERHALTER PLAYING THE LAST POST AT ANZAC COVE

We then proceeded on to a VIP Breakfast and played two up, which I believe is a tradition on Anzac Day. We then moved on to the Lone Pine Service, where once again the service proceeded without any problem. It was a huge

crowd and the atmosphere seemed much more relaxed than the Dawn Service. The bugle call went extremely well with no glitches. The rock group’s performance after the service was superb, but unfortunately I missed it as I was required at the New Zealand Service, at Chunuk Bair. The service began and I took my position whilst the wreath laying was taking place. The New Zealand Officer made the announcement to the crowd, before the ode, that “could all personnel please remain standing while the Last Post is sounded, followed by a minutes silence, then the Rouse will be played, and still remain standing until after the two national Anthems.”…. What was supposed to be a fairly straightforward directive turned out to be quite the opposite. The minutes silence was cut short, the rouse wasn’t played because the Turkish National Anthems was played early by accident in its place, and the music for the New Zealand National Anthem was not played at all!! The crowd had to sing it unaccompanied. As the bulger I was left stranded, having not been able to complete my official duties! The Officer in Charge came up to me after the service and apologised deeply for the major complications on their behalf. After the Chunuk Bair Service I was to be picked up by the Contingent but was left stranded on the pinnacle of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The Navy Band and the Federation Guard had forgotten about me. They were all attending the VIP luncheon at the Gallipoli Cottage and I was still on Chunuk Bair. Luckily for the New Zealand officer and his mobile phone, I was soon transported with the New Zealand Contingent to the bottom of the Gallipoli National Park and had leftovers for lunch. (carrot shavings and a 5cm piece of cold chicken) “Thanks heaps Contingent!!”

Bugler, who made the tears go down on our cheeks all during the dawn with the silhouette of the Syphinx at the back. To the PR members, who are the Secret Heroes of the Army making all what went on memorable and permanent in the minds of people with their patient efforts, and Peter (Padre) who brought his wisdom and peace to the hearts of people healing, and finally the Contingent Commander, the master who directed the whole program and made it possible, all the Australian Embassy members who gave their best to the whole Program, the Australian Ambassador His Excellency, the Australian Consulate, the Defence Attaché from Rome, all the Ministers and the Commanders and the members of the Australian Defence Forces, the Turkish Major and the Security forces who maintained our security all through the program, to my colleagues for their understanding, harmony and smooth cooperation and the drivers who took care of us safely. And finally, to the sweet mascot the small yellow kangaroo wandering from hands to hands, with the sweet pocket in her belly for her baby, AND if there is anybody that I can not remember now, to all and all of you... THANK YOU! Each of you will be remembered with love and sweetness in the Memories of The Heart for ANZAC Day 2004, with the warm friendship and love from deep inside... to all of you... may God wash you all over with peace, love, joy, power, success, wisdom and light making your hearts serene and happy. I salute all of you wishing all the best in your lives, hoping to stay in touch, with love and respect forever. Your Turkish Mate,

What an excellent day, and a total career highlight. I’d like to thank all the bandies that went on the trip for their support and friendship whilst away. It was a real buzz!! Thanks guys!!

THANKYOU FROM SNOWFLOWER Hello to all the members of the Australian Defence Forces from Istanbul Turkey. I have been all thinking about you and all the beautiful times we shared together down in Gallipoli, in Canakkale and here in Istanbul... So I wanted to write you my Gratitude and My Best Thoughts for you... I will always remember The Great Navy Band and The Precious Band Maestros, who made each and everybody down there in Gallipoli during the Dawn Service Ceremonies and in Lone Pine making everybody there, rock and shake with Enthusiasm and Great Joy and Harmony, also the very special moments during the Cocktail Party at the Kolin Hotel during the reception for Their Great Music, YOU ARE THE BEST!!! To all the Catafalque Party members, who made us shiver down the spine during the Anzac Day Service, to the pretty

MEMBERS OF THE GALLIPOLI CONTINGENT AT THE TURKISH MEMORIAL, GALLIPOLI

OUR BAND

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT AT A RECITAL IN ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL

To that end, we aim to be a world-class military organisation that provides quality ceremonial, musical and public relations support for the Royal Australian Navy.

PETTY OFFICER JONES RECEIVES HER COMMENDATION FROM THE MARITIME COMMANDER REAR ADMIRAL RAYDON GATES

When performing in concert the variety of music covered by the band includes marching and traditional repertoire, music from the swing era, chamber music, vocal presentations and music with a modern beat. In a word, the band is versatile! For information about the band or performance details please call the Director of Music—Navy on 02 9359 3802.

CHAMBER ENSEMBLES AT A RECITAL IN GOULBURN CATHEDRAL EARLIER THIS YEAR

Goals

TEAM

Stockholder (Navy)

3.6

Investment Outcomes

CREDO

3.3 Climate

3.7

3.4 1

RESULTS FROM OUR CLIMATE SURVEY

Well done and keep up the good work.

WEB-SITE RESULTS

The results from our recent Climate Survey show that the band is moving forward on its voyage of achievement and that it is fulfilling its national goals. A detailed report can be found on the intranet site.

January Page Views Downloads

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3121 1219

More than 90% of our people in the permanent detachments considered that they were given sufficient opportunity to develop their professional skills and participate effectively as a member of the band. This is a very solid outcome.

February Page Views Downloads

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2550 1299

The discharge rate for two consecutive years has been at all time lows and the forecast for next year is even lower.

March Page Views Downloads

– –

2809 1703

April Page Views Downloads

– –

3847 2574

May Page Views Downloads

– -

3528 2195

FY 02 / 04

–

7.3%

FY 03 / 04

–

5.7%

Forecast for FY 04 / 05

–

Almost all of our people are in the posting locality of their first choice and workplace managers have demonstrated a high degree of support for members requiring some flexibility in their employment. Feedback from our customers continues to remain strong and our internal assessment of our outcomes with regard to values and goals is also at a good level. There are areas, however, where the survey shows some room for improvement and I know that the local managers will look at those areas with their members to determine ways in which to make improvements.

Sydney Detachment Melbourne Detachment Queensland Detachment

180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

New South Wales Detachment Tasmanian Detachment

179

South Australian Detachment Western Australian Detachment

137

130 126

67 43

36 20

Financial Year 2002 / 2003

Financial Year 2003 / 2004

MISSIONS, DEPLOYMENTS AND OTHER OUTCOMES

Four musicians embarked in HMAS Parramatta for RIMPAC 2004.

Other outcomes include:

Since the transfer the band has completed more than 510 missions for Navy (that’s 85 more task than last Financial Year). Our performance for the Welcome Home Ceremony for HMAS Kanimbla, the release of two new recordings (a Flagship Recital and Cruising Stations), our contribution to the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Parramatta, our Flagship Recital at the Eugene Goosen's Hall in Sydney marking the 90th anniversary of the band, and our role in the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Ballarat were nation best. The band has achieved more than 231 media hits and reached a direct audience size in excess of 235,000 people and an indirect audience size in excess of 8.5 million people.

One member served with Royal New Zealand Navy as part of ANZAC Exchange.

One member serving in HM Royal Marines for LONGLOOK Exchange.

3rd and 4th edition of RAN Band News released.

Recordings:

A Flagship Recital (two major symphonies)

Cruising Stations (contains music from each detachment)

The Seafarer (recorded but not yet released)

Deployments have included:

Eight members embarked in HMAS Warramunga.

Seven members embarked in HMAS Tobruk and transferred to HMAS Arunta for passage to Vietnam.

Seventeen members deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations from 20 December 2003 to 2 January 2004.

Eight members embarked HMAS Manoora for New Zealand visit.

Fifteen musicians supported ANZAC Day services in Turkey.

One member support ANZAC Day in Baghdad.

Percentage of people in posting location of first choice

96%

Discharge rate for Financial Year 2002 / 2003

7.3%

Discharge rate for Financial Year 2003 / 2004

5.7%

Forecast rate for Financial Year 2004 / 2005

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 5 OF 14 DECEMBER 2004

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

THUMBS UP AND GOOD TO GO!

FROM SEAHAWK’S TO SINGAPORE SLINGS

CONTENTS

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER CAMILLE SMITH

Eight members of the RAN Band personnel were fortunate enough to be chosen as members of the Sea Deployable Element to embark in HMAS Anzac’s for its recent East Asian deployment from 23 August to 7 November 2004. The musicians were Petty Officer Camille Smith, Leading Seaman Robert Flynn, Able Seaman Yoshi Izumi and Able Seaman Bruce McIntyre from the Melbourne detachment, and Leading Seaman Jason Campbell, Leading Seaman Matthew Klohs, Able Seaman Ian Aston, and Able Seaman Kirstin Sampson from the Sydney detachment. The ports visited included Singapore, Kuantan, Pusan, Qingdao, Tacloban, Manila and Port Klang. After some initial challenges sorting out power and the storage of equipment, the Sea Element Group settled into life at sea. (Continued on page 4)

From the Director’s Desk

An Occasional Message from the Systems Commander

Command Chaplains Christmas Message

Melbourne Detachment

Sydney Detachment

Queensland Detachment

South Australian Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

HMAS Tobruk Deployment

A Life on the Ocean Wave

Farewell for WO Wright

Defence Force School of Music

RIMPAC 2004

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Entertainment and hope to see other opportunities for deployments arise because of that relationship. Importantly though, I intend to ensure that the ‘whole of team’ tour’s program continues as shown in the band’s Marketing Plan; but the challenge will remain to withstand the funding pressure to enable this to happen. In conjunction with the release of this edition of RAN Band News as well as the band’s latest recording ‘The Seafarer,’ the Navy Band farewells one of its longest serving members after completing 39 years service to Navy and the nation. The Seafarer is dedicated to Warrant Officer Musician Leslie ‘Shina’ Wright OAM, who is undoubtedly one of the true seafarers of the Navy Band. We thank him for his service and wish him every success during the next leg of his voyage. As you all prepare to celebrate Christmas I wish to thank each of you for the good work that you do for Navy and wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season.

AN OCCASIONAL MESSAGE FROM THE SYSTEMS COMMANDER

We arrive at another very successful point on our voyage to promote Navy, and once again, there have been many successes for which we can all be proud. Stories abound throughout this edition of RAN Band News, which showcase the good work done by our people and their collective achievements. These stories also attest to Who We Are, What We Stand For, and Where We’ve Been.

I suspect that like most of you, I am sitting here with a diminishing number of shopping days to Christmas, thinking about the vast number of things I have to do in a relatively short time……… presents to buy, plans to make and wondering which of the relatives are going to knock on our front door.

We are one of Australia’s premier military ensembles and we provide a very efficient and effective contribution to Navy’s public engagement profile. Many of our people have now served at sea and their involvement in these sea deployments has added significantly to the band’s profile within Navy. We have built on that program over the last six months and the articles in this edition on the deployments in HMAS Parramatta, HMAS Anzac, and HMAS Tobruk are an account of the work done and where we have been. Well done to all those members who have embraced the challenge and have contributed so very effectively to the success of our sea deployment program.

I commend the achievements that every one has made within SYSCOM over the last twelve months. There were many new faces and new challenges for us to meet over the year, but everyone has done their bit in supporting the Navy. From the Headquarters perspective, our new Navy Safety Culture with its ‘Ferrari’ examples is well under way. A significant number of Command inspections have been completed, highlighting the excellent work being done out there, but also keeping the Headquarters informed of where improvements can be made. Sea Change has been rolled out and will provide the guidance to allow all the initiatives in the pipeline to be progressed. Training and personnel continue to deal with many complex challenges and preparing our personnel. Naval Systems have responded to all their challenges particularly those of a technical regulatory nature.

Next year brings more challenges and opportunities. I look forward with much interest to hearing of the exploits of the eight musicians who embark in HMAS Anzac in January for Exercise Northern Trident. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, to be held in Sydney next February, will give our people world wide exposure as well as an opportunity to participate alongside some of the best bands in the world. As well as participating in those events the usual round of ceremonial and public relations activities will continue.

The greatest pleasures I have had this year has been the awarding of Commendations to a wide variety of people who have worked hard within the Command to achieve significant outcomes. These commendations have acknowledged people from Able Seamen through to Junior Officers. Whenever I present them, I realise there are

Over the next twelve months we will be building on our sea deployment program; but the challenge will be to do this for mutual benefit. I also expect to build on our previous good relationship with the Forces Advisory Council on

many more people who are working tirelessly within their areas and who miss out on such visual acknowledgment. To you in particular, I commend you for your support and look forward to when I can acknowledge your contribution in the future. As I look to the New Year, my aim within the Command is to continue the theme that Systems Command is a place where people want to work. People who work within Systems Command should feel a sense of importance in the role they have in the wider Navy scheme of support to operations. SYSCOM is a place where people can enjoy respite from their operational commitments and achieve the important balance between work and family. I appreciate that with the Christmas / New Year leave period, many of you will be away enjoying the season with your families. I acknowledge the work of those who stay behind keeping the machinery running, so we are ready to respond to whatever the needs of the Navy are at any time. The 30th anniversary of the Cyclone Tracy disaster this year serves to remind us that we must always be prepared to deal with whatever contingencies arise, be they bushfires, yacht races or natural disasters. I thank everyone who has hosted my visits this year. Some of the highlights of my visits have included:

HARMAN - I had the pleasure of participating in the Bonshaw Cup with all those other sweaty people who realised they were not as fit as they thought and 6 kms was three times the distance they thought it was.

NHQ SA - at the Sea Change presentations with a 2 year-old in the audience who surprisingly did not ask any questions on completion.

CAIRNS - joining in the Navy week festivities and meeting many of you at the Ball, which I hope you can remember!

RAN Band - Enjoying performances, but more importantly watching the enjoyment on the faces of those to whom they are playing.

WATSON - I appreciated your disappointment because divisions had to be scaled down due to the weather and enjoyed the surprise on the faces of those who received commendations.

WATERHEN - meeting many of you as I used your facilities as my out-of-Canberra Office.

KUTTABUL – seeing the many visible improvements to facilities within KUTTABUL, Endeavour House and on Garden Island (East).

STIRLING - a complex base supporting the Fleet (and supporting me when I locked myself out of my cabin at 0100)

COONAWARRA - introducing that gourmet delight – ‘Nice’ biscuits with butter and vegemite with preparations for the ACPB only just around the corner.

NHQ-TAS - good discussions with the reserve organisations and DCO and coming to the appreciation that in Tasmania, we probably have the greatest number of NOK in the country

PENGUIN - Visiting the diving and droggie schools and the surprise of being confronted by DRANTEAA in the hospital (on his way to theatre) dressed to kill in his smock and hair net.

CRESWELL - the drill of a passing out parade is always uplifting, and I enjoy not just the enthusiasm of the midshipmen, but the relief on the faces of their parents

MA - continue to impress with their enthusiasm and the PSM’s new facilities in Garden Island (East)

AJAAC and RANTEWSS - behind locked doors, but always impressive, particularly when relating the tales of their exploits in support of the fleet.

JEWOSU - little known organisation with skills that are put into practice every day in support of the ADF.

TA AVN – see you in the new year during my next visit to ALBATROSS

To all of you who have put so much of yourselves into the many tasks you have been set this year, my very sincere appreciation and thanks for jobs well done. I trust that for those of you who are enjoying a well-earned break, either at home or in other parts of the country, travel safely and come back to us refreshed. Those of you who are staying on at work, I hope it will be a quiet time for you and that you are able to enjoy the season with your families. Thank you all. No message sent at this time would be complete without a word from the chaplain, so read on.

NHQ-SQ - particularly when you give me time on the water with Young Endeavour.

Warmest regards

CERBERUS - it is always good to see the excellent facilities and the enthusiasm within the Recruit School and the category schools.

COMMAND CHAPLAIN’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

A few days later they were snuggled up with their little boy talking quietly together about their wedding plans, and about the seers and the guys from the bush when Fred knocked on the door again. “Ummm,” he said, “Bad news.”

Christmas! Let’s get out of this place and have a good break with our families and friends! It’s been a big year, we’ve put in the hard yards and now it’s time to enjoy ourselves. But some of us will be on duty, and try to have a good time. Some work, some are on leave, but we all look forward to the RAP! It’s a bit weird though that we run around the place with Christmas trees, pretend snow and a funny old bloke in a red suit. But it’s not only that, there’s a story to tell.

Herod, the local tyrant, was pissed off because he’d been told a baby was going to be some sort of threat to him. “A baby!?” he yelled, and ordered a massacre. Mary and Joe ran for their lives, like hundreds of others. Out of town they ran. Out of the country. Down to Egypt… refugees. This baby … something happens. The Publican was a good bloke, he didn’t know what it meant but was happy to be whatever help he could. The young blokes with doof-doof music in their ears, and the stargazing Seers came and saw, and knew this moment would change the world. The local tyrant just tried to destroy.

It’s a tough call to tell your boyfriend you’re preggy, that he’s not the father, and that someone called Big Hughie, as he’s colloquially known around here, is actually the Dad. Yeah right. Mary’s one tough girl. “Sorry Joe, but you know how it is…” she said one day. “Umm…” said Joe, but he was an equally gutsy bloke and said, “OK if that’s the way it is we’ll stick it out. Who knows what good stuff might come together?”

Mary and Joe were young and confused, but faithful to each other, and to the God who’d called them to care for his son, who was to become the most influential, life-giving person in history. This story is 2000 years old, held together on patches of parchment, and the faithfulness of the followers. It changed history.

Then they had to go on a trip to Jerusalem for the census.

Hold it for yourself this Christmas… see what it can do for you as you enjoy your time with family and friends. Have fun — because Jesus is the reason for the season.

It had been one heck of a night for Fred the Publican when this lost, lonely young couple knocked on the door. He could have kicked them out or charged them a fortune. But one look was enough. Fred’s a good bloke, “No room inside,” he said, “but you can sleep in the shed, it’s comfy enough. Later, a baby was born.

Garry Lock SYSCOMCHAP

Fred’s wife was fussing around making sure everything was OK when the local doof-doof guys came to town for a good night out, and everyone braced themselves for a hard drinking session and a fight. But the guys asked about a baby. Fred, suspicious, said, “What baby?” They talked for a while and then he took them out the back.

THUMBS UP AND GOOD TO GO!

Mary and Joe were mightily surprised. The guys talked about what was happening in the world, and about music for blokes to watch the girls by. Then they told of a vision they’d had, and how they just had to see what it was about, and could they hold the baby, and could they come back again … Phew, thought Joe when they’d gone. That was amazing.

In heavy seas the quarterdeck became rather wet; so equipment was soon moved to the more-favourable position of the gym before the seas got too rough. The flight deck and the hangar became the new rehearsal spaces and the band practiced whenever possible, juggling available time between flying stations and ship manoeuvres. When the musicians were not rehearsing, they were involved in general duties on the ship such as café party, galley hand, mess duties, laundry hand and watch keeping on the bridge. From a very early stage, the ship’s company saw the ‘bandies’ integrating with the rest of the ship and accepted them as part of the crew and taking ownership of the RAN Band Sea Element Group element as their own.

(Continued from page 1) It was certainly an interesting experience initially practicing rock group on the quarterdeck amongst rubbish bins and under the watchful eyes of the smokers having breaks.

Soon after Fred knocked on the door again. “Some blokes to see you,” he said, “What’s going on? I thought you didn’t know anyone here?” “We don’t!” chorused Joe and Mary. In walked the most elegant guys Joe and Mary had seen. Seers they were, wise men. They just stood in silence. Joe and Mary were a bit scared. Then one said, “It’s been a long trip, could we sit down?" Then they too talked about a vision, how they’d followed their hearts, and found themselves here, and there was something very special about this baby. Joe and Mary were more than astounded.

On arrival in Pusan, the ship was greeted by music of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Band, based in Pusan. After introducing themselves to the Korean Band, three of our musicians were fortunate to be shown around Pusan by the second in charge and the wife of the Commanding Officer. They were treated to the most wonderful day of sightseeing and gastronomical delights. All costs were compliments of the ROK Navy Band. The ROK Navy Band’s Commanding Officer, along with some others from their band joined the Australians for a traditional Korean banquet later that evening. The meal was washed down with some traditional Korean whisky. Qingdao was another great place to visit. There was an official dinner organised by the Chinese Navy to welcome HMAS Anzac to China. At very short notice, we were asked to prepare some sing-a-longs of Australian tunes. We performed a feature number ‘Aussie Salute’, which was enjoyed by the guests. All musicians then lead the singing with Able Seaman Izumi accompanying on guitar. HMAS Anzac’s personnel sang at the tops of their voices, suitably lubricated by the strange whisky concoction they were encouraged to drink by the Chinese. Apparently it was rude to refuse a drink when a toast is offered.

ABLE SEAMAN MCINTYRE KEEPING WATCH ON THE BRIDGE

One very memorable afternoon was when the ship discovered a sinking Indonesian fishing vessel. All fifteen crew were rescued just as the last of their boat disappeared into the ocean. They most surely would have perished if HMAS Anzac had not come by at that time: it was quite frightening to see just how quickly the vessel sank. This rescue was to make world news. Our commitments included cocktail parties and ceremonial sunsets in Singapore, Pusan, Qingdao and Manila with guests including Maritime Commander and Chief of Navy. Both made special mention of the Navy Band contribution and enhancement to the events. The Banyan cultural BBQ, celebrating the opening of Exercise Bersama Lima 04 was an eventful evening for all. All the countries involved in the naval exercises contributed to the evening by providing food, drinks and cultural acts from their countries, with many sailors and dignitaries in attendance. The rock group performed to a huge gathering and got the Australian sailors dancing and singing along to some Australian rock, encouraging all guests to eat more delicious food and sip a couple more Singapore Sling cocktails or an Aussie beer. The concerts at the Australian International Schools in Singapore and Malaysia were huge successes. The children thoroughly enjoyed the concerts, showing their enthusiasm by dancing and jumping around to the music. The concerts started off with the traditional bugle and drum corps and finished with a variety of rock music.

THE RAN BAND SEA ELEMENT GROUP AT THE WELCOMING RECEPTION FOR HMAS ANZAC IN QINGDAO

The next two days in China involved the most amazing whirlwind tour of Beijing. All of the musicians joined the tour and got to see many spectacular places such as the Ming Tombs, The Great Wall, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, as well as seeing an incredible Chinese acrobatic show.

We played at the US defence recreational club called ‘The Terror Club’ in Sembowang, Singapore, and also at the US Camp Hialeah Army base in Pusan, South Korea. Many of HMAS Anzac’s ship’s company, along with military personnel from other countries, were in attendance.

Whilst at sea, we provided a variety of different “wakey wakey” calls each morning. We also played during Replenishments at Sea, Entering Leaving Harbour, steel deck BBQs and for sundowners. Going up and down ladders became second nature; but unfortunately, early in the deployment Leading Seaman Flynn found out just how treacherous those ladders could be and had a heavy fall down one of them. We were relieved when he started to recover and returned to playing, despite the couple of broken ribs and a very sore shoulder. Able Seaman Aston

There were a couple of special services held during the deployment in which both buglers played beautiful renditions of Last Post. Able Seaman Aston played at the United Nations Memorial Gardens in Pusan, and Able Seaman Sampson played onboard HMAS Westralia for the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, at sea, in the presence of many war veterans.

enjoyed spending time down the depths of the ship in the laundry, amongst stinky overalls and noisy washing machines. Leading Seaman Klohs took on the role of Quartermaster and could be heard quite frequently over the ship’s piping system. Able Seaman Izumi, Able Seaman Sampson and I got a ride in the ship’s helicopter; something that musicians don’t get to do every day. Leading Seaman Campbell and Able Seaman McIntyre attained their helmsman certificates in a very short time. Congratulations to both of them.

musicians joined us on stage for a workshop and performance. In late July a small group travelled to Launceston to lead the Freedom of Entry Parade. The parade was warmly received by the locals (as warm as one could be in July in Tasmania) and many of the band members met with local musicians that evening in a very cosy city pub. The trip was also our first experience with JetStar, Qantas’ offshoot airline and despite fears of rubber band engines, nil airline food and extraordinary early check-in, the journey was most pleasant and went without a hitch. In August, our chamber groups travelled to Melbourne city to present a series of outdoor concerts on the steps of the State Library. The groups (woodwind quintet, brass quintet and clarinet quartet) drew a reasonable crowd for a lunchtime concert at that time of year but also managed to find the most active and noisy building construction corner in Melbourne. Both concerts were marred somewhat by intrusive construction noise, although performers and audience did develop a rapport. Of course, rain also featured on one occasion, forcing the performers to shelter and play under cover. The chamber groups fared much better at a recital at St Peters Anglican Church in Brighton on 8 Aug. A packed and very appreciative audience were treated to a diverse programme of chamber works which has now become a highlight in the Brighton area music calendar. The brass quintet also travelled to Traralgon in November as guests of the local band.

ON THE FLIGHT DECK FOR ENTERING HARBOUR

It has been a very interesting time at sea, especially for five musicians who have now experienced life at sea for the first time. There have been some challenges, many laughs and good times. The appreciation of some luxuries like a good cup of coffee or showering without wearing thongs can never be underemphasized or understood unless one has spent time at sea. The opportunity to go to sea and visit foreign ports, while still performing as musicians has been tremendous. Many thanks to the crew of HMAS Anzac for making the musicians feel welcome.

Our big band featured at the closing night of the Melbourne Schools Music Festival at Monash University in August. This concert included the presentation of awards for outstanding bands and musicians so the audience included most of the finest student musicians in Melbourne. Other big band gigs of note included Federation Square (Oct), Navy Open Day (Docklands), and for the Wardroom Summer Ball (Dec).

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

Our assistance to RAAF and Army brethren continued this

ARTICLE BY LEIUTENANT STEVE STANKE, RAN

The second half of 2004 began briskly with a ceremonial function in Melbourne city on the first day after leave. The Melbourne detachment provided a parade ensemble for a service to commemorate the wartime efforts of Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop, a surgeon during WW2 who gained and maintains enormous respect and admiration for his actions in caring for the wounded in South East Asia. The service was a sobering reminder of the sacrifices and efforts made during wartime, although an underground power supply created havoc with our PA system, resulting in hasty repairs and contingency plans from our PA people. The next day, July 13, we hosted members of the band from Cannon Hill College, Brisbane, as part of their vacation tour to the southern states. After a brief concert from us, their

BUGLER ABLE SEAMAN BETH WINTERHALTER AT THE SHRINE IN MELBOURNE ON REMEMBRANCE DAY

year with a concert at Defence Force School of Music

(while Australian Army Band - Melbourne were in Japan), and Graduation Parades in Sale and Point Cook. We highlighted our naval traditions at the DFSM concert, which were passionately received by the full house.

enjoyed by musicians and crowd alike. This group has also entertained at some regional jazz festivals always being received very well. The Admiral’s Own has been in demand for many Ship’s Balls and are doing a great job of entertaining our sailors.

Sound Waves concerts held at our Cerberus studio continue their popularity, often filling the house and are always challenging both for the music director and players. Our programming policy of tradition and innovation has been generally widely accepted, although a few disgruntled patrons have taken the time to write to voice their opinions of the state of music today. As always, not everyone can be pleased all the time but, overall, our members and audience agree that we should continue exploring the wide world of music without losing touch with our heritage.

The Commodores Chamber Ensemble continues to perform regularly throughout the Greater Sydney area. This group continues to improve and extend their repertoire and have adapted well to their increasing workload. The smaller chamber groups along with our jazz groups continue to provide entertainment at many a Cocktail Party and Dinner. The favourable comments I receive after every commitment are too numerous to mention.

Speaking of heritage, the Melbourne detachment also presented a Last Night at the Proms concert at St Peter’s Anglican Church, which drew many flag-waving Anglophiles. Republic not-with-standing, there weren’t many dry eyes in the house when 300 people let loose with ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’: Henry Wood would have been proud. Professional development opportunities continued with a visit to a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra rehearsal and a directed workshop in our studio by award winning composer Tim Davies. Tim is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost big band composers and directors, currently working in Los Angeles.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT CHAMBER GROUPS PERFORMING AT ST ANDREWS CATHEDERAL IN NOVEMBER

Sea-going opportunities gave several members a taste of life on the ocean wave and contact with other naval personnel. On HMAS Anzac were Petty Officer Camille Smith, Leading Seaman Rob Flynn, Able Seaman Bruce McIntyre and Able Seaman Yoshi Izumi. Needless to say everyone has stories to tell and experiences to cherish.

The Wind Orchestra has continued to perform at the Band Call series at St Andrew’s Cathedral, and is gearing up for the Carols by Candlelight events that commence in the first week of December. The Ceremonial Ensemble is kept busy with Divisions, Ceremonial Sunset ceremonies and Commemoration services. Of course, there are many more commitments than those specifically mentioned, which have kept us all on our toes.

We say goodbye to Petty Officer Louise Hunt (discharge), Leading Seaman Daniel Sponiar (posted to the Sydney detachment), Leading Seaman Ann Bradbery (discharge), Able Seaman Luke Bradbery (transfer to Physical Training Instructor), and Able Seaman Bronwyn Dowler (transfer to Reserves). Thank you all for your valued contribution and best wishes for your future endeavours.

The detachment has also had several Sea Deployments in the second half of this year. Two members, Able Seaman Tracy Burke (vocals) and Seaman Carl Riseley (Bugle and Vocals, returned in late-August following a three month deployment in HMAS Parramatta with personnel from the Melbourne Detachment. In mid-August, four Sydney detachment personnel, Leading Seaman Jason Campbell (Bass Guitar and Tuba), Leading Seaman Matt Klohs (Keyboard, Saxophone and Vocals), Able Seaman Ian Aston (Trumpet and Bugle) and Able Seaman Kirstin Sampson (Trumpet, Bugle and Vocals) deployed in HMAS Anzac with personnel from the Melbourne detachment, and returned in early November. Seven personnel from the Sydney detachment also joined HMAS Tobruk for a short deployment from late-October to late-November. I am sure that their adventure filled stories will be in the Newsletter. Next year is shaping up to be a big year for the Sea Deployment Group with eight personnel joining HMAS Anzac for a six-month trip to some very exciting ports.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LEIUTENANT MICHELLE COLEMAN, RAN

It is hard to believe that 2004 is nearly over. Upon my return from the United Kingdom, we were straight into Sydney Navy Week—always a very busy week in the group’s calendar and the start of our last busy period for the year. So what have the groups been up to? A small overview follows: The Admiral’s Own received a very warm welcome from a great crowd for the Manly Jazz Festival. The group performed extremely well and it was a night

I wish you and your families a very safe and joyous Christmas period. All the very best for a peaceful, safe and happy 2005.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHAN

Hi from the sunshine state. MEMBERS OF THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT CHOIR PERFORM AT ST ANDREW’S CATHEDERAL

As the newly posted Bandmaster I have had a very quick introduction to the Reserves. The Queensland detachment has made both Anna and myself extremely welcome. I personally and on behalf of the Queensland detachment would like to thank Warrant Officer Wright for his efforts and dedication in assisting us in the interim period between postings of Chief Petty Officers. His preparation and planning made my introduction here as the new Bandmaster a much smoother and simpler process.

Whilst I was away, Able Seaman Gary Honor (Saxophone) and Able Seaman Tim Whincop (Trumpet) discharged from the Navy. I thank them for their musicianship and service to the Royal Australian Navy Band and wish them every success in the future. After committing his entire career to the Royal Australian Navy, we also bid a farewell to Warrant Officer Leslie “Shina” Wright. It will be hard to imagine the place without him! I personally thank Warrant Officer Wright for the support he has given me since I assumed the role of Officer in Charge. His experience has been invaluable and I wish him every success and lots of happy times as he settles in Narooma. Please refer to the separate article on his career that spans 39 years of life in the Royal Australian Navy Band. On a happier note, Leading Seaman Joanne Holloway is being promoted to Petty Officer in January and we congratulate her on her promotion. Also whilst I was away, promoted to Petty Officer was Daniel Hobson.

I posted into Naval Headquarters – South Queensland on 20 September and had only two rehearsals with the Queensland detachment before our first gigs at the ADF Air Show, RAAF Amberley. At this stage the hardest thing for me was trying to remember everyone’s name, let alone all the tempos for all the charts we were going to perform. A huge audience turned out for the ADF Air Show with estimates placing numbers between 30,000 to 40,000. Due to the success of the ADF Air Show, the first in a number of years, another is being programmed to take place in about two years time.

It has been a very challenging year for the detachment this year. I assumed command in January, but disappeared in May for four months to return to finish out the last few months of the year. I thank Lieutenant Andrew Stokes for assuming the role as Officer in Charge whilst I was away. Knowing that it was only short term would have made his position very difficult, and I appreciate his commitment in my absence. Thanks must also go to the musicians, as they have had to adapt to different Music Directors and many changes over the last twelve months. I think we are all looking forward to next year being more stable. I am certainly looking forward to the challenges ahead and doing my best to manage this fine group of musicians to a successful 2005.

With the ADF Air Show over we now had about 2 weeks before Navy Week in Brisbane. Who ever said that the transition to the Brisbane climate would be easier for Anna and I at this time of the year must have been kidding? 38 degrees and humid, for us Kiwi’s, saw the first use of the fans and air conditioning. You’ll be pleased to know it all works well so no melting for us. With Navy week rapidly approaching, rehearsals with the guard from HMAS Tobruk and Sydney detachment personnel assured us that we were on track to be ready for Friday night’s performance. The combined element from the Sydney detachment and the Queensland detachment performance of Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters brought many favourable comments from those at the engagement.

Our first major commitment next year is an International Tattoo which is being held in Sydney; so that should be a great start to the year, and an opportunity to meet and perform with musicians from all over the country, and the world.

Jaskolski, Leading Seaman Linda O’Hara have also arrived and will be presented to them in the near future. Congratulations to everyone, you should feel very proud of each of your respective achievements. By now I am getting to know more of the personalities within the Queensland detachment. We have a very interesting mix of people including Teachers, Students, Scientists, Nurses, Company Directors, Lab Technicians, Phone Company Reps, that all come together to make music. I think the one thing we all should try to remember is why we started in this direction; our love of music and the enjoyment we get from performing in a band. There aren’t too many jobs out there that can give you the same sense of satisfaction.

THE QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT AND MEMBERS OF SYDNEY DETACHMENT PERFORMING AT ROMA STEET PARKLANDS

I am now looking forward with my new friends and work colleagues to a prosperous and productive year ahead. Best wishes and a Merry Christmas to you all; look forward to seeing some of you in the New Year…

The following day saw us performing at Roma St Parklands, a public venue. Again the personnel from the Sydney detachment assisted us with numbers. Petty Officer Williams, Able Seaman Bastians and Able Seaman Rees joining our Saxophone section and Able Seaman Salone joining the Trumpet section. On a hot muggy day, the Stage Band produced a very good one-hour set to a small but appreciative audience. This was followed by an enthusiastic 40 minute Rock Group set from the Sydney detachment personnel.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

Navy Week Brisbane concluded with an Open day at Forgacs Cairncross, where the Sydney detachment Rock Group produced an energetic and entertaining day’s performance to an estimated passing audience of 3,000. The Queensland detachment boarded our trusty 22 seater with trailer and headed to Bundamba for the Navy Week Church service attended by the Senior Naval Officer, CMDR Michael Houghton, and the Bundamba RSL personnel.

One thing is certain as a member of the RAN Band; there is never a dull moment and time certainly flies. Each element is busy performing at many different locations. The behind the scene administration processing and organising of rehearsals for concerts, course participation, concert logistics and travel arrangements contribute to ensure the band is always at the highest standards. The list goes on. All this activity means very little time for rest and before you realise it, as is always the case, the year is almost at an end. Christmas is upon us again and with it the much anticipated and well deserved break.

I would like to thank Petty Officer Williams and those musicians posted to HMAS Tobruk for their assistance and adaptability during Navy Week in Brisbane. With Navy Week over it was now time to prepare for our next major engagement, the WRAN’s Memorial unveiling at the Botanical Gardens. Now, with all this hot sunny weather you’d think that a one-hour commitment outside should present very few weather problems. However, it rained, and not just a little. Even the ‘Brisbanites’ said “It hadn’t rained like this in months”. Great for the garden, but not so great for musicians. But we got lucky and with a slightly shortened service format we gave the WRAN’s the day they almost wanted (less the rain).

Amongst all the detachment’s work are the lives of the personnel and their own personal achievements. The number of musicians with a Bachelor of Music (BMUS) increases in the South Australian detachment with the successful completion of music studies by Able Seaman Nicole Bates on Clarinet, Able Seaman Troy Ottens on Trombone and Seaman Francesco Mulraney on Drum Kit. Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell who gained her BMUS last year and won the most Outstanding Undergraduate continued her success this year by achieving her Honours Degree. Her talent was recognised by the law firm Minter Ellison who contribute to an emerging female artist fund. In recognition of her talents she was selected by Minter Ellison for their ‘Rising Star Award’, which also has considerable monetary value. Congratulations to them all and I know that all members of the South Australian detachment are proud of their achievements.

On the November 18 I had the pleasure of being part of the presentation of Reserve Long Service Medals and clasps for four members of the Queensland detachment. Petty Officer Alan Early was presented with his fourth clasp, quite an achievement, congratulations Alan. Petty Officer Karina Bryer, Leading Seaman Bruce Compton and Leading Seaman Cath Esbensen were all presented with their Long Service Medals. Long Service Medals for Petty Officer Peter

As usual, people move on and the end of this year is no different to any other. Nicole is moving to Canberra to study for her Honours degree at the Canberra School of Music. Troy Ottens has been accepted to the Permanent component and is currently waiting for Canberra to process his transfer.

We also welcome back to the fold several musicians who have for been absent from the detachment for several years. Able Seaman Ben Daly has returned on trombone, Able Seaman Mathew Robinson on saxophone and Petty Officer Paul West (2IC of the South Australian Police Band) on trumpet.

Nicole joined the South Australia detachment on 14 March 2002 as a clarinet player. Full of enthusiasm and willing to take on additional tasks, Nicole took up the tenor saxophone. When we were without a female vocalist, she also took up this role, improving on her music skills and providing more flexibility to us. Never having sung before, this took a lot of courage. With a great deal of practice and commitment she became a capable and very versatile vocalist giving many memorable performances, earning the respect of her fellow musicians and endearing herself to many members of the public attending our performances.

The South Australian detachment managed to keep relatively busy despite some job cancellations. Highlights included the Vietnam Veterans concert with the detachment backing popular sixties icons Bev Harrel and Bev Sands. Catherine Lambert who played a small part alongside Bill Murray in the recent movie ‘Lost in Translation’ also performed with the detachment. They were all a lot of fun to work with and the support we provided them was very much appreciated. Much to the chagrin of those anti South Australians who supported the Brisbane Lions at the AFL Grand Final, the AFL Cup was easily taken from the Lions by Port Adelaide and brought home to South Australia. This resulted in much festivity, and of course the South Australian detachment was called upon to provide background music at the reception held by the Port Adelaide-Enfield Council. It was a memorable occasion and as can bee seen in the photos, placed in mine and Petty Officer Clearance Diver Troy Pudney’s hands for safe keeping, albeit for a short time. The parade band was called upon to assist 292 Squadron based at RAAF Edinburgh who were given the Freedom of Entry (FOE) to the City of Tanunda in October, as the RAAF Band were unavailable. The RAAF’s format for an FOE is much different to that of the RAN’s and provided a challenge.

THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT JAZZ GROUP PERFORMING AT HMAS MELBOURNE’S NAVY WEEK RECEPTION

The Jazz Group component has provided much of the entertainment for various commitments recently. Gigs included the HMAS Melbourne’s visit and two performances at the Central Market which were very well received for Navy Week.

Troy joined us on 22 May 2001 as a trombone player. Keen to further his musical capabilities and open the door to further opportunities, he also took up the bass guitar. This has been very beneficial to this detachment. With only one bass player Troy has been an asset by filling in on bass guitar when the resident bass guitarist has been unavailable. The South Australian detachment often works with minimal musicians in certain skill areas such as bass guitar and keyboards. Troy ensured we could continue to accept requests enabling the us to maintain the Royal Australian Navy’s public profile in and around Adelaide.

The final performance for the year will be on Sat 27 November 2004 on the Foreshore of the River Murray at Renmark, as a part Renmark Paringa Council’s 100 years of Local Government Celebrations. Temperatures are expected to reach a sizzling 40 degrees during the day. This should provide a nice balmy evening on the foreshore, and with all the electronic and written media exposure leading up to the event, I expect a good crowd: more on that in the next newsletter.

Both members made a very significant contribution to this detachment. On behalf of all members of the South Australian detachment I thank them for their contribution and wish them well in their careers and further studies.

Until the next newsletter, on behalf of all members of the South Australian detachment, have a very merry and safe Christmas.

Troy is also about to take the plunge and enter the world of wedded bliss when he marries his partner Stephanie on Saturday 11 December 2004. We wish them every success on their special day and much happiness as a married couple.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

barracking for their teams while some of us were quietly barracking for the “Elephants”. This is our team that we will be barracking for in the years to come (if there will ever be such a team).

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

Melanie Speet has just returned from the all new pilot course for Recruit School. The course is now three weeks long with 11 modules that need to be completed within 12 months. After this, an additional two weeks is required back at Recruit School for Survival at Sea and Combat Survivability. This is to bring all Naval Reservist inline with Permanent Naval members. A Reservist doing all this should be equivalent to a 12-week full time course.

It is that time of year when we reflect on the year that has just gone past. The New South Wales detachment has once again been busy with the usual run of the mill Church Services and Mess Dinners of various flavours. As well as being the “Hottest Church Group” in town, this detachment is also become the “Hottest Mess Group” to hit the various Senior Sailors Mess and Wardrooms on Friday and Saturday nights.

This detachment was blessed this half of the year to have a visit from John Morrison. John gave us some of his precious time one Tuesday night in October. This was a night where we had full attendance. John took us through African rhythms and cross-rhythms. This will definitely be a night that this group won’t forget for a long time to come. John spoke very free and openly in particular about rhythm section. He had a lot of knowledge to offload to the group that made them sit up and listen. Before we knew it, the night was over.

THE NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT PERFORMING IN BOWRAL

November is always a busy time for this detachment as the big run up until Christmas. There are all the usual Christmas parties and functions for the various Messes. This year we played at Blacktown RSL for a Dedication Ceremony outside the RSL followed by an afternoon concert.

This financial year has been a good year for travel. A Jazz/Rock component traveled to Coffs Harbour for the Voyager Association Dinner on 11 September 2004. This was a long day for the musicians as we left Sydney for Coffs Harbour at 0600h. After a good day of traveling, settling into the motel, sound check, quick dinner, playing for the guests and unpacking, it was a 20 hour day for all the guys and girls. Considering it was such a long day, a Bravo Zulu needs to be acknowledged for such a great effort.

On a personal side from me, I have recently handed over the job as National Reserve Manager to Warrant Officer Dale Granger. This is a job that I have had since February of this year. I handed over this job to him in September as I am now in the Central Band Stores Controller position, which I took over from Petty Officer Ray Dowler. This is a job that I have never done before and was a little hesitant about in the beginning. Once you get going and understand the ins and outs, it is a very rewarding job to be in.

This detachment’s next big trip was down to Bowral for the weekend of 03-04 October 2004. The Chief of Navy was in attendance for the Tree Planting Ceremony. This was well received by the community and all who were present. It was pleasant and sunny and put everyone in a good mood for the occasion. From here, they moved to Mittagong RSL for an afternoon tea concert. The heavens opened up during the concert so we couldn’t have timed this any better. We would have been in all sorts of trouble if it had rained earlier that day. The venue was impressive and so was the RSL. The crowd was a little disappointing for the concert as it was the Queens Birthday Long Weekend and also the Rugby League Grand Final.

On a final note, I would like to thank the members of this detachment for their hard and dedicated work all year. I would also like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous Christmas and see you all in the counter-march in 2005.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT HILLHOUSE

In July we travelled to Burnie for the Sea Sunday weekend. On the Saturday we performed a jazz afternoon at the Chancellor in Burnie Hotel. The event was coordinated and advertised through the local jazz society and was a huge success, with many local jazz and young musicians from the North West Coast turning out to watch our

The members of this detachment had quiet lemonade after the concert while watching the Grand Final between the Roosters and the Bulldogs. Members in the club were

performance. Last year was the first time we performed at this venue, with audiences up this year it looks like becoming an annual event. On the Sunday we performed for the Sea Sunday Church Service. This included members from the local cadet unit TS Emu, who paraded banners and provided a naval presence. Finding a trumpet player who is currently in the process of joining culminated the success of the weekend.

In June we spent three days in the South supporting the inaugural “Great Southern Arts Festival”. The arts’ included the coming together of artists from multiple genres. Master classes and exhibits were conducted for those into oils and pastels, pottery and wood sculpturing, while vintage car clubs converged on the small country town and added to the old world charm. We have had a lot of success initiating work, looking to be part of existing festivals that have a good reputation such as the York and Toodyay Jazz Festivals and the Perth International Boat Show. Convincing potential customers that military detachments are more than a marching musical unit is a difficult ongoing task.

In October, we performed at the Returned Services League (RSL) Bicentennial Ball. The Army Band commenced the evening with dinner music and we performed with our stage band and rock group to complete the evening. The highlight of the evening was the Ceremonial Sunset that was performed by a combination comprising of the Tasmanian detachment, TS Hobart Australian Navy Cadet Band and a guard from Navy Headquarters Tasmania. The cadets marched on as a drum corps and performed a drum display followed by our detachment playing the hymns for sunset.

The Western Australian detachment was well received, welcoming the Variety Club Sydney to Fremantle car rally Bash dinner in August. Navy had its’ own entrant in the Bash, which contributed to raising much needed money to assist Variety in its goals.

We say farewell to Seaman’s Bryony Dwyer, Angus Donald, Richard Armstrong and Recruit Robert Schultz. Bryony is moving to Sydney to study opera singing, Richard will be touring Victoria with a civilian band and Robert is moving to Brisbane to study at the Conservatorium of Music. Both Bryony and Robert hope to join the detachments in their respective states.

In September, we played to an international audience for the 90th International Symposium in Mining and Ground Support. The symposium is held once every four years in a different country, and so the opportunity to perform to members of a community, which WA is largely dependant upon, looked to be an event which may lead to more promising invitations in the future.

With all the personal departing it creates quite a challenge for next year. We hope to replace Bryony with Philippa Monk on vocals and Robert with Evelyn Raschle on trumpet in the near future and we are actively searching for rhythm section players.

We have supported many military and ex-military associations throughout the year such as the PTI National Reunion Dinner, the RAF and RN associations and balls held at RAAF Base Pearce and HMAS Stirling. The highlight would certainly be the 90th Anniversary of Submariners held at the Grand Ballroom at the Burswood Casino. The guests numbered approx 700 with the entire squadron present. We started at 1830 on the Friday finishing at 0100.

This will be my last submission for the newsletter, as I will be discharging from the navy early next year. I would like to thank all those that I have worked with over the years and look forward to catching up with you in the future. I believe this is the best job in the world and leave with many fond memories. I will be taking over as the Commanding Officer of TS Hobart, Australian Navy Cadet Band and performing with the Australian Army Band Tasmania as a reservist, so you have not seen the last of me. I would like to welcome Petty Officer Peter Siggs who will take over from me in January 2005, and hope that he enjoys running the Tasmanian detachment as much as I have.

By 0700 the same morning we found ourselves on a bus travelling two hours south to perform at the Narrogin Agricultural Show: a huge 48 hours. After launching the Australian Peace Keepers coin at the Royal Perth Mint, we paraded in November for Chief of Navy as he presented TS Canning with an award for best national Australian Naval Cadet unit. This year saw the completion of restoration of the ballroom at Government House and we have had the pleasure of performing at various events where the Governor Major General Sanderson has been present.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

All in all these past six months have been very busy for a Reserve Detachment. Much of Perth is unaware that a Naval Band detachment does exist here, and we are continually promoting that we can support and contribute to high profile community and military events.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANNY MULHERON

RANBAND DET WA has seen a lot of activity during the past six months, in areas that have not been previously explored. Much of our work has been by recommendation and spin off from events performed the previous year.

All the best for Xmas

HMAS TOBRUK DEPLOYMENT

two dollar mini bus fares! A five dollar Island entrance fee allowed the bearer to sit leisurely on the beach and/or snorkel on the reef teeming with marine life and the world’s only underwater post-office (waterproof postcards and all!) for as long as you wished (or as long as the sun screen lasted.)

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER KARA WILLIAMS

After coming together as a whole for the first time at Brisbane Airport, the members of the Royal Australian Navy Band element embarked in HMAS Tobruk made their way with the help of the Bandmaster of the Queensland detachment of the band, Chief Petty Officer Michael Vaughan, to HMAS Tobruk, which would be the group’s home for the next four weeks. We spent the day at Bulimba Barracks, first working through the material they had put together, then rehearsed with the Queensland detachment for the combined commitments celebrating Queensland’s 'Navy Week' including: a Cocktail Party hosted by HMAS Tobruk and a public concert in the Roma Street Parklands. The Official Reception following the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset in front of the Brisbane Town Hall involved the Brisbane Naval Cadets, HMAS Tobruk Ship’s Company forming the Guard and Parade and a Marching Display by the combined band detachments. The Navy Week Church Service and Open Day for HMAS Tobruk ended the week in which HMAS Tobruk saw over 2500 interested members of the public over the Gangway.

FLYING STATIONS FOR TOBRUK PERSONEL

The Port Vila markets proved bountiful for many of Ship’s Company, especially the coconut bras, grass skirts and muumuus favoured by some member’s of the HMAS Tobruk Rugby team! HMAS Tobruk’s Rugby team, including Able Seaman Marcus Salone (not wearing a grass skirt or coconut bra by the way), fought valiantly in the local Rugby grudge match to win four tries up. On a more serene note, Mele Cascades showcased the pinnacle of Port Vila’s natural beauty. Crystal clear water and a gentle hike through the rainforest via numerous water steps and rock pools emerged at a spectacular waterfall. Although cooler than the local sea temperature the refreshing clear water, beautiful scenery and a massage courtesy of the falling water was well worth the comparative chill.

With barely any time spent on HMAS Tobruk thus far, we secured our equipment, went about completing newly acquired orientation booklets and proceeded to undertake navigational exercises: get from point A to point B without getting lost! Whilst in transit to Port Vila, rehearsals with the Guard for the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset to be held in Port Vila commenced on the vehicle deck and a major damage control exercise (a fire in the main engine room) was called in which Able Seaman Tom Bastians, Seaman Ellen Zyla and myself were made into some scarily convincing casualties!

Back to steaming in the big blue finding quite a few speed humps along the way! The swell had emerged overnight and the crew of HMAS Tobruk bobbed their way through a hilarious day at the races; HMAS Tobruk’s contribution to the Melbourne Cup horse racing festivities. Able Seaman Jennifer Monk started proceedings with the National Anthem, Able Seaman Marcus Salone sounded the horses to the track and HMAS Tobruk was off and racing! Seaman Ellen Zyla put in a spectacular effort as a jockey in the second race on horse number three, coming a close second last; but the winner of the “Tobruk Cup” for the second year running was romped in (despite being drenched by a rather icy water hazard) by the Senior Sailor’s mess on horse number four, jockeyed by me.

Procedure Alpha into Port Vila saw some lily white knees (thank goodness for sunglasses) and soon a steady stream of ship’s company was emptying out onto the wharf and into town as we made preparations for the night’s cocktail party. Fortunately for all, the impending rain showers held off and the Beat to Quarters, Ceremonial Sunset and Cocktail party was a great success. Port Vila saw us attain some welcome time off in various locations. Catching the free ferry over to Iririki Island to swim at the coral beach and in the resort pool then retire to the restaurant to pretend you’re a millionaire all for the cost of your lunch proved to be a favourite amongst Ship’s Company. Some went on sunset yacht dinner cruises, some went bush but most ended up at one time or another at Hide Away Island. You have to love Port Vila’s free ferries and

via a surprise circumnavigation of Norfolk Island courtesy of the flight crew (and a big thankyou to all of you as well.) Lord Howe Island, like Norfolk Island was without sufficient berthing, so again the helicopter was utilised for the Ceremonial contingent from HMAS Tobruk for Remembrance Day on Lord Howe Island. We joined forces with a contingent from the Air Command Band along with members of HMAS Tobruk’s company (Navy and Army) and Tri-Service Guard and Catafalque party from Sydney saw a large military presence. Although a small venue, a crowd gathered and nothing was small about the sentiment of the occasion. The entire contingent then moved to the Lord Howe Airport to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of the airport. At the end of official proceedings, HMAS Tobruk’s ship’s company were able to do a small amount of sightseeing, albeit in uniform. Most, at some point, ended up at Ned’s beach for the fish feeding, which all in “whites” must have looked a sight to the locals!

JAZZ GROUP PERFORMING FOR A COCKTAIL PARTY ONBOARD HMAS TOBRUK

Able Seaman Heather Wright, Able Seaman Tom Bastians and myself helped dispose of 4000 Steyr rounds off into the horizon participating in a small arms shoot off the vehicle deck with the Boatswains Mates and other qualified members of Ship’s company. Needless to say, it took no time at all to dispose of the rounds, and who knows what the fish were thinking!

Our last commitment was to partake in was HMAS Tobruk’s “Ship’s Concert” shortly before returning to Sydney. Many and varied acts came forward, but there could only be one winner at the end of the day. Major Bennet won the judges over with her stirring rendition of “Hogan’s Heroes March” on the trumpet and coming a close second were the member’s of the girl’s messes with a heart felt version of “I Will Survive” (original lyrics supported by the musicians). Coming an even closer third place was solo artist Leading Seaman Steward Tye Williams, with his expertise of blowing the conch shell! (Tye subsequently got lynched into doing “wakey wakey” the next morning!)

We took part in café party, and helping in the galley as well as entertaining the crew with well thought out “wakey wakey” routines (a favourite being “The Little Drummer Boy” sung by the Quarter Master Able Seaman Michael Malone accompanied on Parade Drum by Able Seaman Heather Wright) when not being involved in Band related activities. Norfolk Island proved to be both the hardest and most rewarding commitments to achieve. Getting the equipment to the flight deck from the tank deck and all of it and us onto the helicopter deployed with HMAS Tobruk for the Official reception at the Governor’s residence was quite an evolution. Thanks to the help of the New Entry Officers Course (NEOC) “roadies” and the Aviation Team ferrying our gear to the helicopter in two flights and two utility vans driving us once we were on land, we were set up and ready to play. The Official reception promptly concluded at 1900 and we were off to the Norfolk Island RSL for a bit of welcome rock band music for the crew of HMAS Tobruk who warmed to the occasion providing us with a mosh pit of dancers all night! All of the ship’s company were warmly and eagerly adopted by the locals and a brilliant time was had by all! A special thankyou to Commander Ashley Greedy AM (RAN, rtd.), Terence Grube, (ex Lieutenant Commander, RAN), “Pinky” and all the locals on Norfolk Island on behalf of the musicians and Ship’s company for all the help and support they gave to make HMAS Tobruk’s visit to Norfolk Island an enjoyable and successful one. (I’m sure Norfolk Island’s economy is looking much healthier in return!)

MUSICIANS TAKE PART IN A STEYR SHOOT OFF HMAS TOBRUK

Procedure Alpha into Sydney (with not so white knees anymore) spelt the end of our short deployment. We made many, many new friends and I personally cannot speak highly enough of the way Commander Nick Bramwell and the entire crew of HMAS Tobruk made us feel welcome. There is unfortunately not enough time or space to share all of our experiences, escapades and photographs in this article but I am sure any of the members of the band who joined HMAS Tobruk would be more than happy to share some if asked!

A second big night at the RSL wrapped up the visit to Norfolk Island and our equipment had to go back to the HMAS Tobruk the same way it came over, on the helicopter

The musicians deployed in HMAS Tobruk were: Petty Officer Kara Williams, Able Seaman Tom Bastians, Able Seaman Jennifer Monk, Able Seaman Vitali Rayitsyn, Able Seaman Tim Rees, Able Seaman Marcus Salone, Able Seaman Heather Wright, and Seaman Ellen Zyla.

really learn about the finer workings of the training system within the Royal Marines Band Service (RMBS).

A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE

Two of the most noticeable differences between our two organisations now are with regards to instrumentation. The RMBS trains all its personnel to play string instruments, and the orchestra is still a large part of their commitments.

As many of you probably know, the Royal Australian Navy Band was initially originated from the Royal Marines (RM), so our ties go back a long way. We have kept many of our RM traditions, but have also changed quite a few things.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MICHELLE COLEMAN, RAN

The second main difference is that the RM still has a dedicated Drum and Bugle Corps. Upon joining the RMBS, musicians that play drums will either become a percussionist or a drum/bugler. It is quite overwhelming listening to those beginning bugle players that have just started training – some interesting sounds. The percussionists will play cymbals and bass drum on parade, but never military side drum.

Long Look Exchange has taken place between Australian, New Zealand and British forces for the last twenty years. It commenced primarily as an exchange for the Senior NonCommissioned ranks of the Army, but has since been opened into a Tri-Service venture and is open to all trained ranks. Twenty positions were available to the Royal Australian Navy in 2004 and I was one of the lucky contenders.

As with the RAN, the majority of RM musicians play more than one instrument. The categories set by the RM are much stricter however. For example if you audition on saxophone, you will also be required to learn either the violin or the viola. A euphonium player would also learn to play cello. At this point in time, the RM is not hiring specialist vocalists and guitarists, although a guitarist was hired just before I left. As there is no specific category for him, he will need to learn new instruments, but will also be utilised on guitar.

On Friday 17 May 2004, I boarded a Royal Air Force TriStar aircraft with about 100 other excited souls wondering what was awaiting us all at the other end, and just what were we letting ourselves in for during the next four months. It wasn’t long before we realised that it would take a little more time to find out. We were taking the “long-route” to the United Kingdom so that the aircrew was able to do an around the world flight. First stop Fiji – unfortunately a few hours for refuelling at Nadi airport does not constitute “been-there, done-that.” Next stop was much more substantial, being Honolulu, Hawaii. We arrived there local time 0100 Friday morning, which was approximately 5 hours before we’d left to travel to the airport in Sydney. All that after spending over 14 hours in the air. A prime example of the time line playing tricks on the mind and body. Our Friday extended over 40 hours. Luckily we had a full day in Hawaii, and the time to be able to visit Pearl Harbour. The memorial that is set up there is fantastic and well worth the visit to anyone that gets the chance. Of course, I also got the chance to view (and photograph) the world famous sunset over Waikiki beach – absolutely stunning.

All newly recruited musicians attend a 10 week training course which is run at the Royal Marines School of Music by Royal Marines Commandos whom are posted to the school. Following their recruit training, the new entries commence their music training course. This course is of 2 years duration for the drum and buglers and 2 years 8 months for the musicians. Some trainees complete the course in much less time than this, but many must learn a new instrument, so the majority of training time is utilised. The location of the school is the old Royal Navy jail. It is a heritage building, and keeps many of its traditional features. The cut glass on top of the thick outer walls certainly gives a feeling of times gone by. The jail cells are now individual practice rooms for the students. The only difference now is the students choose to lock themselves in (and others out).

Next morning we headed off bright and early for the second and final leg of our trip. This was broken up with another “airport visit” – this time in Edmonton, Canada. We finally arrived at RAF Brize Norton on Sunday afternoon local time after more hours in an aircraft than I’d like to remember.

Whilst I was at the school I held the position of Assistant Director of Music – Training. This involved a myriad of tasks including teaching, assessing, administration, course planning, and rehearsing ensembles. I particularly enjoyed the teaching programme that I was involved in for the duration of my stay. It gave me a working relationship with most of the staff and students at the school, and a great insight into the RMBS from all levels.

From Brize Norton is was about a two hour drive to Portsmouth and HMS Nelson, which was to be my home for the next four months. For the duration of my exchange I was posted to the Royal Marines School of Music. I was lucky to work with some great musicians and had the chance to

During my time in the UK, I also worked with Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band Portsmouth. This was both through

the advanced training wing and as a guest conductor. This group of musicians was great to work with. The band is quite large, and is forever multi-tasking. I was involved in the 60th Anniversary of D-Day celebrations, which saw my first brush with royalty. The band involved me in many other experiences both as performer and observer, which also gave me the chance to see some more of the countryside.

Junior Recruit Training Education School and Divisional Chief Petty Officer (CPO) for Naval Officer Candidates.

I was lucky to have my husband come over and join me for a month of my exchange. We were fortunate to be able to travel through a great deal of the United Kingdom. It was an absolutely fantastic experience. There is so much beautiful countryside, and so very different to home. We spent a lot of time being overawed by the history and greenness of the country. Throughout the four months I had the opportunity to meet, work with and master class with some fantastic musicians (both military and civilian). Added to that were the unique experiences like attending a dining-out night on board HMS Victory.

WARRANT OFFICER WRIIGHT LEADS THE COMBINED SYDNEY AND NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENTS ON ANZAC DAY 2004

Warrant Officer Wright was posted to HMAS Stirling and served in a number of roles including as the Command Bandmaster and Ceremonial Coordinator, the Naval Reserve Cadets Liaison Officer, the Assistant Staff Officer Naval Reserves, and the Aide to Naval Officer Commanding Western Australia.

There are so many similarities between our two organisations, yet still many subtle differences. This trip was a wonderful chance to strengthen ties between our organisations and to impart and receive knowledge about the way that we currently do business. Add to that a chance to see some beautiful countryside, and a wonderful experience is guaranteed.

On promotion in 1985, Warrant Officer Wright was posted to the Defence Force School of Music at Simpson Barracks, Victoria, where he served in Senior Instructional positions. These included the Senior Naval Officer, the Divisional Officer, the Training Development Officer, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), the Warrant Officer in Charge Trainee Musician Wing, and the Senior Instructor Senior Non Commissioned Officers Advancement Courses.

FAREWELL WARRANT OFFICER LESLIE “SHINA” WRIGHT OAM

In 1989, he was appointed to the position of Assistant Director of Music—Navy. In 1991, he was appointed as Bandmaster and Officer in Charge to the RAN Fleet Band when it embarked in HMAS Tobruk for the 75th Anniversary ANZAC Pilgrimage to Gallipoli. He remained in charge of the Fleet Band during its transfer to HMAS Jervis Bay. In 1992, Warrant Officer Wright was detached to the Fleet Band HMAS Jervis Bay as the Officer in Charge for a Naval Promotional Tour of Tasmania.

A native of Melbourne, Warrant Officer Musician Leslie Wright OAM, began his musical career when he joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at HMAS Cerberus as a Junior Musician studying Cornet, Bugle and Drum in October 1965 transferring to Oboe. Since then, Warrant Officer Wright has served in every capacity required of members of the Royal Australian Navy Band. He has performed as a conductor for Parade Band and Concert Band, as an instrumentalist on oboe and saxophone and as the Drum Major on ceremonial occasions.

From April to July 1992, he was selected for the ANZAC Exchange with the Royal New Zealand Navy and carried out the appointments of Assistant Director of Music RNZN Band, Training Development Officer, Drum Major, Conductor, Instrumentalist and Instructor.

In 1979, he served as Bandmaster of the Volunteer Band, HMAS Albatross and HMAS Creswell. In 1980, he served as Senior Instructor RAN School of Music at HMAS Cerberus. From January 1981 to December 1985, he was the Bandmaster for the Naval Reserve Band and Drum & Bugle Band at HMAS Leeuwin. Other duties during this period included the Senior Sailors Mess Manager, Administrative Support Officer and Training Resources Officer for the

With the relocation of the RAN Fleet Band and Naval Support Command Band, Warrant Officer Wright was assigned duties as Assistant Director of Music—Navy, Divisional Officer, and Principal Drum Major for Naval, Tri Service and National events. In September 1995, Warrant Officer Wright was posted as Naval Manager in charge of Accommodation at Endeavour House, Maroubra, where 600 junior members of the

Defence Force resided and Lady Gowrie House where Senior Non Commissioned Officers resided. During out of hours he was responsible for all personnel as their Divisional Officer and oversaw the Civilian Contractor ensuring it net the Defence agreed standards.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

He was the president of the board to advise the local Naval Commands in the introduction of Civilian Contractors for Sydney Based Naval Establishments, Fixed Plant and Equipment and Building Repairs and Maintenance Contracts.

PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE

ARTICLE BY WARRANT OFFICER AREND BEKENDAM AND

The Defence Force School of Music, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, prepares ADF musicians for employment and promotion, with a comprehensive curriculum of music and military training.

In 1998, Warrant Officer Wright was posted to Assistant Director of Music—Navy and in 2000, he was posted as Divisional Officer to the Sydney detachment of the RAN Band.

The Defence Force School of Music was opened in October 1984, and became the sole training facility for Service musicians of the Australian Defence Force. The Australian Army Band - Melbourne co-located with the school in January 1998. This allows promotion courses the opportunity to practice their new skills with a full strength Concert ensemble. Pipes and Drums training commenced in February 1999.

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS OAM - Order of Australia Medal AASM - Vietnam Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp Vietnam VLSM - Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal

The Defence Force School of Music Headquarters is located in Meares House. The purpose designed and built school building comprises Newman Hall, (the main rehearsal venue); three other large rehearsal rooms; eighty individual practice studios; classrooms and office space for the instructors. The Australian Defence Force can be justifiably proud of its home of Military Music, and the school boasts facilities that are second-to-none for any Armed Service School of Music in the world.

ASM45 - Australian Service Medal 1945 - 75 with Clasp FESR DFSM4 - 4th Clasp to Defence Force Service Medal NM - National Medal AWARDS Support Commanders Commendation - Bravery

The trainees and a few members of staff here at the Defence Force School of Music were lucky enough to visit the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band at HMAS Cerberus on the 25 of August 2004. Members of the Basic Musician Course, which currently consists of twelve army trainees, were invited to spend two days with the Melbourne detachment where they were given the opportunity to workshop and perform alongside some of Australia’s most talented musicians. The visit gave the trainees the opportunity to perform in a variety of ensembles including the detachment’s wind chamber ensemble, show band and concert ensemble. It was also an ideal opportunity to experience first hand some aspects of Navy lifestyle. Musician Timothy Brook, who is currently studying saxophone at the Defence Force School of Music, said the experience of playing in such a professional ensemble was “an awesome experience and something that will stay with me for a very long time”.

Certificate of Appreciation Peter Mitchell Prize for Best Instructor of the Year 2 X CO Commendations

The ‘finale’ of the visit saw the army trainees performing with their naval brethren for a spectacular evening concert at the Southern Cross Cinema. The Musical Director of the Melbourne detachment, Lieutenant Steven Stanke, is very supportive of interService networking and suggested that this would be a

great opportunity and experience for trainee musicians to widen their musical and social network.

The evening turned out to be a spectacular display of talent which included Musician C. O’Donnell’s beautiful oboe solo from the ‘Horse Opera’ by G. Koehne. The concert concluded with ‘Heroes for a Generation’, arranged by Captain Steve Button whilst on the 2003 Band Officer Course, in recognition and celebration of the lives of Australians affected by service to our nation through the Australian Army. On the completion of the concert guests were invited to participate in refreshments and rekindle old friendships and catch up on old and new times. It was so nice to see some of the old faces back at the Defence Force School of Music. From the Training Developer (TD) My time at the Defence Force School of Music has been at times very hectic, yet very rewarding and eye opening. In the short time I have been here I have seen quite a few changes in the way Defence does its training, which has obviously had a great impact on the way we conduct our training, resulting in continual changes (albeit some minor) to our course content. All courses and course content is audited by the Australian National Training Authority to ensure that we are compliant with civilian training standards. This enables our people to be awarded a Statement of attainment for each course; unfortunately, while ANTA recognises our qualifications Universities may not. However, some of our members have used these qualifications for entry into University and had the competencies counted toward some units.

THE COMBINED MELBOURNE DETACHMENT, DFSM STAFF AND TRAINEES PERFORM AT HMAS CERBERUS

This year the Assistant Band Leader Course (ABL) course commenced on 9 August 2004. The ABL is one of the most vital assets to a service band. The position demands loyalty, hard work, dedication, a sense of humour and, above all, unquestioned musical ability and professionalism. The ABL course is of 8 weeks duration and trains Petty Officers and Sergeants/Staff Sergeants in the musical and administrative requirements of the rank of Chief Petty Officer/Warrant Officer. In attendance was Petty Officer Peter Siggs, from the Melbourne detachment of the RAN Band, Staff Sargent Jodie Cassidy from the Australian Army Band Newcastle, Sargent Paulo Felix-Almeida from the Australian Army Band Brisbane and Master Sergeant Radin Yusoff Bin Radin Othman from the Singapore Armed Forces Band B. Together these four members studied an array of subjects including harmony, arranging, conducting with Major Graham Lloyd and Lieutenant Colonel Peter Jackson (retired), Aural with Mr Ian Godfrey), and ceremonial procedures, concert preparation and compering just to name a few. The course members had their final concert at the DFSM on 1 October 2004 and received their certificates before returning back to their units.

DFSM has seen a ‘Change of Guard’ this year with Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Pickett assuming Command as Commandant DFSM and Australian Army Band Corps, and Warrant Officer 1 Steve Hladio taking over as the Regimental Sergeant Major of DFSM and the Australian Army Band Corps. Other changes that have occurred are the return of Major Graham Lloyd to the helm as Commanding Officer/Chief Instructor of the School after a 14 year absence as Director of Music Royal Australian Airforce. Prior to that he was the Senior Instructor of the Trainee Musician Wing as a Captain in the Australian Army Band Corps. All he has to do is don a white uniform and he has done the lot.

The 26 October 2004 was the Graduation Ceremony this year making it a little different from the norm due to the concert being held on a Tuesday evening instead of the usual day time concert. The Deputy Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral RM Hancock, RAN was the Principal Official Guest, who by all accounts enjoyed the concert. Congratulations to all the prize-winners. The Navy prize winners were Able Seaman Sonya Henderson who received the A.A Sillcock Award for the most outstanding trainee on the Section Leader Course, and Leading Seaman Joanne Holloway who received the John Stucas Shield for the most outstanding Navy trainee on the Group Leader Course. Lieutenant Andrew Stokes received his well earned Band Officer Course Certificate, and also conducted the Band for the opening of the Concert.

The other addition we now have is a civilian Business manager, Mr Shane D’orival who, obviously, looks after the day to day business side of the DFSM as well as the AABC. Some things in the pipe line are; as of next year all Army Direct Entry Musicians will come here for an induction period, so that when they get to the Bands, they will be familiar with drill, ceremonial etc; as of 01 July 05 all courses will be run continuously, that is, one course finishes on Friday and another course starts the following Monday. As well, further down the track we are looking at changing the way courses are conducted at the DFSM. This will be that the majority of the course will be done in the Bands

and trainees will come to the DFSM for two weeks or so to complete/polish course material and do assessments. In this way there is less disruption to the Bands and we retain our civilian accreditation as assessments are still carried out by a Registered Training Organisation.

generous it was kind of sad to leave, but we knew that Hawaii was only ten days away. When we arrived in Pearl Harbour we were met by the Chief of the Pacific Fleet Band who showed us around the base, but most importantly, introduced us to the thirty musicians that we would be working with over the next few weeks. For all of us this was a dream come true, the opportunities were endless. We were fortunate enough to perform at such events as the fourth of July celebrations in front of over ten thousand people at Ala Moana, Hawaii’s biggest shopping centre, and in the hanger of the Aircraft Carrier USS Stannis for the Commanding Officers and ships company and all involved in RIMPAC.

On a sadder note we have farewelled this year Lieutenant Steve Cottier, but only from the Permanent Navy as he transferred over to the Reserves and still comes in 3 days a week to assist with the training and will continue to do so next year (we hope). My ‘stint’ here at the DFSM is (slowly) coming to an end as my position here has been downgraded to a Chief Petty Officer, as an outcome of the Warrant Officer Employment Review. I look forward to getting back ‘out there’ and hopefully doing some good in my new role as the Divisional Officer of the Sydney detachment, a daunting task, to try and follow in Warrant Officer Wright’s footsteps. From myself, and ALL Navy personnel (all 3 of us), we hope you and your families have a happy and prosperous Christmas and a great New Year.

We sailed from Hawaii and went back to our duties. We were involved in Evolutions with the ships company, jackstays and helped store ship etc. Standing on the GDP in the pouring rain while we refuelled was actually quite unforgettable. New Zealand was our last port before returning to Sydney, the weather was terrible but we were happy to be so close to home. Our time onboard HMAS Parramatta was definitely a great experience; we made lots of friends and took home some great memories.

RIMPAC 2004 ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN TRACY BURKE

ABLE SEAMAN TRACY BURKE PERFORMS WITH THE USN PACIFIC FLEET BAND AT ALA MOANA SHOPPING CENTRE IN HAWAII

In May 2004 Able Seaman Riseley, Able Seaman Lowe, Able Seaman Macfie and myself joined HMAS Parramatta for RIMPAC exercise 2004. After five days of work-ups with the ships company, sea sick and missing home, we sat on the flight deck and played the ship out of Sydney Harbour with our rendition of Hawaii 5-0. Once at sea we were quickly integrated into the ships company, all four musicians would have a taste of a sailor’s life at sea. Our days were busy but exciting, we were put into watches on the bridge, day duties with different departments and still tried to squeeze in our rehearsals. Our first port was the island of Tonga where we performed Ceremonial Sunset and jazz group for Tongan dignitaries and residents. The Tongan people were so friendly and

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 6 OF 4 JULY 2005

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

A SALUTE TO AUSTRALIA

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN CASSANDRA MOHAPP

CONTENTS

In February this year, bands from all over the world came to Sydney to participate in The Edinburgh Tattoo – A Salute to Australia. The Royal Australian Navy Band, Royal Australian Air Force Air Command Band, and Australian Army Band Sydney formed a contingent of over 120 musicians. A Salute to Australia was held at Aussie Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney. Six performances to a crowd of over 25,000 at each performance ensured this spectacular experience reached many. International guests included military musicians from bands of the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force to the New Zealand Army Band. British Military Pipe Bands teamed up with Australian Pipe Bands and provided a thrilling opening sequence to a flourish of musical journeys to follow. The rehearsals seemed endless… and what a big task it was. We had less than a week to memorise the music, smarten up the drill and have everything in order. (Continued page 3)

From the Director’s Desk

Melbourne Detachment

Sydney Detachment

South Australian Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

Queensland Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

HMAS Anzac Detachment

ANZAC Exchange 2005

National Manager Reserve Component

Our Outcomes

Where We Are Headed

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

because of the commitment given by the members of our reserve detachments. It’s worthy to note that, unlike their fulltime counterparts, our reserve musicians don’t get time off in lieu of weekend tasks. The Bandmasters of these small detachments also deserve special recognition. They have been working hard to manage the many demands asked of them whilst at the same time trying to move their detachments forward. A very difficult task, I am sure.

As I look back at our achievements over the last three years, it is clear to me the immense contribution that the Navy Band makes to wider Navy family and civilian community. The articles in the previous five editions of RAN Band News certainly tell a good story about what we have done and where we have been; and the articles in this edition continue that story.

I also wish to acknowledge the Band Officers and the divisional staff in each of the permanent detachments who I know are usually first in to work and last to leave. Whilst I am sure that they enjoy the privilege of their positions, I also know that quite often they don’t receive the accolades for the significant additional work that they undertake on behalf of their people and to ensure all of the administrative and divisional requirements are met.

In this edition, the stories from our people embarked in HMAS Anzac are a fantastic read, and give a very clear account of the exciting opportunities that they have embraced and of the contribution that they have made. The commitment given by the Navy Band to Fleet units over the last three years has been very significant, with exceedingly positive feedback from our people, the various Commanding Officers and ships companies. Personally, I am very satisfied by the achievements of our Anzac detachment.

My personal team also deserve recognition. They too, are usually first in and last out. I know how hard each of them works to ensure the many and varied requirements of my office are fulfilled, and I have certainly enjoyed their company. Recently, the Senior Leadership Group and Outpost Bandmasters met to discus the Way Ahead. The revised vision and mission statements and Statement of Intent are contained at the end of this newsletter. I encourage you all to embrace Navy’s values, our value statements and our direction, and I look forward to the very exciting voyage ahead.

This edition also tells a story of the missions undertaken by each of our detachments over the last financial year. Importantly, we have extended our marketing reach into regional Australia, and the total audience numbers are, by any measure, very impressive. Over the last six months we have continued with our benchmark activities: these are a series of tasks that have been resourced to a level that ensures Nation best outcomes. The recent Flagship Recital and the recording session with ABC Classic FM of Symphony No. 1 by Philip Sparke, Symphony in B Flat for Band by Paul Hindemith, and the Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Orchestra by Ingolf Dahl were fulfilled to Nation best standards, as was our contribution to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. These benchmark activities also brought together our people from across the whole organisation and truly reflected the talents and capabilities of the Navy Band.

Thank you for your valuable contribution, which has ensured that the Royal Australian Navy Band remains ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’. P.C. ANDERSON Lieutenant Commander, RAN Director LUKE 11 34-36 The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. So if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be!

However, our role in the Repatriation Ceremony, the funerals and the National Thanksgiving Service for those killed in the crash of Navy Sea King SHARK 02 at Nias, Indonesia, will remain for me, our most important contribution to the wider Navy family in many years. Our role in those ceremonies ensured a proper level of military ceremony and added a sense of dignity to what were very sad occasions: It is hard to imagine a Navy honouring its people in such a moving way without the involvement of its musicians. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some very hard work undertaken by many within the band. First of all, I wish to acknowledge our reserve musicians. One of the reasons that our marketing reach has been so successful is

EDINBURGH TATTOO – A SALUTE TO AUSTRALIA

The atmosphere of the arena as we marched out was electric. As soon as we were announced there were cheers and whistles. It truly was a magnificent experience….

(Continued from page 1)

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE, RAN

ABLE SEAMAN TRACY BURKE LEADS ‘”I AM AUSTRALIAN ’

Very early starts, and late night finishes ensured we were as ready as we could be. Don’t get me wrong, we had some time to rest and relax. Even our international guests from Scotland found time to relax with a cheeky streak across the Sydney Cricket Ground (located right next to Aussie Stadium) with only his sporran to keep him warm!

LIEUTENANT STANKE CONDUCTS THE MELBOURNE DETACHMENT AT THE MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND

The Melbourne Detachment began 2005 with a welcome ceremony at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, for newly enlisted members of the Australian Defence Force Academy on 20 January. This ceremony marked their initial signing-on and the small ensemble from the Melbourne detachment gave them a taste of the musical abilities of the Australian Defence Force.

Historically though, this is only the second time the Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been performed outside of Edinburgh, the only other time was in New Zealand in 2000. I wonder if it rained in New Zealand as well? Nothing worse than wearing a white uniform and trying to dodge horse leftovers in slushy ground… yes we always march on after the horses (this time the New South Wales Mounted Police): some things never change! Apparently not one single performance of the Edinburgh Tattoo has ever been cancelled; rain, hail or shine!

Later in January, we travelled to Sydney to assist the Sydney detachment in its contribution to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Military pageants always involve hard work, sore feet and tonnes of patience and this extravaganza was no exception; but all agreed that the experience was one to add to the “cherish for a lifetime” box.

The replica of Edinburgh castle was quite spectacular. A life size version standing 25 metres high, embracing every detail from drawbridge to sentry boxes, made the most magical and dramatic backdrop fitting for such a performance. The smoke machine puffed away as we marched out thus providing a very mysterious entrance into the arena.

The National Servicemen’s parade on Sunday 13 February was our first real “all-in” job and, under sunny skies, we proudly led the “Nashos” down St Kilda Road from the Arts Centre to the Shrine for their service. Other memorial services at the Shrine of Remembrance included Darwin Defenders on 19 February and the 60th Anniversary of the Cessation of War in Europe on 8 May. On 17 February, we continued our tradition of providing music for the local families at Cerberus with our “Cerberus Celebrates” concert on the patch. Last year this was held outside Club Cerberus but this year we took the music to the families and performed at the recreation on the patch. Unfortunately, the performance was poorly attended so for next year a rethink on the venue and facilities is in order.

COMBINED MILITARY BANDS AT THE FINALE OF THE EDINBURGH MILITARYTATTOO WITH THE REPLICA EDINBURGH CASTLE AND BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL FLAGS

On Friday 18 February we performed at Box Hill High School and the following Sunday the jazz group travelled to Williamstown to perform on board HMAS Castlemaine. Other performances in February included concerts at the Band Studio for visiting groups, the Foundation parade at Hastings, and a service at St Marks, Cerberus.

while the remaining members flew to Perth to assist in the presentation of the Gloucester Cup to HMAS Rankin.

The big band performed at the Kew Festival on 12 March and was very well received. Our big project for March was a wind ensemble concert at St Andrews Anglican Church, featuring more than 50 musicians (guests from the Army and Royal Australian Air Force bands, and the civilian world). The program included major works by Janacek, Rachmaninov and, our crowning glory, the final two movements from Mahler’s Second Symphony “Resurrection”. Despite the usual hitches in rehearsal, the performance was glorious in its concept and execution and all members finished the two hour concert exhausted but reportedly well satisfied. We even included ships bells, solo singers, organist, fanfare trumpeters and offstage horns and percussion to complete the experience.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT AT HMAS CERBERUS RECRUIT SCHOOL PARADE GROUND

Later in June, a contingent travelled to Sydney for a predeployment briefing for the upcoming deployment to the Solomon Islands – more on that next time.

On Friday 18 May, we performed at a blustery and cold Avalon Airport during the Airshow on the Kerri-Anne Kennerley ‘Morning Show’ and relished in our 10 seconds of national exposure.

Congratulations to Able Seamen Claire Murray and Yoshi Izumi on their attainment of Musician Skill Grade 3 and to Able Seaman Matthew Booth for participating in a six-month deployment to Gallipoli and the northern hemisphere in HMAS Anzac.

April highlights included the always moving Anzac Day march in the city; this time concluding with a dash to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to perform for the swelling crowd before game time, and other Anzac related performances at HMAS Cerberus, Telstra Dome, Springvale, Mt Martha, Oatlands and Somers. We concluded April with a Soundwaves concert at the Crossways Centre, East Burwood. This concert was very ably compered by the “Voice of the Century” Pete Smith and included many items from our recent repertoire. A particular crowd favourite was the trombone section playing Trombone Country, which brought pleads from the crowd for an encore.

Able Seaman Belinda Knowles gladly accepted her Anzac Exchange with Able Seaman Saskia Purllant from the New Zealand Navy Band, and many memorable experiences were had by both in each others band and country.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MICHELLE COLEMAN, RAN

On 4 May, the jazz group performed to a very appreciative crowd on the forecourt of the State Library. On Friday 6 May we farewelled John Bertrand from Docklands as he attempts to sail around Australia to raise funds for research. Later in May, a small ensemble travelled to Perth to assist the Western Australian detachment for Chief of Navy’s Farewell Divisions.

It seems every time I sit down to write for the newsletter the first thought that crosses the mind is “is it that time already?” – this edition is no different. The first half of 2005 has sped by. Our tempo seems to have been virtually non-stop (reality will probably see it differently however), with the Sydney detachment performing a very wide range of commitments, which have spanned many spectrums of emotion.

Our tour of eastern Victoria in early June went without a hitch and brought many smiles and thanks from audiences in Traralgon, Wonthaggi, Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale and Sale. There was even an appearance from the jazz master himself, Mr Don Burrow at one of the school performances although he declined to perform. Just his presence at a jazz group performance one evening was enough to lift the band; definitely playing to the audience. Almost immediately after the tour, another ensemble from the band travelled to Sydney for two weeks to assist in a benchmark recording

The first week back on board after Christmas leave saw us involved in the Maritime Commander’s Divisions at Fleet Base East and a performance at the Entrance Markets on the Central Coast. A small group travelled to HMAS Stirling to welcome HMAS Adelaide as she arrived back in Australia, and then the fun really began! Thursday 27 January saw the first day of rehearsals for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo – A Salute to Australia. This was

only the second time that the Tattoo had been held outside it’s home city of Edinburgh. The Sydney detachment was pleased to welcome members from the Melbourne detachment and Director’s staff to join in the venture. Aside from Drum Major, Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton, and myself all members from the 40-piece Royal Australian Navy Band were junior sailors. The first few days of rehearsal were long and arduous. We joined members from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force bands at Randwick Barracks to nut out the Australian segment. The fourth day of rehearsals saw us combine with the rest of the Tattoo participants at Sydney University and Aussie Stadium. It was at this stage that it all became a little more real. It is always wonderful to meet fellow musicians from around the world and this was no exception.

Parade. Whilst we were enjoying what the West had to offer, personnel back in Melbourne were supporting some Mess Dinners and Sportex activities.

Following six days of early starts and late finishes, the show was ready to go on. There were five performances and one dress rehearsal in front of a nightly crowd of 28,000 people at Aussie stadium—what a buzz for the musicians to march out onto the arena in front of such a crowd. From all accounts it was a great experience, and made for an exciting start to the year.

LIEUTENANT COLEMAN CONDUCTS CEREMONIAL SUNSET ONBOARD HMAS ANZAC IN ALBANY

After the red-eye trip back to Sydney we marched through Woollahra for HMAS Watson’s Freedom of Entry. The following week saw us embark on a tour. It was the first chance for quite some time that all members of the detachment (that were fit) were able to participate in, which was a great team building exercise. We were received well in all the towns that we visited. A real hit at the high school concerts was Able Seaman Carl Riseley—so many autographs, so little time. The culmination of the tour was Canberra Navy day, with the event not as popular as in recent years, but well appreciated by all those in attendance.

Whilst we were busy in rehearsals, seven members from the Sydney detachment joined HMAS Anzac as she prepared for her deployment. Petty Officer Kara Williams, Leading Seaman Aaron Geeves and Able Seamen Damian Dowd, Able Seaman Andrew Hansch, Able Seaman Shaun Tatnell, and Able Seaman Heather Wright, along with Able Seaman Matthew Booth from the Melbourne detachment, are visiting some great ports on their seven-month trip as they trace the steps of the first ANZACs. Later, they’ll be travelling on to Portsmouth for a Fleet Review. There will be an article from them in this newsletter that I am sure will tell of some amazing events so far.

Following a well-earned break for Easter it was back to more local gigs, encompassing St. Andrews Cathedral, mess dinners, balls, and ship departure ceremonies. Then the Navy received its worst news for many years with the Shark 02 tragedy. It was a very tough time for all of Navy, and many of the band members knew some of the deceased. The band supported the families and Navy in the only way that we knew how to, by participating in the Repatriation Ceremony, a Memorial Service at HMAS Albatross, the funerals of the six Navy personnel and the National Service of Thanksgiving held at Parliament House in Canberra. The latter was one of the most moving events that I have been involved in. The tributes given seemed so fitting for the occasion, and although sad gave a certain hope. The choir participated, and I was very honoured to lead them throughout the service. They sang so very well, and somehow we managed to sing through tears in what was a very emotional event.

Back on solid ground, the Sydney detachment travelled to Darwin and Cairns for the Maritime Commander’s Divisions in those areas. Although we only had a group seven brass players and a three-piece drum corps, the sound produced was quite commendable. On the return home it was straight on to the Cenotaph at Martin Place (this time with a full band) for the Battle of the Java Sea Memorial Service. Next we were off for a quick trip to Blamey Square, Canberra for the arrival of the 1st Sea Lord from the Royal Navy. Back in Sydney we participated in a fundraiser for the Victor Chang Cardiac Institute, a Royal Ball where the special Guest of Honour was the Crown Princess of Denmark. The rock group had their first outing for HMAS Watson’s Wardroom Ball, and has had quite a number since. Another trip beckoned in early March, when a group of approximately 20 from travelled to Albany, Western Australia, to farewell HMAS Anzac on her Northern Trident trip. It was a great opportunity to catch up with our fellow musicians and wish them well for their journey, and join with them for a Ceremonial Sunset and Freedom of Entry

The Woodwind Quintet performed that evening in Sydney for a mess dinner; doing a great job after what was already a long day for them. Then it was time for the big band to have their first gig to themselves performing at Sutherland for the National Servicemen’s Association. I’m sure they appreciated having the entire bill and not having to reset the stage for

concert band or rock group as had been the case so far this year. Gigs then continued “as normal”, including parades, reunions, memorial services, balls, mess dinners, HMAS Kanimbla’s return to Australia after a very tumultuous deployment and various community events.

first child, a son Adam. Congratulations and lots of happiness to you all. I think that just about wraps us up for the first half of this year. It’s been a very busy, but rewarding 2005 thus far. Thanks to all of the members of the Sydney detachment for your work so far this year. I’ve appreciated you keeping your sense of humour in the tougher times; and thank you for the many fine performances you have given to the Defence community and the public. Keep up the good work!

As I look at the calendar for the second half of the year, it seems as though it will be continuing as it has started, and in no time at all, I will be thinking is “is it that time already?” There have been a few courses this year, starting with the Section Leader Course. Able Seaman Ian Aston (trumpet and cornet) was selected, and from all accounts acquitted himself extremely well throughout the course: congratulations on a great effort Ian. The Group Leader Course is currently being run, with Leading Seaman Meredith Reeves (clarinet) holding up the fort for Navy. Meredith has settled into the course well, and we look forward to her successful return at the end of June. I am also on course for five weeks, to HMAS Creswell in the next step of my Officer Training continuum. In February this year we welcomed Warrant Officer Arend (Bill) Bekendam to the Sydney detachment. Bill posted here as the Divisional Officer from the Defence Force School of Music. Unfortunately Bill’s wife, Donna, and their daughters Sian and Simone were unable to join Bill and have remained in Victoria. Hopefully the family separation will not be a long one. We farewelled Able Seaman Marcus Salone (trumpet and cornet) as he joined the Melbourne detachment to fill a vacancy. Fortunately for us, it is only a temporary posting and we look forward to welcoming Marcus back later this year. In March this year we welcomed Able Seaman Troy Ottens (and wife Stephanie) into our fold. Troy is a trombonist and joins us as a reserve changeover from the South Australian detachment. In May we welcomed Able Seaman Adam Arnold. Adam is a tuba player who recently joined the Navy from Melbourne. Welcome guys, I hope you enjoy your time with us here in Sydney.

IN CONCERT AT THE SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

Half way through the year and one must wonder, where does the time go? The South Australian detachment has been very busy representing the Royal Australian Navy in South Australia’s regional areas. The Mayor of Renmark requested support from us to perform on the foreshore of the River Murray at Renmark Paringa’s ‘100 years of local Government’ Celebrations’. It was a beautiful balmy evening with the lights on the foreshore reflecting off the water of the Murray on a clear night in temperatures hovering around 30c. Quite cool when you take into consideration when, earlier that day, we played at the Glossop High School in temperatures of 40+c. It was so hot and stuffy in the gymnasium the teachers were walking around the students (and us!) spraying them with water in an effort to keep them cool as we performed.

There are a couple of promotions in the wind. On 1 July, Leading Seaman Luke Kennedy (drums and percussion) will be promoted to Petty Officer, and Able Seaman Grant Metcalfe (saxophone) will be promoted to Leading Seaman. Congratulations on your promotions—you both deserve them, and I look forward to working with you in your new roles. To more personal matters: Just after Christmas then Leading Seaman Joanne Holloway (euphonium), and husband Chris gave birth to their first born—a beautiful daughter Olivia. A few days later Jo was officially promoted to Petty Officer. Jo is currently on Maternity Leave, but is hoping to return to work in a part-time capacity later this year. In February Able Seaman Tim Rees (clarinet) was married to Clare. Also in February Able Seaman Steve Stojcevski (clarinet) and his wife Olivia gave birth to their

The Stage Band played to a crowd of about 500 with many more in the beer garden of the nearby Renmark Worker’s Club tuning in. Music students from Glossop High School joined us, and also participated in workshops with our musicians prior to the school concert.

The concert was such a success that the Mayor of Renmark is now under pressure from the local community to provide a concert on the foreshore annually in December.

the crowds entertained and had them yelling for more afterwards. The Director’s visit also provided the opportunity for some of our members to sit for their Musician Skill Grade Three (M3). Unfortunately, not all who attempted the examination were successful. However, congratulations go to Able Seaman Katrina Caton and Petty Officer Rory McKinnon on successfully achieving the standards required for M3 status.

The performance at Glossop High School was made possible with the support of former musician Able Seaman Musician Brenden Baldock who with his wife Kirralee relocated to the Riverland to teach at various high schools. Brenden still enjoys playing with us and donned his uniform to assist us with our performances. His support in making the school concert and workshop possible and getting the local TV stations to do a story on the South Australian detachment, featured extensively in the evening news, was very much appreciated.

Navy Week fell upon us unexpectedly in May, only seven months after the last Navy Week. HMAS Stuart was the visiting ship and she had a stirring entry into Outer Harbour with the assistance of Captain Davis Milne (AC), Officer Commanding the 413 Cadets Pipes and Drums and three of his cadets. Ferried out to the ship at 0600 from Glenelg, the pipers were given a tour of Stuart and breakfast before taking up their position forward of the bridge to play their bagpipes as she entered Outer Harbour. The ship and the Cadet Pipers received great coverage from the news helicopter flying above and were given excellent exposure on the evening TV News. A great start to what turned out to be a very successful trip for HMAS Stuart to Adelaide with plenty of positive exposure for the Royal Australian Navy.

The Renmark trip was a great way for us to finish the year on a high and take a well-earned break over Xmas. With holidays over and the start of a New Year, the Rock Group was back and rehearsing in earnest for its engagement at Port Lincoln’s Tunarama Festival. This is an annual event with the main feature of the festival being, who can toss a tuna fish the furthest? Port Lincoln had been ravaged by bushfires destroying much of the Peninsula, farms, homes and sadly the loss of some lives the week before the Festival. This did not deter many of the locals most of whom had been effected in some way by the fire to get out and enjoy the festivities. We performed both Saturday and Sunday morning of the Festival and although numbers were down in the morning those that attended danced their way through our performances.

The Stage Band played to a crowd of 1,500 as they queued to have a look over the ship. The queue did not move too quickly and the music helped to pass the time away. Other commitments for Navy Week included: raising the Australian White Ensign at the start of Navy Week, church services and two lunch time performances by the Jazz Group at the Adelaide Central Market on the Tuesday and Thursday. Our resident Bass player was unavailable for the Central Market gigs and would not have been possible without the support of the Director and Lieutenant Coleman who provided Able Seaman Steve Foxe who flew in from Sydney to assist. Steve worked well with the South Australian detachment’s musicians and gave an excellent performance on Bass Guitar. Steve’s assistance was very much appreciated by all of us here in South Australia and we enjoyed working with him. If we need a Bass player to assist again, we know whom to call. The South Australian detachment, with additional support from the Sydney and Tasmania detachments, is off to Darwin to assist with the decommissioning of the HMAS Cessnock and the commissioning of the Royal Australian Navy’s 1st Armidale Class patrol boat, HMAS Armidale during the period 21-26 June 2005. This is an excellent opportunity for the South Australian detachment and our members are excited by the opportunity to support a major RAN activity: it also provides further evidence that the Royal Australian Navy Band is one band.

THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC WITH THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT AT THE CLIPSAL 500

The Director, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson, visited the detachment in March and joined us at South Australia’s major motoring event ‘Clipsal 500’. The Rock Group performed to the very enthusiastic crowds on Saturday and Sunday for a one hour performance before the race and again after the races for a two hour performance, (without a break!!) ably led by our two very talented vocalists Able Seaman Katrina Caton and Petty Officer Rory McKinnon. Their energetic performance kept

Until the next Newsletter, I wish you all the best in your personal endeavours and success in your band activities.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

immediately. By 1900 that night I was being operated on and safely home by 2100. 26 January 2005 saw the Queensland detachment performing at Australia Day at Wilcannia Park; with a heavily bandaged finger and some pain relief I managed to get through the morning’s activities. Some suggestions on putting a light on the end of my bandaged finger left me feeling a little like ET.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT WRIGHT

Since our last report we have farewelled Chief Petty Officer Gabe Kicsak in his role as Bandmaster. His understanding and knowledge of the Reserves provided us with outstanding advice and direction; enabling us all to use the limited time on Tuesdays to its’ optimum. His role as our ‘driver’, whether to Coffs Harbour, Canberra or around the corner to Woolloomooloo, was most appreciated. The New South Wales detachment’s loss is most assuredly the Western Australian Detachment’s gain.

Through February and March we continued to build our repertoire and work on our parade skills. April brought sad news to the Navy with the loss of lives in the Sea King helicopter accident. Able Seaman David Coit travelled to Nambour to perform the Last Post and Reveille for Lieutenant Johnathon King’s funeral. The funeral was attended by many navy personnel and reminded us of the danger many of our personnel face on a daily basis.

While we have a reputation as the “best little church band in town”: we do a lot of jobs at Garden Island Chapel; we have been fortunate to grab some pretty good jobs with significant exposure. The Woolloomooloo Festival provided a great opportunity for the Stage Band to present a couple of hot brackets to a most appreciative audience—we look towards more performance requests for what is developing into a really solid and swinging stage band sound.

With the Stage Band repertoire building from strength to strength, the month of May was looking like a month to put all that hard work to good use. The Gallipoli Foundation Ball at the Stamford Plaza on Friday 06 May turned out to be one of the highlights for the year with all ensembles performing well. The Director visited the Queensland detachment on Sunday 08 May and saw the Stage Band perform at the Dingo Creek Jazz Festival. Highlights of the day included vocalist Leading Seaman Sarah MacDonald, with trumpet features by Recruit Bob Schultz and Able Seaman David Coit, and an overall very good performance by the Stage Band as a whole. A very receptive audience showed their appreciation of the performance.

Among other recent highlights: the jazz group entertained at the official Australia Day reception onboard HMAS Parramatta; went down to Canberra and back again (it rained and the gig was cancelled); the dedication and memorial service at Nirimba; and the Anzac Day parade. Along with the emerging Stage Band, we are continuing to develop a sax quintet and a brass quartet. This will enable us to meet a broader range of jobs in realising the Navy Band mission.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PPETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHAN

Hi from the sunshine state. At the beginning of the 2005 we had a very quiet start, the Bandmaster’s dream: a building period, a rare and special time. We used this time to work on our parade skills, as time spent now would pay great dividends later.

LEADING SEAMAN SARAH MACDONALD AT THE DINGO CREEK JAZZ FESTIVAL

Wednesday 19 January 2005 was not a good day for the Queensland Bandmaster. A Physical Training session at Naval Head Quarters—South Queensland, and a game of touch football lead to my middle finger being broken and dislocated. On 24 January 2005 a specialist at Enoggera informed me that my finger required an operation

Another surprise for the Director was the newly carpeted band room, which has really improved our rehearsal area and given the whole band a real lift. The following week saw the Queensland detachment performing at the Coral Sea service, with assistance from two

Sydney detachment cornet players, Able Seaman Chris Ellis and Able Seaman Ian Aston: Thank you gentlemen. The Career Expo at the Brisbane Convention Centre followed this on Sunday.

importance of performing with members from the Melbourne detachment greatly enhanced the morale of our reserve members. With an overnight stay at Mole Creek all the members were able to bond and gain an appreciation for one another.

A welcome must also be extended to our newest member, Recruit Bob Schultz, a fine trumpet and cornet player who has joined us from Tasmania: A loss for the Tasmanian detachment, but definitely a great gain for us. The new financial year brings a promotion for Leading Seaman Rayelene Brown; congratulations to our new Petty Officer.

On a brighter note Petty Officer Paul Parnell (percussion) and Able Seaman Richard Armstrong (bass guitar) have come back to the fold with a late inclusion of Petty Officer Greg Hince (vocals, trumpet and french horn). All of you in the greater band community would easily appreciate the impact these members would have on the viability of the various ensembles performed by the Tasmanian detachment. Now that we have the basis for a reasonable jazz and rock ensemble the future for this detachment is looking better as each rehearsal passes.

We are looking forward to brighter and bigger developments for the new financial year. Enjoying sunny Queensland…

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

The new financial year sees a great deal of opportunities for performances throughout Tasmania. We have been invited, once again, to perform for the jazz society in Burnie on Saturday 16 July with a follow up church service for Sea on Sunday. I see this as only the beginning, as apart from supporting local defence related associations with various balls, we are filling the calendar with jazz performances throughout Hobart and surrounds.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

Since taking over from Chief Petty Officer Robert Hillhouse, the year has been very quiet thus far. The defection of some members to other detachments and several resignations, have left us with very few musicians, therefore restricting our capabilities.

An issue that is affecting all the reserve detachments at present is recruiting and recruit training. This seems to be more complex for us in Tasmania largely due to the size of population and availability of musicians. Good news though, we have gained considerable interest from various candidates largely in part to word of mouth, particularly from Able Seaman Emerson Shuey who has introduced many of those who are considering entry into the Tasmanian detachment. One candidate, Alyson Bentley, whose father is a former member from the 1970’s, has just successfully completed all recruiting requirements and has been inducted into the Royal Australian Naval Reserves. We all look forward to having her join us once recruit training is competed. As the newly promoted Chief Petty Officer in Tasmania I would like to extend a heart felt good luck and farewell to Chief Petty Officer Robert Hillhouse on his future endeavours upon retirement from the Royal Australian Navy. I have given him my assurance that I will continue to add to the successes that the Tasmanian detachment has had into the future.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

THE SAXOPHONE SECTION AT THE AGRICULTURAL FESTIVAL IN CARRICK

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

Many thanks go to the Director who has provided support from the permanent detachments allowing us to fulfil certain roles throughout Tasmania. One significant performance was at the annual Agricultural Festival in May with the inclusion of members from the Melbourne detachment. The

The first half of the year sees the Western Australian detachment busy as usual. Since Christmas, HMAS Adelaide has returned from deployment as part of Operation

CATALYST and HMAS Darwin has taken her place. June will see the detachment playing HMAS Darwin back again and once again playing another ship out.

and instructors to Hawaii in 2006. As usual, we were a big drawcard and helped the audience raise over $6000 on the night. June sees HMAS Rankin receive the Duke of Gloucester Cup for the most efficient ship in the fleet. This is the first time a submarine has won the cup in over 18 years. Members from the Melbourne detachment provided support for the Gloucester Cup with much appreciation. The Governor General was in attendance for the presentation. RAAF Pearce had a Non-Commissioned Officers Ball, a concert at Nollarmara RSL and HMAS Darwin was welcomed back to Fleet Base West.

“JAZZ AT SUNSET” WITH THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

On the home front, Nathan Hicks and Ashley Markey have now completed all three phases of the Naval Reserve Initial Entry Training (NRIET) and are now officially promoted from Recruit to the dizzy heights of Seaman. Congratulations to both of them not only for their promotions, but surviving two rounds at HMAS Cerberus for phases 1 & 3 of their training.

February was a reasonable month for the run of the mill Jazz Festivals, concerts and a Wardroom Balls at HMAS Stirling. March however, was a little busier with members from the Sydney detachment, New South Wales detachment and our musicians teaming up to play HMAS Anzac out from Albany. Anzac has eight members of the RAN Band deployed onboard for her World Cruise with Anzac Day in Gallipoli being one of the many expected highlights. It was 90 years ago that the Anzac’s left Albany, which was why this made such an historical event. HMAS Anzac exercised it’s right to a “Freedom of Entry” through Albany with the usual pomp and pageantry.

Congratulations also goes to Geoff and Able Seaman Kylea White (Petty Officer Nat Erskine’s older sister) on the birth of their first born, a little girl named Ellea Marie, born 29 April 2005 and weighing 7 pounds 10 ounces.

March saw large audiences at Melville Glades Golf Course for a “Jazz at Sunset” with an estimated crowd of over 500 people. Cottesloe had a “Twilight Concert” with a great crowd turnout of about 700 people. Early March also saw the town of Donnybrook get a taste of the detachment for a Flag Raising Ceremony and a quick outdoor concert. This prepared the town for a repeat return a month later for the “Donnybrook Food & Wine Festival”. The night was finished with a huge concert in the new amphitheatre with the ABBA cover band “Bjorn Again” also performing.

I am very fortunate and blessed to be taking over a detachment that was left in great shape. I am looking forward to looking after this group in the finest naval tradition. See you in the counter march.

April being one of the busier months, saw a plethora of Memorial Services with the buglers being busier than a one legged man in a contest. More Festivals were had in Rockingham, dinners held at the Weld Club and winding down with Anzac Day. This year we had the pleasure of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association holding their reunion here in Perth. New and old friendships were rekindled. Highlight of the reunion was the get together after the march for a BBQ. The old boy’s flashed up the Jazz Group and played like they have not been out of the band. The afternoon was a great success and fondly remembered.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron for the longer than usual hand over. This has made the detachment comfortable and confident with the new incoming Chief and prepares them on what to expect. I wish Danny and his wife, Kath, all the best on their posting to the Melbourne detachment and best of luck with the birth of their twins in late June.

ABLE SEAMAN COLVIN AT THE COTTESLOE CUP

May saw more Memorial Services and a few more Ship’s Balls. TS CANNING had a fundraising ball to get 28 cadets

HMAS ANZAC DETACHMENT

Able Seaman Heather Wright

When asked to contribute an article for the band newsletter, I felt that my representation of the deployment thus far would only be a small facet of the experiences and views each and every one of us takes with us on a day to day basis. So, I felt it only right to ask each of the members of the HMAS ANZAC detachment for a short paragraph on their highlights of the deployment thus far and it was no surprise the diversity of the comments I received.

I have two highlights so far this deployment. First it was fantastic to go to the home of hand made Turkish cymbals in Istanbul. After about and hour or so of hitting testing and mixing cymbals I was able to purchase a set of Hi-hats, Ride, Crash, Splash and China cymbal for a fraction of the cost found in Australia. At the end of one of the streets (it is music lane - a muso’s delight) I have never seen so many music shops in one spot at one time. Secondly, the atmosphere created by the mainly Australian crowd at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine was so exciting and magical - we (everyone at Lone Pine) managed to hold about 10 circles of a Mexican wave. The services were quite “short and sweet”; it was a great day for the 'ANZACS'.

Able Seaman Andrew Hansch

Able Seaman Damian Dowd

Wednesday 4 May 2005 will be a memory that I will take with me to the grave. Having the chance to play a civvy gig at any time is always special but this night was a highlight of my 10 years in the Navy. B.J’s nightclub in Malta was the venue, a famous Jazz nightclub that has been the host to some of music’s all-time legends. Just standing on stage was enough, but playing to a packed room full of your ship mates, consulate officials, friendly locals and a few ex-pats who’d come to check us out was just something else. It really didn’t feel like work, as at no time did it feel any effort to whack out a solid gold Aussie hit for the kids to dance and sing along to.

So far the Anzac trip has met with success. I have found the ports to be both challenging and rewarding with little or no problems in meeting our objectives and delivering benchmark performances. We have found favour with the ship’s company and over all I think that is wonderful. Our messes are good and the food is really tasty. I like the dessert range as well, but I'm watching my weight, because I could get fat. Everyone is enjoying the music we are playing. A special highlight for us was playing Ceremonial Sunset in front of Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Navy. Everything is Bon.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER KARA WILLIAMS

JAZZ GROUP ON BOARD HMAS ANZAC WITH ABLE SEAMAN HANSCH, LEADING SEAMAN GEEVES AND ABLE SEAMAN TATNELL

Leading Seaman Aaron Geeves So far I’ve had a great time while on this historic journey retracing the steps of our forefather's as they went of to war as young men full of dreams on an adventure across the world. Sadly most never came home, but in the words of Attaturk “they are now buried in the soil of a friendly country, no longer enemies but friends. My experience has so far been quite different, still quite an adventure but I expect to make it home in one piece. Malta for me was a highlight and each port has proven to be more beautiful than the last. All I can say is: everything is bon, everything is bon.

Able Seaman Matthew Booth It's hard to say what the best part of the tour so far is when there have been so many good times: sipping piña coladas in India while watching flocks of European backpackers in bikinis walk along the beach punctuated by the occasional cow meandering aimlessly. Haggling over the price of a camel ride around the pyramids in Cairo - "Hello Australia! Special price for you..." Or wandering around the maze of cobbled backstreets in Crete, pausing to admire local oil paintings of the waterfront or discovering what an actual Greek salad tastes like. Perhaps Istanbul is a highlight, with its seemingly infinite amount of bazaars and cafes with strong Turkish coffee and dark chocolate. I’d have to include pausing for a group photo with Prime Minister John Howard on Anzac Cove on Anzac day, all with the Lleyton Hewitt "COME OOONNNNN" pose. And these few memories are just the tip of the iceberg of great moments, and we're not even half way through yet. Able Seaman Juliana O’Brien To volunteer for a six-month trip and never knowing what it would be like is definitely paying off. Sure sometimes day to day, week to week, and month to month I want to be home, feet up on the coffee table sitting next to Dave or making dinner for us. When I left Berl, my mum, in Albany I said "man it's going to suck if I don't like living on a boat"! And then there is Crete. I think Crete definitely has a taste for everyone: shopping, leather, coffee, relaxing by the water,

partying, cocktails, food and more food. Walking down the tiny one way lanes lined with all sorts of shops and then you can turn around and see the most beautiful snow capped mountains and be blown away with their beauty, it is truly gorgeous. And another thing that's pretty cool is they run the whole “nanna nap” siesta in the arvo, yeah! Istanbul was of course unreal because I got to celebrate my 25th birthday here. You see something you want to buy, know how much you want to pay for it, and tell the dude the price you'll give him and, nine times out of 10 after the high-energy barter, it's in the bag mate. I had a ball getting the price I wanted to pay. Goa taught me that one and Alexandria perfected the technique! Istanbul was also the first cocktail party we had done (four prior) where the whole bunch of guests sang both their own national anthems and our national anthem. I thought that was pretty special. Also it was the first one we had done at actual sunset and it was beautiful anchored in the Bosphorus Strait. It was heaps pretty out there on the water. The Petty Officer Photographer should have some awesome shots of that one to share with you all back home. Anyway we are not even half way through the trip!

ABLE SEAMEN ANDREW HANSCH, GRANT METCALFE AND PAUL PANICHI PLAY AT A COCKTAIL ONBOARD HMAS ANZAC IN ALBANY

Able Seaman Shaun Tatnell The most awesome part of this trip was by far the ANZAC Day ceremony. Even though I was thoroughly exhausted (coming off a 4 – 8 am watch the morning before), it was definitely worth staying awake for. We left the ship at midnight, and boarded a ferry and disembarked, boarded a bus, disembarked and walked the final kilometre of so to the ceremonial ground at ANZAC Cove. We arrived around 2am and had to fill in time as the ceremony began at 0430. HMAS Anzac stayed just off shore to provide a backdrop. The light show was spectacular and accompanying prose told a compelling story about the ANZAC diggers. The ceremony itself was rather like any other memorial service I have been involved in however, when the Australian National Anthem was played, thousands of people sang and the Australian National Flag was displayed on the big screen Television. It was hard not to feel proud and patriotic whist singing and taking in the surrounds. Nearly 90 years to

the hour; the diggers were beginning to traverse the beach and the countryside. Petty Officer Kara Williams For me, there is so much to say about the first three months of the HMAS Anzac deployment. So many experiences have passed and parts of the deployment are becoming an unerring blur. Some things feel like yesterday and were really months ago and visa-versa. It feels as though the “shakedown” period, stop in Geraldton and subsequent departure from Australian waters out of Albany to follow the route of the ANZAC troops from Australia 90 years ago to me, also seems a lifetime ago. Our journey has taken us to Goa, India, through the Suez Canal, on to Alexandria and to the magnificent pyramids of Giza, Cairo, (amid a local bombing!) and the experience of having countless hawkers keen to fleece you of every last Egyptian pound you have shout “Gift, gift! Gift for you!” as an item is placed in your hand “Now you give me money!” Obviously the word “gift” has another meaning in Egypt!!! To get on a camel and go for a ride was relatively cheap and fun experience however, getting off said camel was considerably more pricey! Crete proved to be a fantastic port for both the gigs and the food (despite the poorer than average exchange rate of the Aussie dollar to the Euro (to make our dollar worth around 50 cents!) The opportunity to perform public concerts in two buildings (the Venetian Arsenals in Crete and the Conservatorium Turkish Mosque in Rethymno) of at twice (closer to three times) the age of modern Australia was phenomenal. We played (via our bus expertly negotiated narrow back streets) at a concert hall (previously a Turkish mosque) in the locality-city of Rethymno. The Mayor (a musician himself) was astounded at the talents of our detachment and despite the language barrier of a good majority of the audience the Mayor gave up on translating our commentary and sat back and enjoyed the show with the rest of the crowd. The Mayor was so impressed in fact, that he was reluctant to let us stop playing! The biggest surprise was near end of the night however, when one local member of the audience stood up from her chair and yelled out “play Jimmy Barnes’ Working class man!!!!” We were more than happy to oblige! All of the official guests, including us, were then subsequently treated to a feast at Rethymno’s top restaurant all at the Mayor’s expense, but that is a story for another time and another of my favourite parts of the deployment. Having been one of the three Anzac detachment members that participated in the 2004 ANZAC day ceremonies at Anzac Cove, the opportunity to repeat the opportunity was one hard to fathom. Istanbul was much more relaxed experience and at one point in the best spirit and tradition of our last year’s tour guide; “Mert”, I dragged members of the ship’s company (thankfully much to their delight) on a free tour around the Grand Bazaar and other sights of Istanbul. Oh and the Grand bazaar… did I mention the Grand Bazaar?

I can only imagine the economic boost HMAS Anzac had over the week she spent anchored off Istanbul in the Bosphorus Strait.

1 Freedom of Entry March (Albany) 3 memorial services on board (Kanimbla Helo crew, ANZAC day and the AE2 submarine) 4 memorial services ashore (Crete) 1 open day 1 Maritime Commanders Divisions (Stirling) 8 Cocktail parties (Albany - Australia, Goa - India, Alexandria - Egypt, Chania -Crete, Istanbul - Turkey, Valletta - Malta, Toulon - France), La Coruña - Spain) 7 Ceremonial Sunsets 1 Marching display (with guard) 2 Anzac Idol heats

HMAS ANZAC LEAVES ALBANY WITH MUSICIANS ONBAORD PLAYING HER OUT

25 Wakey wakeys 12 Procedure Alphas

Ninety members of ship’s company formed a skeleton crew on ANZAC day morning as the remainder of the crew boarded ferries and HMAS Anzac’s RHIB in turns to make the journey ashore to Anzac Cove. It was eerie feeling thinking that this would have been a very similar view of the Cove that the Digger’s would have seen ninety years ago. Leading Seaman Aaron Geeves, Able Seaman Damian Dowd and Able Seaman Andrew Hansch had the honour however, of being in Anzac Cove on Anzac Day as members of the crew on HMAS Anzac providing the music for the Anzac Day service held on board.

2 Official receptions

The “Festival of the Sea” at the Turkish resort town of Marmaris was a fairly event filled stop over. There were ships and representatives from the USA, UK, French, Italian, Russian, German, Ukrainian, Turkish, Greek, Romanian and Spanish Navies as well as ourselves. Having the smallest parade contingent did not deter the local crowd from giving the Australians the biggest cheers of the day. We performed every day in various capacities: performing marches and jazz at the Australian Navy (HMAS Anzac) stall at the International Seafaring Exhibition. We also performed with the Russian Navy Band in the Armatulan district: They were very impressed by the performance of our detachment’s comparatively tiny (to the Russian Navy’s 60 piece contingent) Jazz Group. We then played Australian Rock songs to the excited crowd (including the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop who seemed to be enjoying herself more than anyone!) at the Areena night-club to end the week’s festivities.

2 local songs: the Black Sea march supplied by Turkey and Rianxiera by Spain. The officials and guests of both countries were very impressed by our renditions of their local songs of which all sang along with great gusto, the Turkish Chief of Navy in fact, asked for an encore!

On to Malta and to Toulon in France where we all took some well deserved leave and dissipated over the country-sides of France and Spain to meet up with the ship in La Coruña Spain. HMAS Anzac detachment of musicians has up to and including La Coruña Spain performed:

1 Wardroom function 10 Public Concerts 3 Commanding Officer’s luncheons 4 Replenishment’s at Sea 3 Sail pasts (including the memorial sites on the headlands of Gallipoli) 10 Countries’ National Anthems and;

I have to admit that some of my very favourite parts of the deployment did occur whilst I was on leave. I had the opportunity to travel to Paris and see some of the world’s greatest artworks at the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel tower (where I did have one of many chocolate croissants) and I climbed the Arc de Triomph (all 284 stairs). I strolled along the tree lined Siene and Champs d’Elysees. All the things I had imagined about Paris… the food (I did not however eat frogs legs or snails) the sights, the stylish (and those who think they are stylish) people, the extravagance, the expense! Catching the train through the provinces and across the Pyranees and the Spanish border to Barcelona where the fantastic (in the truest sense of the word) constructions of the master architect Gaudi were on every street corner. In Madrid I visited Picasso’s most famous, massive and moving painting “Guernica” (of the unprovoked bombing of the small Provencal town of that name). I also attended a bullfight in Madrid (which I will have to explain in depth at another time)

which was, at the very least, a fascinating insight into Spanish tradition and custom. Others in our detachment travelled into Italy, to Monaco, into Provencal France and Spain and even back to Malta. As I walked with one of my shipmates from the train station to meet up with the ship in La Coruña (we had no idea where the ship was berthed) we crossed a large overpass and through the buildings I could see HMAS Anzac lit up like a Christmas tree. It was strangely like coming home. At the halfway point of the deployment it feels like we still have a seemingly long way to go before we are “home” home, but if the first half of the deployment is anything to go by the next half will be truly amazing!

ABLE SEAMAN HEATHER WRIGHT PLAYS AS HMAS ANZAC SETS SAIL

ANZAC EXCHANGE 2005 ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN BELINDA KNOWLES

I arrived in New Zealand to start ANZAC Exchange 2005 on the 6th of May and joined the band the follow day. After only four days of being in New Zealand we proceeded on a ten day tour of the South Island, for the decommissioning tour of HMNZS Canterbury. Going on tour straight away was a fantastic way to get to know the members of the band very quickly. It was an extremely full on ten days; we had a gig on every day, in most cases two to three. However, for me it was a great way to see some of the South Island. Especially travelling through Arthurs Pass, which was so beautiful and to top it off there was snow on the mountains. It was definitely an experience that I won’t forget, because it allowed me to see and appreciate the beauty of New Zealand. Furthermore the tour allowed me to see how the RNZN do parades, functions and other events. For me I found it interesting to see how different their drill and uniforms are compared to the Royal Australian Navy. On this tour we visited Timaru, Greymouth and Christchurch.

Timaru was our first stop, and on our first night there we did a Sunset Ceremony. We also did a Charter Parade, which is similar to our Freedom of Entry and a few smaller gigs for the open days of HMNZS Canterbury. Our second stop was Greymouth; this wasn’t part of the decommissioning tour. We had a few days to spare so we took the opportunity to do a couple of school performances and one evening concert. We then headed to Christchurch for the last bit of our tour. We met the crew of HMNZS Canterbury in the heart of Christchurch, Cathedral Square and did another Charter Parade. We also did a shortened version of a Sunset Ceremony for HMNZS Canterbury’s last departure from Lyttleton, a small seaside town just outside of Christchurch. For me that was the most memorable parade of my New Zealand exchange, it was heart warming to see the communities support and sadness of seeing one of their ships final voyages. It was also remarkable to see the Maori culture (song and dance, including the Haka) and the European culture (the Sunset Ceremony) blend together to see this Ship leave. At the end of the tour we travelled back to Devonport, Auckland, where the Naval Base is established and stayed a few days until we left for Wellington for a welcoming parade for the President of Bahrain. We were only in Wellington for one night and stayed in Army accommodation so I didn’t get to see a lot of the Capital. I also had the opportunity to travel with the Big Band to Tauranga, a small seaside City that is about four hours drive out of Auckland, for a Jazz Festival. This was a great opportunity to meet a few American players that had come over for the Festival. After about a month into my exchange things quietened down a fair bit and I had a few weekends off to explore New Zealand. By this stage I had finally met the other Australians and got to know most of the people who lived around me and of course the band. Due to the work commitments in the first few weeks of my stay in New Zealand the band had a weeks leave in May. I took this opportunity happily and my Mum came over for ten days. We travelled around the North Island and did a bit of the touristy thing. We visited Pahia, Waitomo, Rotorua and Taupo. I enjoyed my time in New Zealand; I was able to have different opportunities musically and socially. It was a great experience living with a culture that in many ways is very similar to ours but in others it is quite different. I met some amazing people over in New Zealand and made same great friends. It was also a fantastic opportunity to work with another band and I learnt a lot musically from that. I had a few opportunities within the Royal New Zealand Navy Band that I don’t always get in Australia. For example I was able to do a solo in front of eight hundred people at one of their lunchtime concerts. I would definitely recommend this exchange to anybody thinking about it. I had a fantastic time and have come home with great memories and experiences.

NATIONAL MANAGER RESERVE COMPONENT ARTICLE BY WARRANT OFFICER DALE GRANGER

In September 2004 I took on the role of National Manager for the Reserve Component of the RAN Band. Since this time I have had a quick learning curb on all issues regarding reserves, in particular the great book (reserve career management business rules and applications), I suggest that all Reserve members and Bandmasters become aquatinted with the content of this document. So what is my role? The main role is to deal with reserve musician issues from a national perspective including providing support and advice to the Director and the local Bandmasters. This includes, monitoring and maintaining national data of Reserve salary allocations and usage, preparing posting requests, collating national data and PR figures, preparing letters of agreement and duties statements and coordinating musician specific and non musician specific training requirements. Part of my role is to establish an important link between the Naval Reserve members of the Royal Australian Navy Band and their Director, who is the Category Sponsor and Output Manager. To do this I will be visiting detachments throughout the year to talk with Naval Reserve members and take up any Naval Reserve issues that members raise through these visits.

Audience Numbers The band continues to reach many thousands of people across the nation in its efforts to promote Navy’s image throughout the wider community. Total direct audience numbers, that is, audiences where members of the band have communicated directly with or have achieved a significant level of exposure, have exceeded 962,000 people with direct Service audiences exceeding 98,000 personnel. It is estimated that the band has achieved more than 23 million indirect audience exposures throughout the community through its participation in street parades, on short television segments, in newspapers and on radio. Sea Deployments The band has continued its strong support to Fleet activities by building on the Sea Deployment Initiative that was commenced three years ago. During the current reporting period four musicians returned from a deployment in HMAS Parramatta for RIMPAC 2004 and eight musicians embarked in HMAS Tobruk for a visit to Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. A further eight musicians embarked in HMAS Anzac for a North East Asian deployment and currently another eight musicians are embarked in HMAS Anzac for NORTHERN TRIDENT.

All Naval Reserve members will soon be receiving a letter of agreement, along with an updated duty statement for the position that you are posted to. I encourage all to read this letter and to understand what is on your duty statement. All local bandmasters will be able to answer any of your questions relating to the employer letter and duty statement. Any questions the bandmasters feel need further clarification will be forwarded on to me. I look forward to meeting all Naval Reserve members in due course and hopefully have a chance to listen to the great products you produce.

OUR OUTCOMES FROM THE RAN BAND ANNUAL REPORT FY 2004 / 2005

Missions The band completed 519 missions across Australia during this reporting period, compared to 485 during the previous financial year and 424 for financial year 02 / 03. These figures do not include the tasks undertaken whilst musicians have been embarked in Fleet units or on operational deployments.

CEREMONIAL SUNSET ONBOARD HMAS ANZAC IN GOA, INDIA

These deployments have followed on from the previous ones in HMAS Warramunga, HMAS Arunta, HMAS Tobruk, HMAS Kanimbla (on two occasions), HMAS Sydney, and HMAS Adelaide. The results from this Sea Deployment Initiative have been significant and integral to the band’s image within the wider naval community; they have also brought much overseas travel opportunity for our musicians. Recordings and Benchmark Activities In 2002, the band commenced a program to renew its recording history, and in December last year released its fifth recording since commencing that program. This recording program has been an important way in which to demonstrate the band’s capabilities, to challenge its people, and to raise

its image. Prior to commencing this program the Navy Band had produced 29 recordings; unfortunately, only one of those recordings had performance rights attributed to Navy and the remaining 28 are now lost. Each of these five new recordings has been forwarded to numerous schools and public libraries across Australia. Work on Cruising Station II and A Flagship Recital II has already commenced with the release scheduled for December 2005.

The Warrant Officer (Permanent Component) and the Warrant Officer (Naval Reserve Component) will have their job responsibilities broadened to include a compliance and inspection role: they will also be responsible to me for issues that impact of the overall health of the category. Our Record of Service The Royal Australian Navy Band enjoys a strong and proud record of service. To acknowledge that service we have commenced a program to purchase 21 new bugles and engrave each bugle with the name of one of the 21 musicians who served their nation and paid the supreme sacrifice. We have also purchase four additional bugles and engraved the names of the Naval Reserve sailors who were part of Operation RIMAU (7 July 1945) and lost their lives trying to avoid capture. The sixth edition of RAN Band News has been released. RAN Band News can be downloaded from the internet and intranet sites. It is hoped that the newsletter will continue to tell the story of the record of service given by our people.

SEA KING TRADEGY REPATRIATION CEREMONY AT MASCOT AIRPORT

Our benchmark activities have continued during this reporting period. These benchmark activities have been funded to a level that ensures the band can achieve Nation best results, and utilise personnel from both permanent detachments and some members of the reserve detachments. Benchmark activities for this period have included the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (held in Sydney), the ceremony at Mascot Airport for the repatriation of the bodies of the victims of the Sea King helicopter crash in Indonesia and the subsequent National Memorial Service in Canberra, and the recent Flagship Recital at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and recording session with ABC Classic FM.

We have also commenced work to regather, and to take ownership of, the significant number of images taken of our musicians. We will display those images in a manner that demonstrates that we value that record of service. Those images will be thoughtfully distributed throughout the band and also added to the internet site. Internet and Intranet The band’s internet site has been operational since October 2003 and continues to receive more than 5,000 hits each month. The site contains information about Who We Are, What We Stand For, and Where We Have Been. It is a valuable source of information for potential recruits and for people wishing to know more about us.

Other Outcomes One member of the band returned from an exchange program with the HM Royal Marine Band on Exercise LONGLOOK and another participated on an exchange program with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band for Exercise ANZAC EXCHANGE (the second in two years). These exchange programs provide a valuable incentive to our people and present good opportunity to learn from experiences with other music organisations. Also, a commitment was gained from the Maritime Commander to fund a flight for one of our musicians to join HMAS Anzac for three weeks during her visit to Glasgow, Cork and Portsmouth. Importantly, the submission to create a position for National Manager (Reserve Detachments) was approved and allocated 100 days, and the submission for an additional 80 days for reserve Chief Petty Officer’s was also approved.

The intranet site has been operational for 12 months and contains our category plans and procedures as well as information about our outcomes. This site is a valuable source of information for our people and others within Defence who wish to acquire more detailed information about Who We Are, What We Stand For, Where We Have Been, and Where We Are Headed.

WHERE WE ARE HEADED

The Royal Australian Navy Band is one of the few platforms in which Navy can take its message to the people of Australia. Its musicians reflect the quality of Navy's people and the values for which all members of the Royal Australian Navy aspire. Its strengths are its people, level of expertise and its reputation. Our Vision We aspire to be an organisation with a worldwide reputation for excellence staffed by a professional team of highly motivated people, delivering quality services to Navy, and serving Australia with honour. Our Mission ABLE SEAMAN RAYITSYN DURING THE FLAGSHIP RECITAL AT THE SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC

Our Investment Almost all of our people are in their posting of first choice and the discharge rate has averaged less than seven percent for the last three years. There are only four vacancies within the permanent component of the band with the expected discharge rate for the next 12 months less than ten percent. Our people enjoy a very strong level of divisional support and mentoring by their local managers who ensure the high numbers of requests for workplace flexibility are supported. Our reserve detachments are fully complemented with the exception of the Tasmanian detachment. Despite the total allowed positions in the reserve component being filled there are ongoing difficulties associated with releasing newer members for the Naval Reserve Initial Employment Training (NRIET) program. The Bandmasters are working hard to minimise the difficulties associated with the introduction of the NRIET program, and the difficulties should ease over the next 18 months.

Our mission is to promote the Royal Australian Navy, and our success will be underpinned by our guiding philosophy that all members will be given an equal opportunity to develop their professional and military skills in an environment that recognises and fosters team and individual achievement. Statement of Intent We will value each other and honour our heritage. In achieving this we acknowledge that our band has a strong history, enjoys a very good reputation throughout the nation and within Navy, and plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness. We also acknowledge that the quality of our people along with the depth of expertise within the band and its strong history contribute significantly to the band’s image as an organisation worthy of the confidence of the people with whom it conducts its business. We will balance the needs and aspirations of each other with the requirements of the Service. We acknowledge that the band's ability to complete its mission is limited by its financial position. However, and despite those funding challenges, we are determined to complete our mission by balancing the needs and aspirations of our people and their competing interests with the requirements of the Service.

We are committed to Navy’s values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty.

4. Ensure whole of team tours for the permanent detachments.

We will demonstrate that commitment by being truthful, by doing what we know is right regardless of the challenge, by displaying honesty and fairness, and by demonstrating a commitment to all of our people and to our duty of service.

Money will be set aside for the permanent detachments to conduct at least one whole of team tour during the next 12 month period.

Strategic Imperatives 1. Build and sustain the band’s Sea Deployment Initiative. Initial discussions are underway to embark eight musicians in HMAS Stuart for a visit to New Zealand in October 2005, and to embark eight musicians in one of the Major Fleet Unit involved in RIMPAC 2006. 2. Build on the current good working relationship with the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment to ensure Operational deployment opportunities continue. Over the next 12-month period, 15 members of the band will be assigned to Operation Anode and deploy to the Solomon Islands, and 18 members will deploy as part of Operation Catalyst. 3. Continue with the Benchmark Activities, recitals, and recordings. Two Flagship Recitals and two recordings are planned over the next 12 months.

5. Continue with efforts to move the Reserve detachments from amateur music ensembles to professional music ensembles. Within the Funded Reserve Commitment, we will establish an ensemble comprising of ex-permanent Navy Band musicians within the Sydney detachment. We will concentrate our recruiting efforts, for the reserve detachments, on finding recruiting professional musicians or members from within the music industry. 6. Achieve recognition as a Commissioned unit of the Royal Australian Navy. We aspire to be an organisation with a worldwide reputation for excellence staffed by a professional team of highly motivated people, delivering quality services to Navy, and serving Australia with honour. We believe that the people who understand and manage the business are better able to prioritise and allocate activities to achieve the national mission and thereby deliver high quality support to the various commands, ships and establishments. Importantly, we believe that our record of service is worthy of consideration for establishing the band as a Commissioned unit of the Royal Australian Navy.

THE WIND ORCHESTRA PRESENTS A FLAGSHIP RECITAL AT THE SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 7 OF 9 JANUARY 2006

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

TOUR DE FORCE A Musical Spectacular from the Land Down Under

CONTENTS

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MICHELLE COLEMAN

From the Director’s Desk

After the build up of Force Preparation training, Steyr training and range practice, along with the music rehearsals, it was finally time to depart for our deployment to the Middle East. The 19 members of the Royal Australian Navy Band that were selected for this tour joined with a mixture of feelings, however the overriding one was of an excited anticipation.

They Invaded from Down Under

Lest We Forget

The flight to the Middle East, whilst long, was relatively comfortable. Food was plentiful and the troops enjoyed the attention of the flight attendants. None of the civilian artists were with us at this point, so we had a bit more of a chance over the first week to get ourselves a little more organised and rehearsed. The first few days were taken up with more training and acclimatisation. Luckily the temperature during the day was lovely, but there was a noticeable difference as soon as the sun set. Even within the first week, nights and early mornings became noticeably colder as the area headed into the coldest months of the year.

Sydney Detachment

Dotted in between the training, all of the groups were able to rehearse. The loss of conditioning even after such a small break was apparent to us all.

Melbourne Detachment

South Australian Detachment

Queensland Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

Defence Force School of Music

Sea Ride in HMAS Kanimbla

Profiles

Do You Hear What I Hear?

got some great results from the bulk shoot, although we did have the assistance of some infantry soldiers that were also training with us. Although a wonderful experience it was also a very tiring one.

The last day of training involved a four hour shoot at one of the local ranges which was a great experience. The bandies

(continued on page three)

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Honiara in front of more than 20,000 people. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band contingent comprised musicians from the Melbourne and Sydney detachments and presented a high energy program performed entirely from memory. The success of the recent deployment to the MEAO, also sponsored by FACE, should not be understated. The 19 strong RAN Band contingent comprising members from the Sydney and Melbourne detachments, Defence Force School of Music and my Headquarters, completed 25 performances over a 16 day period in eight separate locations moving more than three and a half tonnes of equipment. This was in addition to the four days of in theatre military training. There were twelve major concerts (where civilian artists joined the band) with performance times ranging from one and a half to three hours. The entire program was performed from memory with a high level of chorography. An additional three and a half hours were required for the set up and pack down. The band gave a truly magnificent contribution to our Australian and Coalition Forces during the important holiday season. We learned a great deal, from an organisational and individual level, from the operational experience and by using all of the additional equipment that was purchased specifically for the deployment.

The articles in this edition of RAN Band News highlight a very high period of activity. All of our detachments were busy with the usual remembrance ceremonies, ship open days and social functions, and public engagements. Many were involved in some way in supporting an unusually high number of ship commissioning and decommissioning ceremonies. In and amongst all of this activity, the band played an important role in ceremonies marking the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the 60th Anniversary of Victory in the Pacific. Interestingly, the band’s national output (tasks within Australia) for the July to December 2005 period was twice the level for the same period in 2004. During this period we commenced recording music for All Hands on Deck and released our first Christmas album, Do You Hear What I Hear? All Hands on Deck, scheduled for release in March 2006, will contain tracks featuring each of our detachments and will showcase the full range of our music capabilities. Our first Christmas album was released just in time for Christmas, and showcases our choir (the Sea Chanters) in company with the Wind Orchestra. The album has been distributed to libraries across Australia.

Of the 98 current serving personnel we now have 33 entitled to wear the Australian Active Service Medal; eight of whom are also entitled to wear the campaign medal. Furthermore, a high percentage of our people have now served at sea and we continue to provide a very impressive output for Navy.

During this period, elements of the band performed with a large number of high profile civilian artists and bands including, the Hoodoo Gurus, Yothu Yindi, Little Pattie, Beccy Cole, Marcia Hines, Todd McKenney, John Paul Young, Guy Sebastian, Deborah Cheetham and Jane Rutter. This level of exposure broadens our reach within the music industry and adds to our usual range of activities promoting music within schools and the community.

NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEPLOYMENT TO SEA AND FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL JUNE 2002 TO DECEMBER 2005 Total number of opportunities Number of musicians who participated in those opportunities

Despite the heavy demand for its services, the band continued its sea deployment initiative with elements from the Sydney and Melbourne detachments embarking for short voyages in HMAS Stuart and HMAS Kanimbla. These two sea deployments followed on shortly after we welcomed back eight of our people from their posting to HMAS Anzac for its highly successful NORTHERN TRIDENT deployment. We look forward to continuing our direct support to the Fleet during 2006 with planned deployments in HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Manoora.

Number of musicians who participated in those opportunities and are still serving in the 98 filled positions in the RAN Band Breakdown on location musicians were drawn from to fill those opportunities: Reserves and Outposts RANBAND DET SYD RANBAND DET MELB

158 78

7 101 50

Table 1

Two particular highlights for the period were our involvement in supporting Australia’s Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, and our deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO). The deployment to the Solomon Islands in July, sponsored by the Forces Advisory Council for Entertainment (FACE), was a resounding success. The highlight of the deployment was a concert in

For all who have been working at the forefront of our activities and for those working in support of those activities, I extend a hearty thanks and well done.

(continued from page one)

Beccy Cole. What can one say? Most of us were a little hesitant not being big country music fans, but what we expected and what we got where polar worlds apart. Beccy is the consummate performer with an amazing talent. Her originals are just that, with fun lyrics and catchy tunes. This tour has given her a vast number of new fans. Off stage, she was just as much fun.

Not too long after the last lecture it was time for the first gig. The jazz group performed for an evening BBQ within the Australian camp in Kuwait, which went down really well. After eating American ‘chow hall’ food for four days, it was great to have a barbeque and with ‘Near Beer’ (nonalcoholic beer) included, the setting was complete.

Lehmo. What a funny man! Lehmo (who doesn’t like to be known as Anthony or the ex chartered accountant—now there’s a major career change), played to the crowd, and kept the band amused even on the last show, when we had heard some of the jokes every night. A lot of fun—the Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne Comedy Festivals should be in for a treat with his upcoming “Christmas in Baghdad” show. Little Pattie. Pattie was accompanied by her husband Laurie on kit and performed some great old classics. She received a great reception from the crowds who were very appreciative of her Vietnam efforts; a real déjà vu trip for Pattie, but without the fireworks that she was in with the onset of the Battle of Long Tan on her last tour. She has had a very long performing career and still knows how to grab a crowd.

THE BRASS QUINTET ENTERTAIN COALITION MEMBERS DURING LUNCH

The next day, Sunday, ten members of the contingent participated in three church services taking place in the camp’s chapel. The brass quintet and choir performed for a Protestant, Contemporary Christian and Catholic service, which, by their very nature, were extremely varied. Mixed in with this was a one hour carols sing-along. The audiences were quite small; but extremely appreciative. It was a very long day, and we all felt it, both mentally and physically by the end of the evening.

Angry Anderson. Hard to put into words the little stick of dynamite that is Angry. He has been performing for many years, and still had them rocking in the aisles. A “bad boy” with a very tender heart and a great deal of compassion. He gave Dan, on sound, a hard time always wanting more fold back. Most of us were going deaf from the loud levels, but it was never enough for Angry—the louder the better!

The following day the brass quintet went across to the chow hall to provide some background music for the lunch and evening meal sessions. This proved to be tiring on the ‘chops’ with all five of us feeling like there was nothing left by about halfway through the last session. The group also performed for the lunch session the next day. That evening there was finally the chance for the full group to perform— the venue being the customs compound of the camp. It was a great opportunity to see how our part of the show went together and to get that first performance under our belts. The crowd was very appreciative with a great vibe (mainly US soldiers that were heading home for some leave with their families over Christmas). We identified some areas where we could improve and had a plan of attack ready for the next set up when the civilian artists arrived.

Bessie Bardot and Geoff Barker. Bessie was always a favourite with the predominantly male crowds, and she certainly played the part to the hilt. Geoff—‘Commando’ from the TV series ‘Gladiator’—seemed to have the same effect on our female troops.

The civilians we worked with during this tour were great, a real pleasure to perform with. In “performance order”:

THE NAVY BAND PERFORMS AT THE AUSTRALIAN CAMP IN KUWAIT

Hayley Jensen. A young vocalist with an amazing voice. Hayley performed three songs for most of our shows; all originals, and we believe she has a couple of hits there. This was probably verified by the fact that most of us were humming the tunes during pack ups every night. She is a lovely girl, who should have a good future in the Australian music industry.

We cannot forget the skills of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Not only did they put on a great show as a separate team, showing a great deal of versatility, but they also accompanied all of the artists magnificently. It was no small task with such varying styles, but they tackled each with the same professionalism and great results. Beccy Cole found

it more appropriate to name the band “Sexual Chocolate”. I don’t think it will stick, but you never know… On Wednesday morning the civilian artists arrived. It was great to catch up with them all again and to finally meet the “funny man” of the show, Lehmo. No time for the guests to acclimatise or recover from jet lag though as we had our first full show that night. It was fantastic to finally see the show all come together—and even better to see that it worked! All of the civilian artists did a great job (especially considering they were jet lagged). Although there were a couple of first night blips, the show was a great success with a fantastically appreciative crowd. We had one final show at the Australian camp before finally leaving for our next destination.

THE NAVY BAND PERFORMS DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE CONCERT AT CAMP SMITTY

With our combat body armour and all bombed up we boarded a Hercules C130 and travelled the first leg towards our next destination, Camp Smitty. For some, this was their first time on a Hercules, so a little bit of extra adrenalin was pumping through some bodies. After a very smooth tactical landing it was time to change from air to land, with our first convoy of the trip. For me, this was the first time that it really felt like we were in a totally different part of the world. What an unforgiving landscape—all you could see for miles in every direction was a lot of sand, dust and flatness. Then out of nowhere, a roadside store selling produce, be it rugs or home goods, even clothing. Travelling through the rural area there was only a hotch-potch of houses—looking quite basic, especially when compared to what we are used to, but nearly all with a satellite dish on the roof. In the less built up areas there seemed to be only the oddly scattered tents. I managed to see quite a few herds of sheep throughout the two hour convoy journey, but missed out on the camels, although apparently they were out there. So, no music for a day, but a day of firsts for many of us—as our esteemed Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton would say, “This is the stuff” (or words to that effect).

On Christmas Day, 11 people (including Bessie, Beccy and Angry) jumped on an English Merlin helicopter and went to Basra to perform for Christmas lunch. Meanwhile, the brass quintet performed for Christmas lunch at Camp Smitty. It was a very noisy affair with not much brass quintet being heard, but the troops, along with special guest, the Governor General, seemed to enjoy themselves (probably helped along by a beer issue). With lunch over, we set up as much gear as possible for the upcoming evening performance. It was then that the best laid plans started falling apart. Due to bad weather, the Merlin was unable to return, so the 11 were not going to be back in time for the evening performance. As it turned out they didn’t return to Camp Smitty at all, finally meeting us at the next location. Obviously that left us with some limitations as to what could be performed, but our main issue was that we had no drum kit. As chance would have it, one of the troops on the base was an intrepid musician who just happened to have his electronic drum kit with him. We ended up having a fun show, which concluded with a cover band comprising Aussie and British soldiers.

Following the show we were quite Our new hosts greeted us very warmly limited with time to pack up and get and we had some great tents to call ready for our next flight. We made the home for the next couple of days. After time line and were ready to go by our Christmas Eve show we all awoke 2030. Plans were not to go smoothly very bleary eyed for a Secret Santa/Kris that day though, at 0100 (and in very, Kringle session. Angry won the best very cold weather) the message finally dressed competition (that none of the got through to us that we wouldn’t be rest of us were aware was happening) going anywhere…so it was back to the sporting an extremely stylish neck to toe tents for another night. The next night thermal striped ensemble, complete with BESSIE (SANTA BABY) IN BASRA we tried again, although the flight was Australian flag and silk boxers—quite a delayed we did get off the ground. sight to behold, especially for poor Tracy With the benefit of being out so late the previous night, seeing the pre-boxer short version when she went in to give most of us were a lot more rugged up, doing our own the boys a wake up call. I don’t think she has recovered yet. impersonation of Michelin men. We travelled by US Chinook helicopter, which was a great experience (the first for nearly all of us). After a nearly two hour flight, we

dropped a small party of musicians off at the landing zone in Camp Victory before the rest of the tour party continued its journey to the International Zone in Baghdad, arriving at about 0400. The small party we left at Camp Victory conducted performances in the Palace and dining facility at Camp Victory while the remainder conducted performances for Australian and Coalition Forces in the International Zone in Baghdad.

Time to move on again; so back onto the Hercules with a short stop over to return our weapons, ammo and combat gear (a lot less kilos to wear from here on in). The second leg on the Hercules saw us arrive in our next location, Al Udeid. It was the venue for our New Year’s Eve concert. And what a concert it was. We started at about 1700 with the Jazz group. Beccy Cole played for an extra half an hour or so, as did the Navy Band—a great chance to perform all those extra charts that had to be cut to slim down the main show to two hours. The main show started at 2200 finishing just after midnight. It was a great night. The large crowd was very responsive and the band excelled. This show was definitely the musical highlight of the tour.

After three hours sleep, we set up for our next concert (meeting up with most of the Basra group that we had “lost” on Christmas Day), before being lucky enough to be taken on tour of the International Zone.

Early New Year’s Day and time for another Hercules trip to our final destination. On arrival we had a very short time to get organised and then travel in to the Port (it was great to see water again!) to do a New Year’s Day concert onboard HMAS Parramatta. After the preceding night, the crowd was very small and quiet, but they seemed to enjoy it none the less. It was quite hard for us to believe that it was almost over, but at the same time it seemed so long ago since those initial brass quintet jobs just three weeks earlier. The last show went well with, once again, a very appreciative crowd. LIEUTENANT COLEMAN AND PETTY OFFICER HOBSON ALL KITTED UP DURING A VISIT IN THE INTERNATIONAL ZONE

The tour included Saddam’s crossed swords, which was very sobering. Following an afternoon concert we had another tour; the former Ba’ath party headquarters. It was a great view from the top of the building (well worth it after the 150 step climb in full body armour). The moment was very surreal as we watched a beautiful sunset whilst a gun battle was being fought just a short distance away. That evening we performed another concert to a capacity audience. As the crowd was so responsive, it was a great night and all of the audience and performers thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Following a quick pack down and a short wait, it was time for another night helicopter flight, this time on a couple of Black Hawks. So for the first time since Christmas Day, the entire group was once again in the same location, at Camp Victory.

THE NAVY BAND PERFORMS FOR THE SHIPS COMPANY OF HMAS PARRAMATTA

Our last day in the MEAO, and we were lucky to have a shopping day. Some people gave their bank balances a real beating and had to buy new bags to get all their gear home. Top marks go to Bessie and Geoff who came in 100 grams under the upper weight limit for the plane ride home.

It was here that we felt the cold the most—the two evening concerts saw most of us wearing multiple layers of clothing to help stave off the chill. We were, once again, lucky enough to be hosted on a couple of tours, getting the chance to see some of the former dictator’s homes and locations where many atrocities took place. I think surreal is the best word to describe our few days in Baghdad. We stayed within the camp lines for the entire visit, which made us feel safe, yet there was so much damage and pain close by. Most of us did not feel as though we were in a “war zone” yet it was all so close.

Throughout the tour, in every location, we were amazingly well looked after. All of our hosts were extremely gracious, and helpful with finding what we required, especially when our equipment didn’t want to play the game. Thanks to everyone who gave us such a warm reception and so much help along the way. During our tour we played for Australian and Coalition Forces, including personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Italy and Iraq. A tiring, but fantastic

experience that I am sure will live with all of us for a very long time.

“The thing we try to do is just give the troops a chance to put their heads somewhere else for a little while,” says Able Seaman Burke. “Generally, it’s easy to do, but you can see a difference between the security forces and the regular troops. The security forces are always wired; they need to be. It’s great to play to an audience that can just relax and have a good time, like they can here.”

THEY INVADED FROM DOWN UNDER

This tour marks the second time that Able Seaman Riseley has been to the Middle East with the Royal Australian Navy Band and the first time that Able Seaman Burke and Petty Officer Klohs have been in the area. The entire Tour de Force show expects to be in the Middle East until early January in an effort to hit all the main areas of joint force troop concentrations.

ARTICLE BY JO2 CAREY E DEETERS, NAVY CUSTOMS BATTALION PAPA, BRAVO COMPANY ASSISTANT PAO

“We pulled the band and the show together about three weeks before we came,” says Petty Officer Klohs. “We spent five to six hours a day practising between ourselves and the civilian entertainers, all so we could bring the troops just a little taste of home.”

THE NAVY BAND AT FULL STEAM AHEAD IN THE CUSTOMS’ YARD

They invaded from down under. They brought their equipment and for two nights overpowered a joint force of Australian and American soldiers, sailors, Marines and air force personnel, then just as quickly packed their equipment and disappeared into the air, leaving dust, rain and stunned service members in their wake. Such was the arrival and departure of the Royal Australian Navy Band and the Australian Tour de Force show that descended into the Middle Eastern camps of the joint forces supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom III in late December.

PETTY OFFICER PLAYS AND SINGS ‘ALL NIGHT LONG’

The entire Tour de Force show for this year contained renowned entertainers such as Beccy Cole, a Golden Guitar winner, Hayley Jensen of Australian Idol, “Australia’s Howard Stern” the comedian and star of morning radio and television, Lehmo, author, radio and television star Bessie Bardot, Geoff Barker of Australian Gladiator fame, the veteran Vietnam performer and Patron of the Australian Forces Advisory Council for Entertainment, Little Pattie and the rock-n-roll legend Angry Anderson. All the entertainers donated their time and talent to make the show a success.

The invasion and the happy diversion that accompanied it were well deserved breaks from the general hum-drum of camp life in the Middle East support areas. The Royal Australian Navy Band was the first to strike the desert plains on the 21st of December. The quiet and cool of the evening disappeared under the melodic assault of guitars, keyboards and horns, the thunderous rhythm of percussion and the hot vocals of soloists Petty Officer Matt Klohs from Melbourne, Able Seaman Tracy Burke from Sydney and Able Seaman Carl Riseley from Australia’s Gold Coast. The band played to an audience of several hundred redeploying soldiers and customs’ staff and brought tens of dozens more spectators to the gates and barricades that surround the customs’ yard. The band covered popular recent music and classic hits from western artists and even did some jazz and blues numbers that left surrender the only option for even the most offensive-minded service member in the group and brought everyone to their feet several times with arms raised and hands outstretched.

The Royal Australian Navy Band embarks small musical units several times each year in Major Fleet Units and this is its second deployment to the Middle East. Able Seaman Riseley sums the show up nicely: “We’re just Australia’s way of saying ‘thank you’. “ Within hours of the first wave comes the second, giving the camp population little chance to breathe. Not that it mattered. The second wave of performances hit the sand with so much force that they took away the breath of the troops.

In a grand spectacle of a show that ran for a marathon three hours, the Royal Australian Navy Band and the star civilian entertainers performed for and sometimes with the joint force members, rolling out the new but tested weapons in their arsenal as well as the classic large calibre pieces that included songs such as “We Gotta Get Outta This Place,” “It’s in His Kiss”, “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black” under the firm field command of Master of ceremonies Bessie Bardot and Geoff Barker.

“Christmas is such an important time of year,” says Bessie Bardot. “To be here away from your family and facing such serious risks—we just want to make someone feel special for all they’re doing.” “There is a separation of issues,” says “Angry” Anderson, “between the war and where your politics are there and those who are fighting the war. Our young men and women are out here fighting for our countries and we need to be proud of that and support them and this is our way of doing exactly that. If I can do something for my fellow countrymen, why wouldn’t I?”

“Military audiences are the best audiences in the world to play for,” said Little Pattie, the veteran Vietnam performer in a quiet moment after the dust settled. “They have so much emotion to give out, maybe because of homesickness, but they respond so well to the music. Perhaps it reminds them for a little while of home. We just want them to know how much we appreciate them, both as entertainers and citizens, and what they’re doing here. No matter if we agree or disagree with the war, we need to support the people who are out here.” Little Pattie, at LITTLE PATTIE ENTERTAINS 17 years old, had COALITION FORCES IN KUWAIT performed for Australian and American service members in Vietnam. She still holds the distinction of being the youngest Australian entertainer to ever perform in a war zone and was invited by no less a personage than General Peter Cosgrove to sit as co-Patron of the Forces Advisory Council for Entertainment, or FACE, an organization that advises the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence of opportunities to entertain service members, as well as other responsibilities.

LEST WE FORGET ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN CASSANDRA MOHAPP

BUGLES ENGRAVED TO COMMEMORATE OPERATION RIMAU

In September 1944, when Singapore was under Japanese occupation, 23 British and Australian members of Services Reconnaissance Department / Z Special Unit travelled from Australia by submarine to the outskirts of Singapore Harbour. Their mission was to attack and destroy enemy shipping from small submersible boats using magnetic limpet mines. The party included six former member of the highly successful raid launched against the Japanese shipping Operation JAYWICH. Unfortunately, the raiding party was intercepted by Japanese Forces and in the actions that followed, thirteen were either killed in action or died of wounds. The remaining ten were captured and subsequently executed on 7 July 1945. The place of their execution is approximately 580 metres eat of the Junction of Clement and Dover Roads.

“This tour has made my year,” says Australian country singer Beccy Cole, who is on her first tour through the region. “The feedback from the crowd was absolutely tremendous and so honest in its appreciation that it made my performance better—more exciting and invigorating. I truly felt deeply honoured to perform here tonight.” “Not everyone can go out into the field and do what these people do,” observes Hayley Jensen of Australian Idol, also on her first tour through the Middle East. “We can’t all contribute in the same way, but I can contribute as an entertainer and show these service members the respect I have for them, whether I agree with this war or not. It really is such an honour to entertain here tonight.”

After an approach from Major Tom Hall (rtd) and author of The Forgotten Heroes of Rimau, the Director offered to purchase four bugles in memory of the members of this operation. On Monday 5 December 2005 the four bugles were presented to members of the Royal Australian Navy Band in the presence of the Maritime Commander and relatives of two of the servicemen who participated in

“You do what you can do,” says Lehmo, echoing Hayley’s thoughts, and Geoff Barker agrees with a nod.

Operation RIMAU. Three bugles were inscribed with the names of the three Naval Reserve members of the operation, and the forth bugle was inscribed with a tribute Commanding Officer and Crew of the submarine that transported the team to the outskirts of Singapore Harbour.

Commander Hubert Anthony Lucius Marsham and crew of HMS Porpoise Lieutenant Bruno Philip Reymond RANR (1914–1944) Able Seaman Frederick Walter Lota Marsh RANR (1924– 1945)

Able Seaman Frederick Walter Lota Marsh was born in Brisbane in 1923 and joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1941. He took part in Operation JAYWICK and was awarded a “Mentioned in Dispatches” for his actions during this raid. A member of Operation RIMAU, Frederick was wounded at the same time as his mate Able Seaman Andrew Houston was killed. Able Seaman Marsh was captured and transported from the Dabo Police Station to Singapore by the Tengku in January 1945. He was tortured to death in the Kempei Tai establishment located at the YMCA Building, Stamford Road, Singapore. It is believed the ashes of Able Seaman Marsh were spread on a Special Garden at the Kranji War Memorial Cemetery, Singapore.

Able Seaman Andrew William George Huston RANR (1923–1944)

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MICHELLE COLEMAN

Firstly, all of my best to everyone for a safe and happy Christmas Season, and a wonderful New Year. Well, what a year it has been. As regular readers of the newsletter would know, this detachment started the year off with the Edinburgh Military Tattoo—A Salute to Australia. So much has happened since then that the Tattoo feels like it was at least two years ago, but the year has absolutely flown.

Able Seaman Andrew William George Huston was born in Brisbane on 25 December 1923. In 1941, at the age of 18 he volunteered for service in the Royal Australian Navy. He was a member of Operation JAYWICH and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for Gallantry on this Operation. In 1944, he returned to Singapore Harbour as a member of Operation RIMAU and lost his life in the Lingga Archipelago whilst escaping Japanese Forces. A body washed up on Boeaja Island and was buried on 16 December 1944. This body was thought to be that of Able Seaman Huston but was later identified to be someone else. He remains the only member of Operation RIMAU whose body has not been recovered.

So what have we been up to for the second half of the year? After a short break in July, we once again hit the ground running with a group travelling to Canberra to assist HMAS Canberra with her Freedom of Entry. HMAS Canberra was on her decommissioning tour, so it was he last time that the Ship’s Company was able to exercise its right to the Freedom of Entry in Canberra. Whilst that group was in Canberra, 12 members travelled north to Darwin for the launch of Exercise KAKADU 2005. This left a handful behind to assist various bases and community organisations with their functions, including the Dixie Group who had its first outing at HMAS Watson.

Lieutenant Bruno Philip Reymond joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (Seagoing) in July 1942 and went to Pearl Harbour to serve in the US Pacific Fleet as a Pilot in a Naval rather than in a Flying capacity, and assisted in the landing preparations for Tarawa. For the Rimau Operation Bruno was named as the Navigator. Along with the other members, he sailed out of Fremantle in the British Submarine, HMS Porpoise, on 11 September and reached the Rhio Archipelago two weeks later.

August was then quickly upon us. We commenced the month with the Director coming in to rehearse and record the Christmas CD. Christmas Carols in August—the season seems to get longer every year! We also had a visitor from the UK. Captain Kevin Roberts from the British Army was selected for Exercise LONG LOOK and spent two weeks with us. During that time we had one of our regular St Andrew’s Cathedral concerts and travelled to Canberra for the Salute to War Veterans weekend. The weekend was to commemorate and thank the WWII veterans on the 60th anniversary of VP day. There was a wonderful show put on for the veterans with all of the Service Bands involved and great displays by the aviation and parachuting teams from all services. Luckily the weather stayed fine and a great number of veterans and their families were able to enjoy their special weekend. Soon after that was time for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial services—one at the Cenotaph and one in the Blue Mountains. Not long after the group was once again split up to visit various parts of the country. A group went

Operation RIMAU was aborted following detection of the commandos who were then forces to flee in canoes. They paddled 3900 kilometres to Romang Island before they were captured and returned to Singapore. The eleven survivors were charged with murder and espionage and sentenced to ceremonial execution. This was carried out on 7 July 1945, only thirty nine days before the end of the war. Lieutenant Reymond, age 31, was killed on Pelapis Island on 23 December 1944. The Royal Australian Navy Band salutes their daring and bravery by inscribing their names on Ceremonial Bugles, which will be used at various Remembrance Services around the nation and abroad. May these brave men Rest in Peace:

north to Cairns to celebrate Navy week, which was a great success, whilst a few others went south to Hobart to assist the Tasmanian Detachment with some commitments.

open to the public. The group has done a fantastic job of restoring the old FIMA building and the displays—including the band’s Ceremonial Silver Drums—are excellent. One of the highlights for me was the Marry Makers Gala Concert. It was an extremely long, but rewarding day. For the first time the RAN Band's Admiral's Own (big band element) backed all of the artists at this event, which this year included Marcia Hines, Todd McKenney, John Paul Young, Guy Sebastian, Deborah Cheetham, Jane Rutter, Doug Parkinson, Felicity Urquhart, and of course the Merry Makers dance troupe who were the real stars of the evening. It was a very successful night and the guys and girls of the RAN Band did themselves proud.

ABLE SEAMAN ELLEN ZYLA INSTRUCTS CAIRNS STUDENTS DURING A WORKSHOP

No rest for the wicked though—after a late finish there was the inevitable early start as some members flew up to Brisbane to participate in HMAS Toowoomba’s commissioning ceremony.

ABLE SEAMAN CHRIS ELLIS ENTERTAINS STUDENTS IN CAIRNS DURING NAVY WEEK

A small deployment set off on HMAS Stuart travelling to New Zealand for Trafalgar celebrations. Whilst they were at sea we sent a group of personnel up to Darwin to help celebrate their Navy week. It was a very successful week, which included a Freedom of Entry for HMAS Darwin and a dinner to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. On return from Darwin it was Trafalgar celebrations in full force. We provided the entertainment for five dinners that week culminating at the Australian National Maritime Museum. The dinners were a great success and gave us the opportunity to perform for many people that do not generally see our breadth of performance capabilities.

The onset of September and the warmer weather also heralded the onset of “Navy Balls”. The Admiral's Own (rock group element) has been extremely busy on most weekends providing entertainment to various ships and bases for their annual celebration. In and amongst this the choir got together to record its contribution to the Christmas CD. The Commodores (chamber ensembles) were busy with church services, investitures and cocktail parties. Some more interstate travel heralded a few people, travelling to Broome to assist some of the members from the Melbourne detachment who were on HMAS Kanimbla, and also Tasmania to help out the Tasmanian detachment. The end of September also heralded a trip back to the real Navy, with a group of people requalifying their weapons, going to a weapons training simulator and also the range to carry out live fire requirements. It had been quite some time since some of us had had the chance to work with weapons, so this was a great opportunity to get our hands back in!

Already it was the last week of October which saw a couple more days of recordings with the Director before heading down to HMAS Albatross for their Ceremonial Sunset and Divisions. The rock group continued to work many Navy balls throughout this period, with their last for the year being in December. I am sure they are all looking forward to having a weekend off.

October commenced as it traditionally does with the Fleet Base East Open Day to herald the onset of Navy week. We also opened the Heritage Centre on Garden Island, which is

The hectic pace continued into November and December, with the Sydney detachment virtually splitting into two to

achieve all of its tasks. As I write this half of the detachment is getting on a bus to travel to Canberra for Chief of Navy’s Christmas Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset, before heading to HMAS Creswell for the latest Officer Entry Graduation Parade. The remainder is finalising rehearsals for their upcoming Christmas deployment.

November for a “Last Night at the Proms” concert also drew a large and appreciative crowd and looks to be another regular addition to our calendar.

So, it has been a hectic second half of the year. As it comes to the end of the year, we have said goodbye to Petty Officer Joanne Holloway. Joanne has regretfully decided to leave the Navy after eight years—unfortunately Navy band life and motherhood are hard to juggle! We also farewell from Sydney, Petty Officer Kara Williams who has been posted to the Melbourne detachment. Kara has embraced the opportunity for a change and we wish her all the very best with her new posting. Thanks to all and sundry for your support this year. It has been extremely busy—a great deal has been achieved. I wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas Season and a New Year filled with good health and happiness. Catch up with you all in 2006.

LEADING SEAMAN MUSICIAN JASON BEACH PERFORMS IN FRONT OF A CROWD OF APPROXIMATELY 20,000 PEOPLE AT THE CONCERT HELD IN HONIARA TO CELEBRATE THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

On August 18, we performed at Federation Square, Melbourne or at least attempted to. The management was keen to enforce new noise restrictions and we were required to perform ‘unplugged’ to meet their needs. Unfortunately, even acoustic instruments were too much for their sound meters and the performance was abandoned after one set. The small crowd was rather disappointed and one even called a radio station (several weeks later) to complain. The complaint and my on-air reply made the tabloids for a day and, for a short time, Federation Square wasn’t flavour of the month in Melbourne. The noise restrictions are very selective. Other groups are given waivers, depending on the whim of the Federation Square management and no performances by the Navy Band are planned there in the near future.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVEN STANKE

July 2005 saw the second anniversary of Peace Assistance in the Solomon Islands. To commemorate the anniversary, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) sent a group of entertainers to do their thing for the 200 strong ADF and AFP contingent and local population. The Melbourne detachment was proud to be involved (along with Australian band Yothu Yindi and comedian Chris Franklin) and spent a very busy and enjoyable six days there. Accommodation for the Tour-ofDuty personnel was at the impressively named “Guadalcanal Beach Resort”. A large perimeter fence (very effective at warding off crocodiles) impaired access to the beach, and the concrete floors, tents and trek to the bathrooms cured any feeling of starred accommodation. Concerts included a rock group at the local “Harry’s Bar,” day trips to outlying towns and islands, a staged concert on the grounds of the resort for all serving personnel and a grand concert at Town Ground in Honiara with many local bands and performers. That concert drew an estimated crowd of 20,000 and was a highlight of the tour.

Other outdoor performances, weather permitting, are given at the State Library and draw considerable lunchtime crowds. Also in August, two members of Melbourne detachment travelled to Cairns to assist Sydney detachment’s involvement in Cairns Navy Week. Able Seaman Mel Hughes and Able Seaman Karen Baker agreed that August is better spent in Cairns than Melbourne! In September, sea trip opportunities came to Melbourne detachment with a three-week deployment in HMAS Kanimbla to Broome. Twelve members gleefully sailed out Sydney Heads, eagerly anticipating the turn to port, warmer climes and the ability to say, “when I was at sea…”.

Later in July, the Melbourne detachment provided its Corvettes (big band element) for the Opera Australia Ball and Pipe the Side (chamber ensembles) for a Sunday Afternoon recital at St Peters Anglican Church, Brighton. Led by Naval Chaplain Russell Joyce, St Peters continues to make us feel welcome and our biannual recitals are highlights of their musical calendar. A return appearance in

Highlights for October were a day trip to Gippsland to perform at a school at Leongatha, a Corvettes performance at Firbank Grammar School, Brighton, another day trip to Trafalgar to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of the same name, a very successful Open Day at

HMAS Cerberus (with an inaugural School Bands Festival), and a tour to northern Victoria, culminating in a performance at the highly acclaimed Wangaratta Jazz Festival. Also in October, and in the planning for many years, was the funeral of the last surviving naval member who saw action in World War I, Lieutenant William Evan Allan. The funeral with full military honours was held at HMAS Cerberus, and the slow march from the Chapel to the wharf with sailors lining the streets was accompanied by music especially written for the occasion (O Grave Where is Thy Victory?”)

Best wishes to all members proceeding on posting and many thanks to all members for musical contributions in 2005. There’s more to come in 2006. The Commonwealth Games and sea trips beckon!

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN VASHTI TYRRELL

The past six months have been very busy for the South Australian detachment, and we have appreciated the opportunity to travel interstate several times to perform, in addition to our regular performances in Adelaide and South Australian regional centres. The end of June saw a contingent from the South Australian Detachment travel to Darwin and join with members of both the Sydney and Tasmanian detachments for the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Armidale and the Decommissioning Ceremony for HMAS Cessnock. Our jazz ensemble provided some light entertainment at a cocktail party that was held after Cessnock’s Decommissioning Ceremony.

MORE THAN 1,200 SAILORS TURNED OUT TO PAY THEIR LAST RESPECTS TO EVAN ALLAN, NAVY’S LAST WORLD WAR I VETERAN, AT A STATE FUNERAL HELD FOR HIM AT HMAS CERBERUS

An international airport has recently been constructed in Adelaide, representing a significant boost to the infrastructure of South Australia. We had the honour of being involved in the opening ceremony of this facility, which took place in two stages—on Friday 7 October we performed in parade inside the new building as the Prime Minister cut the ribbon and declared the airport open, and on Sunday 9 October our stage band played to the public as they inspected the new airport. Petty Officer Rory McKinnon reached top form and had the 5000 strong crowd enthused by his energy. Perhaps the celebrations happened a little prematurely as there has been no sign of the airport functioning to date, but we are all waiting with bated breath.

In November, the Melbourne detachment began a series of local concerts, boosting our profile in Melbourne and on the Peninsula. First up was an afternoon at the Proms with Monash Concert Band at Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University. This concert was attended by more than 1100 people; our largest concert attendance this year. The following Sunday saw a concert at Mornington Theatre with the Mornington Peninsula Theatre Company. Broadway was the theme of the day, and one could definitely experience the roar of the greasepaint and smell of the crowd. Our final local concert was a grand affair at Chelsea RSL with the Frankston Pipes and Drums, the Australian Welsh Male Choir and a local Irish Dance troupe. Choir and band combining for Finlandia was a special treat and massed bands, pipes and choir are hard to beat in the entertainment stakes.

The thriving metropolis of Port Augusta lies 380km north of Adelaide, and in early November was the location for the South Australian Naval Cadet’s Freedom of Entry ceremony. Our stage band supported this event by providing entertainment for the Australian Naval Cadet Ball. Members of the group exercised their finely tuned social skills, befriending cadets, their families and staff. The cadet units showed their appreciation the following morning by providing a hearty breakfast that was enjoyed by all before the drive back to Adelaide.

Also in November the detachment performed at a Charity Dinner for the Alfred Foundation, featuring famous Australians. Olympic athletes, scientists, heroes—all were welcomed to the stage with a piece of music especially selected to highlight their feats. The Melbourne detachment also continued its involvement in base activities—divisions, graduation parades, dinners, monthly concerts, assistance to Defence Force School of Music etc, sometimes in the same week, taxing our ability to shift from one genre to another at short notice.

Carol event, which was to be our last gig of the year. Padthaway is a wine-producing region in the south–east of SA; about four hours drive from Adelaide. We played to an appreciative crowd of locals and people from the surrounding region, and even had a visit from the big guy in red who arrived (in true country style) on the back of a betinseled truck. Vocalist, Petty Officer Rory McKinnon, had the crowd up dancing and was joined by two local girls who sang backup vocals for the ubiquitous Mustang Sally. We were treated with great hospitality by the local Padthawayians who put us up at the local footy club and provided much food and locally-produced wine for us to enjoy. THE COMBINED SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AND WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENTS ON PARADE FOR HMAS CANBERRA’S DECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY

On a more personal note, our fearless leader Chief Petty Officer Doug Antonoff became a grandfather for the first time (hard to believe considering how young he looks). Petty Officer Rory McKinnon and his wife Bronwyn recently welcomed a new member to their family with the birth of their second daughter, Holly. Rumour is that Able Seaman Craig Jones and his wife Charmaine are expecting a baby next March. Congratulations to everyone for these new (and pending) additions. We are very pleased to welcome back bass player extraordinaire Able Seaman Tristan Courtney to our detachment. Tristan has spent the last couple of years travelling overseas and returned to Adelaide earlier this year. He has just completed an Honours year in Jazz Performance at the University of Adelaide, as has our drummer Able Seaman Yuri Markov. Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell and Able Seaman Katia Labozzetta returned to the detachment in September after spending six months playing with the Australian Jazz Quartet on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Not a moment too soon, as the detachment had been sadly lacking in oestrogen in their absence. We would also like to welcome vocalist Rachel Summers who recently completed her recruit training at HMAS Cerberus. We are not sure how long we have her for (word is she will be transferring to the permanent component of the RAN Band in the New Year), but we will appreciate her contribution; however long it may be.

From the 10-13 November, thirteen members of our detachment flew to Perth to take part in the Decommissioning Ceremony for HMAS Canberra. Under the direction of Lieutenant Michelle Coleman (from the Sydney detachment) we joined with some members of the Western Australian detachment and a fanfare team from the Sydney detachment (strategically placed on the ship). This was an event of national significance and was attended by dignitaries including the Minister for Defence, the Chief of Navy, and the Maritime Commander. At the conclusion of the official ceremony we were treated to the sounds of the Western Australian detachments Dixie Group, who provided entertainment at the social function. The South Australian detachment has a strong contingent of jazz players, and our jazz group has been kept busy with gigs travelling to Renmark to perform for a local Naval Association function, and then to Edithburg (on the Yorke Peninsula) in mid-November to support the visit of HMAS Diamantina. The group also performed for the Defence Force Reserve Council Awards evening which was held in a rotunda at the Adelaide Zoo. It was an unusual setting to play in (and perhaps a little ironic?), surrounded by the evening calls of hundreds of exotic animals. Fourteen members flew to Perth from 29 November to 2 December to again augment the Western Australian detachment for the Rededication of HMAS Collins. It was great to have the opportunity to work with our Western Australian colleagues again, and to cement the friendships we had made on our previous trip. A major highlight of the trip was being taken on a tour of the submarine, which was so fascinating it left some of us considering switching categories. A well-catered BBQ (together with a friendly game of cricket) was supplied by the submariners on the sandy beaches of HMAS Stirling. Special thanks to Chief Petty Officer Gabe Kicsak and his detachment for looking after us so well during our visits.

We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to travel so much this year and play such a diverse range of gigs. It has been invaluable for band morale, and for creating a feeling of unity between the reserve detachments. We can only hope that the next year brings similar opportunities. On behalf of the members of our band I would also like to extend a special thanks to our Chief for his interminable support and good humour. Best wishes for a safe (and merry) festive season from all of us here in sunny South Australia.

The first weekend in December saw our stage band travel to Padthaway to perform for their annual community Christmas

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

Australian National Flag Day, followed by Riverfire at Southbank, followed by a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. Thank you to everyone for a very successful day. The following day saw the detachment performing at the Wynnum Manly Jazz Festival probably our finest performance to date. For 45 minutes, the detachment held the audience spellbound, and as the bandmaster, it was an absolute pleasure to hear the Stage Band perform so well.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHAN

With Navy Week rapidly approaching our preparation for the Parade and Ceremonial activities meant extra rehearsals. By the beginning of October we were ready and looking forward to a busy Navy Week in Queensland. We launch Navy Week with a lunchtime concert in the Queen St Mall to an audience of 1000 people. Navy week consisted of a school concert, two Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunsets, Navy Week Open Day and the Navy Week Church Service at Bundamba. In the middle of all this we also had to fit rehearsals and ceremony for the commissioning of NUSHIP Toowoomba. The commissioning of HMAS Toowoomba was a fitting conclusion to a very successful week.

COMBINED ELEMENTS OF THE QUEENSLAND AND SYDNEY DETACHMENTS ON PARADE FOR THE COMMISSIONING OF HMAS TOOWOOMBA

After a building period at the start of the year, the next six months were beginning to look very busy. The new financial year began with Reserve Forces commitments and a dedication of a new Navy Memorial at Kallangar. The day for the dedication was probably Brisbane windiest day in decades, a very difficult day for musicians; our duty bugler Able Seaman Cassie Trent produced a very good Last Post and Reveille despite the difficult conditions.

Next on the calendar was the recording for the upcoming double CD, in a little over three hours the Stage Band successfully put down 4 tracks, with solos and vocals recorded over the following two hours. All the rehearsals and performances of the charts should reap some successful sounds but for the end result we will have to wait until next year. November saw us assisting the USS Frank Cable with a Cocktail Party on board and an Officers dinner at the United Service Club. The remainder of the year looks relatively quiet with only the FOE for HMAS Armidale in December for the Drum Corps, Bugles and the Jazz Group.

Next on our calendar was the HMAS Perth Reunion at Harvey Bay, which was great two days away for the detachment. The Deputy Chief of Navy attended the reunion and was most impressed by the sounds and presentation from the Queensland detachment. The following weekend we were travelling in the opposite direction to the Gold Coast to perform at the HMAS Leeuwin Reunion at the Gold Coast International. The month of July concluded with a performance at the Morningside Festival to an audience of 1000.

This year has been a very busy one and we are now working toward refreshing the Stage Band repertoire and having our recruits complete all their training. Thank you to everyone that has in some way assisted me or the Queensland detachment during the last 12 months, we greatly appreciate your support and assistance.

The month of August brought Victory in the Pacific events, which after all the planning were very successful. During VP week the detachment performed at City Hall to an audience of about 1500, the Stage Band performed some popular tunes from the era, with many hands clapping and toes tapping. During this year Army Band – Brisbane has gone through some difficulties with personnel and consequently the Queensland detachment has been asked to assist with some engagements. One such engagement was the Victoria Barracks Officers Ball because of size restrictions we utilised a cut down Stage Band and gave the guests an entertaining evening of swing and rock music.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

The Tasmanian detachment has had an interesting second half of the year where we have gone from a gathering of musicians to an ensemble. It is amazing how one or two key personnel can transform a band virtually over night. We had a first time welcome to our new drummer Brendan Mitchell and a lot of welcome backs in the way of Petty Officer Greg Hince, Leading Seaman Miriam Norman, Able

September brought one of our busiest days with three engagements on one day. The day began with the

Seaman Stefany Monk and last but not least Able Seaman Angus Donald (who at time of writing is yet to get a regulation hair cut). Undoubtedly with talents ranging from singing, drumming and guitar playing these personnel have brought us back from the brink.

Finally on behalf of the Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

Here we are at the end of another year. All the usual run of the mill jobs have come in and HMAS Stirling has seen a lot of me over the last six months. July started slowly and was quiet for the middle of the year. The UK Marine Association had their VE Day reunion and Stirling saw us for “Jazz by the Fire”.

THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT'S STAGE BAND PERFORM AT THE VICTUALLER'S REUNION

August was a little busier and the pace is finally picking up. Perth Concert Hall had us down for a 6am arrival for the US Consul playing Dixie Group. The following weekend was hectic with Victory in the Pacific celebrations. It all started with the Official Opening of the Rockingham War Memorial followed by a rush back to Fremantle Maritime Museum. The weather this particular day was a little on the nasty side. It was raining on and off all day and blowing a gale force wind. The Dixie Group was once again the highlight of the afternoon playing inside and then Ceremonial Sunset was performed in between rain. We had a little help from two members from the South Australian detachment who got thrown into the deep end with the marching display. The month was finished off with a farewell dinner for the Governor of Western Australia.

Although the Tasmanian detachment has had limited engagements thus far with the New Year approaching a definite change is in the air. We are looking forward to the next report where we can highlight up and coming performances at the Botanical Gardens and AGFEST just to name two. Although our immediate priority are the string of carols that are performed around Hobart. Notably the annual Glenorchy Carols, where having had a look at the program would not be as successful without our involvement. The detachment and I personally have many people to thank for their support throughout the year. Not least the Director who has extended a tremendous amount of support by way of equipment and more importantly personnel enabling us to continue to perform in public. I should mention a big thankyou to the various members of the permanent and reserve detachments that have flown down to Tasmania to enable the support required. I must mention that their patience and cooperation has been duly noted. Probably an unusual note of appreciation goes to the new Operations Officer at Navy Headquarters, Tasmania, Chief Petty Officer Glen Bourke whose interest in music has lead him to be a kind of events manager. With his involvement, we have been able to secure the venue at the Botanical Gardens next year in February as part of navy week. I must say it took considerable work on his behalf convincing the gardens management that a navy band should be allowed to perform, particularly the style, which is jazz and rock.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT'S STAGE BAND IN FULL FLIGHT AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

September was once again busy with more luncheons and another trip to the Maritime Museum. Our first trip outside the Perth metro saw us go to Mt. Barker for the “Great Southern Food and Wine Festival”. The weekend was a great success and saw large crowds enjoying the detachments entertainment.

Well it comes to that time of year where the festive season is upon us and we are about to take a break from yet another busy year. Although my break is short due to other non-musical duties that I am required to perform here and, no doubt, those who are going on deployment to Iraq will be extremely active over the Christmas period. On that note may I wish them all the best and safe keeping.

October saw us off to Geraldton for another trip and this time it was for the “Sunshine Festival”. The crowd was a little smaller than the previous weekend but overall was still a great success. We did a Naming Ceremony for our new patrol boats “Bathurst” and “Larrakia” which are due to be

Other than that, there was only one more new addition to the music family. David Mouchemore is a father again. He now has two children and has one to go to catch up to me. No other deaths, births, or marriages to be had. Suppose we will have to work on the births a bit harder next year. Anyway, from the entire detachment here in Western Australia, we wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope to see you all in the counter-march.

commissioned during 2006. A few more balls were had by a few more Associations. Battle of Trafalgar saw the month out with a Ceremonial Sunset and a church service at St. Georges Cathedral.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT WRIGHT

The New South Wales detachment has continued “chugging along” over the past six months. As usual, we have provided the music for many services at the Garden Island Chapel and supported the annual memorial service for HMAS Parramatta.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT AT THE HMAS SYDNEY MEMORIAL IN GEARDALTON

The Reserve Forces Day parade provided an opportunity for us to combine with the Sydney detachment, allowing many to refresh their parade skills and experience a significant military parade in Sydney.

November saw a busy month. HMAS Canberra started the month off with its De-commissioning Ball. We had the opportunity to share the stage with Hoodoo Gurus as the Ships’ song was “A 1000 Miles”. What a better way to finish the ships life with the Gurus playing at the ball. A week later was the actual de-commissioning and we were supported by members from the South Australian detachment and a Fanfare Team from the Sydney detachment. This event was a big success and still had the Maritime Commander talking about it a month later. The Dixie Group headed out to Fremantle Harness Club for the “Navy Cup”, RAAF Pearce had the Stage Band play for a massive crowd and the month finished with a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset at HMAS Stirling. December finishes off the year with HMAS Collins being Rededicated after an absence of 4 ½ years from the Fleet. Once again, we were supported by members of the South Australian detachment. The Maritime Commander was present on this occasion and still impressed with our contribution to the ceremony. The last job for the year sees us outside the Perth metro again and heading down to Manjimup for the “Cherry Harmony Festival”. We are expecting large crowds again and working on the same stage as Daryl Braithwaite.

A small wind ensemble performed at the Naval Officer’s Association’s Trafalgar dinner to much acclaim from many retired Admirals. Due to the large number attending, the dinner was held, for the first time, at the most salubrious Royal Automobile Club at Circular Quay. The club has very strong ties to the Navy and some very interesting memorabilia was on display; including a letter from Nelson and an outstanding display of medals.

On a different note, Seaman Ashley Markey has been accepted into the Permanent Component of the Navy Band. He is earmarked to go to sea in April and is looking forward to getting some sea legs. As Ashley goes, Emmy Winter will be joining the detachment early next year and is off to Recruit School in January. We also have Richard and Ben in the pipeline to get through Recruiting which means I can have a rest from playing Bass.

ABLE SEAMAN TERRY MCCLEARY RECEIVES A BUGLE INSCRIBED WITH THE NAME OF ABLE SEAMAN MARSH FROM THE MARITIME COMMANDER AND TOM HALL

Congratulations are due to Able Seaman Melanie Speet on her successful completion of all the phases of the Recruit course at HMAS Cerberus. As it now appears, she maybe the last reserve recruit to spend their final week of the

course at sea (albeit mainly bouncing around Port Phillip Bay suffering seasickness)

a chance for them to demonstrate the skills learnt whilst attending the DFSM.

Along with the emerging Stage Band, the New South Wales detachment is continuing to develop a sax quintet and a brass quartet. This will enable us to meet a broader range of jobs in realising the band’s mission.

We welcome Chief Petty Officer Andrew Sansom who joined the Training Development team at the Defence Force School of Music earlier this year. Working along side Lieutenant Steve Cottier, who works in an Army Training Development reserve position one or two days a week, further enhancing the Naval ‘Esprit De Corps’.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

From the Navy side of things at the DFSM we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe New Year.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE

SEA RIDE IN HMAS KANIMBLA

The Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) has seen a busy year of new changes and many courses coming and going. The year started with the Drum Majors Course (DMC) and Group Leader Course (GLC) with Leading Seaman (LS) Meredith Reeves the only candidate from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The completion of the Drum Majors Assessment was a good opportunity for LS Reeves to briefly catch up with members from the Melbourne detachment, at HMAS Cerberus, who enthusiastically assisted with a parade band for the assessment. The 10 week GLC saw LS Reeves leave the DFSM qualified for Petty Officer (PO), armed with new knowledge including Traditional Harmony, Arranging, Defence Writing, and Conducting.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER MATT KLOHS

In October of 2005, ten musicians from the Melbourne detachment embarked in HMAS Kanimbla in Sydney for a three week visit to Broome and back. The group had a mixture of sea experience with five embarking on their first sea deployment and another five contributing to the recent trend of musicians successfully making their mark within the Fleet. The personnel involved were myself, Leading Seaman (LS) Daniel Blackmore, LS Brett Douglas, Able Seaman (AB) Bruce McIntyre, AB Iain Fisher, AB Jeff McGann, AB Jennifer Monk, AB Ben Hughes, AB Ross Chapman, and AB Yoshi Izumi. The group was deployed to enhance Kanimbla’s visit to Broome with performances ashore and to support a cruise from Cairns to Sydney with family members and a large contingent of Australian Navy Cadets embarked. The deployment also gave five of our members their first taste of life at sea.

The Assistant Band Leader Course (ABL), was held from 08 August 2005 to 30 September 2005. Petty Officer (PO) Raymond Dowler and PO Brian O’Kane arrived at DFSM ready for an intense eight weeks of training. The DFSM and Australian Army Band Melbourne (AABM), welcomed the extra support in the clarinet section for the regular fortnight Friday concert series. The annual Graduation Ceremony was held at the DFSM on Wednesday 19 October 2005. Congratulations to Able Seaman Ian Aston for receiving the A.A. Sillcock Award, for “…most outstanding student of the Section Leader Course in respect of leadership ability, musical proficiency, personal qualities and potential for advancement in the Defence Force”. Well done to LS Reeves for receiving the John Stucas Shield for the “most outstanding Navy student on the Group Leader Course”.

The trip began with the musicians participating in Procedure Bravo as line handlers and standing on the upper decks for the departure through Sydney heads; always a spectacular sight for sailors. The weather was fine and warm and a gentle sea state ensured that the musicians settled into daily routines without the problem of discomfort from seasickness. The musicians were integrated into the ship’s routines immediately, with all members sharing the responsibilities of keeping watches on the bridge, and the AB’s rotating through the Café to help out with the dishes and general cleaning.

Able Seaman Izumi arrived at the DFSM for the Section Leader Course (SLC) held from 31 October 2005 to 02 December 2005. The completion of the SLC will be a gradual wind down to the Christmas break.

LS Brett Douglas was quick to display his strange affinity with sorting rubbish, and rehearsals began in earnest for the performances in Broome. The music repertoire quickly came together and the embarked musical element performed for a steel deck barbeque in the Whitsunday Islands for the ship’s company after a swim and some beach cricket was enjoyed by all on a secluded island.

Monday 21 November saw the arrival of Able Seaman Sean Hickey from the South Australian detachment and Able Seaman Tom Bastians from the Sydney detachment, for the Introduction to Live Sound Course, under the instruction of Sergeant Pete Sforcina. The Friday Twilight Concert will be

Throughout the trip, the ship’s company were fundraising for one of their shipmates who had been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident just weeks before the trip, and musicians got involved heavily in this fun, but very important activity onboard. AB McGann was narrowly defeated in the beard-growing contest, and any of us who forgot to take our caps off as we entered the main café were “fined” a gold coin for the effort.

received, although the extreme heat cut short our performance just a little. Many of the Broome locals who had seen our Jazz and Rock Groups were impressed with the standard of playing and the overall professionalism of the musicians did much to increase the reputation of the Navy Band in Broome; this achieved in just 72 hours. The AFL Grand Final was watched over a cold drink or two, and the afternoon was ours to explore and see the sights of Broome. We spent some time on Cable Beach, and drove out to the local indigenous peoples’ spiritual birthplace. The ancient, rugged landscape of red dirt and spectacular cliffs were most impressive, and the musicians all felt a special privilege in being able to see such a spiritually powerful place for the local Aboriginal community.

The trip across the top end of Australia and around to Broome was largely uneventful, and good weather made for smooth sailing all the way. Kanimbla’s ship’s company were very welcoming, and certainly made us feel at home within days of joining the ship. This is another indicator of the good reputation that the Navy Band enjoys within the Fleet these days, and this will only continue to grow as more and more musicians are deployed at sea in the coming years.

The following morning saw the ship leave Broome and commence the ten-day journey back to Sydney, with a quick stop-off in Cairns to take on some 35 Australian Naval Reserve Cadets and to allow about 40 family members of the ship’s company to join the ship for the final four-day cruise to Sydney. My fiancée, Robyn Heard, joined the ship and gained some valuable insights into life at sea for a musician, including a ship’s concert and a swim on the Great Barrier Reef. The remainder of the trip was largely uneventful, and with a rolling swell (which caused a few moments of sea-sickness for some) on the last morning, we were all glad to steam proudly through the Sydney Heads and into Garden Island.

On arrival in Broome, we were met at the wharf by the Director and AB Carl Riseley, who were to join us for the 72 hour stay in Broome. That afternoon we took our equipment over to the Broome High School and set up for a workshop with the local students. A small, but appreciative audience enjoyed a question and answer time with us, as we demonstrated how to take an existing song, and put our own twist on it, thereby making it ours. The students were interested to see professional players getting down to the nuts and bolts of rehearsals, and building a performance list, and gained much valuable knowledge from our 60-minute workshop.

In conclusion, we were happy to have had the opportunity to deploy to sea, and the members all contributed positively both to the ship (and ship’s company) and to the solid and still growing reputation of the RAN Band within the fleet.

The next morning we performed for the Broome High School, and several Primary Schools from around the area, shows which were very enthusiastically received by students across all age groups. The heat and humidity were a real challenge, and the performances became more like workouts as the day progressed. On completion of the school shows, we moved the equipment over the Broome RSL Club for that evening’s performance for the ship’s company. Joining the men and women from HMAS Kanimbla were the ship’s companies of two other Fleet Units. This resulted in an audience of about 300 for our three-set show.

PROFILES SEAMAN MUSICIAN DAVID MCMULLEN David joined the Western Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band in September 2004. How did he hear about the Royal Australian Navy Band? Well, it just so happened that his local high school Musical Director was Chief Petty Officer Musician Ted Tait. Thankfully, David was convinced to audition for the Western Australian detachment and has enjoyed playing his saxophone in many fantastic venues.

The night began with about 45 minutes of jazz fronted by AB Hughes and AB Riseley on saxophones and vocals respectively, and added a real “Sunset Jazz” flavour to the evening. The Rock Group then played two sets, during which money was raised for the charity to pay for the performance of “Khe Sahn”. In the end, the piece was performed, with the assistance of the Major (OC of the Ship’s Army Department) and $501 was donated to the charity. The performance was a huge success, and the total proceeds from that evening alone for the benefit of the injured Kanimbla sailor were just over $1500.

David’s recruiting experiences are familiar to many with the duration taking nearly two years. Unfortunately, the recruiting process can take some time. However, David has fond memories of the past 12 months with the Western Australian detachment. David is currently studying a five year Law and Arts (Communication Studies) degree at the University of Western Australia. When he’s not studying, David represents the University of Western Australia in

The next morning we performed at the local markets; a bustling, multicultural feast for the senses, highlighting Broome’s ethnic heritage. The jazz performed was well

Basketball. He’s been playing Basketball for a total of 12 years and considers this the only sport he has ever played seriously.

career opportunities. Her first Major performance was singing the National Anthem, at the Melbourne Cricket ground on Anzac Day. She says that it was the most nerve racking experience of her life, standing in front of 80,000 people with cameras in her face just all the while thinking “Don’t forget the words”!

David enjoys listening to a diverse range of music including bands such as Coldplay, The Killers and Chili Peppers, but in his own humble opinion, David believes Oasis are “bigger than The Beatles!” Now, what genre of music would a saxophonist not listen to? Yes, David has an answer for that also. Metallica! And if you enjoy listening to Metallica and love the AFL, then you will probably not have a successful and pleasant conversation with David. One of his dislikes at the moment is the oversupply of AFL on Australian television, the radio, and also in the newspapers.

After a year in the Melbourne detachment, Tracy was posted to the Sydney detachment. At first, the thought of leaving her friends in Melbourne made her quite apprehensive; but Sydney soon became her dream posting. At first, she found the workload quite challenging. Singing new styles of music, and not being able to read music very well made things a little difficult for a start. She learnt a lot from being thrown in the deep end and soon became confident about her role in the Navy Band.

Two other things David does like include his car, and cheap beer. His very first car, and quite possibly his only car, a 1997 Magna. What more could one do with a 1997 Magna than to add alloys and a spoiler. These additions will take place in the near future and our best wishes for the transition

Her first major challenge was a deployment in HMAS Adelaide travelling to Singapore and India, and as she had never been to sea before and suffered from seasickness: this was a fun filled trip. Her first night on board Adelaide included being jabbed with a needle to stop her from throwing up. Adelaide was PERFORMING FOR AUSTRALIAN involved in FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2005 exercises just outside Singapore. The eight bandies on board, having just completed NBCD training, got involved and really saw what life at sea was all about.

So, next time you’re visiting the Western Australian detachment make sure you get David to pick you up from the airport in his newly tarted up Magna with a case of Dogbolter in the boot. Don’t mention anything about his taste of music. ABLE SEAMAN TRACY BURKE Tracy started performing at a very young age. Born into a musical family, she was destined to do something within the arts. Her father, also a singer, taught Tracy singing & acting, and her mother (a classical ballet dancer) encouraged her to learn dancing. From the age of five Tracy sang and danced her way around the house. She spent most of her youth living on the central coast and getting involved in theatre groups and workshops. She developed a love for musical theatre and auditioned for roles at different musical societies; her favourite roles were playing “Annie” with the Hornsby Musical Society alongside her father who played “Daddy Warbucks”, and Little Cossette in Les Miserables with the Gosford Musical Society.

A highlight of the trip was when they performed at a school for children suffering with mentally disabilities. It was about 48 degrees with no air conditioning or fans and equipment that wasn’t coping very well; but the kids loved it. For Tracy, it was a performance that will always stay in her mind.

After starting high school, Tracy wanted to become more serious about her singing and acting; so in Year Eight Tracy auditioned for a Performing Arts School in Newcastle where she began studying music, dance and drama. After her HSC she worked in her family’s business for a few years and then auditioned for the Royal Australian Navy Band.

HMAS Parramatta was Tracy’s next mission; this time travelling to Hawaii via Tonga, for EXERCISE RIMPAC. Only four personnel this time, and no Senior Sailor in charge. The four were quickly integrated into the ship's company and routine. Cafe party, bridge watches, exercises and rehearsals kept them very busy and very anxious to get to Hawaii. They had organised with the Commanding Officer of Parramatta that while the ship did the major exercise they would perform with the “US Navy Pacific Fleet Band” based at Pearl Harbour. This was a dream come true; the experience they all gained was

Tracy Joined Recruit School in October 2000. This was her first time away from her family and (first time on a plane): she was scared about what to expect. After 10 weeks of instructors yelling orders, early mornings, locker inspections and just all round chaos, which was not really her idea of a good time, it was eventually over and Tracy could focus on her Singing once again. She joined the Melbourne detachment in 2001 and since then has had some amazing

invaluable. The highlight for this trip was singing in front of 20,000 people for the 4th of July Independence Day celebrations. Members of the Parramatta musical element made great friends within the Pacific Fleet Band and with the ship’s company.

learning foundation for Tracy, both professionally and personally, and she looks forward to seeing what the future holds for her in the Royal Australian Navy Band.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

In February 2005, Tracy performed as a soloist in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo - A salute to Australia. This was her first opportunity to sing with vocalists from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force. Five performances to 25,000 people and a number of television broadcasts ensured that this was a career highlight for Tracy.

NEW CHRISTMAS RECORDING RELEASED

Later in the year, Tracy travelled to Scotland to meet HMAS Anzac on its NORTHERN TRIDENT deployment and to join with the other musicians already embarked in Anzac. She performed at various concerts, open days, cocktail parties, Beat to Quarters and the International Festival of the Sea. Not long after, Tracy again joined Anzac on its visit to South Africa; this time she sang the Australian National Anthem at the Tri-nations Rugby Union game, Wallabies vs South Africa, at Ellis Park. This was definitely the most amazing experience of her life. As there were only a handful of Aussie supporters in the crowd, Tracy was wondering how they would react to the Australian National Anthem. To her surprise (and relief), the audience was extremely receptive.

The latest recording of the Royal Australian Navy Band was released just in time for Christmas. Do You Hear What I Hear?, contains musical selections in an easy listening format and includes Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride and two movements from Victor Hely-Hutchinson's Christmas Symphony. Lieutenant Andrew Stokes transcribed the orchestral symphony for concert band—a mighty effort. The rendition of Christmas Kum Ba Ya by the Sea Chanters is sure to become an annual favourite. The album has been distributed to libraries across Australia.

ABLE SEAMAN BURKE AT ELLIS PARK IN COMPANY WITH SAILORS FROM HMAS ANZAC

Tracy was also extremely fortunate to meet Nelson Mandella and says that this was a mind-blowing experience that she will always remember. This Christmas, Tracy will be spending Christmas in the Middle East with musicians from the Melbourne and Sydney detachments. Carrying a weapon freaks her out a little but that’s what the Navy is all about; putting you out of your comfort zone, just like many of Tracy’s other memorable experiences in the Navy to date. During the last five years, Tracy’s naval career has been unforgettable, and the opportunities have been numerous. Tracy feels like she has accomplished a lot in such a short time. She hopes to learn new skills and focus on improving her jazz style of singing. The Navy has been a great

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 8 OF 5 JULY 2006

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

MUSICIANS FEAR NOUGHT!

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER BRIAN O’KANE

CONTENTS

Five members from the Melbourne detachment and six members from the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band joined forces in the Sydney band studio and commenced rehearsals for the deployment. We were to join HMAS Tobruk on Friday 10 March and then sail with her on the South East Asian and South West Pacific deployment visiting Indonesia, Singapore and New Caledonia. Once we had been allocated our racks and had a quick familiarisation of the ship it was time to prepare for our first job as the Navy Band on board HMAS Tobruk. The engagement was to be us, on the vehicle deck playing wellknown Australian tunes as the ship departed Sydney. This was a very proud moment for us, as well as one or two others alongside. The next job at hand was to prepare for OPERATION PERINGGATAN. This was the memorial service on the first anniversary of the 02 Sea King helicopter crash at the small village of Tuindrao, Nias Island, Indonesia. (continued page 3)

Musicians Fear Nought!

From the Director’s Desk

Sydney Detachment

Melbourne Detachment

South Australian Detachment

Queensland Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

Where We Have Been

Where We Are Headed

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

been a stalwart of the Navy Band and it was a personal pleasure for me to see his contribution being acknowledged. In March we embarked 11 musicians in HMAS Tobruk for a deployment to South East Asia and the South Pacific. Petty Officer Brian O’Kane led the group to much applause and his article, Musicians Fear Nought, contains a number of illustrations of how the musicians successfully integrated into the ship. We had planned a deployment for 20 of our reserve musicians in HMAS Kanimbla for June; but unfortunately, despite best effort, the deployment could not proceed due to a change in operational requirement for the ship. For all those reserves who volunteered and made preparations for this deployment, thank you: I share your disappointment.

‘Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent’.

We recorded and released our latest CD, All Hands on Deck, which showcases each of our seven detachments and the many talented soloists and instrumentalists who regularly add value to Navy’s image across Australia and abroad.

Victor Hugo We come to the close of another very busy period with many more articles in this edition of RAN Band News to add to the story of the Navy Band. As this edition goes to print, our 11 musicians embarked in HMAS Manoora are performing with the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet Band for the 4th of July celebrations in Hawaii. We look forward to reading stories in the next edition about the many performances that these musicians will undertake during their five weeks in and about Honolulu. Three of our musicians have just left Australia to provide technical and production support for a small musical tour of the Middle East Area of Operations, which is being conducted by the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment. We wish them all a safe and successful deployment. Over the last two-year period 34 of Navy’s musicians have been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with 11 also earning the Iraq campaign medal. This is a very significant achievement of which we can all be proud.

One of our members, Able Seaman Matthew Van Emmerik made it through to the semi finals of Symphony Australia’s Young Performer Awards. A very significant personal achievement: Well done Matthew. The band’s benchmark concert program continued but due to the heavy commitment to Fleet activities only one benchmark concert has been undertaken so far this year. The Flagship Recital in May, at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Melbourne, utilised members from the Sydney and Melbourne detachments. I hope to follow this up with another benchmark concert in Melbourne in October. As we move into next financial year, I am pleased to report that, with the exception of the Tasmanian detachment, each of the reserve detachments is fully complemented. Difficulties associated with the Naval Reserve Initial Employment Training (NRIET) program are being overcome but medium risk to capability shortfall in some detachments remains a concern. Importantly, almost all of our people are in their posting of first choice, and exit and wastage rates remain under 10 percent. Furthermore, there is only one position vacant in the permanent component and the expected exit rate for the next 12 months remains less than ten percent. However, imbalances with regard to instrumentation requirements have resulted in a critical shortfall of clarinet and saxophone players.

The Melbourne detachment was force assigned to OPERATION ACOLYTE in March to support the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. One highlight for the musicians during that operation was a performance at the formal luncheon held in the Exhibition Building in the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. We provided musical and ceremonial support to a number of ship commissioning and decommissioning ceremonies held in Darwin and an inauguration ceremony for the Attack crew members of the Patrol Boat Force Element Group. Support to these ceremonies was provided by a mix of permanent and reserve personnel.

Thank you for your contribution to ensuring that the Royal Australian Navy Band remains ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’ and that its story of service to the nation continues to be told.

In February, I was fortunate to be in attendance with the Queensland detachment when Petty Officer Alan Early was presented an Australia Day Commendation. I first met Alan when, as a young Navy cadet, I began to work with the Queensland Naval Band, as it was then known, as a bugler before enlisting as a reservist some 30 years ago. Alan has

Serving in Harmony

Our next port was Noumea. HMAS Tobruk was to be involved with a combined amphibious exercise CROIX DU SUD (Cross of the South). This was to practice the scenario of natural disaster requiring the evacuation of people from the island. Our detachment had to prepare alongside the rest of the crew for ANZAC DAY celebrations in the middle of town. After this we had a great opportunity to be landed and commence with some valuable public relations work. We did this with the help of the Australian Consulate General. A collection of engagements were arranged and we were very well looked after and accommodated at the local French Naval Base in Noumea. Our first performance was at the ‘Place de la Marne’. We played a mixture of military style music as well as a few more light-hearted tunes. Leading Seaman Jason Beach even had one of the local Kanak children playing the bass drum for him. The shoppers at the market started to follow us around and the evening as a whole was a great success. Over the next nine days we travelled around New Caledonia performing at a number of venues including the outlying towns of Bourail and La Foa. We then returned to Noumea and performed a concert in the town centre at ‘La Place de Cottetiers’.

(continued from page 1) Once we arrived in Nias we were informed that only a bugler, singer and a sound engineer would be required for the memorial service. Able Seaman Musicians Salone, Bastians and Monk performed very well and the service was a success.

ABLE SEAMAN MARCUS SALONE PERFORMS LAST POST AT THE 02 SEA KING MEMORIAL IN NIAS

Our initial week on board gave us the chance to be involved in a Unit Readiness Evaluation. Our contribution was purely Damage Control, and lots of it. All members of the band were found in many different areas of the ship working well outside of their comfort zones. Once we arrived in Singapore our aim was to perform as a rock group in the famous Terror Club. After a few organisational blemishes the engagement was set up and we played at the poolside for the ships companies of HMAS Tobruk, USNS Yukon, USNS San Jose and local defence families who use the club. The rest of the time in Singapore was spent enjoying the city and all it has to offer. Time between ports was spent rehearsing the different ensembles. Our rock group and jazz group set up in the noisy tank deck. The brass group used wherever they found an empty mess and the drum corps utilised the huge vehicle deck for ‘Beat to Quarters’ rehearsals.

ABLE SEAMAN CLAIRE MURRAY AND ABLE SEAMAN TROY OTTENS REHEARSE FOR ONE OF THE MANY PERFORMANCES DURING THE DEPLOYMENT

In the last few days of our time in Noumea we performed a jazz gig on the French Navy base for around 130 French sailors and their families. As well as this, we performed a private rock concert at the Consulate’s Residence for all Australians residing in New Caledonia as well as members of HMAS Tobruk ship's officers and crew. Other activities conducted on board the ship were a rock concert during replenishment at sea with HMAS Arunta and the ships 25th birthday celebrations.

LEADING SEAMAN JASON BEACH ENTERTAINS THE CREW

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

May was travel month with a trip to Canberra for the Coral Sea Commemoration and to Darwin for an Inauguration Ceremony for the new Patrol Boat Crews. After the red-eye flight home from Darwin there was just enough time to repack the bags, kiss the wife and baby (yes, I had to mention the new baby sometime!) and it was off to join the Melbourne detachment for a benchmark concert and Victorian tour.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

The concert at Robert Blackwood Hall went extremely well and included a fine performance of Wilby’s Concerto for Euphonium by Able Seaman Matthew Van Emmerik. As some members headed for home for local commitments, the rest of us prepared for the Soundwaves Concert and Victorian tour. The Soundwaves Concert, conducted by myself and Captain Jon Ridley RM was very well-received with some audience members commenting that it was the best ‘Wednesday Night’ concert that they have ever attended. Unfortunately the Victorian tour was not as successful due to low audience numbers. However it was a positive experience musically and it gave personnel from Sydney and Melbourne detachments a chance to interact.

ON PARADE AT THE SEA POWER CONFERENCE

On behalf of all members of the Sydney Detachment I would like to start by extending best wishes and a speedy recovery to Lieutenant Michelle Coleman who has been absent on sick leave from mid April. On the inside, the Sydney detachment has been a bit disrupted this year with sea deployments, assisting other detachments and a new Music Director who is also fulfilling his role as Assistant Director. However on the outside, the detachment has provided quality musical support to a wide range of audiences.

So far in June we have had two highly successful gigs. The first was the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival with the Admiral’s Own Big Band and Don Burrows. Despite the bad weather the Admiral's Own played very well and the crowd was very receptive. The second gig was a recital at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Again the detachment performed very well and was rewarded with a standing ovation.

As usual, the first half of 2006 has been packed full of a variety of commitments. After the safe return of all members from OP CATALYST, the year was in full swing with commitments for Australia Day and Sea Power Conference. February was relatively quiet with a group assisting the Tasmanian detachment and the yearly commitment at the Martin Place Cenotaph for the commemoration of the Battle of the Java Sea. March started with an emotional farewell to HMAS Ballarat to OP CATALYST and we also said goodbye to the HMAS Tobruk Sea Deployment Group. With a group at sea and other personnel away assisting the Melbourne detachment, we still managed to provide musical support for Canberra Navy Day and a Wardroom dinner at HMAS Penguin.

As we head in the second half of 2006, the Sydney detachment can look forward to the Brunei Tattoo, Darwin Navy Week, Bellingen Jazz Festival, Benchmark Concerts and of course Christmas leave! A big thanks and Bravo Zulu to all personnel involved with Sydney detachment.

April started with ensembles performing various tasks such as a memorial service for the Shark 02 disaster, assisting the Melbourne detachment and welcoming home HMAS Parramatta. After Easter, all members travelled to Canberra for the Nirimba Reunion where the Sydney detachment and Federation Guard performed Ceremonial Sunset on the Forecourt of Parliament House to approximately 3000 people. While in Canberra, we had the pleasure of performing for Royal Australian Navy Band Association dinner. Performing for a room full of musicians was quite nerve-racking however the immense applause we received after the ‘Naval Occasion’ style floorshow showed how much our presence was appreciated.

LIEUTENANT STOKES CONDUCTS THE WIND ORCHESTRA AT ROBERT BLACKWOOD HALL WITH EUPHONIUM SOLOIST ABLE SEAMAN MATHEW VAN EMMERIK

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

Anzac Day was a mild day and we avoided getting rained on while performing for three hours on the forecourt of the Shrine, taking turn about with the other service bands.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANNY MULHERON

The Melbourne Detachment eased into January with personnel attending HMAS Creswell for a 2 week Advanced Ship Survivability Course in preparation for deployment in HMAS Tobruk in March. We said goodbye to the Commanding Officer of HMAS Cerberus who we traditionally “rowed ashore”, and afterwards farewelled Able Seamen Natalie Urquhart, Louisa Long and Iain Fisher who all posted to the Sydney detachment. Australia Day passed us by without fanfare and so we prepared for the routine collection of tasks we normally see in February such as Maritime Week and various commemorative services and parades. Highlights for the month would be a Beat to Quarters at Docklands for the Volvo Ocean Classic Yacht Race, a pleasant morning at the Tyabb Air Show and the official unveiling of statues surrounding the MCG as part of its redevelopment prior to the Commonwealth Games. March tasks were kept to a minimum in order to respond to instant requests for support in relation to the lead up to the Commonwealth Games. While we lost five personnel for deployment aboard HMAS Tobruk, PO Klohs led an ensemble and performed at Cowes, Phillip Island as part of the Queens Baton Relay celebrations. On 15 March we were invited to a luncheon with the Queen at the Royal Exhibition Building in conjunction with the official opening of the Commonwealth Games that evening. Over a thousand dignitaries and special guests were invited. Lunch was very nice.

QUEENS LUNCHEON IN THE EXHIBITION BUILDING

Finally April finished with a farewell dinner for the State President of the Victorian RSL, which saw a huge turn out in support. May turned out to be exceptionally busy with two separate weeklong tours throughout Western Victoria. The first incorporated the townships of Maryborough, Stawell, Ararat and St Anauds. Each day we performed to local schools and in the evenings, the general public. On the whole this was considered to be a very successful time. During this period we lost the valuable talent of Petty Officer Nick Pearce as he was visiting schools as part of his practical teaching rounds in preparation for discharge.

For the duration of the games, entertainment was provided throughout the city for our international visitors. This was seen as an opportunity to present a Tri Service concert at the Myer Music Bowl. The end result was a magnificent performance showcasing the talents of members from all services, representing a large cross section of musical styles. An estimated 12,000 people enjoyed the two hour concert. During the games, Petty Officer Ray Dowler was kept busy waiting for the arrival of his 6th child, Thomas Edward Dowler (Ted) who will make a great brother for Elizabeth. Bronwyn was reported to have had an easy delivery without complications. We wish Bronwyn and Ray all the best.

While we were on tour, our new Musical Director Captain Jon Ridley RM, eased into the position of Officer in Charge of the Melbourne detachment as exchange officer for Lieutenant Steven Stanke who is on exchange in England. We welcome Captain Ridley as he brings with him many years of experience and a great passion for music.

As the smoke cleared from the games, we settled back into routine rehearsals in preparation for forthcoming tasks at various primary schools and an old age retirement home. We welcomed Leading Seaman Jason Campbell and Rachael as they posted in from Sydney and we hope they enjoy their time with us.

By mid May, the Sydney detachment travelled to Melbourne for a three week visit. Part of the visit focussed on a special event where we combined our musicians for a formal concert at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University. We performed a two hour concert covering many genres of music. Some members of the Sydney detachment stayed

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

with us for the second tour of Western Victoria visiting the cities of Warrnambool, Ballarat and Bendigo.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

Busy is the operative word and the past six months have been that for the South Australian detachment. As well as significant local engagements we once again had the opportunity to travel to Darwin and recently toured the Yorke Peninsula as a part of the Navy Community Engagement Scheme (NCES). The year started with gusto following a well-deserved Christmas break with traditional Australia Day celebrations. Australia Day celebrations provided the opportunity for the our strong contingent of jazz players to begin the year. Under the guidance of keyboard vocalist Able Seaman Katia Labozzetta, Able Seaman’s Tristam Courtney, Yuri Markov, Vashti Tyrrell and Steve Tabe performed at Adelaide’s Elder Park on the banks of the River Torrens. The jazz group entertained the crowd utilising the sound system and stage used later that day by Jimmy Barnes. With and excellent stage setting and the perfect back drop of the Torrens River, the Jazz group provided a perfect mix of traditional jazz with an interesting jazz version of Waltzing Matilda and happy birthday for the cutting of the cake.

THE SAXOPHONE SECTION IN ACTION DURING THE MINI TOUR

Able Seaman Jason Chalmers led a small jazz group at RAAF Edinburgh Sergeant’s Mess for the RAAF’s 85th Anniversary celebrations and Petty Officer Rory McKinnon led another jazz ensemble to perform at the Bird in Hand Winery for the annual Adelaide Hill’s Food and Wine festival held throughout the hills are attracting huge crowds.

We farewelled Petty Officer Nick Pearce in June, as he proceeded on leave prior to discharge. We all enjoyed an afternoon at the Westernport Bistro with a couple of red wines and a few waries. Nick will be very much missed for his individual personality and sense of humour. His extraordinary musical talent will be very difficult to replace. Nick completed almost 23 years of service and will remain here locally on the Mornington Peninsula. We wish Nick, Trish and the boys all the best for the future. While Nick was leaving, Leading Seaman Jason Campbell was preparing to receive his second addition to the family. Rachael gave birth to Zachary James on 20 June, who arrived at 8lbs+. Rachael had an easy labour without complications and both mother and baby are doing well. The first half of this year finished with the delivery of Nuship Perth at Tenix Dockyards Williamstown. The new ship's company marched on board while the ship builders watched on and the vessel was officially handed over. The ship will undergo a series of trials before commissioning in Fremantle in August.

ON PARADE DURING NUSHIP LARRAKIA’S COMMISSIONING CEREMONY

February saw a contingent from the South Australian Detachment travel to Darwin to assist with both the combined commissioning of HMAS Bathurst and Larrakia and the combined decommissioning of HMAS Bunbury and Wollongong. The jazz group with Seaman Rachel Summers on vocals provided some light entertainment at

The first half of May was to be very busy with preparations for and touring the Yorke Peninsula as a part of the NCES. This provided an excellent opportunity for the detachment to work together as a team for an extended period in conjunction with a Defence Force Recruiting team and taking the Navy to a regional area rarely visited by the Defence Force.

the cocktail party held after the ceremonies to celebrate the occasions. The Director visited the detachment in March for his annual inspection and joined us at South Australia’s major motoring event ‘Clipsal 500’. The Rock Group performed to the very enthusiastic crowds on Saturday and Sunday for an hour performance before the race and again after the races for a two hour performance, (without a break!!) fronted by our talented vocalists Able Seaman Katrina Caton and Petty Officer Rory McKinnon on lead vocals and Petty Officer Clayton Tschirn on harmony vocals. Their energetic performance kept the crowds entertained for the two hours and had them yelling for more afterwards.

The tour was preceded by a week of music rehearsals. The US 7th Fleet Band were in town to perform at the South Australia Police Tattoo and were residing at Keswick Barracks during the period of our rehearsals. New friendships were formed and a number of the American musicians joined us in our rehearsals. The US 7th Fleet Band and the RAN Band have had a good relationship over the years and this chance meeting provided an excellent opportunity to renew friendships. As it happened during the US 7th Fleet Band’s visit, the South Australian detachment were participating in a Coral Sea memorial service organised by the Australian American Association.

The Director also visited us at the studio on the Tuesday evening for rehearsals and assessed Leading Seaman Joel Walker on elements of his Group Leaders Course.

Despite their already very busy schedule, many of the American Band members were keen to join us on this occasion. With some quick planning and rehearsals we enthusiastically combined for a memorable service represented by musicians from both countries to remember those who lost their lives during the Battle of the Coral Sea. With rehearsals finally completed, it was ready to load the truck, arm ourselves with public relations material to give away, in the form of Navy Hats and water bottles, hit the road and make our way to the seaside country town of Edithburgh 280 kms south west of Adelaide to begin the tour on the Yorke Peninsula. Performances included the Yorketown Area School, Maitland High School, Kadina High School, Moonta Area School and Snowtown High School. The detachment was received with enthusiasm by all staff and students of the schools visited and as several principals of schools visited by us commented, “opportunities like this don’t happen often”. This was evident in the response by the students and staff who, revved up by Rory McKinnon, Belinda Marks and Clayton Tschirn, could not sit still and were up dancing throughout the performances. On one occasion some went to the extreme of trying crowd surfing!! Other students were quick to participate on percussion instruments and joined in the harmony vocals of Mustang Sally. The wild activities of the many students would have guaranteed quieter classrooms for the remainder of the day.

LEADING SEAMAN MCREDMOND PLAYS THE LAST POST IN COMPANY WITH A MEMBER OF THE US 7TH FLEET BAND

The thriving metropolis of Goolwa lies 80km south of Adelaide, and in late April was the location for the 817 Squadron’s Freedom of Entry ceremony. This was followed later in the day by a Ceremonial Sunset to complete the event. The Ceremonial Sunset Parade was under the baton of Petty Officer Paul West with Petty Officer Tschirn as Drum Major.

A workshop was conducted with the music students of Maitland Area School. Maitland Area School are in preparation for an Eisteddfod competition. Originally scheduled for an hour, this proved to be very popular with the students who had us there for an extra hour. The workshop coming to an end only because of classes. I hope we contributed to a very successful outcome by the Maitland Area School band when they perform at the Eisteddfod and wish them well.

MacDonald, produced a spellbinding rendition of “My One and Only Love”.

Many thanks to all the musicians who sought leave from their civilian employers to participate in the NCES tour. A special thankyou to Belinda Marks who flew from Sydney to join her old friends in the South Australia Detachment and helped to give the band that little extra. With your assistance we were able to put on a much better show. Regrettably, we farewell two musicians. Seaman Rachel Summers leaves us to join the permanent component with a posting to HMAS Cerberus prior to joining HMAS Manoora for RIMPAC. Able Seaman Kevin Orchard has moved to Sydney to further his musical studies and has joined the New South Wales detachment. On behalf of the South Australian detachment, thankyou for your contribution, support and musical expertise and best wishes as you enter the next phase in your musical career.

8 ABLE SEAMAN DAVE COIT SOUNDS THE LAST POST

Able Seaman Katia Labozetta and Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell are off again for up to six months performing on one of the largest cruise ships afloat the “Freedom” on it’s inaugural cruise. We look forward to their return.

February 2006 brought significant recognition to one of our longest serving reserve musicians. Petty Officer Alan Early was awarded an Australia Day Medallion in recognition of 40 years service to the Royal Australian Navy. The presentation was held in our rehearsal room and attended by many of the Queensland detachment ex-members, current serving members, Alan’s friends and family. Well done Alan! A rare feat indeed.

The next six months are shaping up to be busier. On the horizon, we have the commissioning of the new patrol boat Pirie at Port Pirie and further down the track Navy Week. Best wishes from all of us here in sunny South Australia.

The month of March brought HMAS Toowoomba back to Queensland to march through the streets of Toowoomba for their Freedom of Entry. Able Seaman Ellen Zyla from the Sydney detachment, marching in her hometown joined the Queensland detachment. The day’s activities were very successful, culminating in a Cocktail Party at Queens Park.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHAN

Just prior to ANZAC Day the Queensland detachment performed at Suncorp Stadium for the Broncos ANZAC Tribute Match. The Stage Band entertained an estimated audience of 25,000. April has one yearly focus for all Navy Band detachments, ANZAC Day, which is always a busy day for musicians. While waiting for our turn to step off in the parade through Brisbane City, an Army Musician approached and it was none other than Mel Davies. She joined Army Band Brisbane recently and wishes to pass on her regards to everyone in the Sydney and Melbourne detachments. May brought some shortages in personnel and the Queensland detachment was assisted by Able Seaman Carl Riseley and Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy; thank you gentlemen, your professionalism and enthusiasm enhanced our performances. The Bulimba Festival was attended by an estimated 10,000 people over the day.

AT THE BRONCOS MATCH IN SUNCORP STADIUM

Hi from the sunshine state. Australia Day 2006, Brisbane City Hall and audience of 1500 new Australian citizens combined to give the Queensland detachment its first engagement for 2006.

One of our regular annual engagements for the month of May is the Coral Sea Service at Newstead House, this year we were joined by the US 7th Fleet Band under the direction of Lieutenant Carl Gerhard. After the service the US 7th Fleet Band entertained an appreciative audience at the Breakfast Creek Hotel.

After a fairly long leave break and just two rehearsals the Stage Band produced a very polished and entertaining performance. Our vocalist, Leading Seaman Sarah

We are now looking forward to June and the Dingo Creek Jazz Festival; the Stage Band has been working hard on some new charts. Hopefully a salsa version of “Bye Bye Blackbird” will feature. Thank you to everyone that has in someway assisted myself or the Queensland detachment during the last six months; we greatly appreciate your support and assistance.

Other events that have attracted large audiences for the Tasmanian detachment have been the Taste the Harvest Festival in Devonport and AGFEST. Both these events attract people from all over Tasmania as well as the “MAIN LAND”. These events have also attracted a large following that could almost be classed as a fan base, as a great many have met up with us at other events around the state commenting on how they enjoy all of our performances.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

Currently our detachment is focussing on future events both in Tasmania and on the parade ground at HMAS Cerberus. It was pleasing to hear that over 60 members from the various reserve detachments volunteered for the July Recruit School Pass out Parade. I am pleased to say that all members of the Tasmanian detachment volunteered and all are participating. Other events that we are going to be engaged include the Tulip Festival, Royal Botanical Gardens and the V8 Super Car championship at Symonds Plains; however, you’ll have to read about them in the next news letter.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETE SIGGS

The first half of this year has seen a significant increase in activity compared to this time last year. The events involve a range of tasks including ships cocktail parties and open days to events in rural Tasmania parading as a drum and bugle band for ANZAC Day at Ledgerwood and Ringarooma. The latter has sparked an enthusiastic response from the rural community who are cuing up to have the Tasmanian detachment at their ANZAC Day next year.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

It’s that time again where we put pen to paper and submit an article for another edition of Band News. Time flies between each edition and we look back at what our detachment has achieved over the last six months. January started of with a mini Annual Continuous Training. This was five continuous days of rehearsals and getting the lips back into shape for the New Year. We played through new marches, stage band charts and generally got prepped for the year. All our rehearsal got put to the test for a “Australia Day and Citizenship Ceremony” at the City of Stirling. We “wowed” the organisers and in particular the audience.

ENTERTAINING THE CROWD DURING NAVY WEEK

One of the highlights for the first half of the year was Hobart’s Navy Week, which took place in February. HMAS Success, Sydney and Stuart held a ships open day at MacQuarie Wharf, Hobart incorporating interactive displays on board while a number of displays and attractions were present on the wharf providing a carnival atmosphere. As part of the carnival atmosphere, the most significant attraction was the performances by both the Tasmanian detachment and Sydney detachment. The events also included a cocktail party and Ceremonial Sunset and on the Sunday a performance labelled as Jazz in the Gardens held at the Royal Hobart Botanical Gardens. Despite the disappointment of rain there was an estimated audience attendance of 1500. This number could have been considerably larger if the weather didn’t turn on us. To have such numbers turn out for a Royal Australian Navy Band ticketed event is quite significant as well as exciting considering the population of Hobart and other events being held on that Regatta weekend.

February was another month of Naming Ceremonies for the new Armidale Class Patrol Boats. The new Patrol Boats are Pirie and Maitland. The usual crowd at this event included Chief of Navy and the Maritime Commander. Another job was at University of Western Australia for their Orientation Day. A huge crowd was present and some interest was taken in Defence jobs as we had Defence Force Recruiting with us. The month ended with a Sunset Concert at Yokine Reserve for a very appreciative audience. Augusta saw us travel down to their neck of the woods for the long weekend in March. It was particularly hot for that time of year and was out of the ordinary for them. We were there for two days and were the main attraction for the Augusta River Festival. We were well looked after and the organisers made sure that we were well fed at all times.

calls for memorial services and a Ball at Government House. One highlight of the month was playing in the Swedish Tall-Ship “Gotheberg”.

God love country hospitality. Our detachment also welcomed a new Governor to Government House. The month finished with a trip out to Brookton Old Time Motor Show. In hindsight, we should have left the barracks an hour earlier to make up time for sitting behind vintage cars doing 60 in a 100 zone on Brookton Highway. We still made the setup but had to start 10 minutes late. This is another event that had a huge crowd and the musicians wanting to do this one again.

Our detachment held two Open Nights in which nine new possible candidates turned up. We gave the usual Recruiting story. I hope that all of them have now called 131901 to get onto the system. June was the quiet month for us (usually the calm before the storm!). The only jobs for the month were Commanding Officer's Serenity Lodge Charity and Perth RSL’s 90th Anniversary Luncheon. On a side note: Dave Hicks has officially left the detachment after a distinguished career. He is sadly missed and will always be missed as he always made us laugh with his sharp wit. I would like to thank Dave for his loyalty and dedication for the past 25 plus years. Ashley Markey has weighed anchor and transferred to the perms. He has settled nicely into the Sydney detachment. This is another member that is sadly missed and will take time to find a replacement of his calibre. The only thing concerning the band coming up is the bands’ 50th Anniversary in November 2007. A plan will be going into action soon to get a reunion staged.

FULL STEAM AHEAD AT THE DONNYBROOK APPLE FESTIVAL

Other than that, this is all from the West. See you all in the next counter march.

Donnybrook was the first venue for the month of April. The occasion was the Donnybrook Apple Festival. We arrived at Donnybrook Saturday lunchtime and couldn’t believe how many people were in the town. Parking was rare as hen’s teeth and the town was a buzz with people. Yes, there were apples to be had by one and all. We set up on Centre Stage and prepared to the street march through the main street of Donnybrook. By the time we stepped-off, it was pitch dark. However, the car that was behind us put it’s high beam on so we could read the music. After a successful parade, we put on a show and ended the night with fireworks.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT WRIGHT

The usual, ANZAC Day ceremonies and services took place during the month. One highlight was Chief Petty Officer Ted Tait playing the Last Post and Reveille at Subiaco Oval. A perfect bugle call was telecast and heard by thousands of people. Every man and his dog were singing Ted’s praise for weeks to come. ANZAC Day was an interesting day as well. We did the march through Perth, had the bus wait at the end of the March, and bolt down to Rockingham. We remained dry throughout the march through Perth but were absolutely drenched even before we stepped off in Rockingham. This is the biggest downpour I have seen in a long time and even flooded some of the streets within minutes.

ABLE SEAMAN BRIONY DWYER LEADING THE HYMNS DURING THE NIRIMBA MEMORIAL SERVICE ON 1 JULY 2006

The New South Wales detachment has continued to develop and improve its musical capability. A significant increase in repertoire has enabled all the ensembles to present a varied and stimulating program.

The month saw out a Police Graduation Ball that didn’t see much dancing during the night, as all the guests wanted to do was “talk shop”. I wonder how many of them drove home under the influence.

As usual, we (AKA the “best little church band in Sydney”) have provided the music for many services at the Garden

May was another month for Armidale Class Naming Ceremonies. Coral Sea festivities were held including bugle

have been embarked in Fleet units or on operational deployments. The total number of missions has increased for each of the last four years.

Island Chapel and supported the annual memorial service for the Merchant Navy at the Rookwood Chapel. The ANZAC Day parade provided an opportunity for us to combine with the Sydney detachment, allowing many to refresh their parade skills and experience a significant military parade.

The jazz ensemble performed at the Australian Defence Force Medical Convention cocktail party on board HMAS Kanimbla to wide acclaim and successfully performed at a number of Senior Sailor Dinners and Wardroom functions. Congratulations to Able Seaman Chris Perritt and Able Seaman Fiona Underwood on providing future recruits for the Navy Band program (albeit in around 18 to 20 years time). Other welcome additions to our detachment have been Able Seaman Kevin Orchard from South Australia and the return of Chief Petty Officer Gary Searle. Chief Searle will be adopting the role of ‘Training Chief’ in further enhancing our musical and professional skills in naval music.

Sea Deployments The band has continued its strong support to Fleet activities by building on the Sea Deployment Initiative that commenced four years ago. During this financial year the band welcomed back to Australia (in August) eight musicians who had been embarked in HMAS Anzac for NORTHERN TRIDENT. Also embarked during this FY were 10 musicians in HMAS Kanimbla, eight in HMAS Stuart, 11 in HMAS Tobruk and another 11 musicians are currently embarked in HMAS Manoora for RIMPAC 2006. The results of this Sea Deployment Initiative have been significant and integral to the band’s image within the wider naval community; it has also brought much overseas travel opportunity for our musicians.

With significant jobs scheduled in the coming months at Rooty Hill RSL, Forster and HMAS Albatross; we are gearing up for a busy time assisting in meeting the mission of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

WHERE WE HAVE BEEN, WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED, AND WHAT WE ARE DOING

48 musicians served at sea during FY 05 / 06: This amounts to half of the band’s full-time trained force and represents a very significant effort during the course of a 12-month period. 107 musicians have deployed to sea over the last four years: This sea service obligation has been undertaken by 72 of the band’s current 96 full-time serving musicians. Recordings and Benchmark Activities In 2002, the band commenced a program to renew its recording history. Over the last four financial years the band has recorded and released seven CDs. This recording program has been an important way in which to demonstrate the band’s capabilities, to challenge its people, and to raise its image. Prior to commencing this program the Navy Band had produced 29 recordings; unfortunately, only one of those recordings had performance rights attributed to Navy and the remaining 28 are now lost. Each of these seven new recordings has been forwarded to schools and public libraries across Australia.

AN ELEMENT OF THE NAVY BAND PERFORMS ONBOARD HMAS PARRAMATTA IN THE MEAO ON NEW YEARS DAY 2006

Missions

During this financial year the band recorded and released two CDs. Carol of the Drum contains musical selections in an easy listening format and includes Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride and two movements from Victor Hely-

The band completed 548 missions across Australia during this financial year, compared to 519 during the previous year, 485 for FY 03 / 04, and 424 for FY 02 / 03. These figures do not include tasks undertaken whilst musicians

Our Investment

Hutchinson's Christmas Symphony. The rendition of Christmas Kum Ba Ya by the Sea Chanters is sure to become an annual favourite. The most recent recording, All Hands on Deck, is a double CD that showcases each of our seven detachments and the many talented soloists and instrumentalists who regularly add value to Navy’s image across Australia and abroad.

Each of the reserve detachments is fully complemented with the exception of the Tasmanian detachment. Difficulties associated with the Naval Reserve Initial Employment Training (NRIET) program are being overcome but medium risk to capability shortfall in some detachments remains a concern.

The band’s benchmark concert program continued during this financial year but due to the heavy commitment to Fleet activities and operational deployments only one benchmark concert was undertaken. This Flagship Recital, in Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Melbourne, utilised members from the Sydney and Melbourne detachments.

Almost all members of the RAN Band are in their posting of first choice with exit and wastage rates averaging less than 10 percent for each of the last four years. To date, there is only one position vacant in the permanent component and the expected exit rate for the next 12 months remains less than ten percent. However, imbalances with regard to instrumentation requirements have resulted in a critical shortfall of clarinet and saxophone players.

Other Outcomes One member of the band commenced an exchange program in May with HM Royal Marine Band on Exercise LONGLOOK: this is the second occasion in two years where a musician has been selected for this exchange program. This exchange program, along with the previous success of the ANZAC exchange, provides a valuable opportunity to learn from experiences with other music organisations.

The band’s people enjoy a very strong level of divisional support and mentoring by their local managers who ensure the high numbers of requests for workplace flexibility are supported. DISCHARGE RATES

In July 2005, 15 members of the band were force assigned to OPERATION ANODE and deployed to the Solomon Islands. Another 18 members deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) during the Christmas 2005 and New Year period. Currently, three musicians are deployed to the MEAO as technicians in support of a small music tour being conducted by the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment.

FY 02 / 03

7.3%

FY 03 / 04

5.7%

FY 04 / 05

FY 05 / 06

9.3%

NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEPLOYMENT TO SEA AND FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL JUNE 2002 TO JULY 2006

Over the last two year period 34 of Navy’s musicians have been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal with 11 also earning the Iraq campaign medal. Our Record of Service The Royal Australian Navy band enjoys a strong and proud record of service. To acknowledge that service 21 new bugles were purchased and engraved with the name of one of the 21 musicians who served their nation and paid the supreme sacrifice. Four additional bugles were purchased and engraved with the names of the Naval Reserve sailors who were part of Operation RIMAU (7 July 1945) and who lost their lives trying to avoid capture. The eighth edition of RAN Band News has been released. RAN Band News can be downloaded from the internet and intranet sites. It is hoped that the newsletter will continue to tell the story of the record of service given by people who have served in the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Total number of opportunities

185

Number of PN musicians who participated in those opportunities

Number of NR musicians who participated in those opportunities

Number of PN musicians who participated in those opportunities and are still serving in the RAN Band

Number of musicians deployed to sea (last 4 years)

107

Number of musicians who contributed to sea deployments

have

DIRECTORATE AND OUTPOSTS

Work has also commenced to collect, and to take ownership of, the significant number of images taken of Navy’s musicians. Some of those images are now being displayed by each detachment and on the internet in a manner demonstrating that record of service is valued.

RANBAND DET SYD

117

RANBAND DET MELB

RESERVE DETACHMENTS

Strategic Imperatives

WHERE WE ARE HEADED

Maintain the band’s Sea Deployment Commitment. The band will commit to embarking one detachment during the next financial year. This is a slow down in the previous high commitment and will allow us to rebuild our larger ensemble capabilities.

Build the current good working relationship with the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment (FACE) to ensure Operational deployment opportunities continue.

Statement of Intent by the Director

Whilst the Navy Band is not earmarked for rotation to the MEAO for another two years, the band will stand ready to meet any request from FACE to support unforseen activities over the coming 12-month period.

We will value each other and honour our heritage. In achieving this we acknowledge that our band has a strong history, enjoys a very good reputation throughout the nation and within Navy, and plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness. We also acknowledge that the quality of our people along with the depth of expertise within the band and its strong history contribute significantly to the band’s image as an organisation worthy of the confidence of the people with whom it conducts its business.

Increase the number of Benchmark Activities. Four Flagship Recitals (three in Sydney and one in Melbourne) and two recordings are planned over the next 12 months. Also planned is a benchmark recital by the Admiral’s Own. Ensure whole of team tours for the permanent detachments.

We will balance the needs and aspirations of each other with the requirements of the Service.

Funds will be allocated for the permanent detachments to conduct at least one whole of team tour during FY 06 / 07.

Seek opportunity for wider contribution within our maritime environment in support of Navy’s regional engagement activities. Currently, a proposal is being developed to deploy a large contingent of 51 musicians to Washington in May 2007 to coincide with the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. This follows on from the forthcoming deployment of our Ceremonial Ensemble to Brunei in July 2006.

We are committed to Navy’s values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty. We will demonstrate that commitment by being truthful, by doing what we know is right regardless of the challenge, by displaying honesty and fairness, and by demonstrating a commitment to all of our people and to our duty of service.

Ensure that correct governance procedures are in place and secure. Standard Operating Procedures will be reviewed and divisional reporting and Defence Aid to the Civilian Community guidelines will be monitored for compliance.

RAN BAND DETACHMENT EMBARKED IN HMAS MANOORA DEPARTING SYDNEY HARBOUR FOR RIMPAC 2006

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 9 OF 13 December 2006

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

MUSICIANS ALL HANDS FEAR ONNOUGHT! DECK for the Brunei International Tattoo

Article by Lieutenant Andrew Stokes

CONTENTS

The Royal Australian Navy Band, in company with some of the best bands from around the world, participated in the Brunei International Tattoo 2006 (BIT 2006) in July and August this year. This special event marked the 60th birthday celebrations for His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Other countries involved in the tattoo were Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, Jordan and Vietnam. Prior to the tattoo performances the participants split up and headed out into the regional areas of Brunei for the BIT 2006 ‘Road Show’. One group went to Tutong and another to the Belait district. The Australian contingent, along with the participants from Thailand, Vietnam and Oman, boarded a ferry for a two-hour trip through dense tropical rainforest along the Temburong River to Temburong. The people of Temburong were delighted by the arrival of the BIT 2006 Road Show. They lined the waterfront and cheered as the ferry pulled up in the midst of their Water Carnival. After some light refreshments, the Road Show participants commenced a street march from the District Office to Bangar Town’s Commercial Area where they performed a selection of music drawn from the tattoo as separate contingents and as a massed band.

All Hands on Deck

From the Director’s Desk

Sydney Detachment

Melbourne Detachment

South Australian Detachment

Queensland Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

Tasmanian Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

HMAS Manoora Detachment

Defence Force School of Music

Profiles

Who We Are

What We Stand For

Where We Are Headed

Opportunities for Deployment

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Also in September, other activities were conducted utilising combinations of reserve and permanent musicians; including Navy Week and HMAS Bendigo’s decommissioning ceremony in Cairns whilst at the same time another group were supporting HMAS Launceston’s decommissioning ceremony in Darwin. Three other commissioning and decommissioning ceremonies followed in the next few months and each of those continued to demonstrate a high level of cooperation and achievement between the various detachments. Of course, there were the usual Navy Week tasks in other locations and each detachment has a very busy schedule to contend with locally. This has been the busiest period in recent memory and the results and effort by all of our people has been truly remarkable. That level of achievement combined with a high profile and strong contribution to Navy over the last four years, has been acknowledged with good funding support and a number of Flag Officer Commendations. There are many amongst our team worthy of commendation and I was particularly pleased to see a number of commendations recently awarded to our musicians by the Australian Navy Systems Commander. Commodore Peter Jones presented five commendations to members of the Sydney detachment (at HMAS Creswell) and at the same time, I presented another commendation on his behalf to a member in the Melbourne detachment. These commendations acknowledge a lot of hard work; but in particular, a strong and sustained contribution by the recipients across a number of areas of performance. In recent years, each of these members has served at sea and on operations, and each has contributed beyond their primary role: this adds significant value, capability and flexibility to the band. I join the Systems Commander in saluting Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton, Petty Officer Camille Smith, Leading Seaman Jason Beach, Able Seaman Tracy Burke, Able Seaman Andrew Hansch, and Able Seaman Kirstin Paynter on their achievements. They have brought much credit to themselves and Navy.

We reach the end of another very busy period of activity. Since the last edition of RAN Band News, the band has been particularly busy throughout the country and overseas. In July, we took up the challenge and successfully executed the mission to provide support to the Brunei International Military Tattoo. The response to the band’s contribution to this international tattoo and the support given the Royal Brunei Armed Forces by our musicians was outstanding. The band’s marching display during the tattoo in front of international guests and other musicians from around the world was ‘second to none’. The quality of the performance standard and unique Australian and Naval flavour of ‘All Hands on Deck; a Naval salute from Australia’ will long be remembered. At the same time as we deployed 66 Navy musicians to Brunei another 11 were embarked in HMAS Manoora (enjoying five weeks alongside in Honolulu with the Pacific Fleet Band) and our reserves were supporting ship commissioning ceremonies in Albany and Port Pirie, a Graduation Parade at HMAS Cerberus, and a Freedom of Entry Parade in Alice Springs. It is worth noting that had it not been for the support provided by our reserves to the Graduation Ceremony then none of the musicians from the Melbourne detachment would have been able to join the Brunei task. The reserve musicians are adding significant capability to the band, giving it considerable flexibility to meet a wide range of tasks and to extend its reach.

Merry Christmas, travel safe, recharge the batteries and thank you for your contribution to the Navy Band, ‘one of Australia’s premiere military ensembles’.

The band’s contribution to the commissioning ceremonies for HMAS Perth (in August) and HMAS Sirius and the decommissioning ceremony for HMAS Westralia (in September), achieved nation best standards and once again attracted very considerable praise. Each of these ceremonies utilised a combination of permanent and reserve musicians and showed how effectively we are building capability through a cooperative relationship between our permanent and reserve musicians

performed a traditional ‘Cheer Ship’ as a salute the His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam. As the Director sounded the call, “Hip, hip, hip!” the whole audience joined him with the reply “Hooray!”. Following the third cheer the band continued with a performance of ‘I Am Australian’ sung by Able Seaman Tracy Burke and Able Seaman Damien Dowd. Finally, the band marched off to a rousing applause playing Waltzing Matilda.

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON ADDRESSES THE STUDENTS MENGLAIT SECONDARY SCHOOL

(Continue from page 1) Following the performance, all contingents were treated to lunch and a cultural show at Sultan Hasan Primary School before returning to the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. After the highly successful Road Show performances, all contingents congregated for a ‘Grand Parade’ through the streets of the capital. There was an air of excitement as thousands of people were treated with a sneak preview of the upcoming tattoo. The Grand Parade ended in spectacular fashion as all bands joined to perform four songs from the tattoo’s finale. With the Road Show and Grand Parade completed, there was anticipation among the public that a great show to be held at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium was on the way – and it did not disappoint. The BIT 2006 debut show, attended by His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family, was a spectacular and colourful event in every aspect. The 30,000 strong audience, who were clad in their traditional dress of Brunei, provided an impressive multicoloured backdrop for the much-anticipated occasion. The tattoo proved to be a brilliant display of military pageantry accompanied by a dazzling exhibition of lighting and fireworks.

THE DIRECTOR, GIVES THREE CHEERS TO HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

After 17 days in Brunei, it was time to board the RAAF C130 at Brunei Airport. Seeing us off were our hosts from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, a small team of wonderful people to whom we had become very attached. As we said our farewells, the excitement of going home was mixed with tears as we reflected on our journey together.

The Navy Band’s performance featured the Ceremonial Silver Drums, which were presented to the Royal Australian Navy by the Commonwealth and States of Australia to mark the 50th Anniversary of the proclamation of the title ‘Royal Australian Navy’. The set consists of eight side drums, two tenor drums and one bass drum all made from solid sterling silver and emblazoned with the royal cipher, the Commonwealth Coat of Arms and the Royal Australian Navy Badge.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

Returning from mid-year leave, we had the pleasure of welcoming members of the Melbourne detachment to Sydney as we started rehearsals for the Brunei International Tattoo (BIT). After just over one week of rehearsals, we boarded a RAAF 707 bound for Darwin and Brunei.

The eight-minute display proved to be very popular as the audience applauded and cheered as the display moved through its many intricate movements, the last of which had the band form a diamond shape (as it was His Majesty’s Diamond Birthday) and the drum corps detached in an ‘arrow-head’ formation. From this position, the band

easy week with one school gig. However, we had some last minute tasks come in and we ended up performing for the arrival of two Republic of Korea Navy ships including associated ceremonies; a Dinner for the Forces Advisory Council of Entertainment in Canberra; providing background music to an episode of ‘Sea Patrol’; and a weather cross for Channel 7.

After eventually being delivered home from Brunei via RAAF C130, there was some time to re-pack the bags and jump back on a plane (QANTAS thankfully!!) bound for Darwin for Navy Week. This was the start of ‘Travel Month’ - AKA August. Immediately following a successful Darwin Navy Week the Admiral’s Own were off to the North Coast for performances in Newcastle, Bellingen and South West Rocks. With limited rehearsals, the Admiral’s Own performed very well receiving high praise throughout the tour. Well done to Petty Officer Luke Kennedy and Leading Seaman Grant Metcalfe for ensuring the tour was well organised with large audiences at all venues. Travel month concluded with a trip to Perth for the Commissioning of the HMAS Perth. Still in travel mode, a small element was sent to Cairns for Navy Week while the remainder performed for the Admiral’s 100 Dinner. Both tasks were executed with a high degree of success. Taking advantage of having all personnel in one place, we squeezed in a couple of rehearsals for an upcoming Flagship Recital before heading back to Perth for the decommissioning of HMAS Westralia and the commissioning of HMAS Sirius. On return from Perth, rehearsals continued preparations for the Flagship Recital at Eugene Goosens Hall. The highlight of the show was Able Seaman Musician Adam Arnold’s fine performance of the Ellerby Tuba Concerto. To round September off we travelled up to Newcastle for the commissioning of HMAS Maitland.

CAROLS AT JACKSON’S LANDING WITH PROCEEDS TO THE SALVATION ARMY

That brings us to December, where the first weekend was planned for two Christmas concerts, one at HMAS Watson and the other at Jackson’s Landing for a Salvation Army Fundraiser. Unfortunately, the concert at HMAS Watson was cancelled due to bad weather; however, the Jackson’s Landing performance went very well, with the Wind Orchestra and both the Big Band and Rock Group components of the Admiral’s Own, thrilling an audience of around 2000 people. Prior to a well-earned Christmas break, we are off to Canberra for Chief of Navy’s Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset, then on to HMAS Creswell for the New Entry Officer Course Graduation, Ceremonial Sunset and Ball.

October saw our final decommissioning ceremony for the year with an element travelling to Darwin for the decommissioning ceremony for HMAS Geraldton. Although not as busy as previous months we still achieved quite a bit during October. Tasks of note include performing at a Scout’s Charity Dinner at Parliament House with His Excellency the Governor General in attendance; Today Show live broadcast; and HMAS Albatross Divisions and Ceremonial Sunset.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Sydney detachment for their hard work over the last six months. It has been a period of high ceremonial activity and we have proved ourselves as a world-class ceremonial ensemble, while still finding opportunities to improve and perform as other ensembles. In particular, I would like to make special mention of the Rock Group element of the Admiral’s Own. The current combination of personnel works very well together and this makes for excellent musical results – well done. It is also time to farewell some members who will not be joining us in the New Year. Leading Seaman Ian Aston, Leading Seaman Meredith Aston and Able Seaman Tom Bastians are posting to HMAS Cerberus. Leading Seaman Iain Foster, Able Seaman Shaun Tatnell, Able Seaman Damien Dowd, Able Seaman Louisa Long and Able Seaman Matt Capper are discharging from the permanent Navy. On behalf of all members of the Royal Australian Navy Band, I thank you for your service and wish each of you the best in the future.

RHONDA BURCHMORE SINGS UP A STORM WITH THE ADMIRAL’S OWN DURING THE SCOUTS DINNER AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE

November started reasonably quietly, with Freedom of Entry parades for HMAS Bathurst (in Bathurst), 805 Squadron (in Coffs Harbour) and HMAS Parramatta (in Parramatta). Heading into the end of November, we were expecting an

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

German Oompah band from within the ranks of Melbourne detachment. It didn’t quite have the same atmosphere as a beer hall in Munich but a lazy Friday afternoon, spring warmth, beer and foot-tapping music could not fail as a combination. Prost! (Cheers in German)

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVEN STANKE

November became a busy month for the Concert Band, with several “Last Night at the Proms” concerts drawing large, appreciative crowds and continuing to expand Sir Henry Woods’s original Albert Hall concert series from London to a far-flung corner of the world. The republican movement was put firmly in the background as Union Jacks were waved, feet were stomped and Lands of Hope and Glory were gustily roused. Ship launches continued with the launch of HMNZS Otago in November at Williamstown. All eyes were on the champagne bottle and many relieved sighs were heard when, on cue, it did indeed smash upon the bow, instilling good luck for the life of the ship. Maybe the haka from the NZ crew was effective in warding off the evil spirits. Also fresh to the world was the stature of Victoria’s first Governor, Joseph La Trobe at the State Library. The Melbourne detachment provided a fanfare team to herald the arrival of the current governor and a jazz group to entertain the masses.

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANNY MULHERON AS ONE OF THE THREE NAVY BAND DRUM MAJORS DURING THE TATTOO

The final six months of 2006 contained the usual graduation parades, studio and community concerts, government and military support and other miscellaneous performances but there were many highlights.

ON PARADE DURING THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY FOR HMAS ARARAT IN DOCKLANDS MELBOURNE

The International Tattoo in Brunei in July presented us with a cultural experience that few of us will ever forget. The opportunity to perform alongside bands from many nations, most of who are our closest neighbours, was a rare occasion. For many of our newest members it proved to be an intense welcome to the branch, elbow deep in rehearsals and performing music on parade with intricate manoeuvres for the very first time. Overall, it was a very rewarding feeling participating as a massed band.

2006 is the 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and the jazz group from our Corvettes Show Group provided the background music for a reunion of bandsmen at Bells Hotel, South Melbourne. No doubt, many stories were swapped and scars compared. Hopefully, in 2056 somewhere in a pub somewhere in Melbourne, similar stories will be told about the good times had by all during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne!

On September 22, it was our sad duty to farewell Peter Brock at a memorial service at Sandown Raceway. Attended by an estimated 12,000 people, it was a moving experience, with significant appreciation from the organisers for our participation.

From May to September, Melbourne detachment was proud to be the participant of an ADF initiative between Australian and United Kingdom defence forces – Longlook Exchange.

Oktoberfest celebrations were held at the Junior Sailors Club at Cerberus on 20 October with a specially formed

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

The South Australian detachment continued it’s hectic pace for the latter half of 2006 with musicians assisting RAN Band commitments interstate and performing on home ground in regional and local areas. Two significant events in South Australia were the commissioning of HMAS Pirie at its namesake city, Port Pirie, approximately 200 kilometres North of Adelaide and Navy Week in October. CAPTAIN JON RIDLEY (RM) CONDUCTS THE DETACHMENT DURING DIVISIONS AT HMAS CERBERUS

The ‘One Band’ policy continues to work well and has provided opportunities for our reserve musicians to travel and perform in many varied locations around Australia. Interstate tasks supported by musicians of the South Australian detachment include, a Recruit School Graduation Parade at HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Warramunga’s departure from HMAS Stirling for Operation Catalyst, HMAS Ararat’s commissioning in Melbourne and a Crew Inauguration Ceremony in Darwin. The South Australian detachment also travelled to regional areas and had the pleasure of working under the baton of Captain Jon Ridley, Royal Marines, (attached to the RAN Band for Exercise Longlook) at Port Pirie for HMAS Pirie’s commissioning ceremony and in Alice Springs for the Freedom of Entry to the Ship’s Company of HMAS Arunta.

Designed to give members a “Longlook” at similar organisations between the two countries, I exchanged with the freshly commissioned Captain Jon Ridley of the Band of the Royal Marines. Jon, a bassoonist, had just completed his band officer training and spent several valuable months managing a band before his initial posting as Officer in Charge of a Royal Marines band. I took the position of Assistant Director of Music – Training at the Royal Marines School of Music, Portsmouth, which gave me an extensive insight into the training methods and approaches of an organisation of significant history such as the Royal Marines. Through their generous allocation of time and resources, I was able to visit four of the five full-time Royal Marine bands in the United Kingdom. There were many highlights including Beat Retreat at the Horse Guards Parade in London, Music of the Night concerts at Plymouth (drawing sell-out crowds of 5000 on each of the 5 performances), and Open Day at HMS Caledonia in Scotland (on a balmy Scottish summer afternoon).

Local commitments included the annual Vietnam Veteran’s Day, ex Naval Association’s reunions and a day trip to Swan reach on the banks of the Murray River for the 56th anniversary of the flooding of the Murray River.

Visitors are always welcome in this far-flung corner of Australia and this year we were pleased to meet Brandi Sidoryk from the Canadian Navy Band and Staff Sergeant Noam Inbar from the Israeli Defence Force Band. At the November Soundwaves concert, Noam conducted the Israeli Defence Force March and his own arrangement of Israeli folk tunes: both were warmly received by the musicians and audience. Best wishes to all personnel proceeding on posting: Able Seaman Ross Chapman and Able Seaman Karen Baker, and to those discharging for greener pastures: Petty Officer Nick Pearce (after 22 years), Leading Seaman Robert Flynn and Able Seaman Mark Ford. Many congratulations to Petty Officer Mat Klohs for successfully sitting the Officer Selection Board and best wishes for his studies at the Defence Force School of Music in 2007.

VOCALISTS ABLE SEAMAN MUSICIANS KATRINA CATON AND KATIA LABOZZETTA WITH PETTY OFFICER CLAYTON TSCHIRN

The primary focus for the South Australian detachment, when not on the road, was South Australia’s Navy Week in October. The Senior Naval Officer of South Australia, Commander Andrew Jackman’s aim was for Navy to reach as many South Australian’s as possible. His enthusiasm and drive to achieve this aim was infectious and inspired the staff at Navy Headquarters South Australia, Naval

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

Cadets and our musicians to come up with ideas for new activities and ways to increase the public’s awareness of Navy Week. In particular, the Navy Week Expo at Port Adelaide Inner Harbour and the supporting visit by HMAS Success. Our musicians played an integral part in the promotion of the Navy Week Expo, which featured a Sea King helicopter working with Diving Team 9 on a RHIB to assimilate a boarding party activity, Diving Team 9 giving diving displays in a diving tank, Cadet displays, recruiting stands, and performances by the musicians throughout the day to name but a few.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHAN

The start of June saw the Queensland detachment at the Dingo Creek Jazz Festival in Traveston. A very lively audience enjoyed some new charts to the repertoire including Route 66, The Count is In and new rock version of Waltzing Matilda. Once again, the Queensland detachment enjoyed the day with stand out performances by Able Seaman Bryer, Able Seaman Coit, Leading Seaman Blackmore and Able Seaman Murphy.

Many of the South Australian detachment musicians made themselves available for the entire week enabling the detachment to maximise Navy week promotions. Schools were on holidays and with Mediterranean weather South Australia is famous for, conditions were ideal for outside performances and the Rock Group was able to build up a following as they performed on alternate days at the Adelaide museum forecourt and on the coast at Glenelg. The Rock Group led by vocalists Able Seaman musicians Katrina Caton and Katia Labozzetta with Petty Officer Clayton Tschirn providing harmonies had attending crowds dancing and joining in for a song or two. Navy Week was regularly advertised during performances and supporting pamphlets and show bags with give aways were distributed. The combined efforts of Navy Headquarters South Australian personnel and the South Australian detachment with a total of 13 performances resulting in what is referred to by many as ‘the biggest and best ever Navy Week in South Australia’.

The following week saw us support the Submariners National Conference with a reception at Brisbane City Hall and a Dinner Dance held at the Carlton Crest Hotel. The dance floor remained full all night capping off a very successful conference for the Submariners.

Able Seamen Katia Labozzetta and Vashti Tyrrell returned from their six months providing musical entertainment on one of the largest cruise ships afloat, the “Freedom”, on its inaugural cruise. We also welcome two new members Able Seaman Lanie Jamieson on vocals and keyboards and, Able Seaman Sergiy Grynchuk on trumpet / cornet. They each bring with them a wealth of experience and I look forward to their contribution and working with them.

THE STAGE BAND PERFORMS AT THE SUBMARINERS NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Our next commitment was a joint Ceremonial Sunset and Reception for HMAS Sydney and HMAS Parramatta. With the Queensland detachment on one ship, guard and guests on the other, the guests were treated to a very moving Ceremonial Sunset at the completion of the reception. On 24 June, the Queensland detachment travelled to Southport Yacht Club to support their 60th Anniversary Ball. This was our first use of the new PA system, a few hiccups and small problems were over come by Able Seaman Mead and Leading Seaman Blackmore, and the dance floor remained full until the last note was played. Also in attendance were a few Marilyn Monroes, and a Mermaid.

It has been another busy year and I am, as always, grateful for the support, commitment and dedication shown by the members of this detachment. Their willingness to seek leave from their employers and juggle the calendar in their own business or family life to make themselves available on almost every occasion combined with their enthusiasm at each muster never ceases to amaze me and makes it a pleasure for me to work with and for them.

July brought a busy month for the Queensland detachment with the incumbent Bandmaster being involved with Operation TROMBONE (in Brunei) Chief Petty Officer O’Hara and Chief Petty Officer McCallum were left holding the reins. Very favourable comments followed all the performances during my absence: well done Paul and Ken!

Best wishes from all of us here in sunny South Australia for a Merry Christmas and a well deserved break before we do it all again.

The Defence Charity Ball, held at the Brisbane Convention Centre, was supported by both Army Band – Brisbane and the Queensland detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. The Army Band opened the night with a small wind group in the foyer and continued with a Stage Band inside the main Ballroom. At 2200, the Queensland detachment’s Stage Band came on and had the dance floor humming with popular Big Band sounds. The Rock Group followed keeping the audience dancing until the end of the evening. The middle of November saw 10 of the Queensland detachment joined by Able Seaman Moran and Seaman Markey from the Sydney detachment, Able Seaman Dwyer from the New South Wales detachment, and Leading Seaman Townsend and Leading Seaman Walker from the South Australia detachment to assist in the Assail 5 and 6 Division Crew Inauguration Ceremony in Darwin. After a five-hour flight and quickly settling into our accommodation, it was on to the wharf for a parade rehearsal in a hot, muggy Darwin afternoon. Thank you to all those personnel that assisted the Queensland detachment in a very successful deployment to Darwin.

THE STAGE BAND AT LAKE KAWANA

The month of August brought Navy Week to South Queensland and a very busy week for the Queensland detachment. Middle of the week saw the Rock Group performing at the Navy Week South Queensland Sports Day at ANZ Stadium. The sports day involved 240 personnel in 18 teams including Queensland Ambulance, Queensland Sport and Recreation, Greenbank Returned Services League, and Brisbane Defence Force Recruiting. Personnel involved competed in over nine events for the day with RAAF team winning the shield for the event. It is proposed to become an annual event during Navy Week in South Queensland.

The end of the year brings us some challenges. Able Seaman Murphy our drum kit player is leaving to pursue employment in Emerald, leaving us trying to full a vital gap. Hopefully, we will see Tim return at the end of 12 months. Thank you for all your efforts Tim; we have greatly appreciated your input and company. We greatly appreciate all the assistance given to us by the many people with which we have worked with over the last 12 months. Have a great Christmas and New Year from the Queensland detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Due to repair work outside Brisbane City Hall, Navy Week South Queensland culminated in a Ceremonial Sunset held at Southbank. Attended by an estimated audience of 1500, a spectacular Ceremonial Sunset concluded a very successful Navy Week for South Queensland. September brought the opportunity for the Queensland Detachment to deploy in support of Navy Week in Cairns. The chance for the Queensland detachment to spend a week away working together is a great opportunity to further strengthen team work and morale. Warrant Officer Granger joined us for the week taking over Music Director duties for the Decommissioning of HMAS Bendigo. Also assisting the Queensland detachment were Petty Officer Klohs and Seaman McCorkelle from the Melbourne detachment. Their skills and professionalism enhanced our performances in Cairns. Thank you gents; both your input and company were greatly appreciated.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

Once again, another year has passed us by. July to December has seen this detachment in the usual frenzy of commitments. July saw me leave the detachment for four weeks to join the rest of the branch to participate in celebrations in Brunei but the Western Australian detachment was left in capable hands. The month started with the decommissioning ceremony for HMAS Geelong and HMAS Gawler followed by HMAS Albany’s commissioning in Albany. We had a little help from our friends from the Eastern States to make it a successful trip. It was then our turn to help the Easterners by sending personnel to HMAS Cerberus for a Graduation Parade and sending two off to help our friends

In October, the Brass Group assisted Government House with Investiture Ceremonies, resulting in very favourable comments from the Governor of Queensland. Late October had the Queensland detachment supporting the Land Warfare Conference at the Brisbane Convention Centre. An audience of about 1000 participants from 22 different countries enjoyed performances from the Brass Group, Jazz Group and the Stage Band.

a Ceremonial Sunset a various locations. Monday night was Ocean Reef Primary School, Tuesday was Perth Council, Wednesday was Fremantle Council, Thursday was Rockingham Council and finishing with Fleet Base West proceeded by a reception. The detachment had Saturday free and then back down to HMAS Stirling for Open Day. This of course was finished with a Ceremonial Sunset.

in Adelaide. Once they got back, it was time to farewell a HMAS Warramunga to the Gulf.

Our last month of December has to be quiet with our final job doing Carols at the Common on Rottnest Island. All personnel will then proceed on a well-earned Christmas break. With a more than busier second half of the year, this will be a good time to recharge some near flat batteries. On a different note (maybe a B flat), Emmy Winter is now a fully-fledged member of our group having completed all 3 phases of Recruit Training: welcome aboard. While one person comes out of HMAS Cerberus, we have another one going. This is Ben Conneally, our new trumpet player. There are a few more people in the pipeline that have called our famous 13 1901 number. Hopefully, the New Year will see them doing auditions and all necessary testing through Defence Force Recruiting.

MEMBERS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND SYDNEY DETACHMENTS COMBINE FOR HMAS GEELONG AND HMAS GAWLER DECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY AT DARWIN NAVAL BASE

August was another month that saw us busy. We assisted Defence Force Recruiting with a Careers Expo Day at Burswood Dome and not only flying the Navy’s flag, but also flying the detachments flag as well. Merredin and Manjimup saw the detachment parading for “Battle of Long Tan” Memorials with fly-overs from the Air Force. The month finished in spectacular form with the commissioning of HMAS Perth. Extra personnel from Sydney and Melbourne detachments were on hand to make the ceremony a memorable one.

Other than that, the only other news to report is that Nathan Hicks (Drums) and Kristy Cameron (Clarinet/Sax) have decided to tie the knot. This will make the second married couple in the detachment. Congratulations on behalf of everybody here. Finally, we would like to wish everyone a Merry and Prosperous Christmas and a Happy New Year. Be safe and we will see you all in the next Counter-March.

September saw the detachment playing at luncheons for Associations and buglers sent off to play at Memorials. This was another month where we played at HMAS Westralia’s decommissioning ceremony, which was followed on the same day by the commissioning ceremony for HMAS Sirius. The day had extra special meaning with cadets from my old unit TS SIRIUS on hand to take a general salute from Director of Music.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETE SIGGS

October is the month of “Calm before the storm”. Task wise it was very quiet. The detachment started the month with playing at the closing of the Royal Perth Show. Australian Navy Cadets had the pleasure of the group playing for their Pass-Out Parade at Leeuwin Barracks. The month was finished off with the Narrogin Agricultural Show which is about 2 ½ hours south of Perth. The storm has finally hit for the month of November. We squeeze in two more Agricultural Shows with one show in Busselton and another show at Chidlow. In between these tasks, the buglers were running around playing at numerous Memorials and Remembrance Day was in there as well. Mid-November was the start of Navy Week. It started with a Freedom of Entry for HMAS Stirling through Rockingham. The parade finished at the start of our next gig, which was the Rockingham Spring Festival. We had a day off and commenced Navy Week proper. Each night of the week was

PERFORMING AT THE TULIP FESTIVA IN THE ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

Munday has been a welcome addition to the detachment and he has greatly enhanced our performance capabilities.

The Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band has enjoyed a wide range of activities throughout the second part of this year. With events such as the Tulip Festival (Royal Botanical gardens), Stanley dockside festival, V8 Supercars launch and V8 Supercars race day event have greatly increased the community’s awareness of the Royal Australian Navy. These events have also highlighted the talent and quality of the musicians involved.

Other new members to join the band are Seaman Musician Alyson Bentley (after a long awaited completion of recruit training) and the return of Leading Seaman Miriam Norman after a two-year absence. With these additions, the detachment has gone from strength to strength an outlook that wasn’t conceivable 18 months ago. Well on that note, I would like to extend on behalf of the Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. Also with the level of commitments that are in place for next year the New Year already seems full of fun and excitement.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

ON STAGE RACE DAY FOR THE V8 SUPERCARS

The most significant and enjoyable event would have to be our involvement in the V8 Supercars. Teaming up with members from Navy Headquarters in Tasmania (NHQ TAS), the band performed to an appreciative audience ranging from 50 to 2000 people at any one given time. A standard comment from NHQ TAS members was “there were two events taking place at the Supercars; that of racing and the other Navy.” This was particularly so when the detachment was performing and right in front of them two AS 350 Bravos Squirrel helicopters (fondly referred to as battle budgies) from the 723 Squadron were performing their aerobatic display. At this stage, there would have been in excess of 2000 people between the musicians and the helicopters enjoying both a visual and audible spectacular all provided by the Royal Australian Navy. The Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band also proved very popular with the Grid girls, which greatly enhanced our profile.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT WRIGHT

The New South Wales detachment has had a reasonably busy time over the past six months with many individuals often joining with the Sydney detachment to enable both its augmentation and to provide valuable experience and performance opportunities. These opportunities included the Mosman Parade and the Freedom of Entry parade for HMAS Parramatta. One of our vocalists, Able Seaman Musician Bryony Dwyer, has been singing at many of the Navy’s commitments around Australia to wide and generous acclaim. Highlights from the Jazz Ensemble include their contribution to the Royal Volunteer Costal Patrol’s Christmas in July Ball at Forster. The evening was an outstanding success and the appreciation of the crowd and organisers was overwhelming), and the reunion dinner for HMAS Nirmiba at Rooty Hill RSL.

The topic of recruitment always rears its weary head within this detachment and one question that always arises when we meet RAN members both permanent and reserve “do you play an instrument?” The odds are after a certain number of times someone will say yes. Well on one particular occasion a certain reserve (ex PN) Marine Technical sailor came into NHQ TAS to be awarded a medal by the Commanding Officer Commander Mark Burling. As with all medal presentation ceremonies, all the staff from NHQ TAS gathered around as a kind of rent a crowd and as a standard routine, when meeting new people, the question was asked, “do you play an instrument?” This time the answer was “yes”; so now we have a Marine Technician change over, with a chest full of medals like Gunny Highway from the Clint Eastwood movie Heart Break Ridge, performing on guitar as well as singing. Able Seaman Musician, formally Able Seaman Marine Technician, Justin

CHURCH PARADE FOR THE HMAS NIRIMBA REUNION

Due to our haste though, we set an appointment with King Neptune for our return.

Early September saw five members of the New South Wales detachment join with the South Australian detachment to travel to Darwin for the de-commissioning of HMAS Launceston. The reports back suggest that the weather was warm and the band was hot.

Also during the long passage, much work was being done to ensure that we could make the most of our Hawaiian visit. Due to the hard work from the ship, the staff at the Director of Music-Navy’s office and especially Chief Petty Officer Patrick Detroit from the Pacific Fleet Band, it was arranged that we would stay ashore during the Exercise part of RIMPAC.

ABLE SEAMAN MUSICIAN BRYONY DWYER (NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT) SINGING WITH THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT IN PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA

On arrival in Hawaii preparations were made for the cocktail party, the stewards set up the hanger, the cooks prepared the food and the Guard and Band rehearsed the Ceremonial Sunset for what we thought was going to be about 200 people. However as the time came it became a large crowd of around 500. The cooks and the stewards worked at full speed and the Guard and Band put on a good Ceremonial Sunset to finish. All that attended said it was a fine evening.

Interspersed throughout this time, the New South Wales detachment has continued to provide a very high quality product in support of numerous Memorial Services at Garden Island Chapel and for regular Mess Dinners. Early December should see the detachment support the Freedom of Entry parade and reception for HMAS Newcastle in Newcastle before winding-up and taking Christmas leave. The detachment has generally maintained its numbers and welcomes back Able Seaman Musician Chris Perritt after he successfully completed his university studies. Able Seaman Musician Melissa Wyard, who left the Sydney detachment a few years ago, is now in the process of returning to the active list and we look forward to her contribution in the future.

BEATING TO QUARTERS ONBOARD HMAS MANOORA IN PEARL HARBOR

HMAS MANOORA DETACHMENT

The very next day our musicians began work with the United States Navy Pacific Fleet Band (PACFLEET). First up were a few Wind Ensemble (Concert Band) performances in Waikiki and Honolulu. After this, half the PACFLEET Band went on leave, this is how they manage to cover their many commitments through the leave period. This provided us with the opportunity to integrate into the PACFLEET Band. Half of us performed with the Ceremonial Band and the other half with the Big Band. Add to this a few combined performances with the Rock Band element to the Royal Australian Navy Band being involved in about 20 performances during its Hawaiian visit.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER DANIEL HOBSON Aloha! After a delayed start and a mixed lead up period due to HMAS Manoora’s operational requirements to the north of Australia and a major reduction in personnel because of the International Tattoo in Brunei, eleven members of the Royal Australian Navy Band eventually left Sydney Harbour on the 17 June 2006. Our first commitment, procedure Alpha for the departure, was cancelled due to a mechanical fault that delayed our departure one more time until after dark.

Work for the Ceremonial Ensemble included a number of Change of Command Ceremonies for ships including the USS Chosin, the submarine USS Los Angeles (of Hunt for Red October fame and the oldest nuclear submarine in the fleet) and a number of shore establishments for the Navy and the United States Coast Guard.

During the long transit to Pearl Harbor we began preparations for the most important engagement of the deployment, the Maritime Commanders cocktail party to take place on the night of arrival in Pearl Harbor. As the detachment settled into its routine of rehearsals, café party and watch on deck we crossed the equator for the first time.

The PACFLEET Band really enjoyed the opportunity to have members of the Royal Australian Navy Band sit in and perform with them. In particular, Leading Seaman Daniel

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Sponiar, Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov and Able Seaman Dana Moran, these members performed a number of solos and also had charts selected to feature them. In full group rehearsals, these members helped pass on and improve the improvisation and stylistic skills of the PACFLEET Band.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT PAUL COTTIER

Performance highlights for the Big Band included playing before the 4th July Fireworks at Honolulu, Sunset on the Beach at Waikiki and the Haliewa Arts Festival on the North Shore.

Today marks the end of our last advanced training course for the year. Navy was represented by four sailors on the Section Leaders Course: Able Seaman Adam Arnold, Able Seaman Marcus Salone, Able Seaman Tom Bastians and Able Seaman Geoff McGann along with five soldiers from the Australian Army Band made up the course. I am pleased to announce that all members of the course successfully completed all elements and requirements. The standard of musicianship displayed on the course was exceptional and both services have a bright future with some outstanding musicians and more importantly leaders coming through the ranks.

It was not all hard work and no play though. Our routine still allowed us to get out and about and see the sights of Hawaii. The night life of Waikiki, the views from Diamond Head, the sombre atmosphere of Punch Bowl Cemetery and Memorial for the War in the Pacific, snorkelling amongst the coral reefs, fish and turtles of Hanama Bay and the North Shore and of course surfing at the home of surfing. The most enjoyable facet of our visit to Hawaii was the hospitality shown to us by our hosts, the members of the US Navy’s’ Pacific Fleet Band. At all times they made sure that we knew all the best places to go and provided plenty of after hours social opportunities in their own homes.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Petty Officer Natalea Erskine for successfully completing the Assistant Band Leaders Course in September. Natalea is an instructor here at the school and she performed very well. Natalea has been working tirelessly coordinating and running Distance Learning Packages, which are a requirement for promotion for our reserve musicians as well as instructing on advance courses throughout the year. Petty Officer Erskine is posting to the Sydney detachment in March and I wish her every success in her future career and her move up the Hume Highway.

Eventually it came time to depart Hawaii, procedure Alpha to farewell Pearl Harbor. For the voyage to Vanuatu the musicians performed at a steel deck BBQ and was a major part of the ship’s concert. However, the most important event was the appointment made on our way to Hawaii with King Neptune! Seven bandy Polliwogs were presented before the King and paid their respects.

There has been a significant change to the Band Officers Course, which was implemented this year. The length of the course has been increased from 12 months to 15 months with all Band Officer Students being commissioned upon commencement of the course. An on job training task book has been introduced in which students will have an 18 months period to complete. The task book will consist of projects based on lessons learnt throughout the course. For example, they will be required to arrange, compose and conduct a set amount of parades and concerts. The task book will allow absorption time and reinforce lessons learnt whilst on the Band Officers Course.

Our Port Visit to Vanuatu began the same as Pearl Harbor, a Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu in attendance. The Jazz group had a performance on stage in a park that was well-received. Able Seaman Matthew Capper, Able Seaman Steve Foxe and Able Seaman Penny Charles are to be congratulated for assisting with a charity project the ship was involved in. This consisted of building new rooms and making improvements to a hospital and chapel. On Wednesday 16 August 2006 the ship got back into Sydney, although it was a fairly short deployment we were all ready to be home and spend time with their friends and family. During this short deployment, members of the Royal Australian Navy Band demonstrated their ability to be flexible and adapt to changing routines in order to provide the most public relations value to the Navy and Australia

The civilian accreditation for the Band Officers course expired in November 2004. Discussions are being held with Melbourne University to align the training conducted at the Defence Force School of Music with the Universities degree courses.

Aloha and Mahalo

A review is currently being conducted on the Training Management Packages offered at the school. The review will ensure that all music training is current and is in line with the requirements and responsibilities of the modern service musician. Once the review has been completed any recommendations will be forwarded to the Music Advisory Training Group for approval.

SEAMAN MUSICIAN JOHN MC CORKELLE

Just a reminder that all course joining instructions can be found on the Defence Force School of Music website. It is crucial that all personnel attending courses have completed all pre-course requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are at the course entry standard.

Seaman Musician John McCorkelle, a trumpeter, is 29 years of age and joined the Royal Australian Navy from Seddon, Victoria on 10 April, 2006 and is currently a member of the Melbourne detachment.

On behalf of Chief Petty Officer Andrew Sansom, Petty Officer Natalea Erskine and myself, I would like to wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2007.

Prior to joining the Royal Australian Navy, John was employed as in instrumental teacher in several schools around the Melbourne area. This role included establishing stage bands and concert bands with great success. In addition to his teaching, John has had many successes as an instrumentalist including performances with such renowned artists as Rhonda Birchmore, Frank Bennett, James Morrison, Renee Geyer, Doug Parkinson, Alan Vizzutti and Jim Pugh to name just a few.

PROFILES LEADING SEAMAN MICHAEL O’LOUGHLIN

I was born and raised in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales and joined the Royal Australian Navy Reserves in September, 1994. The Queensland detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band had just lost Adrian Head (Euphonium) and Bernie Maude (Piano) to the Sydney detachment. I received a phone call from Leading Seaman Cathy Esbensen (married to Brad Esbensen, and ex-school mate) asking if I was interested in joining the reserves.

While the Royal Australian Navy Band’s commitments have kept John very busy, he finds time to perform with his regular cover band, “Ricky Loca”, including high profile bookings such as the Logies and the AFL Grand Final “After-party”. Since joining the Royal Australian Navy Band, John has toured to Brunei, Perth and Cairns and performed at the 2006 AFL Grand Final. He has thoroughly enjoyed the experience of becoming a valued member of the Royal Australian Navy family and looks forward to a fruitful career with the Royal Australian Navy Band.

With a haircut that resembled a surfer straight out of the seventies, I turned up to the Queensland detachment rehearsals. Chief Petty Officer Jeff McElroy put me through my paces on the piano. When I told him that I also had played Euphonium for about 12 years he almost fell of his chair. After battling the Pub circuit with covers bands I made the decision and one hair cut later, I was in the Royal Australian Navy and I have to say, I have enjoyed my time in the Royal Australian Navy Band (I have a very understanding wife).

WHO WE ARE

When I’m not playing music with Queensland detachment, I am a Laboratory Supervisor of 17 staff at the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water. After getting my Bachelor of Science, I worked in several private labs running multitudes of scientific equipment before joining the Queensland Government. When I’m not working for money, I’m spending it. You’ll either find me on a surfboard or in a boat, fishing or under the surface, SCUBA diving. I have travelled from Cape York to Tasmania, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Canada to go either Fishing or Diving. I’ve also been to Japan and Spain but I promised my wife I wasn’t going to go fishing on those trips. I’ve got my eyes set on West Australia and the Maldives as my next adventures into the Big Blue Wobbly.

Overview The Royal Australian Navy Band is a prestigious unit of the Australian Defence Force and is one of Australia’s premier military ensembles. The band provides valuable support for the Navy, maintains a national focus, and enjoys a very good reputation. The level of services provided by the band is diverse and its profile within Navy and the wider community is high.

I also play cricket although time is getting a little short in my weeks. I have a super hypo Boarder Collie. All Monty Python and Star Wars are my favourites along with anything that Mike Myers is ever involved in. That’s me in a nut shell.

Organisational Structure

Our Mission

The Royal Australian Navy Band consists of two full-time detachments and five part-time detachments. The band has positions for five officers, 102 full-time musicians and 122 part-time musicians. Detachments are located in each capital city of Australia excluding Canberra and Darwin:

Sydney Detachment (full-time) Melbourne Detachment (full-time) Queensland Detachment (part-time) New South Wales Detachment (part-time) Tasmanian Detachment (part-time) South Australian Detachment (part-time) Western Australian Detachment (part-time)

Our Goals The Royal Australian Navy Band will deliver quality services over a broad-range of activities, which are focussed on the needs of its parent organisation and its people; this strategy is its competitive advantage. The band has a number of goals and objectives to assist in achieving its mission:

WHAT WE STAND FOR

Promote the image of the Royal Australian Navy We will achieve this by:

Our Credo Members of the Royal Australian Navy Band: •

recognise the investment given them by the Australian people and the Navy;

•

strive to exceed the expectations of the people with whom they do business;

•

recognise that teamwork is imperative to the band's success and support the unique role of the individual within the team; and

•

behaving ethically and demonstrating high standards of personal and professional conduct,

•

contributing to sustaining Navy's profile and extending Navy’s public relations reach by delivering relevant music products to the Australian people, and

•

informing the Australian community of Navy’s mission, activities, values and history.

Provide the highest standard of ceremonial support for the Royal Australian Navy

are committed to ensuring that their workplace remains free of discrimination and is one, which allows equal opportunity for all members.

We will achieve this by: •

fulfilling all ceremonial requirements asked of us in support of Navy activities, and

The Royal Australian Navy Band culture reflects Navy’s values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty. Honour is the fundamental value on which the reputation of the Navy depends. To demonstrate honour demands honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty and to consistently behave in a way that is becoming and worthwhile. Honesty is always being truthful, knowing and doing what is right for the Navy and ourselves. Courage is the strength of character to do what is right in the face of personal adversity, danger or threat. Integrity is the display of truth, honesty and fairness that gains respect and trust from others. Loyalty is being committed to each other and to our duty of service to Australia. These are the values that make us honourable people.

•

being recognised as the benchmark provider of ceremonial services for the Australian Defence Force.

Our Vision

We will achieve this by:

We aspire to be an organisation with a worldwide reputation for excellence staffed by a professional team of highly motivated people, delivering quality services to Navy, and serving Australia with honour.

•

delivering professional logistical and administrative support for our operational units,

•

ensuring administrative and divisional matters are dealt with promptly,

Our Culture

Provide the highest standard of musical support for the Royal Australian Navy We will achieve this by: •

fulfilling all musical requirements (subject to unit capabilities) which are asked of us in support of Navy activities, and

•

maintaining musical versatility professional standards.

that

achieves

Provide effective divisional and team support for each other

•

facilitating personal development and excellence within the band, and

•

demonstrating our personal commitment to Navy’s values.

STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES 1. Maintain the band’s commitment to embarking small elements in Major Fleet Units. 2.

WHERE WE ARE HEADED

Seek opportunities to conduct Benchmark Activities.

3. Ensure whole of team tours for the permanent detachments. 4. Seek opportunity for wider contribution within our maritime environment in support of Navy’s regional engagement activities. 5. Ensure that correct governance procedures are in place and secure. 6. Build the good working relationship with the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment (FACE) to ensure Operational deployment opportunities continue.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEPLOYMENT The RAN Band has been particularly active supporting sea deployments and operational deployments since June 2002. Musicians have enjoyed 251 opportunities to serve at sea or on deployments. The figures below give a detailed breakdown of level of activity.

Statement of Intent by the Director We will value each other and honour our heritage. In achieving this, we acknowledge that our band has a strong history, enjoys a very good reputation throughout the nation and within Navy, and plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness. We also acknowledge that the quality of our people along with the depth of expertise within the band and its strong history contribute significantly to the band’s image as an organisation worthy of the confidence of the people with whom it conducts its business.

NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PN MUSICIANS TO DEPLOY TO SEA AND FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL JUNE 2002 TO DECEMBER 2006 Total number of opportunities Number of PN musicians who participated in those opportunities

We will balance the needs and aspirations of each other with the requirements of the Service. We acknowledge that the band's ability to complete its mission is limited by its financial position. However, and despite those funding challenges, we are determined to complete our mission by balancing the needs and aspirations of our people and their competing interests with the requirements of the Service. We are committed to Navy’s values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty. We will demonstrate that commitment by being truthful, by doing what we know is right regardless of the challenge, by displaying honesty and fairness, and by demonstrating a commitment to all of our people and to our duty of service.

251 110

Number of PN musicians who participated in those opportunities and are still serving in the RAN Band Number of musicians deployed to sea since (July 2004)

107

Number of the 102 current serving musicians who have contributed to sea deployments DIRECTORATE AND OUTPOSTS RANBAND DET SYD RANBAND DET MELB

72 15 155 81

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 10 OF 30 JUNE 2007

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

HEED THE CALL

On Saturday 23 June 2007 the Royal Australian Navy Band supported the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Wollongong which was held on the Oil Wharf at Garden Island on Sydney Harbour framed by the iconic images of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

CONTENTS From the Director’s Desk

Sydney Detachment

For the occasion the band provided a 48-piece Ceremonial Ensemble, a Ceremonial Fanfare Team comprising six musicians, and four vocalists, setting the benchmark standard in terms of the quality of the music product and the scope of its contribution to what was a major naval ceremony.

Melbourne Detachment

Queensland Detachment

New South Wales Detachment

South Australian Detachment

Western Australian Detachment

The traditional naval music performed during the ceremony included ‘Officer of the Day’, ‘On the Quarterdeck’, ‘Royal Australian Navy’, and ‘Waltzing Matilda’. ‘My Country’, ‘I Am Australian’ and ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ added a strong National identity to the ceremony helping to instil into the occasion a sense of Australian pride.

Tasmanian Detachment

Defence Force School of Music

Gallipoli Pilgrimage

On the Bugle in Anzac Cove

Musician takes to the Range

Australian Navy Cadets from Training Ship Sirius assisted the band with a special presentation of ‘Beat to Quarters’.

ANZAC Exchange

Navy Band Takes Beijing by Storm

Where We Are Headed

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

throughout New Zealand, in Beijing and on the shores of Gallipoli. The next six months looks just as promising with one and possibly two sea deployments and one deployment in support of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. The record for gaining overseas deployment opportunities for our people during the past five years has been quite impressive: NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL JUNE 2002 TO JULY 2007 Number of personnel who have participated in those opportunities Number of personnel who have participated in those opportunities and are still serving

ANZAC DAY IN BRISBANE WITH THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AT THE HELM

Welcome to another edition of RAN Band News.

Number of musicians deployed to sea in the last five years Number of current serving musicians who have contributed to sea deployments in the last five years

Contained in this edition are numerous articles that continue to tell the story of Where We Have Been. I was particularly moved, and hope that you will also be, to read the stories from the recent ANZAC Pilgrimage. We now have 27 people still serving who have, over the past three years, enjoyed the opportunity to participate in such a memorable deployment. This edition also confirms the very high level of integration being achieved between our permanent and reserve musicians.

277 108 84 73

Work has commenced to inscribe on our ceremonial drums the band’s Battle Honours and names of previous members who lost their lives in action. We have purchased a number of new drums and intend to refurbish the old ones for distribution to our reserve units and to the Australian Navy Cadets. This initiative compliments the previous one to inscribe the names on our bugles.

On ANZAC Day I marched through the streets of Brisbane with the Queensland detachment: something that I did 30 years earlier when I served as a young member of the then Queensland Port Division Band. I felt very comfortable and proud to once again find myself marching with my colleagues from Queensland: a group that plays a very important and effective role in keeping Navy’s image constant in and around Southeast Queensland.

I am also working in conjunction with the Australian Army Band Corps on a Pay Case submission for our musicians that we hope to get before the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal next year, and am pleased to report that a recent proposal to create a position for an additional Chief Petty Officer in the Sydney detachment was successful. I am also pleased to report that, unlike other categories, we conclude this financial year with no vacant positions.

I was also pleased to be in attendance with the South Australian detachment earlier in the year when each member received a Unit Commendation from the Commanding Officer, Commander Andrew Jackman: their work in South Australia has also been constant and highly effective. Commander Jackman also presented Chief Petty Officer Doug Antonoff with a Commendation from the Australian Navy Systems Commander, Commodore Peter Jones, for his exceptional work developing RAN Band capability within the South Australian detachment: 10 percent of our permanent people now proudly wear a Flag Officer Commendation.

The stories in this edition, and our previous editions, certainly demonstrate that the band has travelled far and wide both within Australia and beyond. For example, during the last 12 months the Navy Band has undertaken 129 tasks in 66 towns outside of capital centres, and our musicians have also been seen in Brunei, Hawaii and Vanuatu,

A FLAGSHIP RECITAL IN THE EUGENE GOOSENS HALL AT THE ABC CENTRE 31 MAY 2007

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

Newcastle and the Navy Week concert at the beautiful Hobart Botanical Gardens with the finale being another Ceremonial Sunset presentation. It was also great to catch up with ex-Leading Seaman Paul Parnell who is currently studying Political Science: he still plays great drums too! Coinciding with the Hobart trip was the Fanfare Team travelling to Broome to support the Western Australian detachment during the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Broome.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

Week three, and the pace keeps up with another small element from the Sydney detachment travelling up to Cairns for the Decommissioning Ceremony for HMAS Gladstone. This was also Able Seaman Andrew Doyle’s second week in the detachment and a trip to Cairns was a nice start to his career. Towards the end of February all members of the detachment spent a day out at Holsworthy Barracks requalifying for their weapons proficiency.

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT ON PARADE AT THE CENOTAPH DURING THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA COMMEMORATION CEREMONY

Happy Birthday! The first of March was the Royal Australian Navy’s Birthday Breakfast at the Naval Heritage Centre on Garden Island with live crosses to the Today Show. This culminated with a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset later that evening. The next day, another small element of the Sydney detachment made its way to Bundaberg to support the Queensland detachment during the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Bundaberg. As you can imagine, later that evening at the Mayor’s reception the spirit that Bundaberg is famous for was in abundance and a great time was had by all.

In mid-January, the Sydney detachment returned from its Christmas break to start the year afresh with what would shape up to be a very busy six months. A couple of members were straight back into the swing of things with Seaman Thompson and Seaman Markey assisting the Australian Navy Cadets at HMAS Albatross. The cadets were particularly responsive to the Drum Corps sequences and marching display created during the weeklong activity and performed on the last day during the end of camp Divisions. Both Seamen performed their duties in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy Band and received much favourable comment from the Senior Officer of the ACT and NSW Division of the Australian Navy Cadets.

Coinciding with the Bundaberg trip was a drum corps and bugle element being dispatched to Norfolk Island for the Freedom of Entry of HMAS Sirius. The group was under the guidance of Petty Officer Simon Potter. Simon has, unfortunately for those of us who enjoy his company immensely, subsequently moved to Melbourne and taken up a position at the Defence Force School of Music at Simpson Barracks, Watsonia, in Victoria.

With the hot sun beating down on Australia Day, the Sydney detachment headed to Darling Harbour to perform to the appreciative crowds with selections from the Ceremonial Ensemble and the Admiral’s Own Big Band. February saw the first of the year’s Decommissioning Ceremonies take place in Darwin. This was a combined effort from the Sydney and South Australian detachments and was a great opportunity for myself in particular to catch up with some familiar faces from my time in Adelaide. The combined ensemble worked and socialised well together: if you cannot have a good time in Darwin, then there is something wrong! Week two of February saw a small element visit Hobart to assist the Tasmanian detachment with Navy Week celebrations. Commitments included a rehearsal and two performances with the Training Ship Hobart Cadet Band under the directions of Lieutenant Rob Hilllhouse, ANC. As always, the cadets enjoyed the experience of performing with professional musicians and hearing their songs sound just a little different. Other commitments included the Navy Week Reception and Ceremonial Sunset hosted by HMAS

ABLE SEAMAN SAM ORAM DURING THE CONCERT AT THE ORANGE RSL

Benchmark Concerts held at the ABC Centre; the first of which occurred in March. In June, the Sydney detachment hosted a visit by the US Seventh Fleet Band, which included a combined Wind Orchestra session, some exciting Big Band numbers from the 7th Fleet Band and the Admiral’s Own Big Band. Smaller ensembles also enjoyed the opportunity to play together including the Brass Quintet and Horn Quartet. The day culminated with a BBQ and a few cool refreshments. It proved a successful day with great mutual benefit. ABLE SEAMAN BRYONY DWYER FROM THE NEWS SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT SINGING ‘I AM AUSTRALIAN’ WITH THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT AT THE EELS AND BULLDOGS MATCH

Another tour, but this time all members of the Sydney detachment travelled to Orange in Central New South Wales during mid-March. The evening concert was a fund-raising effort organised by ex-Petty Officer Kirsty Jones to promote the “Relay for Life”, which is an initiative in support of cancer research. The concert was a sell out, proving a successful outcome for her fund-raising effort. It was a memorable evening of fine music, with an enthusiastic audience and a heartfelt out pouring of support and best wishes to Kirsty as she struggles to overcome her illness. The tour also included well-received concerts in Parkes and Forbes.

COMBINED ADMIRAL’S OWN AND USN 7TH FLEET BAND CONDUCT A WORKSHOP

Since January, the following personnel have been welcomed to the Sydney detachment; Leading Seaman Robert Flynn (trombone), Able Seaman Ross Chapman (saxophone) and Able Seaman Mel Wilkinson (cornet) from the Melbourne detachment, Leading Seaman Colin Hughes (oboe) from Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Able Seaman Steve Tabe (percussionist) from the South Australian detachment, Able Seaman Belinda Marks (oboe) from the New South Wales detachment, and Able Seaman Angus Donald (guitar) from the Tasmanian detachment. Able Seaman Andrew Doyle (clarinet), Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya (flute), Able Seaman Dayne Grindley (cornet), and Able Seaman Mark Shearn (tuba) have joined us as new members into the Navy.

April saw a rush of activities both locally and internationally. The Sydney detachment provided support for the Parramatta Eels home game at Parramatta Stadium, and the Brumbies final home game in Canberra Stadium. ANZAC Day activities saw the Sydney detachment broken up into smaller elements to cover various services and marches. One of those smaller elements was a drum and bugle corps for the march through Blayney to an enthusiastic local crowd. Members from the Sydney detachment, Melbourne detachment and South Australian detachment deployed to Turkey, where they enjoyed numerous cultural activities, and led the way for the Dawn Service at Gallipoli. Those members not travelling to Blayney or deployed in Gallipoli joined with members from the New South Wales detachment to brave the very inclement weather for the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph and for the march through Sydney.

There have also been a number of promotions promulgated: Petty Officer Brian O’Kane to Chief Petty Officer, Leading Seaman Cassandra Mohapp and Leading Seaman Brett Donovan to Petty Officer, as well as Able Seaman Dana Moran and Able Seaman Andrew Hansch to Leading Seaman. Congratulations one and all. Congratulations must also be extended to Able Seaman Michael Cairncross on successful entry into the Australian Defence Force Pilot Selection Course.

In early May, another small element of the Sydney detachment flew to Cairns for the combined Decommissioning Ceremony for HMAS Ipswich and HMAS Townsville: the last of the Fremantle Class Patrol Boats. Joining Able Seaman Tracy Burke in leading the vocal requirements was Able Seaman Jennifer Monk and Seaman Rachael Summers from the Melbourne detachment. The end of May was rounded off with the second of our

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

Festival, a school concert at Werribee (for 2000 children), and HMAS Melbourne’s visit to her namesake city were other highlights of March. Members of the Melbourne detachment also travelled to Sydney in late March to assist the Sydney detachment in a Benchmark recording and concert.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE

April included numerous Anzac Day activities, and some of our people also travelled to Gallipoli. Other commitments included concerts at Lexington Gardens Retirement Village and Southgate. Concluding the month was a short trip to Wangaratta for a recital at the Holy Trinity Cathedral and a concert at Wangaratta High School. To kick off May we joined with the Monash Chorale to present a world premiere of an arrangement of Honour the Earth, by Australian composer Sarah Hopkins. More assistance to the Sydney detachment followed with benchmark recordings and concerts and a trip to Cairns for Able Seaman Jennifer Monk and Seaman Rachael Summers for the HMAS Ipswich and HMAS Townsville decommissioning ceremony.

PETTY OFFICER WILLIAMS PLAYS A SOLO ITEM AT CARINE HIGH SCHOOL DURING A VISIT TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Commitments for 2007 began in early January with several members from Melbourne detachment joining members from the Sydney detachment travelling to Perth to farewell HMAS Toowoomba as she left for the Middle East. We kicked off the year in Melbourne with a lunchtime concert outside the State Library in the city on 18 January. We then provided a brass quintet for a Memorial Service on 19 January at St Marks, HMAS Cerberus for Seaman K. Gibson, a trainee who was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident near Hastings in December. Concluding January were the Australia Day celebrations, including a reception at Government House on 23 January and the march in the city on 26 January.

In June we were back to Perth to farewell HMAS Anzac and perform at Carine High School. Among the highlights listed above, we have continued with our regular monthly Sound Waves concerts, parades, march-downs, church services, and school performances. A new initiative for 2007 is the formation of a Chamber Winds group, larger than the regular quartet or quintet and tapping into the significant body of repertoire for eight to 13 wind instruments. Works by Mozart, Schubert and Strauss were our starting point and performances were held at St Johns Lutheran Church in Southgate and St Peters Anglican Church in Brighton. This group will continue to explore the repertoire for this varied ensemble of winds.

In February, we returned to Perth to welcome home HMAS Warramunga and entertain the locals at Hilary’s Boat Wharf. Almost before we unpacked, we were off again, this time to Darwin, for the Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. The ceremony was attended by a very large crowd, estimated at 5000 people and included an impressive mock battle, complete with purple smoke and copious noise. We also performed at an Open Day at the East Point Military Museum, Nightcliffe High School, and Darwin High School. On 22 February, our clarinet group performed their inaugural concert at 120 Collins Street in a very impressive foyer. The acoustics there were very encouraging and our jazz group joined them for a subsequent concert in March for a Food and Wine Fair.

Congratulations to members receiving promotion: Petty Officer Meredith Aston and to Leading Seaman, Matthew Booth. Congratulations also to Petty Officer Ray Dowler for receiving his second clasp.

The Jazz Group was off to Canberra in March to perform at Russell Place for the Navy’s birthday, leaving a small group to perform at Williamstown on 4 March for the HMAS Yarra Memorial Service. A very rushed but exciting trip to Beijing, China, for the Australia Ball began on 9 March. It is difficult to believe that we were all back home by 13 March. See report “Navy Band takes Beijing by Storm” elsewhere in this newsletter. A day trip to Bendigo for the Eaglehawk Dahlia

A SMALL ELEMENT OF THE MELBOURNE DETACHMENT PERFORM AT THE EAST POINT MILITARY MUSEUM IN DARWIN

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHAN

The start of 2007 saw the Queensland detachment finally back into its usual rehearsal room; after about eight months of trying to exist in what used to be the Junior Sailors Galley. By mid January the Queensland detachment was on its way north to support the Freedom of Entry ceremony for HMAS Gladstone into its namesake city. A good turn out and a very supportive and proud audience greeted HMAS Gladstone during its final visit.

DON BORROWS WITH THE STAGE BAND FROM THE QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT AT THE DINGO CREEK JAZZ FESTIVAL

Sunday brought our final performance at the festival and a very special guest appearance from Australian Jazz legend, Mr Don Burrows. Don took the stage during the set to perform Someone to Watch Over Me on alto sax and Georgia on clarinet. A very enthusiastic and appreciative response followed; it was once again a great honour to work with such a legend. Don also took time out to talk with members of the Queensland detachment prior to and following the performance. Thanks to Don for his continuing support of all Royal Australian Navy musicians throughout the years; it means a great deal to all of those various musicians who have had the opportunity to work with him and enjoy his company.

ON PARADE DURING THE FREEDOM OF ENTRY CEREMONY IN GLADSTONE

The following week brought ANZAC Day and a number of activities connected to HMAS Ipswich’s final visit to the city of Ipswich. Saturday 28 April 2007 brought HMAS Ipswich’s final Freedom of Entry ceremony commencing with a welcome parade and followed by a march through the streets of Ipswich viewed by approximately 20,000 people. The events at Ipswich were concluded by a performance of the Stage Band to about 650 people on a hot Sunday afternoon.

March brought the Commissioning Ceremony for HMAS Bundaberg with musicians from the Sydney and Queensland detachments: thank you to the Sydney detachment for the assistance and support during the four days in Bundaberg. The experience of permanent and reserve musicians working together is always fruitful. A few weeks later the Queensland detachment was back in Brisbane performing a Ceremonial Sunset at Pine Rivers Naval Association; the location of which proved move difficult to find than first anticipated; definitely one to remember for future engagements. The end of March brought the Wesley Mission Dinner at Brisbane City Hall attended by a very appreciative audience of about 500 guests.

May brought one of our regular engagements; the Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration Service held at Newstead House. Joining the Queensland detachment for this engagement was the US Seventh Fleet Band. Lieutenant Walt Cline (Officer in Charge Seventh Fleet Band) was keen to see the two groups work together during the service. The guard was provided by the Federation Guard and the service was attended by survivors of both Pearl Harbour and the USS Lexington. It was a great honour for us to have the opportunity to speak with such honoured and decorated veterans. A reception at Brisbane City Hall was held in honour of their visit to Brisbane. The reception commenced with the anthems of both countries being performed by the combined musicians of the Queensland detachment, the US Seventh Fleet Band and the Australian Army Band-Brisbane. Following the anthems each Stage Band performed for about 45 minutes.

So far the year had been moderately busy but April was about to change all that with first up being the Dingo Creek Jazz Festival in Traveston. The Queensland detachment was programmed to perform on both days to an audience of about 600 each day. Saturday afternoon’s performance went well with great performances from Able Seaman Tony Bryer and Recruit Anthony Sargeant on tenor and alto saxophones respectively, Able Seaman Darren Skaar on lead trumpet and our stand in drummer on kit Able Seaman Steve Tabe from the Sydney detachment.

During the past few months we have been assisted by Able Seaman Steve Tabe from the Sydney detachment: I would like to personally thank Steve for all the effort and enthusiasm he put into learning the music required. An interesting start to your permanent Navy career Steve, enjoy and many thanks from the Queensland detachment.

2007 started for the New South Wales detachment with Australia Day. The jazz group provided music aboard HMAS Manoora, the Australia Day regatta flagship, with the NSW Governor and heads of the three services as guests for the Australia Day festivities on Sydney Harbour. Anzac Day provided an opportunity for us to combine with the Sydney detachment, allowing many to refresh their parade skills and experience a significant military parade in Sydney. The dawn service also provided a chance to play under water: it poured rain throughout! Also in April, a number of our members had a valuable opportunity to travel to Canberra with the Sydney detachment and perform in Canberra Stadium for the Brumbies home game. The wind ensemble provided music for a number of Wardroom dinners to much acclaim from many while the jazz combination was very well-received at the HMAS Kuttabul jazz evening.

The month of May also saw the return of one of our expermanent musicians. We are pleased to welcome back Petty Officer Mark Ham who brings a wealth of skill and talent, which will certainly add significantly to our strengths here in Brisbane. Also joining the Queensland detachment is Ms Bonnie Clough who recently successfully passed her audition on clarinet and alto saxophone. Bonnie is being inducted into the Royal Australian Navy on 25 June and we are looking forward to her joining our ranks in the near future. It has been a difficult six months without a drum kit player. We have had a number of aspirants at rehearsals; but as yet, none interested enough to join, though we remain hopeful. At present we are in the process of getting Leading Seaman Kerrilee Gallagher back in the system; so we should be back to full strength in the near future.

Congratulations are passed on to Able Seaman Paul Panichi and Able Seaman Danika Wright on their successful completion of all the phases of the Section Leader course and Paul’s subsequent promotion to Leading Seaman. We welcome Able Seaman Kirsten Paynter, Able Seaman Stephen Foxe and Able Seaman Damien Dowd who have transferred to the reserves after making their contribution to the Sydney detachment. Their expertise and experience will undoubtedly further enhance our overall musicality.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

July’s upcoming trip to Forster for the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol’s Winter Ball and a performance the following day at the Tuncurry markets should provide a good opportunity for the detachment to have a trip away and make a significant naval music statement on the north coast.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ROBERT WRIGHT

The New South Wales detachment has continued providing solid music over the past six months. As usual, we have provided the music for many services at the Garden Island Chapel and the Merchant Naval Association Annual Memorial Service at Rookwood Cemetery.

The New South Wales detachment is continuing to develop a good musical product with the aim of meeting a broad range of jobs in supporting Navy’s mission.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

The South Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band commenced 2007 with gusto as musicians assisted with Royal Australian Navy Band commitments interstate as well as performing on home ground in regional and local areas. Leading Seaman Atkinson, Able Seaman Beaman and Able Seaman Chalmers flew to Western Australia on 2 January to assist the Western Australian detachment for the departure of HMAS Toowoomba when it sailed for a six month deployment to the Middle East.

PETTY OFFICER MERCER ONBOARD HMAS MANOORA FOR AUSTRALIA DAY

Soon after, the South Australian detachment assisted in South Australia’s major tourist and cycling event, the ‘Tour Down Under’ at Mannum on the Banks of the Murray River. This involved a couple of tasks with the parade band playing marches as background music to the large gathering crowds. We also provided the National Anthem with Able Seaman Katia Labozzetta doing vocals joined by two young members of the local community prior to the commencement of the main race. Following the commencement of the race, we quickly relocated to the foreshore and set up the rock group for a 90-minute performance. This proved to be very popular with visitors and locals who needed no encouragement to get up and show their dancing prowess.

Leaving us were, Able Seaman Tristan Courtney, Able Seaman Patrick Beaman and Able Seaman Steve Tabe to the Permanent Navy, and Able Seaman Jason Chalmers, Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell and Able Seaman Katia Labozzetta. Our best wishes to them all as they chase the pot at the end of the rainbow and with some luck, we may see some of them back next year. It has been several years since a member of the South Australian detachment was promoted. On 1 July three very worthy recipients will be rewarded for their contribution, dedication and hard work as they realise their goal and receive their promotions. Leading Seaman Anthony Rogers is to be promoted to Petty officer and Able Seaman Ryan Stott and Able Seaman Vashti Tyrrell will be promoted to Leading Seaman. Congratulations to them all and on behalf of the South Australian detachment, congratulations and best wishes also to Petty Officer Hardstaff (Tasmanian detachment), Able Seaman Panichi (New South Wales detachment), Able Seaman Armstrong (Tasmanian detachment), Able Seamen Cameron and Colvin (Western Australian detachment) on their forthcoming promotion.

ABLE SEAMAN KATIA LABOZZETTA AND ABLE SEAMAN LANIE JAMIESON SINGING UP A STORM ON AUSTRALIA DAY

Australia Day followed and despite the provision of a triservice guard marching down the main street of Adelaide and a 21 Gun Salute, the event would not have been complete without the support of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Able Seaman Lanie Jamieson led the jazz ensemble on vocals and piano with Able Seaman Yuri Markov on kit, Able Seaman Steve Tabe on percussion, Able Seaman Craig Jones on bass guitar and Leading Seaman Luke Townsend on tenor saxophone. It was time now to focus on another Fremantle Class Patrol Boat Decommissioning Ceremony in Darwin. HMAS Dubbo decommissioned on Thursday 1 February and members of the South Australian detachment were pleased and proud to be provided yet another opportunity to perform alongside their Permanent Navy musician colleagues.

COMMANDING OFFICER COMMENDATIONS PRESENTED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT AND A SYSTEMS COMMANDER COMMENDATION PRESENTED TO CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANTONOFF IN FEBRUARY

The second half of the year is shaping up to be very busy as we receive several visiting Australian and foreign Navy ships throughout the six month period. We will also be preparing for Navy Week to include the final Freedom of Entry by HMAS Adelaide prior to her decommissioning and a concert by the Royal Australian Navy Band at the Adelaide town to mention but a few. It has been another busy start to the year and I am, as always, grateful for the support, commitment and dedication shown by the members of the South Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Their willingness to seek leave from their employers and juggle the calendar in their own business or family life to make themselves available on almost every occasion combined with their enthusiasm at each muster never ceases to amaze me and makes it a pleasure for me to work with and for them.

Other local and regional commitments included the Royal Australian Navy birthday celebrations, the very popular and significant V8 super car event ‘Clipsal 500’, the World Fire and Police Games, a visit by the Spanish Ship ALVARO de BAZAN and USS LASSEN (contenders for the new AWD project) ANZAC Day, the Coral Sea Service and trips to Goolwa and Murray Bridge. Regrettably, we lost some very talented and valuable musicians as they move on in pursuit of other opportunities.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

for the benefit of Uniting Aid. This was a great time for us as many people in the detachment also bought their families along for a perfect afternoon. Two Dinner Dance evenings took up the later part of the month. These were for TS Perth and the Rotary Club of WA.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

As usual, April was our busiest month. The cadets had their Pass-Out Parade at Leeuwin Barracks. This was closely followed by a quick run down to Dumbleyung for a Centenary Ball. There was a range of Memorial Services at a number schools, clubs and organisations. Another enlistment ceremony was the order of the day at Kings Park on Anzac Eve. Anzac Day saw our buglers running all over Perth for the various Dawn Services. There was the march in Perth City and then a bolt down to Rockingham for the march and the Service. Next day was another Dinner Dance at Bull Creek for the Far Eastern Strategic Reserve; then low and behold, another Armidale Class Patrol Boat Naming Ceremony.

ON PARADE SUPPORTING THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY FOR HMAS BROOME: WARRANT OFFICER DALE GRANGER CONDUCTING

May was another month to play at various Balls. The start of the month was Battle of the Coral Sea Ball held at Government House: I’m still not sure why we commemorate it here when Coral Sea is on the other side of the country. There were also a few charity events that we played at with good audience support. The month saw us out with the Western Australian Police Graduation Ball where we had our own Nathan Hicks graduate from the Academy that morning.

It is that time again to touch on the commitments we have performed at during the first half of the year. As usual, this detachment has been busy and eagerly looks forward to a free weekend to spend with family. January saw HMAS Toowoomba depart for duties in the Persian Gulf and we expect to see her back at Fleet Base West in mid-July. Crowds were in good attendance but it is always a sad occasion to farewell a ship. The end of the month saw the Dixie Group play for an Officer Enlistment on the flight deck of HMAS Arunta. Twelve new Officers are now part of this Naval Community and shuffled off to HMAS Creswell.

June is by far our quietest month. All we had was Koorda’s Centenary Ball which is about two hours North East from Perth. June was a good chance for us to catch up on some hard earned rehearsals and work up some new charts to keep everyone motivated and fresh.

February was a great month for travel. The detachment had a nice two and a half hour flight to Broome. The first part of the trip was participating in rehearsals for NUSHIP Broome’s Commissioning Ceremony. The heat and humidity made this particularly hard for the musicians as everyone was trying to acclimatise to local conditions. Everyone felt as if they were melting into the wharf as it was that hot. The commissioning ceremony went like clockwork and even the local Cadet Unit, TS Broome, put on a small marching display. The cadets had only learnt this a few days prior due to the support of Leading Seaman Peter Cobb’s brilliant guidance. The Dixie Group also played at the commissioning reception and at the local RSL Club and had people tapping their feet from the first chart. The month saw us out playing for the naming ceremony of another two Armidale Class Patrol Boats.

There is one new marriage in the detachment. Kerry McInnes has now become Kerry Payton. All this happened just before Anzac Day. This of course is congratulations from everyone here within the detachment. There are no other births to report (unless Kerry has some news for us in the near future). Recruit Ben Connelly (Trumpet) is off to partake in Phase 3 at Recruit School in mid July. Currently Recruit Leonie Bradford (Flute / Clarinet) is there completing five weeks in one sitting. This will make her competent in all three Phases and able to participate directly in the detachment after training. We have also played at Churchlands Secondary Collage to recruit for ourselves. This was a huge success with the possibility of nine new recruits. Of these nine, two have been in contact with Defence Force Recruiting.

March was a good month with a total of four commitments and giving our people time at home as well. The month started off with the 40th Anniversary of the Australian White Ensign. This was held at HMAS Stirling with a good morning crowd from various departments in good attendance. The Stage Band had a late afternoon concert at Yokine Reserve

We are ready for the second half of this year and look forward to any challenges that may occur. Take care and see you all in the next counter march.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

subject and the students out there today are getting better. I may have recruited a drummer for the Western Australian detachment as one is moving that way next year. So look out Chief Kicsak, this young potential is good and he sings too. One workshop completed then off to Scottsdale, the original home of our very own Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis (now in the Sydney detachment), for ANZAC Day. One aspect of parading in smaller regional centres is the sense of appreciation that comes from the local population. It is the second year in a row that we have ventured from the capital and on both occasions we have walked away feeling as though we meant something to the people there. There is no expectation that we turn up as a matter of course, as what happens here in Hobart, and the response appears far more sincere when in the country.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

AGFEST was our last commitment for the financial year. As you know reserves have a limited number of days for which they can serve and due to the level of commitments in the previous months we have run out. This, however, has given us time to focus on new music for our new female vocalist Able Seaman Anita Cairns and to adapt to the loss (for this detachment only) of Able Seaman Angus Donald. Angus has given us four years of service in this detachment and has decided to become a permanent fixture of the Royal Australian Navy Band having just joined the Sydney detachment. We all thank him for what he has contributed down here and wish him all the best. On a personal note, it is now quite a lonely place during the day without my Minion to make me coffee in the morning. Although he was banned from making me toasted sandwiches due to certain dietary constraints.

AT THE ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS FOR NAVY WEEK

The Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band has had quite a busy first half of the year beginning with Navy Week in Hobart during the month of February. Six commitments in five days for a reserve detachment is not bad. With Navy Week, we reintroduced ourselves to the Regatta fireworks concert after an absence of three years. We entertained an audience of nearly 5000 complete with our very own ‘mosh pit’. Navy week included performances for the Ships Open Day, performance at the Wooden Boats Festival and the Navy Week Concert at the Royal Hobart Botanical gardens. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the members of the Sydney detachment who joined in on the activities.

We also bid a fond farewell to Chief Petty Officer Ken Monk who at the age of 62 has officially retired from the reserves. He has given us over 30 years of combined service with the both the Permanent Navy and Naval Reserve. We wish him all the best and are sure we will see him coming to watch our performances in the future.

Having completed Navy Week there was no rest for the wicked. A fortnight later we found ourselves in Devonport for a ship visit and the following week back again for the Taste of the Harvest. The Taste of the Harvest attracted, yet again, quite a considerable audience with both young and old dancing to Petty Officer Greg Hince’s renditions of Wolf Mother and the like.

Talking of future, we are looking forward to an interesting second half of the year with a trip to Cairns on the horizon as well as another lot of performances for the V8 Supercar series. Until next time, we at the Tasmanian detachment bid you a fond farewell.

We continue to be quite popular in the north of the state with constant requests to perform there. In April, coinciding with ANZAC Day, we headed to Launceston to provide preentertainment for the Hawthorn VS Geelong game at York Park Football stadium. The sound system was huge with the sound clearly travelling from one end of the oval to the other. Patrons were all handed clap sticks and as I was walking around the ground, texting the sound engineers for sound adjustments: I could hear a steady beat coming from the clap sticks in time with the band. Many people coming into the ground thought it was a CD until they looked up to the big screen only to see Greg and the Rock Group pounding out the latest charts and a bit of ACDC too.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT PAUL COTTIER

As winter sets in I would like to start off by welcoming SubLieutenant (SBLT) Matthew Klohs to the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM). Matthew is six months into the 15-month Band Officers Course (BOC). He joins us from the Melbourne detachment and held the rank of Petty

After the football we continued on with a workshop at a local Launceston school with some surprising results. Many of the programs running today incorporate rock music as a

GALLIPOLI PILGRIMAGE

Officer before the commencement of this course. SBLT Klohs has settled into study mode and is making very good progress to date. There are two members on this year’s BOC; the other member is 2nd Lieutenant David Thompson who joined us from the Australian Army Band Brisbane.

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA THOMAS

In April we had a change of staff with Petty Officer Natalea Erskine posting to the Melbourne detachment. She has been replaced by Petty Officer Simon Potter from the Sydney detachment. To Natalea, thank you very much for your commitment and contribution to the DFSM. Before Natalea departed she organised for a collection of RAN Band history photo’s to be scanned and placed onto disc. A selection of these photos will be displayed at the school. This will ensure that our proud history is recorded and is available for all to see. Thanks Nat. I would like to welcome Petty Officer Simon Potter to the school. Simon is an experienced Senior Sailor and he has already shown that he will be an asset to the training conducted here at DFSM. Welcome Simon and I hope you enjoy your posting.

LEADING SEAMAN ESA THOMAS ON OBOE AT THE LONE PINE REHEARSALS

The 1/07 Group Leaders Course has just concluded, with three Navy personnel successfully completing the 15-week course. Petty Officer’s Cassandra Mohapp, Sharon Jarvis and Leading Seaman Brett Donovan performed exceptionally well. They did the Navy proud and I congratulate them all on their attitude, commitment and the achievements that they made throughout the course.

This year saw 15 members of Royal Australian Navy Band as part of the Australian Defence Force Contingent participate in the commemoration of the 92nd Anniversary of the ANZAC landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula. After a fivehour bus trip from Istanbul where we had spent the first four days of our trip, our first sightseeing stop at the Gallipoli Peninsula involved a quick battlefield tour with local historian Mr Kenan Çelik.

In my last newsletter I reported that a Training Management Package review is currently being conducted. This review takes place every three years and ensures that the content and delivery of courses is current and is in line with the training packages. The Director’s of Music Army and Navy were given a progress report late May and both were satisfied with the direction and progress of the review. The review team is at stage two which is reviewing lessons and assessments.

When we finally reached ANZAC Cove, we could not get off the bus quick enough to see the site of the Dawn Service and get the first glimpse from the beach up that fateful hill. The incline is so steep, and you could just see people shaking their heads thinking, “How on earth did they get up there?” We were keen to get down on the beach, and many photo snaps later we were being ushered back onto the buses to see the rest of the sites. The next stop was Lone Pine, and even with the half erected stands, wandering around the tombstones was a sobering experience. There were some beautifully written epitaphs, one I remember saying “He gave up his coat of grey for one of white.” Once again, we were rushed back onto the bus for the final stop with the guide up at Chanuk Bair Cemetery and New Zealand Memorial site. That winding road was one we got very familiar with over the next few days.

I was fortunate to be asked to conduct the Sydney detachment at a recent Benchmark recording and concert at the ABC studio, Sydney. Not only was it great to have the opportunity to dust off my baton, but it was also great to catch up with old friends as well as meet the new members of our category. The musicianship demonstrated by this highly professional and motivated group of young musicians was first rate. I commend them all on their fine performance and it again highlights that the Royal Australian Navy Band is of world class standard and one of Australia’s premier music ensembles.

The next day we actually had a free morning, but a few of us from the Contingent decided to head back over to the Gallipoli peninsula from Çanakkale where we were staying, to do our own touring of the sites. We started down on the beach, and walked up the hill (along a much nicer track than what the diggers would have had) and stopped at Shell Green Cemetery site. We returned to the track to continue up to Lone Pine, where we could take a little more time to take it all in. More walking and up to The Nek, where the view was simply amazing.

What ever you are doing and where ever you are, until next newsletter all the best from the Navy staff of the DFSM.

By this stage, I must admit, I was getting a little tired of all the hiking, but we were with a couple of Army members, who were very keen to get up to Baby 700. “We have to get as far as they did!” was what they claimed as they powered up the last little bit, me trailing behind! It was certainly worth the effort though, and walking amongst the trenches and seeing the tunnels gave a little perspective of what the soldiers were faced with.

described. The call went without a hitch and being a part of that moment makes you feel proud of being Australian. We were lucky enough to ride on the buses up to Lone Pine, and sighting the thousands of people that streamed up the hill on foot was amazing. The Lone Pine service had warmed up quite considerably from the chilly Dawn Service, and it seemed a more intimate affair with a smaller crowd in a smaller place. We sat right next to all those who had come so far to pay homage to those who had bravely fought, so it felt we were more a part of the service than just providing musical support. After the services for the day we headed back down the hill for the last time to attend a “BBQ”. It was not the conventional steak and sausages that I know some were pining for, but it was a plethora of Turkish cuisine that bought nothing but compliments for those who had prepared it. ANZAC Day in Gallipoli is a trip that I will never forget, and feel very lucky to have been apart of. It is an experience that I can only try to explain, but can not give full justice to the feelings I had of standing on the beach, or getting goose bumps at the sight of opposing trenches not more than a single road’s width apart, or shivering on that early ANZAC Day morning. If one ever has the chance to go over, I would say it is a most worthwhile and memorable trip to embark on.

THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE CONTINGENT IN FRONT OF THE TURKISH MEMORIAL

Our main purpose for being over there began late on the afternoon of Tuesday 24 April. We loaded up our uniforms, pillows and blankets, and when we arrived, thousands of people were already staking claim to their places on the grass and in the stands. Walking past and seeing someone with vegemite on Turkish bread made me smile, and seemed kind of symbolic that our two countries can get along together in more ways than one! We headed up the back of the seating area to a couple of tents with a heater that we were lucky to have been provided with! 8.30pm that night saw us opening the entertainment for the night with some tunes from the WWI era. After about 20 mins, we left the stage to cheers and applause, a proud moment for us. Our next set began at 11.30pm, and if it was not for the loud sound system that had been playing all night so far, I would have tip toed down through the sleeping crowd. Obviously the noise was no problem, with thousands of people occupying every inch of grass wrapped up in blankets and sleeping bags with many fast asleep! After our final set, some of us squeezed in a few winks of sleep, and then the time had arrived. Already they were broadcasting ANZAC Dawn services and marches around Australia, and hearing Royal Australian Navy being played by the Sydney detachment bought a cheer from us!

ON THE BUGLE IN ANZAC COVE ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN ANDREW HANSCH

ABLE SEAMAN ANDREW HANSCH IN REHEARSAL AT ANZAC COVE

It was getting closer to that time, and the sun was slowly peaking over the Sphinx as the service got under way. There were moving and insightful speeches from both Australian and Turkish representatives. When Able Seaman Andrew Hansch started with the Last Post, the air hung with emotion and a stillness that can only be felt and not

Instead of harping on about the whole two weeks of my Gallipoli experience, I would like to share with you my thoughts and feelings of the day before, and the day of Anzac Day 2007.

April 24th, 5am. Today we would be embarking on the ferry from Çanakkale and head across the Dardanelles to the Gallipoli Peninsula. The morning was fresh and still, and what we were about to experience really started to sink in as the first cracks of sun appeared from over the mountains. You could not help but think of the diggers those 92 years prior, how they must have felt and what awaited them the next morning.

The same arrangement for our entertainment went on for the 11.30pm performance and the crowd was now in excess of 10,000 people. Upon completion of our last song the crowd as one burst into a thank you I am sure none of us would ever forget. It took away the freezing sensation from us all and filled our hearts giving us all a real presence of what we were doing was truly appreciated and meant a great deal to everyone there who had travelled great distances to pay their own tribute and respects to the greatest bunch of Australians and New Zealanders.

We made our way south through the peninsula to the Turkish International Service at Mehmetcik Abide. The respect, honour and pride shown by all countries but especially the Turkish was really something else. My eyes were truly opened at this service and to be drawn into a plethora of emotions wasn't hard at all. The service lasted for an hour after which we made our way to the Commonwealth Memorial Service at Cape Helles. Chief Stapleton had drawn the short straw for bugle jobs here, plus there was a Bottle of thank you already organized from the British, "funny how that turned out Chief". He was a little bit nervous, and with good cause too. This was a massive memorial with plenty of hierarchy there but as always, the Chief delivered the bugle call with professionalism and did both himself and us all very proud.

After another hour or so of sleep in our now wonderfully air conditioned tent it was time for me to get up and prepare myself for the Dawn Service. Up until now all my rehearsals for the bugle call had gone smoothly but now it was time to throw in a bitterly freezing cold wind and a truck load of nerves to boot plus some fair sleep deprivation as well. I warmed up for a good two hours, and with trusty Blistex lip ointment which was going on every 15 mins now, things were feeling really good. Unlike before when the crowd was enjoying each others company and getting into the whole ANZAC experience, you could have heard a pin drop as we made our way down the hill towards the memorial. It was extremely eerie but incredible at the same time to see such respect shown for something that took place here 92 years ago.

It was now late afternoon and it was time to head to Anzac Cove to get settled in for our performances that evening and find some sleep somewhere in between before the Dawn Service. On arrival, Anzac Cove was already showing healthy numbers of Australian and New Zealand people clad in all their pride. The grass looked like a patch-work quilt with bodies sprawled over sleeping bags and rugs. Some people were kicking a footy around, others having a yak with total strangers, but there was an overall feeling of being back home and I felt a sense of comfort and relaxed into the whole atmosphere nicely. We had two large tents at the rear of the site to kick back in and I was able to find a nice spot in the girls tent close enough to the heater where later on that evening I would throw my head down and try to grab a few hours sleep. 8pm came around and it was time for the Royal Australian Navy Band to kick off the interpretive program which would run right through the night until the Dawn service. We played songs of the era for half an hour after which we received something like a rock concert-like reception from the now 8000 strong crowd. This really was a massive buzz to us all and after a few snappy high 5s and a few low ones, we trotted back up into the tent until our next performance at half 11. I with a few others decided to grab a little sleep and had no trouble drifting off, that was until this unknown guy (his face will haunt my dreams) leapt into our tent and preceded to cut great gapping holes into the roof of our tent letting out all the precious warm air which was replaced by a stream of air that was colder than my first girlfriend's Father's face the day I turned up to her house to take her out on our first date, yeah that cold!

ABLE SEAMAN TRACY BURKE SINGS LIKE AN ANGEL

During the service we heard some great stories of what took place that fateful day plus some really moving tributes especially from our Defence Minister the Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson M.P who gave truly one of the most articulate,

knowledgeable and heart-felt speeches I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. I asked him later that day who his speech writer was and he said he writes all his own speeches, to which I said "you’re a pretty amazing bloke Sir and obviously a very passionate Australian".

After the service I took a bit of time for myself to reflect upon the whole experience. Coming here with only a patchy idea of what took place leading up to, during and after the battles; I now had a fair understanding of what I had just participated in. To say I didn't shed a tear that day would be a lie and it really is a place we as Australians should make an effort to visit as it stands for everything we hold dear to our hearts. These were some of the greatest men this world would ever see; it was a defining moment in my life and has changed me forever.

The Royal Australian Navy Band and a small number of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band who had joined us for the day played really beautifully, and Tracy Burke sang like an angel during the service. It was a real pleasure to sit there and listen to what was described as the old-mates band, but they rose above the less than ideal conditions and played their hearts out for our diggers. Now came my turn, I had the fortune of not playing during the service so my lips were rested and prepared. I stood up and marched out a little earlier while the wreaths were still being laid. This gave me a bit more time to look around and take in peoples’ faces, the Cove and the awesome terrain that lay in front of me. I remember looking up at the sphinx then back down at the Australian "Fanatics" who had all locked arms around each others shoulders, some had even began to cry as the Ode was being read, and what I said in my mind was "to be proud mate of who you are and where you’re from, you’re a bloody Aussie, come on". The bugle call went very smoothly and I felt relaxed and knew I had all the time in the world. This was one of the three most memorable moments of my life to date.

At 11am it was time for the Lone Pine service. The whole contingent had been really looking forward to this as it was a chance for us as Australians alone to pay our respects to the finest of our soldiers in one of the bloodiest battles that took place on the peninsula. Some 4,932 ANZAC's lost their lives over a stretch of ground no bigger than a footy field. Probably the greatest moment was the Defence Minister's speech. After remarking on his Dawn Service speech, what he delivered next will stay with me for all time, especially his closing remarks: "Our generation owes theirs a debt we can barely comprehend - let alone repay. But foremost it is too surely, "Keeping their memory". Can we not, in every workplace, school and home, hang the photograph of just one of them who gave his all - his life, for Australia? They are us and we are them. Lest We Forget". Once again the Royal Australian Navy Band played from their hearts, and when it came to my call, my nerves were overridden by an overbearing sense of pride and all went well. I hope these few words I have written above give you some idea of really how much this trip meant to me. It was an absolute privilege going away with everyone involved and what each one of us took away from our experiences will no doubt well inside our minds and hearts till the day we die.

MUSICIAN TAKES TO THE RANGE Leading Seaman Gordon Orr took out 2nd place for Champion Shot Navy 2006 held at HMAS Cerberus Rifle Range. Leading Seaman Josh Kelly from HMAS Albatross has for the second year running won the Champion Shot Navy (CSN) in a shoot-out with 14 other marksmen at HMAS Cerberus on November 20-23. Leading Seaman Orr won Stage one, on Day one, consisting of a combination of a Live Fire 9 followed then by deliberate, timed deliberate, snap and rapid firings at ranges of 100-300 metres. ABLE SEAMAN ANDREW HANSCH PLAYING THE LAST POST AT THE LONE PINE SERVICE

ANZAC EXCHANGE ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN JASON CAMPBELL

It is now the 19th of May and I have nearly finished my ANZAC Exchange for 2007 and hasn’t the time gone quick. It just felt like yesterday that I was leaving home, and saying goodbye to my family. It began with a night in Sydney, where we undertook a predeployment brief and learnt relevant information about New Zealand. We then went on our way to New Zealand on a New Zealand Air Force passenger plane. This was very nice indeed, with a massive lunch pack and a movie to watch on the way. Coming into New Zealand I was struck by the scenery and greenness of the land. This is a far cry from the drought we have at the moment in Australia. The people have quite a unique accent also in comparison to Australia. Words with ‘I’ or ‘e’ have their own unique twist. As the exchange progressed I could say these words quite naturally, much to the amusement of the other band members.

LEADING SEAMAN ORR WITH THE ST BARBARA TROPHY

For his efforts and top score for Stage One on ay one, this recent competition Leading Seaman Orr was presented with the St. Barbara Trophy. Of particular note, Leading Seaman Orr has won the 500 metre shoot section of CSN for the last three years since the RAN has run its own competition with a high score of 44 with 6 V bulls out of 50. Leading Seaman Orr has so far come 5th CSN 2004, 3rd CSN 2005 and now 2nd CSN 2006 with 1st place his next goal.

I went into work and started my role as a musician in the Royal New Zealand Navy Band. This is a relatively small military band in comparison to some, but about the same size as the current Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band, with about 30 personnel. The band performs a number of musical roles such as parade, concert band, rock band, big band, and smaller chamber and jazz combinations. The people are friendly and all relatively young, with a couple of ex-military band players from UK and Australia. The Director of Music is an exAustralian Army cornet/trumpet player, who brings with him a wealth of experience. My role is of a tuba player in the concert band, and parade band. Also I play tuba in the Dixieland Band and trombone in the Big Band. Recently towards the end of this exchange I have been getting more involved in the school concert program. It is a tradition for the band to do a Village People rendition of In the Navy, at the end of the school concert. This is always a hit and puts a smile on even the grumpiest student. One of the members got selected for a course during the exchange so I stepped in for him. This was quite an experience I can tell you. In this job you get the chance to experience lots of things!!!

Lieutenant Mal Bonehill, head organiser for 2006 CSN, said the standard of competition was particularly high from the 14 competitors. St Barbara’s Day is celebrated around the world on the 4th of December. Her name means ‘stranger’. The city of Santa Barbara, in California, was named for her. St Barbara is said to have been a beautiful maiden imprisoned in a tower and finally beheaded in c.235 (CE) by Dioscorus, her father, for becoming a Christian against his wishes. Immediately after murdering his only daughter Dioscorus was killed by a bolt of lightning. Her imprisonment led to her association with the towers, then the construction and maintenance of them and to their military uses. The lightning that avenged her death led to asking her protection against fire and lightning, and her patronage of fire fighters. Her association with things military and with death that falls from the sky led to her patronage of all things related to artillery, and her image graced powder magazines and arsenals for years.

The band has been quite busy during this period. We had a tour to the south of the North Island, to places such as Wanganui and Palmerston where we did a series of school concerts, finishing the week playing at a big agricultural gathering, called ‘The Central Districts Field Days’. We stayed at Ohakea Air force Base, during this visit. Just recently we went to a tour to the Bay of Plenty on the east coast. Here we did a number of school concerts and several concerts for the public in the evening. We finished this tour with a concert with the ‘Gisborne Youth Concert

As well as being the patron saint of miners, St Barbara looks after artillerymen, armourers, bomb technicians, engineers, fire fighters, gravediggers, mathematicians, stonecutters, tunnellers and generally those in danger of sudden death.

Band’ who is getting ready to go on a tour to Sydney Australia.

overlooks the city of Auckland. It is only a short ferry ride to the city of Auckland itself. I couldn’t have asked to be with a nicer bunch of people here in New Zealand. I have been able to borrow cars, meet people in their homes, get car rides to places I need to go and generally get help with most anything I want. The people here are most hospitable and friendly indeed. I am looking forward to seeing my family again, and coming back to my home country Australia. This exchange has been great but it will be great to get back to work in Australia, and more familiar surroundings. I think this exchange has been a fantastic experience, and would recommend it to anyone. When you live somewhere you really get a sense of the people’s lifestyle and culture. You can not really get a picture of this coming for a brief holiday, or visit. In a lot of ways the band is very similar to Australia, but there are some noticeable subtle differences, which are interesting to see in action.

LEADING SEAMAN CAMPBELL BLOWING HIS TUBA WITH THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY BAND

During this exchange the band has been involved in several high profile parades. These included several parades for the visiting Prince Andrew. This was quite an experience, seeing royalty in the flesh, and actually having a brief conversation during one parade. Later we had two big ceremonies for the leaders of Uganda and Tanzania. These were done at Government House in its beautiful gardens. These had proud traditional Maori openings before launching into a grand parade with ceremonial guard and band. Towards the end of the exchange we played in Wellington, where we did a parade for the leader of Greece.

NAVY BAND TAKES BEIJING BY STORM ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE

We have had a big concert in the local Bruce Mason Centre at Takapuna. This is a regular concert which the band runs about eight times a year. Here they receive a large crowd, and it gives the band a chance to play a wide selection of repertoire to an appreciative audience of locals. Outside of work I have been getting involved in the local Brass Band scene. I have been to the ‘Dalewool Brass Band’, and ‘The Waitakere Brass Band’, for rehearsals and couple of concerts. These are both A Grade bands, with exBritish brass band conductors of differing styles. They are both fine bands, with a proud history. It has been a great experience for me playing with them, having seen and heard their highly polished performances many times over the years, at numerous Brass Band competitions in Australia. I participated in several big concerts including a concert again at the Bruce Mason centre with the ‘Daelwool Band’ in remembrance of ANZAC day. This is a fabulous venue, and the band was heard by a massive crowd of appreciative people.

LEADING SEAMAN JASON BEACH AND ABLE SEAMAN TRACY BURKE PERFORMING FOR THE PEOPLE’S LIERATION ARMY (NAVY) BAND

My accommodation has been good, being located within walking distance of the beautiful Devonport. I have had easy access to a pool, laundry, gymnasium and dining facilities. Devonport is located on the Auckland harbour and it

On Friday the 9th of March, members of the Melbourne and Sydney detachments flew out of Sydney for an exciting

opportunity to perform at the 2007 Australia Ball in Beijing, China. For the four days prior to departure, the ten personnel selected for the trip were extremely busy working up some 45 songs for the rock group component and other numbers for the jazz ensemble. We also put together a drum and bugle corps to perform a small floor show, which included a drum ruffle, (thanks to Seaman Chris Thompson for his patience), Advance Australia Fair, I am Australian and Waltzing Matilda.

Australia with the National Anthem, Waltzing Matilda and I am Australian, and a hearty sing-along accompanied all three. Then it was time to dance for the next four hours, and dance they did. The floor was packed for all 45 songs. Vocalist Leading Seaman Jason Beach recalls, “I remember singing the final song, Khe Sahn and looking at my watch and realising it was 2.10 in the morning (Australian time).” It was a fabulous night and with many complements all evening about the quality of the entertainment. Several attaches or embassy staff from other countries asked us to return for their balls!! It was 4am when the band finally got to bed.

Upon our arrival into Beijing we were greeted by Captain Vaughn Rixon (the Australian Defence Force defence attaché in China) and, after a quick guided tour past a well lit Tiananmen Square, we settled into the motel. A meal at the restaurant next door was made easier by the fluent Chinese language skills of Captain Rixon who ordered our chosen meals, and a culinary disaster was avoided.

Sunday was a day off and a chance to get out of the city to see the Great Wall of China. The closest part was about a 90 minute drive from the motel and we had a chance to drive past the new stadium where the Olympics will be held next year. Affectionately known as the “Birds Nest” the unfinished stadium seems to be an unorganised mass of steel girders. Modern architecture! The Great Wall itself is an awesome sight and we spent about two hours there, climbing between several sections. We could have spent more time there, but we were on another mission to get back into town and get some more great bargains at the markets.

SET UP FOR THE AUSTRALIA BALL PERFORMANCE

Saturday morning was free time and all members had an opportunity to do some quick sightseeing around the famous areas of Beijing. Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and other historic places beckoned and, although the weather had supplied a vigorous cold snap (minus 2 degrees with a wind chill factor of about minus 10 degrees) we were pleased with the touring and shopping opportunities. Everyone seemed to find some bartering abilities, with $15 Calvin Klein shirts top of the list. All genuine shirts of course, only the best made in China.

LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE CONDUCTING THE PLA-N BAND

The trip took quite a while as the traffic is quiet horrendous and surprisingly, in a city of 18 million people, we realised, with some amazement, that we are all probably physically closer than we think to someone we know. As we were waiting for a red light to change, one of the band members pointed out a girl walking along the footpath and said that it looked like the sister of a friend of his back home. Someone shouted out her name, in the unlikely event that it was her, and to our amazement she looked around. Of course, the traffic lights changed at that precise time and we were off, leaving behind a very bewildered woman standing on a street in Beijing, having just had her name called by a busload of unseen strangers. (I made Leading Seaman Lachlan MacFie promise that he would call his friend when we got home and solve the mystery for his

The Australia Ball is provided by the Australia Embassy in Beijing for ex-pats and locals and to our pleasant surprise over 700 tickets were sold, guaranteeing a large audience. The very spacious ballroom at the China World Hotel was chosen as the venue and the embassy also hired professional lighting and sound, which enabled us to concentrate solely on the music. We felt and were treated like rock stars and knew it was going to be a great night. We were not disappointed. The Jazz group entertained during the entrées and then the band marched out to do the floor show. The crowd really appreciated the little touch of

WHERE WE ARE HEADED

sister!) After we had finished shopping and bewildering tourists, we made our way, under the guidance of local expert Captain Rixon, to an authentic Peking Duck restaurant for authentic Peking Duck, a must when one visits Peking (Beijing). After dinner, we treated ourselves to a massage and agreed that we had a great end to another busy day.

STATEMENT BY THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP GROUP

The Royal Australian Navy Band is one of the few platforms in which Navy can take its message to the people of Australia. Its musicians reflect the quality of Navy's people and the values for which all members of the Royal Australian Navy aspire. Its strengths are its people, level of expertise, flexibility, and its reputation. Statement of Intent: We will value each other and honour our heritage. In achieving this we acknowledge that our band has a strong history, enjoys a very good reputation throughout the nation and within Navy, and plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness. We also acknowledge that the quality of our people along with the depth of expertise within the band and its strong history contribute significantly to the band’s image as an organisation worthy of the confidence of the people with whom it conducts its business.

BEATING TO QUARTERS IN THE GYMNASIUM AT THE PLA-N BASE

We will balance the needs and aspirations of each other with the requirements of the Service.

Our final day in Beijing started with a concert with the PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army – Navy) band at a gymnasium on the navy base. We were the first international band to perform at this base and the concert was attended by some high ranking senior officers of the Chinese Navy, defence attaches and cadet officers. We opened the concert with some jazz and rock, and were then entertained by the PLAN band. One of the singers from the Chinese Band asked Leading Seaman Beach to join him in “Sailing” and although Jason has a certain degree of shyness (!) he accepted. He reports that it was a great experience and it was certainly a huge hit with the crowd. The Director of the PLA-N band Colonel Li Xing conducted Advance Australia Fair and I conducted the Chinese National Anthem. The 400 Chinese military personnel really enjoyed the concert as did the 100 VIPs. After a magnificent buffet lunch with the Chinese band we headed back to the motel to collect our things and begin the long trip home. By the time we arrived at the airport and checked in for the 2130 flight everyone was exhausted and agreed that sleep was a good option for the trip home.

We acknowledge that the band's ability to complete its mission is limited by its financial position. However, and despite those funding challenges, we are determined to complete our mission by balancing the needs and aspirations of our people and their competing interests with the requirements of the Service. We are committed to Navy’s values of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty. We will demonstrate that commitment by being truthful, by doing what we know is right regardless of the challenge, by displaying honesty and fairness, and by demonstrating a commitment to all of our people and to our duty of service. Strategic Imperatives 1. Maintain the band’s commitment to embarking small elements in Major Fleet Units. 2.

The final word comes from Leading Seaman Jason Beach. “It was a fantastic trip and a great experience. The band sounded great and for all of us I am sure it was one of the best rock group gigs we have done in the Navy. They trip wouldn’t have been what it was if it wasn’t for the help and friendship of Captain Vaughn Rixon and his wife Felicity. They went out of their way to make the trip a memorable and enjoyable one, and it was.”

Seek opportunities to conduct Benchmark Activities.

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 11 OF 11 DECEMBER 2007

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE

CONTENTS

Members from the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band flew to Sydney on Monday 13 August 2007, where they assisted the Sydney detachment with a live broadcast at the ABC studios. Between rehearsals for this event a small ten-piece group began compiling a long list of music for the various ensembles. This included the ceremonial component, jazz ensemble and rock group to enable entertainment on all levels for the South East Asia deployment aboard HMAS Parramatta. The group consisted of Petty Officer Natalea Erskine, Leading Seaman Rob Flynn, Able Seaman Belinda Knowles, Able Seaman Belinda Marks, Able Seaman Angus Donald, Able Seaman Cameron McAllister, Able Seaman Bruce McIntyre, Able Seaman Melanie Wilkinson, Able Seaman Mark Shearn, and Able Seaman Steve Tabe. We joined Parramatta on Monday 20 August 2007 where the first challenge was storing equipment on board the ship. With a little confusion this was soon sorted and the music equipment was stowed on the Mezzanine Deck in the hanger. (continued on page 13)

HMAS PARRAMATTA DEPLOYMENT

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DTACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

COMMENDATIONS

HMAS SYDNEY DEPLOYMENT

HMAS ADELAIDE DEPLOYMENT

STORIES FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

AUSTRALIAN IDOL

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

broad range of tasks right across the country. The level of confidence that I have in these small but highly effective detachments will be demonstrated next year with tasks in support of Operations Astute and Anode: I intend, subject to Individual Readiness requirements being met, to select Naval Reserve musicians to form the main component to the band’s commitment to FACE sponsored music tours in support of each of these operations. We regularly continue to bring volumes of good news stories to Navy and our people are without doubt very positive ambassadors for Navy. However, we face new challenges ahead; particularly with regards to the tightening financial climate and our ability to fund all of the things that we would like to achieve. I see this as our biggest challenge in the years to come: we will need to find more cost effective ways in which to deliver our message to the people of Australia and, at the same time, keep ourselves motivated.

LIVE TO AIR BROADCAST TO A NATIONAL AUDIENCE ON THE ABC CLASSIC FM BREAKFAST SHOW AUGUST 2007

The history of the Navy Band has continued to develop at full pace, and its record of service is no where more clearly demonstrated than in this edition of RAN Band News. We have the usual stories of, what seems like, our routine work and engagement within the Australian community: it may be routine; but in the Australian Defence Force we are recognised as delivering a very high level of service and standard of product for Navy. Also in this edition are stories about our work in support of ship Commissioning Ceremonies and Welcome Home Ceremonies: our leading role in these ceremonies ensures Nation best outcomes. However, personal highlights for me are the stories from our embarked musicians, and the four Commanding Officer Commendations that have been included in this edition that clearly articulate the quality of our people.

Sadly, as the year drew to a close we learned of the passing of one of our former colleagues. Petty Officer Kirsty Jones served in the band for seven years prior to posting to Maritime Headquarters and then to the Leadership and Management School. In January this year, after a period of prolonged illness, she was discharged from Navy. For all those who knew her and followed her struggle with cancer, Kirsty will be remembered as an exceptional sailor: she was, and remains, inspirational. Kirsty was held in very high regard for her contribution to Navy and was awarded a Maritime Commander Commendation for her efforts. Her funeral, last Friday, was attended by more than 500 mourners: a testament in itself to the high esteem for which she was regarded. I intend, subject to the family’s agreement, to introduce a perpetual shield to be awarded to the musician sailor who demonstrates the qualities for which she was known and will always be remembered.

Over the past six months we embarked musicians in three Major Fleet Units, deployed a musical team to the Solomon Islands in support of a Forces Advisory Council of Entertainment (FACE) tour, and still managed to do our usual business within and around the Nation.

Reflecting over the past six months, I am very proud of the way in which all of our musicians have performed their duties. Thank you for the contribution that each of you make towards ensuring that the Navy Band is regarded as ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensemble’. Enjoy the Christmas period with your families and travel safely wherever your journey takes you throughout this festive season.

Feedback that I have received about the contribution made by our people to these sea deployments and to FACE activities has been superb and demonstrates the significant level of additional capability that these small music elements provide to these important overseas missions. On a larger scale, we conducted a Benchmark Flagship Recital in Sydney, performed live-to-air to a national audience for the ABC Classic FM Breakfast Show, and recorded a collection of marches and overtures that will shortly be placed on the band’s website. We commenced a project to record our chamber ensembles and a collection of audio stories about our people, and our drums have now been refurbished with the inclusion of our Battle Honours and Roll of Remembrance.

P.C. ANDERSON Lieutenant Commander, RAN Director of Music

Our reserve musicians now routinely integrate with our permanent musicians in major tasks. The Reserve Detachments maintain a small but very effective level of capability and are highly regarded. This capability adds a significant degree of flexibility enabling the band to meet a

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

works to improve and maintain her skills. Heather has also been given additional responsibilities. At various times during the past five years, Heather was given the role of percussion section leader. As a percussionist myself, I know all too well how difficult this task can be and Heather did extremely well. Recently she has been handed the responsibility of preparing the new parade drums. They are looking fantastic and should be ready for unveiling in the near future. On behalf of the Sydney detachment I would like to sincerely thank Heather for her contribution and wish her the best of luck in Melbourne.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

Of course the now ‘National Celebrity’ Able Seaman Carl Riseley will soon depart the Navy to pursue a civilian music career following his success on Australian Idol. During his five years with the Royal Australian Navy Band, Carl has proven to be an outstanding instrumentalist and vocalist. Although he performed very well vocally with the Rock Group, Carl really began to shine when he began to sing with the Big Band and now look where it has taken him! Carl’s cheerful personality will be missed and we wish him all the best in the future.

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT PERFORMS A MARCHING DISPLAY AT THE NAVY WEEK OPEN DAY

I would like to start this article by wishing all readers a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year. So what did the past six months bring to the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band? For starters, I would like to thank Lieutenant Commander Anderson for allowing me to take three months Long Service Leave and filling in as Music Director for Sydney detachment in my absence. Being a full time dad is something very few experience and I am very grateful for the opportunity.

What we have achieved As a large number of personnel were away at sea for the second half of the year, the ensembles were restructured and rehearsed for the busy months ahead. Even though the Wind Orchestra was not as large as we were used to and many personnel were playing secondary instruments in ensembles such as The Admiral’s Own, the Sydney detachment achieved outstanding results.

I would like to congratulate Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer (Vocalist from New South Wales detachment) for an outstanding performance at her University Recital in November. Her thrilling programme included Copeland’s As It Fell Upon A Day accompanied by members of the Sydney detachment, Able Seaman Andrew Doyle on clarinet and Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya on flute.

Highlights of the last six months were: •

Another performance saw Able Seaman Matthew van Emmerik performing the Janacek Sinfonietta with the Sydney Symphony and Holst’s Planets Suite with the New Zealand Philharmonia. Matt performed brilliantly and was thrilled to perform with such fantastic orchestras.

• • • •

Promotions, Courses and New Members Congratulations to Tracy Burke for her promotion to Leading Seaman. Leading Seaman Burke and Able Seaman Cathy Wainwright are currently undertaking the Section Leader Course at the School of Music in Melbourne. The Sydney detachment is happy to welcome a new member who recently moved to Australia from the UK, ex-Royal Marine, Leading Seaman Martyn Hancock (Tuba / Bass). We also welcome back Able Seaman Damian Dowd (Vocals / Percussion).

• •

•

Farewells •

This Christmas we say farewell to Able Seaman Heather Wright who is off to HMAS Cerberus to join the Melbourne detachment. Heather has been a great asset to the Sydney detachment, and is a fine percussionist who constantly

ABC Classic FM Breakfast Broadcast (August). Many accolades were received in the days following this broadcast. State Dinner for the Chinese President (September). Recital and recording at the ABC Centre (September). Commissioning of HMAS Launceston (September) Merry Makers Gala Dinner (October). The Admiral’s Own performed to over 500 guests, including the Governor of New South Wales at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Deployment to Solomon Island’s for OP ANODE (October). Community Concert in Singleton (November). The Wind Orchestra performed to 700 people at the Singleton Civic Centre together with other musicians from the area. Departure Ceremony for HMAS Arunta’s deployment to OP CATALYST (November). Attended by many family and friends of the Ship’s Company and the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson. Hydro 2007 Awards Dinner in Cairns.

Currently some personnel are in Adelaide assisting the South Australian detachment for Navy Week in Adelaide.

Head Quarters for a combined concert with the Solomon Islands Police Band. The whole team met up again for an outdoor evening concert in the beautiful tropical grounds of the Guadalcanal Beach Resort. The night went extremely well and continued for about four hours.

December will bring some of the usual commitments such as the New Entry Officer Course Graduation Parade at HMAS Creswell, Christmas Concert at HMAS Watson and a quick trip to Canberra for Chief of Navy’s Christmas Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset. Also starting in December is a series of Summer Concerts to be held at the Navy Heritage Centre on Garden Island.

The next morning we cleaned the gear and headed for home: a short but worthwhile deployment.

Tour De Force 9 – Solomon Islands

As we head off for Christmas holidays I would like to thank all members of the Sydney detachment for their contributions. Please take it easy on the roads and see you all next year.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE EVENING PERFORMANCE AT THE GUADALCANAL BEACH RESORT

The final six months of 2007 contained the usual graduation parades, studio and community concerts, government and military support and other miscellaneous performances but there were many highlights.

In October 16 members of the Sydney detachment teamed up with the Morris Cotton Keays Band, Adam Dean (magician), Adrian Ross (Didgeridoo) and Chris Radburn (Comedian) for Tour de Force 9 to the Solomon Islands. No sooner had the plane touched down; we were off to our first gig for the tour. The Jazz Group along with Adam Dean (magician) and Adrian Ross (Didgeridoo) went in to Honiara to perform at a Pink Ribbon Charity Dinner.

In July, we travelled to Cairns to assist HMAS Cairns with Navy Week celebrations. Normally held in October, activities were moved to July to coincide with the Cairns Show; one of provincial Australia’s largest agricultural and commercial gatherings. Performances were given at several venues, allowing rock, jazz and parade bands to entertain very large and appreciative crowds. The national anthem was performed each evening with a local music student, giving us a chance to hear the local talent and not even an errant clown could distract us from the tasks at hand. Also in Cairns we performed at several schools and managed to relax for an hour or two at the Daintree Forest.

The next day started with a range shoot followed by a tour of the Mbarana (pronounced Burana) village. After mingling with the locals, it was back to the camp at Guadalcanal Beach Resort to set up for the evening performance at Harry’s Bar. The three hour performance was well-received and concluded with the Morris, Cotton and Keays Band joining the Navy Band on stage playing ‘Down Under’ to a packed dance floor.

Another highlight for July was a performance by the big band at the Opera Australia Ball. A regular fixture on our calendar, the theme this year was “L’Amour” (Love) and required a Latin band. We were only too happy to oblige and set about extending our capabilities by including Latin, Brazilian and Cuban rhythms and flavours. ABC Television visited in July to conclude taping an episode of “Can We Help?” which involved the reunification of two past band members. Rudy Strating and Louis Burdett hadn’t seen each other for over twenty years and were keen to revisit Cerberus “where it all began.” In early August, we accepted the challenge of providing a band at short notice for a ball at East Malvern for 22 Construction Regiment, Oakleigh, and prepared others to travel to Sydney to assist in a Recording and ABC Broadcast. Others prepared themselves for life at sea. Petty Officer Erskine and Able Seamen Bruce McIntyre and Cameron MacAllister joined HMAS Parramatta for a journey

ABLE SEAMAN NEIL MILDREN, LEADING SEAMAN CHRIS PALAMOUNTAIN AND ABLE SEAMAN CHRIS ELLIS PERFORM AT THE PINK RIBBON CHARITY DINNER

The next day saw the team do three performances. First the whole team performed at one of the Forward Operating Bases. Then some of us went to the Solomon Islands Police

including Singapore, Maizuru (Japan), Hong Kong, Shanghai, Vladivostok, and Cebu (Philippines). Petty Officer Kara Williams and Able Seaman Jennifer Monk joined HMAS Sydney on her voyage across the Pacific to Hawaii and the US West Coast.

Our Christmas season is busier this year with the usual performance at the Cerberus Carols Concert and new performances at Albert Park Carols by the Lake, Sages Cottage Carols, Collins Place, Mornington and the State Library of Victoria forecourt.

Of those left at home, the classical wind players took advantage of the opportunity to record some Chamber Wind pieces for the ABC and also to present concerts in suburban Melbourne.

We visited, and were visited by many schools, including Mt Martha Primary, Crib Point Primary, Portland College, Pascoe Vale Girls School, Peninsula School, Maranatha School, Foster School, and Leongatha School.

August also included performances at St Marks Cerberus for the Fleet Air Arm Association Annual Memorial Service, Back to Caulfield day for the Legacy Lone Pine Ceremony, Sandringham College Jobs Expo and the Shrine of Remembrance (Maltese Australian Association).

Our series of studio concerts, Sound Waves, became increasingly popular, resulting in very large crowds. In fact, we had to provide many extra seats for the October and November concerts, even putting audience members on the stage to cope with the extra numbers. Maybe it’s our sparkling repartee or even our dazzling personalities but if things continue along the same path, we’ll have to look at a larger venue or more concerts. Watch this space in 08!

September began with a Country Fire Association Dinner at Frankston RSL and a memorial service at the Shrine of Remembrance for Legacy. The following Sunday we joined a very large gathering of National Service Men and Women in their annual march and service at HMAS Cerberus. We assisted the Defence Force School of Music by providing extra players for some conducting assessments and later in the week, provided music for the annual Blessing of the Animals service at St Marks. As an attendee, I can reliably inform you that the animal that caused the most noise, 99% in fact, was our own Roxy, the Cerberus mascot. She didn’t scare the rats though: rats courtesy of Chief Petty Officer Physical Trainer Cunningham.

No body is proceeding on posting this year, except for myself. A big welcome back to Melbourne detachment next January for Lieutenant Paul Cottier. Able Seaman Melissa Hughes is the only member discharging. Many thanks Mel for her skills over the last four years and best wishes for your new career.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

October performances included the 75th Anniversary of the Country Women’s Association lunch at Balnarring (racy calendar not-withstanding), the annual National Serviceman’s Service at Berwick, the biannual Cerberus Open Day (with the second very successful edition of the Cerberus School Bands Festival), the launch of HMNZS Wellington at Williamstown, the Seafarers Service at St Paul’s, Melbourne, and the Navy Week Commemoration Service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

November became a busy month for the Wind Ensemble, with several “Last Night at the Proms” concerts (Band Studio and St Peters Anglican Church, Brighton) drawing large, appreciative crowds. At the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, our annual combined concert with Monash Concert Band became a Remembrance Day concert as it fell on 11 November. Cadets with flags, a sunset ceremony and a remembrance service were highlights of a large programme.

L-R – LEADING SEAMAN ATKINSON, ABLE SEAMAN GRYNCHUK, LEADING SEAMAN STOTT, LEADING SEAMAN MCREDMOND, ABLE SEAMAN JAMIESON (FRONT) RANDALL KELLAS, PETTY OFFICER TSCHIRN, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANTONOFF

The Rock Group travelled to Holbrook, New South Wales on Saturday 17 November to perform at the Holbrook and District Race Club Ball. Originally called Germanton, the town’s name was changed during the First World War to honour Commander Norman Holbrook of the Royal Navy who had taken his submarine on a hazardous journey through mine fields laid in the Dardanelle’s.

The South Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band completed the latter half of 2007 with a very busy Navy Week which included HMAS Adelaide’s final visit to its name sake city before she decommissions in early 2008. The South Australian detachment was ably

career as a full-time musician in the Royal Australian Navy Band and look forward to joining forces with him in the future. Able Seaman Katia Labozetta has been ill. We wish her well as she recovers and look forward to her working with the band in the near future. Congratulations go to Leading Seaman Luke Townsend who ties the knot with Sharon in January 2008. Our best wishes go to them both for a wonderful wedding day and a life together filled with love and happiness.

supported during Navy Week by members of the Sydney detachment without whose assistance much of what we achieved would not have been possible. The highlight for Adelaide’s visit was the Freedom of Entry (FOE) to Adelaide followed by a very successful open day with crowds estimated at 10,000: this was one of the largest crowds seen in recent years for a Royal Australian Navy ship open day in Adelaide. Many of the South Australian detachment musicians made themselves available for all of Navy Week days at the Adelaide museum forecourt and on the coast at Glenelg. The Rock Group led by vocalists Abel Seaman Musicians Lanie Jamieson, Anna Boychenko and Petty Officer Clayton Tschirn performed at the Glenelg foreshore and the Adelaide Museum forecourt to an enthusiastic audience.

We also welcome two new members: Able Seaman’s Anna Boychenko on vocals and Andrew McDonald on trombone. They each bring with them a wealth of experience and I look forward to their contribution and working with them. It has been another busy year and I am, as always, grateful for the support, commitment and dedication shown by the members of the South Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Their willingness to seek leave from their employers and juggle the calendar in their own business or family life to make themselves available on almost every occasion combined with their enthusiasm at each muster never ceases to amaze me and makes it a pleasure for me to work with and for them.

Opportunities continued for South Australian detachment musicians to travel interstate in support of naval activities. Devonport was the first port of call in support of HMAS Stuart’s Freedom of Entry. This was the first trip to Tasmania for many members of the South Australian detachment and the Freedom of Entry also proved to be an excellent rehearsal for Adelaide’s Freedom of Entry two months later. Able Seaman Markov has been in demand to support the Queensland detachment on several occasions.

Best wishes from all of us here in sunny South Australia for a Merry Christmas and a well deserved break before we do it all again in 2008.

Local commitments included the annual Vietnam Veteran’s Day, RAAF Edinburgh’s open day and a very successful, well-received performance at the Arkaba hotel for an afternoon of musical history. The most poignant event was the South Australian detachment’s support for the laying of a plaque at Navy Gardens to remember our fallen musicians from past conflicts. A plaque to remember musicians who lost their lives in various theatres of war was the dream of ex RAN musician Randall Kellas who served 1959-1961.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHN

Hi from the sunshine state. The months of June and July were unusually quiet, with the Cocktail reception for HMAS Ballarat, a memorial Dedication for Rear Admiral Brian Castles at Sanctuary Cove and a Ceremonial Sunset at Sandgate RSL, being the only engagements. Throughout the last part of this year the Queensland detachment has utilised the services of three Drum Kit players, Leading Seaman Parnell (Tasmania), Able Seaman Markov (Adelaide) and Able Seaman Murphy (Emerald). Each drummer has had minimal, if any, rehearsal with the Queensland detachment. Their respective contributions have allowed the detachment to continue to operate and maintain its high profile here in Queensland. Gentlemen, I would like to personally thank you on behalf of the Queensland detachment for your continued professionalism and support: it has been an absolute pleasure working with each of you.

A PLAQUE FOR FALLEN MUSICIANS DURING WAR AT THE NAVY GARDENS IN ADELAIDE

Able Seaman Fred Whitson has decided to move on to bigger and better things and is transferring to the Melbourne detachment as a full-time musician in 2008. Fred has been a keen and enthusiastic member whose contribution and friendship will be missed. We wish him well in his new

September began with the Asia Pacific Cities Summit held at the Brisbane Convention Centre: an audience of 1500

performance of the Stage band with some very tasteful and impressive playing.

gave the Stage Band an excellent reception. Later the same day the Queensland detachment was performing a Ceremonial Sunset at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron at Manly. The following day the Stage Band produce a memorable performance at the Wynnum Manly Jazz Festival, with notable performances by Able Seaman Gemma Tilly (Vocalist), Able Seaman Darren Skaar (Trumpet), Leading Seaman Daniel Blackmore (Trombone), Able Seaman Tony Bryer (Saxophone), Able Seaman Tim Murphy (Drum Kit) and Recruit Anthony Sargeant (Saxophone).

Following the Government House Investitures in September, Government House had expressed a desire to hold a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset with Reception to follow at Government House. After some planning and rehearsals Friday 19 October brought the Queensland detachment and 16 members of the Federation Guard to perform at Government House. Following a very successful and inspiring performance, the Governor of Queensland hosted a reception for Navy Headquarters – South Queensland (NHQ-SQ): an enjoyable evening was had by all.

On 14 September, the Brass group provided support for Government House Investitures in Brisbane and presented us the opportunity to wave the flag for the Royal Australian Navy. The Brass Groups’ efforts were well-received and further opportunities will be forth coming. Two days later the Queensland detachment was involved with one of its regular yearly engagements; the Seafarers Church service at St John’s Cathedral. As in past years the service went very well, with all the musicians again commenting on the excellent acoustics in the Cathedral.

Recruit Anthony Sargeant has now completed his training and has been posted into the Queensland detachment. Welcome Anthony; another sax player to strengthen the saxophone section. Anthony was promoted to Able Seaman at the Queensland detachment Band Room by our Commanding Officer, Commander Forbes Peters. It is great to see our recruit musicians completing the training process. Well done Anthony! Recruit Bonnie Clough is now completing her training and should be fully posted into the detachment in the near future.

The end of September presented the Queensland detachment with the opportunity to perform in Stanthorpe, located three hours inland from Brisbane. The detachment has not visited this area in seven years, and the trip proved most successful. The evening commenced with a static version of Ceremonial Sunset, with the Stage Band performing for the rest of the evening to a very appreciative audience. The following day the Queensland detachment travelled back in the 22 seater bus to set-up for the Defence Charity Ball at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

December brings the Commissioning of HMAS Maryborough to Brisbane and very busy three days of rehearsal and activities, with support from various detachments. Our year will conclude with the Carols by Candlelight at Ipswich 15 December 2007. I would like to thank all those personnel who have assisted the Queensland detachment in some way throughout the year, your continued support has made our job easier and is greatly appreciated. Have a great Christmas leave period and enjoy the time spent with your family, I know we will, look forward to seeing you in the New Year

At 1730 that evening I was preparing to leave home for the gig at the Convention Centre. My expectant wife, Anna, excitedly informed me that her waters had broken and we were soon on our way to North West Hospital. As we travelled to the hospital I contacted Chief Petty Officer Ken McCallum to inform him that I would probably not be attending the engagement and to take charge, I would contact him as soon as I had any further information.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

The Queensland detachment performed extremely well at the Defence Charity Ball, with many favourable comments being passed on to me after the event. Our new baby daughter, Charlise Bianchin Vaughan was born 0923 on the 30 Sep 07 after 15 hours of labour. Anna and I thank you all for your kind thoughts and congratulations that we have received, we are very happy and proud new parents. As any new parents will soon find out, sleep is one of those things that some how, you learn to cope without.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

Well, after four years as the bandmaster of the Sydney detachment it was with much pleasure and enthusiasm that I took up my new position as Bandmaster of the New South Wales detachment toward the end of July. I would firstly like to acknowledge the terrific contribution that Chief Petty Officer Rob Wright made as Bandmaster of the New South Wales detachment over many years. The job can be quite time consuming and demanding and Rob gave a lot of his time and energy to achieving very good results. Fortunately for me, the Director of Music saw the need for a full time Chief Petty Officer to enable the New South Wales detachment to receive the same standard of management and support that the other detachments enjoyed. I would

The month of October began with the Joint Logistics Conference, an audience of about 450 was entertained by the Jazz Group and Stage Band, without rehearsal Able Seaman Yuri Markov joined us from the South Australian detachment, to assist on Drum Kit and enhanced the

trumpet section. Once again I would like to thank the many members from the Sydney detachment who have assisted and supplemented the New South Wales detachment over the last few months. All of you have made a significant and much appreciated contribution, enabling the New South Wales detachment to provide the best possible musical support.

like to thank Rob for his understanding and assistance during the transition, and again acknowledge his dedication and commitment. The detachment’s first commitment with me along for the ride was a three day tour to Forster on the New South Wales mid-north coast. We were there at the request of the Forster / Tuncurry Royal Volunteer Coast Guard to provide musical support for their fund raising ball. The event enjoys massive support from the community with guests numbering about 500 or more. The detachment performed three Stage Band sets and the Small Group performed a couple of sets to see the night out. The next day we performed at the Forster markets to very good and appreciative crowds. I would have to say that my first impression of the overall quality of the performances over the weekend was quite good and I was optimistic and satisfied with my new position.

October saw the return to the detachment of newly promoted, Leading Seaman Paul Panichi. Having Leading Seaman Panichi’s trumpet expertise at rehearsals and commitments provides an amazing boost to the quality of the Big Band sound in particular. I am not quite sure what occurs when he sits in, but it is as if everyone’s playing lifts to a new level. It is great to have him back. Commitments throughout October included Navy Open Day at Fleet Base East, Trafalgar Dinner at the Royal Auto Club, Corvette Association Service at Garden Island Chapel and a Mess Dinner at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay. I think I managed to fit in a deployment to the Solomon Islands in there as well. Quite a month!

I had forgotten how tedious a lot of the admin tasks associated with the reserve detachments can be, but after a short while it all started to come back to me and with the help of my new Personal Assistant (PA), Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis, things are going along quite nicely. She is not really my PA but I think it sounds good and Sharon likes to keep busy. Thanks for your help Petty Officer Jarvis. In August the detachment performed at the Penshurst RSL for a charity luncheon where we performed music from our small Wind Ensemble repertoire which included vocals from Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer and Able Seaman Tony Creek. You might know a few of the tunes such as Begin the Beguine, Blue Tango, As Time Goes By and Blue Moon. Many featured Able Seaman Damien Dowd on vocals and when he was not singing he was playing drums and sometimes doing both at once. The Director of Music was a guest at the function and he was so impressed with the performance by the detachment, including Able Seaman Dowd’s versatility, that when Damien asked to transfer back full time he took him. Fortunately for the New South Wales detachment, Damien has volunteered his services and is still available to the reserves for major commitments. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his continued support and acknowledge his incredible talent.

ABLE SEAMAN BRYONY DWYER ENTERTAINS CROWDS WITH THE NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT AT OPEN DAY

The following weekend I conducted the first of many Memorial Services at Garden Island Chapel. These services form a regular part of the detachments traditional commitment requests and provide the opportunity for our female vocalist to shine in her more familiar classical vocal repertoire. Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer not only provides excellent support to the hymns but her renditions of tunes like Panis Angelicus really sets the mood and atmosphere for the service to come.

November was also busy. The Sydney / Emden dinner at HMAS Kuttabul Wardroom saw a return of the Mess Band classics and Able Seaman Terry McCleary was kept busy playing the bugle for a number of Remembrance Day Services in Sydney. The detachment also performed up at the Avalon Beach RSL for a Tri-service Cadet Expo. Our contribution included two Stage Band sets, featuring Leading Seaman Panichi and Leading Seaman Andrew Hansch going for everything on trumpet, and the event concluded with a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset featuring a Tri-service Cadet Guard. On Sunday 25 November we provided our annual support to the HMAS Parramatta Association and the detachment’s final commitment for the year is on 9 December at HMAS Harman for its Family Xmas Fun Day.

I would like to thank Able Seaman Kirstin Paynter for her contributions to the New South Wales detachment before she transfers back into full time duties in January next year. Her mentoring role has been beneficial to the players of the

I hope everyone has a Happy Christmas and a long and relaxing leave period. I’m building a shed out at “Muckabout Farm” over leave and going on a family holiday down the South Coast and I can hardly wait.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

assistance I doubt any of these events would have run as smoothly as they did.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

The Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band have had an extraordinary second half of the year with activities including Ships Commissioning, Freedom of Entries as well as the annual V8 Supercar series. Musically the detachment goes from strength to strength with the loss of Able Seaman Angus Donald to the Sydney detachment being covered by Leading Seaman Damien Norman (tenor saxophone) who stepped up to take his place on guitar. Leading Seaman Norman’s abilities as such have led us to the conclusion that we do not have to recruit another guitarist; however, simply replace him on the saxophone. MEMBERS FROM THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT HOLDING THE LATEST MODEL IN RECRUITING!

The events covered this half included the Ship Commissioning Ceremonies for HMAS Childers, in Cairns, and HMAS Launceston, at Beauty Point (north of Launceston). Going to Cairns, in particular, was an extremely memorable occasion for this detachment as many of the members had not been there before, with some having never been north of Stanley Tasmania. We were extremely grateful for this opportunity and hoped that we performed to all expectations.

Our final major commitment for the year was the V8 Supercars at Symmons Plains on 17 and 18 November. This event is the largest sporting, as well as public, event in Tasmania with over 60,000 people attending. Along with Defence Force Recruiting, the Defence V8 Ute display and the Tasmanian detachment all set up along side each other, which created quite a carnival atmosphere attracting many thousands to our area. Statements from Recruiting and Manpower indicated that they have had the best response from the public to date. This is largely attributed to the Rock Ensembles performance over the two days. Playing repertoire to suit the occasion has become one of our priorities and works extremely well. If you want to hear ACDC or Metallica as it would sound by the original artists come to Tasmania and listen to the Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. On a final note I would once again like to thank all those who supported me and the Tasmanian detachment during my time recovering from the horse riding accident. You certainly know how close and team oriented the Royal Australian Navy Band is when these things happen. My wife, Cindy, got the third degree while I was in the emergency ward and to the amusement of the nursing staff instead of worrying about what I had done to myself I was barking orders at her regarding the Ship Commissioning and Freedom of Entry. I must admit I was heavily under the influence of morphine; however, I was extremely concerned about the activities that were taking place only a week later. Thanks to Lieutenant Andrew Stokes, Cindy’s own worries were relieved when he assured her all would be taken care of. And of course it was with Chief Petty Officer Stapleton and Leading Seaman Armstrong as well as all who were involved during these activities ensuring all went according to plan.

ABLE SEAMAN JUSTIN MUNDAY, LEADING SEAMAN DAMIAN NORMAN & LEADING SEAMAN RICHARD ARMSTRONG PERFORMING AT THE STANLEY DOCKSIDE FESTIVAL

With a short break from performances the Tasmanian detachment embarked on a string of ship activities including the first Freedom of Entry in Devonport for HMAS Stuart and the Commissioning of HMAS Launceston all within a week of each other. The only difficulty for me was the slight accident I had when I came off a horse at a great rate of knots, at approximately 40/50 km/h, landing on my side on a mound on the side of the road. As a result I broke nearly every rib front and back on my right side as well as three vertebrae and the collar bone. This meant I was convalescing for over a month requiring a short term replacement. Many thanks go out to Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton from the Sydney detachment and Leading Seaman Richard Armstrong from the Tasmanian detachment for their support at this time. Without their

Finally from the Tasmanian detachment, we would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

As we were shaking our heads that we got out of October, November seemed to be just as busy but we got to let our hair down a little. The detachment celebrated its 50th Anniversary in which we had the pleasure of Lieutenant Commander Anderson OAM RAN (the boss) come over and unveil our new Honour Board at our Official Dinner. The dinner was held at RAAFA Bull Creek with about 120 people in attendance. There were a few old faces that we haven’t seen for a while and it was great to catch up with them again: seems like they only left yesterday. Most of these guys never seem to age and look as good as the day they paid off. The decorations, banners, placemats, medallions, port bottles and all labelling are beyond words. I would like to thank Murray Jongeling for the many hours he spent making all these up for a very special night. Thanks also to the Anniversary committee to all their tireless work they put in to the lead up to this event. Now the Anniversary weekend is over, it was back to business. There was another memorial service at Fremantle Surf Lifesaving Club in honour HMAS SYDNEY II. This month sees 15 nations here for Exercise Pacific Reach in which we played for two of their functions. The bugler saw out the month with another memorial service in Fremantle.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

As the years seem to blend into each other, we are finding that another year is near its end. The second half of the year always seems to be busier than the first, but not by much. Being the usual workload for the detachment, the guys and girls seem to be smiling all the time and this seems to reflect in their music as well. July always seems to be a month where gigs are slow to come out of the gates. There was the usual Independence Day breakfast with the Commanding Officer of HMAS Stirling over at Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. We also had the pleasure of doing the Western Australian Launch of “Sea Patrol” at the Mussel Bar here in Fremantle. A few members of the cast were here for that which meant we got to get up close and personal with them. The end of the month we all went down to Stirling again to play for the Officers Dine-In Night that is always well turned out.

Finally December brings us to the end of the year. Firstly there was a Christmas Family Fun Day at HMAS Stirling. The Dixie Group pumped out some toe-tappers for the audience but all the action was at the pool. Looks like next time we will set up and play there. Next night was Christmas Carols at John Curtin School of the Arts which was well turned out. There was also a Pacific Reach function to close the exercise off. HMAS Adelaide had its De-commissioning Ball at the Overseas Passenger Terminal: the ship does not however actually Decommission until 19 January 2008. The Assistant Police Commissioner had a Christmas Ball at Fraser Restaurant at Kings Park (nice view of the city from there).The final function of the year is another Christmas Carols at Whitfords. By this time the band is exhausted and needs a well-earned rest.

August seems to be the month of funerals and a plethora of memorial services. The only breakaway function we did from this was another one of Armidale Class Patrol Boat Naming Ceremony’s. We have done many of these and start feeling like part of the furniture in our corner of the marquee. September seems to be a well rounded month that we get to do a little of everything. There is the usual Battle of Britain luncheon at the Parmelia Hotel. For a bunch of mature aged persons, these guys put some of the young guys to shame on the amount of time they spend on the dance floor. Also, they clapped after every song we played which was great feedback for us. Corrigin saw the detachment in town for their Agricultural Show. Shame about the weather as this really cut down our performance. October was the month from hell. There were a total of 10 commitments. The month started off with the Perth Royal Show. We performed there on two separate occasions, which seemed well-received; but many people just weren’t interested in seeing us there playing Dixie. Most were there for the show bags, livestock and Side-Show Alley. We played for the final Armidale Class Patrol Boat Naming Ceremony which makes a total of 14. The Australian Navy Cadets had a Pass-Out Parade during these school holidays. There were also two functions with the Nelson Society. The first was the Nelson Sword presentation on the back of HMAS Warramunga and the other was a Memorial Service in the city. A big night we had was the Submariners held a Ball at Burswood and they went all out to make the night a success. The backdrop and decorations were unbelievable. To finish the month, the Royal Marines had a memorial service followed by a luncheon at East Fremantle Yacht Club.

On that note, there are no new additions to our team as in births. Promotion side of things, Kristy Cameron, Nadene Starkie and James Colvin are all Leading Seaman. Leonie Bradford has graced us from Recruit School and is the newest member of the detachment playing flute and clarinet. I hope everyone has a wonderful and prosperous Christmas and takes this time to be with their families. It has been a busy second half of the year and we have all deserved a well-earned rest. See you all in the next counter-march.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Navy members on the course, Able Seaman Cathy Wainwright (flute) and Leading Seaman Tracy Burke (vocalist). Both members are from the Sydney detachment and are working extremely hard and are fine ambassadors for the Royal Australian Navy.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER SIMON POTTER

The Training Management Package review continues and is making good progress. Also, there are discussions with leading Education Institutes being conducted in regards to Civilian Accreditation of courses conducted at the Defence Force School of Music. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in this area.

It is hard to believe that another year of training has almost come to an end. Since our last article, we have had two promotion courses which the Navy has been represented. The Assistant Band Leaders Course (ABL) commenced on 30 July and concluded on 21 September and the Section Leader Course (SLC) commenced on 7 of November and will conclude on 7 of December 2007.

On behalf of Lieutenant Paul Cottier, RAN and Chief Petty Officer Andrew Sansom I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2008.

The Assistant Band Leaders Course is held for members of the rank of Petty Officer who are working towards promotion to Chief Petty Officer (CPO). The course content is designed to give students the knowledge to assist them perform their role as a Bandmaster in either a Permanent Navy or Naval Reserve Band. Subjects taught are Aural, Ceremonial, Administration, Conducting, Harmony and Public Speaking.

COMMANDING OFFICER HMAS PARRAMATTA

Petty Officer Camille Martin from the Director of Music – Navy staff participated and successfully completed this years ABL Course. Camille is an outstanding musician who worked diligently throughout the course to achieve excellent results. She displayed very good leadership qualities which are essential in being a successful Bandmaster.

Presented as HMAS Parramatta crossed the Equator heading south in the Indonesian Archipelago

PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE

I commend you for your dedication to duty and the professionalism that you have consistently displayed as a member of HMAS PARRAMATTA’s Ship’s Company during our North East Asia Deployment, and in particular for your dedication, leadership and commendable work ethic in your duties as the Band Leader. Due to your efforts the embarking and integrating of the band into Ship and Task Group was achieved both effectively and efficiently. You readily accepted the challenges that this position brought and set about ensuring that the service provided to me and Task Group were of a superior standard. During all performances you ensured that you and your team were excellent ambassadors for the Ship, Task Group, Navy and Australia in general. Your efforts were a source of consistent praise during all high profile events. I am very proud.

PETTY OFFICER CAMILLE MARTIN RECEIVES A COMMENDATION FROM CAPTAIN DAVID GARNOCK

At all times during the deployment you have sought out opportunities to further both yourself and the band to ensure that the most is gained from the deployment. This ability has allowed you to develop significantly with respect to your leadership and mentoring abilities. On several occasions during the deployment you have been required to demonstrate these skills to achieve a superior outcome despite conflicting requirements.

Whilst on course, Petty Officer Martin was awarded a Commendation from the Commanding Officer HMAS Cerberus for assisting a member of the general public who was struck by a car whilst riding a bicycle. While on short leave from duty, Camille witnessed a serious cycling accident. The cyclist sustained a compound fracture to his right arm and was in shock. Being first on the scene, Camille applied first aid to the victim stemming the flow of blood from the victims arm. She also comforted the victim while waiting for Emergency Services to arrive. Captain David Garnock CSC, RAN visited the Defence Force School of Music to personally present the Commendation to Camille.

You have consistently shown superior dedication and personal commitment in fulfilling your professional requirements and whole ship responsibilities during your tenure onboard, performing at a level well above expectations. You are a fine example of a very competent and loyal Senior Sailor who applies herself for the benefit of

As I write this newsletter the second Section Leader Course for the year is currently being conducted. There are two

Your dedication to the ethos and operation of the RAN Band and your positive influence to junior sailors are of the highest order and are of the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy.

her ship and that of her shipmates. You are an exceptional example and have significant talent. Through your expert ability and initiative, and obvious pride in the Navy Band, you have achieved exemplary results. Your outstanding personal commitment reflects the Navy’s values of honour, honesty, courage, loyalty and integrity and are in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy and HMAS PARRAMATTA.

D.L. GARNOCK, CSC Captain, RAN Commanding Officer

Thank you and Bravo Zulu.

COMMANDING OFFICER HMAS CERBERUS

L.J. GODDARD Commander, CSC RAN Commanding Officer

Presented at HMAS Cerberus during the Sound Waves Concert

COMMANDING OFFICER HMAS CERBERUS

PETTY OFFICER RAYMOND DOWLER

I commend you for your outstanding commitment and contribution to the management of the Melbourne Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band at HMAS CERBERUS.

Presented at HMAS Cerberus during the Sound Waves Concert

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANNY MULHERON

Since posting to the Melbourne Detachment of the RAN Band in October 2004 and accepting the position of Petty Officer (Administration), you have been continually proactive in addressing all band management practices, resulting in a significant number of initiatives that have improved the efficiency and capacity of the band management team.

I commend you for your outstanding commitment and contribution to the management of the Melbourne Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band at HMAS CERBERUS. Since posting to the position of Bandmaster in 2005, you have exhibited the highest standards of management skills with an outstanding commitment to efficient organisation and band logistics. Your rapport with sailors and officers and your ability to liaise confidently with all members of the ADF and community allows the RAN Band to undertake a wide range of activities and maintain their reputation as an accomplished and professional military band..

The most important initiative is your development of the online RAN Band Entry Portal – a fully-linked DRN page where all members of the band can readily access all but the most obscure requirements for their daily activities. This page contains links to a number of intricate and essential databases, such as band performances, logistics, and personnel. All these databases were designed and are continually updated by you, a task which you have willingly taken on by choice. The provision of these databases and an easy means by which to access them have saved the management team and sailors of the band many hours of potentially frustrating administrative time, allowing much more emphasis and time to be placed on the more practical aspects of band activities. The Entry Portal also contains links to external sources such as, DEFWEB, PMKeys Self Service, Personnel Portal, Defence Estate Management System (DEMS), and Australian Books of Reference providing an easily accessible central DRN point.

You show critical attention to detail in your daily activities, readily passing information to sailors in timely and comprehensive daily briefs. You continually ensure that rehearsals, performances, and sailor’s dress and bearing are of the highest standard despite a plethora of performance conditions. In 2007, you addressed adverse funding limitations which affected the band’s ability to provide a comprehensive musical service and the means to travel beyond HMAS Cerberus with resourcefulness and urgency, providing solutions with great adaptability and economy. Despite a paucity of musical opportunity and a heavy administrative workload, you have maintained a high standard of musicianship and leadership and readily direct the band in the absence of the Musical Director. You generously offer your time as a bugler when required, often out of hours, allowing the band to accept a high number of engagements.

Your dedication to the management of the RAN Band and your assistance to all sailors, junior and senior, and officers are of the highest order and are of the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy. D.L. GARNOCK, CSC Captain, RAN Commanding Officer

COMMANDING OFFICER HMAS CERBERUS

out through Sydney’s Heads. Sadly due to uncontrollable circumstances the embarked group was reduced to nine members, adding a new hurdle of covering for the shortfall of losing one of its members. Due to persistence, enthusiasm and professionalism of the entire group, the loss of one member was soon rectified with a small shuffle of instrumentation and personnel.

Presented at the Defence Force School of Music

PETTY OFFICER CAMILLE MARTIN

You are commended for your outstanding professionalism and leadership in assisting a member of the general public who struck the side of a car whilst riding his bicycle. On 24 August 2007, you witnessed an accident in High Street, Northcote. The accident involved a motorist who turned her vehicle in front of an oncoming cyclist. The cyclist was travelling at high speed and after striking the car, was catapulted over the vehicle and onto the road. The cyclist was in shock and suffered several compound fractures as well as an arterial bleed to his arm. You assisted the cyclist by applying first-aid which involved applying a pressure bandage to the cyclist’s arm. The cyclist had lost a substantial amount of blood and your action in stemming the flow of blood was life saving. You comforted the cyclist until emergency services arrived on the scene.

REHEARSING THE CEREMONIAL SUNSET ON THE FLIGHT DECK OF HMAS PARRAMATTA IN SINGAPORE

On Thursday 6 September 2007 HMAS Parramatta sailed into Singapore Harbour in Procedure Alpha, the parade band positioned on the flight deck performing marches such as Royal Australian Navy, Waltzing Matilda and Aussie Salute.

Your demonstration of compassion, professionalism and instinctive first-aid assistance to a member of the general public enhanced the Navy’s reputation in the community, and set an excellent example to other ADF personnel. Your attitude and behaviour are of the highest order and are in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Navy.

Chief Petty Officer Marine Technician Aaron Beinke from the Royal Australian Navy Liaison Office (RANLO) was waiting on the wharf to assist with organising performance contacts and transport for our group and band equipment. There were a number of performances during the visit to Singapore; one of these included the Commanding Officer’s luncheon where a jazz trio performed for the distinguished guests prior to lunch in the Commanding Officer’s cabin. Guests included Russell Pendergrass NRS USN, Commander Jon Finderup (RNZN, NZDSU) and members from RNLO.

D.L. GARNOCK, CSC Captain, RAN Commanding Officer

HMAS PARRAMATTA DEPLOYMENT ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE

….continued from page 1

The Australian International School was a fantastic place to perform; all of the musicians enjoyed this event. The children were aged from kindergarten through to grade four. We performed two concerts of 20 minutes each, with a Ceremonial Drum Ruffle and a number of marches. The children had plenty of questions including, ‘Why is a trumpet so loud?’- Difficult to answer. Karen Manskey the Music Assistant at the Australian International School Singapore provided the band with a light morning tea and an in depth tour of the school. Late Saturday afternoon on 8 September we performed at the Terror Club in Singapore with two sets of jazz group, featuring solo’s on trumpet by Able Seaman McAllister and vocal features by Able Seaman Belinda Marks. This was followed by some Aussie and American rock charts to liven up the atmosphere at the Terror Club. It was a great evening and the food was excellent.

The first official function for the musicians was the Family Day Cruise. The families embarked HMAS Parramatta at 0800 hours where they were welcomed by the sounds of a selection of military marches performed by the modest parade band. Once underway the families were entertained with some light jazz including Herbie Hancock and Santana tunes. As we sailed out through Sydney Heads, the swell picked up and with lunch approaching some of our musicians assisted in the café and scullery to enable smooth messing for all concerned. With only a few civilians succumbing to sea sickness, overall the day was a huge success. On Monday 27 August 2007, HMAS Parramatta sailed out from Sydney’s Fleet Base East proudly displaying the crew in procedure Alpha including the parade band positioned on the flight deck performing as the ship left harbour and sailed

guard, we utilised the space of HMAS Perth’s flight deck to show off the Ceremonial procedures with the firing of blank volleys.

On Tuesday 18 September, HMAS Parramatta arrived at the buoy in the Hong Kong Harbour; the city lights gave an impressive backdrop for HMAS Parramatta. Our requirements were limited somewhat due to having to transport heavy equipment via liberty boats ashore. Events in Hong Kong included another Commanding Officer’s Luncheon. The jazz trio performed on the bridge prior to the luncheon hosted in the Commanding Officer’s cabin, distinguished guests included; Honourable Ambrose Lee, IDSM, Secretary for Security, Security Bureau, HKSAR Government; Major General Wang Yuren (accompanied by Major Xiang Jianghua), Deputy Force Commander, The People's Liberation Army Forces in Hong Kong; H.E. Mr Murray Cobban, Consul-General of Australia; and Mr Tony Nguyen, Director of Protocol, Government Secretariat (Protocol Division).

Ellen Turner, the Australian Manager of the Glamour Bar, was thrilled to have us perform at the bar with the beautiful backdrop of the flood lit Bund. We enjoyed a fantastic meal at the M restaurant upstairs from the exclusive bar; including salt encased slowly baked selected leg of lamb served with vegetables and a rich brown sauce. Crew from HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Perth ventured to the exclusive bar in support of the embarked musicians; overall, it was a very successful night. The most anticipated port for the Ships Company would have to be Vladivostok, Russia. HMAS Parramatta pulled along side with the Russian Band playing tune for tune on the wharf with our musicians on the flight deck. Once the official welcoming was complete, the Commanding Officer held an official luncheon in his cabin with the jazz trio to add the right ambience for the occasion. Friday 5 October 2007, HMAS Parramatta visited the Russian Orphanage where the children enjoyed dancing with some of the ships company to some Salsa and Latin music. The children cooked and prepared an afternoon tea for the ships company and brewed a very sweet Russian tea which was enjoyed by all. On completion of the concert the ships company were shown the children’s toys and watched as they challenged some of the crew in a wrestling match, one of Russia’s favourite sports. HMAS Parramatta made a substantial donation to the children’s orphanage so that the children could enjoy some luxuries that other children get to enjoy.

ROCK GROUP REHEARSALS ON BOARD HMAS PARRAMATTA

That evening the Ceremonial Sunset and Cocktail Party was hosted on board HMAS Perth. Light Jazz music created a relaxed atmosphere so that all guests could enjoy the great food prepared by the cooks from HMAS Perth. At 1930 the preparations were made for the Ceremonial Sunset to begin. The nine embarked musicians marched out to drum and bugle sequences Cheltenham and Gamma. The drum corps Beat to Quarters and out marched the guard. The Ceremonial Sunset was complete with the Chinese National Anthem. A highlight for our time in Hong Kong was the Australian Film Festival Official Opening, held at the Hong Kong Arts Centre on Friday 21 September. The small jazz ensemble entertained the crowd who mingled prior to the showing of the movie Kenny.

(L-R) AB MCINTYRE, PO ERSKINE, AB KNOWLES, AB WILKINSON, LS FLYNN, AB MCALLISTER, AB SHEARN, AB DONALD, AB MARKS PREPARING FOR THE DEPARTURE FROM VLADIVOSTOK ALONG WITH THE REST OF SHIPS COMPANY IN THEIR RUSSIAN FUR HATS

HMAS Parramatta arrived at Yangzijiang Wharf, Shanghai on Monday 24 September where the Peoples Liberation Army–Navy (PLA-N) band played on the wharf to welcome the Royal Australian Navy to their country. Our focus in Shanghai was the performance planned for the Glamour Bar and exclusive top level bar on the Bund. There were a number of events in Shanghai, these included the Ceremonial Sunset and Cocktail Party with the formidable sight of two ANZAC class frigates alongside. Along with the

HMAS Parramatta sailed into the Western Naval District Port of Maizuru to the sounds of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) performing Waltzing Matilda and the Song of JMSDF (Umi wo Yuku). The Japanese people were shown true hospitality on board HMAS Parramatta during the Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset. Once again the musicians performed an hour of jazz while guests

out training, trade testing and high sea firing to become weapons ready for individual readiness. It really was an interesting afternoon shooting waves.

were served some local Australian cuisine of Kangaroo, Crocodile and good wine. The small ceremonial ensemble and guard performed the Ceremonial Sunset and guests at the Cocktail Party were invited into various messes to enjoy some Australian hospitality.

Three months away on the South East Asia Deployment enabled the musicians to integrate into the ships crew of HMAS Parramatta. Members of the ships company were very hospitable and assisted with the musicians learning the ropes. Overall, it was a diverse experience that enabled members to experience life in the sea going Navy aboard HMAS Parramatta.

On Thursday 11 October, crowds were entertained for the open day celebrations and our musicians enjoyed playing the Dixie solos in When the Saints Go Marching In with the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force band. The Japanese were extremely friendly and it was a great thrill to perform with their 35 piece band alongside HMAS Parramatta for the open day.

HMAS SYDNEY DEPLOYMENT

On Wednesday 17 October, HMAS Parramatta arrived into the Cebu International Port, Philippines and was greeted by the official welcoming party and the Philippine Navy Band. That evening HMAS Parramatta hosted the Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset entertaining 80 guests including Governor Cebu Province Honourable Gwendolyn Garcia (equivalent to a State Premier), and Deputy Mayor and Senior Naval and Coast Guard Officers. The evening was enjoyed by all.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER KARA WILLIAMS

Early on Sunday 28 October 2007 HMAS Parramatta berthed alongside in Western Australia. Busy preparations were made to prepare the ship for the crew to celebrate being home. Overall the South East Asia Tour was a very successful deployment for the Navy and HMAS Parramatta. The embarked element of the Royal Australian Navy Band showed their professionalism at its very highest and displayed an excellent standard throughout the entire trip. Throughout the deployment the nine band members were utilised throughout the ship for a variety of tasks. Unfortunately due to limitations in time and training there were only a limited number of positions throughout the ship where they could safely be employed. These positions included Scullery and Café Party: an important but underestimated job. Prior to meals the tables are set, condiments and drinks are filled, dishes, cutlery and cups are washed and replaced back in the galley, garbage emptied and café cleaned and set for next meal. Petty Officer’s and Chief’s Messmen were responsible to prepare meal areas and clean Senior Sailors shower and toilet area, ensure overalls are washed and returned to various messes. Band members also assisted with the stores department mustering and storing equipment, and cleaning.

THE MUSICIANS ONBOARD HMAS SYDNEY AS PART OF THE DEPLOYMENT TO NORTH AMERICA

Sydney (NSW, Australia), Apia (Western Samoa), Equator, Pearl Harbour (Hawaii, USA), Vancouver (Canada), Nanoose Bay (Canada), Seattle (Washington State, USA), Nanoose Bay (Canada), San Francisco (California, USA), Esquimalt/Victoria (Canada), Nanoose Bay (Canada), San Diego (California, USA), Pearl Harbour (Hawaii, USA) Apia (Western Samoa), Eden (NSW, Australia), Sydney (NSW, Australia). Rather than a deployment of amassed quantity of achievements, I have come to think of the HMAS Sydney North American Deployment as a deployment of ‘firsts’ and ‘one off’ experiences. The once in a lifetime chance to sail to within miles of Alaska, witnessing the first firing of new weapons systems (including four missiles), a once in a lifetime chance to visit to many of the cities along the western seaboard of mainland USA and Canada on an Australian Warship, the first time across the equator for more than half of Ship’s company and possibly the first (and last!) time ‘Surfin’ USA’, ‘California Girls’, ‘Kids in America’ and ‘Viva Las Vegas’ have been played at an HMAS departure……

Probably the favourite within the group was Watch on Deck. Working in a four watch system assisting Bosuns with Watch on Deck requirements, including Helm, Lookout, and Quartermasters assistant. Another necessary task was Operational Sentinel Anti Piracy Watches. Personnel with Steyr qualification were utilised for armed stern lookout. Force Protection Rolls and Duty Watch roles saw members carry out positions as armed upper deck sentries. The musicians fulfilled their weapons requirements. Those personnel who have Steyr qualifications were able to carry

It is important for me to detail the achievements of the

on Remembrance Day and they served us lunch back at their band room before heading out to the Legion Club (like an RSL) for the first of many free beers. A good time was had by all. The locals loved the fact that we were in our sailor suits (W2s) as they stopped wearing that uniform back in the 60s and now wear something similar to our senior sailor winter uniform.”

embarked musicians; however, at the risk of sounding more like a Lonely Planet guide throughout this article, the most memorable things have been those we have collectively experienced ashore. I certainly don’t intend to make our musical contributions to the North America deployment on HMAS Sydney any less important, far from it. The embarked musicians performed with the peels of applause accolades addressed to those producing noticeably high quality results; it is just that the extraordinary geographical positions this deployment has put us in has in my mind somewhat overshadowed our achievements in the more traditional sense.

LEADING SEAMAN GRANT METCALFE

It would be remiss of me not to include input from each of the other nine members as each one of us takes something different; even from a singular event. So much richer is the experience told from different perspectives so; with the reporting of extremely well received Commanding Officer’s luncheons, Cocktail Parties, Marching Displays and Ceremonial Sunsets in each port through to Wakey Wakeys, Watch on Deck, Quartermaster, Quartermaster Assistant, Laundry and Café Party duties, Remembrance Day in Canada, Replenishments at Sea, Cup Day and Crossing the Line festivities, steel deck barbeques and public concerts there is another side to the achievements of the ten musicians posted to HMAS Sydney for the Northern America Deployment:.

LEADING SEAMAN METCALFE ENJOYING REHEARSALS ON THE FLIGHTDECK

“As part of my responsibilities as a Kellick, I am required to keep a Quarter Master duty. As this was an entirely new experience for me there were a lot of new skills to learn on the job. One memorable experience was a “Safeguard: Man Over Board”. As part of ships training Man Over Board drills are carried out regularly to increase Whole of Ship procedures and response times to what is a very serious incident. Whenever a real incident occurs the phrase Safeguard, Safeguard, Safeguard precedes any pipe so that it can be perceived as a real incident.

LEADING SEAMAN DANA MORAN

“Probably the highlight of the trip for me was spending my birthday in Seattle at the Jazz Alley watching Arturo Sandoval and his quintet perform live. Able Seaman Ashley Markey and I had a dinner table less than five metres away from the stage. After an excellent meal we were treated to an outstanding display of musicianship. Arturo is known as a showman and his trumpet acrobatics but the depth of musical expression on show was outstanding. Fellow trumpet legend Al Vizzutti was part of the audience and we both met him after the show and Al even introduced Ashley to Arturo and we both got his autograph; a great night that’s for sure.

Whilst on watch as QM during 2000 to 2359 one day, a message came through to the bridge from the Life Buoy Sentry “…Safeguard, Safeguard, Safeguard … Safeguard: Man Over Board”. I was directed by the OOW to Pipe “Safeguard, Safeguard, Safeguard … Safeguard: Man Over Board. Standby to recover” within seconds of making the pipe the CO, XO NAV, all rushed onto the bridge along with about 10 other people. I could hear the rumbling of feet around the ship as every sailor on board rushed to gather life jackets, NVG’s, life buoys. The ships sea boat was launched at speed in order to minimise time that casualty would be in the water. The ship was piped to Leaving Ships Stations so that the MOB could be identified. Within about 15 minutes it was discovered that all personnel on board had been accounted for therefore the MOB was incorrect. The life Buoy sentry had sighted a Cylume stick in the water and correctly responded to the ramifications of that.

Previously in Hawaii, we did our usual cocktail party and ceremonial sunset our first night in at Pearl Harbour. During the cocktail party I ran into Wing Commander Steve Kennedy (Consul Defence Liaison) and his wife. They had previously hosted our jazz group there last year at his residence when I participated in RIMPAC aboard HMAS Manoora. They were both very complimentary and mentioned the success of our performance at their function last year and invited us to visit when we stop in Hawaii again on the way home. Other highlights include catching up with old friends from the Pacific Fleet Band in Pearl Harbor who were once again very hospitable. Following this trend we were fortunate enough to be hosted by the local Navy Band in Esquimalt, Canada which is near Victoria, B.C. We marched with them

The aspect that was most impressive was the entire ship’s company’s high speed and effective response to such an incident. It was clear that the drills which take place equip

Seaman Chapman was pretty determined that nothing is as good as South Australian wine yet he still bought quite a bit! Overall it was an excellent day and a great way to get out of the city and do some exploring.”

the ship’s company with the training to be effective in real time situations.” LEADING SEAMAN AARON GEEVES

“The best experience I have had so far has been when a few of us went out and saw a local band that featured Andrew Speight, a Sax player from Sydney. After the gig, we grabbed a cab and the cabbie took us up and down the streets of San Francisco full speed like they do in the movies. You know; the way they get airborne?! We saw some other great jazz in San Francisco- big bands and trios and the like. What a great place for live music.”

ABLE SEAMAN ROSS CHAPMAN

ABLE SEAMAN JENNIFER MONK

ABLE SEAMAN SAM ORAM, ABLE SEAMAN’S ORAM, MARKEY AND CHAPMAN PERFORMING AT A SCHOOL IN NORTH AMERICA

“Unlike many, I am one of the rare breed of our branch that doesn't mind going to sea. I have actually quite enjoyed being away on deployment to the US and Canada on HMAS Sydney. By far my favourite part of the trip so far was Remembrance Day in Victoria, Canada. For the Canadians, this day is treated like we treat ANZAC Day, and which one of us would ever knock back the opportunity to have two ANZAC days in one year. From meeting our brothers in the Naden Canadian Forces Band, and being given the full extent of their hospitality, to doing one almighty rig run throughout the afternoon and evening, the whole day was just awesome. There were a large number of veterans to talk to, whom especially loved our junior sailor uniforms as they got rid of them back in 1968, and many very hospitable Canadians in town. Victoria was a beautiful city, especially their Parliament building, out the front of which we did the service at 1100.

PERFORMING AT KAHALA HOTEL IN HONOLULU, WAIKKIKKI

“The most interesting thing I have done on the trip so far would probably have to be the visit to Alcatraz and a wine tour to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in San Francisco, California. On the first day I visited Alcatraz and it was excellent. We were guided through the prison via an audio tour that was narrated by four ex prison guards and four ex convicts. The stories were very interesting and they guided us to various parts of the prison where there were many displays and photographs to look at and read. (Ross thought the tour was so good that he bought a copy of it from the gift shop). The Prison itself is situated in the middle of San Francisco Harbour on a small island making the views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge quite spectacular. The freezing water and strong currents made it an ideal spot for a high security prison, although there were a number of escape attempts throughout its working life.

I also enjoyed visiting Alcatraz in San Francisco, attending a NFL game in Oakland, going through the Science Fiction museum in Seattle, walking across the Capilano suspension bridge in Vancouver, going to an Ice Hockey game in Seattle, and wine tasting in the beautiful Napa Valley outside of San Fran. Interspersed between all of these I've had some great nights, heard some great music, and met some awesome people, both on the ship and in the countries we've visited.

The following day, Able Seaman Chapman, Able Seaman Fisher and I went on a wine tour that explored the region up and around the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The weather was excellent during the day though unfortunately the famous San Francisco fog made an appearance both as we crossed the San Francisco Bay Bridge on the way to the wineries, and as we crossed the Golden Gate on the way back making it impossible to see the view. We visited three wineries and had lunch in the town of Sonoma. The wineries were beautiful and unique. I could have bought a great deal of wine except for the annoying customs rules! Able

I can only hope my memories of San Diego, where I will attend a Thanksgiving dinner at the invitation of some of the locals as well as visit the zoo and maybe even sea world, and then Hawaii, where I plan on playing some golf in the sun and visiting the Missouri and Arizona, will be just as good.”

ABLE SEAMAN ASHLEY MARKEY

good to experience the Remembrance Day ceremony as this is very similar to our ANZAC day. The Canadians were very welcoming of the Australian Sailors and the contribution from the ship and the Band helped add to the occasion.”

“I have had many enjoyable moments aboard HMAS Sydney. It was great to be promoted to Able Seaman and it has been enjoyable seeing the ship’s company’s reactions to the vast array of wakey wakeys. I have enjoyed playing alongside other service bands and we have in both Hawaii with the Pacific Fleet Band and in Naden Band in Esquimalt. I have also enjoyed exploring the various ports we have visited.”

PETTY OFFICER KARA WILLIAMS

My own unique experiences have been too numerous to mention in detail without attaching a novel of epic proportion (the unabridged diary of this deployment is available on request!) The incredible seafood, sailing in bays surrounded by snow covered mountains grasping at the shore, walking in the parks in Vancouver among amber and ruby festooned foliage, finding a shop in San Francisco called “Kara’s Cupcakes” and riding trolley cars up and down impossibly steep hills, picking up a bargain or seven, standing only metres away from a wild deer on a Naval base, meeting a real Canadian Lumberjack and seeing real Canadian Mounties, walking along one of the highest suspension bridges of its kind in the world in the rain, watching the last globe of the sun dip beneath the edge of the sea filled horizon, being up close and personal with beluga whales and giant sea otters, seeing actual American police in a coffee and doughnut shop and experiencing cultures both very close and at the same time completely alien to our own.

ABLE SEAMAN IAIN FISHER

“To me the biggest thing about being at sea, is the necessity to look not weeks or years into the future; but instead to live in the moment and plan only four hours ahead. Looking to the immediate such as your next meal, watch or sleep is a relatively relaxed lifestyle within an otherwise stressful environment. Living in the moment and just noticing the number of those moments in which you are happy and how vastly they outnumber the moments in which you are not. Little things, like the reflection of the Canadian Mountains off the rippling water, a really hot shower after a wet and cold day or even just a coke and a mars bar (yes product placement but the money was good so... hey) at "canteen", make up the moments, not that you would necessarily write home about but it is the lesson to live within the moment which trips like these remind me of.”

I would have to pick, at this point, being invited to participate in Canada’s Remembrance Day on the 11th of November in Victoria by the Canadian Forces (Naden) Band being the most enjoyable so far. The hospitality and genuine warmth afforded us by both the Officer in Command Lieutenant Byrne and his Band was overwhelming. I was almost embarrassed by the generosity of spirit afforded by the CF(N) Band and the Canadians in general toward their Australian compatriots- and it was made just impossible for us to buy our own drinks! I would hope that one day we can repay their generosity; and some! It was somewhat bizarre though; that at the opposite end of the globe there is a group of musicians an almost carbon copy of ourselves. Like catching up with a close family member or old friend you haven’t seen for ages, our embarked musicians and the CF(N) Band seemed to share an undefined kindred spirit which invited a feeling of being ‘home’ thousands of miles from home.

“I really enjoyed San Francisco in particular the Jazz Clubs and celebrating two birthdays during the port visit. Sitting in with an ‘old time’ dance band playing at the Legions club in Esquimalt (Canada) was a blast! I am looking forward to being warmer in San Diego and getting home to see my girl.” ABLE SEAMAN CHRIS THOMPSON

For us right now, it is back to doing laps of Nanoose Bay for more trials and thinking up adventures for our next port visits. As this article is due before this deployment has ceased, this is where the tales of 10 musicians must end. I am sure that those of San Diego, Hawaii (visit number two) crossing the line, the entry back into Sydney and many other more colourful details will be told in a detachment near you soon enough…….

ABLE SEAMAN CHRIS THOMPSON LEADS THE DRUM CORPS FOR A SUNSET CEREMONIAL PERFORMANCE

“The highlight of the HMAS Sydney trip for me was the opportunity to play with the Canadian band on Remembrance Day. It was a great opportunity to see how other bands work around the world and actually how many similarities there were between the two Bands. It was also

HMAS ADELAIDE DEPLOYMENT

was the ditching of an Indian Sea Harrier whilst we were at action stations; but the highlight of the exercise was the day of the combined Task Force photo opportunity. This saw all ships of the participating Indian, Singaporean, Australian and United States Navies in close proximity for photo shoots. This included a Los Angeles Class Submarine and three aircraft Carriers, USS KITTYHAWK, USS CONSTELATION and INS VIRAAT.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER DANIEL HOBSON

Early 2008 will see the decommissioning of the first ADELAIDE Class FFG, HMAS Adelaide. To assist with her final overseas deployment, six musicians from the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band were embarked. The Ships mission was to participate in Exercise Malabar and visit ports in India, Thailand and Singapore.

As our first port drew nearer the guard and the musicians started to rehearse together and all of the ship’s company were looking forward to the first port after 18 days at sea. Visakhapatnam, or Vizag, is a small city by Indian standards; but it is a major port and home to India’s Eastern Fleet. An Indian Naval band was on the wharf to welcome us along side and preparations begun for the cocktail party and sunset. The cocktail party and Ceremonial Sunset went well with guests from the Indian Navy and their partners introducing us to the traditional colourful saris of India.

The group consisted of a small jazz ensemble, and drum and bugle corps to enhance the high profile Ceremonial Sunset and Cocktail Parties to be hosted onboard during our port visits in India. The first five members of the group joined the ship on the 18th August and had a week to adjust to the routines of ship life. This week was spent in the Western Australian Exercise Area (WAXA) assisting in training for the submarine squadron. This was a harsh introduction as the WAXA put on its typical rough weather to welcome us.

Our time in Vizag was a real eye opener. For most of us it was our first trip to India and the sights and sounds were at times overpowering. The ship’s next port visit was Chennai. This is a major city in southern India formally know as Madras. Once again our first duty was to provide support to the cocktail party. Guests for this event included many city officials who were eager not to stay too late as the Indian team was involved in a 20/20 Cricket match that evening. Our visit to Chennai saw the introduction of force protection which involved many of the ships company, including the musicians, tasked with upper deck sentry and entry control point duty.

On 26 August our final member Able Seaman Shvetsov arrived and on Monday 26 we set sail. This was to be a long period at sea as we were headed for the Indian Exercise area for the Malabar Exercises with the Indian and United States Navies. During this time the musicians performed during a number of Replenishment at Sea (RAS) manoeuvres with the oiler HMAS Sirius and INS ADITYA. This period also gave us a chance to ensure the jazz ensemble, and drum and bugle corps were up to standard for the upcoming cocktail parties.

ABLE SEAMAN ELLEN ZYLA EXCHANGES DRUM BEATS WITH CHILDREN FROM THE DISABLED AND DISADVANTED CENTRE IN CHENNAI

THE INDIAN NAVY BAND ON THE WHARF AT VISAKHAPATNAM TO GREET HMAS ADELAIDE ALONGSIDE

During our stay in Chennai the musicians and members of ship’s company visited the MITHRA centre for Disadvantaged and Disabled children. This centre was run by a Nun originally from Brisbane who appreciated the supplies of peanut butter and vegemite the ship provided.

During Exercise Malabar, the ship maintained defence watches and the musicians added a large amount of Damage Control training to our normal routines. This culminated in a toxic hazard exercise with musicians fulfilling all roles at the scene. A notable event of Exercise Malabar

Day Two of our four day stint found us fed, watered and hopefully rested after a first night’s sleep on mozzie-netcocooned stretchers in tents at Guadalcanal Beach Resort. We had hit the ground running; Jazz Group off to play at a Pink Ribbon Fundraising Dinner upon arrival, and the rest of us straight to a barbeque reception to meet and greet troops and fellow performing artists (civilians) of the Tour de Force ’07 contingent.

The visit to the MITHRA centre concluded with a concert with performances from the children as well as our jazz ensemble and Beat to Quarters routine.

We came to a clearing, climbed out of the trooper carriers and spent some time at the riffle range where the civvies enjoyed firsthand experience firing live ammunition down the range and out to the ocean. As well as this we all witnessed a spectacular demonstration of a section attack which included smoke grenades and flares. In the afternoon the troops drove us up to a village, a real highlight of the trip. It involved meeting warm, loving yet shy Solomon Islanders, as well as some not so shy ones along the way! With grins and waves, smiles and squeals of excitement, they provided as much entertainment for us as I’m sure we did for them! Our tour guide, Captain Daniel, told us the relationship of this village to the Australian Army was remarkable due to their men helping locate and rescue the missing body of Australian Soldier Jamie Clark who had died on the steep slopes near the village.

ABLE SEAMAN GRINDLEY, LEADING SEAMAN SPONIAR, (BACKGROUND) ABLE SEAMAN SHVETSOV AND ABLE SEAMAN WRIGHT PERFORMING IN INDIA

Once the ship left India the official duties had concluded and the more enjoyable ports of Phuket and Singapore awaited us on our way home. This route took us through the Malacca Straits, the busiest in the world. It was quite a sight as the ship made its way at great speed through the straits passing all manner of ships large and small. The Malacca Straits are known to be very dangerous due to the large amount of piracy in the area, this provided a spectacle of fire hoses and search lights throughout the night provided by the ships in the area.

Well, after a big day out already, we headed back to camp via the US Memorial site and began set up for our first concert. The bar area was packed with AFP and Army Troops as well as some New Zealanders. The Darryl Cotton and Nash Band (but without the Nash – Able Seaman Mildren “filled in”) began the show…. Then…Comedy, Magic, Brazilian Dancers, Didgeridoo music and more, we finally got up to play our Rock Group set and the toe tappers started to boogie. A good night was had by all and the stretchers felt wonderful tonight!

Our duties on the return consisted of after dinner jazz and barbeque music on the flight deck, but one important task remained on the way back to Fleet Base East after our departure from Singapore. That is the Crossing of the Line Ceremony to pay homage to King Neptune and his court. Of the musicians Able Seaman Grindley and Able Seaman Zyla were summoned and after the two played for the arrival of the court, payed their respects and completed this rite of passage. Upon our return to Fleet Base West on 10 October, the jazz ensemble once again played for procedure Alpha and our seven week trip was over.

STORIES FROM THE SOLOMON ISLANDS ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN SONYA HENDERSON

Hallo Fren, Mi fala tell yu sumting gut tru about owa trip….

R – L: AB HENDERSON, AB URQUHART, LS PALAMOUNTAIN, AB ELLIS AND AB SALONE PERFORMING AT THE GUADALCANAL BEACH RESORT

Fronds and leaves from the jungle trees brush past as we hurdle along the muddy track through the jungle land of Honiara, Solomon Islands....

Day Three began at 8am with a drive to the Forward Operating Base Maritime (FOB) and at Lieutenant Colonel Ferndale’s request (or crack of the whip?) we set up and

repeated the previous night’s concert – the whole kit and caboodle – well shortened from three hours to two. The troops appreciated it and fed us again with a delicious barbeque. Splitting into two groups from there some of us drove to the Solomon Island’s Prison to perform an informal concert with the Solomon Island Police Band. Our audience grew from eight to ten, to forty… to fifty curious little bodies all huddled up close together enjoying the show, in particular Adrian Ross’s didgeridoo stories. We returned fairly exhausted to Guadalcanal Beach Resort to find the others slaving away in the heat setting up for the final concert. This time outdoors in the tropical setting, up on the side of a semi-trailer truck as our stage. We all pitched in had yes another barbeque – very nice, and kicked off the show. It was a wonderful night celebrating for many police, the end of their deployment, and for those who were staying on, a chance to let their hair down. At unsustainable tempo, this four day whirlwind was close to finishing. We gladly fell asleep before our final task of cleaning all our gear at 7am. Every lead wiped down and all road cases vacuumed. This event somehow was a joyful team bonding experience. Everything was weighed and at last I could pop my toes in the pool, before saying goodbyes. All in all a wonderful first time Tour de Force experience.

LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES DRUMMING IT UP AT THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Now that Andrew has returned from the Solomon Islands, he is looking forward to spending quality time with his wife and their 19-month-old daughter.

Ok mi go now, bai bai! ARTICLE FROM THE NAVY WEBSITE

Also performing with the Navy Band were successful solo artists Russell Morris and Darryl Cotton – also known for performing with Somebody’s Image and Zoot respectively; comedian Chris Radburn; magician Adam Dean; didgeridoo artist Adrian Ross; MCs rock guru Glenn A Baker and model Anneliisa Tonisson.

Andrew Stokes - Jingili Man’s Solomon’s Tour Jingili’s Andrew Stokes is just back from the Solomon Islands, where he has been entertaining Australian troops and police in the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands — RAMSI for short. It was Andrew’s job to bring them a touch of home if only for a day or two. “It was a great opportunity to do our bit to help boost morale,” said Andrew. “I always look forward to the challenge of putting on a great show in difficult conditions!”

Some 140 ADF personnel are now working alongside military personnel from New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea in support of the Royal Solomon Islands Police, along with other participating Police Forces from Pacific nations. The Forces Entertainment team regularly takes entertainers to overseas theatres of operations, bringing a little bit of home to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who are away from loved ones for months at a time.

Andrew attended Jingili Primary School, Nightcliff High School and Casuarina Secondary College, and joined the Navy in 1990. Then came more training at the Defence Force School of Music. Andrew is now a Lieutenant, and he is the Music Director of the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Solomon’s adventure for Sonya Croydon Park's Sonya Henderson is just back from the Solomon Islands, where she has been entertaining Australian troops and police who are part of the Australianled Regional Assistance Mission.

“My job has also taken me to Gallipoli, the Brunei International Tattoo for the Sultan’s 60th birthday, and to the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Greece and Crete. I was a working musician and a keen sailor so I thought I’d join the Navy band. I’ve always had a passion for music and can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Sonya joined the Navy after attending Abbotsleigh and training at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney. Now she plays the trombone in the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

short - and Tracy helped to bring them a touch of home if only for a day or two. "I joined the Navy in 2000 after training at the Hunter School of Performing Arts in Newcastle. I'm now a lead vocalist in the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Performing with the Royal Australian Navy Band "has also taken me to Singapore, India, Tonga, Hawaii, South Africa, Gallipoli, England and the Middle East - and now to the Solomon’s "Tour de Force" in late October." ABLE SEAMAN SONYA HENDERSON AND DANCER AMY MILLS PLAY A GAME WITH LOCAL CHILDREN AT MBARANA VILLAGE IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Tracy said she joined the Navy because she wanted to have a good career. "To do something I love every day and travel the world. But now I'm back, I'm heading for Budgewoi to catch up with family and friends."

Normally Sonya's job involves performing at official functions, ceremonial parades, and playing music at sporting events and festivals. But between 21 and 25 October she was one of a group of Australian entertainers who deployed to the Solomon Islands for the latest "Tour de Force".

AUSTRALIAN IDOL JOURNEY ARTICLE FROM NAVY NEWS

"It's not the first time I've been overseas with the Band. It has also taken me to the Gulf, Gallipoli for the ANZAC Day dawn service, and a military tattoo in Brunei to celebrate the Sultan's 60th Birthday. "I love my job because of the variety of gigs and music ensembles I get to do. I also love the travel and the variety of work commitments."

24 October 2007: Navy singer Able Seaman Carl Riseley has made it to the last five of Australian Idol. After a slow start Carl has improved each week and is now a genuine contender for the title. Sunday, October 21, was Judges' Choice night in which the performers sang two songs - one chosen by a judge. The other song was a choice of their own. Judge Ian "Dicko" Dickinson chose the Tom Jones classic It's not unusual for Carl and Carl himself chose John Lennon's Jealous guy.

Tracy strikes a chord in Solomon’s

Carl displayed his growing confidence as a performer by making a deliberate false start with It's not unusual. He parodied his own preferred laid-back swing style for a few bars, before suddenly stopping and saying that it wouldn't work. Then he launched into the song with gusto and gave a strong performance. He also impressed with his version of Jealous guy. Early in the competition three of the four Australian Idol judges wanted Carl out and only Marcia Hines supported him. But on Sunday all the judges were full of praise. Mark Holden gave him one of three "touchdowns" for the night and Kyle Sandilands said he was the stand out performer. On Monday, after the votes from the public had been tallied, it was confirmed that Carl would be staying in the competition for another week.

LEADING SEAMAN MUSICIAN TRACY BURKE ENTERTAINS TROOPS AND POLICE IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

7 November 2007:

Budgewoi's Tracy Burke is just back from the Solomon Islands, where she has been entertaining Australian troops and police. They are part of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands - RAMSI for

And then there were four. Not only has Navy singer AB Carl Riseley made the last four of Australian Idol, he finished in the top two in the latest vote.

a choice between Carl and Marty Simpson, who had not been suited at all to Big Band music. Carl prevailed, but he needs to step up another level to make it through to the Opera House final. The good news is that he has consistently stepped up throughout the competition, but he needs to be at his absolute best to come through against Natalie and Matt.

On Sunday, October 28, Carl sang the Little River Band song Reminiscing, and in spite of the fact that he felt the strain of a chest infection, his performance was praised by all the judges. They reiterated the point that of all the contestants he was the one who had the clearest idea of the sort of performer he wanted to be.

Navy band duo take trumpets to television 9 November 2007:

ABLE SEAMAN RISELEY JOINS THE BAND AT KUTTABUL FOR AN AUSTRALIAN IDOL FILMING SESSION

With teenager Matt Corby he was the other contestant to be spared the trial of being announced in the bottom three on Monday night. Those familiar with the show will know that being in the bottom three of the public vote count is a nerveracking experience for all involved - and terminal for one. Avoiding the bottom three in a field of only five is a very encouraging sign. Also encouraging is the fact that the theme of the next show is Big Band music. For Carl, with his swing credentials, it's a natural fit.

LEADING SEAMAN PAUL PANICHI PLAYING IN THE SUPPORT BAND FOR AUSTRALIAN IDOL CONTESTANTS

If the talent of Royal Australian Navy Band trumpet player Able Seaman Carl Riseley on Australian Idol wasn’t enough, meet another part time ‘bandie’, Leading Seaman Paul Panichi. Leading Seaman Panichi originally joined the Navy Reserves in 1981 and after a 20 year break, he re-joined in 2003. He can regularly be spotted on Sunday night in Idol’s band playing the trumpet supporting Carl and the other contestants.

Navy singer Able Seaman Carl Riseley is only one step away from the Australian Idol final - but he has a big job ahead to make it. As expected Carl performed strongly on Big Band night last Sunday, but so did contestants Natalie Gauci and Matt Corby.

Paul has played in Idol’s band since the first season it aired. His career spans over the decades playing the trumpet on some of Australia’s highest profile TV programs such as the Don Lane show in Melbourne and the Midday Show between 1982 and 1998. He has also recorded for rock bands and artists such as Tom Jones.

The four remaining performers sang two songs each. Carl chose Me and Mrs Jones - a hit for the soul singer Billy Paul in the early 1970s - and Just Kiss Me by Harry Connick Jr. Me and Mrs Jones has also been covered by Michael Buble. Carl has been strongly influenced by Buble and Connick. Choosing material suited to both meant he had a very strong base to work from - but he was also able to bring his own developing style to the performances.

Despite his full schedule, Leading Seaman Panichi maintains his contact with the Navy Reserve component of the RAN Band rehearsing with them every Tuesday evening. He said it’s quite a contrast performing with the Navy Band compared with his commercial work.

There was a good contrast between the performances. Me and Mrs Jones was delivered as a slow and soulful ballad with plenty of power on the uplift, while Just Kiss Me was fast, almost frenetic, and featured some confident interplay with the band. Once again the judges were mostly very positive, with Ian "Dicko" Dickson saying that Carl had emerged unexpectedly for him as the entertainer of the remaining contestants.

Paul said he and Carl have been friends since the two of them joined the Navy Band in 2003 where they have been budding trumpet players since. “I’ve tried to help Carl through the competition, we’re good friends. It’s a very stressful process and he knows some of the other musicians too, so having these good friendships really does help when on stage,” Leading Seaman Panichi said. “I think he’s done really well, he’s come good the last three weeks.

As there were only four singers left, the usual bottom three elimination process was exchanged for a bottom two. It was

Schedule (commencing at 12 noon)

What a lot of people don’t know is he’s been working really hard every day on his singing. When Carl started doing the more poppy music, for example Turn Your Love Around by George Bensen, I think that was the turning point.

Tuesday 4 December 2007 Full Steam Ahead with the Admiral’s Own Big Band Thursday 13 December 2007 Christmas Favourites with the Wind Orchestra

“To the RAN Band Director of Music Lieutenant Commander Phil Anderson’s credit the Navy band does a very broad range of music. In one concert they will start with concert band, go to rock band, big band, a small jazz group and then go to fanfare theme, for Carl that’s been a really great thing.

Thursday 24 January 2008 Cruising Stations with Admiral’s Own Rock Group Thursday 7 February 2008 The Seafarer with the Wind Orchestra

“I picked this would be the final three, they are all really nice people and very talented and at this point any of them could win,” Leading Seaman Panichi said.

Thursday 21 February 2008 All Hands on Deck with Admiral’s Own Big Band Schedule (7 pm to 8.30 pm)

Carl's Idol journey ends

Saturday 1 March 2008 Navy Twilight Birthday Concert

13 November 2007: The Australian Idol journey of Able Seaman Carl Riseley has ended, but taking third place is an outstanding effort. As Carl himself said, he never thought he would make it that far. Carl was eliminated from the contest on Monday night, following his Sunday night performances of one song chosen by himself and one by a member of the public. Although it was close, Matt Corby and Natalie Gauci gained more votes than Carl and will contest the final at the Sydney Opera House. There seems little doubt however that Carl has the ability to build a successful singing career.

SUMMER SERIES CONCERTS The Royal Australian Navy Band is a prestigious unit of the Australian Defence Force and is ‘one of Australia's premier military ensembles’, providing valuable support for the Navy, maintaining a national focus, and enjoying a very good reputation. The level of services provided by the band is diverse and its profile within Navy and the wider community is high. Throughout summer, the musicians of the Royal Australian Navy Band will captivate audiences at the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre on Garden Island. The performances begin on Tuesday 4 December 2007 concluding with a Navy Birthday Twilight Concert on Saturday 1 March 2008. All performances are free. Because our summer series concerts are held outdoors with no rain site, inclement weather may cause cancellation. Upto-date performance and cancellation information is available by contacting the band’s Public Relations Manager on 02 9359 2618 or visit http://www.navy.gov.au/ranband/

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 12 OF 11 JULY 2008

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

CONTENTS

On the 25 March 08, 12 Navy musicians boarded the weekly sustainment flight heading for the Middle East and Tour De Force 9. After a week of rehearsal in Sydney there was much anticipation and excitement. After a 26 hour flight including refuelling stops in Darwin and the Maldives, we landed at Kuwait International Airport. After a 40 minute bus trip we arrived at Ali Al Salem air base which was to be our home for the next four days. During this period we were required to undertake RSO & I training which is compulsory for all Australian military personnel posted to the Middle Eastern area of operation. This course involved presentations on current security issues as well as being issued with our armoured vests, weapons and ammunition. As part of this training we went to the firing range to zero in our weapons and ensure that we were confident and efficient on the Styer F88 rifle. Another interesting aspect of this training was visiting Camp Buehring medical facility to have a refresher in first-aid. We were able to use computer operated mannequins to fine tune our medical skills. Our first two days in Kuwait also saw us experience severe sand storms and give us a reality check on life in the Middle East.

HMAS PARRAMATTA DEPLOYMENT

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DTACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

RESERVE PERSPECTIVE

ANZAC DAY IN MUMBAI

TOUR TO AFGANISTAN

BANFF 2008

IDOL MOMENT

GREAT WHITE FLEET ANNIVERSARY

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

exchange and are currently enjoying the hospitality of Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Service. Fortunately for us, we welcomed Major Tony Smallwood (RM) and Musician Jennifer Coupland take up their vacant positions. Both members are excellent ambassadors for the Royal Marines and have readily contributed to our mission in a very positive way. We regularly bring volumes of good news stories to Navy and our people are, without exception, very positive ambassadors. The level of goodwill generated within Navy towards the Navy Band has been significant; however, Navy faces significant financial challenges. Let’s hope that we will be able to continue to generate many ‘good news’ stories as Navy seeks to prioritise activities. I will be doing my best on your behalf to secure the best financial outcome possible in the current financial circumstances.

DIRECT TO AIR BROADCAST FROM THE CANBERRA GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL ON ABC CLASSIC FM 20 APRIL 2008

Reflecting over the past six months, I am very proud of the way in which all of our musicians have performed their duties. Thanks to all for the sterling contribution to Navy and to the history of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

As I stated in the previous edition of RAN Band News, ‘the history of the Navy Band has continued to develop at full pace’, and its record of service is no where more clearly demonstrated than in this edition.

P.C. ANDERSON Lieutenant Commander, RAN Director of Music and Leader

Over the past six months we have deployed 12 musicians to the Middle East including to Iraq and Afghanistan, embarked 11 musicians in HMAS Tobruk and deployed a technical team to Timor to support a Force Advisory Committee on Entertainment (FACE) tour. We conducted a number of benchmark activities including a ‘direct to air’ broadcast, one ship decommissioning ceremony and one ship commissioning ceremony, and a number of ship Farewell and Welcome Home Ceremonies. We also deployed a small musical element to support HMAS Arunta for ANZAC day in Mumbai. Throughout all of this activity we still managed to do our usual business within and around the Nation. Feedback that I have received about the contribution made by our people to the recent deployment to the Middle East has been nothing short of outstanding. The quality of our people and the capability that they bring to any event is clearly evident. I know that the people who manage these FACE sponsored tours value very highly our contribution. The ‘direct to air’ broadcast on ABC Classic FM reached more than 700,000 people and inspired the musicians with an exciting and challenging music program. We remain grateful to the team at ABC Classic FM for the confidence that they continue to show in the Navy Band and for their willingness to support wind band music in Australia and, in particular, our unique performances. The band’s contribution to ship Farewell and Welcome Home ceremonies continues to deliver a strong sense of national and naval pride to those occasions: it’s hard to imagine what those important ceremonies would be like without the Navy Band.

PETTY OFFICER CASSANDRA MOHAPP, ABLE SEAMAN ANDREW DOYLE AND ABLE SEAMAN SVETLANA YAROSLAVSKAYA FROM THE COMMODORES CHAMBER TRIO

Two of our people, Lieutenant Andrew Stokes and Petty Officer Cassandra Mohapp were selected for LONGLOOK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

compassionate posting to a non musician position at HMAS Stirling.

ARTICLE BY MAJOR TONY SMALLWOOD (RM)

We have also welcomed a number of new members to the detachment: Petty Mark Ham on trombone and vocals (reenlisted from the reserves); Able Seaman Kirstin Paynter on cornet and trumpet (reenlisted from the reserves); Able Seaman Zola Smith on bassoon; and Able Seaman Volker Schoeler on trombone and euphonium. Speaking of new additions, special congratulations go to Able Seaman Newman and Able Seaman Daniel McMahon, who both arrived back at work this year as first time fathers. They both received the best presents anyone could ask for over their Christmas break with the safe and joyous delivery of their daughters Lucia Newman and Ella McMahon.

MAJOR TONY SMALLWOOD RM CONDUCTS THE WIND ORCHESTRA AT DARLING HARBOUR

The first half of 2008 has been extremely busy for the Sydney detachment. This year’s commitments started with a small group heading over to Perth in January for the decommissioning ceremony for HMAS Adelaide, along with the commissioning of the new patrol boat HMAS Glenelg in March.

Chamber music in this detachment has flourished this last six months. The many combinations of the Commodores Chamber Ensemble have enjoyed the opportunity to shine with: performances at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music,

Along with the popular St Andrew’s Cathedral lunchtime concerts, the wind orchestra has had a very busy six months. In mid April, Lieutenant Commander Anderson led a benchmark concert with the Sydney detachment and members from the Melbourne detachment. This concert featured a very challenging programme and was broadcast direct to air on ABC Classic FM radio from the Canberra Girls Grammar. The band received many plaudits for their outstanding performance.

various official Naval functions including Chief of Navy’s Farewell Dinner at the Heritage Centre, a new and exciting chamber music series at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and recording sessions at the ABC centre. On 24 May the brass quintet played with members of the Salvation Army, to raise well needed money for the Salvos Red Shield Appeal.

At St Andrew’s Cathedral the following week, the Wind Orchestra repeated sections of this program to a very receptive audience. However, the day wasn’t over as we spent a number of hours rehearsing in preparation for the Memorial Ceremony of HMAS Sydney II on the following day. The memorial service included a small wind band, ceremonial fanfare team, and our Sea Chanters Chorus in company with the St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir. This service was broadcast nationally live on ABC television. Well done to Leading Seaman Chris Palamountain and Leading Seaman Brett Douglas for successfully completing the Group Leader course at the Defence Force School of Music and also to Able Seaman Andrew Doyle, Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya, Able Seaman Mark Shearn and Able Seaman Dayne Grindley who successfully passed Skill Grade Three assessments.

THE ADMIRAL’S OWN AT THE JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL

We farewelled Able Seaman Juliana O’Brien, Able Seaman Matthew Van Emmerik, Able Seaman Sonya Henderson and Able Seaman Ashley Markey who received a

Seaman Hancock, Able Seaman Urquhart, Able Seaman Newman, Able Seaman Wainwright, Able Seaman Dowd and Able Seaman Hansch along with Able Seaman Beaman, Able Seaman Rampant and Able Seaman McCorkelle from the Melbourne detachment.

Darling Harbour has seen quite a bit of the Navy Band in the recent months with performances by Commodores Brass Quintet, the Wind Orchestra and the Admiral’s Own Big Band. I was fortunate to be selected for LONGLOOK Exchange along with Musician Jennifer Coupland Taking our places in the United Kingdom are Lieutenant Andrew Stokes and Petty Officer Cassandra Mohapp. The exchange program is held during the period late April until early August every year. We arrived in Sydney in time for ANZAC Day Commemoration Ceremonies and have been involved in performances at Parramatta Park, St Andrew’s Cathedral, for Open Day at HMAS Albatross, as well as for various parades and naval ceremonies. I was fortunate to direct the Admiral’s Own Big Band during its appearance on “Mornings with Kerry-Ann” on Channel 9, featuring an outstanding performance of “I Just Found Out About Love” sung by our very own Belinda Marks. This was a pre-cursor to the performance the following week at the Darling Harbour Jazz Festival with a former member of the Navy Band, Carl Riseley, and Genevieve Davis. Despite the rainy weather that weekend, Tumbalong Park was still packed to the brim.

THE CEREMONIAL ENSEMBLE AT CHIEF OF NAVY’S FAREWELL DIVISIONS FLEET BASE EAST

ANZAC Day 2008 was the first time in many years the Sydney detachment marched two laps of the city in the Sydney Anzac Day Parade. On Anzac Day afternoon the detachment performed at Homebush Stadium for the opening of the Anzac Day National Rugby League match. Members of the Sydney detachment were spread far and wide on Anzac Day this year with Able Seaman Neil Mildren, Able Seaman Kirstin Paynter and Able Seaman Belinda Marks travelling to Adelaide to support the South Australian detachment. Able Seaman Melanie Wilkinson and Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer travelled to Canberra to perform the Last Post and Australian National Anthem for the opening of the Brumbies game at Canberra Stadium, while Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton, Leading Seaman Tracy Burke, Leading Seaman Esa Douglas, and Able Seaman Chris Thompson spent Anzac Day onboard HMAS Arunta in Mumbai, India.

The last few months in particular have been extra busy due to the upcoming farewell and retirement of Vice Admiral Russ Shalders (former Chief of navy). We have played at several significant naval ceremonies with his attendance including colours at HMAS Kuttabul, New Entry Officer Course Graduation Parade, Ceremonial Sunset marking the 50th Anniversary of HMAS Creswell, Chief of Navy Divisions at Fleet Base East, a formal mess dinner in his honour, and for his Handover Ceremony at HMAS Harman. As the Sydney detachment heads on mid-year leave, we look back at a very successful and productive six month period, and our members look forward to kicking off the second half of the year with a two week deployment to Tonga.

Five members of the Sydney detachment (Petty Officer Mark Ham, Able Seaman Daniel McMahon, Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov, Able Seaman Belinda Marks and Able Seaman Ross Chapman) joined a long list of celebrity artists and musicians from the Melbourne, South Australian, Queensland and Western Australian detachments as members of “Tour De Force 9” on deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan during March and April. Petty Officer Daniel Hobson, Able Seaman Daniel McMahon and Able Seaman Ellen Zyla headed off to East Timor in June for a week as sound and lighting crew for civilian artists visiting to entertain the Australian troops.

CEREMONIAL SUNSET AND BEAT TO QUARTERS AT HMAS CRESWELL

After a false start or two, HMAS Tobruk finally set sail for RIMPAC 08. The embarked musicians from this detachment are Petty Officer Jarvis, Leading Seaman Geeves, Leading

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

MCG football coverage), Recruit School families and many other public performances. From a public relations perspective, we are certainly well known in the local community and this is reflected in the number of requests we receive from civilian organisations.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

As well as our own commitments we have supported the Sydney detachment in the broadcast of an ABC concert, as part of the Director of Music’s ‘Benchmark’ series. We currently have three members of the Melbourne detachment embarked in HMAS Tobruk as part of an 11 musician deployment to take part in the Rim of the Pacific Naval Exercises off Hawaii.

After six years being away from HMAS Cerberus I have returned to the podium and taken up the position of the Music Director of the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. It is hard to believe how time flies however, I must say it is an honour to be back and have an opportunity to direct and manage such a fine group of musicians.

One of my goals for the year is to fire up the Corvettes Big Band and get them performing in the community. In February we made a flying trip to Paynesville to take part in the Paynesville Jazz festival performing to many jazz enthusiasts. This performance came back to back with a Sunday afternoon of entertainment for patrons of the Beaumaris RSL, where they soaked up the sun with a glass of wine on the grass and listened to a variety of Big Band and Concert Band favourites.

Having spent a lot of my career at Cerberus I am familiar with the routines and the core requirements of the detachment within the establishment. Recruit School Pass Out Parades are viewed very seriously and have no lower than a one star officer as the Reviewing Officer. The monthly ‘Soundwaves’ concerts have become so popular we are playing to a consistently packed house. The repertoire has been wide and varied including marches, solo performances, big band feature items and vocal numbers as well as serious (and not so serious!) Concert Band music.

In March and April I was fortunate to be given the honour of being the Music Director for Tour De Force 9. Leading Seaman Jason Beach, Leading Seaman Chris Goninon and Able Seaman Yoshi Izumi were selected from the Melbourne detachment to join me and eight other members of the RAN Band deployed to the Middle East. The tour saw us visit Afghanistan and Iraq and our tour was filmed for a two week documentary on the ABC’s “Australian Story”. Other civilian artists who made up the 26 person touring party included Angry Anderson, Brielle Davis, Ami Williamson, Tania Zaetta, Fred Lang and the country rock band “The Wolverines”. Our performances were very well received by both the Australian and coalition forces stationed in the Middle Eastern Area of Operation. Whilst I was away Bandmaster, Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron took the helm.

Other significant changes that have taken place in my absence are the high usage of e-mails as a form of communication. There have also been significant changes in administration procedures in regards to the welfare and wellbeing of sailors. Cerberus has also had a change in the Garrison Support Contract, which has negatively affected the level of support given to the detachment in the use of Cerberus transport. I have submitted an appeal and hopefully we will receive a favourable and manageable result. In addition to Soundwaves concerts, the Naval Community Engagement Scheme (NCES) is held in high regard by the Command. NCES is organised by reservist Leading Seaman Musician, Katherine Mulheron. Visits to Cerberus by secondary school students, initiated under NCES, increase the visibility of Navy as a career choice and increase awareness of the role that Cerberus plays in the local community. Secondary school leavers are bused into Cerberus and spend the day visiting the many category schools situated on the base. These students are formally entertained by the detachment before receiving a brief from the Commanding Officer.

We bid farewell to Able Seaman Jennifer Monk in April and Able Seaman Isaac Lo in July. Jennifer has become a classroom teacher and is currently working at a school in Gippsland. She served with the Melbourne detachment since 2003. Isaac will be heading overseas on a round the world trip after he completes his Graduate Diploma of Education and the launch of his first Big Band CD. We wish them both well as they embark on new careers. I would like to congratulations to John McCorkelle, Fletcher Mitchell and Rachel Summers on their promotions to Able Seaman. It has also been a busy six months for the McGann’s. Congratulations to Able Seaman Claire McGann (nee Murray) and Able Seaman Jeff McGann who were married on 24 March. Jeff has also completed his Masters Degree, obtaining a High Distinction in performance. Claire obtained her Licentiate (Trinity) on the clarinet and came first in the Victorian Clarinet and Saxophone Society solo

We have visited many schools throughout the first six months of this year. The beauty of this is that schools are contacting us, which is different from the past when we used to contact them. The reviews we receive from school visits are most encouraging and demonstrate that we have the ability to mix and communicate to our younger generation. So far this year we have performed for around 70,000 people directly and many more indirectly with high profile commitments like Australia Day, ANZAC Day (including the

competition in the tertiary section.

Well what a year it has been already. By the end of June the New South Wales detachment will have completed something like 25 tasks over the last six months: a pretty good effort, with some quality performances from all ensembles. The steady improvement of the Stage Band in particular is most satisfying.

I am very fortunate to be able to call on reserve musicians to assist when shortfalls occur. Petty Officer Nick Pearce, Able Seaman Karen Collidge and Leading Seaman Stuart Collidge, as well as Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) personnel; Chief Petty Officer Andrew Sansom and Petty Officer Simon Potter have assisted us on many performances over this half of the year. Reservist Chief Petty Officer David Hardstaff (ex PNF euphonium player) is currently working at the Engineering Faculty at Cerberus and he has also assisted us on euphonium and trombone.

Our first commitment for the year was an official luncheon board HMAS Kanimbla for Australia Day. The ship was positioned right in the middle of Sydney Harbour with amazing close-up views of the numerous activities on and above the harbour. Apart from having the best seat in the house and a very appreciative audience and a beautiful Sydney day, the commitment doesn’t have a whole lot going for it!

Twelve of my musicians supported the DFSM for the 2008 Prize Night. The evening performance was certainly spectacular producing fireworks and a wide variety of music. I was fortunate to accept the “Stucas Shield” on behalf of Petty Officer Cassandra Mohapp who is currently on Exercise LONGLOOK in the United Kingdom.

In February the Small Group travelled down to HMAS Albatross for a Senior Sailors Mess Dinner. The group was very well received and the Mess President was very gracious in praising the member’s performance and very generous with the amount of cool refreshments provided on completion. So much so that we basically had to say thanks, but that’ll do! Later in February we did the first of seven Commemoration Services over this period including five services at Garden Island Chapel, a Service at Rookwood for the Merchant Navy and St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Willoughby for their ANZAC Day service. As in the past we often have Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer available to lead the singing and Bryony has also been very busy performing with the Sydney detachment’s Woodwind Trio.

Leading Seaman Gordon Orr was presented with his long service medal by Chief of Navy at his final Divisions at Cerberus on Friday 4 April: Congratulations Gordon. I would also like to congratulate Able Seaman Cameron McAllister who was chosen from many applicants to be one of 50 people worldwide to attend a jazz master class in Banff Canada this year. The experience and expertise gained from such an opportunity can only help to serve both Cameron personally and professionally bringing an added depth of performance to our detachment. Cameron has submitted an article of his journey in this newsletter. It has certainly been a busy six months and a lot has been achieved by the members of the Melbourne detachment. I would like to thank you all for making me feel so welcome and I look forward to the remainder of the year.

The first Stage Band performance for the year was on Saturday 8 March for the Wooden Boats Festival at the Australian National Maritime Museum. It is great to have something like this to work towards and we spent as much time as possible rehearsing for this commitment. On the day the only space available was fairly high up on a balcony overlooking the whole area. It wasn’t ideal from the point of view of obtaining crowd interaction but the sound was excellent. Leading Seaman Paul Panichi had a fairly good day on lead trumpet and Able Seaman Damian Dowd played drums and sang, at the same time! I don’t know how he does it; but he certainly adds significantly to the drive and energy the Stage Band puts out. Thanks Damian for his valued input and professionalism and he will be most welcome at the New South Wales detachment when he gets back from RIMPAC. Petty Officer Mark Ham also sat in on trombone and Mark’s support to the detachment since he transferred to the Sydney detachment has been outstanding. The support from all the Sydney detachment members who have assisted us this year is not only appreciated by me but by the whole of the New South Wales detachment.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

April saw Able Seaman Terry McCleary do the usual round of Bugling tasks for ANZAC Day commemorations. Terry continues to receive a lot of appreciative feedback from many organizations. His enthusiasm and dedication toward

THE STAGE BAND AT THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM

was fantastic making the efforts of a long day feel very worthwhile for everyone involved.

these important tasks is commendable and he represents Navy very well. Terry’s interpretation of The Last Post in particular is certainly worth listening too. Due to my absence while in Mumbai, I missed the ANZAC Day Mess Dinner at HMAS Kuttabul Wardroom and the Sydney ANZAC Day march; but from all reports all went very well.

Following the break for Christmas we had a quiet start to the New Year with our first engagement being Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at City Hall, attended by an appreciative audience of 1500. Leading Seaman Paul Parnell assisted on Drum Kit, adding his exceptional skills and enthusiasm to help produce a very tight, energetic performance from the Stage Band.

At the time of submitting this article the New South Wales detachment still has five commitments to do in June, including the Avalon Festival which includes two Stage Band sets and a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset. We have certainly been quite busy and my thanks go to all the members of the New South Wales detachment for their commitment and reliability. I’m looking forward to the next six months; and I hope they are too.

February brought the Queensland detachment back to the Navy’s Church, St Mary’. It has been a long time since we have held a Naval Service at St Mary’s but its ties to the Royal Australian Navy are significant. A Royal Australian Navy Remembrance Service was held on 10 February 2008 marking the Navy’s return. The service was attended by the Governor of Queensland and various service and exservice personnel.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHN

HMAS MARYBOROUGH COMMISSIONING WARRANT OFFICER GRANGER AT THE HELM

CEREMONY

WITH

The following weekend saw the Queensland detachment performing at the National Heritage Precinct for the Laying up of the Naval Ensign. Former Governor-General of Australia (1989-1996), the Honourable Dr Bill Hayden, AC gave a memorable speech at the ceremony attended by service and ex-service personnel. The month of March began with TS Toowoomba being presented with an Australian Naval Cadet Flag, with Chief Petty Officer Ken McCallum looking after proceedings. The Queensland detachment added significantly to the Ceremonial presentation. With the deployment to the Middle East Area of Operations getting closer, Petty Officer Karina Bryer was given the additional responsibilities of keeping the Queensland detachment operational in my absence. Her first assignment was the National Naval Association Conference at Logan. A Dinner Dance commenced with a Ceremonial Service outside, with a moving rendition of the Last Post from Able Seaman Darren Skaar.

ABLE SEAMAN GEMMA TILLY DELIVERS SOME CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

December 2007 saw a very busy three days of rehearsal and activities, with support from various detachments for the Commissioning of NUSHIP Maryborough. Our year concluded with the Carols by Candlelight at Ipswich on 15 Dec before an audience of 8,000. The Stage Band performed its own 20-minute set in addition to backing Marina Prior and the Ipswich Choir. Assisting us on Drum Kit was Able Seaman Yuri Markov, from the South Australian detachment: he played exceptionally well and really enhanced our performance. The reception from the crowd

With my return from operational deployment to the Middle East, April brought the usually very busy ANZAC week of activities and endless requests for Buglers. The week

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

began with the launch of the Diamantina Research Institute Cocktail Party at the Maritime Museum. The following morning saw the Parade Band at the ANZAC Commemoration Service at ANZAC Square attended by the Premier of Queensland, Senior Australian Defence Force personnel and 3,300 school children.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

ANZAC day brought our usual tasks: Dawn Service for the Buglers, the Bulimba Parade followed by a service at Bulimba Memorial Park; and the march through Brisbane City. The start of this year’s march will be a memorable story for years to come. The Commanding Officer of Navy Headquarters-South Queensland, Commander Forbes Peters, stood with the Governor of Queensland to receive the salute during the march, after which he commended the detachment on an outstanding performance and turnout. The following morning saw the Queensland detachment travelling to Traveston for the Dingo Creek Jazz Festival. With the assistance of Leading Seaman Paul Parnell on Drum Kit, the Stage Band produced an exceptional 45minute set full of energy, enthusiasm and some really special moments. Standout performances were: the Sax section (Cruisin’ for a Bluesin’), Leading Seaman Sarah Mac Donald for My One and Only Love, Able Seaman Gemma Tilly A Foggy Day and soloists Able Seamen Dave Coit, Tony Bryer, Darren Skaar, Anthony Sargeant and Seaman Bob Schultz.

ABLE SEAMAN LANIE JAMIESON, ABLE SEAMAN ANNA BOYCHERNKO AND PETTY OFFICER RORY MCKINNON SING UP A STORM AT THE CLIPSAL 500

The year started with gusto following a well-deserved Christmas break. The South Australian detachment participated in South Australia’s major tourist and cycling event, the ‘Tour Down Under’ on two occasions at different locations. Jetty Road at Glenelg was closed to traffic to enable various activities which added fanfare to the Tour Down Under race which was to commence later in the afternoon. This provided the first setting for the South Australian detachment’s rock group to entertain the large crowds that gathered. The following weekend the South Australian detachment travelled to Mannum located one and a half hours drive from Adelaide on the Banks of the Murray River. The natural foreshore of Mannum provided an excellent setting for the stage and a place for locals and visitors to sit on the grass under the shade of the huge Red River Gums as they were entertained. Petty Officers Rory McKinnon and Clayton Tschirn combined with Able Seaman Katrina Caton and Able Seaman Anna Boychenko to provide the front line on vocals for a two hour performance. This proved to be very popular with visitors and locals who needed no encouragement to get up and show their dancing prowess.

The month of May brought the Coral Sea commitments and our yearly visit from the US Navy 7th Fleet Band. Their Rock Group, “The Orient Express”, visited from 08-15 May 2008. Joining the Queensland detachment for the Coral Sea Service at Newstead House, our continuing friendship is always rewarding and we look forward to hosting our American friends on future visits. Although the last six months have been moderately busy, we are already looking forward to the rest of the year with the calendar filling rapidly. On a personal note I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Petty Officer Nina Bryer, who assumed the additional responsibility of keeping the Queensland detachment running while I was deployed to the Middle East:. I would also like to thank those personnel with whom I served with in the Middle East; it was a pleasure and an honour to have served with such a dedicated, professional and enthusiastic group.

Traditional Australia Day celebrations fell in between the Tour Down Under Events and provided the opportunity for the South Australian detachment’s Able Seaman Katrina Caton to perform on guitar and vocals at Adelaide’s Elder Park on the banks of the River Torrens. Katrina wooed the crowd utilising the sound system and stage used later that day by Kate Cerbrano. With an excellent stage setting and a perfect back drop provided by the Torrens River, Katrina provided a perfect mix of popular music from the 1950’s to 2000 followed by happy birthday for the cutting of the cake to conclude the official ceremony and her performance.

October we join the ex Royal Australian Navy musicians of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association as they converge on Adelaide for their biannual reunion.

February saw the South Australian detachment, with the assistance of members from the West Australian and Sydney detachments, back in Glenelg for the commissioning and Freedom of Entry to the city of Glenelg of Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Glenelg. The South Australian detachment’s brass ensemble under the direction of Able Seaman Andrew McDonald provided light entertainment at the cocktail party held on completion of the commissioning ceremony.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

South Australia’s major V8 motoring event ‘Clipsal 500’ was brought forward to late February and once again the Rock Group performed to very enthusiastic crowds on the Sunday for a one hour performance before the race and again after the races for a two hour performance. Fronted by our talented vocalists Able Seaman Lanie Jamieson, Anna Boychernko, and Petty Officer Rory McKinnon on lead vocals and Petty Officer Clayton Tschirn on harmony vocals, their energetic performance kept the crowds entertained for the two hours and had them calling for encores.

MEMBERS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN AND SYDNEY DETACHMENTS WELCOME HOME HMAS ARUNTA AT FLEET BASE WEST

As Christmas has been and gone, we are already halfway through this calendar year. The Western Australian detachment has had a nice steady start to the year and is gearing up for the usual hectic finish for the year. This is what we have done so far this year. January was a nice quiet month. The first half was annual leave to recharge some very drained batteries. We came back for the second half to de-commission HMAS Adelaide. Personally for me, this was a trip down memory lane as this was the ship I deployed on for Operation Flying Fish. I remember going to India, Singapore and floating around the South China Sea doing exercises with four Navies.

THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC LEADS THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT DURING THE FREEDOM OF ENTRY INTO GLENELG

The Anzac Day parade and Dawn Service at Port Adelaide took place with the added support of Able Seamen Neil Mildren, Belinda Marks and Kirsten Paynter from the Sydney detachment who performed the last post at the Dawn Service at Adelaide’s Cenotaph on North Terrace. The South Australian detachment also supported the Coral Sea memorial service, which was attended by the Governor of South Australia, Rear Admiral Scarce Retired.

February saw us once again supporting Uniting Aide for a concert in the park at Yokine Reserve. The crowd just seems to get bigger every year and raising money for this great cause seems to better. The following week, we found ourselves heading off to Adelaide to commission HMAS Glenelg. This was a great opportunity firstly get meet up with the South Australian detachment and secondly, to get out of our own state for a few days. The commissioning itself was a great event and went very smoothly. Next day we did a Freedom of Entry through Glenelg itself. This was a buzz for this detachment as this was such a big band to play in: we had five tubas which made the band sound huge.

Congratulations go to Leading Seaman Ryan Stott who has been awarded the Defence Reserves Association of Victoria Award. This award is presented to the most outstanding student of each year on the Distance Learning Section Leader Course in respect of leadership ability, musical proficiency, personal qualities and potential for advancement in the Defence Force. The next six months are shaping up to be busier. On the horizon we have Navy Week to be held in July as we support the visit to Adelaide of HMAS Ballarat and in

March was starting to get a little busier. We started off by playing at the Autism Solutions Ball at Burswood Casino.

for the Coral Sea Ball at Government House. Next morning, HMAS Arunta was welcomed home from its deployment on OP CATALYST. There were many happy faces on the wharf. The Dixie 5 went off to the Convention Centre a week later for the Careers and Employment Expo. This was another opportunity for this new group to get out and about. The month was finished at Burswood Casino again. This time it was for the 520 people at the Celtic Gala Charity Ball. June as usual goes very quiet. A drum and bugle corps was mustered together for Chief of Navy’s Divisions. It was a beautiful day for a parade with about 800 personnel mustered for this event. Chief of Navy came up and personally thanked the musicians for all their efforts at the morning tea on completion. The month finishes off with a Freedom of Entry for HMAS Albany down in Albany itself. Cadets from TS Vancouver were utilised and integrated within the Drum Corps for this event. Other than that, not much else has been happening. The detachment is cruising along very happily. A few potential recruits are in the pipeline and hope to have them online by the second half of this year. CHIEF PETTY OFFICER TED TAIT ON PARADE SUPPORTING THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT IN GLENELG

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

This is always a great venue to play at and the audience was appreciative of what we had played. A few days later, a small handful of us went down to HMAS Stirling for SYSCOM Division. A presentation was made to HMAS Stirling for the inaugural Governor’s Cup: this award is for the most efficient establishment in the Navy. Following this, the detachment went to Brookton a few weeks later to play at the Brookton Old Time Motor Show. We proudly flew the Australian White Ensign at this event as there are normally a few thousand people in attendance. The next day, Leeuwin Class 22 Reunion was a big night for the olds and bolds at Fremantle Yacht Club.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

April is always a very busy month, especially for our buglers. Besides all the school memorials, RSL memorials, we started off the month going back down to Stirling to play for the Governor-General. He was presenting HMAS Rankin with the Gloucester Cup for the most efficient ship in the Navy. There was also another Leeuwin Intake Reunion, another Cadet Pass-Out Parade and a trip down to Bunbury for a Splash Festival. The detachment did the usual ANZAC Day parade through Perth and jumped on a bus to do another parade and memorial service in Rockingham. That evening we all went to Subiaco Oval to play the pre-game service to the Len Hall Memorial Game. This was a great moment for us as there was a 50,000 member crowd and also being telecast live as well.

THE ROCK GROUP ENTERTAINING PATRONS AT THE DUCK RACE FESTIVAL IN LAUNCESTON

The Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band had its usual active start to the year with the annual Navy week event in Hobart. This is in conjunction with the Royal Hobart Regatta with the detachment performing for the fireworks concert signifying the conclusion of the regatta. This year we were missing Petty Officer Greg Hince who was on duty with the Antarctic Division in Macquarie Island doing a whole host of research studies into the effects of pollution on the island. This elevated (or promoted) Able Seaman Anita Cairns into the position of lead vocals, for which she excelled, giving all of us a vote of confidence that the show can go on regardless of who maybe missing.

May is a month for Coral Sea memorials. Our bugler had a few memorial services to play at then the rest of us joined in

So far the performance front has been somewhat quiet with

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

just the usual commitments supporting ship visits and Commanding Officer receptions; however this relaxed period has allowed us to consolidate training and include new repertoire. Training, particularly parade training, has been slow going in the past due to the small size of the detachment which has reduced our capabilities in other genres. However, I am pleased with the efforts of all members within the detachment who have collectively stepped up efforts to regain skills needed for important areas involving ceremonial activities and the like. We have also developed various small ensemble capabilities which in the event of sudden absences or departures of personnel, allows us to continue with programmed performances. This has been done without compromising the quality of these performances or the status of the detachment.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE

Career management has always been on the forefront of many a discussion with members of the detachment. Often when Sailor Performance Appraisal Reports are dealt with promotion prospects are always questioned. Well, on 1 July 2008 three members of the Tasmanian detachment were promoted; so congratulations to Petty Officer Greg Hince (to Chief Petty Officer), Leading Seaman Damien Norman (to Petty Officer) and Able Seaman Justin Munday (to Leading Seaman). Naval Headquarters Tasmania is revelling in the fact that six out of the 30 reserve promotions for 2008 come from Tasmania.

LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE CONDUCTS THE WIND ORCHESTRA DURING A DIRECT TO AIR BROADCAST FROM CANBERRA

Congratulations are in order for Sub-Lieutenant Matt Klohs as he heads north to Sydney and the position of Assistant Director of Music upon completion of the residential phase of the Band Officer Course. He still has the On-Job-Training components to complete, but his sigh of relief over the end of classroom time was audible across town. Mart’s largest composition/arranging component of the Band Officer Course was a Concert Finale and he chose the music of Cirque de Soleil. His collection of extremely-well arranged selections from various shows was a highlight of the Band Officer Course final concert.

Recently the annual Cadet Unit awards were handed out, which included the best cadet unit for Tasmania. I am very pleased to announce that for the second year running TS Hobart, a solely band unit, won. They now face the national awards which are conducted at the end of June. A small reward for TS Hobart was a week long trip to HMAS Cerberus to conduct workshops with the Melbourne detachment and various other commitments. Leading Seaman Richard Armstrong travelled with TS Hobart to offer instructional support, which was gratefully received from staff; in particular, Lieutenant Rob Hillhouse ANC. These activities typify the support and collaboration between TS Hobart and Tasmanian detachment.

1/08 Section Leaders course and 1/08 Group Leaders course have come and gone with Navy representation on each course. Leading Seaman Matt Booth, Leading Seaman Brett Douglas and Leading Seaman Chris Palamountain all performed very well during class, individual and group activities and added some salt to a rather green establishment. Next up is the Assistant Band Leader course in July and another Section Leader course in November. Both of these courses will feature amended course outlines and lessons as the Defence Force School of Music introduces the new courses based on current Australian National Training Standards. Over the next year or so, all Defence Force School of Music courses will align to these standards which will involve some significant changes to course structures and lessons. Whilst it will be a demanding time for staff and instructors as these lessons are researched and prepared, the students will ultimately benefit as any study here at the Defence Force School of Music will align and lead toward degrees recognised nationally.

As we continue throughout the year we have a lot to look forward to including the annual V8s Supercar bash in November and various other performances as the weather down here warms up. On a personal note I am looking forward to catching up with many of you when we head to Tonga for the Kings Coronation.

Staff performance activity at the Defence Force School of Music is largely associated with At-Home concerts and the occasional off-base concert with Australian Army Band,

For all the Permanent Naval musicians contemplating discharge, why not consider transferring to the Active Reserve or Standby Reserve. I say this as should your situation change, it is a far simpler process to re-enlist.

Melbourne and the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band; however, other events come up from time to time. In January I travelled to a rather chilly and snowy Bucharest, Romania (minus 10 degrees) to conduct the Bucharest Sinfonia and then to Canberra in March (slightly less chilly) to assist Lieutenant Commander Anderson and the Sydney detachment with a live broadcast on ABC Classic FM. Our performance of Godzilla Eats Las Vegas was very well received.

I would like to congratulate the following members who were promoted on 01 July 2008: Tasmanian detachment – Chief Petty Officer Hince, Petty Officer Norman and Leading Seaman Mundy. South Australian detachment – Petty Officer Rogers, Leading Seaman Stott and Leading Seaman Tyrell.

RESERVE PERSPECTIVE

Western Australian detachment – Leading Seaman Starkie, Leading Seaman Hicks and Leading Seaman Colvin.

ARTICLE BY WARRANT OFFICER DALE GRANGER

Queensland detachment – Petty Officer O’Loughlin and Leading Seaman Mead.

In this article, I would like to inform you on what I have observed over the last twelve months as your National Reserve Manager. Integration is largely what I have observed and I feel it only deserving to thank the Director of Music for his support and confidence that the Active Reserve element can perform alongside our Permanent Naval members both “serving in harmony”. This could also be as a result in ex Permanent Naval Musicians transferring to the Active Reserve. At present, 10% of the AR element is ex PN musicians.

For all Able Seaman, Leading Seaman & Petty Officer’s looking at advancement, I suggest that you submit a member’s statement to DSCM through your Bandmaster each year. On the horizon, Able Seaman Dwyer and I will be integrated with members of the Sydney detachment on a deployment to Tongs for the Coronation of the King of Tonga.

I have had the pleasure of working with the Sydney, Western Australian, Queensland and South Australian detachments for the commissioning and decommissioning ceremonies of the Armidale and Fremantle Class Patrol Boats. All the ceremonies were conducted and with a great sense of pride and professionalism and I congratulate all concerned.

ANZAC DAY IN MUMBAI ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA DOUGLAS

ANZAC Day for four musicians of the Sydney detachment was a little different this year. Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton, Leading Seaman Tracy Burke, Leading Seaman Esa Douglas and Able Seaman Chris Thompson flew over to Mumbai in India a couple of days before ANZAC Day to meet with HMAS Arunta. HMAS Arunta was on its way home to Australia after a six month deployment in the Middle East, and had a stop over in Mumbai after finishing exercises with the Indian Navy. The Dawn service had an air of greater significance with the sailors returning from active service and reflecting on those who had served before them. A number of poems were read by the ships company and struck a chord with all when the poems read were from a perspective of a sailor, and one from a little boy marching with the diggers in remembrance of his daddy. The reflective nature of the service was made more poignant with the stirring bugle call by Chief Petty Officer Stapleton, and the naval hymn being beautifully sung by Leading Seaman Burke.

Discussions during my visits to Reserve detachments with bandmasters and members indicate that all detachments are well resourced and that allocations of days are quite sufficient. The salary allocation this year shows that yet again there has been a major underspend. This is mainly due to the fact that we are 20 Able Seaman under strength. Recruiting is happening and it is pleasing to see that Navy Reserve Initial Entry Training is very flexible and has allowed reservists to undertake the training in a five week block as well as the traditional three phase method and the whole 11 week recruit course. One area of concern I have observed, is the lack of self responsibility of members when submitting attendance diaries (RAD) and undertaking reengagements/medicals. It is the member’s responsibility to ensure all details on the RAD are correct before submitting it to his/her supervisor. Reengagements/medicals can be undertaken 12 months prior to expiration and I encourage all to be proactive in this and not leave it to the last month as I know from past history that the process takes longer than a month to complete.

The next day, the ship hosted a cocktail party for Indian Navy Officers and Australians who were currently residing and working in India, followed by a ceremonial sunset by the guard and band members. The ceremonial sunset

three brackets of entertainment. We were made to feel extremely welcome and a good night was had by all. The following day we headed back to Kuwait to meet up with the civilian artists who left Australia a week after us.

began with the traditional Beat to Quarters and a rousing rendition of My Country sung by Leading Seaman Burke. The guard marched out to Royal Australian Navy and completed the Ceremonial Sunset, finally marching off to our unofficial anthem, Waltzing Matilda. The Commanding Officer and all of the ships crew were very welcoming and made our experience quite enjoyable. The fact that we were there was greatly appreciated by both ships’ crew and attending visitors; one lady commenting that it felt like we had bought her a little bit of “home”.

On our return to Kuwait the rest of our touring party arrived. The party included Amy Williams, Brielle Davis, Fred Lang, Angry Anderson, The Wolverines and Tania Zietta. We also had a three person ABC film crew from Australian Story who were to film our tour for a two week documentary. With three members of the Force Advisory Council of Entertainment, the 26 person touring party was formed and ready for action.

In between rehearsals and the ceremonies, we were able to have a bit of a look around Mumbai. We visited the Gateway to India, and saw how the rich lived by going into the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. An interesting restaurant we came across was the “Sachin Tendulkar Restaurant”, which featured some of his favourite meals, as well as cricket and sporting memorabilia. With 18 million people in one city, it is more crowded and traffic crazier than you can imagine! It was easy to strike up a conversation with the taxi drivers by just mentioning cricket, Brett Lee and Shane Warne obvious favourites. On Sunday, the pace did slow down quite considerably, but probably because everyone was on every playing field available playing cricket! India was certainly an experience, and by receiving the great support and appreciation from HMAS Arunta by providing some live music for them ensured our trip was a success.

On 3 April we went to board our C130 Hercules transport aircraft dressed in all our protective body armour and weapons bound for Afghanistan; reality set in and the adrenaline started pumping. After boarding the aircraft the first disruption occurred. Our aircraft had a mechanical problem so we had a five hour delay. Second time lucky; we boarded again and off we went. It was to be a six hour flight however, due to bad weather and the closure of the airstrip in Tarin Kowt our plane was diverted to Kandahar. This was a disappointing start to the tour as all we wanted to do was perform. Our unexpected arrival in Kandahar saw us move into transit accommodation. The next day 3 April, was to bring more disappointment as the airstrip was still closed and we had to spend a second night in Kandahar. We had heard a lot about Tarin Kowt and it was looking as if we were not going to get there.

TOUR DE FORCE 9

To utilise our time we held an impromptu concert at Camp Baker the Australian compound. This was an ideal opportunity for us to run through the show and get in a rehearsal session. The Australians based in Kandahar were invited to attend and the show was greatly appreciated.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

…continued from page 1

FULL STEAM AHEAD AT THE RAAF BIRTHDAY BASH

After our in-country training, we were fortunate to fly by a commercial airline to a neutral Middle Eastern Country to perform for RAAF personnel and more importantly help them celebrate the RAAF birthday. There was an increase in temperature with the daily high reaching 43.9 degrees. This was also a great opportunity for us to perform and ensure that all of our equipment was serviceable after the flight over. This commitment included a cocktail party followed by

OUR MUSICIANS ON ARRIVAL AT KANDAHAR AIRBASE

Saturday, 5 April saw us arrive in Kabul. The weather was a lot cooler with snow on the mountain tops. The terrain was very mountainous. With the high altitude it was very noticeable even when breathing. Due to the high risk in the area, it was decided that we perform at the airport and that it was safer for the Australian troops to be transported to us

servicemen who loved the show. After the show we were invited to the Australian compound for a cocktail party.

rather than us to them. We performed in the Dutch recreation area which was a very homely building with a bar computers etc. The audience was made up of mainly Australians and Dutch with a few American troops. Our first official show went over extremely well. The placed rocked and we received a lot of positive feedback from our first Blues Brothers Show.

We departed AM the following day heading for Kuwait. Twenty minutes into our flight we had engine trouble and we had to return to our original destination. After a two hour delay we were back in the air heading for Kuwait. Returning to Kuwait was like coming home. We had spent so much time in and out of Kuwait and because we were able to keep our accommodation it was very comfortable returning there. It also marked the end of the first leg of our trip. We rigged up in fat alley which is the fast food area of Ali Al Salem airbase. We played to yet another very enthusiastic audience.

Sunday 6 April saw another change to our itinerary. Instead of returning to Kandahar we were diverted to Tarin Kowt. Everyone was excited with the news. Tarin Kowt was home of most of the Aussie troops in Afghanistan. The base is in a valley surrounded by impressive mountains and the terrain was hilly with powder like dust. The weather was a lot hotter than Kabul. We rigged up on the back of a large semi-trailer.

Thursday 10 April saw the start of the second leg of the tour into Iraq. There was much excitement as we boarded the C130 for the 90 minute flight into Baghdad. We stayed at Camp Victory which houses nine of Saddam Hussein palaces and is the Headquarters for the American and Australian forces. The area is made up of man-made lakes surrounded by impressive buildings including the War Cabinet Room of the Iraqi Army. We were fortunate to tour the Palaces including the Al Faw Palace which is now the Headquarters of the American forces. A lot of the buildings have been affected by bombs in the initial attack in 2003. Another highlight was a tour of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training facility. This facility trains soldiers in identifying IED’s as well as responding and defusing these dangerous devises.

On Monday 7 April was one of the many highlights of our trip. In the morning we visited a Trade School which was set up by Australian troops who taught Afghan children trades in carpentry and plumbing. We spent a couple of hours mixing with the local kids and watching them at work. The Trade School is one of the success stories of the work which is being carried out in Afghanistan. A tour of the Tarin Kowt area and a weapons and vehicle demonstration was organised. It was very informative and gave us the opportunity to experience the life of a soldier. Our second show in Tarin Kowt started well however 10 minutes into the show we had a problem with the power. After a 40 minute delay and a lot of luck it was show on again. The show went over very well with a lot of complimentary feedback.

Our first concert at Camp Victory was held on the main stage and was attended by Australian and Coalition forces. We had a set back when smoke started bellowing out of our PA amplifiers and effect desk. It turned out that the venues electricity had been wired incorrectly. It was looking very grim at one stage however we were fortunate that the Australian electrician was able to correct the wiring as well as replace the melted fuses. On the bright side we were lucky that the guitar amps etc were plugged into a different circuit. If all our electronics were plugged into the facility circuit we may have lost all of our amplifiers. After a 50 minute delay the concert got under way to an enthusiastic audience. PETTY OFFICER MICHAEL VAUGHAN AND ABLE SEAMAN YOSHI IZUMI ENTERTAIN THE TROOPS

It was hard to believe that our time in Afghanistan had come to an end. Everyone was so happy to have had the opportunity to visit Tarin Kowt. We had the opportunity to view the rugged terrain and the conditions that our fighting troops live in every day. After a refuel stop in Kandahar we left Afghan airspace and headed to our next destination. After arriving in our new destination it was all hands on deck. Time had got away and we only had one hour to set up and sound check. The base is the main airbase for the American Air Force. We played to approximately 2000

NAVY BAND MEMBERS AT CAMP VICTORY

On Friday 11 April we travelled to the International Zone in the heart of Baghdad. We were transported in a convoy of Armoured Personnel Carriers as well as two trucks which had our equipment in them. We travelled along Root Irish which is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. IED’s are often placed along this road and the adrenaline pumped when we were told to load our weapons. This trip gave us a good idea of what the soldiers go through every day of their tour. The professionalism they showed was commendable. The soldiers based in the International Zone are responsible for the security of the Australian Embassy in Iraq. The two concerts went over very well. We also had the opportunity to go onto the roof of the Bathe Party Headquarters, which is the building that Saddam’s Court hearing was heard. This gave us an opportunity to view the city of Baghdad. The following day we had the opportunity to tour the area. This was the first time on the tour that we had time to relax. We performed a second concert at Camp Victory on Aussie Island. This was a more relaxed performance and included a BBQ for all the Aussie troops.

Whilst in Tallil we visit the Ziggurat of Ur. These ancient ruins were 4000 years old and this city was the birth place of Abraham from the bible. To have this opportunity to tour such a historical place was a great way to finish our tour of duty. It was hard to believe that the tour had come to an end - 12 concerts with the civilian artists in 15 days and 13 Navy Band performances in all. To have the ABC film crew with us and to be part of Australian Story was indeed special. To be part of the first Navy Band to tour Afghanistan was something that we will never forget and is now in the history of the Royal Australian Navy Band. I would like to thank the touring party for their efforts and dedication. What an honour, to be given the opportunity to direct such a dedicated and talented group of musicians.

TOUR TO AFGANISTAN ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER MARK HAM

We left Baghdad on the 14 April and headed for our last destination Tallil. Tallil is in southern Iraq and is the home of the majority of our troops in Iraq. The venue was Memorial Hall, a large venue with a large stage and good facilities. We played two shows, the first for Australian troops and the following night was for the coalition forces. The venue was at capacity for both shows.

Brisbane, September 2007: Playing the Bass Bone/Tenor Bone part in the production of Miss Saigon. The orchestra was crammed into a small space. I had no social life. I rarely saw my children. It was during this show that I contemplated a return to the Royal Australian Navy band. I mean, seriously. How hard could it be? Baghdad, April 2008: Rifle (loaded), full body armour (on), helmut and blast goggles (on), my 6-foot frame crammed into an ASLAV, sweat driping down my back and it’s not just due to my attire and salubrious surroundings. Along with 11 of my fellow reality-checked colleagues, I was about to travel THE most dangerous stretch of road in the world. Luckily, I’m in the lead vehicle. Suddenly that orchestra pit in Brisbane seemed like a wonderful place to be. Sydney, June 2008: As this was the third tour to Iraq for the Navy Band, I’ll concentrate on the Afghanistan section of the journey. There is also another reason to concentrate on Afghanistan and that is to remind Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton that despite his many tours of duty he hasn’t been to Afghanistan, or Ghanners or Stanners or just the big A as we veterans call it. (We don’t really call it any of those names; but it certainly annoys the Chief!) First stop in this war-ravaged land was Kandahar. First impressions say a lot; and if you were into dilapidated airfields and destroyed Soviet Aircraft wreckage—this is your Mecca. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Lonely Planet Guide might read something like this: Kandahar— Don’t!

LEADING SEAMAN CHRIS GONINON DRIVING THE ROCK GROUP

one now, I feel like a tooh…..you get the idea. These ‘beers’ were just like the real thing; only they taste like Adelaide water infused with effluent. Luckily being naval musicians we didn’t miss having the real thing at all!

PETTY OFFICER MARK HAM WITH ABLE SEAMAN BELINDA MARKS AND LEADING SEAMAN JASON BEACH ENTERTAINING THE TROOPS

The first noticeable departure from our previous coalition experiences was the increased English, Dutch and Canadian presence at the base. This presence was most welcome on many fronts. The most welcomed though was the chance to have a varied menu at the DFAT (Scran Hall). Although Leading Seaman Beach was missing his American favourite—Grease Burgers and fries (deep fried Southern Style), deep fried Salad (on the side), washed down with a bucket of Diet Coke and vat of Baskin Robbins Quadruple Choc. The rest of us, along with our livers and colons, were happy to see some vegetables.

PETTY OFFICER MARK HAM PLAYS THE HARMONICA DURING THE ‘BLUES BROTHERS’ SET

After 47 changes of plans and numerous false starts we landed in the stunning capital, Kabul. Kabul is one of the world’s most elevated capital cities, and at 1800 metres it is only 400m below Australia’s highest peak. Majestic, snowcapped mountains encircle the city and stand as silent witness to the ruins that lay at their feet. Kabul was once a scenic and powerful city. As an example of its war-torn decline, I was only able to get a postcard of the city circa 1976.

The other joys of the coalition were The Brits. It’s always good to have the Brits around so we could remind them how bad they are at cricket. The Dutch were good to have around too because they were Dutch and not American.

On our arrival all the flags of the 50 or so nations involved in action in Afghanistan were at half-mast. They remained that way for our two-day stay. If that wasn’t enough to bring one’s attention to the fact that this was serious: the large bullet holes and craters into side of the Kabul International Airport certainly made the point. At this particular juncture, one was happy that one had bought undies in the shade of brown—and in bulk.

Kandahar’s own Australian part of the world was as typical as all the Australian Bases and camps we visited, insomuch as they are not typical. The Aussie troops go the extra mile to make sure their part of the world is an Aussie Oasis in a sea of PX’s, Fast Food halls, retailers, weaponry, dirt, rocks and sand. Due to some inclement weather—that obviously the Brits brought with them—we were held up in Kandahar for a few days. This was a good opportunity for the musicians to have a run through the program and fine tune a few things. It was also a good opportunity to witness another countries love of sport, this instance, the Canadians, and their sport/religion is Ice Hockey. Unfortunately the Canadians have suffered considerable causalities in Afghanistan and to see their own little patch of home in the form of the Hockey rink must make things a little easier. Although the thought of fighting the Taliban all day then coming home to belt the living daylights out of each other on a Hockey Rink does seem somewhat masochistic. The British tradition of a pint and game of darts seems more relaxing: not that there is any chance of a pint of larger in these parts. The closest one comes are the ‘near beers’. They are just like beer: minus the flavour, taste, hops, refreshing, cool, cold, satisfying, as a matter of fact I’ve got

PETTY OFFICER HAM AND THE NAVY MUSICIANS IN FULL FLIGHT DURING A CONCERT

BANFF 2008

The Dutch played host for our concert in Kabul in the well thought out name Holland House—Whacky senses of humour those Dutch. Despite a smallish crowd and a few language barriers, the concert was well-received. Unfortunately, we recorded our first casualty. My trombone was dented, in the slide, and could not move past 4th position. For a normal trombonist this may have been a concern, but for your intrepid reporter! No worries. With the aid of part of our issued rifle and Able Seaman Dan “Action” McMahon, the dent was removed: tragically the wrong notes remained intact and are still to be affecting one’s playing to this day. This good news of the repaired horn boded well, for we headed to our next, and possibly, most dangerous destination: Tarin Kowt.

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN CAMERON MCALLISTER

Tarin Kowt is in the Oruzgan province and has been the site of numerous battles with the Taliban. The base itself has a real look and feel of an old fort—the kind you’d see in an old western movie with John Wayne. The camp sits on some undulating hills before giving away to some fertile plains that lead quickly to steep, rugged mountains that are as old as time itself.

ABLE SEAMAN CAMERON MCALLISTER WITH AMBROS AKINMUSIRE

In May this year I was lucky enough to be one of fifty successful entrants worldwide to attend the 'International Workshops in Jazz and Creative Music' held over three weeks in beautiful Banff, Canada. The program, held annually since 1976, is highly regarded throughout the jazz community and consistently assembles a teaching faculty comprising some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians. This year's faculty, led by trumpeter Dave Douglas, was no exception and included; The Bad Plus, Clarence Penn, Donny McCaslin, Eric Revis, Ingrid Jensen, Wayne Krantz and Miguel Zenon.

Our friends the Dutch have a huge presence in the camp and our Aussie troops have formed a strong bond between these two diverse nations. Having said that, the Dutch were particularly keen to talk to the female section of our touring party. Perhaps the girls know more about clogs, or wooden shoes in general? We had two gigs in Tarin Kowt. The first was performed mainly for RTF3 who were about to head home after over six months of being deployed. I’m sure their spirits were so high in anticipation of returning home they would have applauded a grass growing competition. Luckily we were slightly more animated and entertaining and the show was a hit. The second night was a complete contrast. The previous night’s audience had gleefully flown out—courtesy of Herc Airways (What a great way to fly!) —and our new audience, RTF4 was ready for action. Unfortunately the only action they were up for was getting stuck into the Taliban, not listening to us. The fact that the lighting and electrical system decided to die mid song did not help. Fortunately due to some quick work by ‘Action’ Dan the show went on and the troops warmed to our show. Once again the troops seemed quite interested in the ladies garments—must be an army thing? After a quick phone call to Chief Petty Officer Stapleton back in Sydney to reiterate the fact we were there and he wasn’t, we took off for a luxurious C130 trip back to home base in the Middle East Area of Operations.

Although the three week program is very structured and well organised the atmosphere that is created by both the faculty and the beautiful mountainous surroundings really is one that inspires creativity. In fact, I learnt more in my three weeks in Banff than I did in three years at college! We were constantly pushed to think outside the box and were given many new ways of approaching both improvisation and composition which indirectly can influence many other facets of the music making process. Some of the faculty focused more on straight-ahead ideas for single line improvisation whilst others focused on polytonality and ways to incorporate polyrhythmic ideas into your improvisation. As well as the daily lectures and performance classes there was a jazz club open every night, which was set up purely for the students to put into practice all of the ideas they had learnt by putting together club sets of original compositions. This was also a great way to unwind and socialise after an intense day of learning.

So, the Royal Australian Navy band expands its list of War theatres supported. Friendships were made and strengthened. Instruments were broken and livers cleansed. Afghanistan and the Royal Australian Navy Band haven’t been quite the same since.

Overall I had a truly inspirational time in Banff, and the knowledge that was passed on to me will hopefully spur me on to become a better musician.

IDOL MOMENT FOR BAND

Carl dazzled the crowd with his easy going personality and great singing voice but continually gave credit to the Band members for their passionate and committed performances.

ARTICLE BY MICHAEL BROOKE (NAVY NEWS)

“These guys are a smokin’ band,” he said in reference to the hot performances by the 25 talented musicians who comprise the Admirals’ Own Big Band. Earlier in the concert the band showcased the singing talents of AB Belinda Marks, who sang ‘I Just Found Out About Love’, which is the number they performed on television, ‘Mornings with Kerrie-Anne’, during the week. The concert was a great success for the Admirals Own Big Band and marked yet another successful community engagement activity for the Navy, with scores of people singing the praises of the RAN Band at the end of the concert. CARL RISELEY ON STAGE WITH THE ADMIRALS’ OWN BIG BAND

GREAT WHITE FLEET ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

The hardworking RAN Band members are never idle but that didn’t stop them from enjoying an ‘idol moment’ with former band member and Australian Idol finalist Carl Riseley. The Admirals’ Own Big Band and several guest singers including Carl Riseley performed at the Jazz and Blues Festival at Darling Harbour on 9 June. The spellbinding appeal of the RAN Band and Carl performing together was so powerful that more than 500 people, all armed with umbrellas, braved heavy rain to catch the hour long performance. The Admirals’ Own Big Band and Carl literally had the crowd dancing in the aisles as they performed a range of jazz classics as well as some numbers from Carl’s album, including ‘Let’s Fall in Love’, ‘On the Street Where You Live’, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time’, Lido Shuffle, and ‘This Guy’s in Love’. Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy told Navy News that the Band members were excited to perform alongside Carl, who has enjoyed significant commercial success since making the final of Australian Idol in 2007. “Carl’s commercial success has helped illustrate the talent of the RAN Band so it’s a great opportunity and a privilege for us to perform with him today,” said PO Kennedy. Carl is currently halfway through a busy national tour and is planning another album, but that didn’t stop him from jumping at the chance to play at the jazz festival with his former Band mates. “It’s a really great thrill for me to perform with my former Band mates because this is where I started,” he said. Carl said while he is enjoying his current celebrity status of being a pop idol he does sometimes miss the Navy lifestyle – “particularly the camaraderie of being in the Navy Band”.

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 13 OF 12 DECEMBER 2008

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

‘HANDS ACROSS THE SEA’ WITH THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND IN COMPANY WITH MUSICIANS FROM THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA DOUGLAS FLEET BAND AT ANGEL PLACE RECITAL CENTRE FRIDAY 22 AUGUST 2008

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA DOUGLAS

CONTENTS

During August, in support of the Great White Fleet 100th Anniversary Celebrations, American and Australian ships reenacted the Australian visit to Sydney, Melbourne and Albany. In 1908, the Band of the Victorian Naval Brigade performed for the fleet as it steamed into Port Philip Bay. One hundred years later, the Royal Australian Navy Band in company with musicians from the United States Pacific Fleet Band, greeted USS John S McCain, and HMA Ships Sirius and Darwin as they berthed at Fleet Base East. The ships were greeted by the Melbourne detachment on arrival at Princess Pier in Melbourne, and a combination of the Western Australian and Sydney detachments were in Albany to welcome USS Shoup, and HMA Ships Darwin, Sirius and Manoora, and also to support the Freedom of Entry through Albany. From the 16 December 1907 to the 22 February 1909, United States President Theodore Roosevelt dispatched the fleet on a voyage to circumnavigate the world making 26 port calls on six continents. The fleet consisted of 16 American battleships, all of which were painted white to denote peace, hence the term “Great White Fleet” being adopted. (continued on page 3)

GREAT WHITE FLEET ANNIVERSARY

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

KIRSTY JONES AWARD

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DTACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

RECRUIT SCHOOL

RIMPAC 2008

KING’S CORONATION, TONGA

LONGLOOK 2008

ANZAC 2008

HMAS SYDNEY II

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

We also released two new recordings, A Flagship Recital (Mark II) and Classic Marches. Each of these recordings demonstrates very clearly, the impressive capability of the Wind Orchestra; but the music also shows the skill and collective ability of the group. These recordings will shortly be distributed to schools and libraries across the nation and add significant value to the story of the Navy Band. There are a number of people moving on to new positions next year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chief Petty Officer Mike Vaughan for his work with the Queensland detachment and Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton for his work with the New South Wales detachment. Each of them has made a sterling contribution to their individual detachments. They will be leaving their detachments in much better shape due, in large measure, to their personal commitment and the professional mentoring that they provided their people. Also moving on next year, after three and a half years as the Central Band Stores Controller, is Chief Petty Officer Camille Martin who has been an exceedingly productive member of my team. Camille undertook much additional work in my office and I very much appreciate her dedication to duty and willingness to take up other roles when needed. Camille was recently promoted and is the first female Chief Petty Officer Musician; next year she will become the first female to take up a role as Bandmaster. Leading Seaman Esa Douglas is moving back to the Sydney detachment after setting the standard as the band’s National Manager for Marketing and Public Relations. Lieutenant Michelle Coleman is also moving on next year. Michelle was the first female to be appointed as a Band Officer and made her mark firstly as a champion euphonium player and then as the Assistant Director of Music and the Music Director of the Sydney detachment. I know that Michelle and her husband, Dean, leave the Navy family with our thanks and best wishes.

‘ALL HANDS ON DECK’ DIRECT TO AIR BROADCAST 24 AUGUST 2008

Another six months has flown by and the band and its story continue to impress. In addition to the many tasks within Australia, the band still had sufficient capacity to deploy a 34-piece contingent to Tonga in July and to also embark an element in HMAS Tobruk for RIMPAC 2008. We were selected to represent Australia during the Coronation of King Tupou V and our musicians enjoyed a very successful few weeks in the Kingdom of Tonga. The sea deployment group also had an interesting and successful deployment. Two of our people have returned from an incredible experience with Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Service and one other participated in ANZAC Exchange. Other major events included the band’s contribution to celebrations marking the 100th Anniversary of the Great White Fleet and numerous memorial services around the nation for HMAS Sydney II. For the Sydney memorial services, I had the privilege of conducting the Western Australian detachment—supported by some members from the Sydney detachment—during the Sunset Ceremony and for the reburial of the unknown sailor in Geraldton. During these ceremonies I was reminded of the sacrifice given by the musicians who formed the band in Sydney and who perished along with 645 shipmates. It was indeed an honour to be involved in those memorial services: I also had opportunity to reflect upon the contribution made by those musicians to the proud story of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

There are many people within the band who make a very significant and ongoing contribution; but space doesn’t permit me to acknowledge everyone on this occasion. Collectively though, we are a very productive and credible military music organisation. I would argue that we are in fact the most effective military band in the nation. Listening to the recent broadcasts and recordings leads me to state with much confidence that our produce demonstrates a world-class military band. I want to thank each of you for your effort and contribution towards achieving such good results.

The band’s role in the Great White Fleet anniversary celebrations was significant and its level of performance standard was absolutely outstanding: I have never heard any band play better than what I witnessed on Friday evening 22 August for ‘Hands Across the Sea’ and on Sunday afternoon 24 August for ‘All Hands on Deck’.

All the best for the Festive Season,

We established an award to honour the memory of, and as a dedication to, ex-Petty Officer Musician Kirsty Jones who inspired her subordinates and superiors through her personal qualities, positive attitude, and commitment and dedication to duty. I am pleased to announce that the inaugural recipient is Able Seaman Yoshinari Izumi from the Melbourne detachment.

P.C. ANDERSON Lieutenant Commander, RAN Director of Music and Leader

(Continued from page 1)

Sea Treaders. A ship’s bell also featured throughout the piece giving a real feel of a ship at sea. The first soloist for the evening was flautist Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya. She performed Phil Coulter’s Home Away from Home, which had been arranged by Leading Seaman Martyn Hancock. After such a calming and beautiful interlude, it was back into march mode with John Phillip Sousa’s Hands Across the Sea. This march had been composed in 1899 and dedicated to all of America’s allied countries abroad. What better way to get in the mood for some sea shanties with Clare Grundman’s Fantasy on American Sailing Songs. The piece used four familiar American sea songs, ‘Hornet & Peacock’, ‘Lowlands’, ‘What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor’, and ‘Bound for the Rio Grande’.

THECOMBINED BAND GREETS USS JOHN S. MCCAIN AT FBE

The visit to Australia was the fleet’s third leg, its travels taking it from San Francisco to Manila, which covered 30,254km’s. They arrived in Sydney on 20 August 1908, and the subsequent visits saw the fleet in Melbourne from 29 August to 5 September, and 11 September until 17 September in Albany. The sailors arrived with a tremendous welcome and crowds of between 400,000 and 600,000 turning out to greet the fleet. As part of the celebrations, a number of functions and events were held in each of the ports. In Sydney, two major concerts and a ball hosted by the American Australian Association were supported by elements of the Royal Australian Navy Band and US Pacific Fleet Band. The first concert, Hands Across the Sea, was held at City Recital Hall in Angel Place to an audience of approximately 900 people. The audience was treated to a night of seafaring music, a precision drill team, the ‘Sophisticated Sounds’ with the Admiral’s Own Big band, and a Naval Occasion with the Ceremonial Ensemble.

PERFORMING THE GUNNERY OFFICER’S GALLOP ON .303 RIFLES

Brass players, especially trumpet players, are often known for their extroverted personalities and loud approach to life. So when you combine that fact, with their mouthpieces attached to .303 weapons to produce a louder than usual trumpet sound, you come up with some humorous results. Able Seaman Andrew Bryce, Musician Third Class Ivan Boshkovich, Able Seaman Chris Ellis, Able Seaman Andrew Hansch, Able Seaman Stuart Malcolm and Able Seaman Cameron McAllister took to the choir balcony to perform the Gunnery Officer’s Gallop better known as Coach Horn Gallop. This unusual and highly entertaining piece had the audience in fits of laughter. To end the ‘First Watch’, the tone was calmed considerably with Michael McDermott’s Hymn to the Sea and Eternal Father. Featuring during this finale to the first half were Leading Seaman Christopher Palamountain on Saxophone and Able Seaman Marcus Salone on Trumpet. The Sea Chanters Chorus accompanied the Wind Orchestra and seafaring images were shown throughout: the first half concluded with a rousing standing ovation.

A FULL HOUSE FOR ‘HANDS ACROSS THE SEA’

The evening began with each nation's respective colours being raised by the Royal Australian Navy Colour Guard and Flag Party provided by Training Ship Sirius. The concert opened with Nick Clark’s The Alert March, followed by a major work that took the audience on a journey of the ocean through calm and stormy seas with Francis McBeth’s The

The Admiral’s Own Big Band commenced the ‘Second Watch’ with ‘Sophisticated Sounds’. Taking to the stage during this jazzy set were two vocalists; Able Seaman Belinda Marks, and from the Pacific Fleet Band Musician Anton Dupreez.

It was a successful week for the Great White Fleet celebrations, with a significant contribution to the festivities being thanks to the professionalism of the musicians from both the Royal Australian Navy Band and United States Pacific Fleet Band. Although there was limited rehearsal time together, the polished performances both entertained and impressed Australian and American VIP’s, and all attending audience members. It was a chance for the two Navies to work together and continue their enduring friendship, as well as bringing some great entertainment to the community. Noted American historian, Professor Jim Reckner, who was in Australia to lecture on the Great White Fleet commented:

THE SEA CHANTERS CHORUS AND THE WIND ORCHESTRA

One of the events that most struck me was the wonderful joint RAN-USN band concert in Sydney. The highlight of that performance, for me, was a wonderfully stirring rendition of "God Bless America" sung by a young female RAN member. Immediately after the performance, I commented to the Chief of the Navy and also to the General Counsel of the US Navy who was representing the Secretary of the Navy, that, in my view, there is no other country in the world where America could receive such a sincere and meaningful salute. I left Sydney last Saturday singing the praises of Australia as a tried and true friend of America, and will continue to sing those praises.

The big entertainment feature for the second half was ‘A Naval Occasion’ beginning with Alex Lithgow’s Royal Australian Navy. The Drum Corps then performed a traditional Beat to Quarters, followed by three cheers led by the Director, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson. The climax of the evening came with patriotic songs of each nation. Leading Seaman Tracy Burke sang a beautiful rendition of God Bless America, and Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer followed with a moving version of My Country. The evening concluded with Advance Australia Fair and Star Spangled Banner. The colour guard from USS John S McCain joined the Royal Australian Navy Colour Party in retiring their respective colours to Anchors Aweigh with the final march of the evening, Waltzing Matilda, getting toes tapping for one last time.

KIRSTY JONES AWARD

THE DIRECTOR WITH THE HERITAGE DRUM AND FIFE TEAM AND CEREMONIAL ENSEMBLE AT THE AAA GALA BALL WARRANT OFFICER BEKENDAM PRESENTING THE KIRSTY JONES AWARD TO ABLE SEAMAN IZUMI

Saturday evening saw some members from both bands supporting the America Australia Association Gala Ball with a small ceremonial ensemble, chamber group and a rock ensemble. On Sunday, the combined band presented a ‘direct to air’ broadcast on ABC Classic FM from the Eugene Goossens Hall in Ultimo to a live audience of 200 people, and a radio audience of approximately 700,000. Another program had been prepared for this concert, with a number of marches, serious concert band works, big band repertoire and choral selections filling the afternoon’s broadcast time slot.

The Kirsty Jones award is presented annually to a member of the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band who has been assessed as making an outstanding contribution towards the band’s operational effectiveness. The recipient of this award is selected to specifically acknowledge their direct contribution to encouraging good morale within the team; promoting a positive workplace atmosphere; enhancing a sense of esprit-de-corps throughout the Royal Australian Navy Band; and upholding

Navy’s values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.

Angus Donald. Also, Able Seaman Steve Tabe is very close to his last day with us. We wish them all the very best on ‘Civvy Street’. Also, on the move in the New Year are Petty Officer Daniel Hobson and Leading Seaman Tracy Burke (both to the Director of Music’s office); Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton (to the Queensland detachment); and Chief Petty Officer Brian O’Kane, who has quite a big move to make to the next-door office (to the New South Wales detachment). All members have made a significant contribution to the detachment’s output and I cannot thank them enough for their effort.

The Kirsty Jones award was created to honour the memory of, and as a dedication to, ex-Petty Officer Musician Kirsty Jones who inspired her subordinates and superiors through her personal qualities, positive attitude, and commitment and dedication to duty. All members of the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band are eligible for the Kirsty Jones award with the recipient decided by the Senior Leadership Group. The award comprises a perpetual shield to be displayed in the winner’s detachment, a letter from the Director of Music, and a crystal plaque.

Highlights of the last six months were: • Deployment to Tonga for the Coronation of the new King. • ‘Great White Fleet’ celebrations including a recital in the City Recital Hall and the ABC centre combined with the US Pacific Fleet Band. • Benchmark Recording (Overtures and Marches). • Admiral’s 100 Club Dinner (Heritage Centre). • Fleet Air Arm 60th Anniversary Air Show. • HMAS Sydney II memorial services in Canberra, Sydney and Geraldton. • New Entry Officer Course Graduation (HMAS Creswell)

The inaugural recipient is Able Seaman Yohsinari Izumi from the Melbourne detachment.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

Before year’s end we are looking forward to ‘Carols on the Bay’ at HMAS Watson (weather permitting!!) and the ADFA Graduation Ball. For the last few weeks before Christmas leave we have the pleasure to host two members of the New South Wales detachment joining us for a short period of full time service. Able Seaman Danika Wright (Tenor Sax) and Seaman Tamara Sutton (Alto Sax) have been ‘thrown in’ to everything including Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunsets. Both members applied themselves very well and learnt all the requirements for these tasks very quickly. Also during this period, Seaman Tamara Sutton passed the M2 Examination.

ON PARADE AT THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY DIVISIONS AT HMAS ALBATROSS

Here we are near the end of another year and it’s time to reflect on what we’ve achieved and what we’d like to accomplish next year. So what did the past six months bring for the Sydney detachment? For starters, I would like to thank Major Tony Smallwood (RM) for his fine contribution during Long Look exchange. This was a worthwhile and rewarding experience for both of us and I hope this great opportunity continues so many more of our people can benefit from the exchange.

Congratulations to Petty Officer Mark Ham who made the Navy Cricket Team. Although Navy lost to Army in the final, Mark was awarded ‘Batsman of the Tournament’ and was selected in the Combined Services Team. In a tough match against the ACT under 19s, Mark top scored with 65. As we head off for Christmas holidays I would like to thank all members of the Sydney detachment for their contributions. Please take it easy on the roads and see you all next year.

It is with much pleasure that I announce the promotion of Brett Douglas to Petty Officer with effect from January 2009. I’m sure Brett will make a fine Senior Sailor. The Sydney detachment is happy to welcome fresh from recruit training, Able Seaman Alicia Coward (Clarinet) and from the Melbourne detachment, Petty Officer Natalea Erskine. Over the past six months we have farewelled Leading Seaman Dana Moran, Able Seaman Cindy Sims and Able Seaman

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

John McCain. After a flat out week in Sydney we returned to Melbourne to participate in the Great White Fleet celebrations in Melbourne. Our popularity within Victorian Schools continues with a record number of requests. The pleasing aspect is the wide area in which the requests have come from. It is the first time I recall any Navy Band performing in Melbourne’s Northern Suburbs with performances in Broadmeadows, Mill Park, Fairfield and Eltham. To the east we visited Croydon, Pakenham and Badgers Creek as well as schools on the Mornington Peninsula such as Mount Martha and Langwarren Park. On the 14 August the Launceston College Band from Tasmania visited us at our complex for a workshop and concert. This 60 piece concert band was in Victoria for the Melbourne School Band Festival.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

ON PARADE FOR CHIEF OF NAVY DIVISIONS

It is hard to believe that we are at Carol time again! Our two major Christmas Carol events (at Albert Park Lake in the City and at Baxter’s Sages Cottage) are set to be highlights of the detachment’s calendar. Our final and ever popular ‘Soundwaves’ concerts will also end the year with some festive Christmas cheer.

The detachment said farewell to Petty Officer Natalie Erskine who posted to the Sydney detachment and in return we welcomed Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis. Also, from Sydney we welcome Able Seaman Edward Solecki on piano. Able Seaman Fred Whitson transferred to the Permanent Component from the South Australian detachment. Welcome Sharon, Edward and Fred. Leading Seaman Matthew Booth decided to make a commitment and proposed to his lovely partner Louise. Congratulations to you both and we hope you have a lifetime of love and happiness together.

In regards to our Complex Concerts there has been some good and bad news. The bad news is that we were turning away approximately 80 people per concert. Although the popularity of our concerts is a nice problem to have it also created a lot of heartache and disappointment. The good news is that we trialled with much success holding the concerts in St Mark’s church. This beautiful church located on the base is an ideal venue and we able to fit all of our adoring fans in. I am so impressed with the image and popularity the Melbourne detachment has in our community. We have friends of the band travel as far away as Bendigo as well as many suburbs of Melbourne to attend our monthly concerts series. This is indeed a credit to the hard work and musicianship displayed by my team.

Petty Officer Meredith Aston along with husband Leading Seaman Ian Aston welcomed their first child Tristan into the world. Tristan has already been christened into the Navy Band sleeping through several Complex Concerts. Able Seaman Andrew Bryce and wife Emma also welcomed their son Riley into the world. Although Riley was born at 28 weeks he is doing well. We wish Andrew, Emma and Riley all the best and we hope that Riley will be home for Christmas. I hate to say it Andrew but there goes the surfboard.

The second half of the year commenced with a visit to Monash University and the Victorian College of the Arts. These visits included a presentation on life as a navy musician, job opportunities as well as featuring some of our chamber and jazz ensembles. The visits were very well received and hopefully we will see some of these students joining the Navy Band.

Able Seaman Jade Barker participated on the ANZAC Exchange Program which saw her work with the Royal New Zealand Navy Band in Auckland. Jade was in New Zealand for approximately four months. In return we welcomed Able Seaman Sarah Hay from New Zealand. I hope they both enjoyed their experience and have ever-lasting memories from the exchange. Able Seamen Dave Rampart, Patrick Beaman and John McCorkelle deployed in HMAS Tobruk for RIMPAC exercises off Hawaii. I hope they all enjoyed their sea time. I would also like to congratulate Able Seaman Bruce McIntyre for being selected for the Section Leaders course at the Defence Force School of Music. I would also like to congratulate Leading Seaman Jason Beach and Able Seaman Yoshi Izumi who were presented with the Australian Active Service Medal by the Commanding Officer of HMAS Cerberus, Captain Sheldon Williams on the 28 November. Leading Seaman Chris Goninon has also qualified for this honour and hopefully he

The newly appointed Chief of Navy (CN), Vice Admiral Russ Crane visited HMAS Cerberus early August. His visit included a Ceremonial Divisions in which the detachment had the opportunity to perform in front of CN for the first time in his new position. August was an extremely busy month with the detachment joining with our northern based colleagues plus the United States Navy Pacific Fleet Band in Sydney for the Great White Fleet celebrations. The week of celebrations included a direct to air broadcast as well as the Great White Fleet Concert at the City Rectal Hall. The detachment also was involved in a reception and Beat to Quarters on the USS

Parramatta Memorial Service in Parramatta. Special mention goes to Able Seaman Terry McCleary who continues to offer his unique bugling style at these and various other commemoration events.

will be presented with his award before this newsletter goes to print. Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron leaves us and is posted to the Defence Force School of Music. I would like to thank Danny for his professionalism, loyalty and support as my 2IC and I hope he enjoys his new posting.

The New South Wales detachment stage band got its first outing for the second half of 2008 in September, performing onboard HMAS Manoora for Navy Open Day at Fleet Base East. These commitments are great motivators and give the stage band something to work towards. The many visitors to Fleet Base East that day would have seen Leading Seaman Paul Panichi on lead trumpet putting it out there, and our frequent guest, Able Seaman Damian Dowd (Sydney detachment) doing what he does best on the drums and microphone – often at the same time! Early November the stage band supported the Boronia Park School Fete, where the local dance classes warmed up the crowd before we gave them a dose of swing. I know what you’re thinking, “school fete!” but they really went to a lot of trouble with stage and sound provided and it was probably one of the best fetes I’ve attended.

On behalf of the members of the Melbourne detachment and myself I would like to wish you all and your families a safe and prosperous Christmas and New Year. I look forward to your continued support in 2009.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

In the six months since the last newsletter the New South Wales detachment has been busy entertaining crowds and fulfilling ceremonial commitments right across Sydney and beyond. The schedule has given the range of ensembles the opportunity to show off their hard work and preparation. The stage band, in particular, has shined; its quality performances are something everyone in the New South Wales detachment can be proud of.

As my time here in Sydney draws to a close I must thank all the members of the Sydney detachment who have supported our various ensembles at commitments throughout the year and during my tenure as the Bandmaster of the New South Wales detachment. The whole of the New South Wales detachment warmly appreciates their time and professionalism. Last but not least to all the members of the New South Wales detachment I’d sincerely like to thank you all for what has been a truly rewarding and satisfying 18 months. Wow, what an improvement! What a great bunch of people. I have enjoyed everyone’s company immensely. Thanks also to Chief Petty Officer Robert Wright for his guidance and experience and Petty Officer Dennis Mercer for his support and assistance. I can only hope that I enjoy Brisbane as much as I have as Bandmaster of the NSW detachment. I just hope it’s not too hot up there?

The commitments for the second half of 2008 started in July with the concert band heading to the HMAS Penguin wardroom for a Mess Dinner. The Mess President and fellow diners were very appreciative of the music and repertoire. A good way to get back into the swing of things, even if that meant Able Seaman Kevin Orchard had to sit next to the door to the ladies room! Thanks also to Able Seaman Kirstin Paynter (Sydney detachment) and Able Seaman Melanie Wilkinson (Sydney detachment) for lending a hand. The wind ensemble was next called to action in October for the Naval Officer’s dinner at the Royal Automobile Club in Macquarie St. Another extremely appreciative audience, but no amount of rehearsals could have prepared us for the moment when quite a number of the octogenarians hit the dance floor! Certainly not the norm for a mess dinner!

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT - EPILOGUE By Able Seaman Danika Wright In the middle of December the New South Wales detachment stage band heads to Canberra for the HMAS Harman Christmas Family Day. If last year is anything to go by this should be a great day complete with hot air balloons, face painting, and Santa riding a Harley. It should also be a great weekend for the detachment to round out the year and farewell Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton who heads to the Queensland detachment in 2009.

The jazz/rock small group kicked off where the last newsletter finished with a day out at Centennial Park for the Ride for Life cycling event. The group gave the cyclists, their friends and families, and half of Paddington something to listen to on a really beautiful August Sunday afternoon. This was the first of several engagements for the small group between July and December including a cocktail party in September and again in November both at the HMAS Penguin Senior Sailors Mess.

For the last 18 months Chief Stapleton has tirelessly led our detachment with really amazing results, especially with the stage band. He’s rehearsed us with endless energy and a wealth of musical knowledge to get us performing together and enjoying our rehearsals and performances. Then there’s his ability to keep us organised and ensure the

Throughout these last six months the New South Wales detachment has provided ceremonial music for the Corvettes association at Garden Island and the HMAS

music/gear/transport is always there. On behalf of all in the New South Wales detachment, we wish him all the best in Queensland and hope it is not too far into the future before our paths cross again.

August brought a request for the detachment brass players to assist the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra conducted by Antoni Bonetti. Works by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky required an additional brass section, so our brass players were happy to help out. The performance to an audience of 2500 brought special mention to the detachment personnel during the performance. This engagement gave the detachment personnel an opportunity to work in an orchestral setting.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

With the month of September came the Government House Investitures for the brass quintet, with the new Governor of Queensland Her Excellency Penelope Wensley in attendance. The brass quintet performed impeccably, entertaining the attending guests after each investiture. One of our regular engagements, the Seafarers’ Church Service, brought an unusual change to proceedings with a request, to perform the Australian National Anthem with alternate words. After much discussion and emails it was decided that it would be treated as a Hymn and accompaniment would be provided by the organist. The rest of the service went without a problem, and following the service the detachment made its way to Manly to perform at the Wynnum Manly Jazz Festival.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MIKE VAUGHAN

Hi from the sunshine state. July started very quietly, so this gave us the opportunity to work on some new repertoire for the stage band and rock group. Our focus for July was the Defence Charity Ball at the Brisbane Convention Centre. The Commanding Officer and I had been discussing the possibility of local Singer / Musician Mark Sholtez working with the detachment. As it turned out, Commander Forbes Peters and Mark Sholtez knew each other from high school, so when Mark Sholtez was asked if he would like to perform with the detachment at the Defence Charity Ball, he graciously accepted. With Able Seaman Yuri Markov assisting on drum kit from the South Australian detachment, the rehearsal with Mark before the Ball went really well. We were ready and primed for a great night.

The Jazz Festival theme for this year was the music of Nat King Cole so we invited one of our follow performers from last year’s festival, Mr Howard Carroll, to join Able Seaman Gemma Tilly on vocals to perform a few duets. The detachment performed exceptionally well and entertained an appreciative audience of 2500.

The Defence Charity Ball, with a guest list of 750, was hosted by Jamie Dury and was well supported by Defence, with a Dive tank with divers, a Helicopter, armoured vehicles and various other displays featuring throughout the night. As expected the night brought some outstanding performances, but as a whole the detachment performed at the highest level and our guest vocalist Mark Sholtez was fantastic adding some real class to a shining performance. Mark sent an email the following day saying how much he enjoyed working with us and would like to do so again: high praise indeed from a Blue Note Recording Artist. After such a memorable gig we were brought back to reality with a local community engagement on the following weekend with the Morningside Festival. Of note the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Kevin Rudd attended to meet and greet in his local area.

The following week brought the Lord Mayor’s Ceremonial Sunset in a very picturesque setting by the Brisbane Casino. An audience of 500 witnessed the Ceremonial Sunset with the Ceremonial Guard provided by HMAS Melbourne. Our Bugler, Able Seaman Darren Skaar, performed a very moving Sunset bugle call. Darren’s hard work on the bugle is paying off and he has been consistently producing a very results. Thanks also to Warrant Officer Ken Lincoln for assisting; good to see nothing gets forgotten, a little rehearsal and perfect on Parade. The following day saw the detachment travelling to the northern New South Wales town of Murwillumbah to support the Festival of Speed on Tweed. Festival organisers had asked Mr Warren Daly, drummer for the Daly Wilson, to be apart of the event to perform with the detachment. A quick rehearsal with Warren during the sound check, confirmed we were on track and Warren had not lost any of his performance skills. It was really nice to arrive at an engagement were everything was well organised and the sound and lighting people knew what they were doing. The whole night went extremely well with excellent performances from all of our soloists. Warren Daly played up a storm in Sing, sing, sing, Able Seaman Gemma Tilly sang beautifully all night and the rock group provided a very entertaining finish. A big thankyou once again to Able

ON PARADE FOR BEAT TO QUARTERS AND CEREMONIAL SUNSET

Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy. Without your assistance the detachment could not have undertaken the many and varied engagements. I look forward now to joining the Melbourne detachment in the New Year for a new set of challenges and good times ahead.

Seaman Yuri Markov who performed impeccably. He has assisted the detachment on so many occasions, that Yuri has become an honorary member of the Queensland detachment.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

The South Australian detachment continued its hectic pace for the latter half of 2008 with musicians assisting Royal Australian Navy Band commitments interstate and performing on home ground in regional and local areas. Significant events in South Australia included Vietnam Veterans Day, the Re-dedication of the Milang Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens and the Royal Australian Navy Band Association reunion during which a Memorial Plaque for unveiled and dedicated to remember Royal Australian Navy musicians who lost their lives in war.

AUSTRALIAN NAVY CADET DIVISIONS

The month of October brought all of the Queensland Division of the Australian Navy Cadets together for the State Wide camp at Navy Headquarters—South Queensland (NHQ-SQ). The focus of the weekend was the parade attended by the Australian Navy Systems Commander, Rear Admiral Gilmour. Following an afternoon of parade rehearsal the cadets were eager for their night of entertainment. We were slightly unsure how the rock group would be received but surprisingly the cadets enthusiastically joined in singing and dancing to songs we thought they wouldn’t know. While the rock group performed for the Cadets, the brass quintet entertained at a Trafalgar Night held at the United Services Club. The following morning saw the Navy Cadets on Parade (400 in total) who brought much praise and admiration from Rear Admiral Gilmour.

July started in earnest with Navy Week, which is usually held in October. It had been brought forward to coincide with the visit to Adelaide by HMAS Ballarat. The aim from the Senior Naval Officer of South Australia, Commodore Pritchard, was for Navy to reach as many South Australian’s as possible. Alternative venues from previous years were sought in an effort to increase the public’s awareness of Navy and Navy Week. Noting the weather in July tends to be wetter and colder than in October and all performances were to be outdoors, getting people out of their warm offices for lunch to watch us was never going to be easy. That said, our performances over two days in front of the Art Gallery on North Terrace in Adelaide drew very good crowds who braved the cold and odd showers to watch and listen to the entire performance. We also drew the attention of motorists as they passed by, many of whom gave their car horns a blast. HMAS Ballarat’s Open Day was very successful with a crowd of over 5000 attending. As well as performances by the South Australian detachment, displays by Diving Team 9 playing noughts and crosses with children from within their glass walled diving tank, Cadet and recruiting stands kept the crowds entertained throughout the day and all played an integral part in promoting the Royal Australian Navy.

November rapidly filled with engagements: the 2/14 Light Horse Regiment Ball, HMAS Sydney II Memorial Service, Santa Parade at Orion Springfield, the 2HSB Ball and the Borneo Barracks Family Christmas Function. Assisting us on drum kit during November was Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy from the Sydney detachment; thanks to Luke for his professionalism and skills which greatly enhanced our performances. As this is my last newsletter as the Bandmaster of the Queensland detachment, I would like to thank the musicians from this detachment for their support and friendship. We have made it though a difficult 18 months without a drum kit specialist and produced some amazing results. I would also like to thank the personnel at NHQ-SQ for their support without which my job as the Bandmaster would have been made all the harder. It will be sad to leave the Queensland detachment as I have enjoyed my time here in Brisbane very much. To those personnel that have assisted the detachment during my time here I personally wish to extend my deep appreciation for your professionalism, friendship and willingness to jump in as required; in particular, Able Seaman Yuri Markov, Leading Seaman Paul Parnell and

All reserve musicians enjoy and look forward to the opportunity for some interstate travel in support of Naval activities. Able Seaman Yuri Markov has been the envy of the South Australian detachment as he flew to Brisbane to support the Queensland detachment to play the drum kit on a number of occasions. The South Australian detachment with the Catafalque Party from Navy Headquarters—South Australia’s Ceremonial

Team and the Cadets from TS Noarlunga participated in the Re-dedication of the Milang Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens Milang on Sunday 28 September. This was a very significant occasion for the town’s people of Milang as Milang has the unenviable distinction of being the Australian town or city to have suffered the greatest loss of lives in wars.

MEMORIAL PLAQUE IN NAVYY GARDENS

The dedication of the plaque, held in the picturesque Navy Gardens of North Adelaide, was a moving ceremony with the South Australian detachment combining with the exmusicians under the baton of former Director of Music Lieutenant Commander Bill Farrell AM RAN. The service was officiated by former Chief Petty Officer Musician John Connelly who for a period re-entered the Royal Australian Navy as a Roman Catholic Priest. During the service the Director of Music was called upon to give an interesting and informative address on the proud record of service given by Navy’s musicians to the Nation. “Sunday's Dedication Service was the first time that serving members of the Royal Australian Navy Band had joined with the Association Band to perform and it also turned out to be something special as well as historic” said Ralph Daines, Secretary of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association.

ON PARADE WITH THE RAN BAND ASSOCIATION

The Royal Australian Navy Band Association held its biennial reunion in Adelaide over the weekend 25/26 October. The reunion was an excellent opportunity not only for me to meet many old friends some of whom I had not seen for over twenty years but for the younger reserve musicians and the ex-musicians to cross paths, perform together and share their own stories. The weekend’s events included rehearsals for the dedication of a plaque in memory of musicians who paid the supreme sacrifice whilst serving in ships of the Australian Fleet, the reunion dinner and the dedication service.

The Royal Australian Navy Band Association is a wonderful way to maintain the strong friendships formed whilst serving upon retiring from the Royal Australian Navy and to make new friends with a common background from a different era.

The Director of Music RAN, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, attended the dinner and the dedication service accompanied by his wife Bernadette. Approximately 140 ex-musicians and their partners attended the reunion dinner which provided an opportunity for the Director to formally acknowledge the effort of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association to promote the proud record of service given by Navy's musicians to the nation. This was achieved with the presentation of a Certificate of Commendation to the Association’s President, Brian Ellis, who received the Commendation on behalf of all the Association members.

The South Australian detachment assisted the Band of the 10/27th Battalion, the Royal South Australian Regiment for a concert at the Torrens Training Depot to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice to end WW1 in 1918. Also assisting the band was the Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus of approximately 100 members. The audience of approximately 300 were entertained by a wide selection of music which began with the Light Cavalry Overture. The Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus supported a small theatrical act based on the romance of a young couple who split up before the war and met again in a hospital at the front as a patient and nurse. The opportunity to combine with the 10/27th Battalion Band and perform in a concert band format provided a welcome to change to our regular stage band and rock band format. The ability of the reserve musicians from the two services to combine and put together a high calibre performance in a short time and with limited rehearsals highlights their professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm.

The certificate read: Certificate of Commendation presented to the Royal Australian Navy Band Association in appreciation of its valuable contribution to promoting the proud record of service given by the past and present members of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

After a short break over the Christmas period we start the New Year with Australia Day celebrations at Elder Park for Adelaide’s official parade and cutting of the birthday cake. The V8 cars event of the year, CLIPSAL 500, takes place in Adelaide in March and we look forward once again to taking part in one of the most popular, noisy and prestigious sporting events in Australia.

August saw this detachment travel around to various destinations for a number of Balls. The month started out with us going to RAAF Pearce for the Sergeants’ Mess Annual Ball. This was the first Ball I have done where a guest complained how big the plates were: I must admit, I have never seen plates this big before. A few weeks later, the detachment travelled down to Pemberton which is about three and a half hours away. The parade band arrived early and marched for a Vietnam Veterans Parade. In the evening, the Vintage Ball took place at the local Hall. Finally to finish the month, the detachment travelled to Broome for the Shinju Matsuri Festival: our involvement was entirely funded by the organising committee. With the full detachment travelling up there, a great performance was given for all of the Festival activities. Organisers were that impressed, they are looking forward to booking the detachment for future and other events in the district.

It has been another busy year and I am, as always, grateful for the support, commitment and dedication shown by the members of the South Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Their willingness to seek leave from their employers and juggle the calendar in their own business or family life to make themselves available on almost every occasion, combined with their enthusiasm at each muster, never ceases to amaze me and makes it a pleasure for me to work with and for them. Best wishes from all of us here in sunny SA for a merry Xmas and a well deserved break before we do it all again.

September seemed to be a little more quiet than normal. We played at the usual Battle of Britain Luncheon at the Parmelia Hilton again. As always, the detachment was well received and the dance floor was packed from start to finish: these guys really know how to party. A few of us managed to get down to Albany for the Great White Fleet Celebrations where we met up with members of the Sydney detachment. We played all the ships in on the Wednesday morning and performed a Ceremonial Sunset that night. The next day was a Parade through Albany itself: lucky the march was all downhill. The month finished with a Ladies Dine-In Night at HMAS Stirling Wardroom. Mess members have been learning Ballroom dancing and just wanted to dance to that style of music.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

As the festive season is upon us once again, it is time to reflect and look back what the Western Australian detachment has been doing for the past six months. The gigs have been coming in at the usual rate. On average, we have done about the same number of jobs as in previous years so we are never out of work. July always starts off with the Independence Day festivities on 4th of July. The Australian American Association is always happy to see us and is treated to traditional American Dixie to set of the morning. Southern Coast Transit is made up of exDefence members and holds their annual Ball at the Parmelia Hilton in the heart of the city of Perth. HMAS Stirling had their 30th Anniversary celebrations which started off with a Ceremonial Divisions and a reception which was held that evening.

October once again was a busy month. The stage band had the pleasure to play at the Doig Medal Presentation Dinner for the Fremantle Dockers. This came to us through Naval Community Engagement Strategy. Members of the public had an opportunity to see the Western Australian detachment perform at Burswood Casino Grand Ballroom. There was about 1100 guest and our support act was Shannon Noll. After he performed his four numbers, we kicked the music into top gear and had the dance floor packed all night. The following day was “Music on The Green” at the Navy Club. Unfortunately, our members outnumbered the guests; but the show did go on. Another Australian Navy Cadets Pass-Out Parade was on the cards for the month and we got to pound the pavement at Leeuwin Barracks. Once again, the Western Australian detachment travelled to Bunbury this time. The Italian Club was the venue for the Lions Club Convention Dinner. The following week was a march through the city for HMAS Perth’s Freedom of Entry. The next night we performed Ceremonial Sunset at Ocean Reef Primary School which finished our month off.

THE STAGE BAND AT THE SOUTHERN COAST TRANSIT BALL

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

The Tasmanian detachment has had an interesting second half of the year with the introduction of new members and the three promotions mentioned in the previous newsletter. On the commitment front things are pretty much as usual with a quiet period over the winter months followed by the spring/summer mayhem. As previously stated, the winter in Tasmania is relatively quiet for this detachment and usually only includes a few bugle calls and the odd Jazz Ensemble commitment. This year is no different; however, I did have the pleasure of travelling to Tonga for the Kings Coronation during the latter stage of July into August. This got me out of struggling through the cold, at least so I thought. On 15 November, after being entertained by our Jazz Ensemble at the annual Sydney/Emden dinner, I subsequently drove home in a blizzard: probably something our UK expatriates are more familiar with, however something that does happen from time to time out of season in Tasmania. To tell you the truth this run of cold weather has not halted and at the V8 Supercars weekend on 21 November we were performing in S7s with a temperature reading of six degrees. At least we were protected from the elements and the final day of racing did see the temperature rise to around 20 degrees, a heat wave by any standards.

ON PARADE WITH MEMBERS OF THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT AT THE SUNSET MEMORIAL SERVICE IN GERALDTON

November was the month of ceremonies throughout the State. Remembrance Day saw all our buglers running off in different directions for various ceremonies. The following weekend saw the detachment in Rockingham for its Spring Festival. A huge crowd attends this and is always great exposure for us in the local community. A few days later, the detachment jumped on a coach, picked up some members from the Sydney detachment and transited to Geraldton for the HMAS Sydney II Memorial Service. This was a very emotional ceremony with the highlight being the Sunset Ceremony at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial. There were a few thousand people at this and telecast throughout the nation. Once getting back to Perth, the detachment was off to His Majesty’s Theatre for the Police Commissioned Officers Christmas Ball, which was a great success. The month ended for us with a Senior Sailors Mess Cocktail Party at HMAS Stirling.

Other commitments of note that the detachment performed in is the Tulips Festival, which attracted thousands of participants, and the Olliebellon Festival. The Olliebellon Festival, for those that have no idea what an Olliebellon is, is a festival to celebrate a Dutch Donut with sultanas through it. We have never seen so many vats of fat before in our lives and the number of people eating them would have kept a cardiologist in work for months. All the same it was a very successful day for all and allowed our regional Navy Community Engagement Team the opportunity to reach out to a lot of people whilst listening to our Rock Ensemble. After eating all those donuts we were sure to get a large crowd of people trying to relax and let everything digest.

Finally we saw out December. The detachment was on a bus once again and going to Albany for the Great Southern Food and Wine Festival. Usual large crowds make this event good for the distance travelled. The following weekend sees us do our final two gigs for the year. We first go to Rottnest Island and play at Carols on the Common. The next morning, we jump back on the ferry and go to John Curtin Performing Arts School and play for the final Carols of the year. By this time, the detachment has deserved a well earned rest. Within the detachment we would like to welcome Seaman Chris Buswell (Tenor Saxophone). He completed the five weeks training at Recruit School and joined us in August. Nathan and Kristy Hicks are expecting a baby which is due in April 2009. We will say goodbye to Emelia Winter who is going to Canberra for a short stint with her partner.

The last article introduced a new member to the detachment, Seaman Dorian Broomhall, who is doing extremely well and has proven to be a very capable recruiter for the detachment. Dorian has introduced another four potential members who are showing interest. This article actually introduces a further two new members, who joined as a direct result of a recruiting campaign at the Conservatory of Music, Hobart, earlier in the year. Seaman Olan Smibert and Shellyanne Ninness were very quick to respond and completed recruit training in July. Although they haven’t really increased our numbers, these two new members have brought a lot of vitality and youth to the detachment.

On behalf of the detachment, we would like to extend everyone a happy, safe and festive Christmas and a prosperous New Year. See you all in 2009 and catch you in the next counter march.

Posting out from the Defence Force School of Music this year is Chief Petty Officer Andrew Sansom. Many thanks, Andrew, for his knowledge and valuable contribution in the Training Cell. Replacing him will be Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron from Melbourne detachment. Danny will bring a wealth of experience from his time in both Permanent and Reserve detachments and will be a welcome addition to the ‘engine room’ of the Defence Force School of Music.

On a significant note we are losing one of our finest members yet again to the mainland. Leading Seaman Richard Armstrong will be leaving us at the end of the year. All of us at the Tasmanian detachment would like to extend best wishes and many thanks for his service with us. Throughout his time he has greatly assisted me and other Bandmasters with his bass playing prowess. He will be missed; however, I don’t think we have heard the last from him. Richard is keen to stay in the reserve world and may eventually end up back in a detachment somewhere around the country.

On behalf of all the staff at the Defence Force School of Music, particularly the ‘salty’ ones, I wish you all the best for the holiday season and look forward to new students and activities in 2009.

Finally may all of us from the Tasmanian detachment wish everyone a Merry Christmas and safe and happy New Year.

RECRUIT SCHOOL

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW SANSOM

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE

Greetings from Recruit School, I thought I might write something quick about my experiences so far from Recruit School. As far as I know I am the first Royal Australian Navy Musician to take up the position of Divisional Chief Petty Officer of a Recruit School Division. We have had Recruit Instructors before, Petty Officer Jim Anderson back in 1983 and more recently Petty Officer Debra Maude as the Divisional Petty Officer and Instructor from 2003-2005, Leading Seaman Gordon Orr and Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis.

Group Leader course 07/08 and Section Leader course 11/08 have come and gone at the Defence Force School of Music with Navy representation on each course. Able Seamen Ross Chapman, Vlad Shvetsov, Ellen Zyla and Bruce McIntyre and Petty Officer Daniel Hobson all performed very well during class, individual and group activities and were a welcome ‘naval’ flavour to a landbased establishment. Staff performance activity at the Defence Force School of Music is largely associated with At-Home concerts and the occasional off-base concert with Australian Army Band Melbourne and the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band; however other events come up from time to time. In August I travelled to Sydney to assist with the Great White Fleet concert at the Recital Hall, Angel Place. This concert, held on the anniversary of the original Great White Fleet from the United States arriving in Sydney Harbour 100 years ago, was a testament to the skills and traditions of the members of the current Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy, easily becoming a highlight for 2008. Congratulations to the Director of Music, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson and his team for a professionally produced concert that showcased the diverse skills and rich naval traditions of both countries.

When I arrived at Recruit School on September 29 I was placed in Waller Division General Entry (GE) 261. They were in their sixth week of training, two classes were attending sea phase and the other two were doing ships survivability so it was fairly quiet and made settling in a bit easier. I met my Divisional Officer, Lieutenant Rebecca Russell and the staff which were made up of an acting Petty Officer and four Leading Seaman Instructors. GE 261 was a small division made up of four classes of 17 recruits each. The hours were the first thing that surprised me as I am behind my desk around 0630 and rarely walk out before 1700. I assume that’s part of the reason there is a $10,000 bonus for instructional staff at Recruit School. Quite a shock from 0800 – 1600 and every weekend off at the Defence Force School of Music!

Many thanks go to Lieutenant Commander Paul Cottier and the members of the Melbourne detachment for their assistance this year. Lieutenant Commander Cottier and the detachment have generously assisted the Defence Force School of Music by providing extra musicians for concerts at the school and allowing our resident ‘floating’ trainee Band Officers, Lieutenants Azhar Thani and Idrus Awang from Brunei, to get some valuable podium time by conducting at Royal Australian Navy Band concerts.

Part of my position here is to update the internet site weekly with photos and write about what the Recruits from Waller Division have been achieving throughout the week. This is an excellent way for the Recruits families to keep in touch with what their loved ones are doing. A not so fun part of the job is issuing infringements and attending tables.

Our recent graduation on 7 November 2008 was excellent and the Recruits really lifted with their parade drill on the day. I was in charge of two platoon and having attended around 150 graduation parades throughout my career it felt strange giving and following parade/division orders instead of band orders! We now have eight Leading Seaman Instructors and are busily preparing for GE264 who join on 17 November and are 122 in number.

RIMPAC 2008 LEADING SEAMAN HANCOCK AND ABLE SEAMAN WAINWRIGHT

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER SHARON JARVIS

CROSSING THE LINE CEREMONY

Our first commitment alongside in Pearl Harbour was a cocktail party and Beat to Quarters onboard HMAS Success. Over 400 invited guests were entertained by our fabulous jazz group and ceremonial band, culminating in Able Seaman Dowd performing a stirring rendition of I Am Australian, the Star Spangled Banner and the Australian National Anthem. The band received very positive feedback and the night was a huge success, resulting in the mention of us doing a cross decks with a United States ship during the sea phase of RIMPAC. Of course, we shrugged it off and gave it no more thought; but little did we know what lay ahead! Later in the week we performed at two combined commitments with the Pacific Fleet Band, the first being a Change of Command Ceremony and that afternoon a concert at the Aloha Tower Shopping Centre. In Australia, when there is a change of command, a somewhat small ceremony is conducted but we have nothing compared to how the United States Navy conducts theirs. Talk about bigger than Ben Hur! Patriotic is an understatement when it comes to the Americans! One memorable phrase would have to be “the mightiest ship, in the mightiest Navy, in the mightiest nation in the world”. This was, however, topped off when the new Commanding Officer of the ship took to the podium, in front of many invited guests, high ranking United States Naval Officers and the ship’s company, and started to cry whilst giving his speech. He was obviously overwhelmed by the entire occasion as were we! We all came away from the ceremony feeling as if we had been extras in some kind of Tom Cruise movie.

PLAYING DURING A REPLENTISHMENT AT SEA

Three weeks in Hawaii?? Free meals and accommodation thrown in?? Sounds like a great deal!! Oh, by the way, you’ll also spend 52 days at sea. Welcome to RIMPAC 08! So began the journey for ten musicians: Leading Seamen Martin Hancock and Aaron Geeves, Able Seamen Damian Dowd, Patrick Beaman, Haylen Newman, Natalie Urquhart, Catherine Wainwright, David Rampant, John McCorkelle, and myself. The date of departure had been set (9 June), so the two weeks prior were spent rehearsing, organising gear and familiarising ourselves with HMAS Tobruk—our place of work for the next 71 days. We set sail 10 June; only one day later than scheduled. The transit to Hawaii took us 17 days and during this time our days were filled doing rehearsals, damage control exercises and café party. For seven of our group this was their first sea experience and they quickly adapted to life at sea, with some extra guidance from two of our more experienced members, Leading Seaman Geeves and Able Seaman Dowd.

from the Pacific Fleet Band was greatly appreciated by all, along with their hospitality. Before we knew it, the sea phase was upon us and we all had 18 days of fun to look forward to. Due to the tank deck being taken up with equipment that was to be used during the sea phase, our equipment was not easily accessible and rehearsals came to a standstill as the area was out of bounds. Our days became a café party blur, especially as extra troops had been embarked from Malaysia and the US Marine Corps, resulting in both galleys being operational. This however changed very quickly on 20 July when I was informed by the Commanding Officer of Tobruk that the Sea Deployment Group would be heading over to the USS Bonhomme Richard.

IN CONCERT WITH THE PACIFIC FLEET BAND AT THE ALOHA TOWER SHOPPING CENTRE

Independence Day was a free day for the Sea Deployment Group so many of us took advantage of the wonderful Hawaiian weather to see the sights on offer (not that wonderful for those poor souls that really are not into heat and humidity as it makes them swell up like a puffer fish – thank goodness for air conditioning!) Three of our members saw it as a great opportunity and challenge to go for a bit of a hike. They decided to tackle one of the numerous, quite high mountains in Hawaii. Unfortunately they thought that they were going to plunge to their death as they struggled up some wet and muddy goat track that was only about one foot wide and had a sheer drop on either side! One would think that as they were making their ascent and passing people descending wearing hard hats and carrying safety equipment that alarm bells would have sounded and that they may have thought that they were just a tad under prepared. Our intrepid adventurers continued on their merry way, at times crawling on their hands and knees, with the belief that once they reached the summit they would be able to find an alternate route down. Alas, no! Leading Seaman Hancock was required to put his boy scout skills to good use and ended up sharpening some branches that the group could use like ski poles to help support them for their descent. At one stage they actually thought that they would have to call someone to rescue them as they thought they would not be able to get back down the mountain! Luckily though, it did not get to this and our happy trio finally made it to the bottom, only to discover that there was a definite lack of taxis in the area, resulting in them walking 9 kilometres into Waikiki. By all accounts, they and their clothes were covered from top to toe with mud and they received quite a few strange looks from the locals as they made their way back to civilisation! Needless to say, the next day they were very stiff and sore as they reminisced about their big day out!

HELICOPTER RIDE TO USS BONHOMME RICHARD

The plan was for us to take “minimum gear”, as we were to be landed ashore via RHIB ( three trips was all that was allowed) to a place named the “Old Tower” where we would then be met by a helicopter that would take us to the Bonhomme Richard. We were informed that there would be no requirement for us to take any amps or PA gear as apparently they had equipment onboard (though it was unclear what kind of gear they had – visions of inadequacy appeared!). We were also told that we would only be gone for a couple of days and to just take a knapsack with the bare essentials. Famous last words! What they didn’t tell us was that the “Old Tower” was miles away from where we were dropped off in the RHIB, so there we were with all our gear and no transport. Luckily, Leading Seaman Geeves struck up a conversation with a man that had a vehicle that resembled a golf cart and after many trips, we, and our gear, finally made it to our rendezvous point. After sitting around in a hanger for over two hours, wondering what was going on and having no point of contact, a helo finally came our way. I’m not sure it what type of helo it was but it was big! There were a heap of marines already onboard so I suppose all up it held over 25 people. Also, the back of the helo didn’t close so for those that didn’t mind heights, the view was spectacular! (not that I would know though I’ve seen the photos!)

The remainder of our time alongside before the sea phase saw us complete numerous Rock and Jazz group commitments around Hawaii. Although audience numbers were quite small, the band was very warmly received and performed outstandingly. The logistical support we received

USS BONHOMME RICHARD ABLE SEAMAN MCCORKELLE REVING UP THE SHIP’S COMPANY

The Bonhomme Richard has the capacity to carry 3000 personnel though there were only 1200 onboard when we embarked. Talk about overwhelming, especially when we had just come from a ship with a crew of 180! We were given a brief tour then headed off to scran, which in itself was bizarre. Huge long queues, trays instead of plates, and very sweet food, especially the bread! And, boy, do they love their “peanut butter and jelly”. Then it was off to the hanger to rig up and do a sound check for the performance the following evening. As expected, the gear wasn’t quite what we were used to but our wonderful sound technician, Able Seaman Rampant, gave it his best shot with fantastic results. During the sound check, the Commanding Officer came down and was very excited to have us onboard. We definitely had made a fan! Then question was the asked…….. “Are you coming to the ice cream social?”

All up, our two day cross deck became an eight day adventure, with many false starts on a daily basis when it came to departing. Our time onboard though saw us do a couple more performances, appear in articles in their onboard daily newsletter and we also attended a morning tea with the Commanding Officer who presented us all with a ships coin. The hospitality shown to us by the United States Navy during our stay was very much appreciated by all members. Needless to say, we were welcomed back to Tobruk with open arms, though I think it was only due to them struggling to find people to do café party as well as our guys did! Sea phase finally came to an end and we had four days alongside in Hawaii before making the trek home. During this time we actually had no commitments so there was the opportunity to do some last minute shopping, sightseeing and generally have a good time. The trip home was quite uneventful but long, as those of you who have done 14 days straight or more at sea would know……..just the usual Tobruk breakdowns (not for exercise!), damage control exercises and some more café party. Before we knew it, 19 August was upon us and it was all over as we had Fleet Base East in our sights.

Now, for those of us with a sweet tooth, this was to be a highlight. They have every possible flavour of ice cream imaginable, along with every topping, sprinkle and hot fudge possible and you get this huge cup which they fill with all your favourites. We then made our way to the seating area of the café and gorged ourselves whilst the crew took it in turns to sing karaoke, complete with a big screen! This was one of the many activities they do on a regular basis onboard, along with jousting, dodge ball and trivia nights.

To everyone involved with the RIMPAC 2008 Sea Deployment Group, a big heartfelt thank you to you all for your contributions and enthusiasm during a somewhat challenging time.

The following day was a steel deck BBQ complete with sumo wrestling, bike riding, footy practise and golfers teeing off. Of course, the only thing we could do was to enjoy their hospitality and rest up before the much anticipated concert that night. Now, what can I say about the Rock Group concert that night………………….? Unbelievable! It was definitely the best gig of the trip and the band sounded fantastic! The crew absolutely loved the band, waving their Aussie flags and having a great time. Special mention goes to Able Seaman Dowd, Able Seaman McCorkelle and Able Seaman Rampant. Able Seaman Dowd was brilliant on kit and vocals, Able Seaman Rampant did amazing things with what equipment we had available to us and Able Seaman McCorkelle had the crowd eating out of his hand in his role as Master of Ceremonies.

KING’S CORONATION, TONGA

As well as rehearsals for the Coronation, the contingent interacted with the community in a number of other activities. We performed a concert for two schools, starting with the drum ruffle and then playing the Australian Marches Aussie Salute and Waltzing Matilda. The first school, Apifo’lo College welcomed the contingent with their amazing voices singing a prayer in a cappella style. The second school, St Andrews, displayed their musical talents with their concert band not only performing for us, but also joining us to play a march together. We were also in for a special treat, first being offered a gift of a Tapa mat (a mat made of beaten bark), and then watching a young girl performing the tau`lunga, a traditional Tongan dance. As part of this tradition, the girl is covered in oil, the purpose of which is not only to highlight her beauty, but also for those watching to place money notes on her. Quite often, the money received is used for fundraising purposes. That school in particular is trying to build its resources for their new music department.

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA DOUGLAS

THE CEREMONIAL ENSEMBLE AT APIFO’LO COLLEGE

From 21 July until 4 August, a group of 34 musicians travelled over to the Kingdom of Tonga for the momentous occasion of the Coronation of his Majesty, King George Tupou V. Coinciding with the Coronation festivities, was the Heilala Festival, the country’s national flower. Over the two weeks, the ceremonial ensemble performed at a number of functions, as well as rehearsing for the Kings Coronation ceremony, and military parade. The first commitment for the deployment was to attend the opening of the Heilala Festival on Tuesday 22 July. Entertainment was presented throughout the night to the Princess with traditional dancers and entrants of the Miss Heilala festival parading as part of the upcoming competition. The contingent performed a number of Australiana tunes, and afterward was invited to watch the rest of the night’s entertainment.

ON STAGE AT THE ‘ONE TONGA’ BLOCK PARTY

To end the first week, and to have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the cultures and traditions of Tonga, the contingent attended the “One Tonga” Block Party in Nuku’alofa, the purpose of which was to celebrate Tonga’s Diverse Community. There were stalls lining the main street representing countries present in Tonga; from Samoa, Fiji and the Philippines, to Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Germany. Each country also had the opportunity to present on the main stage, a performance representing something from their respective country. The festivities went long into the night, with traditional dances from Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga, a recital by two young children in German, and finally (about three hours later than originally expected!) the Royal Australian Navy Band taking to the stage to loud cheers and applause from the audience.

The next day, we met with the Tonga Defence Service Band for a first initial sit down and running of the music that would be performed for the King’s Coronation events. They would later be joined by the New Zealand Army Band and the U.S. Marine Corps band to form a massed band for the King’s Coronation Service and the Coronation Military Parade. Rehearsals were run everyday with the massed band, guard and officers to ensure the Coronation Parade would run smoothly. To ensure the success of the event, timed rehearsals were run from the very first person marching onto the parade ground, simulating arrivals of guests and dignitaries, conducting the march past and short marching display, to the end of the parade and a march that would later take us through the town. This may appear to be a walk in the park for those of us that have stood through many parades, but the rehearsals not only timed for three hours, but on the day, the parade went for at least three and half hours with one and a half hours of timed arrivals!

The weekend gave us the opportunity to relax and explore Tonga a little more. We were invited to attend a church service on Sunday, and although the service was spoken in Tongan, we were all impressed by the beautiful singing from the entire congregation. As no activities or trading occurs on a Sunday, we ferried out to one of the

neighbouring resort islands to spend the day relaxing and snorkelling in the pristine waters.

Our time in Tonga came to an end the following Monday when we boarded the plane to fly back to Australia. It was an interesting cultural experience, not only having the opportunity of experiencing Tongan culture, but also seeing how other cultures influence the day to day living of the Tongan people. It was also a great honour for us to be involved in such an important event of which many dignitaries, both government officials and Royal representatives, from around the world was invited to attend.

LONGLOOK 2008 ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN CASSANDRA MOHAPP

CHURCH PARADE

After finetuning rehearsals, on Friday 1 August, the Tongan people lined the streets from the Palace to the Main Free Wesleyan Church. They had also placed along the entire route the King would travel on, Tapa mats that had been made especially for the Coronation. Loud cheers and clapping followed the King as he was driven from the Palace to the Church. An hour later, King George Tupou V was officially coroneted as the new king of Tonga. On Saturday 2 August, the culmination of our time in Tonga saw us taking to the parade ground for one last time for the Coronation Military Parade held at the Palace. At the conclusion of the parade and the massed band marching through the streets of Nuku’alofa, we were invited to attend a traditional Tongan feast at the Palace.

PETTY OFFICER MOHAPP AND LIEUTENANT STOKES TRYING OUT THE ROYAL MARINE DRUMS

Long Look Exchange 2008 began in April 2008 and was completed in August 2008, and it was with great delight, and some anxiety that we received the notification that we were to represent the Royal Australian Navy Band in the United Kingdom; a high honour and privilege for both of us. We spent a substantial amount of time prior to departing on LL08 researching the bands we were going to be working with, believing how important it was to know the respective band leaders and also a little of their history. Most importantly, we spent some time working out how we were going to be most effective in each band. We left our country with high expectations of ourselves, and also the organisation where we were to spend the next three months.

ENJOYING A TRADITIONAL TONGAN FEST AT THE PALACE

personnel in the Middle East and was hosted by Prince William and Prince Harry. It really was an extremely memorable occasion.

We arrived in Brize Norton on Thursday 24 April 2008 and were greeted by a very cheerful and delightful man and one with whom we were to spend the next three months with, Warrant Officer 1st Class James Whitwham. Mr Whiitwham was our liaison for the duration of the Exchange Program and we were not to know that he would also become such a great and dear friend to us all. He drove us to Portsmouth to start LL08 with Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Portsmouth. It was on this journey that I witnessed something terrible… a car with three wheels! I yelled from the back seat… “Oh no! What happened to that car!?” After a few minutes of laughing his head off, Mr Whitwham replied… “It’s ok Cassie. That is a special car that only needs three wheels. It’s ok. It’s supposed to look like that.” I didn’t believe him and thought he was having a joke with me… luckily I only saw the one car like it because I found it very confusing… it was just wrong… like nothing I had ever seen before!

We then travelled to Plymouth and worked with Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band at HMS Raleigh. We performed in Coldrose for a Wings Parade and Lieutenant Stokes conducted the band for the Welcome Home parade for HMS Campbelltown in HMS Drake. We managed to see some of the beautiful countryside in Cornwall and were grateful to members of the band for spending the day with us and driving us around AND for organising a “special” tour of the Plymouth Gin Distillery. It was lovely. We then headed over to Lympstone to work with Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band in Exmouth. We had the pleasure of performing in the Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Taunton, a church built in the thirteenth century. We also performed in a graduation parade for the newest Commando recruits which were thought was a lot of fun. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of members of this band who held a BBQ party for us at their home. We extend a very warm thank you to them for all their efforts in keeping us busy with social events; drinking, eating, water skiing, drinking, squash, drinking, golf and drinking. We hope to repay the favour one day. We also were able to spend some time with the Royal Marine Band School of Music giving tutorials and workshops which was extremely rewarding. It was interesting to see the similarities of how the Australian Defence Force School of Music runs musicianship courses and how the Royal Marines School of Music manages and conducts their business. Our time with the staff and students from the Royal Marines School of Music finished with a performance for an Open Day at Whale Island, Portsmouth. We were also privileged to be invited to the band’s performance in Deal and also on a few other occasions where band members, who passed away while we were serving with the band during Long Look, were honoured. It was significant for us to be included and a very sad day for the band corps.

LIEUTENANT STOKES CONDUCTING RMB PLYMOUTH

However, after arriving safely in Portsmouth we literally got back in the car the next day to drive five hours up to Manchester to do a concert with the cast from Coronation Street with Her Majesty's Royal Marine Band - Scotland. The concert was a charity event and was held at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. A beautiful hall and the crowd were most appreciative. The band was great and certainly knew how to make us Aussies feel very welcome – although it was impossible to enjoy their abundance of hospitality with pint after pint after pint! Goodness me… but one did her best!! It was a slow and steady journey back to Portsmouth the day after the concert, Saturday 26 April 2008. We sadly missed out on ANZAC Day in London but the concert in Manchester was certainly a lot of fun and we enjoyed the festivities just the same.

We joined the Royal Marine Band - Scotland on Monday 14 July 08. I nearly missed the flight to Edinburgh due to insisting that it was important to take ALL of my luggage and gifts with me on the flight as opposed to having it travel later with the Portsmouth band. I reluctantly left some precious purchases from the Plymouth Gin Distillery with Warrant Officer Whitwham who thankfully drove all the way back to the airport to pick it up for me. I sense the longhaired Colonel (Mrs Whitwham) still hasn’t quite forgiven me! Although, I was pleasantly surprised to receive all my precious goods unopened!

Three weeks working with Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band – Portsmouth gave us some wonderful performance opportunities. Lieutenant Andrew Stokes conducted, and I performed with the band in Dorking and Sonning on Thames and we enjoyed many other performances in Eastbourne, and Fareham. We were privileged to accompany the band on a special event at St Pauls Cathedral in London, A City Salute, and were moved by the supportive crowd surrounding us. It was an occasion to honour their service

musicianship, leadership and administration for Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band.

We came to our last stop in the Long Look Exchange Program 2008 – HMS Caledonia. We observed the band doing Beat Retreats in Liverpool and Sunderland, and began rehearsals with them two weeks later for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Lieutenant Andrew Stokes conducted the band in the opening fanfare sequence and I performed on side drum with the band. And I must make mention of the special performance where my Uncle Les and Aunty Pauline were present. It was by pure chance that they had tickets to a performance of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo the same night I was performing. A few years ago they booked their holiday to the UK and were truly excited to have a special mention made of them on the night of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. It is something they still talk about and I can imagine will continue to talk about for many years to come. Performing in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo was the most amazing experience we have all had and we are thankful to Principal Director of Music, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Davis, OBE for his generosity in allowing us to be involved. It was a lovely way to conclude our time in the UK as members from each of the bands we had visited previously all came together in Scotland. We were able to socialize and perform with band members as well as doing a little sight-seeing. It was a perfect finale to a fantastic exchange program. What would be fabulous though is the opportunity to use the arena of the Edinburgh Castle to showcase the marvellous marching displays we do and really ‘blow the socks off’ our international friends. We must never underestimate the brilliance of what we do and what we can achieve on the world stage!

PETTY OFFICER MOHAPP AND LIEUTENANT STOKE WITH MAJOR COLONEL GRACE

On a final note though, and probably the most significant lesson that came from this exchange program, is that you don’t really understand or appreciate the high level of musicianship within your own organization until you are exposed to other levels of musicianship from around the world. We really do have world class musicians in our band and this was significantly highlighted during Long Look 2008. The resources we have, the level of musicianship we have, the versatility we enjoy, the people we have, and the level of leadership we command is really world class. I once doubted the stature of these important elements but these doubts are no longer necessary. The international reputation of the Royal Australian Navy Band is one for us all to enjoy, and it’s one to be completely proud of.

ANZAC EXCHANGE ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN JADE BARKER

I was delighted by the traditional welcome I received when I arrived at the Philomel naval base in Auckland. The tall wooden carvings in front of the marae, the chanting, tattoos and the dress were all a feast for the senses. When I offered to sing backups in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) rock band and was given a ‘Scribe’ song with lyrics like this ‘…People wanna let loose, let loose cos you know that the beat i’ sick and you wanna get down with it, that’s right straight runnin the game fullstop,’ I almost wished I had kept quiet! The proud Maori and Polynesian influence was woven through the popular language and music, not just the traditional side of kiwi culture. Chillin’ reggae beats of Tikki Tane, The Black Seeds and the rappin’ street bands like Scribe were to give me a dose of culture shock. I was ready to immerse my pale derriere into the Kiwi

PETTY OFFICER MOHAPP BEING INSPECTED BY THE 2ND SEA LORD WITH RMB LYMPSTONE

Long Look Exchange 2008 was an extraordinary experience; on a professional and personal level. We had the opportunity to work with all four bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines spending a few weeks with each; Portsmouth, Plymouth, Lympstone and Scotland. Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band in Dartmouth was not operational at the time of Long Look Exchange 2008 but we feel we really did get a fabulous taste of the quality of

watery demise, became Australia’s largest loss of life in a naval battle with all of its 645 crew going down with the ship 67 years ago.

islander groove though, much to the amusement of the RNZN band members. I was also keen to fill the shoes - or should I say, Princess Fiona costume – of New Zealand exchanging flutist Able Musician Sarah Hay in their schools bracket of Shrek. Dancing with ‘Shrek’ and playing my flute between a swinging brass group and giggling school children is something I won’t forget!

The HMAS Sydney II, a 6,830 ton modified Leander class cruiser, had been considered a superior battle ship and the pride of the Australian Fleet. The ship was commissioned at Portsmouth on 24 September 1935, and arrived in Australia on 2 August 1936 where she remained in home waters until the outbreak of World War II. The Sydney II, under the command of Captain John Collins, sailed to the Mediterranean, where she was involved in a number of battles with victorious results and came out mostly unscathed. Sydney returned to her namesake city on 10 February where a public holiday had been granted to the people so all could come to see her and the brave crew parade through the city.

I spent the rest of my three months in New Zealand doing my day to day job and wearing my day to day uniform but in the context of the RNZN band. I was accommodated at HMNZS Philomel, 10 minutes ferry ride from downtown Auckland and with all meals provided (aka – scran). My travel allowance gave me some cash and a very cool Boss and Warrant Officer gave me time to take two trips through the north and south islands with all their volcanic activity, beautiful mountains, blue rivers, ice and snow. I was automatically integrated into the Wednesday night quiz at the local, where I failed spectacularly at kiwi trivia: my sense of humour and liquor consumption were my only saving graces.

Sydney returned to home waters in Western Australia, and on 11 November 1941 now under the command of Captain Joseph Burnett, she sailed from Fremantle to escort the troopship Zealandia to the Sunda Strait. Sydney was due to return on the afternoon of 20 November 1941, and although her absence of return was noted, at that stage there was no immediate concern. It was on her return home, on 19 November 1941, Sydney sighted what appeared to be a merchant vessel approximately 130 miles west of Shark Bay. Signals were exchanged between the two ships to establish who the mystery ship in fact was. The mystery ship identified itself as the Straat Malakka a Dutch merchantman, but on enquiring through flag signals what the secret identification was of the ship, the vessels true identity could no longer be concealed.

Though the RNZN band environment felt much like home in terms of daily schedules and musicianship, it was fascinating to see the differences and the effects they had on morale, job satisfaction and productivity. For instance, there is only one band in the RNZN, based in Auckland, and their personnel are never sent to sea. However, the pay is less and personnel are entitled to fewer benefits than what we get in the Royal Australian Navy. I enjoyed playing in this cheery, hospitable band, travelling north for two tours and playing the role of freaky white rapper and tiara twirling flautist. There’s no place like home though and I couldn’t wait to get back to the rowdiness of our brew room and to see the smiles of our band, albeit a little tired from a very busy end-of-year period. Besides, it was a relief to see people in shorts and t-shirt when it was at least 25 degrees, not just when the Auckland rain had subsided for a few hours and an 18 degree sun was trying to shine! Oh yeah, and I didn’t have to address people as ‘Bro’ anymore – not that I ever really got into that anyway. There’s only so much bro-town Maori a skinny white Aussie chick can get away with!

HSK Kormoran, under the command of Commander Theodor Detmers, ordered the Dutch colours to be struck, and hoisted the German Naval Ensign. They opened fire at approximately 1730 when the two ships were no more than a mile apart from each other. One of the first blows hit the bridge of Sydney, where all communications were cut off and would explain why they were unable to get any messages out. Sydney returned fire simultaneously, although were unable to meet their mark straight away. Kormoran concentrated all their fire power on hitting the bridge, torpedo tubes and anti aircraft batteries. With two of Sydney’s turrets out of action, a third turret opened quickly and accurately hit Kormoran in the funnel and engine room. The fierce exchange of gunfire and torpedoes continued at close range, and at one stage the Sydney appeared to turn quickly as if in an attempt to ram the Kormoran. Sydney, crippled and on fire, steamed slowly to the south at approximately 1825. At around 2000, Detmers gave the order to abandon ship, and set up charges to scuttle the Kormoran. At 0035, the mines exploded and the Kormoran sank rapidly stern first.

HMAS SYDNEY II The Pride of the Australian Fleet ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA DOUGLAS

The legend of the HMAS Sydney II continues another chapter in both Australian and Military history books with its discovery off the Western Australian coast on March 16 2008 by the ‘Finding Sydney Foundation’. Its infamous battle with the German ship HSK Kormoran, of which the Sydney successfully sank before succumbing to its own

All accounts from the battle were gathered from the surviving German crewman. 317 of the 380 crewman survived and were rescued from life rafts by passing ships

band members lost in the line of service, and performed on bugles that have been dedicated to band members who were on board HMAS Sydney II at the time of its sinking. The service was broadcast live by the ABC, and repeated a short time later on the Sky New Channel.

or the rafts washing up along the coast of Western Australia. Their stories and accounts report that the fatal battle lasted no more than half an hour and Sydney was last seen in the distant glare with occasional flickering lights until 2200 when she seemingly disappeared. The success of destroying the Kormoran meant that Sydney had stopped the raider’s plan to lay up to 360 mines across vital shipping lanes. For 66 years, controversy surrounded the Sydney on how and why it sank, and where it was that she lay to rest. Many books have been written over the years to try to come to terms with how and why the Sydney sank. The Finding Sydney Foundation, a not for profit group, was established in July 2001 with the intention of finding the location of HMAS Sydney II and to honour all those that had been lost in her. The Directors for the foundation were Ted Graham, Commodore Bob Trotter RAN (retired), Don Pridmore, Keith Rowe and Glenys McDonald AM JP. An active search with the help of shipwreck investigator David Mearns onboard the SV Geosounder, began on 29 February 2008. For the many remaining relatives and friends, the successful outcome of this large undertaking would be an opportunity to put to rest their unanswered questions and perhaps gain some closure. On Wednesday 12 March 2008, an image appeared on the sonar screen of the search vessel SV Geosounder. 26° 05' 49.4" S 111° 04' 27.5" E Approximately 207km from the west coast (Steep Point) of Western Australia, at a depth of approximately 2,560 metres, the location of the HSK Kormoran was discovered. This exciting revelation meant that Sydney must be close by, and the months of searching would perhaps soon have a successful end. On Wednesday 16 March 2008, at the location of 26° 14’ 37” S 111° 13’ 03” E, and a depth of approximately 2,468 metres, HMAS Sydney Its hiding spot was finally revealed as a sonar image on the computers of the Geosounder.

ABLE SEAMAN MARCUS SALONE PLAYING LAST POST AND REVEILLE AT THE HMAS SYDNEY II MEMORIAL SERVICE AT ST. ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL

The anniversary of the sinking would indeed be an extra special occasion with its 67th year being celebrated this year on Wednesday 19 November. Memorial services were attended around the country, with the Royal Australian Navy Band being in attendance for number of the services. The Sydney detachment supported services at the Sydney Cenotaph in Martin Place and the Canberra War Memorial. The Melbourne detachment attended a service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, and the Queensland detachment attended a Brisbane commemorative service at the Shrine of Remembrance in ANZAC Square.

On Thursday 17 March 2008, the Prime Minister, Honourable Kevin Rudd, together with the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Honorable Warren Snowdon, MP, Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Chief of Navy and Mr Ted Graham, Chairman of The Finding Sydney Foundation, made the historic announcement the HMAS Sydney II had been discovered. By Thursday 3 April, the first images of Sydney were being taken and delivered to the world.

A small element of the Sydney detachment also travelled to Geraldton to supplement numbers of the Western Australian detachment. The first commitment for the group was to attend a service for the burial of the unknown sailor, held at Queens Park and attended by about 150 people. The sailor believed to be the only crew member of HMAS Sydney II was found in a life raft on the shores of Christmas Island in February 1942. DNA testing has ruled out 15 of a possible 16 identifications, the last test is currently being investigated. The unknown sailor has become a symbol for all those who lost family and friend on the Sydney. His remains were laid to rest at the Geraldton War Cemetery. After a brief ceremony including the reading of the Naval

A National Memorial Service to commemorate the Ship’s Company of HMAS Sydney II who lost their lives was held on Thursday 24 April 2008 at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Over 1200 people attended the memorial service, which included almost 1000 relative of the Sydney II crew members. The Sydney detachment supported the occasion with the wind orchestra, ceremonial fanfare team with buglers and the Sea Chanter’s chorus. The bugle players Able Seaman Marcus Salone and Able Seaman Chris Ellis held the Navy Bands military drums that have a battle honours roll displayed of

Australian ship to carry the Sydney name. Band member Able Seaman Ashley Markey had the honour of playing the Last Post and Reveille for the service.

Ode and a rendition of The Last Post, a rifle salute rang out as the coffin was lowered. A Commemorative Sunset Service was held at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial at Mt Scott Park. Known as the ‘dome of souls’, the memorial was created by Joan Walsh-Smith in collaboration with the Rotary Club Geraldton, and is certainly an impressive and well thought out structure. It was on 19 November 1998, during the dedication of the HMAS Sydney memorial site that a large flock of silver seagulls flew in formation above the crowd. Knowing the story of seagulls representing the souls of sailors, Joan designed the dome to incorporate 645 stainless steel seagulls to represent each of the men who lost their lives. The seven pillars holding the dome represent each of the states and one territory. Hanging from the top of the dome is an anchor, which is Sydney’s crest, with port and starboard lights. An honour roll of all 645 names is written across two walls, and a wavy line on the top of the wall represents the sailors laying to rest under the ‘sea’. The stele represents the bow of the ship, and a waiting woman, with an anchor on her necklace and dressed in the clothes of the 40s, looks out to the ocean. She represents all of the wives, mothers and daughters waiting for their men to return from sea. The garden beds surrounding the site have been planted with rosemary, for remembrance, and red roses representing blood. Even bollards on the path leading to the dome have significance as they were the last ones at the old Geraldton wharf Sydney tied up to before her fatal end.

This significant event in naval history is one that will always be remembered. The subsequent memorial services to recognise the resting place of Sydney to not only remember but also honour all those who bravely served on her, is an occasion that members of the Royal Australian Navy Band can be proud of being apart of. Research compiled from: www.findingsydney.com www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_SYDNEY_(II) www.museum.wa.gov.au www.2australia.gov.au

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The Commemorative Sunset Service attended by thousands of people was made up of family members of the crew, dignitaries and state and federal politicians. Amongst the attendees were Governor General Quentin Bryce, and Glenys McDonald who both gave moving speeches. On the command for the Catafalque Party to take post, the slow march to the dome was accompanied by drums and bugle call performed by Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton. This new bugle call was conceived at rehearsals the day before between both the Director of Music and Chief Stapleton. The bugle call, only consisting of three notes, was created as a dedication to those who had lost their lives on Sydney. The bugle that was performed on by Chief Stapleton has been engraved with the name of Vincent Warren, one of 12 band members who lost their lives on 19 November 1941. It is highly likely that the musicians would have been deep below the decks in the operations room if the ship was closed up for action stations. The moving call set the solemn mood for the rest of the ceremony which included the laying of the wreaths, with all 645 names being read out, performance of the Naval hymn and the Last Post and Reveille, finally finishing with the National Anthem and a fly past by RAAF aircraft. Also on Wednesday, a group of 280 family members attended an at-sea service held at the wreckage site on board HMAS Manoora. Also present during the ceremony was the guided missile frigate, HMAS Sydney, the fourth

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 14 OF 31 JULY 2009

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN TRACY KENNEDY

CONTENTS

On Friday 13 March 2009 the Royal Australian Navy conducted a Fleet Entry into Sydney Harbour followed by a Fleet Review. These two impressive occasions were to mark the conclusion of the Fleet Concentration Period; one of Navy’s largest annual exercises. The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir received a 21 gun salute from HMAS Sydney. There was also a hive of activity on Sydney harbour as musicians from the Sydney and Queensland detachments performed onboard public ferries and paraded at Fort Denison as ships and ferries sailed past. The following morning sailors from the 15 ships involved in the fleet entry and members from all detachments of the Navy Band gathered in the Rocks for the Freedom of Entry Parade through the City of Sydney. It was a great sight to see the permanent and reserve detachments from around Australia marching down George Street. It was a sea of white as over 4500 sailors stood ready to take part in this momentous event. The ceremony started with a Royal Salute as Her Excellency the Governor General Ms Quentin Bryce was received on parade. The Queen’s Colour was escorted by the Royal Guard for the first time in Sydney since it was presented by the Governor General in 1989.

A NAVAL SALUTE

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

RECRUIT SCHOOL

NORTHERN TRIDENT 2009

LONGLOOK 2009

ARRIVEDERCI

AMEB ADDRESS

CORAL SEA ADDRESS

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

We regularly bring volumes of good news stories to Navy and our people are, without exception, very positive ambassadors. The level of goodwill generated within Navy towards the Navy Band has been significant; however, Navy faces significant financial and structural challenges. Let’s hope that we will be able to continue to generate many more ‘good news’ stories under the New Generation Navy banner. I will be doing my best on your behalf to secure the best outcome possible in the current and future environment. I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association Award, which will be presented annually to a member of the reserve component of the band who has been assessed as making an outstanding contribution towards the band’s operational effectiveness. The winner of this award will be selected to specifically acknowledge their direct contribution to encouraging good morale within the team; promoting a positive workplace atmosphere; enhancing a sense of esprit-de-corps throughout the Royal Australian Navy Band; and upholding Navy’s values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty. All members of the reserve component will be eligible for this award with the winner decided by the band’s Senior Leadership Group. The award will comprise a perpetual shield to be displayed in the winner’s detachment, a letter from the Director of Music and a crystal plaque. The inaugural recipient will be announced in December. On behalf of the current serving members I would like to state my thanks to the Royal Australian Navy Band Association for establishing this award and for the ongoing efforts to promote Navy in the wider community. The award was created to promote awareness of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association and to acknowledge the Reserve Component of the Royal Australian Navy Band. It provides a very good balance to the Kirsty Jones Award, which is presented, based on similar criteria, to a member of the Permanent Component.

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT PASSING SYDNEY TOWN HALL

As I have stated in previous editions of RAN Band News, ‘the history of the Navy Band develops at full pace’, and its record of service continues to be told in this edition. Over the past six months we conducted a ‘direct to air’ broadcast, supported the Navy Freedom of Entry through Sydney with more than 120 musicians, released our chamber recording The Commodores, deployed eight musicians to sea in HMAS Sydney, and supported a number of Ship Farewell and Welcome Home Ceremonies. We also deployed a small technical team to the Solomon Islands, and two of our people were selected for LONGLOOK exchange with Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Service. Throughout all of this activity we still managed to do our usual business within and around the Nation.

We said our farewells to Lieutenant Michelle Coleman earlier this year on her discharge from Navy due to ill health. I know that I speak with one voice when I say that we were privileged to have served with her and benefitted from her example of dedication, loyalty and professionalism. We wish her and her husband, Deane, best wishes for the journey ahead. Reflecting over the past six months, I am very proud of the way in which all of our musicians have performed their duties. Thanks to all for the sterling contribution to Navy and to the history of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

The ‘direct to air’ broadcast on 1 March on ABC Classic FM reached more than 700,000 people and inspired the musicians with an exciting and challenging music program. The band’s contribution to Ship Farewell and Welcome Home Ceremonies continues to deliver a strong sense of national and naval pride to those occasions: it’s hard to imagine what those important ceremonies would be like without the Navy Band.

P.C. ANDERSON Lieutenant Commander, RAN Director of Music and Leader

Director narrated throughout the entire ceremony outlining various key elements of Navy’s heritage.

(Continue from page 1) This was followed by Her Excellency the Governor General presenting the Gloucester cup to HMAS Parramatta.

Towards the end of the performance, the sky put on an impressive display of its own. The weather across the harbour changed dramatically with thunder and lightning and just as we marched off heavy rain soaked everyone and everything in sight. This certainly made for an eventful closing to a rather hectic week!

With the official proceedings completed, the parade was underway and our official march Royal Australian Navy could be heard through the city as we made our way to the saluting dais. Over 10,000 people lined the streets showing their support for the Royal Australian Navy and to witness such an historic occasion.

The feedback received from all who attended the performances, in particular at Admiralty House, was exceedingly complimentary with strong and emotive accolades from the Governor General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane and fellow dignitaries. Having so many of our musicians working together in Sydney for these performances certainly made for a great atmosphere for everyone involved. It’s not often that so many of Navy’s musicians have the chance to catch up with each other; so this event provided the perfect opportunity.

After the parade had finished the musicians made their way to the buses and it was back to the band studio for a quick lunch. The busy day continued as members of the New South Wales and Queensland detachment stage bands combined for a public concert at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour. All other members made their way to Admiralty House to rehearse for an evening performance of Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

THE DRILL TEAM DURING REHEARSALS AT ADMIRALTY HOUSE

The Ceremonial Guard and Band for the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset were made up entirely of members from both the Sydney and Melbourne detachments. For many of the musicians in the Guard it was the first time they had held a weapon and not an instrument during a Ceremonial Sunset performance.

ABLE SEAMAN DAMIAN DOWD SINGING WITH THE SEA CHANTERS CHORUS

The ceremony commenced with the Drum and Bugle Corps marching the Drill Team (with SLR weapons) and Fanfare Team onto the Quarterdeck. The Ceremonial Guard, under the command of Chief Petty Officer Camille Martin, and Drill Team had all worked very hard rehearsing with Chief Petty Officer Greg Morris and Leading Seaman Craig Elston from the Systems Command Ceremonial Cell ensuring all of the drill was in perfect unison.

Sometimes I don’t know how we do it! Performing around 70 tasks, plus Sea and Operational Deployments, plus associated travel and rehearsals is quite a significant achievement. Although there have been no promotions in the first half of this year, I would like to congratulate Chief Petty Officer Brian O’Kane, Petty Officer Cassandra Mohapp, Petty Officer Natalea Erskine and Leading Seaman Grant Metcalfe on their pending promotions in October.

The Band marched on and played United We Stand followed by the Drill Team performing a drill display to Proud Echo and the massed Drum Corps Beating to Quarters. Able Seaman Damian Dowd and Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer sang a stirring rendition of I am Australian and My Country. The guard fired a volley at five minutes to sunset and as sunset was called the Governor General and her guests stood and all officers in uniform saluted the Australian White Ensign as it was slowly lowered. The

The Sydney detachment is happy to welcome the following people. Fresh from recruit training we welcome Able Seaman Simon Bartlett (trombone), Able Seamen Sean Hennessey (piano), Able Seamen Greg Turner (clarinet), and Mellissa Ballantyne (trombone). From the Tasmanian detachment on a period of Continuous Full Time Service, we welcome Seaman Dorian Broomhall. Posting in from the

dedication to ensuring the logistical requirements for the Navy Freedom of Entry and associated events went as smoothly as possible – a massive task and a job well done.

Melbourne detachment we welcome Leading Seaman Gordon Orr. We also welcome Leading Seaman Grant Metcalfe back into the mix after his time away on full time civil schooling.

The Beat to Quarters Ceremony performed at Admiralty House was a resounding success. This was due to the hard work of many; however, I would like to make special mention of those who performed in the heritage guard and drill team. Many hours were spent by these members to ensure their part in the ceremony, although out of their comfort zone, was spectacular – well done.

Over the past six months we have said farewells to Able Seaman Sam Oram and Able Seaman Tim Rees. We wish them all the very best on ‘Civvy Street’. Making the move south of the border to the Melbourne detachment, we farewelled Petty Officer Brett Donovan, Leading Seaman Daniel Sponiar and Able Seaman Andrew Hansch. All members made a valuable contribution during their time with the Sydney detachment and I wish them well in their new posting. Highlights of the last six months were: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Live-to-air broadcast on ABC FM from Hyde Park on Australia Day Gala Dinner for the Australian American Association Country tour to Canberra, Young and Cowra Welcome home ceremony for HMAS Parramatta Benchmark Concert for Navy’s Birthday Navy Freedom of Entry Parade Beat to Quarters at Admiralty House Departure ceremony for Operation Northern Trident ANZAC Day March Farewell ceremony for HMAS Toowoomba (at Fleet Base West) HMAS Vampire 50th Birthday celebrations NEOC Graduation at HMAS Creswell Public concert at the new Nowra Performing Arts Centre

ON PARADE AT THE CENOTAPH

In addition to these larger events, I would also like to acknowledge the significant contribution made by The Admiral’s Own and the Commodores. We are very fortunate to have musicians that bring special talents and skills that make these ensembles deliver world class music. The enthusiasm to perform with these ensembles is high and the tasks performed (often at night and on weekends) are always very well received. The success of these ensembles ensures the Navy Band maintains its excellent reputation and versatility. We have the pleasure of hosting Musician Jonathan Rendell (violin and saxophone) from the Royal Marines Band on LONGLOOK exchange. Jonathan has fitted in very well and has made a significant contribution during his visit. Jonathan also performed a violin solo at the concerts in Nowra and St Andrew’s and received much praise from the audiences. Congratulations to Able Seaman Ross Chapman on successfully attaining ‘Musician Skill Grade Three’. His impressive performance displayed much dedication to his craft and the award was well deserved. Once again, a big thanks and BZ to all personnel involved with the Sydney Detachment.

ABLE SEAMAN ANDREW DOYLE AND ABLE SEAMAN ALISHA COWARD PERFORM A CLARINET DUET ON STAGE AT YOUNG

Tasks of this nature take a lot more than just good musicianship. There is always much behind-the-scenes work too be done to ensure these performances are successful. I would like to make special mention of Petty Officer Mohapp and her Public Relations team for their tireless work ensuring the regional tour was a fantastic success. Congratulations also to Petty Officer Brett Douglas and Leading Seaman Chris Palamountain for their

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

On our return to Melbourne, the bus detoured via Tullamarine Airport where 12 of my musicians, including me, flew to Sydney to support a Benchmark recording and ABC direct to air performance. The ABC Concert was stunning with the audience thoroughly enjoying the fine performance of all the musicians involved. Back at HMAS Cerberus the remainder of my detachment were joined by members of the South Australian detachment to perform at a Recruit School Graduation Parade. Under the baton of Warrant Officer Dale Granger the parade sailed on smoothly, and I would like to thank our fellow musicians from the South Australian detachment for assisting. Their efforts were greatly appreciated. We also farewelled Petty Officer Natalie Erskine and Leading Seaman Gordon Orr who both headed up the Hume Highway to join the Sydney detachment. I wish them well in Sydney and thank them for their loyalty and contribution to the detachment.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

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The beginning of March saw four of my members attending courses in preparation for their sea deployment as part of Operation Northern Trident. The middle of March saw the Melbourne detachment head for Sydney to support the Royal Australian Navy Freedom of Entry march through Sydney culminating in a spectacular and successful performance at Admiralty House.

SOUND WAVES CONCERT

It is hard to believe that we are half way through 2009. We started the year off with the annual Australia Day Parade at Mornington. This year’s parade was held in the evening as a twilight event. This format proved very successful and a large crowd was in attendance. The Melbourne detachment welcomed Bandmaster, Chief Petty Officer Michael Vaughan for his first parade as Drum Major. Michael joined us from the Queensland detachment. We also welcome Petty Officer Brett Donovan who has joined us from the Sydney detachment. Both senior sailors are fine musicians and will be an asset to our detachment. We finished off January with our first Recruit School Graduation Parade for the year.

On our return to HMAS Cerberus we prepared for our first Sound Waves Concert in our band complex. The popularity of these concerts saw us turn away approximately 80 people who couldn’t fit into our facility. Although this is a nice problem to have it also causes a lot of angst. Due to the popularity of this concert series we have moved our performances to St Marks Church on the base. The church allows us to double the audience size and ensure that our ‘Friends of the Band’ are all able to enjoy our performance. We also welcomed Leading Seaman Daniel Sponiar (saxophone) and Able Seaman Andrew Hansch (trumpet) who posted into HMAS Cerberus from the Sydney detachment. Additionally, Able Seaman Leonie Bradford (flute) joined us from the Western Australian detachment. Leonie is a reservist and participating in ‘On Job Training’ with us for six months: Welcome aboard.

February started with some of my members assisting the Tasmania detachment at a Government House activity in Hobart. Our Corvettes Big Band also had engagements at Drouin and Mordialloc. The Drouin engagement was memorable for what seemed to be a cyclone blowing. Members had to contend with holding cymbals and music stands during the performance. Although we had to contend with trying conditions the detachment performed admirably. Our performance in Mordialloc was part of the Sunset Jazz series. I could not have been prouder of the performance standard of the detachment and the reception we received from an appreciative audience. For our jazz musicians this was a great way to start off the year.

April saw five of my members embark in HMAS Sydney for Operation Northern Trident. Leading Seaman Jason Campbell, Able Seaman Andrew Hansch, Able Seaman Yoshi Izumi, Able Seaman Rachael Summers and Able Seaman Russell Ward departed on a six month around the world deployment. We all wish them good luck, a fair sea and a following wind and we cannot wait to hear those stories from their adventures when they return. As you can imagine losing five musicians for such a long period leaves a huge void in our detachment. We were fortunate to welcome reservist (vocalist) Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson who joins us for six months and Able Seaman Ian Fisher (tuba) who joins us on loan from the Sydney detachment: their assistance is greatly appreciated.

Late February saw the Melbourne detachment visiting my home town of Casterton. Our visit was part of the 150th celebrations of the Casterton Vice Regal Band where I started my music career. The detachment performed on the Saturday evening to a very appreciative audience in Casterton Town Hall. This was followed on Sunday by a performance by our Corvettes Big Band at Island Park. Again the detachment performed to a large and enthusiastic audience. The weekend was a great success and it was fantastic to go on a tour so early in the year.

We finished off the month by performing in the City at Collins Place, which is a great outdoor venue. The response we got from the general public was over

On 3 June our Corvettes Rock Group travelled to the Emerson School Camp. This music camp caters for special needs children who have the opportunity to participate and enjoy music over a few days. While only a relatively small audience the kids enjoyed the Corvettes immensely and my musicians really enjoyed their time with the kids. The first week in June ended with HMAS Cerberus Divisions Parade with the Maritime Commander Australia, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates as the Reviewing Officer.

whelming and the appreciative audience enjoyed the sounds of our Corvettes Big Band. ANZAC Day in Melbourne began with a cold start at the Dawn Service at HMAS Cerberus followed by breakfast cooked at the band complex. After a little heartburn it was on the coach and into the City ready for the march up St Kilda Rd to the Shrine of Remembrance. Once we arrived at the Shrine we rotated with the RAAF Band and Army Band Melbourne playing march music for the next three hours while the remainder of the parade marched passed. ANZAC day would have to be one of the proudest days for the musicians and especially myself. To be given the honour of leading such a professional detachment of musicians is very humbling and a proud day.

As our mid-year leave period quickly approaches I would like to farewell Petty Officer Kara Williams who has been posted to the Defence Force School of Music as an Instructor and Able Seaman Stuart Malcolm who leaves us for the Sydney detachment. Also, Leading Seaman Ian Aston has had a career change and will be commissioned on the 13 July 2009 to commence his Officer training at HMAS Creswell. On completion of his initial course, Ian will study to become a Seaman Officer: we also farewell his spouse, Petty Officer Meredith Aston who will accompany Ian. To those personnel who have posted out, I thank you for your contribution and friendship, each of you have added another dimension to our performance and productivity, and I wish you well in your future postings and careers.

Early May saw the Corvettes Big Band perform in the City at the Victorian State Library and Federation Square. These performances were well received and gave us an opportunity to promote the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force. We also performed at Investitures at Government House as well as numerous schools. Able Seaman Cameron McAllister and Able Seaman Stuart Malcolm joined the Defence Force School of Music for the first 2009 Section Leader Course. This course is a prerequisite for promotion to Leading Seaman. The course has come and gone and I can now congratulate you them for successfully completing the course. During this period we welcomed Leading Seaman Joel Walker from the South Australian detachment and Able Seaman Darren Skaar from the Queensland detachment who joined us to assist while Cameron and Stuart were on course. I certainly hope that they enjoyed their five weeks with us: their contribution was greatly appreciated.

As I write this newsletter Leading Seaman Tom Bastians and Able Seaman David Rampant are in the Solomon Islands assisting the Force Advisory Council on Entertainment. They are providing technical support for a tour that is entertaining Defence personnel serving in the Solomon’s. As well as the many commitments we have performed in the first half of the year we continue to support HMAS Cerberus with the many Mess Dinners, Recruit and Communication School Graduations, Division Parades and Naval Community activities. To all of my team thank you for a successful six months and lets fasten our seats belts for what is shaping up to be a very hectic second half of the year.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER BRIAN O’KANE

I have had the pleasure of being appointed as the Bandmaster of the New South Wales detachment since January 2009. First of all, it would be appropriate to thank Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton for the time he spent ensuring I knew all there was to know about running the detachment prior to being posted here. Due to this the move over to the detachment has been very smooth. When I took over the detachment it was in great shape mainly due to Andrew’s vast and high quality musicianship. The group has greatly improved under his direction.

STUDENTS FROM LUTHER COLLEGE PERFORMING ON STAGE

Luther College Croydon visited us in early June coinciding with a Naval Gazing performance. Naval Gazing is an initiative to educate the public and secondary school students about what the Navy is about and what careers HMAS Cerberus has to offer. Throughout the day students tour the base and visit many of our training faculties. The day commences in our Band complex where we perform for the students followed by a welcome address by the Commanding Officer, HMAS Cerberus.

The year had a slow start due to Christmas leave but it didn’t take long for the detachment to get back into the

swing of things. I spent the first few rehearsals building up the stamina after leave. The mess band, rock group and stage band were soon all equipped to take on the impending commitments. The first just happened to be the Australia Day celebrations onboard HMAS Stuart, which was used as a platform for the celebrations and we were the entertainment for the afternoon.

combination for a two-hour set, followed by a Ceremonial Sunset. We thoroughly enjoyed the day which would not have been possible without the help from certain members of the Sydney Detachment. Able Seaman Chris Thompson, Able Seaman Paul Parnell, Able Seaman Damian Dowd, Able Seaman Belinda Marks and Seaman Dorian Broomhall were invaluable. The program was varied with Mr. Tony Le playing the violin solo ‘Ashokan Farewell’ for violin and band. Mr. Le had not played with a band before but I am sure he enjoyed it: we certainly did. Able Seaman Belinda Marks also played a solo, this time on the oboe. This solo was arranged by John Perkins and entitled ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’. It was the theme from a film entitled ‘The Mission’. Belinda had the audience in silence listening to her clear and beautiful tone. Able Seaman Damian Dowd did his usual multi tasking, playing the drums for the stage band whilst singing a number of the songs. In addition to her singing, Able Seaman Belinda Marks and our very own Tony Creek exercised their vocal chords; it is not often that we have the luxury of three singers. It was a long and tiring day but with the sense of humour ever present in the detachment, the day was enjoyed by all.

PERFORMING AT THE AVALON TATTOO

Two other memorable days in June would have to be firstly a mess dinner at which we sat outside to play for the entire performance. All we can say about that experience is that we finished playing early that evening as Able Seaman Cindy Sims was turning blue! The other occasion was the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of HMAS Vampire; we had another enjoyable two sets in Darling Harbour next to the Australian Maritime Museum. Able Seaman Dowd enjoyed himself again stealing the show with his great singing and kit playing ability. What made it especially impressive is that Damian Dowd didn’t know he was going to be playing and singing the whole performance until one hour before!

The month of March started in a hurry with two commitments on the first day at Garden Island Chapel and Rushcutters Bay memorial. Petty Officer Mercer particularly enjoyed the second service at Rushcutters as he spent a few minutes reminiscing about the old days when he served at the base! March was a big month as we were involved in the Freedom of Entry parade in Sydney and a stage band concert in Darling Harbour. It was great to play alongside all the other reserve detachments on the march and especially with the Queensland detachment during the stage band concert. Alongside these performances we were invited to play at the wooden boats ‘Raft Up’ in Cockle bay. This was an unusual stage band gig as we were perched on a very narrow floating pontoon. It was too narrow for some as Able Seaman Harris found out. He placed his trumpet carefully on its stand only to be blown off during a break into the water, along with the music stand and banner. Luckily one of the audience members was able to retrieve the banner without any damage. The trumpet however had to be found by a team of clearance divers four days later! Our thanks go to the diving team for their help.

The last bit of news from our detachment is the promotion to Leading Seaman for two of our members, Chris Perritt and Danika Wright; their promotions are thoroughly deserved and congratulations to both of them. Well that’s about it from the New South Wales detachment for another six months. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with these extremely welcoming people and look forward to the rest of my tenure with them.

The ANZAC Day Parade is always a favourite performance for the New South Wales detachment as the atmosphere is electric. During April and May we also performed at a number of church services with Rockwood cemetery memorial being the largest. Leaving this venue was interesting as I queued for 45 minutes to get out, only to be told at the next rehearsal that they always leave via the rear gate. Thanks guys! I would like to mention a thank you to Able Seaman Terry McCleary for playing so many ‘Last Post’ bugle calls for the Navy. He certainly puts a lot of effort into it!

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

Greetings from the Sunshine State. While reading this edition of the RAN Band News most of you will be shivering your way through winter, while up here, we’re not! The detachment’s first commitment for the year and mine as Bandmaster was the Australia Day Citizenship

June turned out to be great fun with the Avalon Beach RSL Tattoo exercising the Stage Band and Mess Band

As dawn broke, to my surprise the majority of the Queensland detachment were there to start the day as it should be, commemorating the fallen at the Dawn Service.

Ceremony at City Hall. With me sitting in on guitar, Able Seaman Gemma Tilly did a terrific job heading up the performance on vocals. I was impressed with the quality of the performance but not entirely convinced the repertoire suited the occasion. In any case, the Stage Band was very well received and we’d gotten off to a good start. I was happy with that. In February two of the detachment’s Seaman Musicians were promoted to Able Seaman at an informal ceremony in the Band Room. Able Seaman Bonnie Clough and Able Seaman Robert Schultz received their Certificates of Promotion from the new Commanding Officer of Navy Headquarters – South Queensland, Commander Geoffrey Fiedler. Able Seaman Schultz also received his Australian Defence Medal on the night. I know what you’re thinking – four years as a Seaman? It’s a long story.

ON PARADE DURING THE FREEDOM OF ENTRY PARADE IN SYDNEY

From Bulimba Barracks there was a short bus ride to the top of Oxford Street Bulimba for the local ANZAC Day march and Commemoration Service in the park. What a turn out. There were thousands of people in a lovely setting with a truly wonderful community atmosphere. I was very impressed. From Bulimba we headed into the city for the traditional Navy street march. On completion there is a short break before the main march through Brisbane which was attended by thousands of people and the most beautiful day imaginable.

SEAMAN SHULTZ AND SEAMAN CLOUGH WITH THEIR PROMOTION CERTIFICATES

Also on ANZAC Day I had the pleasure of announcing a number of promotions. These included from the Queensland detachment Petty Officer Karina Bryer, Petty Officer Graham Carter, Leading Seaman Daniel Blackmore, Leading Seaman Michael Clayton, Able Seaman Tony Bryer and Able Seaman Dave Coit. As you can imagine there were some very surprised faces and it was a fitting day to celebrate such significant milestones. Congratulations one and all.

Other events in February included a small contingent flying to Cairns for HMAS Cairns Divisions (a very nice weekend up there), HMAS Voyager Memorial Service at St Mary’s Church Kangaroo Point and a Gala Dinner at the Southport Yacht Club. The obvious highlight for March was the Queensland detachment’s involvement with the incredible Freedom of Entry to the city of Sydney. The Queensland detachment was very appreciative of the opportunity to participate in this significant event and I was personally very proud of their performance and attitude. Thanks to all concerned.

The Coral Sea Commemoration in May was a noteworthy occasion. We were fortunate to have a visit from Musician Jonathan Rendell from Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Service. I’m sure Jon would have been impressed with the location on the Brisbane River, the near perfect autumn day and the quality of the music performed by both the Queensland detachment and the United States Seventh Fleet Band.

April saw a visit from the Director of music that coincided with the Commanding Officer attending rehearsal night to present a number of awards. Chief Petty Officer Ken McCallum was presented his Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM) and five clasps including a Federation Star and Petty Officer Karina Bryer received her first clasp to the DLSM.

A big welcome to Seaman John Smallcombe (Saxophone) who has recently joined the Queensland detachment and we currently have a drummer undergoing Initial Employment Training, Recruit Musician Jason Rousell.

The major highlight in April for me was of course my first ANZAC Day in Brisbane. The day started with the Dawn Service at Bulimba Barracks with Able Seaman Darren Skaar performing a fine rendition of the Last Post and Reveille on Bugle. The service was conducted right on the shore of the Brisbane River on a near perfect autumn morning with a traditional Gunfire Breakfast on completion.

At the time of submitting this article the detachment still has three commitments to do in June, including the RSL State Congress Dinner Dance and the Reserve Forces Day Dinner and Parade.

one of Adelaide’s beaches. The detachment paraded on the pristine sands of South Port Beach and played marches for the South Port Surf Life Saving Club who was celebrating their Golden Jubilee marking 50 years since the club’s formation. Sponsored by Navy under the slogan Navy – The Team Works, the event was part of a national initiative last summer aimed at promoting the spectacular sport of surf rowing throughout the country. The Australian Surf Rowers League spokesperson Dick Olesinski said feedback from those in attendance was that the detachment really added to the historic celebration.

Before closing I’d like to make special mention of the marvelous enthusiasm and commitment of Able Seaman Gemma Tilly. Her dedication in learning an entire new repertoire for our Guitar Vocal Duo and continually making herself available time and time again has significantly enhanced the detachment’s profile and ability to commit to tasks midweek. Thank you Gemma and a sincere thank you to all the members of the Queensland detachment for a truly memorable first six months.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

The Director of music visited the detachment in March for his annual inspection and joined us at South Australia’s major and very popular and significant V8 super car event ‘Clipsal 500’. During the event the Rock Group performed for a very enthusiastic crowd on Saturday and Sunday for a one hour performance before the race and again after the race (without a break) Fronted by our talented vocalists Able Seamen Anna Boychenko and Katia Labozzetta and Petty Officer Rory McKinnon on lead vocals and Petty Officer Clayton Tschirn on harmony vocals, the energetic performance kept the crowds entertained for the two hours and it left them wanting more.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

THE SAXOPHONE QUARTET WITH REAR ADMIRAL SCARCE DURING INVESTITURES

The South Australian detachment commenced 2009 with 12 members flying to Perth to assist the Western Australian detachment. The ceremony was for HMAS Warramunga who was departing for the middle east. Always keen to take any advantage for travel, Petty Officers Tschirn and West, Leading Seamen Atkinson, McRedmond, Stott and Walker, Able Seamen Fitzpatrick, Grynchuk, Jones, McDonald and Robinson quickly volunteered their services. They packed their bags and with a spring in their step boarded a flight for Perth. As well as participating in a significant occasion, the trip to Perth provided an excellent opportunity for the members to meet and mix with their reserve counterparts from the Western Australian detachment.

ABLE SEAMAN FITZPATRICK WITH THE CLIPSAL 500 GIRLS

Other commitments included investiture ceremonies at Government House, ANZAC Day, and the Woman’s Royal Australian navy (WRANS) reunion. Support by the South Australian detachment at the investiture ceremonies was the 1st time it had been asked to perform for the occasions. The South Australian Police Band (SAPOL) are the usual providers of musical support but due to a double booking were unable to assist. This caused some last minute panic within Government House who called upon us to save the day. Petty Officer Rory McKinnon, Leading Seaman Luke Townsend and Able Seaman Mat Robinson did some quick shift and University lecture changes and together with myself formed a sax quartet. The Governor of South Australia, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce (RTD) was pleased to have the detachment

Australia Day followed, and despite the provision of a triservice guard marching down the main street of Adelaide and a 21 Gun Salute, the event would not have been complete without the support of the Navy Band. Able Seaman Katrina Caton provided excellent entertainment on vocals and guitar. Not only can Katrina sing, she also provides great visual entertainment by skilfully playing her guitar behind her head much to the enjoyment of the audience. The South Australian detachment was ‘in its element’ in February when it found itself marooned in the sand dunes of

January saw us farewell HMAS Warrumunga to the Middle Eastern Area of Operations (MEAO) for her six month deployment. She is due back in Perth in July with many family, friends and relatives eagerly waiting on the wharf for their welcome home. The Fleet Air Arm also had a plaque unveiling ceremony at Monument Hill in Fremantle in commemoration of those that had died in Service within the Fleet Air Arm.

support the ceremony and is very keen to have us return for future Investiture ceremonies. We welcome to the fold, Recruit Ivan Cooper. A saxophonist, Ivan is completing his teaching degree this year and should complete phase three of his Recruit Training in mid July 2009. A very competent sax player, Ivan is a welcome addition to the South Australian detachment. Opportunities to reserve musicians for a sea change and an opportunity to work with their permanent counterparts have continued to the delight of two South Australian reservists. Leading Seaman Joel Walker spent May and June assisting the Melbourne detachment and Able Seaman McDonald will continue the South Australian link assisting on Continuous Full-Time Service from July to December 2009. The second half of the year is shaping up to be very busy as requests for support roll in and we start to focus and plan for a ship visits for Navy Week on a date yet to be determined. It has been another busy start to the year and I am, as always, grateful for the support, commitment and dedication shown by the members of the South Australian detachment. Their willingness to seek leave from their employers and juggle the calendar in their own business or family life to make themselves available on almost every occasion combined with their enthusiasm at each muster never ceases to amaze me and makes it a pleasure for me to work with and for them.

PETTY OFFICER ROBINSON WORKS HIS MAGIC

February was strangely a quiet month for commitments. The only performance was the Uniting Aid Concert at Yokine Reserve. This event seems to be getting bigger and bigger every year. Crowds seem to come in from everywhere; Wordsworth Avenue may need to put in traffic controllers in the future to help with the number of vehicles.

Best wishes from all of us here in sunny SA.

March always seems to be the month of festivals starting with the Musselfest, which is held down at the foreshore of Rockingham. Parking is always an issue here. Our vehicles had to be parked about 10 minutes walk away as this is a hive of activity. The crowd was the usual – lots! With large crowds, the detachment always seems to kick up a notch or two. With the Musselfest still in everyone’s mind, South Perth Nostalgia Festival was a week later. This was an inaugural festival which attracted about 15,000 people. Good advertising and great weather had something to do with it.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

April, what else can I say about April! This is the month where our buglers are busier than a one-legged Riverdancer. With all the School Anzac Commemoration Services, the buglers had their lips in well and truly for Anzac Day. The morning of Anzac Day our buglers were running all over the place for the usual Dawn Service and then sprinting back to throw down breakfast and then get on the coach for the Anzac Day March. The march is usually started here in Perth. We had the coach waiting for us at the end of the march and then we screamed down to Rockingham to do the march and a Commemorative Service there as well. Once that was finished, it was up the freeway to Irwin Barracks for a late lunch then out to Subiaco Oval for the Len Hall Commemoration before the AFL match. At the end of this, we finally headed home for a glass of wine or beer.

ABLE SEAMAN PAYTON, ABLE SEAMAN MCMULLEN (SAXOPHONES), ABLE SEAMAN JONGELING (TROMBONE), LEADING SEAMAN BARRETT (TRUMPET)

Once again it is that time of year where we reflect on what the Western Australian detachment has achieved. Over the past six months, the tempo of commitments has been steady and keeping everyone on their toes.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

ON STAGE IN ST HELEN’S FOR ANZAC DAY

The Tasmanian detachment had an interesting start to the year with the annual Navy Week Tasmania activities. So far the performance front has been somewhat quiet with just the usual commitments supporting ship visits and the Commanding Officer’s receptions. However this has allowed us to consolidate training and the inclusion of new repertoire. Training, particularly parade training, has been slow going in the past due to the small size of the detachment which has reduced our capabilities in other genres. However, I am pleased with the efforts of all members within the detachment who have collectively stepped up efforts to regain skills needed for important areas involving ceremonial activities and the like. We have also developed various small ensemble capabilities which in the event of sudden absences or departures of personnel, allows us to continue with programmed performances. This has been done without compromising the quality of these performances or the status of the detachment.

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER TED TAIT AT THE MEMORIAL IN ROCKINGHAM

May this year seemed to be a quiet month. Our five-piece minus one (this is because Nadene was still in Malaysia) performed at the Perth Convention Centre for the Careers, Education and Employment Expo. This seemed to be a success with recruiters telling us that we attracted about 30 to 40 people enquiring about the band. During our performance, the recruiters seemed to be busier as the music attracted job seekers to the ADF stand. Hopefully they got some new recruits to fill their monthly quota.

Career management has always been on the forefront of many a discussion with members of the detachment. Often when performance reports are dealt with promotion prospects are always questioned. Well, 1 July 2009 sees three of the members of the detachment being promoted; so congratulations to Petty Officer Greg Hince (to Chief Petty Officer), Leading Seaman Damien Norman (to Petty Officer) and Able Seaman Justin Munday (to Leading Seaman). Naval Headquarters Tasmania is also revelling in the fact that six out of the 30 reserve promotions came from Tasmania. There will be a collective promotion ceremony at Anglesea Barracks on the 24 June 2009 inviting friends and family, as well as the members’ employers, to the ceremony with a reception afterwards.

June was the usual month where everything seemed to finish on a high. The Submariners got their pound of flesh from us starting with the AE2 plaque dedication at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle followed by a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset on the wharf. The following night they held a Dinner Dance at the Esplanade Hotel also at Fremantle. As HMAS Warramunga was about to head home, HMAS Toowoomba was farewelled a few days after the Dinner Dance. To finish the month off, we had an early Independence Day Breakfast and an Independence Day Fair held at two different venues. New members in the detachment are Daniel Black, Rob Tomlin and Joel Vallance. Currently Jennifer Stevens is at Cerberus doing her five-week initial training and should be here with us by the time this newsletter gets out. It has been a steady first six months and looking forward to a busy second half of the year. Take care and see you all in the counter-march.

Able Seaman Cameron McAllister, Able Seaman Volker Schoeler and Able Seaman Stuart Malcolm in the Section Leaders course (five weeks). All students applied themselves well with each of the Able Seamen running a close race for top student in all components of the Section Leader Course. Performance standards were very high and all members provided very interesting and informative reports on "The History of their Instrument." Leading Seaman Hughes, a former member of The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, for example, discussed the development of oboe construction and fingering from an English viewpoint, reminding us that there are considerable differences between the English style and Continental style, as commonly used in Australia and many other parts of the world. 'School excursions' to outside events such as Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concerts, 'Billy Elliot', and 'Stomp' and visits to DFSM from other musicians such as Tim Davies, and members of Orchestra Victoria added a touch of industry realism and professional development that only a school in Australia's 'cultural capital' can provide. All students agreed that these opportunities were valuable additions to their time at DFSM, complementing classroom and studio activities. Distance Learning programmes at DFSM will be suspended from next month for a year while new methods of presenting material are developed. The rate of technological change has not gone unnoticed here and plans are underway to provide more comprehensive and accessible courses for those in the Reserve world. It is hoped that recordings, both audio and visual, along with comprehensive written materials can provide a more interesting and engaging method of instruction. A later development may be to use these materials in the permanent force, allowing members to complete as much of the course as possible from their regular workplace, thus avoiding many months away from home and family. Watch this space, as they say, for more reports on these developments.

ABLE SEAMAN OLAN SMIBERT

Recently the annual Cadet Unit awards were handed out which included the best cadet unit for Tasmania. I am very pleased to announce that for the second year running TS Hobart, a solely band unit, won. They now face the national awards which are conducted at the end of June. A small reward for TS Hobart was a week-long trip to HMAS Cerberus to conduct workshops with the Melbourne detachment and various other commitments. Leading Seaman Richard Armstrong travelled with TS Hobart to offer instructional support for which was gratefully received from staff, in particular Lieutenant Rob Hillhouse ANC. These activities typify the support and collaboration between TS Hobart and our detachment.

After a short break, DFSM will resume teaching activities in July with the Assistant Band Leader course first up, followed by another Section Leader course. Naval participation for these two courses is sure to be competitive and I look forward to reporting our successes in the next newsletter.

As we continue throughout the year we have a lot to look forward to including the annual V8 Supercar bash in November and various other performances as the weather down here warms up.

As always, many thanks to Lieutenant Commander Paul Cottier and the members of Melbourne detachment for their invaluable assistance throughout the year.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC (DFSM) ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE

Naval personnel have had a presence on two advanced courses at DFSM so far this year – Leading Seaman Colin Hughes in the Group Leaders Course (twelve weeks) and

RECRUIT SCHOOL

NORTHERN TRIDENT

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW SANSOM

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER BRETT DOUGLAS

First of all I would like to congratulate Gary Turner, Will Hennessy and Simon Bartlett on their successful graduation from General Entry (GE) 266 and hope they enjoy their careers in the Navy Band. I have just started GE270 and we have moved into Rankin Division because of building works underway in Waller Division. Since the last newsletter I have been Divisional Chief of GE264, GE267 and now GE270. GE264 was a successful division and one of the Graduates was Recruit Paul Styles. Paul successfully completed Recruit school and I noticed throughout the 11 weeks that he was very patient and tolerant with the more immature, younger members of the Division; I imagine quite a tough task! ANZAC DAY ONBOARD HMAS SYDNEY

Welcome from the musicians deployed in HMAS Sydney, as part of Operation Northern Trident. The operation is a five month international deployment aimed at supporting Government of Australia priorities in selected Western European, Northern American and Asian Countries. We have had quite a trip so far, with the first leg of the deployment encompassing countries such as India, Egypt, France and Spain. With the exception of overnight stop-overs in Cairns and Darwin, 16 days were spent at sea between Sydney and India. It was during this time where the musicians established themselves as productive members of the ship’s company. We achieved this by getting involved in a variety of tasks including; walk rounds for Ship familiarisation, participating in auxiliary duties such as laundry, scullery and Quartermaster watches, getting stuck into Damage Control training and securing regular times for rehearsals. We also utilised what little time was left to participate in a number of activities including; an ANZAC Day service at sea (which was covered by Navy News), a Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset in India and a ‘crossing the line’ ceremony where fun was had by all personnel involved (albeit covered in a variety of non-toxic substances).

RECRUIT MUSICIAN MELLISSA BALLANTYNE BEING AWARDED “ RECRUIT OF THE INTAKE”

GE267 was a bit different. They really struggled with the teamwork thing and it took them until week 10 to pull it all together. Surprisingly enough their Graduation parade was one of the best. Overall though not a good result as we lost around 30 from 151 starters throughout the 11 weeks and back classed a whole cabin! We now have a new Divisional Officer, Lieutenant Amy McMahon, who is an ex Able Seaman Writer and she has settled in well. It’s also been good to have the same instructors throughout to keep some stability in the Division. GE 270 has six classes named after our Submarines and there are131 recruits in total. Also we have two RAN reserve musicians, Recruit Jenny Stevens from Perth and Recruit Jason Rousell from Brisbane.

Due to the increased security state at different times throughout this passage, all of the musicians were utilised for the Ship’s Defence Team. This involved being the first physical response to any unwanted guests at sea and whilst coming alongside in ports such as Cochin. Although the duty was in two watches, the musicians still participated in a variety of performances which really solidified our ‘can do’ reputation. Some of these performances included; assembling the drum and bugle corps on 02 deck to farewell ships from the Indian Navy participating in operations, a small brass group for a church service at sea, rock group for a RAS with USNS Lewis & Clark and the Cape Spada commemorative service. This service had

Time to go and inspect some lockers and kit musters: it sure is different from band life!

are being made. For the musicians, it involves participation in another Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset and localised performances to represent HMAS Sydney and the Royal Australian Navy Band. We will all be thinking of our land based bands-people as we are munching on Paellas and soaking up the sun in Spain.

special significance as it occurred at the very location where the Italian Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni and HMAS Sydney II went into battle on 19 July 1940.

LONGLOOK 2009 ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MATT KLOHS

ABLE SEAMAN IZUMI REHEARSING IN THE HANGAR

The lack of sleep and rehearsal time during this eight day marathon was off-set by a well deserved two day tour of Egypt organised by the ship to experience the Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum and many other tourist attractions. Six out of the eight musicians were able to participate, with the remaining personnel experiencing the transit through the Suez Canal. There were as many highlights from the trip as there were photos taken, with Able Seaman McMahon taking out the award for most images taken in a 24 hour period, closely followed by Able Seaman Ward.

LIEUTENANT KLOHS LONGLOOK EXCHANGE 2009

In late March, Leading Seaman Esa Douglas and I departed Sydney for the United Kingdom to participate in the Longlook Exchange Program for 2009. As part of a 98member Tri-Service contingent, we flew to London Heathrow via Singapore and then proceeded to the HQ of the Royal Marines Band Service in Portsmouth. On arrival to the UK, the weather was suitably raining, freezing cold and generally quite miserable: typical of England in March. On arrival at HMS NELSON in Portsmouth, we were greeted by Major Tony Smallwood RM, himself a veteran of two Longlook Exchanges to Australia, and who was to be our host officer for the duration. Once Leading Seaman Douglas had been assigned to the Portsmouth Band and settled in her accommodation, Major Smallwood informed me that I was to be put in charge of the RM Band at Lympstone for the four months. He also told me that it was the first time in their history that a foreign national had been appointed as a Director of Music of one of a Royal Marine Band.

On completion of the Canal transit, the routine eased off enough for us to put in some very productive days of rehearsals. A few other non musical opportunities were thrown in for good measure including a supervised shot gun shoot that Able Seaman Izumi and Able Seaman McMahon were able to attend and also a 9mm pistol shoot. As a result of the solid rehearsal time and the addition of Able Seaman Summer’s vocal talents in jazz group, the Cocktail Party and Ceremonial Sunset in Toulon were a resounding success with very favourable comments from all who attended. Special thanks must go to Able Seaman Mildren who put in a great deal of effort on the night, enhancing both the drum corps and jazz groups musical product. Able Seaman Hansch also deserves a huge debt of gratitude for working tirelessly in obtaining high profile performances to enhance the ship’s (and musician’s) positive profile throughout the entire trip.

After spending the weekend recovering from jetlag and getting used to the cold weather, Major Smallwood and I headed down the M27 to the “west country” to the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, near Exeter in Devon, to introduce me to my Band. The following day was one full of wonderful moments, including meeting my Musicians and Buglers (especially the golfers!), being introduced to the Brigadier and finding the Officer’s Mess Bar. The highlight of the day was when Major Smallwood showed me the corridor of the Band room where the portraits of former Director’s of Music CTCRM Band are

All the long days and nights at sea seemed to be rewarded over the following days, with all but two personnel being able to leave the ship for the full port visit around the south of France. The remaining two members had a 24 hour duty on the front gate, however on completion were free to explore cities such as Nice, Monaco, Marseilles and Toulon where the ship was docked. As I am writing this article, we are making our way to Spain for a four day visit of Ferrol, where the Royal Australian Navy’s new Air Warfare Destroyers and Landing Helo Dock

knowledge of the French language sufficient, and had a fantastic few days.

proudly displayed. I was told that my portrait was to be placed directly opposite the portrait of Major Ricketts RM (aka Kenneth Alford) who was the Director in the 30’s and 40’s. I was to be among prestigious company indeed!

Anzac Day commemorations saw us return to London, and gave a wonderful opportunity to openly display our Australian heritage in Hyde Park at the Dawn Service. There is something unique and special about being an Australian Serviceman when you are overseas at an Anzac Day Dawn Service. Later that morning we were both involved in the security team for the Westminster Abbey Anzac Service where we greeted and helped organise thousands of British citizens and Australian Expatriates prior to their entry to the Abbey. On completion of the Service, the usual Anzac customs were observed with plenty of good cheer and “Aussieness” in abundance at an Australian pub on the Thames. Returning to work for us both saw Leading Seaman Douglas join me down at Lympstone for the last of the Winter Series of Concerts at Exmouth, not far from Lympstone. The venue is an old theatre and Leading Seaman Douglas performed an Oboe solo receiving loud and lengthy applause from audience members and other musicians alike. Fortnightly parades and the occasional Concert were the rule of thumb for the next few weeks until we were tasked to travel to Scotland from our respective Bands to work with Captain Jon Ridley and his musicians for ten days at HMS CALEDONIA near Edinburgh. The whole experience of travelling in and around Scotland is superb. Hairy cows, golf, the highlands and lots of haggis and whisky were the highlights, with a concert performance in Glasgow at the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Hall being a brilliant night for musicians and audience alike.

LS ESA DOUGLAS ON LONG LOOK EXCHANGE 2009

Leading Seaman Douglas was straight into the thick of things over in Portsmouth with an Orchestra Concert performed in St Mary’s Cathedral in Portsmouth. It is indeed a rarity for our musicians to have the opportunity to perform at work with strings, so the concert was the first of many great experiences she would have during the exchange. We both travelled down to the Britannia Royal Naval College to parade for the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band (a four-star Admiral!) and my memory of my first parade in charge was that we both froze for just under two hours in the wind and drizzle. The first few weeks for both of us were a time of watching, learning and just getting used to everything, and before we knew it, the Band Service went on leave and we were left to our own devices for two weeks. We decided to travel through Wales for the first week, which was simply beautiful, although still cold and rainy. Highlights included a visit to Tintern Abbey just outside Cardiff, Lake Vyrnwy in the mountains (stunning!) and me almost driving the wrong way around a roundabout: a near-death experience for us both. We then caught the Eurostar (very fast train – almost 300km/hr) to Paris. I had high expectations of Paris, having been told by friends that it is a great city in which to visit famous buildings, dine on wonderful food and wine, or just simply sit at any one of thousands of small cafes and watch the world walk by. We did all of these things, and Paris lived up to expectations completely. We found the people friendly, our wafer-thin

LIEUTENANT MATT KLOHS WITH THE FIRST SEA LORD

As guests at both the Trooping of the Colour and Beating the Retreat at Horse Guards Parade in London, we were treated to some of that famous British Military spectacle for which they are world-renowned. Beating the Retreat involves about 250 RM Musicians and Buglers, and featured some incredible Drum work from the Buglers. The marching display was imaginative and complex, having been designed by the Corps Drum Major.

cheap I mean CHEAP! It was only €17 which was an absolute bargain. Attempting my best Italian I booked myself a ticket, later realizing that the lady serving spoke English.

Back to work and it was normal routine for the last six weeks or so, with the highlight being visits from Petty Officer Brett Douglas and his team from HMAS Sydney, and my wife, Robyn who spent two weeks at Lympstone with me. Also worthy of mention was a quick three day trip down to Venice. What a great city! There was super food, good wine, friendly locals and so much to see and do. The water taxis and all of the hand-blown glassware were probably the highlights, but the atmosphere and vibrancy of the city were also simply wonderful.

All around the city there were posters for classical music concerts, which were taking place in the next few days. Needless to say I was becoming very excited about the time I would spend in Italy. Dinner cost €7 for a pizza and half a litre of wine, I then staggered back to my hotel and slept like a log.

Before we knew it the time had come to start saying our goodbyes, and these were done with more than a small amount of sadness. Strong friendships had been forged, and it was not easy to leave. Returning via Bangkok, the flight was without incident and we found ourselves, somewhat suddenly, back in Sydney and sitting in our own homes again. Longlook was indeed a career highlight for me, and a valuable experience for us both. I would unreservedly recommend anyone to apply and experience life in the UK, and the talent, hospitality and comradery of the RM Band Musicians and Buglers. They are a fantastic lot and I am certain we have both made some life-long friends through the Longlook Exchange Program.

The plan for the following day was to visit the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. I found lots of helpful tips from various travel books. One of the best was where to buy a combined ticket for all the best sights, without having to queue for hours. This made the day move very quickly. It was quite staggering just how big the buildings and monuments were in Rome. To comprehend the sheer immensity of these structures is impossible without holding them in the flesh or stone as the case may be. 300 photos later and a whole lot of walking and I was back at the hotel dressed and off to my first Italian Opera! Once inside the old classic opera house in the heart of Rome, I purchased a program for €10 that contained a full libretto and synopsis in three different languages. I am a regular “opera goer” in Sydney but Opera Australia had nothing on this place. It was a real eye opening experience. The ironic thing was that I’d travelled all this way to see an Italian opera in English with Italian subtitles. Regardless of this it was amazing, flawless singers, phenomenal orchestra and a rowdy audience made this an experience to remember.10 minutes into the second act an audience member started shouting something at the stage; it was in Italian so I had no idea what they were saying. This was followed by another member of the audience yelling back at the first guy from across the theatre. Pretty soon the entire audience joined in and then the show kept going on as if nothing had happened. What an experience!

ARRIVEDERCI ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN ANDREW DOYLE

On Saturday 20th June after the Ceremonial Sunset for HMAS Vampire had finished, I stayed up all night packing and trying to decide which reeds and other sundry clarinet accessories to take on my trip to Italy. I was hoping for an easy day before my long flight, so when I slept in, the day didn’t turn out the way I’d planned. Unfortunately, I still had to pick up my travel insurance paperwork, which was still at the travel agents office…..oops! Crisis adverted and I headed to the airport around 1400 and boarded my flight without too many other problems.

The next morning I watched the popes blessing and then joined the longest queues in the world for the Vatican and the museums. The art inside the Vatican museum was amazing and spanned thousands of years; it really has to be seen to be believed! The experience was made even more memorable after I walked for two hours through numerous displays and found myself standing in the Sistine Chapel. Even though photos weren’t permitted inside I managed to take four photos and a video of the whole chapel, despite 20 men walking through the crowds telling people to delete their photos.

The 28 hour flight was quite uneventful and boring. I arrived in Rome at 1400 on Monday afternoon in desperate need of a shower. Certain that I had read the map correctly, I walked out of the station to find my hotel. I turned left out of the station instead of right, and after walking through what I’m sure would be the dodgiest area of Rome, I found my hotel. After I had freshened up I thought I might go for a wander around my hotel, to find things to explore in the days to come.

The next day I found myself in another historical region of the city, visiting the Pantheon, Spanish steps and Trevi Fountain, which made my last full day in Rome “Phototastic” After another €7 pizza, half a litre of wine followed by a couple of beers, the day ended nicely.

The first thing I find is Teatro dell’ Opera di Roma. The box office was open so I thought I would try my hand at speaking Italian as I had brought my phrasebook along. Evidently there was an opera on the following night, Lisetti’s “La Grand Macabre.” There was one cheap ticket left, and by

my phrasebook and with his broken English) he found out that I was a clarinetist, and decided to call out “Clarinetto, clarinetto! and point every time there was a clarinet solo in the orchestra. At the beginning of Act 4 he called out “basso clarinetto, bellissimo” followed by “bravo, bravo!” which really summed up how fantastic the clarinet section was. In fact the entire production was like nothing I had seen before. The sets were colossal; ancient Egypt looked like it had been rebuilt on the stage. During the finale the stage raised about three metres to show the meticulously detailed crypt where Aida and Ramases are united in death to spend eternity together. The audience was charged and rowdy, they applauded mid aria if the principal performed something great and also every time the principals would bow. The whole experience was just divine, I left the theatre buzzing. This was the most brilliant musical experience I had ever had.

The following morning it was off to the train station, for a four hour ride to Milano, I walked the right way to the station this time not through the dodgy region. The seats were comfortable and the train went quite fast. The tables had power points so I could plug in my notebook and watch movies to pass the time. I was quite distracted though by the beautiful scenery, especially the vast fields of sunflowers all facing the sun, which was shining brightly as it had done since I had got there. I arrived in Milano at about 1500, and found my hotel much easier than I had in Rome (I’m still going to blame the map). The hotel was great, 24 hour soccer channel on the TV, free Wi-Fi, queen bed and a great shower. I could tell Milano was going to be fun! I had another quick wander around to find things to explore more closely in the coming days, and then it was back to the hotel for a cocktail and to book the last seat in La Scala for Verdi’s Aida tomorrow night. This was more expensive than Roma but it’s the best opera in the world, so who cares! I went back to my room to get a good night sleep before my first lesson the following day.

The following day was spent visiting the Duomo, which was a gothic cathedral that took 500 years to finish building; it was designed to fit the entire population of Milan inside. I then visited the museums in the castle in the centre of Milano, including a museum of antique instruments. There were hundreds of different instruments, including 15 classical clarinets of varying makes, sizes and differing numbers of keys. All of the instruments that I have started to come across in my early music studies were there. I was inspired and educated in one fell swoop. What a city!

The first thing I notice when I got close to il Conservatorio di Milano was the music wafting through the streets surrounding the building dedicated to Verdi. Clarinetti were the first instruments I heard playing! Must have been a sign… I met with Maestro Magistrelli who found me a room to practice and warm up in before my lesson. I didn’t play as well as I would have liked, but I didn’t embarrass myself and Maestro Magistrelli treated me as a colleague instead of a student so I couldn’t have been too awful. He told me that in a couple of hour’s time a chalumeau expert from Tuscany was coming in to rehearse for a concert and that I should sit in on the rehearsal. I ended up spending an hour with the chalumeau expert, playing his instruments and talking about the possibility of studying in the future with him in Tuscany, and instrument makers that I could get a chalumeau from. It was nice to be able to play some early instruments before I committed to buying more. I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in on a rehearsal, playing different sorts of clarinets, from a chalumeau to classical and different modern instruments. I actually played the Maestro’s which was a modified Boehm system Wurlitzer clarinet. His students were quite excited by my mouthpiece, we compared brands and I found some more things to try! What a day! Then it was off to the opera in La Scala.

Deciding to climb to the top of the Duomo the next morning with my clarinet and music was not one of my better ideas. I was preparing to spend another afternoon at the conservatorium so this was a good way to get the blood flowing. I arrived early and with my pathetic attempts at speaking Italian had a little trouble finding Maestro Magistrelli’s room. I eventually found him, and ended up in the Sala Choro (choir hall). I watched two of his top students rehearsing for a concert they would be performing in two days time, unfortunately I would be in London so would miss out. The Maestro asked for my input, and the students seemed to really appreciate my advice on their playing (they were very good). They apologized for the hall not having air conditioning as it was quite a hot summer’s day, they also asked me about what the Sydney conservatorium was like. I told them about how it had been rebuilt when I was there eight years ago, and how it had air conditioning and was reasonably sound proofed. Maestro Magistrelli took great pleasure in telling me that the Milano Conservatorium was built in 1808 for Verdi; I guess that playing in a building that was as old as the oldest buildings in Australia makes up for the fact that there was no airconditioning. How amazing! I then had a lesson, and the students hung around and photocopied some original Italian clarinet manuscripts for me. The manuscripts hadn’t been published and only existed in the Milano Conservatorium library; we spent the rest of the afternoon talking about clarinets. They also let me play some original period clarinets from around the 1800’s, as well as a

Teattro alla Scala, is the most renowned opera house in the world. The world’s best including Pavarotti and Dame Joan has actually been booed of this stage to be educated by the fanatical Italian opera audience. On the back of each seat there was a small display screen that gave subtitles for the opera in just about any language you could desire. Fortunately I knew Aida, so I could spend the entire time with my attention firmly fixed on the production. I had four other people sitting with me in the box, one being an elderly man who had been going to La Scala to watch opera since 1975. After much discussion (with the help of

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very pleased to have this opportunity to address you today.

modern replica baroque clarinet. It was nice to try the instrument before I decided to buy one (which I probably will). I said arrivederci to Maestro Magistrelli, and he gave me his latest CD for nothing and wished me all the best. Then it was off to London!

Professor Walker, thank you for your kind introduction. I would also like to acknowledge the Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB), and in particular, the NSW State Committee for its effort to foster and encourage music across a wide range of disciplines. The AMEB does this by maintaining an examination and qualification system that is widely recognised and respected at home and internationally. And the quality of that system was clearly demonstrated by Amy Corkery—I add my personal salutation to the thunderous applause that Amy received.

I had already booked a ticket to see the London Symphony Orchestra play Stravinsky’s Firebird that evening. I met up with a friend whom I was staying with during my time in London. We both headed off to the Barbican Hall to see the play. The London Symphony orchestra turned out to be a little disappointing. The strings were amazing, but there were a few splits in the brass and ensemble issues within the winds which I hadn’t expected from the LSO. It was nice walking out of the concert thinking that the last time I heard the Sydney Symphony play Firebird they sounded as good if not better than the London Symphony. I will definitely aim to see the Sydney Symphony concerts more often.

To each of the today’s prize winners and diploma recipients I offer my hearty congratulations. Your success today demonstrates a level of determination and perseverance that is uncommon in today’s environment where instant result are expected; often with little effort. Because you have worked hard to attain your achievements, you will have more chance of sustaining the journey far beyond your current level of experience.

The following evening was to be my first non musical night because I was playing soccer! I scored a goal and we won the game. I took great pleasure in reminding the players that the last time Australia played England in soccer, we beat them 3-1, which made the beers after the game an absolute hoot!

‘Music is the universal language of mankind’. I suspect that we could all agree with those words penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who was one of America’s my popular 19th Century poets. And I agree: music is the universal language of mankind; but music is much more than just a language.

I met with my parents the following evening and went to see the musical Wicked. What a fantastic show! The music was fantastic, the story was hilarious, and the woman that played Elphaba (the wicked with of the west) was great.

Chinese philosopher, Confucius, tells us that ‘Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without’. Think about it; where would we be without music or our vinyl recordings or in the case of the graduates here today, their iPods. Music is a kind of pleasure which we cannot do without!

After a couple more days of sightseeing in London, laughing the whole time at the English not dealing well with the heat wave; which was a lovely 31 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. There hadn’t been a day’s rain in the entire 2 ½ week trip, and the great weather was going to continue as I was off to Darwin Navy week when I got back. It was going to be month without rain or cold; not too bad at all.

According to the German novelist, Berthold Auerbach, ‘Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’. What a wonderful, sustaining truism that is! And what a rewarding ability it is to be engaged in an art that enables you to communicate beyond linguistic borders, and to wash away the dust of everyday life.

All in all, I’m sure you can tell that I had a ball, and for anybody who wants to undertake a musical pilgrimage like I did, I don’t think that Italy can be overlooked. Germany next time! Arrivederci!

So it follows that according to Longfellow, Confucius and Auerbach, music gives you the gift to speak a universal language and also to bring pleasure and insight into the soul of those nearest you and of those you reach out to. I would argue that music is even more than that and that the ‘art of music’ is synonymous with and inextricably twinned to the ‘art of communication’.

AMEB ADDRESS

BY THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC EXAMINATION BOARD ANNUAL PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON SUNDAY 8 MARCH 2009

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

THE BAND

Chairperson of the NSW State Committee Australian Music Examination Board and Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Professor Kim Walker, Distinguished Guests, Music Examiners, Educators and Administrators, Graduates,

When I was invited to speak at today’s ceremony I was asked to talk about my experiences in the Navy Band; and I am glad to have this opportunity to tell you about the band that I have the privilege to lead and to tell also about its role in communicating Navy’s story at home and abroad. I hope

that my story is one that also informs you that your art can take you in many directions; paths that you may not currently envision.

make a very meaningful contribution to the capability of the ships that they join as well as adding value to the Fleet’s engagement profile whilst ashore.

For me, being a member of the Royal Australian Navy Band is doubly pleasurable; because I have been given the rare opportunity to lead ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’, and to live my life’s passion within an organization that encourages music and also has a proud record of service to the nation. For more than 108 years now, Navy musicians, both individually and collectively, have been communicating their art ashore and afloat. Despite the long and sustained period of service, I suspect that not many of you here today know what is that the Navy band does. Let me tell you about the band and its record of service.

Of the 106 current serving permanent musicians the band has 45 members entitled to wear the Australian Active Service Medal; 12 of whom also wear the Iraq campaign medal. Importantly, a high percentage of its people have served at sea and the band continues to provide a very impressive output for Navy at home and abroad. In Australia each year, the band delivers Navy’s message, by communicating through its music, to hundreds of thousands of Australians. Tasks range from supporting local community groups and ex-Service associations to supporting ceremonial, public relations and social activities for the wider naval family. The band is always present at Welcome Home and Departure Ceremonies for ships deploying to and returning from operational areas. It is interesting to note that in 1900, on the eve of Federation, the bluejacket New South Wales Naval Brigade Band farewelled Australia’s Naval Expedition to the Boxer uprising. Today’s Navy Band continues that tradition established by the bluejacket band; however, instead of playing ‘Sons of the Sea’ and ‘God Save the Queen’, as was the case in 1900, today’s musicians perform the popular tunes ‘I Am Australian’, ‘My Country’, Australia’s national song, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and our National Anthem ‘Advance Australia Fair’. The band, and its musicians, communicates a strong level of national pride to all who attend those ceremonies.

Prior to and immediately after Federation, music was provided in the various state Navies by bands formed within the structure of each group. One of the very early naval bands was the Band of the Victorian Naval Brigade. This band deployed to China as part of the Australian naval contingent that assisted in quelling the Boxer uprising. These musicians were the first Australian naval musicians to see active service; and that record of active service continued throughout World War I, World War II, the Korean War, in Vietnam and more recently in the Rehabilitation of Iraq and in Afghanistan for the War on Terrorism. In World War I, when Her Majesty’s Australian Ship Australia led a taskforce that was deployed to find the German Pacific Fleet, the embarked musicians performed as first aid orderlies. During WWII, musicians served with distinction in Her Majesty’s Australian Ships in all theatres of war. To supplement their musical duties, they worked as gun crews, shell bearers in magazines, in transmitting stations, as first aid parties and as lookouts through day and night watches. Fatalities occurred; and given the fact that cruisers were prime enemy targets, musicians were among those unfortunate sailors who lost their lives in HMA Ships Perth, Australia, Penguin, Canberra and Sydney. Musicians also saw action aboard the carrier HMAS Sydney III in Korean waters in 1953, and the Fleet Band performed two concert tours of Vietnam during the early 1970's.

The Royal Australian Navy Band has performed on the shores of Gallipoli and in the bunkers of Vietnam, throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East, at the Royal Tournament in England, in Disneyland, at the Popes summer palace (Castel Gandolfo), in the "Big Egg" Stadium in Japan, and in many other countries throughout the world. These performances, throughout Australia and the four corners of the world have created the proud traditions upheld by Navy’s current generation of musicians, and have established the Royal Australian Navy Band as ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’. ABOUT ME

Currently, the Royal Australian Navy Band has positions for 106 full-time musicians and 118 part-time musicians structured within two components. The Permanent Component has two full-time detachments and the Reserve Component comprises five part-time detachments. Each of these detachments is positioned around the nation; so the band has a substantial ability to reach many people and to communicate the story of the Royal Australian Navy. Indeed, the Royal Australian Navy Band is one of the few platforms in which Navy can communicate its message to the people of Australia; but its musicians also add significant value to overseas deployments undertaken by major fleet units. Through ship borne deployments, the band provides personnel who are cross-trained in a range of mariner and non-musician specific skills. This enables its musicians to

My journey with the band commenced 32 years ago. I took up music at 17, a relatively late age, and after completing my fifth grade AMEB assessment on Clarinet I attended the audition for entry as a musician and was accepted. Nowadays, the audition standard is, I am pleased to say, very, very, much higher; and I can also state that the applicants with AMEB qualifications are consistently wellprepared. Since enlistment I have been fortunate to travel to many parts of Australia and throughout the world. As a junior member of the Navy Band and specialist clarinet soloist I performed in Malaysia, the Philippines, and New Zealand and embarked in the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. I

CORAL SEA ADDRESS

had the opportunity to develop my core skills and enjoy my role as a soloist before discovering arranging, composition, and conducting.

BY THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC TO THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC ON THE 67TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA GIVEN AT KINGSGROVE RSL ON SUNDAY 3 MAY 2008

As one of the senior managers I’ve had to move away from the core skills and develop other competencies in music administration, and music leadership. As the leader of the Navy Band I have deployed four times to Iraq and other countries within the Middle East Area of Operations: Something that I never envisioned 32 years ago was flying throughout Iraq in Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters and travelling in armoured personnel conveys in the company of 17 other Navy musicians; all whom were carrying loaded weapons. We did this, not only to provide brief musical diversions for our deployed forces and to boost their morale; but also to communicate the gratitude of a grateful nation.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

Thank you for the invitation to present an address at this ceremony marking the 67th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. I would like to acknowledge the staff and cadets from Training Ship SIRIUS for their fine turn out today and the men and women of the New South Wales detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band for their musical support. In particular, I acknowledge the veterans gathered here today for their contribution to the nation during times of conflict; but also for their ongoing contribution to the fabric of Australian society. So we have present here today past, current and, hopefully, future generations of Australian seafarers in the company of veterans of the Australian Defence Force.

In more recent times, I had the good fortune to lead a 70piece Australian contingent to Brunei to celebrate the Sultan of Brunei’s 60th Birthday and a 35-piece Navy Band contingent to Tonga for the King’s Coronation. The Royal Australian Navy Band was the platform in which the Australian Government communicated its goodwill to our close regional neighbours.

As the Director of Music for the Royal Australian Navy I am mindful that 67 years ago musicians embarked in HMAS AUSTRALIA during the Battle of the Coral Sea would have been at action stations as members of gun crews, as shell bearers in magazines, in transmitting stations, as first aid parties and as lookouts. So I am pleased to also pay respectful gratitude to those former members of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Music has taken me to many parts of the world and filled my heart with much pleasure, and I commend all of today’s graduates to follow their passion and their gift to wherever life’s journey takes them; and to enjoy the ride. You have the gift to speak a universal language and to communicate, through your art, your individual story and perhaps also the collective story of the organisation for which you may one day be employed.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT In early 1942 as the list of military defeats for the Australian, British, American and Dutch military and naval forces began to mount, the feeling in the general populace of Australia must have been one of depression and a general expectation that the Japanese would invade at any moment.

CLOSING REMARKS The Royal Australian Navy Band is fortified by its heritage, and along with other disciplines within the music industry, whether that be in music administration, education or performance, has its roots firmly embedded in the history of human existence.

It is a fact that the Japanese forces were conducting preparations for the capture of Port Moresby, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. The object of their plan was to extend and strengthen the Japanese defensive perimeter as well as cutting the lines of communication between Australia and the United States. It is important to note that the occupation of Port Moresby would have cut off the eastern sea approaches to Darwin and provided the Japanese Navy with a secure operating base on Australia's northern doorstep. The Battle of the Coral Sea prevented the direct assault of Port Moresby by sea, buying time and keeping open the northern sea lanes, and it made possible the successful defence of the Kokoda Track and the eventual recapture of New Guinea.

Ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle Plato, is credited with saying, ‘Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything’. Each of the graduates here today has already shown that they have ‘what it takes’ to succeed— determination, perseverance, and a high level of demonstrated skill; and I hope that each of you realise your dreams, hopes and aspirations. Good luck, and thank you.

THE BATTLE The Battle of the Coral Sea was one of the major air and naval engagement of World War II. It was also the first naval engagement in history in which two fleets clashed,

but neither fleet saw each other—it was fought entirely with aircraft. Australia’s part in the battle consisted of the heavy cruiser, HMAS AUSTRALIA, the light cruiser HMAS HOBART, and aircraft flown from bases in Queensland by both Australian and American crews.

seamen on the heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA and the light cruiser HOBART played a very significant role in ensuring Japanese ships did not exit the Jombard Passage towards Moresby. Their presence in this area was important in influencing the decision by the Japanese Commander to turn back the Moresby landing force.

In late April 1942, US Intelligence detected a major Japanese flotilla heading toward the Coral Sea. The Japanese codename for the flotilla was Operation MO. Its objective was the invasion of the small but strategically important, Papuan town of Port Moresby. Admiral Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet, responded by deploying his two available carrier groups. Rear Admiral Fitch, commander of Task Force (TF) 11 embarked in USS LEXINGTON, was ordered to sail and join Rear Admiral Fletcher's TF17, which was centred on the USS YORKTOWN in the Coral Sea. TF44 was deployed from the south under the command of Rear Admiral John Crace RN. This combined force, under the command of Rear Admiral Fletcher, was designated TF17.

CONCLUSION Tactically the Battle of the Coral Sea was pretty much a draw, but strategically it was an Allied victory as the Japanese Port Moresby invasion force—scheduled to land on 10 May—was ordered to turn back. And although both fleets withdrew simultaneously from the engagement, crucially, the Japanese had two vital fleet carriers too badly damaged to be available for the decisive Battle of Midway one month later. Had all the Japanese carriers been present at Midway, the chance of American victory would have been greatly reduced, with incalculable consequences for the war in the Pacific. In essence, the Battle of the Coral Sea was the indispensable prelude to success at Midway. It meant the end of Japanese expansion southward and made it largely impossible for Japan to adequately sustain its existing forces in the Pacific. Japan could never again threaten Australia and New Zealand with blockade or invasion, and the vital sea routes to the United States and the United Kingdom remained open. Australia was not to be an imprisoned continent, but a productive and critical launching pad for future victory in the Pacific.

For the purpose of my short address I will focus TF44 which comprised HMAS AUSTRALIA (flagship), HMAS HOBART and USS CHICAGO supported by the destroyers USS PERKINS and WALKE. Early on the morning of 7 May, Admiral Fletcher split his force by detaching TF44 to cover the Jomard Passage and intercept the Japanese invasion force: this was an extremely risky decision and perhaps the most important in the entire battle. For not only did Admiral Fletcher weaken his own air defences; but he also exposed Admiral Crace’s ships to the possibility of air attack without hope of fighter protection, as had occurred five months earlier with disastrous consequences when Her Majesty’s Ships PRINCE OF WALES and REPULSE were sunk by 86 Japanese aircraft.

Our success during the Battle of the Coral Sea came at great cost:

TF44 arrived off the Jomard Passage, near the Louisiade Islands, at about 2 pm on 7 May: this was the sea route through which the Japanese force was headed towards Port Moresby. Due to the major air threat that faced the cruisers, Admiral Crace ordered his ships to take up an anti-aircraft diamond formation. Japanese aircraft were sighted at about 3 pm. Admiral Crace ordered his Task Force to alter course so that the ships were heading directly towards the oncoming aircraft. In an attempt to make as difficult a target as possible each of the ships commenced evasive manoeuvring. This presented the narrowest possible target for the torpedoes launched by the Japanese aircraft, all of which, thankfully, missed. After releasing their torpedoes the aircraft strafed the ships and a number of sailors were injured. Admiral Crace’s Task Force then faced another wave of aircraft attack from high level bombers, which seemed to single out HMAS AUSTRALIA. Fortunately, the bombing attack proved to be ineffective. The skilful ship handling of Admiral Crace and his commanding officers also contributed to the safety of the ships.

•

one of the American carriers was destroyed and one was badly damaged,

•

one oiler and one destroyer both sank,

•

66 aircraft were lost, and

•

more than 543 allied sailors and airmen were killed or wounded.

Today, we remember with thanks and pride the courage shown and the sacrifices made during the Battle of the Coral Sea. We shall never forget.

While the brunt of the battle was fought in other areas of the Coral Sea by US servicemen, TF44 including the Australian

THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT ON PARADE IN EDEN 2009

SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP BEAT TO QUARTERS IN HMAS DARWIN 2009

SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP PERFORMING AT A CAMBODIAN ORPHANAGE 2009

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 15 OF 12 DECEMBER 2009

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP EMBARKED IN HMAS DARWIN PLAYING DURING PROCEDURE ALPHA SAILING OUT OF SYDNEY HARBOUR

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN TRACY KENNEDY

Earlier this year I was given the opportunity to turn my hand to the Public Relations role in the Director’s office. My first feeling was that of disbelief that I could even do the job, especially when the shoes of Leading Seaman Esa Douglas were quite a feat to fill. As the year went on I started to get a feel for what the job was all about.

CONTENTS FROM THE PR DESK

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

One of my first projects was assisting new applicants through their recruiting process, which as we know is quite a difficult one. I found that keeping in contact with them through the entire process gave them a sense of belonging to our organisation even before they joined. Next year we are hopefully welcoming six new members to the permanent detachments. We also now have a generic email account (navy.band@defence.gov.au). This new address allows us to keep the same account no matter who is in the position. It’s proving to work very well.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

Recruiting certain instrumentalists has been quite a high priority this year. We advertised in a number of magazines like the Clarinet and Saxophone magazine and the Australian Music Examination Board newsletter that reaches over eight thousand music teachers and students.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

KIRSTY JONES AWARD

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND ASSOCIATION AWARD

NORTHERN TRIDENT 2009 (SECOND LEG)

SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP (HMAS DARWIN) 16 LIFE AS A RESERVE MUSICAN

LEADERSHIP ESSAY

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

who have now served at sea, as well as to the 20 who will deploy next year; and I wish them the best of good luck for a safe and positive experience at sea. There can be no doubt that, despite the ever-present budgetary challenges, we continue to deliver very effective and efficient services: I believe that our band has given Navy its best effort. I am also convinced that through our very experienced group of officers and senior sailors, we have delivered our people a very high level of professional care and support. I know that there is likely to be a mix of views on my assertion in relation to output and professional care; but I see the constant flow of requests for periods of absences from workplace duties that are supported by the senior leaders along with the volumes of letters of appreciation and positive feedback. So I can confidently state that we are doing our very best to balance the needs of one and other with the requirements of Navy.

As we come to the end of another busy six month period it is appropriate to reflect upon our achievements. It is evident, from the various articles in this edition of RAN Band News, that we have once again demonstrated our impressive capability (ashore and afloat) and excellence as an organisation that delivers high quality ceremonial, musical and public relations services to the Royal Australian Navy. During this period we welcomed back to Australia 12 musicians who were embarked in HMAS Sydney for Northern Trident and two of our people who were on exchange with Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Service. We embarked another six musicians in HMAS Darwin for a high profile series of port visits to Sea East Asia and deployed small technical teams to the Solomon Islands and East Timor.

Our band holds a strong position of trust and esteem within Navy, Defence and the wider community; and this has not been achieved by goodwill alone or the collective efforts of each detachment. In particular, I wish to acknowledge our four Lieutenant Band Officers who are moving to other positions within the band next year. Lieutenant Commander Paul Cottier is posting back to the Defence Force School of Music, Lieutenant Steven Stanke is moving to the Sydney detachment, Lieutenant Andrew Stokes is back to the Assistant Director’s position and Lieutenant Matthew Klohs is off to the Melbourne detachment. Each of them has provided forthright advice and feedback to me and fulfilled their responsibilities in a highly commendable and professional manner. They deserve our collective vote of thanks.

We also commenced a recording project (Our Soloists) that is intended to showcase our many superb specialists, and completed the studio recording phase for the next compact disc, All Hands on Deck: This recording, which features tracks from each detachment, is currently in the final stages of editing and should be available for release early next year. In and amongst all of these important tasks we managed to complete more than 200 missions throughout Australia reaching many thousands of people in a direct manner and hundreds of thousands through indirect media exposure. Our detachments visited numerous regional centres outside of their capital city locations; including, Albany in Western Australia, Cairns, Caloundra and Meandarra in Queensland, Darwin in the Northern Territory, Eden and Newcastle in New South Wales, Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, Morgan, Mt Gambier and Jamestown in South Australia, and Portland and Bendigo in Victoria.

To each and everyone; thank you for the valuable contribution that you make in telling the story of the Navy Band and continuing the band’s proud record of service to the nation. P.C. ANDERSON Lieutenant Commander, RAN Director of Music and Leader

I recently announced the names of the 17 musicians selected to form the Navy Band contingent for the Gallipoli Pilgrimage at Anzac Cove in 2010 and the 45 musicians who will participate in the Edinburg Military Tattoo in Sydney in February 2010. I was very please to be able to include a mix of permanent and reserve musicians in these key opportunities. I also announced the names of the 20 musicians earmarked for the Sea Deployment Group during 2010. These musicians will embark in HMA Ships Newcastle and Kanimbla for Exercise RIMPAC 2010, and will have a mix of additional roles including as members of the Ship’s Medical Emergency Teams and Flight Deck Teams. The musicians embarked in Newcastle will also visit Japan and Canada. I am acutely aware that these sea deployments are not high within the set of needs and aspiration of our people. However, the Sea Deployment Group continues to form a key component of our contribution to Navy and future as an organisation. I remain grateful to all of the musicians (80% of the permanent force)

THE IMAGE ON THE NEW MUSIC BACKING CARD BEING TRIALLED BY THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT

editions of our newsletters, the Serving in Harmony booklet and a recruiting video that I was asked to do a few months ago onboard HMAS Melbourne. Our intranet site has also attracted great interest with the last count of visitors to the site being six hundred and twenty seven over a three month period and over ninety thousand hits since it became active four years ago.

(Continued from page 1) The feedback we received from the advertisements so far has been quite positive. Over the past few months I have been gathering old historical documents, images, and music to put on our evergrowing website. I have been sent a lot of great things from Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron who located some pictures from HMAS Stalwart. Also of interest was an old song list and itinerary from 1973 like the ones pictured below.

I often receive emails and phone calls from members of the community that have heard our music on radio programs. In Melbourne, 3CR AM (a community station) plays a selection of songs every few weeks and apparently on Sunday and Monday nights they play some of the older recordings of the band dating back to the early 1970’s. I also receive lots of positive feedback from our regulars who attend our concerts; especially from the Band Call concerts at St Andrews Cathedral. All of the responses are extremely positive and tell how much our audiences enjoy listening and watching the band perform each month. It also gives me great pleasure to announce that the Royal Australian Navy Band is slowly shifting into the twenty first century with our move into Facebook™ and Twitter™. Next year, I will move back to the Sydney detachment continuing the upkeep of the website and creating a Facebook and Twitter page. Having these new pages will give us the opportunity to reach a broader audience. The pages will be used to advertise recruiting positions and concerts and educate the community and other defence personnel about Who We Are and What We Do. Over the last few months the Sydney detachment has been trialling the newly designed backing cards. The backing cards have been an ongoing project that will eventually see all of the old cards replaced in each detachment. The final product looks great and very professional and should last a long time. A large project that I will be working on over the next twelve months is transferring videos to DVD that have been taken over the years of different tours, concerts and deployments. The videos will be edited into short production items and form an important historical record of our achievements. The packages will be placed on our website and will also be included in our recruiting packs. There will be footage of the band performing in the Middle East deployments, various live-to-air broadcasts and new footage that I plan to take over the next few months. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Leading Seaman Esa Douglas for all of her assistance throughout the year. She has put up with many a phone call and email from me over the past year, and was always willing to help me with all of my ideas; however crazy they may have been! Thanks Esa.

If you have visited our website lately, you would probably notice that it is constantly changing. I have had the opportunity to create a good relationship with the webmasters in Canberra. They have been extremely helpful and have come up with great ideas on how we can reach more people on the web. Some of the new things now available for download on our website are all fourteen

Earlier this month I was given the opportunity to be involved in the welcome home ceremony for HMAS Toowoomba. When we arrived on the Sunday we were lucky enough to catch up with the Western Australian detachment in a Carols by Candlelight performance in Fremantle. The concert was very entertaining and everyone on stage

Seaman Belinda Parker who has been farewelled on Maternity leave. We also send all the best to Sublieutenant Brian O’Kane and Lieutenant Cassie Mohapp as they travel through their Officer training.

looked like they were having a great time. I especially enjoyed The Twelve Days of Christmas featuring the Mayor and Councillors of Fremantle; not great singers, but extremely entertaining. There would have been around four thousand people watching, and the Western Australian detachment did well to keep it such an entertaining performance. The ceremony the next day was quite a difficult and emotional one, with families and friends in tears as HMAS Toowoomba came alongside. I really enjoyed working with the Western Australian detachment. They are a great bunch of musicians, who always make me feel welcome and are extremely obliging to help with anything. My visit, although very short was made enjoyable by catching up with all of them.

After a well earned mid-year break the detachment was back into full swing and with over eighty engagements, sea deployments and benchmark recordings ahead, there was a great deal to prepare for. Straight off the bat five members were busy preparing to deploy as the technical crew for a Forces Entertainment tour to East Timor with rock legend Ian Moss. The team earned the high praise they received supporting four gigs in the five days of the deployment. August had us preparing for a recital at St Andrew’s Cathedral. Accepting an offer to conduct, Lieutenant Matt Klohs directed Morning Noon and Night Overture and a stirring rendition of Grainger’s Australian Up Country Tune. Another highlight of the concert was Able Seaman musicians Andrew Doyle and Alisha Coward’s performance of Mendelssohn’s Concert Piece for Clarinet and Basset Horn – yes basset horn (and he owns his own)!

It has certainly been a busy but rewarding year for me, I have learned a lot from my time in the Director’s office, and I am looking forward to the new projects for next year. It’s been great to see how the other side of our job works and it’s given me a new appreciation for singing, which I’m looking forward to getting back to in March next year. I hope you all have a great Christmas break and I look forward to another busy year in 2010.

Early in September we were back at St Andrew’s again where we farewelled Able Seaman Belinda Parker by performing a duet (with Leading Seaman Tracy Kennedy) from the musical Wicked. Later that month we were very pleased to welcome home HMAS Sydney from Operation Northern Trident, bringing home eight of a total of twelve musicians who deployed for this five-month trip around the globe. Bravo Zulu to Petty Officer Musician Brett Douglas and his team for bringing much credit to the Royal Australian Navy Band on the world stage.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

October was a very busy month with a Benchmark Recording for the Wind Orchestra; recitals at St Andrew’s Cathedral and Northside Baptist Church for the Concert Band; arrival and departure ceremonies for HMAS Ballarat and Stuart and Ceremonial Sunsets at HMAS Albatross and Penguin for the Ceremonial Ensemble; numerous dinners and functions for the smaller ensembles; and a tour to Eden to prepare for. Despite the heavy workload and little time for short leave, all ensembles performed very well. In particular, I would like to congratulate Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya and Andrew Doyle for their tireless efforts in ensuring the soloists recording was successful.

IN PERFORMANCE AT ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL DURING ONE OF THE ‘BAND CALL’ SERIES OF CONCERTS

It may have seemed like ‘business as usual’ for the Sydney detachment over the past six months, but what does this really mean? To me it means we have continued to supply high quality musical, ceremonial and public relations support to the Royal Australian Navy. Sometimes, when things are running so smoothly, the hard work and dedication of personnel can be taken for granted. Therefore I would like to thank every member of the detachment for their outstanding contribution to our product, which continues to attract much praise.

One of the best ways we can promote the Royal Australian Navy as a Navy renowned for excellence in service to the nation is regional tours. At the end of October we travelled to Eden to support the Eden Whale Festival. Eden is a stunning sea-side town on the New South Wales south coast with a rich whaling and fishing history. As is expected, when we travel to regional areas, we were very warmly received and were well looked after. The Admiral’s Own Jazz and Rock Groups warmed up the locals at a ball on the Friday night. The next morning we led a spectacular street parade through the main street before entertaining the crowds at the show-like festivities at the wharf. Before heading home on Sunday morning we

Over the past six months we welcomed aboard Able Seaman Anthony Frantz (Cornet) who graduated from Recruit School in October. Posting to HMAS Cerberus we thank and farewell Able Seaman Kirstin Hansch and Able Seaman Adam Arnold. Thanks and good luck to Able

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

supported a memorial service remembering the seafarers who lost their lives in the waters in and around Eden. November saw the return of Petty Officer Musician Mark Ham and his team after a three month deployment on HMAS Darwin. The success of this deployment was in no small way due to the outstanding leadership of Petty Officer Ham and the enthusiasm of the team – well done.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

November was also very busy with little rest time. The Concert Band performed at Burwood RSL for the Legacy Widows’ Club and at St Andrew’s Cathedral. The Ceremonial Ensemble supported Divisions and Ceremonial Sunset at HMAS Albatross and the Operation Catalyst welcome home parade at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The Admiral’s Own recorded for the ‘Full Steam Ahead’ CD and the smaller ensembles continued supporting numerous functions. To finish off the year, December had us travelling to HMAS Creswell for New Entry Officer Course Graduation Parade and then to HMAS Harman for Chief of Navy’s Christmas Reception and Ceremonial Sunset. And of course the year would not have been complete without ‘Carols on the Bay’ at HMAS Watson.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ON PARADE AT RECRUIT SCHOOL HMAS CERBERUS

As the end of 2009 rapidly approaches, we are all looking forward to the Christmas leave period after a very busy second half of the year. We look back on a very busy six months for the Melbourne detachment. After mid-year leave, late July saw the Corvettes Rock Group performing at the Combined Wardroom / Senior Sailors Mess Ball. A 50’s / 60’s Rock and Roll theme meant new suitable material was required, the pressure was on vocalist Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson (on six months continuous full time service) to learn a vast repertoire in a very short time frame. With our regular Bass Guitarist, Leading Seaman Lachlan MacFie joining HMAS Sydney for the second half of Operation Northern Trident this added another complication. Warrant Officer Class One Vaughan Grant, from the Australian Army Band Melbourne, came to our assistance and performed with the Corvettes. The night was a great success and I could not have been prouder of the efforts of the group learning so much new material.

Sometimes it seems the detachment is running on ‘autopilot’—they sound great, and it runs smoothly. Of course the success of our engagements is due to all members doing their bit. Whether it’s individual practice, sectional rehearsals or administration it’s pleasing to see all members of the detachment pitching in to ensure we can complete our mission. In particular I would like to send out a resounding Bravo Zulu to Chief Petty Officer Camille Martin. She not only has the detachment running like clockwork, but the marching display she designed for our ceremonial sunsets is outstanding. The movements are extremely entertaining and the music takes us on a fantastic historical journey. The display has attracted much praise with comments such as “That was the best marching display I have ever seen!” – well done Camille.

The beginning of August saw the Melbourne detachment travelling to Mount Gambier in support of the 150th Anniversary of the sinking of the Admella. The Admella was a three hundred and ninety five tonne vessel that sailed between Adelaide, Melbourne and Launceston. On the night of 5 August 1859, the Admella was blown onto Carpenters reef. Eighty nine people died and twenty four survived. The rescue of the survivors took a week to complete. The wreck of the Admella is one of Australia’s worst maritime disasters. After a long day of travel we arrived at Mount Gambier and attended a reception hosted by the Mount Gambier Naval Association. Saturday morning started with a street march through the city followed by performances from the Corvettes Big Band and Rock Group in the Cave Gardens. The day concluded with a formal concert featuring the Concert Band and Corvettes Big Band at the Robert Helpman Theatre. The concert gave the descendants of those lost on the Admella time to reflect. The concert was a great success performed to a

As in previous editions of the newsletter, it is important to acknowledge the significant contribution made by The Admiral’s Own and the Commodores. These ensembles continue to go from strength to strength and incite much praise wherever they perform. This time of year is usually a good opportunity to thank members of the detachment for their contribution throughout the year. Additionally, as I hand over the reins to Lieutenant Steven Stanke, I would like to take this opportunity to send out a big thank you to all who have contributed to the wonderful success the Sydney detachment has enjoyed over the last three years during my time as Music Director. A merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to all

very appreciative audience. I would like to thank Able Seaman Steve Foxe from the New South Wales detachment for assisting us on double bass and bass guitar. Thank you Steve, your contribution was greatly appreciated. Also assisting the Melbourne detachment in their travel to Mount Gambier was Chief Petty Officer Dave Hardstaff and Chief Petty Officer Dennis Holland. To you both thank you for your assistance and company and we look forward to working with you again in the near future. In mid August saw us welcome back Leading Seaman Jason Campbell and Able Seaman Andrew Hansch who returned from the first half of Operation Northern Trident onboard HMAS Sydney. Immediately on his return, Jason was thrown into the deep end and was required to perform on bass guitar with the Corvettes Rock Group at Training Ship Bendigo’s Debutante Ball. The Naval Cadets had a fantastic night and appreciated the music. The end of August saw the Melbourne detachment back on the road and heading west to Portland to support the Portland Base Hospital Fundraiser Ball. The enthusiastic eight hundred guests enjoyed the sounds from the Corvettes Jazz, Rock and Big Bands. All proceeds were used to assist in raising funds for a new heart machine for the hospital. The detachment was joined by Leading Seaman Richard Armstrong on bass guitar. Richard is a reservist originally from the Tasmanian detachment. He is currently working with Defence as a public servant in Canberra: thank you Richard.

ABLE SEAMAN HUTCHINSON PERFORMING AT “SOUNDWAVES CONCERT”

October 3 saw the Melbourne detachment at the opening of the newly renovated Sandringham Yacht Club. The detachment entertained the large crowd prior to the club being opened by the Governor of Victoria, the Parade Band supplying suitable naval repertoire followed by the Corvettes Rock Band entertaining the remaining guests to complete a successful day. The following day we supported the Peninsula National Serviceman’s Associations annual march and service which is held at St Marks Chapel at HMAS Cerberus.

Early September saw the detachment at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance to commemorate the Battle of Australia. This event has grown significantly over the years with approximately eight hundred school students attending. The following day saw the Pipe the Side Brass Quintet and Corvettes Jazz Group performing at Government House for Investitures. Next in the calendar was our monthly “Sound Waves” Concert in our complex at HMAS Cerberus. These concerts remain very popular and give the detachment the opportunity to perform more serious concert works.

On October 7 HMAS Cerberus was granted Freedom of Entry into the city of Mornington. It was a spectacular sight as we lead approximately three hundred sailors from HMAS Cerberus through the streets of Mornington. The next day saw the Concert Band perform a formal concert at the Great Hall at the Victorian Art Gallery. The concert was in support of Senior Citizens week and we performed to an appreciative audience of around eight hundred enthusiastic seniors. The week concluded with the Corvettes Jazz Group flying to Sydney to perform at a Maritime Conference in Newcastle.

September 18 was a busy day starting off with the detachment supporting HMAS Cerberus Divisions. On completion the Corvettes Jazz and Rock Groups headed for the Docklands Melbourne, in support of the Motor Neurone Charity Ball. The night was supported by many entertainers including Wilbur Wilde, John Blackman and Eric Goblet who all gave their time free in support of this worthy cause. An appreciative audience of around six hundred enjoyed a very entertaining evening. We finished the month off with the Corvettes Rock Band performing on two days of the Royal Melbourne Show. This is a high profile commitment and exposes the Navy to a large and varied cross section of the community.

October 18 was a busy day for the detachment with the Corvettes Rock Group performing at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - Walk to Cure Diabetes to an attending audience of ten thousand. The day started out overcast and turned out fine to allow a very receptive audience to be entertained by a fine performance from our Rock Group. The remainder of the band performed at St Paul’s Cathedral for the annual Seafarers Service. This was also a busy period with school concerts and the Corvettes Big Band performing in Collins Place in the City promoting the up and coming HMAS Cerberus Open Day.

The end of September saw the departure of Able Seaman Leonie Bradford (flute), from the Western Australian detachment. Leonie spent six months with us doing “On Job Training”. Thank you Leonie, I sincerely hope you enjoyed your time with the Melbourne detachment and we wish you well in your future endeavours.

The following week I was admitted to hospital with illness and at short notice Lieutenant Matthew Klohs came to the

professionalism, loyalty and commitment and I wish you all every success for the future. To all the friends of the detachment and my management team, I thank you for your continued support. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2010.

rescue, taking charge of the detachment. Matthew’s first commitment was a “Sound Waves” concert in our Band Complex. Featuring the music of Bricusse and Newly and the vocals from Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson Somewhere over the Rainbow and Able Seaman Greg Smith’s excellent arrangement of The Candyman. October ended with the detachment supporting Open Day at HMAS Cerberus with performances from many of our ensembles with the day concluding with a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

The end of October saw us welcome back newly promoted Leading Seaman Yoshi Izumi, Able Seaman Rachael Summers and Able Seaman Russell Ward from Operation Northern Trident onboard HMAS Sydney. It was great to get our detachment back to full strength. As you can imagine losing five musicians for such a long period of time leaves a huge void in our detachment. To all those who performed extra duties during this period, I thank each and every one of you. We also welcomed Able Seaman Adam Arnold (tuba) who posted into the detachment after being in Europe whilst on a period of Leave Without Pay. Welcome Adam, I hope you enjoy your posting.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE

The month of November began with the Corvettes Rock Group successfully supporting the Children’s Festival at Werribee. This was followed with a performance by the Concert Band and Corvettes Big Band at the BMW Edge concert venue at Federation Square. This prestigious venue provided a breath taking ambience for the Concert Band to impress a very appreciative audience: this is certainly a venue we will be returning to in the future. The following week saw the Melbourne detachment supporting a reception which concluded with a Ceremonial Sunset onboard HMAS Melbourne. After our monthly Recruit School Graduation, Lieutenant Klohs returned to Sydney and his position in the Director of Music’s office. I would like to thank Lieutenant Klohs for assisting me at such short notice. I hope he enjoyed his posting to the Melbourne detachment especially having a small taste of what is to follow for him next year.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT PERFORMING AT AVALON

The New South Wales detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band has had a few significant changes this year with the change of Bandmaster. Sublieutenant Brian O’Kane left the New South Wales detachment at the end of October after being successful in his transfer to the dark side, changing over to an Officer in the Royal Australian Navy. Sublieutenant O’Kane will be attending the 2010 Band Officer Course at the Defence Force School of Music; we wish him the best of luck and know that he will be successful in this endeavour. It is my pleasure to be appointed as Bandmaster of the New South Wales detachment. I would like to thank Sublieutenant O’Kane for all his patience and time in giving me a thorough handover into this position, it has made my transition a smooth one. I would also like to thank the members of the New South Wales detachment for their warm and friendly guidance in welcoming me into my new role as Bandmaster. You are a great team and a joy to work with.

Bandmaster Chief Petty Officer Mike Vaughan took the helm and was placed in charge of the Melbourne Detachment in my absence. During that time the detachment faced a week of recording for the upcoming Compact Disc “Full Steam Ahead”. This was followed by two weeks of School Concerts and our “Sound Waves” Concert for November. After a month out of action I have returned and ready for the dash to Christmas. December will see the Melbourne detachment performing at the Senior Sailors Mess and Wardroom Balls and our final “Sound Waves” Concert for the year. Also of importance is a visit to HMAS Cerberus by the Governor General for the Navy Engineers (RMIT) Graduation Parade and Divisions. Another commitment of significance is Carols by Candlelight at Albert Park Lake and RMIT Graduation at Etihad Stadium to finish off the year.

New South Wales detachment is slowly winding down from a busy year. The Mess Band has been particularly busy with Victory in the Pacific day service and luncheon at Avalon, Sydney/Emden mess dinners at HMAS Kuttabul and HMAS Watson at their respective Wardrooms. Throughout the year the Mess Band has performed a selection of music that always receives a hearty applause and brings a smile to all. Avalon RSL members and their guests showed off their dancing prowess and were especially entertained by the tunes of Sinatra in Concert. Members of the detachment were given lunch and seated amongst the guests to enable them to mingle with the RSL members and their guests. This proved to be a very

The end of the year marks my posting to the Defence Force School of Music. I feel honoured to have been given the privilege of leading the Melbourne detachment for the past two years. I would like to thank all members for your

Stapleton and Sublieutenant Brian O’Kane as the previous bandmasters. I am looking forward to input from all the members to make the end product something of which we can all have ownership of and be proud of.

successful day and I believe the musicians and the members of the RSL were equally thrilled to exchange experiences and stories. The Jazz Ensemble performed at the Garden Island Heritage Centre for the Senior Sailor and Officers Spring Cocktail Party on Thursday the 22 October. The harbour made a beautiful backdrop for members and their guests who enjoyed the ambience of the evening.

On behalf of all the members of the New South Wales detachment I would like to wish you all a safe and pleasant Christmas break and look forward to seeing you in 2010.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

A special mention must be made regarding Able Seaman Terry McCleary who has contributed significantly throughout the year with his bugling efforts in and around Sydney. He is highly regarded in the civilian community for his bugle calls and has performed at several church services including at Garden Island, at Avalon RSL, and for Remembrance Day. Well done Terry and thankyou for you professionalism and commitment.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

Congratulations to Leading Seaman Chris Perritt for receiving the Distance Learning – Australian Navy Reserve and Army Reserve - Section Leaders Course for training year 2008/ 2009. This award is donated by the Defence Reserves Association (Victoria) and is presented to the most outstanding student of the Distance Learning Section Leader Course for Royal Australian Navy and Army Reserves, in respect of leadership ability, musical proficiency, personal qualities and potential for advancement in the Defence Force. Unfortunately we will be saying farewell to Chris at the end of the year; due to work commitments he will be moving to Western Australia and will be transferring to the Western Australia detachment. I know Chief Petty Officer Gabe Kicsak is looking forward to having a new member of the team and I am sure Chris will be made very welcome by the friendly bunch of musicians over there. I have enjoyed working with you and wish you and your family all the very best.

THE QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT AT SOUTH BANK

After a whirlwind and rewarding first six months in sunny Brisbane I was looking forward to seeing what the next six months had to offer! How quickly the end of the year has now come around with only two more concerts for the Queensland detachment until the end of the year!

A big thank you must go out to all of the Sydney detachment members who have assisted us throughout the year. They have filled a number of musical shortfalls with enthusiasm and professionalism which has really added to the overall high quality expected. Leading Seaman Tracy Kennedy has done an excellent job with the recruiting and the audition process with a number of auditions being held throughout the year, including a successful applicant Miss Moon Sun Song who plays classical piano. We look forward to her working with us in the near future. There are a number of shortfalls which we hope to fill in due time. We welcome to the New South Wales detachment Able Seaman Troy Ottens who transferred from the Sydney detachment: it is great to have such a fine musician come onboard.

June saw a number of commitments, including the Reserve Forces day march and dinner dance, and the RSL state congress. The RSL state congress dinner was the most interesting as it was staged at the new Maroochydore RSL with over four hundred attendees. The new venue at that stage did not hold complete licensing, this meant we had to play in a certain corner of the room and keep the noise below ninety decibels! Given these difficult circumstances the performance received an outstanding reception with a standing ovation and a pocket full of business cards with numerous requests for future commitments! It was also uplifting to have the Queensland detachment drowned out by the audience joining in with I Am Australian, and a hearty sing along to Waltzing Matilda!

As the new Bandmaster for the New South Wales detachment I am looking forward to the new challenges that this position will bring. My goal is to expand the detachment’s repertoire and plan on generating a high energy bracket that will add a ‘wow’ factor for future performances. There is a firm foundation already in place thanks to the good work of Chief Petty Officer Andrew

July was another busy month with travel to some far reaching rural places - Wondai for a street march and Meandarra for a weekend. Meandarra was an eye opening trip as it was a five hour bumpy coach ride west of Brisbane. We were there for the hundred year anniversary of the town, a hundred and fifty year anniversary of the state of Queensland and the opening of a landmark ANZAC

new experience as we sat in the sand on a fake beach and provided incidental music - only in Queensland! We rounded the month off supporting the 816 Squadron Freedom of Entry parade through Caloundra. This event is always strongly supported by the community with the helicopter take off being a highlight. The detachment was pleased to be presented with a plaque of appreciation from the Squadron that cements our already strong ties.

War museum which housed an impressive collection of tanks, planes and memorabilia. It never ceases to amaze me the places that the Navy takes me, and Meandarra was no different, the scenery was flat, flat, flat fields as far as the eye could see and the straight road seemed to never end! In August the Queensland detachment was privileged to be the entertainment for the RSL Girl in a Million finale, which in fact was the last year the event will be run. It was encouraging to see all the girls achieve their fundraising goals and frock up for a good night. Likewise, the week after with the Lords Mayor’s Trust Fundraising Ball, where we were in the company of an enthusiastic crowd with a packed dance floor!

As a result of a request from our previous performance at the RSL State Congress, the Queensland detachment supported the Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch Remembrance Day Dinner in November. Again I am Australian and Waltzing Matilda were crowd favourites along with Heart of Oak, A Life on the Ocean Wave and a rendition of the Naval Hymn performed by Able Seaman Gemma Tilly. To round off the year the detachment has just completed recordings for the ‘Full Steam Ahead’ CD and will provide entertainment for the 2HSB Christmas Ball.

September was off to a good start with our first gig being the Defence Ball. With over five hundred tickets sold and sound and lighting provided we were looking forward to a great night. The Army Band started off with a concert and jazz group and we rounded the night out till 1am with stage band and rock group sets. We backed this up with the Seafarers Memorial Service in the morning the day after and a set in the afternoon at the Wynnum-Manly Jazz Festival. Although it made it a demanding weekend, the father’s day gig was well worth it as the sunshine state turned on some of its best weather and the detachment had many friends and family attend for support. As Petty Officer Daniel Blackmore stated ‘this one is for all the fathers out there’. The Queensland detachment’s small groups also had a busy month with the Brass Quintet supporting the Governor for the Investitures and a Mess Dinner for the Legal Officers. The Guitar/Vocal Duo also provided entertainment for the Pyjama Foundations Charity cocktail party onboard HMAS Parramatta, which was an interesting and worthwhile night. Some members in the group were offered the opportunity to support the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra organised through Petty Officer Nina Bryer. Whilst we were hit with severe dust storms, the show went on and the night ended with the 1812 Overture complete with cannons and an impressive five trombones, six french horns, six trumpets and two tubas thanks to the inclusion of our members.

It is without a doubt that next year will again be an interesting and challenging year. Leading Seaman Dave Coit will be joining the Sydney detachment as a trumpet player for six months on continuous full time service. We are also looking forward to the opportunities that have been provided to members to support the Sydney detachment for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Gallipoli Pilgrimage. So, for another six months, farewell and safe tidings for the festive season from Queensland…beautiful one day, perfect the next.

October was one of our busiest months with the Cairns and Brisbane Navy week. A number of members spent a week in Cairns supported by Able Seaman Melanie Wilkinson, Able Seaman Simon Bartlett and Leading Seaman Martyn Hancock from the Sydney detachment. The week was filled with rock group and stage band groups performing in the mall and parks, sunset ceremonies and finished off with a well attended open day. Likewise the HMAS Newcastle Open Day in Brisbane was exceptionally well attended with over three thousand people through the gate. Entertainment was provided on the dock from the Guitar/Vocal duo. There was also a beat to quarters and ceremonial sunset in the city that was supported by over fifty of the Federation Guard. We had the pleasure of opening the new King George Square in Brisbane - and the detachment is looking forward to moving back to this landmark venue for our ceremonial sunsets as it is a much bigger space! We were pleased to support the launch of the Navy sponsored Queensland leg of the Surf Boat Series. Again the Navy provided me with a

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ON PARADE IN MEANDARRA

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

Following the South Australian detachment’s successful inaugural assistance at the Investiture ceremony earlier this year, the detachment’s saxophone quartet again supported the Investiture Ceremony at Government House. Petty Officer Rory McKinnon, Leading Seaman Luke Townsend, Able Seaman Mat Robinson and I formed the quartet. The Governor of South Australia, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce (RTD) was pleased to have the Royal Australian Navy Band support the ceremonies once again. He was amazed when we invoked memories of English comedian Benny Hill as we played Yakety Sax.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

Navy Week was soon upon us, and most members of the detachment juggled shifts and leave from their civilian employers to make themselves available for two weeks of busy rehearsals before Navy week. The enthusiasm and high level of dedication and commitment shown by the reserve musicians continues to impress me. Navy Week commenced with an opportunity to travel three hundred kilometres north of Adelaide to Jamestown to support the town’s bi-annual air show. The detachment performed at the official dinner and at the air show which was attended by up to ten thousand people. Travelling with the detachment was the South Australian team for the Navy Community Engagement Scheme. The team carried a Navy RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat), which formed a perfect naval back drop during the detachment’s performances. The large crowd enjoyed the entertainment provided and took advantage of the Navy Community Engagement Scheme team presence by looking over the RHIB and fielding many questions about the Royal Australian Navy.

LEADING SEAMAN ATKINSON, ABLE SEAMAN GRYNCHUK, ABLE SEAMAN MARKOV, PETTY OFFICER TSCHIRN, ABLE SEAMAN HICKEY, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANTONOFF, LEADING SEAMAN WALKER, ABLE SEAMAN ROBINSON AT THE JAMESTOWN AIRSHOW

The South Australian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band continued the busy schedule and pace set in the first half of 2009. Navy Week kept us very busy and during the month we had an opportunity to travel to the regional areas of South Australia. We stopped in at Jamestown, which is a little north of the famous Clare Valley wine district and Morgan situated on the Murray River three hundred kilometres North of Adelaide. No doubt, the busy schedule throughout the year contributed somewhat to what seems to have been an extremely quick year.

The detachment performed daily in the city of Adelaide with a spell on the Wednesday when we changed tack a little to do a workshop and perform to a very enthusiastic group of students and teachers at the Tabor Christian College. The response by the school was huge, and was easily the performance of the week. The music students who participated in the work shop and later performed the rehearsed music were thrilled with the opportunity to work with a professional band and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The annual Vietnam Veterans ‘Long Tan’ day memorial service and entertainment took place during August at Adelaide’s historical Torrens Parade Ground. The weather can be unpredictable at this time of the year but as luck would have it turned out perfect and the Vietnam Veterans, their families and friends were out in force. The detachment performed for an hour before being joined by Michael Bates for six charts including, You Raise Me Up and Wonderful World. Michael Bates’ sister Nicole was a member of the detachment several years ago but of note is his success in the 2008 World Karaoke Championship held in Denmark where he won first place.

Navy Week’s final day saw the detachment performing for HMAS Parramatta’s open day at Dock 2 in Port Adelaide to an estimated four thousand people and a final performance at the Navy Week church service at Christ Church in North Adelaide to a congregation of around three hundred people. Buglers provided support to various memorial services and included a request by Mr John Schnaars, President Indigenous War Graves, for a catafalque party and a bugler (Leading Seaman Musician Joel Walker) to perform at a service held at Cheltenham cemetery for Joseph John Egan who did three tours of Vietnam. Former soldier, Geoff Cooper who attended the service said “Mate, the service was magnificent. The catafalque party and bugler provided by the Senior Service were so professional. The family and those attended wanted to thank each of them personally but they had to get back to work. We as a family were honoured by their presence and as a Pongo, mate... they

Petty Officer Musician Daniel Hobson and Able Seaman Musician Ross Chapman flew in to Adelaide to record the detachment’s contribution to the ‘Full Steam Ahead’ recording project. The recording’s will incorporate the Admiral’s Own, The Corvettes and the Scrap Iron Flotilla and will be ready for release in May 2010. The recording session was a good experience for the musicians and afforded the opportunity to work again with Able Seaman Ross Chapman who started his naval career as a musician in the South Australian detachment.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

were bloody magic. The bugler was very good, for us old service people, you know when the thing is played right... a tear springs to the eyes...” Other commitments included 92 Wing’s 70th anniversaries at RAAF Edinburgh, Remembrance Day Services and an RSL Anniversary.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

Yet to come to finish the year off, is the Operation Catalyst march for myself in Canberra alongside other members of the Royal Australian Navy Band who deployed to the Middle East, the Defence Force Reserve Support Council Employee Awards and an overnight trip to Morgan on the Murray River to participate in the 150th anniversary of the Mount Bryant expeditions. We welcome to the fold, Recruit Musician Siobhan Finney. A very competent saxophonist, Siobhan is studying Medical Science at Adelaide University. Siobhan has fitted in well and is a welcome addition to the South Australian detachment.

ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR FUNDRAISING CONCERT IN ALBANY WITH LEADING SEAMAN NIGEL BARRETT AND ABLE SEAMAN BEN CONNEALLY IN PICTURE

Opportunities to reserve musicians for a sea change and an opportunity to work with their permanent detachment counterparts have continued to the delight of Leading Seaman Musician Guy McRedmond and Able Seaman Musician Andrew McDonald who have been on Continuous Full Time Service for the period July to December 2009.

Once again the year is ending and it is time to reflect on what the Western Australian detachment has achieved during the past six months. July saw the arrival of HMAS Warramunga back from Operation Catalyst. These commitments are always a pleasure to do as we celebrate the arrival and achievements of the ship’s company during their long deployment. There always seems to be a wedding proposal and first glimpses of a child born during their time away. The best part of being involved in the ceremony is seeing the families welcoming back their loved ones after so many months away.

Enjoy your well earned respite over the festive season. Best wishes for a merry Christmas from all of us here in sunny and currently, a very hot South Australia.

The detachment travelled to Albany in August to fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. On the Thursday night we conducted workshops with the local High Schools and prepared for a concert later in the week. Due to the local media promoting the concert, the venue sold out! Later that month we headed to the Royal Australian Air Force base in Pearce for their annual Winter Ball. As usual, a large number of visitors and mess members attended and a good time was had by all. The month ended with our buglers attending a number of memorial services for the Battle of Long Tan. SOUTH AUSTRALIA DETACHMENT WITH STUDENTS FROM TABOR CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

During September the number of commitments seemed to increase quite quickly, buglers were once again involved in many memorial services, particularly for the Battle for Australia. Later in the month the Stage Band entertained the Chilean Embassy at a fundraising ball. The night began with the National Anthems, and as this was the first time many of the Chilean’s had heard their anthem played live in Australia the performance was greeted with loud applause. Maritime Day was a new concert for the detachment this year. The Dixie group and jazz ensemble provided the background music for the evening’s segment; hopefully it becomes a yearly performance for the detachment. The month ended with two performances at the Royal show;

which was a feat within itself! We performed whilst they set up other acts around us. We had to dodge ramps, tractors, and everything else they put in our way. Over all, the parade band performed well to overcome these obstacles and they were well received by the audience.

We have been actively recruiting throughout the year, and would like to welcome Jennifer Stevens to the detachment as our woodwind specialist. Currently, there are five new recruits waiting to go to Recruit School on 18 January 2010. We will be expecting to see them to join us by the end of February, which will put us close to full strength.

The highlight for October was the Doig Medal Presentation for the Fremantle Dockers. HMAS Stirling and the Fremantle Ports have a long association and this was a fitting way for Navy to support the region. About eleven hundred people were in attendance and we were still getting compliments as we were packing the truck at the end of the night. The end of the month saw us performing at the Royal Marines Luncheon at the Parmelia Hotel. The Jazz ensemble did a great job at this as it was in a smaller venue than in previous years.

Lastly I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas on behalf of the Western Australian detachment. We look forward to keeping you up to date with our achievements and to promote Navy whenever we can. See you on the counter-march.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PETER SIGGS

As the weather is getting warmer, it is now the run up to the silly season. The detachment started the month with the Dixie Band working for the first few commitments. Firstly we started with the US Marine Corps’ 234th Birthday held at the Royal Australian Air Force Association in Bull Creek. If you remember back two years, this is where we held our own 50th Anniversary for the detachment. The night was a success and further cemented our relationship with the United States. The Navy Cup held at Gloucester Park once again showcased the Dixie Band. Having a mobile group saw us playing at a number of various locations throughout the night. Buglers were once again busy with Submariners Memorial Service and the big one for the month, Remembrance Day. Usually all buglers attend these services. December is the time to play carols. This year is the inaugural performance for the City of Fremantle Christmas Carols. The council is already advertising this as a big event and are expecting around four thousand people to attend. We are also teaming up with Beaconsfield Primary School and Christian Brothers College; they will be providing a fifty piece choir and extra musicians for the carols. The next day, we will be welcoming back HMAS Toowoomba from Operation Slipper, which will be a great day for family and friends waiting on the wharf. The last commitment for the year is Christmas carols on Rottnest Island. This is always a successful event and a great way for us to finish the year.

THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT PERFORMING FOR DUGONG OPEN DAY

The second half of 2009 has been a very productive period for the Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. With various ships from both our Navy and overseas visiting Hobart, the operational tempo of the detachment has been quite vigorous. Including the arrival of several minor war vessels for Operation Dugong, ship visits seem to be the theme here in Tasmania. As is always the case in Tasmania, performing during winter can be quite a challenge; therefore, most activities begin around late August into early spring. However, we were able to perform for a reception welcoming home members from Dive Team Ten on 28 July 2009. Several members from the dive team (all reservists) participated in explosive clearance activities at Solomon Islands June/July as part of a larger operation with other dive teams from around Australia. This event highlighted the importance of the reserve community assisting in operational deployments. As part of the reserve community in Tasmania this detachment was well received and many thanks were given from all who attended. Continuing throughout the latter half of the year, we had a visit from the Chief of Navy which began with a plaque dedication service at ANZAC Park in Lindisfarne. Local RSL members have established quite a significant array of

WESTERN AUSTRALIA DETACHMENT PERFORMING AT FREMANTLE CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

very rewarding in the same instance. This made contact with the ship later in the week, during Remembrance Day, quite easy not just for the Tasmanian detachment also for members from Navy Head Quarters Tasmania as we believe that our contact with them established a closer relationship. Once FNS Vendemiare had left, the Tasmanian detachment changed course and headed south for the Huon Agricultural Show, on 14 November. One of the last real country shows it was a worthwhile experience and with the level of defence attendance with Defence Force Recruiting and Navy Community Engagement Program we believe a positive message was sent to show attendees about the Royal Australian Navy. Defence Force Recruiting stated that they received many contacts for recruitment and the general feeling is the positive nature of our performances always aid with their goals.

ship dedications throughout ANZAC Park with a specific Navy area that is setup in a fashion to allow for Navy specific commemoration services to be held. Following the dedication the detachment took part in a reception on board HMAS Newcastle. After the reception the Chief of Navy addressed the detachment and briefly spoke of New Generation Navy. The general consensus was that the Tasmanian detachment has always been working towards what is now known as signature behaviours and that now it is being established as a part of the greater navy is welcoming. One of the most stressful occasions this detachment has had to face is the recordings, which was next on the agenda. Although intense, everyone put in one hundred percent and the professionalism of Able Seaman Ross Chapman and Leading Seaman Rob Flynn aided in what we’re sure will be an outstanding product. Now on to ship visits: firstly, already programmed into the Fleet Activity Schedule, was HMAS Newcastle’s visit to Hobart in September. This also included a visit from Chief of Navy and subsequently a short notice reception aboard HMAS Newcastle. The members of the detachment were, however, able to accommodate despite the short notice. October would have to be considered the busiest month of the year to date with the inclusion of Operation Dugong which involved dive teams from around Australia as well as a salvage dive team from the Unites States Navy. Additionally HMA Ships Huon and Diamantina along with other support vessels assisted in diving and survey activities throughout the area. This culminated with an open day on 24 October with diving displays, ships open to the public and of course performances by the Tasmanian detachment. However, this event was preceded by the Tulips festival (Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens on 4 October), the Quiberon Association reunion (Royal Tasmanian Yacht Club on 10 October) followed by a memorial service for them the following day and the annual Seafarers Memorial at Triabunna on 18 October. Although this level of activity may not seem intense to our permanent counterparts, for reservists who work throughout the week, to have every weekend taken up with Navy activities highlights the dedication that our reservists display towards our mission and goals.

SEAMAN SAM MOLE PERFORMING ON BOARD FNS VENDEMIAIRE

Lastly for the year we had one more memorial service, HMAS Sydney on 15 November, and the annual Anglesea Barracks Christmas carols on 4 December. Although these were the last commitments for the year, the detachment underwent a team development weekend, on the last weekend in November, under the guidance of Professor Ian Snape from the Australian Antarctic Division. Professor Snape has had many years of experience taking expeditions to the Antarctic as well as the Arctic and has recently been able to take part in developing team and individual development strategies. As members of defence, he saw a kindred spirit amongst what his role is with the division and what ours is with Navy. We viewed this type of development as a process to implement Chief of Navy’s New Generation Navy signature behaviours, and to have Professor Snape’s services for free could be considered coincidence or good luck; however, not to be taken lightly. This level of training can come at considerable expense, so to have a relationship with the division by way of Chief Petty Officer Musician Greg Hince’s employment demonstrates the collaboration between reserve and civilian employment.

The next ship to visit our shores was not Australian, but French. FNS Vendemiaire is based in Noumea and is a regular visitor to Tasmania; however this was the first occasion that the detachment has had any involvement with the ship. Coinciding with our Monday night rehearsal was a reception on board FNS Vendemiaire which was probably one of the most enjoyable that we have had in Tasmania. The music was well received by all, particularly by the officers and sailors on board. Although a slight language barrier did present itself at the beginning, our performance, usually background at receptions, became more of a concert. Whilst the civilian guests congregated around the bar area the members of the ship congregated around the performing ensemble. This was a little unexpected; however

With the conclusion of the team development weekend and with only two more rehearsals remaining for the rest of the year we bid farewell and look forward to what will, I’m sure, be a busy and fruitful 2010. From all of us at the Tasmanian detachment may I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

KIRSTY JONES AWARD

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE

Three naval personnel have kept our reputation high on the advanced courses at Defence Force School of Music over the last six months. Petty officer Kara Williams posted in to the school in July as an Instructor and almost before she could unpack, took her place in the Assistant Band Leader course. This intense eight week course is designed to give Petty Officers and Sergeants the knowledge and skill to become, as the course name suggests, assistant band leaders and Petty Officer Williams, with her vast musical experience and multiple instrument skills, was a perfect candidate. Although she modestly professed some difficulty with public speaking (hard to believe, I know), this was one of the many skills in which she revealed, stepping up the concert microphone with ever increasing confidence. She also developed accomplished conducting and leadership skills and used her extensive arranging experience to her advantage in the harmony classes. Well done, Kara.

PETTY OFFICER LUCAS KENNEDY RECEIVING THE KIRSTY JONES AWARD FROM LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

Able Seaman Musician Svetlana Yaroslavskaya and Able Seaman Musician Natalie Urquhart attended the Section Leader course in October/November, taking those first hesitant steps toward leadership glory. Both developed their leadership skills significantly throughout the course and Able Seaman Yaroslavskaya achieved the Student of Merit Navy award. Congratulations to Svetlana and also to both for class contributions, personal development and sunny dispositions!

We were fortunate to have a visit from Christopher Seaman, Director of the Symphony Australia Conductor Development programme, who gave a Conducting Masterclass for the Band Officer and Assistant Band Leader Course. Petty Officer Williams drew special mention in Christopher's report for her skills and rapport with the band! More congratulations for Kara.

All members of the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band are eligible for the Kirsty Jones award with the recipient decided by the Senior Leadership Group. The award comprises a perpetual shield to be displayed in the winner’s detachment, a letter from the Director of Music, and a crystal plaque.

No news to report from the Distance Learning programme while the courses are suspended pending a restructuring of the training package. As reported last newsletter, Distance Learning training is being redeveloped to incorporate new standards and technological possibilities.

The 2009 recipient is Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy from the Sydney detachment.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND ASSOCIATION AWARD

After the summer break, Defence Force School of Music will resume training activities in February 2010 with the next Section Leader Course followed by a Group Leader course in April. I'm posting to Sydney in January 2010 to take on the responsibilities and challenges of Music Director of the Sydney Detachment and Defence Force School of Music welcomes Lieutenant Commander Paul Cottier back to the Senior Instructor’s chair. Many thanks go to Paul and the members of the Melbourne detachment for their valued assistance throughout the year.

The Royal Australian Navy Band Association (RANBA) Award is presented to a member of the Reserve component of the Royal Australian Navy Band who has been assessed as making an outstanding contribution towards the band’s operational effectiveness. The winner of this award is selected to specifically acknowledge their direct contribution to encouraging good morale within the team; promoting a positive workplace atmosphere; enhancing a sense of esprit-de-corps throughout the Royal Australian Navy Band;

and upholding Navy’s values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.

was truly magnificent; the Statue of Liberty and ceremonial tugboats set a colourful back drop for the rock band as we played through a variety of iconic Aussie hits on the fo’c’sle. The importance of our mission was soon apparent when guests from the United Nations Headquarters, Military officials, and various International Ambassadors were ushered aboard. Our first gig in New York City was the first of many high level cocktail parties and Beat to Quarters events during our part of the deployment. On day two, our friends from the United States Navy Band (Rhode Island) joined us for two sets of jazz and rock in the middle of Times Square. A memorable gig and one which has given us the opportunity to now claim that we have played a jazz gig in New York City. Most significantly, Able Seaman Chris Ellis performed the Last Post at a Ground Zero memorial, which was a very moving and solemn occasion.

All members of the Reserve component of the Royal Australian Navy Band are eligible for the RANBA Award with the winner decided by the Senior Leadership Group. The award comprises a perpetual shield to be displayed in the winner’s detachment, a letter from the Director of Music and a crystal plaque. The award was created to promote awareness of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association and to thank the Reserve component of the Royal Australian Navy Band for the assistance they have given the Association. The inaugural recipient is Chief Petty Officer Greg Hince from the Tasmanian detachment.

From New York City we travelled down the East coast, frequently stopping to provide a ceremonial platform for extending Australian diplomacy and trade. This was a busy leg of the band’s journey, however, we still found time to visit Washington DC whilst alongside at Baltimore and combined with the United States Navy Band at Norfolk Navy Base for a twilight concert on Virginia Beach. With multiple stops and only two or three night journeys between cities we soon began to tire and our wallets became considerably lighter, even given the generous exchange rate. Nonetheless, we maintained a constant vigil in the ship’s scullery and laundry and demonstrated the highest standards of signature behaviours in the performance of our ancillary duties.

NORTHERN TRIDENT (SECOND LEG) ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN PAUL PARNELL

IN TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK CITY WITH MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY BAND

As part of a crew change out half-way through Northern Trident 2009, I departed Sydney with Leading Seaman Lachlan Macfie, Able Seaman Chris Ellis and Able Seaman Volka Schoeler in company with around forty other sailor’s bound for Nova Scotia. While our C-130 Hercules transport was not what we had originally in mind, the five-day journey over the Pacific Ocean gave us ample time to bond with the new crew as we enjoyed leisurely stop-over’s in West Samoa, Hawaii, and the massive Travis Air Force Base in California. Our ‘bugler’s holiday’ was soon to end after a day of time zone recovery in Halifax, when we reunited with our musician colleagues who were already embarked in HMAS Sydney. After two long days of settling into messes and getting up to speed on FFG damage control, we soon found our way to what would be the our most utilised areas; the galley, starboard hanger, and the smokers pit on 02 Deck!

WITH MEMBERS OF THE PACIFIC FLEET BAND ONBOARD USS MISSOURI

After some well-deserved rest in Nassau Bahamas and a steady diet of Jerk Chicken and battered conch, we sailed through Panama Canal en route to San Diego, burritos and nachos. We kept the onset of homesickness at bay with some retail therapy at the massive Naval Exchange and sightseeing around Old Town and the Mexican Border on the trolley car. With the silhouette of nearly a hundred grey gladiators behind us, we departed San Diego homeward bound. Even after such a terrific US experience, it was comforting to return to the Pacific Ocean once again, heading to our last ports of Hawaii and Samoa.

Once underway, it was only two sleeps until we were sailing into New York to our dock near 46th Street, Manhattan, in company with HMAS Ballarat and USS Mahan. The entry

around the orphanage to fix up basic facilities: such as mosquito nets on beds for the children.

As always, the United States Pacific Fleet Band gave us a warm welcome in Pearl Harbour with many of their members attending our concert in the beach precinct and later taking us to dinner at Waikiki Beach. The next morning we combined with our American friends to perform a memorial service on USS Missouri. With the band assembled under the main forward turrets, we listened to a recording of the surrender ceremony in 1945 that took place on that very spot, before performing some of Sousa’s best for the crowd of veterans. This would be out final gig on American soil, and a memorable one at that. After a shortened stop in Apia to refuel, and deammunitioning at Eden, we returned home to Fleet Base East on 19 September after six months for ‘full trippers’ and three months for us ‘change-outs’. It had been a whirlwind voyage and a great opportunity to represent our band and expose our musical talents abroad. Leaving the less attractive aspects of ship-borne life aside, it was certainly an honour to sail in HMAS Sydney for such a significant deployment.

LEADING SEAMAN GORDON ORR LENDS A HEPLING HAND AT AN ORPHANAGE IN CAMBODIA

SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP HMAS DARWIN ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER MARK HAM

MANADO INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW IN INDONESIA

With a disrupted preparation due to last minute personnel changes, six members of the Royal Australian Navy Band— Leading Seaman Gordon Orr, Able Seaman Stuart Malcolm, Able Seaman Chris Thompson, Able Seaman Marcus Salone and Seaman Paul Stiles—embarked in HMAS Darwin to be part of the ship’s South East Asian Deployment visiting ports in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

ABLE SEAMAN CHRIS THOMPSON TEACHING THE DRUMS

Another highlight was our performance at the cultural display at the opening of exercise Bersama Lima 2009. Of the seven nations involved with the exercise, each provided a group to give a demonstration of their culture to all the Officers and Sailors participating. Our performance of a mixture of the traditional Beat to Quarters, Brass Quintet and Rock music was the most enthusiastically received of all the groups.

Our workload was confined to Ceremonial Sunsets performed onboard the ship in each port visited (six in all). Each was well received by our hosts and members of ship’s company. The highlight of the tour was playing to children from an orphanage in Cambodia. Through the power of music we were able to transcend the language and cultural boundaries and make the kids’ day a special one. Members of the Sea Deployment Group also assisted in ‘odd jobs’

except a nasty rash you got from the toilet that seemed to have been patronised by people with little understanding of ‘how’ to do ‘what’ ‘where’. In closing and on a more serious note, I must thank the sailors in the Sea Deployment Group for their professionalism and ability to adapt to the situations we found ourselves in. Through their outstanding efforts the Royal Australian Navy Band was able to promote a fantastic image for the Royal Australian Navy and our country.

LIFE AS A RESERVE MUSICIAN ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN GEMMA TILLY

ABLE SEAMAN STUART MALCOLM GETTING READY FOR A DC EXERCISE

Whilst we assimilated well into life onboard HMAS Darwin the tour was more a challenge mentally and culturally. To highlight this I have included some excerpts from my diary. Firstly the trials of life onboard “…When I initially saw the bed/rack, I thought there must have been a mistake as I thought the bed must have been for the local Oohmpahlumpas or there was a Dwarf Convention in town and they had adjusted the beds accordingly. But then, silly me, I realised it must have been a bed made for visiting Circus Acrobatic Midgets - as they are the only beings that could both get into, and fit into the bed. I was about to complain to my tour guide when I further realised that this was all I was going to get and make do I must!”

ABLE SEAMAN GEMMA TILLY SINGING THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM

And getting a good bout of culture shock “….As I am travelling via Grey Funnel Lines we always stop at 'Port Cities' (strangely enough?). All ports have roughly the same set up and are miles away from anything decent - all ports in my experiences have been variations on this now all too familiar theme. Usually we get in around 9am and assorted dignitaries come onboard. Usually these are Department of Foreign Affairs and military people. These are closely followed by local tour operators that are really authorised Sailor Fleecers who give you the chance (in the next few days) to go on a guided tour to a dump. This involves a death ride by a crazed mini bus driver. Tour to some “Ancient Shrine” made from plastic. Throw in a bowl of rice and they'll call it "Lunch Included". A quick trip via some tourist trap selling more fake Nikes and Rolex and soon you'll be back onboard minus $100US and little to show for it

My first experience with the Royal Australian Navy was in Tasmania at the age of fourteen when I attended rehearsals with a good friend, now Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson. When I later joined the Royal Australian Navy Band at seventeen, I would not have foreseen that eight years later, not only would I still be a member but I would be doing three months of full time service with the Navy Band. Over the years, the Navy has allowed me the freedom to make lifestyle changes - a move to Queensland for university saw me transfer to the Queensland Detachment. Once I finished my degree, I was able to work Navy commitments around my career, granted with a few very understanding bosses! One of my managers happened to be a French Horn player from the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and had at one stage run the

LEADERSHIP ESSAY

Queensland Police Band, so he was very supportive of any time off I required. The Navy was also flexible when I decided to complete some of my degree in New Orleans, Unites States of America, where I was looked after by the Bandmaster of the 7th Fleet Band who had previously worked with us in Brisbane.

BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PHILLIP ANDERSON

INTRODUCTION I welcome this opportunity to present my thoughts on the future direction of the Royal Australian Navy Band in this Leadership Essay. I would like to commence by making the following unequivocal statements: • The Royal Australian Navy Band is a prestigious unit of the Australian Defence Force, and ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’. • The band plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy’s image in the public consciousness. • Our musicians promote awareness in the community of Navy’s critical contribution to the nation and reflect the quality and values of Navy’s people. • The band’s strengths are its people, its depth of individual and organisational expertise, its ability to provide a highly capable and flexible level of musical, ceremonial and public relations services to the Royal Australian Navy, and its record of service to Navy and to the Nation.

ABLE SEAMAN GEMMA TILLY ON PARADE

In March this year the industry I worked in took a serious hit from the recession and working in Human Resources, my role of hiring went to firing, which I wasn’t so keen on! I decided to do contract work for a while and took a few different roles trying to decide if I could still enjoy working in my field. The Navy was never something I had considered as a fulltime option. I had four years of study and five years of experience in a field that was totally unrelated to my Navy role of musician and it was not an easy decision to put my professional career aside. On 5 September the Director of Music, Lieutenant Commander Phillip Anderson, spoke to me about the option of working with the Navy fulltime until the end of the year. This appeared to be the opportunity I needed to experience a new career direction.

When Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, launched New Generation Navy (NGN) onboard HMAS Arunta on 14 April 2009 he stated that NGN would deliver a Navy that is: • appropriately prepared to contribute to joint operations when required and to produce forces in an enduring manner, • a training focused organisation with properly trained people well equipped and well supported, • a values based organisation renowned for principled leadership,

The options that have been offered to me over the last three months have been exciting and challenging. I was able to continue working with the Queensland detachment as it had a number of performances booked in for October and November. I have also been able to spend time with the Sydney detachment and have learned much about how a fulltime detachment operates - there were a few differences! I am looking forward to being involved in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Gallipoli Pilgrimage in 2010. I feel privileged to be working with the so many professional and creative people.

• a highly regarded and effective contributor to Defence objectives, and • supported by a nation proud of its Navy. He also stated that if Navy wanted to continue to deliver on its long and proud history, it needed to make a change of course to deliver on its future capability.1 This essay encapsulates the intent of New Generation Navy, considers key elements contained in previous Musician Category Management Plans, and states the course for the short to medium term. It has been considered after conducting a review of the way we do business and an examination on how best we can position ourselves and the Navy Band during the challenges ahead. In preparing this essay, I have consulted closely with all

Who knows what the next year will bring, but this year has shown me that the Navy Band is an organisation dynamic enough to offer real opportunities to its members. I have very much enjoyed my time in the Navy during the last eight years and look forward to the next eight years as I know that whatever changes my life will go through, the Australian Navy is flexible enough to allow me to continue my service. As someone wise often says ‘The only thing that is constant in life is change’.

Vice Admiral Russ Crane’s address onboard HMAS Arunta 14 April 2009, p. 2.

members of the Senior Leadership Group2 and held category and focus group meetings. I hope that this essay will provide a clear statement of direction about Who We Are, What We Stand For and Where We Are Headed.

Australian Government as the owner, to Navy as the stockholder, and to its musicians who are key stakeholders. Australian Government

Also included in this essay are my thoughts on the relevant leadership style that should be employed, at all rank levels, as we go about our business. The band’s executive operating documents3 are also being reviewed to ensure compliance with the intent of New Generation Navy: much of the guidance given in this essay will be incorporated into those documents.

Owner Royal Australian

Navy

Our People

Stockholder

Stakeholders

WHO WE ARE Diagram 1

The Royal Australian Navy Band’s history is linked to the various bands of the colonial naval forces—which were in existence prior to Federation—and to the bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marine Band Service. Throughout its history, the band has performed for thousands of audiences within Australia and around the world. Today, we continue the proud tradition of providing musical, ceremonial and public relations support for the Royal Australian Navy.

Operating Structure Prior to 2003, the Musician Category supported seven separate bands across the nation, each with its own sense of identity and purpose, and controlled by local commanders who were guided by the local Band Officer or Bandmaster who were, in most part, totally responsive and responsible to the local Commanding Officer. The two permanent bands were positioned within Maritime Command and the five reserve bands were positioned within Australian Navy Systems Command. The Director of Music, who was positioned within Maritime Command, controlled the national budget and set policy; but beyond that, had little ability to influence the direction and shape of the services being provided to Navy by the musicians.

To understand Who We Are we need to have a clear understanding of what our business model is, and in particular; who are our customers, what does our operating structure look like; what is our approach to the marketplace, and what capabilities do we need to maintain in order to meet the needs of all of our customers. Customer Model

When the seven bands transferred to the one Command in July 2004 (Australian Navy Systems Command), the opportunity presented itself to implement a more unified business structure with an enhanced operating system; the ‘one band seven detachment’ concept was borne. The one band model created a greater level of ownership and control of the business by the stakeholders—the musicians—and facilitated a significant level output; not least of all by getting the musicians back to sea and on operational deployments, in its recording and benchmark activities, and in the delivery and recording of its story. On 1 July this year the band transferred to Fleet Command.

The Australian Government has invested significant money in the Defence program—which includes the Royal Australian Navy—and Government quite rightly expects to receive a satisfactory return on its investment. Navy demonstrates its support for the Royal Australian Navy Band by allocating financial and human resources to enable the band to contribute towards Navy’s obligation to the Australian Government; and in order to maintain Navy’s ongoing support and confidence, the band has an obligation to ensure Navy’s expectations are satisfied. To do this effectively—and paramount to the success of our mission— the band relies upon the unique and creative capabilities of each of its musicians who have a strong understanding of the business and contribute their creative capabilities to the band’s output.4

Within the current allowed force structure, we have positions for five officers, 101 full-time musicians and 31 naval reserve positions currently shared by 118 part-time musicians. The band’s structure includes a Senior Leadership Group that functions similar to a Board of Directors whose job is to ‘create tomorrow’s [Band] out of today’s’.5 The Permanent Component has two full-time detachments and the Reserve Component comprises five part-time detachments. Detachments are positioned in each capital city of Australia excluding Canberra and Darwin:

The customer model (Diagram 1) adopted by the Royal Australian Navy Band is one that shows a relationship of mutual obligation between the customer and the supplier. In this model, the band is the supplier of services to the 2

The band’s Senior Leadership Group comprises the five Officers and the two permanent and reserve component Warrant Officers. DI(N) ADMIN 30-19 Musician Category, ABR 1834 Vol 4 Royal Australian Navy Band Drill Manual, and Standard Operating Procedures. See Houston, F.S. (1986) ‘The Marketing concept: What it is and what it is not’, Journal of Marketing, Vol. 50, April, p. 86.

Sydney Detachment (full-time) Melbourne Detachment (full-time)

Bloomsbury Publishing, 2002, Business, The Ultimate Resource, p. 220.

Queensland Detachment (part-time)

The Admiral’s Own delivers jazz orchestra and big band repertoire, high energy rock group features, and small jazz ensemble capability.

New South Wales Detachment (part-time) Tasmanian Detachment (part-time)

The Commodores deliver woodwind and brass ensemble repertoire.

South Australian Detachment (part-time)

The Sea Chanters is a mixed voice chorus comprising instrumentalists from within the detachment who are used as a chorus to enhance major concert performances.

Western Australian Detachment (part-time) Segmentation Strategy and Marketing Mix Selecting the market segment, that is, the type of products maintained within each detachment, depends largely upon the market potential.6 For example, there is significant opportunity to improve effectiveness by developing marketing strategies based on market location and tailoring musical support based on local requirements. The band’s stockholder has positioned fleet units in Sydney and Perth and conducts recruit training in Melbourne; so the bulk of Navy ceremonial requirements are conducted in those regions.7 Nonetheless, there remains significant opportunity to enhance Navy’s marketing reach by locating smaller musical detachments in other major centres across the nation.

The Melbourne detachment maintains versatile music capabilities specialising in the delivery of ceremonial music, traditional and contemporary wind music, and popular music products. This detachment has a strong metropolitan and regional focus with its reach extending to national tasks. Key capabilities are its parade band and concert band. Built into its scheme of complement and extending its reach is a high-energy show group—the Corvettes—and a wind chamber ensemble—Pipe the Side. The Corvettes deliver big band, rock group, and a small jazz ensemble repertoire. Pipe the Side deliver woodwind and brass quintet repertoire, and small vocal ensemble features.

The band’s approach to the marketplace is a multiple segmentation strategy structured around seven detachments in various locations throughout Australia. This multiple segmentation strategy is enhanced by a marketing mix that includes benchmark activities, sea and operational deployments, and maintaining a range of capabilities within each detachment. This approach to the marketplace has achieved higher standards of output and greater flexibility in the delivery of the band’s services: it remains relevant today, and will continue out to medium term.

The Reserve detachments are known as the Scrap Iron Flotilla and specialise in the delivery of ceremonial, popular music products and small chamber ensembles. These detachments maintain a strong metropolitan focus with reach extending into their local regions. Key capabilities of these detachments are their parade band, popular music ensembles (stage bands and rock groups) and small chamber ensembles.

Capability Statements

WHAT WE STAND FOR

The following capability statements outline the key capabilities that are required to be maintained by each detachment in order to enhance the band’s national marketing mix.

Management theory informs us that a lack of unity or harmoniousness in relationships will diminish team and individual performance due to the belonging needs not being fulfilled,8 and failure to fulfil the belonging needs of individuals is intensified when teams fail to achieve a given task.9 In order to align the individual and team to the task, it is my responsibility in close association with the other members of the band’s Senior Leadership Group to fulfil two primary responsibilities—establish the quality statements (Vision, Mission and Goals) and communicate them.

The Sydney detachment has a strong national focus and maintains versatile music capabilities specialising in the delivery of ceremonial music, traditional and contemporary wind music, and popular music products. Key capabilities of the detachment are its ceremonial ensemble (including its bugle, drum corps, and fanfare capabilities) and its wind orchestra. Built into its scheme of complement and extending its reach is a high-energy show group—the Admiral’s Own—a wind chamber ensemble—the Commodores, and the Sea Chanters Chorus:

6 7

The advantages of creating an effective vision and mission include creating a sense of united purpose within the organisation; providing priorities for allocating resources; and providing a basis for primary objectives and tasking through the organisation.10 Management theory further

McColl-Kennedy, J.R. & Kiel, G.C. (2000) Marketing: A Strategic Approach, Melbourne: Nelson ITP p. 265. This presents a geographic segmentation opportunity for the band. See Constantin, J.A., Evans R.E. & Morris M.L (1976) Marketing, Strategy & Management, Business Publication Inc. p. 125.

9 10

Griffin Management, 5th Ed, Houghton Miffin, 1996, Boston, p. 478. J. Adair, Understanding Motivation, Talbot Adair Press, England, 1990, p. 8. David, F. R. (2009) Strategic Management Concepts, Upper Saddle River, USA Pearson Education Migliore, p. 54; R. H.,

HONOUR HONESTY COURAGE INTEGRITY LOYALTY

informs us that an effective vision statement looks at the expected long-term achievements of an organisation,11 whereas the Mission Statement communicates to stakeholders answers to questions such as, What is our business?; Why do we exist?; and Whom do we serve?.12 Our vision should be a statement that describes the principal direction and function of our band.13 Furthermore, our goals should be attainable, clear, measurable, challenging, timebased and provide us with a basis for planning and decision making.14

Signature Behaviours Importantly, our overall success will be underpinned by a guiding philosophy that all members of the band will be given equal opportunity to develop their professional and military skills in an environment that recognises and fosters both team and individual achievement. In order to deliver quality services, we each must give detailed thought to the best method of fulfilling our obligation the Australian people, to Navy, and to the people with whom we work. Navy’s Signature Behaviours15 are one way of assisting us to fulfil these obligations; however, it requires our individual and collective willingness to behave in an ethical manner.

In reviewing the band’s quality statements there was a strong level of input that recommended incorporating the band’s core business strength (its music and its music ensembles) into its Vision and Mission. I agree that the delivery of music services is a core area of our business; however, we actually do much more. The Senior Leadership has decided that the Band’s Vision should be based around Navy’s Vision ‘an Australian Navy renowned for excellence in service to the nation; Navy’s Motto ‘Navy – Serving Australia with Pride’; which directly support Navy’s Mission ‘Fight and win in the Maritime environment’.

To live the Navy values, we will: Respect the contribution of every individual; Promote the wellbeing and development of all Navy people; Communicate well and regularly; Challenge and innovate;

Quality Statements (Vision, Mission, Goals & Signature Behaviours)

Be cost conscious;

Our Vision is:

Fix problems, take action;

We aspire to be an organisation with a worldwide reputation for excellence serving Australia with pride.

Drive decision making down; Strengthen relationships across and beyond Navy;

Our Mission is:

Be the best we can; and

Promote the Royal Australian Navy as a Navy renowned for excellence in service to the nation.

Make Navy proud, make Australia proud.16 When we act in accord with these signature behaviours, we demonstrate attention to People, Performance, and Professionalism.

We will achieve our Mission by: Delivering high quality musical services to the Royal Australian Navy,

WHERE WE ARE HEADED

Delivering high quality ceremonial services to the Royal Australian Navy,

Our quality statements give us a sense of Who We Are and also Where We Are Headed. To enhance those statements of purpose and direction, the Senior Leadership Group has developed a set of Statements of Intent that reinforce the commitment by each member of the Senior Leadership Group towards meeting the band’s values. I have also provided a statement on what I see as key Strategic Imperative’s for our future performance.

Delivering high quality public relations support to the Royal Australian Navy, and Providing effective divisional and team support to each other Our Vision, Mission and Goals will be achieved through our personal and collective commitment to Navy’s Values:

11 12

Statements of Intent We will honour our heritage.

Stevens, R.E., Loudon, D. L. & Williamson, S. (1995) Strategic Planning for Not-for-Profit Organisations. New York: The Haworth Press, p. 37. David (2009) op. cit. p. 50; Henry, A. (2008) Understanding Strategic Management, Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 11. Allison, M. & Kaye, J. (2005), Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organisations, Hoboken, USA: John Wiley & Sons David (2009) op. cit. Johnson, G., Scholes, K. & Whittington, R. (2005), Exploring Corporate Strategy Text and Cases, Harlow, England: Pearson Education, p. 209. Allison & Kaye (2005), op. cit. pp. 237-8; David 2009, op. cit. p. 12.

In achieving this we acknowledge that our band has a strong history, enjoys a very good reputation throughout

A company Credos (in this case Navy’s Signature Behaviours) deal with the ethical obligations towards stakeholders and can serve as a benchmark document. See McColl-Kennedy, J.R. & Kiel, G.C. (2000) Marketing: A Strategic Approach, Melbourne: Nelson ITP., p 791. Vice Admiral R. Crane (address onboard HMAS Arunta), op cit, p. 5.

the nation and within Navy, and plays an invaluable role in keeping Navy in the public consciousness.

LEADERSHIP STYLE Core Characteristics

We will value each other.17

The band operates in a formal, military environment; but its approach to leadership—an approach that is embraced by its Senior Leadership Group—is one that encompasses people-oriented and task-oriented behaviours that balance concern for its people and concern for the task. 20

In particular it is vital to look for new ways to recognise the unique skills of our people. We also acknowledge that the quality of our people along with the ‘depth of expertise’18 within the band and its strong history contribute significantly to the band’s image as an organisation worthy of the confidence of the people with whom it conducts its business.

This conceptual model is characterised by three core areas of performance—leadership, the individual, and the teams. These areas of performance are supported by our values, beliefs, and aspirations, and along with our broad-range and flexible capabilities give our band its strategic advantage and high standards of task achievement. The model also shows that continued evaluation is required to ensure constructive adjustment and focus. I will now expand upon this model.

Leadership Characteristics Leadership is the privilege and obligation shared equally by every person serving Australia’s Navy.21 Our approach to leadership, shown at Diagram 3, should be one that encompasses people-oriented and task-oriented behaviours22 that balance concern for people and concern for the task.23 There are many strategies that we can employ to achieve the right level of concern for our people.

Some key ones are:

Strategic Imperative’s

delivering effective team and divisional support to one and other,

The Strategic Imperative program, which I implemented in 2004, has delivered nation best results in key areas of performance through a series of Benchmark activities19 and by embarking small musical elements in Major Fleet Units. This program will continue to be an important way for the band to achieve nation best results in key areas of performance, and to also continue the delivery of direct ceremonial and musical services to the Fleet. The Strategic Imperative’s will be expanded to give opportunity for the band’s jazz and classical specialists to further develop and to showcase their skills. The Strategic Imperative’s are:

18 19

providing opportunities for job enrichment, providing flexibility in working arrangements, and providing equal opportunity for tasking, development and advancement for those who hold the appropriate qualifications. Individual Characteristic (Performance and Motivation) Three factors influence individual performance:

Sustain the Sea Deployment Initiative; and

individual attributes or the individual’s capacity to perform;

Enhance the Benchmark program of activities to include a recording that features our soloists and recital opportunities for our jazz and chamber ensembles.

work effort or the individual’s willingness to perform; and

Two of the main points of New Generation Navy are recognising the ‘value of the Australian sailor’ and showing ‘respect regardless of rank’. Refer to Crane, R. (2008). State of the Navy: 2008 Video Symposium [DVD], Canberra: Department of Defence. Shalders, R. (2007), The Navy Strategy – Charting the Course to 2025, Canberra: Department of Defence. Benchmark activities including the Wind Orchestra for ‘Flagship Recitals’ and recordings, and the Ceremonial Ensemble for Commissioning and Decommissioning Ceremonies.

20 21 22 23

This is entirely consistent with the aims of New Generation Navy. Vice Admiral R. Crane (address onboard HMAS ARUNTA), op cit, p. 4. The Robert Blake and Jane Mouton Leadership Grid (Wood et al, op cit, p 504). Clearly, the country club mentality—which ignores the concern for the task by concentrating on concern for the individual—will not facilitate the right outcomes in support of our mission. Equally, the reverse is not acceptable.

TEAMS

EVALUATION

Real Team &

TEAMS

Real Team & INDIVIDUAL

INDIVIDUA Performance L

TASK

LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP

COMPLETION

Vision, Mission, Vision, Mission, Goals & Style

STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE

Diagram 3 developing individuals’ skills for the benefit of the whole team.29

organisational support or the amount of opportunity given to an individual.24

Teams Characteristic

Again, management theory tells us that the physical and psychological well-being of an individual must be our top priority,25 and an inner passion to solve the problem at hand will lead to solutions that are far more creative than extrinsic rewards such as money.26 When considering motivating factors, intrinsic motivation will have more impact on creativity than extrinsic motivation.

An organisation comprises many individuals and teams working together to achieve given tasks;30 so, obviously, harmonious relationships are important. Harmonious relationships are established by meeting the ‘belonging needs’ of the individual—this is a concept which enables team cohesion. There is a place in the band to incorporate the leadership model shown at Diagram 4, which shows single leader teams and real teams. The real-team concept is best employed with small groups of not more than seven people. For example, the Senior Leadership Group can be one area for real-team performance and decision making. Real-team performance can be devolved to other areas; in particular, to the smaller ensembles within each of the various detachments or within each of the music sections or music groups within each detachment. The real-team concept does not mean that other forms of leadership or single leader decision making is irrelevant or wrong. Rather, this concept is meant to enhance the decision making processes currently employed within our workplaces as well as meeting the fulfilment and intrinsic motivational needs of the individual.

Key ways of enhancing intrinsic motivation are by fulfilling tasks at a high level of competency, giving ownership and accepting accountably, and knowing what we are doing is important to the Navy team. This is not just a concept developed by the business community of Navy leaders: Chief of Defence Force states that Defence leaders need to focus on empowering and motivating our people27. Furthermore, feelings of inequity lead to reduced performance; as individuals are motivated to engage in behaviour to correct perceived inequity.28 We are fortunate to have within our ranks some of the best military musicians in the country; but many of our people also hold qualifications in non-music areas such as marketing, teaching, human resources, and psychology. Utilising and recognising peoples’ unique skills can boost individuals’ self worth and help them recognise their importance to the team. Part of our success relies on

24 25 26 27 28

Wood et al, op cit, p 190. Herzberg’s ‘hygiene’ factors. T.M. Amabile, How to Kill Creativity, Harvard Business Review, Sept-Oct 98, p 78. Welch, A. (2007), People number one priority for CDF [Electronic version]. Defence Magazine, March, 2007. Wood et al, op cit, p 183.

29 30

Blanchard, K. & Bowles, S. (2001), High Five! The Magic of Working Together. London: HarperCollins Business. An organisation consists of real teams and non-teams and in particular, ‘high performing organisations require a flexible and balanced leadership effort that fully exploits non-teams as well as real team. See J.R. Katzenbach, Teams at the Top, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, 1998, p 5.

Continuous team improvement; and

Performance

Leadership. Customer Evaluation will be undertaken by monitoring letters of appreciation and informal feedback, and each detachment will report ‘on occurrence’ statistical information with regard to public relations outcomes. The results of these measures will provide us with a unique opportunity to identify both areas of achievement and opportunities for improvement. They will also enable us, by a review and evaluation process, to ensure the achievement of our mission.

Leader Real team Single leader group

The Team Culture Survey will be conducted twice each year. The first will be delivered in December this year with results published in early February 2010 and the second survey in June with the results in July 2010.

Team’s goals and approaches

Leader’s goals and

CONCLUSION

approaches

The Royal Australian Navy Band has a proud record of service and its current generation of musicians generate many good news stories for Navy. Its reputation throughout the wider community is sound and its position within Navy as a highly effective business unit is fully appreciated by our senior leaders. We are fortunate to have a pool of very talented and highly educated people across a range of disciplines. Our business model is robust with a worthy set of quality statements to guide us through the many challenges ahead. We belong to a larger organisation, the Royal Australian Navy, whose values and record of service to the nation have gained the enduring trust of a nation.

Time Source: J. Katzenbach, Teams at the Top31 Diagram 4 Values, Beliefs and Aspirations Cultural values are ‘the system of shared beliefs and values that develops within an organisation and guides the behaviour of its members’.32 Our values, beliefs and aspirations have been explained earlier in this essay.

There is much for us to be proud of and I am personally enthused by the opportunity New Generation Navy brings to each of us; and look forward to seeing the results of our individual and collective contribution.

EVALUATION Measure of Outcomes and Achievements The band’s Evaluation Plan will comprise a mix divisional and administrative data, a Team Culture Survey, Customer Evaluation, and collection of statistical information to give a clear measure of our outcomes. Divisional and administrative data will include collating requests (supported or otherwise) and opportunities given members. The Team Culture Survey will record individual and collective assessment of the following: Individual Opportunities and Mission; and Team characteristics: Common vision and goals; Team ethos and teamwork; Communicating and listening; Mutual trust and respect; Full Delegation and Acceptance of Responsibility; Authority and Accountability; 31 32

ibid. Wood, et al, Organisational Behaviour, John Wiley and Sons, 1998, p 436.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT SEPTEMBER 2009

FAREWELLS

HMAS

STUART

ABLE SEAMAN CHRIS ELLIS PERFORMS IN TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK 2009

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT BRINGS CHRISTMAS CHEER TO AN AUDIENCE IN FREMANTLE 2009

RAN BAND NEWS ISSUE 16 RELEASED 19 JULY 2010

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT DURING THE DAWN SERVICE IN MELBOURNE

ABLE SEAMAN LABOZZETT PERFROMING AT AUSTRALIA DAY FESTIVITIES IN ADELAIDE

SAXOPHONE SECTION FROM THE ADMIRALS OWN BIG BAND PERFROMING AT THE ANCHORS AWEIGH CONCERT

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE 16 RELEASED 19 JULY 2010

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

THE WIND ORCHESTRA PERFORMING ‘THE DIVINE COMEDY’ AT TRACKDOWN STUDIOS

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN TRACY KENNEDY

CONTENTS

The year began with Australia Day activities, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Sea Power Conference. The Closing and Opening ceremonies for the Sea Power Conference were certainly met with great enthusiasm and appreciation from all guests including the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN and other important dignitaries. After the closing ceremony we headed to the Novotel in Darling Harbour to play for the Vice Admiral Crane’s guests at a private event. From the balcony of the function room we had a great view of the Australia Day fireworks and could see our drummers on top of the floating towers in the middle of the Darling Harbour. We then went straight into rehearsals, and a week of performances for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Apart from one night where the weather stopped us from using microphones on the field, the show ran smoothly. This year the Royal Australian Air Force Band was in charge of the Australian Defence Force segment. They seemed to focus more on showing the side of military musicians that people don’t necessarily see. Our display showed the versatility of our musicians, and focused not only on the ceremonial aspect but also on our current contribution to deployed forces in the Middle East. The audience seemed to enjoy

FROM THE PR DESK

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

RAN BAND ASSOCIATION REPORT

RIMPAC

THREDBO JAZZ FESTIVAL

GALLIPOLI PILGRIMAGE

ANZAC DAY ADDRESS

ANNUAL REPORT

PEOPLE, PERFORMANCE, PROFSSIONALISM 20

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

Strategic Plan. One of the issues faced by the review was the significant and growing demand being placed on the national reserve salary budget. The band contributed to that demand with a 60 percent increase in its salary allocation during the course of the last five years; and this is no longer sustainable. The NR WOCWR delivered a reduction to the total number of days available for reserves across Navy; and I was required to redistribute the band’s allocation to meet priorities across the band’s national program. A new business model has been developed to meet those challenges and to enable the band to continue to deliver appropriate musical services to Navy and sustain its future capability.

SYDNEY & NEW SOUTH WALES MUSICIANS AT THE DAWN SERVICE

For a number of years now the New South Wales detachment has not been able to operate without the support of musicians from the full-time Sydney detachment. Furthermore, the type and volume of activities normally undertaken by the New South Wales detachment has steadily decreased and other priorities have now emerged that require new ways to deliver our musical services. From 1 July, members of the New South Wales detachment commenced fulfilling their duties as members of a Reserve Support Element embedded within the Sydney detachment. A separate Reserve Support Element has also been established in the Melbourne detachment. This structural change was foreshadowed by me last year and became imperative due to the outcomes of the NR WOCWR.

Reading through the articles in this edition of RAN Band News has strengthened my confidence that the Navy Band is continuing to tell a very worthy story about its contribution to Navy, building upon its proud record of service. During the first six months of this year the band supported a number of major ceremonial events including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies to the Sea Power Conference, the Australian Defence Force contribution to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Australia, Navy’s contribution to the Gallipoli Pilgrimage, and the Gun Carriage Funeral Service for Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN. We also embarked 12 musicians in HMAS Kanimbla and stories about their journey and of their successes are starting to emerge. Four musicians also deployed to the Solomon Islands as members of a technical team for a tour sponsored by the Forces Advisory Council for Entertainment. The feedback that I have received about the role played by our band and our people at each of these tasks has been resoundingly positive.

As a consequence of the changes to the New South Wales detachment, I invited Petty Officer Dennis Mercer to prepare an article for this edition of RAN Band News. In his article, he gives a very good account of the contribution made by reserve musicians to Navy activities in the Sydney area since the 1960s; and there have certainly been many good achievements. Change, however, was inevitable as the detachment was no longer viable; but I wish to stress that there is no intent to reduce the role played by reserve musicians in Sydney or at at any level within the Navy Band. I believe that the most effective way in which to utilise the skills of Navy’s Sydney based musicians is as a fully integrated force. Reserves musicians will continue to be used to support Navy activities within Sydney and throughout Australia, and will maintain their important role within the Navy Band.

Our recording projects A Flagship Recital (Mark III) and Cruising Stations (Mark II) have been completed and the compact discs will be distributed to schools and libraries across the country. These recordings demonstrate the breadth of capabilities maintained by our band together with the expert skill of our people across classical and jazz disciplines and in ensemble performance. The band’s Annual Report for Financial Year 2009 – 2010 has been released and can be viewed on the band’s intranet site. This report shows our collective success across a range of activities throughout the nation. Contained in this edition of RAN Band News is a copy of the Defence Paper by Lieutenant Andrew Stokes titled People, Performance & Professionalism: How Navy’s Signature Behaviours will manage a ‘New generation’ of Sailors. This is a thoroughly researched essay that provides a timely reminder of other initiatives occurring throughout Navy at the moment, and is worth a good read.

I also invited the Secretary of the RAN Band Association, Mr Ralph Daines, to submit a report on the association’s visit to Singapore in support of Anzac Day ceremonies. For many years now I have referred to the RAN Band Association as a valuable additional detachment in the Navy Band’s capability suite. Our veteran musicians demonstrated their past record of service very proudly in Singapore, and produced a highly commendable outcome that reflects well, not only on them, but also on the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Late last year, the Navy Reserve Whole-of-Capability Workforce Review (NR WOCWR) was established to support the challenges of Chief of Navy’s intent outlined in The Navy

P.C. ANDERSON Commander, RAN Director of Music and Leader

As always, the feedback from audiences is exemplary from all detachments. I receive a lot of letters and emails and comments from the Navy feedback website about how much everyone enjoys our music and how professional they find our concerts. It's always great to hear appreciation and sometimes even ideas and criticism from our audiences.

(Continued from page 1) our rendition of 'Long way to the top' and ' I still call Australia home'. It's always a challenging but rewarding event to be involved in and great for building friendships with other Australian and overseas bands.

As my last days in the public relations role come to an end, I would like to thank everyone in the Director’s office for making me feel welcome and providing a fun environment to work in. I feel like I have achieved a lot both professionally and personally and have learnt a lot from my role as Public Relations Manager. I am looking forward to moving back to the Sydney detachment, and I know that after this break from regular singing duties I have developed some fresh ideas and new motivation. I would like to wish Leading Seaman Cathy Wainwright luck in her new role as the Public Relations Manager. I am sure she will enjoy the break and enjoy learning about how the other side of the job works.

ABLE SEAMAN DAMIAN DOWD ENTERTAINING THE AUDIENCE AT THE EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO

Earlier this year I was fortunate to be involved in the official opening of TECHPORT in Adelaide. TECHPORT is a maritime industrial precinct in South Australia that was built to support the building of the new Air Warfare Destroyers for the Royal Australian Navy. I was asked to sing 'I am Australian' as the employees of the organisation were revealed. The then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd MP and the Minister for Defence were in attendance. It was a great event to be part of and I could tell it meant a lot to the workers to be involved in such an important project for South Australia.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVE STANKE

In March this year we were given the opportunity to join with members of the Melbourne detachment to record music for the A Flagship Recital Mark III at Trackdown studios. One of the pieces, 'The Divine Comedy' by Robert W Smith featured the percussion section. We used chains and water glasses to create certain effects within the movements and experimented with different sounds. As ANZAC day was approaching Able Seaman Dayne Grindley and I were asked to perform at the AFL Anzac Day match at the SCG on the 24 April. I sang the National Anthem and Able Seaman Dayne Grindley belted out a great 'Last Post'. Sporting events are always a lot of fun to be involved in (especially the free tickets) and it's always an honour to represent the Royal Australian Navy and our band. I was also given the opportunity to sing the Australian and French National Anthems at the Rugby match, Australian Navy vs. French Navy. It was another challenge and opportunity and was well-received.

MEMBERS FROM THE ADMIRALS OWN BIG BAND DURING THE ANCHORS AWEIGH CONCERT IN PADDINGTON

The year began in a very ceremonial manner with the second staging of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Australia. Held at the Sydney Football Stadium at Moore Park, the tattoo was complete with the usual impressive variety of military and pipe bands from around the world and the Navy Band contingent performed with the massed bands of the Australian Defence Force both at the opening and closing of the ceremony.

Auditions seem to be going strong; finally we have managed to find some clarinet players! (Fingers crossed they make it through the recruiting process). Over the next few months, we have a number of applicants waiting to get a spot in recruit school; hopefully we will be welcoming some of them in the near future.

The ‘Band Call’ concerts at St Andrews Anglican Cathedral in Sydney remain a band and audience favourite with many players admirably showing their performance skills through solos and band participation. Special thanks to soloists Petty Officer Chris Palamountain, Leading Seaman Gordon

service. Fundraising performances were given for the Sir David Martin Foundation and National Scouts Foundation, and a small team of technically minded personnel travelled to the Solomon Islands in May to assist with a concert tour for personnel at the base in Honiara.

Orr, Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya, Able Seaman Greg Turner, Able Seaman Zola Smith, Able Seaman Damian Dowd, and to Petty Officer Mark Ham for his snappy repartee and crowd control skills.

Our Education Programme was suitably active this year with very successful performances at Cumberland, Rouse Hill, Leichhardt, and Matraville schools. Barrenjoey High School and Randwick Primary School were welcome visitors at our studio and one student was impressed enough with the band’s performance to state that “it was the best day he’d ever had!” Thanks to Petty Officer Mark Ham and Able Seaman Damian Dowd and Able Seaman Simon Bartlett for their invaluable assistance in organising the Education Programme. We were pleased to bury ourselves at Trackdown Studios, Sydney, for a few days in March to record ‘The Divine Comedy’ by Robert Smith. These studios have world-class facilities and were most supportive for our latest recorded venture. Sadly, in June we farewelled Rear Admiral Nigel Coates AM RAN. Rear Admiral Coates was held in very high esteem not only by the band but by all in Navy and his funeral service at Garden Island was a very poignant and moving occasion. In June we welcomed aboard Able Seaman Jimmy Roach (Guitar) and congratulations to Leading Seaman Gordon Orr for achieving a ranking in the top three for the Navy Top Shot competition.

THE NAVY BAND DRILL TEAM IN REHEARSAL FOR THE SEA POWER CONFERENCE

Other public concerts, all well received, were held at St James Church (Sydney), Penshurst RSL, Darling Harbour, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Thredbo (Jazz Festival), Paddington and Petersham Town Halls (inaugural combined concert with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir), and Cockatoo Island (Sydney Biennale). The performance at Cockatoo Island included the arrest, charging and public hanging of a rogue piano, courtesy of the very inventive team at Slave Pianos and the Sydney Biennale. Slow marching the arrested piano through the tunnels at Cockatoo Island surely rates as one of the most bizarre activities we’ve encountered so far this year.

L_R: ABLE SEAMAN BRYONY DWYER, ABLE SEAMAN YAROSLAVSKAYA, HER EXCELLENCY MS QUENTIN BRYCE, ABLE SEAMAN ZOLA SMITH AND ABLE SEAMAN ANDERW DOYLE

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music celebrated its 20th anniversary with Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, marking the occasion at Admiralty House. Patrons and music lovers joined Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE in celebrating the organisation’s milestone. Guests were treated to a musical performance by our Commodores Chamber Quartet who played background music for the reception; but also, at the request of Her Exellency, performed a feature item for Soprano Voice, Flute and Clarinet - As It Fell Upon a Day by Aaron Copland.

Support to the Fleet included the provision of a sea element on HMAS Kanimbla for Exercise RIMPAC, musical assistance to HMAS Parramatta for their receipt of the Gloucester Cup, various Wardroom and Senior Sailors mess dinners, the New Entry Officer Course Graduation at HMAS Creswell in June and performances in Wollongong for the 90th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service. There were also several journeys to our esteemed national capital to welcome Chief of Navy from Timor and also assist with the Battle of the Coral Sea commemoration

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

We provided support HMAS Cerberus Divisions on 1 February for our new Commanding Officer, Captain Mark Hill, with about eleven hundred HMAS Cerberus personnel on parade; it was Captain Hill’s first opportunity to address everyone as a ship’s company. The parade began with a damp start and then the sun came out to allow for a successful completion to divisions. The following day saw the Corvettes Big Band at Mordialloc performing for the Sunset Jazz Festival with a very appreciative audience enjoying an entertaining set featuring vocalist Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson and arrangements by Able Seaman Greg Smith and Able Seaman Cameron McAllister. The next ceremonial engagement for the Melbourne detachment was in support of the National Servicemen’s march to the Shrine of Remembrance followed by a commemorative service.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MATTHEW KLOHS

The first commitment for 2010 for our woodwind quintet, Pipe the Side, was the Mornington Peninsula Embroiders Guild; the Guild has links with local military and ex Royal Australian Navy members from HMAS Cerberus. An exhibition of war-time related embroidery is planned for 2011 at the Shrine of Remembrance. The next day saw the Melbourne detachment holding a workshop and concert at Northcote High School. The music students were excited by the talents of our musicians and the day concluded with an energetic performance by the Corvettes Rock Group.

THE CORVETTES BIG BAND DURING A SOUNDWAVES CONCERT

After assuming the role as the Music Director of the Melbourne detachment we hit the ground running with an Australian Defence Force Appointment Ceremony at Victoria Barracks with thirty brand new officer candidates taking the first steps in their defence careers. Next on the calendar was the Australia Day Awards held at HMAS Cerberus with the Woodwind Quintet supplying music for the occasion. My first major commitment with the detachment was Australia Day, with a Royal Guard in front of City Hall. Inspecting was the Governor General Her Excellency, Ms Quentin Bryce, AC, and on completion the Melbourne detachment led the Guard and participants in a march to Kings Domain. The following day saw the departure of twelve personnel to Sydney in support of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (seven personnel) and Sea Power Symposium (five personnel). The end of this week brought our first Recruit School Pass Out for the year.

THE CORVETTES JAZZ ENSEMBLE

On 21 February, the Corvettes Big Band and Jazz Group performed at the Wooden Boats Festival at Docklands. An appreciative audience enjoyed the performance including arrangements by Able Seaman Greg Smith and Able Seaman Cameron McAllister. Organiser Mark Bergin is hoping the festival will grow significantly in future years and was very appreciative of our support. The following week saw the Corvettes Big Band and Pipe the Side Brass Group perform at the RSL Village and Vasey Park. The month of February concluded with the Western Port Festival with the Parade Band leading the march down the main street of Hastings with Captain Mark Hill receiving the salute outside the Hastings Library. The final engagement for the month saw the Corvettes Rock

AUSTRALIAN DAY PARADE IN MELBOURNE

skills and personal insight to conductors and musicians alike. An enjoyable day was concluded with a barbecue with Australian Army Band Melbourne.

and Jazz Groups performing for the Guide Dogs Australia Open Day at Kew. On 1 March the Concert Band performed at BMW Edge at Federation Square; the first in a series of featured performances at this venue as part of the Classics at Federation Square for 2010. Featured in the program were ‘Summon the Heroes’ by John Williams, ‘Everyday Hero’ by Timothy Mahr and ‘Shenandoah’ arranged by Frank Ticheli with vocalist Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson providing a haunting first verse and rejoining the band in the conclusion. Assisting us on French Horn was reserve musician Able Seaman Cindy Sims (formerly from the Sydney detachment).

The month of March concluded with a Twilight Recruit School Pass Out Parade. This included the normal parade and additionally a Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters. With our Drum Major, Chief Petty Officer Mike Vaughan, unable to parade due to injury, Chief Petty Officer Andrew Sansom (currently posted to Recruit School) stepped in to assist. After a particularly long inspection, the parade was followed by a very successful Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters. Mid April, the Tyabb Air Show gave the local community the opportunity to enjoy the Corvettes Rock Group performing ninety minutes of popular music. The week prior to ANZAC Day saw our Buglers performing at many ANZAC services across the City. We also performed for the Schools ANZAC service at Monash with about seven hundred students attending. April also had three of our personnel (Chief Petty Officer Mike Vaughan, Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis and Petty Officer Simon Potter) travelling to Sydney to join 14 other musicians as part of the group selected to perform in Gallipoli. So, with our Chief Gallipoli bound, Chief Petty Officer Andrew Sansom agreed to assist as our Drum Major again. ANZAC Day in Melbourne began with a cold start at the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance. With breakfast on our minds we disappeared in different directions in search of food and coffee, returning in time to be ready for the march up St Kilda Road to the Shrine of Remembrance. Once we arrived at the Shrine we joined with the other service bands in playing marches for the next three hours while the remainder of the parade marched past. After the ANZAC Day march had completed the Melbourne detachment remained to perform for the afternoon service at the Shrine of Remembrance. ANZAC day would have to be one of the proudest days for Navy musicians and to be given the honour of leading such a professional group of musicians is very humbling and a proud experience. April concluded with a visit from the South Gippsland Schools Music Program with about one hundred students spending the day with the Melbourne detachment for a workshop and concert.

THE SAXOPHONE SECTION DURING A SOUNDWAVES CONCERT

Our regular Soundwaves Concert was held two days later at the Band Cinema Complex, HMAS Cerberus, and featured a similar program. During the next few weeks the Melbourne detachment performed school concerts at Belvedere Park and Croydon West entertaining the Staff and Children with a selection of popular music. A Drum Corps and Bugler travelled to Benalla to support the Hec Waller Memorial Dedication. Chief of Navy was in attendance for this dedication to Captain Hec Waller: a significant milestone in Benalla’s history. The Mornington Chamber of Commerce started an initiative last year to promote community involvement with the Mornington Markets; this has given us another opportunity to engage the local community. With newly promoted Leading Seaman Cameron McAllister leading, the Corvettes Jazz Group provided the entertainment. A few days later the group were performed at an open day at Parliament House. On 18 March the Melbourne detachment was back at HMAS Cerberus performing for the Naval Community Engagement Program (NCEP). This program is coordinated by Leading Seaman Musician Katherine Mulheron, ex Royal Australian Navy Band now working as a reservist at HMAS Cerberus. NCEP gives year 10 – 12 students the opportunity to visit HMAS Cerberus and learn what the Navy does and consider possible employment and career opportunities. During last week of March the Melbourne detachment was requested to assist at Defence Force School of Music with a Masterclass with internationally renowned orchestral conductor Alexander Shelley, who passed on some valuable

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT LEADING THE MARCH ON ANZAC DAY

In 1967, the band moved to HMAS Watson where we were fortunate enough to have our own band room, albeit an old disused barracks building left over from WWII.

Early May gave the Melbourne detachment an opportunity to present a workshop and concert for bushfire affected students and parents from around Marysville. Held at the Plenty Ranges Theatre, a very receptive audience enjoyed a varied concert programme featuring ‘Morning Noon and Night’, ‘United We Stand’, ‘All through the Night’, ‘An American Elegy’ and more. The following week the Corvettes Rock Group performed at Chisholm TAFE Frankston for their “Active at Chisholm”. A receptive audience enjoyed ninety minutes of popular music. The week concluded with our regular Recruit School Pass Out Parade. The month of May concluded with our monthly Soundwaves featuring the Corvettes Big Band and Jazz Group.

The highlight of the year was the two-week Annual Continuous Training (ACT) trip to the Moomba festival in Melbourne. This involved all Reserve Bands from around Australia, which was scheduled every second year. The budget in those days must have been a little more generous, and before cheap airfares. You had to travel to Melbourne on the overnight train; which was an experience in itself! The purpose of this particular ACT was to participate in the concert at the Myer Music Bowl. The Seekers were the head line act and it was their farewell performance with a record- breaking crowd of over two hundred thousand people. The DVD is still available to purchase and the massed band of well over a hundred musicians can still be seen standing resolutely behind the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Sadly the Annual Continuous Training Trips came to an end in 1988 at HMAS Nirimba.

Winter is a quieter time for the detachment as the weather turns nasty in Melbourne; so it was a slow wind-down to mid-year leave for the team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of the Melbourne detachment for their collective and individual efforts during the first half of the year. They constantly make me very proud to be a part of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

I’d like to pay homage to Petty Officer Doug Sheaff. Before Doug retired in 1984, he was a mentor to all the new musicians. He taught us band drill, Navy ethos and how to have a good time (particularly after a job). He was later awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the Reserve Band. Doug sadly passed away in 1998; he was a truly memorable character.

NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER DENNIS MERCER

In the early seventies we recruited several members of the Police Band also a young tuba player named Garry Searle‘Rocky’. Garry was one of the first to defect to the Permanent Naval Force, but later returned to the fold. In 1974, the band moved again, this time to HMAS Waterhen. Our band store was a disused shipping container and we rehearsed in the stairwell and corridors of the Stores complex (such luxury!). Our bandmaster at the time, Lieutenant John West, moved on and Lieutenant Ross Griffiths took over. We started experiencing lean times with a drop in numbers; Lieutenant Griffiths took on his own recruiting campaign and the band numbers increased. Some of those recruited in the late nineteen seventies and early eighties are still with the detachment, including the present Western Australian detachment bandmaster, Chief Petty Officer Gabe Kicsak. Nine current members of our detachment have a total combined service of two hundred and seventy five years; a distinguished achievement which I doubt cannot be matched by any other unit!

MEMBERS OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENT AT THE AVALON TATTOO

The New South Wales detachment in reflection…… The New South Wales detachment was well established by the nineteen fifties at HMAS Rushcutter and went through some lean times in the 60’s. It was due to an extensive recruiting campaign by the then Bandmaster throughout the Police Boys’ Club Bands, that I, and many others, became involved. In May 1966, we became Naval Reserve Cadet Musicians, until we reached the age of eighteen. My first performance with reserve and full time Navy musicians was the annual Waratah Spring Festival Parade in Sydney, for me this has left a lasting impression.

In the mid eighties we shipped off again, this time to HMAS Penguin. We shared facilities, including the smoke-filled band room and the precariously placed music library in the loft, with the Permanent Naval Force Band. It was about at this time that an ex-PNF musician Eric Cross joined us; he was the first of many converts that were to follow, right up to the present day.

headland at Port Stephens to the sun-drenched expanses of the Opera House surrounds. We performed at the Garden Island Chapel several times a year we have also performed at a steady selection of RSLs from Blacktown to Bomaderry and numerous Navy Mess Dinners in New South Wales (our specialty). Over the years we would have marched hundreds of kilometres in all sorts of parades including Anzac Days (especially rainy ones), the Hunter Valley Wine festival and, driven ourselves to all parts of New South Wales and the East Coast to perform our music.

During this time, the Royal Australian Navy celebrated its 75th anniversary. The band was given the task of playing for His Royal Highness the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ at a dinner at Tresco. His only comment to us was ‘Yes, sounds just like a band’. Around this time Petty Officer Nick Clarke composed The Alert March which was dedicated to the Royal Australian Naval Reserves. The Alert March premiered at the Adelaide Tattoo ACT in 1986. The march was later performed for the opening of the Tokyo Bowl and it has now become a regular piece of music in the Royal Australian Navy Band’s repertoire.

MEMBERS OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES DETACHMENTS AT THE AVALON TATTOO 2010

AND

I can look back with great satisfaction and think of all the current Permanent serving members that we have had the opportunity to work with. Lieutenant Stokes was a one time liaison Petty Officer as was Gabe Kicsak. Lieutenant Stanke spent some time with us before getting his commission and of course, some present members of Sydney detachment have been enriched by their time with us including: Able Seaman Kirsten Hansch, Able Seaman Damian Dowd and Able Seaman Belinda Parker. We therefore expect that our recent Permanent Navy Bandmasters - Andrew Stapleton, Brian Okane and Natalea Erskine, will go onto bigger and better things. So, in retrospect, it’s been a great ride and as I have previously said, many of us have been together for many years. We have been fortunate to have been able to play music with great mates, to be part of the Royal Australian Navy Band family but mostly, to know that we have made lifelong and enduring friendships.

SYDNEY

We moved to the present studio at Waterloo in 1995, and in 2000, Chief Petty Officer Rob Wright took over Bandmaster. In 2004, we became known as the New South Wales detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band.

But now what will I do on Tuesday nights?

Our complement over the years has included all walks of life from the proverbial butcher, baker and candlestick maker. There have been several professional musicians that have graced our stage; the preeminent Paul Panichi and other extremely talented musicians including Peter Dilosa, Ralph Pyl, Dave ‘Slide’ McBride, Anita Thomas and our talented opera-student Bryony Dwyer. Bryony has performed in many featured sets both with us and the Sydney detachment.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

The New South Wales detachment has performed in all sorts of combinations, including Concert, Church, Parade, Stage and our historic ‘blue book’ Bag Band. The five-piece rock and jazz combo featuring Able Seaman Musician Tony Creek has played together with great distinction for over 20 years and has made the Australia Day Regatta concert on Sydney Harbour their own. Over the years several members have been fortunate enough to visit many parts of Australia and overseas. Recently two of our members travelled to Gallipoli to take part in the ANZAC pilgrimage. The band has had many a highlight over the years. We have played everywhere: from the deck of a small vintage steamboat to the hangar of a giant U.S. aircraft carrier, from the smallest school-yard fete to the luxurious ‘gardens’ of Government and Parliament House, from the lavish surroundings of the Sheraton Hotel or the exclusive Point Piper Royal Motor Yacht Club to the local pub out at Bowraville, from a wind and rain swept

BANDMASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF LEADING THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ON ANZAC DAY

After a well deserved Christmas break following a busy period including Navy Week and two weekend trips to regional South Australia, the year started with training being the primary focus for the newer members of the South

the ANZAC Day parade (twice) in the city of Adelaide. Our buglers were also in the spotlight with Leading Seaman McRedmond performing the Last Post and Reveille at the Port Adelaide Naval Association Dawn Service and Leading Seaman Ryan Stott performing at the Dawn Service held at Adelaide’s War Memorial on North Terrace before a crowd of seven thousand people.

Australian detachment. Recruit Finney returned to HMAS Cerberus in January for two weeks to undertake Survival at Sea training in order to complete her recruit training. She returned proudly showing off her certificate and was duly promoted to Seaman. For Seaman Boychenko and Able Seaman Grynchuk, it was heads down, plenty of study and hard practice to complete their task books. Congratulations go to Seaman Finney and Able Seaman Boychenko on their promotions following the successful completion of their course.

Navy’s visibility in Adelaide over the ANZAC weekend swelled significantly with a visit by HMAS Arunta to Adelaide for the ANZAC activities. The ship’s company participated in Dawn services around Adelaide and also in the parade through Adelaide. Not content to rest there, HMAS Arunta was open to the public the following day to a crowd of up to seven thousand; despite closing the gates at one stage as the ship could not cope with the unexpected high interest and turn out by the public. The queue moved very slowly and to take the crowds mind off their sore feet and keep the children entertained, the Rock Group was on hand to provide an energetic, lively and entertaining performance throughout the day. The South Australian detachment also supported the Coral Sea memorial service which was attended by the Governor of South Australia, Rear Admiral Scarce Rtd.

The Royal Australian Navy’s three new Air Warfare destroyers are being built in Adelaide and are due to enter service from 2013. To facilitate their production a new ship building site, TECHPORT, was constructed at Port Adelaide adjacent to the Australian Submarine Corporation on the Port River. The official opening of TECHPORT in February was a major event and attracted many senior State and Federal politicians, various senior Defence members including Chief of Navy, the Governor of South Australia and other invited guests. The South Australian detachment Jazz Ensemble added to the occasion with a selection of jazz favourites as guests arrived and again after the official ceremony.

The Jazz Ensemble will be kept busy in the month of June supporting twenty four Squadron’s Anniversary’s and the Keswick Army Barracks Officer’s Mess Cocktail Party.

South Australia’s major V8 motoring event, ‘Clipsal 500’, continues to get bigger and better every year and is now reputedly Australia’s biggest V8 Supercars event. The Rock Group has been a regular since the first event in 1998 and has become a must for many regulars each year. The Rock Group performed to very enthusiastic crowds for three one hour performances, a one hour performance at midday, a performance before the race and again after the race. Fronted by our talented vocalists Able Seaman Anna Boychenko and Able Seaman Brianna Budgen, Petty Officer Rory McKinnon on lead vocals and Petty Officer Clayton Tschirn on harmony vocals, Their energetic performance kept the crowds entertained and had them calling for encores.

The next six months will also be busy with planning for the annual Navy Week celebrations already underway. Changes to the level of funding for reserve musicians in the new financial year will require some adjustments to how we do business but I have no doubt we will soldier on and continue to provide a service to the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Australian Navy Band and to ourselves for which we can be proud. I was fortunate to be selected as the Bandmaster for the twelve musicians embarking in HMAS Kanimbla for RIMPAC 2010. It has been some time since I was last posted to sea and I look forward to the opportunity to get back to sea and working with the permanent navy musicians, enhancing HMAS Kanimbla’s profile in Apia and Hawaii, reliving life at sea and getting in plenty of fresh sea air. I welcome, thank and wish Chief Petty Officer Musician David Hardstaff, who is filling in for me during my absence. Best wishes from all of us here in sunny SA.

THE ROCK GROUP SUPPOTING OPEN DAY FOR HMAS ARUNTA

The South Australian detachment was privileged to have the Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, join us for this year's ANZAC Dawn Service at Port Adelaide and

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

paraded through the city in Perth and then went to Rockingham to do both the march and the memorial service to conclude the parade. In May and June we were unable to play at any events as there was limited funding to support this. We used this time to rehearse for the Junior Recruits Reunion to be held in July. Chief of Navy will be in attendance as he was a Junior Recruit himself.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

We have had a successful recruiting drive with six new members joining our ranks this year. They are Josh Abbot (trumpet), Samantha Ashman (saxophone), Katherine Brandt (trumpet), Tiana Commijs (keyboard/vocals), Carl Harper (trombone) and Breanna Jagoe-Banks (trombone). This has been our best recruiting drive we have had in many years. See you all again in the next counter-march.

ANZAC DAY PARADE IN ROCKINGHAM

The first half of 2010 has come and gone at a fast rate of knots. The number of performances we have been apart of for the second half of the financial year has unfortunately been less than previous years. February normally starts with a whole team event for Uniting Aid. The concert is held at Yokine Reserve and is getting bigger each year. The Advertising campaign is through the local council in the community paper, which means the council members usually turn up and enjoy the evening performance. Other events for the month were bugle calls for HMS Ganges and a memorial service for HMAS Perth. The local Australian Navy Cadets also join us in support for these memorial services. March saw the detachment travel to Mandurah for a fund raising concert at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. All money raised went to Legacy Western Australia which supports families throughout the state. The detachment was well-received and ended up doing two encores. The month ended with Musselfest down at Rockingham foreshore. The event always pulls large crowds and the Director of Music Navy also travelled from Sydney to show his support. April was by far our busiest month. Buglers were busy playing at Orion Fin Dedications, School Memorial Services and Football Memorial Services. The lead up to Anzac Day was a little bit different for the Dixie Group. Their first performance was for the International Harbour Masters Association at Government House. This is a high profile job for Navy as it improves local and national trade between many countries. Next was the Red Bull Air Race where the group performed in front of thousands of people between races.

LEADING SEAMAN BARRETT PLAYING ‘LAST POST’ AND ‘REVEILLE’ AT THE ANZAC DAY MEMORIAL SERVICE IN ROCKINGHAM

Anzac Day itself was busy starting with buglers playing at Rockingham and Fremantle Services. The detachment

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

To wrap up a busy and productive first half of 2010, the detachment travelled again to Burnie for a ball fundraising for medical research. With over three hundred guests in attendance, the ball was an opportunity to present another view of Navy to some of the more influential members of the public. The Director of Music was also in attendance to farewell Chief Petty Officer Peter Siggs from the Permanent Navy, and welcome him into the reserves. Chief Petty Officer Siggs rebuilt the detachment almost from scratch when he arrived in Tasmania, and its success is a credit to him and a reflection of his hard work. Chief Petty Officer Siggs is continuing in his role as Bandmaster until October as a reservist, as well as training for his new job as a Corrections Officer at Risdon Prison.

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN DORIAN BROOMHALL

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

THE ROCK GROUP FROM THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT HAVING A GREAT TIME ON STAGE AT PARLIAMENT LAWNS

The first half of 2010 has been an exciting time for the Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. The motivation within the detachment to perform at an extremely high level has been evident.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

In the first weekend of February a fundraising event was held for St Giles, a charity that provides support for children with disabilities in Tasmania. The main feature of this event was the eleven piece Rock Ensemble. The free outdoor concert was held on Parliament lawns on a Saturday afternoon, right next to the famous Salamanca markets as they were wrapping up for the week. Hundreds of people gathered on the lawns with chairs and rugs to settle in for the two hour performance, as well as many more who stopped as they were passing by. Professional stage and sound was provided as the detachment played everything from ACDC to Pink. Also in attendance was the Director of Music; the detachment was extremely pleased to have Commander Anderson attend the biggest concert on the detachment’s calendar. Personnel from the Navy Community Engagement Program were also in attendance, collecting donations and talking to members of the audience as they very often do when the Tasmanian detachment perform.

Greetings from the Sunshine State. While reading this edition of the Royal Australian Navy Band Newsletter most of you will be shivering your way through winter; well this year so am I. What a difference twelve months can make.

During the first half of this year attention was also given to training newer members on the side drum in order to establish a drum and bugle corps. The detachment utilised this ensemble twice; for a freedom of entry march through the streets of Burnie with HMAS Manoora, and on ANZAC day in Huonville. Not having the capacity to run a full parade band, the expansion of the drum corps to drum and bugle has given the ensemble new depth and interest.

In February, two of the detachment’s Able Seaman were to join Gemma in Sydney as part of the Royal Australian Navy Band contingent supporting the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Able Seaman Anthony Sargeant and Able Seaman Robert Schultz were willing volunteers for the once in a lifetime opportunity, and from all reports they enjoyed the experience immensely. Also in February we performed for the HMAS Voyager Memorial Service at St Mary’s Church, Kangaroo Point. After starting the year with two Stage Band performances I was very pleased with the quality of the small church ensemble and the detachment’s ability to adapt to the different style of music.

The detachment’s first commitment for 2010 was the opening of the Kangaroo Point Parkland. This is prime land looking over the Brisbane River and city. It must have been very tempting to turn it over to the developers but fortunately they didn’t. The Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at the Great Hall in the Brisbane Convention Centre was quite a spectacle. With the City Hall under renovation the Great Hall is an excellent alternative with seating for over a thousand people. I was impressed with the quality of the performance and due to the size of the hall we stuck to the usual Stage Band repertoire and it was very well received. I was lucky to have Able Seaman Gemma Tilly available for one last gig prior to resuming her Continuous Full-time Service contract with the Sydney detachment.

The detachment also managed to get out to the West Coast of the state to perform at a ball in Queenstown as a part of the Queenstown Heritage and Arts Festival. The last time the West Coast had seen a Navy Band was in the early ‘90s. One audience member recalled that concert, and said he was thrilled to see the band back some fifteen years later, keeping up with the times and keeping the young people on the dance floor.

The highlight for March was the Queensland detachment’s involvement with the Stanthorpe Apple & Grape Festival. The president of the newly formed Naval Association in Stanthorpe is a gentleman by the name of Norm Gale. You

boat rides, face painting and a static, hands on opportunity for the kids to play guitar, drums and even the tuba. They loved it. The highlight of course was a lunch time performance by the Queensland detachment.

would be hard pressed to find a more committed and passionate ex-serving member and his enthusiasm to have the Queensland detachment involved with the festival was intense. When I put it to Norm that it would be very difficult for us to attend due to budget constraints, within days he had meals, transport and accommodation sorted at no cost to us. It was impossible to say no to him. As it turned out we performed two street marches, a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset and two Stage Band sets in the RSL Club all in one day. We spent the night at Warwick and were treated to a magnificent cooked breakfast put on by the local Veteran’s Association. One gentleman had driven for over an hour to help prepare breakfast and meet us. I don’t think we fully appreciate how much it means to these individuals and their organisations to have us in their town. They went above and beyond the call of duty on this occasion.

The last weekend in May the detachment was down the coast at Coolangatta supporting the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR) Navy Reunion. As well as a fifty man Federation Guard we managed to put together a twenty piece Parade Band for the Beat to Quarters & Ceremonial Sunset on the Saturday night and the street parade and Dedication Ceremony on the Sunday. Congratulations must also be offered to Able Seaman Gemma Tilly and Leading Seaman Cath Esbensen who were promoted to Leading Seaman and Petty Officer at an informal ceremony by the Commanding Officer of Navy Headquarters of South Queensland, Commander Geoffrey Fiedler, at our last rehearsal night in June.

Also in March we welcomed Seaman Leigh Robke to the detachment. Leigh is a talented vocalist and is very keen to expand on her vocal style, particularly with the Stage Band element and further develop her confidence and experience within the Navy Band while working toward her professional music career in the local Brisbane club scene. Leigh’s first vocal performance with the Stage Band was in early April for Brisbane City Hall’s 80th Birthday Celebrations. She handled the occasion very well and sang with a confidence and maturity beyond her years.

Before closing I’d like to sincerely thank all the members of the Queensland detachment for a truly memorable eighteen months. I personally have never enjoyed my life or my job as much as I have here in Brisbane. As we move forward into an uncertain future and adjust to change as best we can let us be very proud of what we’ve done to this point and know that it was worthwhile and that we have had a positive influence and provided happy memories to so many people.

The major highlight in April for me was once again ANZAC Day in Brisbane. The Dawn Service at Bulimba Barracks was once again well attended with Able Seaman Darren Skaar performing a fine rendition of the Last Post and Reveille on Bugle. This year’s service was again conducted right on the shore of the Brisbane River with an eerie fog drifting up the river creating a spectacular atmosphere. The traditional Gunfire Breakfast was once again well attended by the detachment.

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

The year started with the commencement of the 1/10 Band Officers Course. There are three students on this year’s course including two Navy members who are Lieutenant Cassandra Mohapp and Sub-Lieutenant Brian O’Kane. They are joined by Lieutenant Nigel Davy from the Australian Army Band Corp. All students have settled in well and their progress to date has been very impressive.

After last years memorable Commemoration Service at Bulimba, I was looking forward once again to this years Service in the park. There were thousands of people again in that beautiful setting. This year with Able Seaman Gemma Tilly away on the Gallipoli Pilgrimage it was over to Seaman Robke to lead the gathering in the hymns and anthem. Her rendition of ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ was particularly stirring and I noticed a number of those gathered wiping tears from their eyes as a result. Well done Seaman Robke and congratulations also to Able Seaman Tilly for being selected to perform as part of the Royal Australian Navy Band element at Gallipoli.

February marked the commencement of the Section Leader Course which included Able Seaman Vitaliy Rayitsyn from the Sydney detachment and Able Seaman David Rampant from the Melbourne detachment. It is always refreshing to have Navy numbers increase at the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM) even if it is for such a short period. Both members worked extremely hard and I am confident the skills they have developed over the course will prepare them to be effective Section Leaders.

The main march through Brisbane, which was attended by thousands of people and the most beautiful day imaginable as was the case last year. The Coral Sea Commemoration in May was once again a highlight. Unfortunately this year we weren’t joined by the Pacific Fleet Band from Hawaii so it was up to us to provide the entire musical support. Also in May we supported the Navy Headquarters South Queensland ‘Kids Charity Fun Day. Held on a Saturday the Headquarters put on a fun packed day full of various activities including jumping castle,

During March, Petty Officer Kara Williams returned to her home town Wangaratta to speak at the Zonta careers seminar breakfast held at the Gateway Conference Centre. The breakfast is held annually and focuses on career opportunities for woman. Kara was received by several hundred enthusiastic year 11 and 12 female students who

Leaders Course Navy student of merit - Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe.

listened attentively to her life experiences as a musician in the Royal Australian Navy. Kara was a hit with the girls and the event was covered by the local newspaper. We were extremely fortunate to welcome British conducting sensation Alexander Shelley to the DFSM. Alexander conducted a workshop with the Band Officers Course (BOC) concentrating on rehearsal techniques. The Melbourne detachment was also in attendance and had the privilege of being conducted by one of the worlds up and coming conductors. Alexander was in Melbourne to conduct the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) at Hammer Hall where the Band Officers Course attended a rehearsal session as well as the concert. Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe from the Sydney detachment attended this year’s residential Group Leaders Course. Grant enjoyed the challenges of such a lengthy and comprehensive course and performed extremely well.

ABLE SEAMAN YAROSLAVSKAYA RECEIVING THE SECTION LEADERS STUDENT OF MERIT PLAQUE

Defence Force School of Music staff continue to work diligently in preparation for the launch of the Distance Learning packages on the 1 July 2010. Work continues on the Defence Force School of Music website where all courses, content and requirements will soon be linked. All members are encouraged to visit the site prior to attending any courses. Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron has been working within the Training Development cell reviewing and adjusting content of Training Management Packages for all residential courses.

On behalf of the staff at the Defence School of Music, I would like to wish you all a safe and prosperous second half of 2010.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND ASSOCIATION REPORT

Leading up to Anzac Day DFSM staff and trainees participated in the annual Templestowe ANZAC service organised by Rotary. This service is attended annually by hundreds of local school students.

ARTICLE BY RALPH DAINES, SECRETARY

Why would sane, elderly ex naval bandsmen want to pay their own way to go overseas and play for Anzac Day when, whilst they were serving members were generally looking for excuses to be sick or something just to get out of playing on numerous occasions? Well, the answer is that these days we do generally have ailments but are looking for excuses to have a reason to play and in 2000 the Association paraded a Band of 70 members in Sydney for Anzac Day and since then have each year formed a Band of various sizes for many occasions.

Anzac Day Dawn Service held at Simpson Barracks once again saw over six thousand members of the civilian and defence community attend. On completion of the Dawn Service all Navy Defence Force School of Music staff and students joined the Melbourne detachment for the Melbourne City ANZAC Day March. The 2010 Defence Force School of Music Graduation Ceremony was held on the 17 June 10. Lieutenants’ Idrus and Azhar of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces were successful graduates of the Band Officers Course. Our two international students make a truly remarkable story. Prior to arriving at the Defence Force School of Music neither officer had any music training. During the past three years they have successfully completed all music courses held at the School. Their development has been nothing short of amazing. To think, in June 2007 the Brunei officers commenced Basic Musician Course and progressed through to the Section Leader, Group Leader, Assistant Band Leader, Drum Major and two sound courses all within the same year. We were also fortunate to have the Melbourne detachment perform at the graduation Ceremony.

Singapore is a very important part of our military history and at Kranji a very large War Cemetery and Monument is home to many thousand graves of Commonwealth Servicemen. Contact with the Australian High Commission and as luck would have it a RAN Warrant Officer and we were on our way. Assistance from the Australian International School with larger instruments and music stands and some logistics help and housing from the RAN Liaison Officer Singapore, the show was ready to roll. A party of fifty members and partners travelled and of that a Band of twenty five arrived for rehearsals at the White Ensign Club, Sembawang on Thursday 22nd feeling a little apprehensive I’m sure, with the weather very hot and humid and the rehearsal to be held outdoors under the car port. Once walking sticks were stowed, false teeth sorted out, hearing aids adjusted and glasses with the best magnification put in place, the music, parts which each

The Navy musician prize winners were Section Leaders Course Student of Merit – Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya and the John Stucas Shield for the Group

Australian and New Zealand High Commissions was very positive and grateful for our efforts, the support from HMAS Success and HMAS Anzac was appreciated and the Association certainly did not let the RAN or Australia down.

player had received months earlier to practice, was now going to be played for the first time as a band. Ouch, the first bars were played, we need to be better than that I winced, but five hours later the cobwebs were gone and we had had a smile on our faces, not bad I thought for a band consisting of players for the first time together as this particular ensemble and ranging in age from 56 to 82 years of age.

The following comments are excerpts from written thanks: The Band, who were immaculately presented and in excellent tune, provided a special dimension to the 2010 Service.

Next morning it was off to the Australian International School for the Primary School’s Anzac Service. Firstly we had time for some more rehearsal, this time not in the heat, but in a very modern air-conditioned auditorium, this was followed with rehearsals with the school choir for the Anzac Dawn Service. We then faced 550 children aged from 8 to11 for the Anzac Service, which was conducted by the children, of many nationalities, and we provided the musical support.

Australian High Commissioner The Band’s performance was exceptional and greatly added to the dignity and ambiance of the occasion. It was tremendously heart-warming to see ex-serving members display such an unwavering passion for wanting to make a contribution to Anzac Day and in particular to express their clear pride in their on-going association with the RAN. Australian Defence Adviser Singapore & Brunei Will we do it again? Certainly, we have a cruise planned for 2011 with concerts and back to Singapore in 2012 and please remember you are all welcome. Ralph Daines

RIMPAC 2010 ARTICLE BY FROM THE NAVY INTERNET SITE

RAN BAND ASSOCIATION BAND AND STUDENTS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AT THE ANZAC DAWN SERVICE

The Principal best summed up the day; “The children enjoyed the interaction with the band members and were moved by fact that the members were returned servicemen. This gave a greater depth and significance to our ANZAC Day service at school. Additionally, the musical expertise of the band added a special dimension to our memorial service.” Rehearsals the next day, was for the Dawn Service, but only a few of us hardy ones were required and the heavens opened up. We were required to rehearse with the catafalque party from HMAS Anzac and generally set up for the band’s playing area. The catafalque party team accepted us oldies and worked with us as if we were part of the Navy and this made the effort so worthwhile and the results showed.

PERFORMING BEAT TO QUARTERS DURING THE RIMPAC RECEPTION

The RAN Band Sea Deployment Group, embarked in HMAS Kanimbla, has held a series of public performances during the Exercise Rim-of-the- Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010, starting with a performance at one of Hawaii’s most important and historic sites. The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, marks the site where America’s war in the Pacific began. It is home now to two World War 2 memorials – the USS Arizona which was sunk by the Japanese, USS Oklahoma and USS Missouri, where the Japanese surrendered at the end of the war. The Sea Deployment Group played on site for an impressive two and a half hours.

Anzac Day came and after a brief sound check with the choir, at 0600 we commenced playing suitable incidental music as the VIPs and the public made their way into the War Cemetery. Before a crowd in excess of 2500 we provided musical support to the Dawn Service and following, incidental music during the gunfire breakfast. I came away from Kranji feeling very proud of what the members of the Association had achieved and the response from both

concert for the children at Vaiala Beach School. Vaiala Beach School in Apia Samoa, an independently owned company was established with one pupil, at Aggie Greys Flats at Vaiala in 1984. It steadily grew over the years until it occupies two flats, which was a far cry from the original beginning of a tin shack on the water's edge. Cyclone Ofa, in 1990, created havoc and demolished the school that preempted the hasty move to Apia Park. It was during this period that land was purchased at Vailima for the eventual establishment of permanent premises. January 1994 saw the fruition of these plans with the opening of the new premises at Vailima. The school have since added five extra classrooms, a library and sports shed.

The brass quintet setting a suitably sombre theme with renditions of "Danny Boy" and "Starlight", to the delight of the American crowds. The Memorial’s Superintendent Paul DePrey said RIMPAC was a great opportunity to feature musicians from another country. “The performance was great. The selection of music was really appropriate and set the tone for visitors to the site,” Mr DePrey said. “I like the fact that they were from Australia – another country that had such a strong relationship the US during the Pacific War.” Band Master for the Sea Deployment Group Chief Petty Officer Musician (CPOMUSN) Doug Antonoff said the performance had come about through a contact in the Pacific Fleet (PACFLT). “This was a good opportunity for the brass quintet,” CPO Antonoff said. “This site is steeped in history. It is a good opportunity to be here to perform for a lot of international tourists.” CPO Antanoff said tuba player Able Seaman Musician (ABMUSN) Adam Arnold had been responsible for the selection of music and this event had given him an opportunity to develop his leadership skills. “It’s always a challenge selecting music. We have a diverse repertoire with a broad range of music and styles,” AB Arnold said. “It has been a privilege to perform here.”

A CONCERT AT VAIALA BEACH SCHOOL IN APIA, SAMOA

THREDBO JAZZ FESTIVAL ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER CHRIS PALAMOUNTAIN I had the great privilege of leading a seven-piece band from the Sydney detachment to the 2010 Thredbo Jazz Festival from Friday 30 April – Sunday 2 May. The instrumentation consisted of myself on tenor sax, Leading Seaman Rob Flynn trombone, Able Seaman Damian Dowd vocals, Able Seaman Chris Ellis trumpet, Able Seaman Neil Mildren drums, Able Seaman Vitali Rayitsyn bass, and Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov piano.

In the weeks leading up to the festival we put together a varied repertoire of standards, originals and some lesser known compositions. Most of the charts featured sophisticated arrangements in the ‘Jazz Messengers’ style as we wanted to showcase the three-horn front line. A special mention must go to Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov for his two brilliant original compositions (“Ballad” and “Sharada”) written especially for the festival.

ABLE SEAMAN MUSICIAN STEPHANIE HUTCHINSON MEETS ‘VILI THE WARRIOR’ AT THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE AT KAILUA

Not all of the band’s performances were so serious. The band also played at the Australian-run Wet ‘n Wild Water Park, an afternoon concert at Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki and they joined the Pacific Fleet Marching band in a special parade.

We departed Sydney on Friday morning (after a slight delay due to the unexpected arrival of our Naval Police Coxswains for a random drug test…!) and after a seven hour drive arrived in the beautiful alpine village of Thredbo. We headed straight to the Schuss Bar at the Thredbo Alpine Hotel to set up for the evening’s performance. Somehow we managed to squeeze ourselves onto the diminutive stage and played two sets, from 1730-1930.

12 members of the RAN Band SDG have deployed on HMAS Kanimbla for RIMPAC and include the brass quintet, a jazz group and a rock group. On the way to Pearl Harbor, HMAS Kanimbla stopped in Apia, Samoa, and the Sea Deployment Group played a

Despite the cramped conditions, the long days’ drive and testing acoustics the band played exceptionally well and was given hearty applause from the audience. A highlight of the gig was Able Seaman Damian Dowd’s performance of “Little Person”, a beautiful song from the film “Synecdoche New York”, during which you could have heard a pin drop in the crowded bar.

After four days of recording and rehearsals the contingent departed from Sydney to Canberra for pre-deployment briefs and the issue of our travel attire. This was also the first opportunity for us to meet the other members of the touring party which included members of Australia’s Federation Guard, Navy Chaplain and the winners of the Chief of Army scholarship.

Our performance the next night was in a dramatically different venue, the fine-dining establishment of Cascades Restaurant. We played three sets from 2000-2230 and again the crowd was warm and appreciative. For our final set the American vocalist Barbara Morrison (headline performer of the festival) and her band were in the audience, which certainly made sure everyone played at their absolute best!

We departed Canberra by coach on Saturday 17 April and headed for Mascot Airport to catch our flight to Istanbul via Dubai. On arrival at Istanbul we then had a 350 km road trip to Canakkale where we would spend the next eight days.

Throughout the weekend the festival organisers were great to work with, friendly and really well organised, and our meals and accommodation (all provided by the festival) far exceeded expectations. Our thanks to Commander Anderson for facilitating this wonderful opportunity for the musicians involved. I believe our performance at the festival did much to increase the profile of the Royal Australian Navy Band. It also provided a unique opportunity to promote Navy’s image in the Snowy Mountains region. NAVY BAND CONTINGENT IN FRONT OF THE LONE PINE MEMORIAL

ANZAC GALLIPOLI PILGRIMAGE

Over the following three days we were fortunate to experience cultural tours which included visiting Troy, Island of Tenedos Bozcaada, Assos and the Skirts of Mount Ida. On 21 April we visited ANZAC Cove for the first time and joined the “I am an Australian Soldier” Scholarship Group for a day of Battlefield Tours. This was a day that I and I am sure the touring party will never forget. To see first hand the terrain and hear the stories of bravery from the ANZAC’s was indeed very emotional and rewarding. We visited The Nek, Chunuk Bair, Outpost No 2, Walkers Ridge, Shell Green, Quinns Post and Lone Pine just to name a few. We were able to stand in the trenches and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the battle field.

BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

On 23 April we were joined by nine New Zealand Defence Force musicians for rehearsals in preparation for the Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove. We also combined and performed at the Turkey International Children’s Festival which was held at the Canakkale Football Stadium. This performance also included bands from the Turkish Armed Forces as well as Defence Bands from Pakistan and France. We performed to a full stadium of approximately ten thousand people as well as the performance being televised live on Turkish television. On completion of the festival each band marched along the Canakkale foreshore to an appreciative audience.

MEMBERS OF THE NAVY BAND CONTINGENT ON ANZAC COVE

On Monday 12th April 2010, 16 very excited Royal Australian Navy Musicians and I arrived at the Sydney detachment rehearsal complex for preparations and rehearsal for our departure to Turkey for the 2010 ANZAC Commemorative Service held at ANZAC Cove on the 25 April. The touring party consisted of nine reserve musicians and eight permanent musicians. As part of our rehearsal schedule the contingent recorded all of the ANZAC music, in which Compact Disc copies of the music were given for distribution by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane who represented the Australian Defence Force at the ceremony.

The 24th April started with us performing at the Turkish International Service at Mehmetick. This performance also included the Turkish Defence bands as well as the Bands from Pakistan and France. On completion of the service, Leading Seaman Marcus Salone performed the Last Post

performed an excellent rendition of the Last Post under very difficult conditions.

and Reveille at the Commonwealth Memorial Service at Cape Helles.

After the Dawn Service at ANZAC Cove we ventured to Lone Pine for the Australian Service. This service was a lot more relaxed and was performed to a festive atmosphere. Once again the Navy musicians performed brilliantly and we were well received by the general public. Leading Seaman Marcus Salone performed an excellent rendition of the Last Post and Reveille. On completion of the service we attended the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair before returning to Canakkale. We departed from Canakkale on 26 April and returned to Istanbul where we had the opportunity to enjoy the culture of the city and visit sites such as the Blue Mosque, Cistem and the Grand Bazaar. We departed Turkey on 29 April and arrived in Sydney on 30 April. I would like to thank all the musicians for their efforts and the high standard of music performance that they produced. We all now have fond memories on what was a trip of a life time.

NAVY BAND CONTINGENT AT ANZAC COVE WITH THE SPHINX IN BACKGROUND

After an afternoon of rest we departed for Bagali to perform at the Bagali Peace Festival. The festival was held on the site of Gazi Mustafa Kemal ATATURK headquarters during the invasion and battle at ANZAC Cove. The festival was attended by thousands of young University Students who enjoyed a week-end of music and cultural dancing. Our performance included a mass bands performance as well as a 10 minute solo performance of Australian music. This event was also televised live on Turkish television. On completion of our performance we departed for ANZAC Cove in preparation for the Dawn Service the following morning.

ANZAC DAY ESSAY BY COMMANDER PHILLIP ANDERSON

We arrived at ANZAC Cove at approximately 10:30 pm on the evening of 24 April and prepared the stage for the Dawn Service. At 3 am we combined with the New Zealand Defence Band and performed a 35 minute reflective music program which included music from the era. The highlight of the program was a performance of Un Peu D’Amour which was sung by Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer and accompanied by Leading Seaman Marcus Salone on Cornet. The origin of performing this work was that a Turkish Soldier who was a professional musician performed the tune from his trench every evening after the days fighting had finished. The work has become a part of the lead up to the Dawn Service.

LEADING SEAMAN MARCUS SALONE PLAYING THE LAST POST AT LONE PINE, GALLIPOLI

At 4:30 am members of the Navy Band Contingent were joined by Turkish String section musicians for the performance of “The Landing” written by Elena KatsChernin. Over the past three years prominent musicians have been asked to write a movement of a suite which will be performed in its entirety in 2015 at the 100th Anniversary Celebrations. The suite describes the journey of our diggers as they prepared, landed and fought the battle at Gallipoli. We were indeed fortunate to be involved in the third movement.

On ANZAC Day, we traditionally commemorate those, especially the fallen, who served before us in past conflicts. We also reflect on our own recent and ongoing service in operational theatres, which continues to bring great credit upon Navy and the Australian Defence Force.1 As we approach the 95th Anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli, it is appropriate that we review the reasons why we commemorate ANZAC Day and what it means to us as a nation and as individuals. It will be a particularly poignant anniversary this year for 17 of our musicians who have deployed to assist with the remembrance ceremonies at Anzac Cove and Lone Pine. No doubt, the 30 musicians

The Dawn Service commenced at 5:30 am on a cold still morning. The service was very emotional and it was an honour to be part of it. It was amazing how quite such a large crowd could be. I could not have been more proud of the contingent’s performance. Warrant Officer Dale Granger

CN AUSTRALIA message 191016ZAPR10 para 1

who deployed to the Gallipoli Peninsula in 2004 and 2007 will also recall some strong emotions from their experience.

Ships in all theatres of war. They worked as gun crews, shell bearers in magazines, in transmitting stations, as first aid parties and as lookouts through day and night watches. Our musicians were among those unfortunate sailors who lost their lives in HMA Ships Perth, Australia, Penguin, Canberra and Sydney. A particular point of reflection can be noted in Kathryn Spurling’s Cruel Conflict:

Between 25 April 1915 and 9 January 1916 men from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France and other countries fought a fierce and ultimately unsuccessful campaign to capture the strategically important Gallipoli Peninsula, capture Constantinople and knock Turkey out of the war. As we commemorate ANZAC Day it is also worth reflecting on the little known story of HMAS AE2 and the Royal Australian Navy Bridging Train. Navy was in fact the 'first in and last out' of the Australian forces at Gallipoli: The submarine HMAS AE2 began her passage of the Dardanelles before the ANZAC landings commenced; and the Royal Australian Navy Bridging Train departed after Anzac Cove had been evacuated.2

Few men attended more burials than Ordinary Seaman Elmo Gee. Playing these days was restricted to the haunting melancholy lament ‘The Last Post’. Gee would play that 1500 times—one day he played it 33 times.4 Ordinary Seaman Gee was Perth’s bugler. As a prisoner of War, he laboured on the infamous Burma-Siam Railway. Our musicians also saw action onboard the carrier HMAS Sydney in Korean waters in 1953, and a total of 172 musicians served onboard HMA Ships Sydney and Melbourne during the Vietnam conflict—the musicians from these two ships also performed separate concert tours of South Vietnam in 1970. Forty five of our current generation of musicians served in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Falconer, Operation Catalyst and Operation Slipper. On ANZAC Day we give thanks to all of those musicians.

It has often been said that Australia came of age on that morning some 14 years after Federation.3 That may be true and perhaps that is why we hold the day in such high regard in our national calendar. It certainly is not a day to celebrate a great military victory. In fact, it was a military disaster from any viewpoint; except for the well-planned and successful evacuation, which followed some eight months later. The final count of the dead was 250 000 of which 10 000 were ANZAC troops.

I am sure that we would all agree that ANZAC Day is not a day for honouring war; for war is not something to be honoured. War is something that is used by a nation as a last resort to safeguard its sovereignty when diplomacy has failed. We do however, on ANZAC Day, honour all of the people of Australia who have undertaken warfare to protect that sovereignty, no matter how distasteful it may have been to them personally and in spite of the risk of losing their lives. To them, on ANZAC Day, we say:

However, it is just not Gallipoli we remember on ANZAC Day; nor is it even the First World War. ANZAC Day is a day set aside for us to collectively give thanks to all those men and women who put their lives in harms way and in many cases paid the supreme sacrifice. Those men and women did not start the wars in which they were involved; they were fighting on behalf of all the people of Australia. What they did was to offer their very existence when they were told that their country needed them.

Be proud of what you have done, as we are proud of you. Parade yourselves confident in the knowledge that your deeds are appreciated by the Australians for whom you served, no matter which of Australia's battles you have fought. You have helped create a tradition which our relatively young nation can display with honour in any company. We thank you for all of this.5

More completely, ANZAC Day is a day to commemorate the bravery and self-sacrifice of past and present generations. It is a day to acknowledge the selflessness of all those who have been prepared to lay down their lives for Australia so that we can live in freedom. So on this ANZAC Day we thank and recognise those who served in the first and second world wars, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam and more recently, Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.

But as we reflect on all of the conflicts in which Australians have been involved, and the many incredibly dangerous situations faced by our defence forces in other operational deployments, one thing clearly stands out—mateship is at the heart of what we refer to as the ANZAC values: it drives loyalty, courage, endurance and sacrifice. It is a compelling reason for most acts of heroism, and is a powerful motivator in our nation’s psyche. Vice Admiral Crane characterises the ANZAC Spirit as ‘noble and selfless service to our nation’,6 and there is no finer example of

You have heard me say before that the Royal Australian Navy Band has a proud record of service to the nation, and it is worthwhile reiterating some examples of that service. On 5 August 1914, when war was declared, HMAS Australia sailed with orders to seek out the German Pacific Fleet: our musicians were utilised as medical attendants onboard Australia during the Great War. During WWII, our musicians served with distinction in HMA 2 3

http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_and_ANZAC_Day Address to the ANZAC Day Service at the National Cathedral, Washington DC, by the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia, The Hon Wayne Swan MP on 24 April 2009

4 5 6

Kathryn Spurling, Cruel Conflict: the triumph and tragedy of HMAS Perth, New Holland Publishers, 2008, p 258 ANZAC Day Speech by the RSL National President, Major General Bill Crews, 2006 CN AUSTRALIA message 191016ZAPR10 para 6

worthy of our inheritance. And in this way, we can renew our pledge of nationhood in honouring those who served and suffered or died.

noble and selfless service than that shown by OrdinarySeaman Edward (Teddy) Sheean. On 1 December 1942, HMAS Armidale was attacked by Japanese aircraft whilst enroute to Timor and had to be abandoned. As the crew was abandoning ship, the Japanese began machine-gunning survivors in the water. When he saw this, Teddy Sheean, though himself wounded, manned the aft 20 mm Oerlikon gun and began shooting at the attacking aircraft. He shot one down and damaged two others. Sheean remained at the gun and continued to engage the enemy aircraft even as the ship went down.7

The ANZAC values serves to shape Who We Are and What We Stand For.

ANNUAL REPORT RELEASED

Teddy Sheean gave up his chance to escape and died trying to save his mates. As Armidale took her final plunge, witnesses saw an arc of tracer rounds going up from Teddy’s gun as the hot barrel hissed into the water. If ever a little ship died fighting, then Armidale was that ship; and it was this teenage boy who brought undying fame to his little ship at the cost of his young life. But he did not die thinking of fame. He gave his life for his friends.8 What does the example of Teddy Sheean teach succeeding generations of young Australians? The Navy honoured him by naming a submarine after him—the only submarine ever named after an ordinary sailor in any navy. Perhaps what young Teddy teaches us all, young and old, is, “it’s not all about me!”. In my view, that useful phrase sums up the point and purpose of ANZAC Day. Teddy’s 94 year old sister pointed out at the commissioning of the new patrol boat HMAS Armidale a few years ago: He was an ordinary seaman, and an ordinary Australian who performed an extraordinary act. Mateship has never been the exclusive preserve of our defence forces. Whenever Australians are called upon to assist, mateship comes to the fore. We see it in our fire fighters and emergency services teams, in our vast band of community volunteers, our medical staff, our police and many others who respond to those in need.9 Perhaps most of all, ANZAC Day is a celebration of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.

The Annual Report for Financial Year 2009 – 2010 has been released and placed on the band’s intranet site. The Report shows that despite the ever-persistent funding challenges, the band continued to reach many hundreds of thousands of people ashore and afloat. Collectively, the band’s detachments form a very effective platform in which to deliver musical services to Navy, and through its philosophy of conducting benchmark activities, the band achieves world-class standards of performance in selected music disciplines.

When you parade on ANZAC Day, reflect upon the opportunities and freedoms bequeathed to us by our forebears; they would be comforted in knowing that we, and the people of Australia, remember and honour their sacrifice. But we can take the act of commemoration to an even higher place by following their example—by committing ourselves to lead lives worthy of their sacrifice by looking after our shipmates and our fellow citizens as well as we are able. This is the test of humanity, which will make us

However, the Report also notes that there are significant challenges ahead in light of the ‘value for money’ and ‘cost conscious’ environment that, if not carefully managed, will give ascendency to ‘accounting costs’ verses ‘economic benefits’ arguments thereby making it difficult to balance the needs of our people with other competing interests.

8 9

http://www.navy.gov.au/Publications:Papers_in_Australian_M aritime_Affairs_No._17, article by N. Watson http://www.navy.gov.au/Ordinary_Seaman_Edward_Sheean, article by J.H. Straczek ANZAC Day Speech by the RSL National President, Major General Bill Crews, 2006

Navy personnel to demonstrate in order for Navy to “successfully adopt and sustain [its] desired culture”9.

PEOPLE, PERFORMANCE & PROFESSIONALISM

AIM The aim of the paper is to profile Navy personnel according to their generation to demonstrate to Navy managers how adopting and accepting the New Generation Navy Signature Behaviours is a crucial part of attracting and retaining personnel to enable Navy to meet future capability.

HOW NAVY’S SIGNATURE BEHAVIOURS WILL MANAGE A ‘NEW GENERATION’ OF SAILORS DEFENCE PAPER BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

They have no idea what a broken record is or what you mean when you say they sound like one1

To do so this paper will explore:

INTRODUCTION Many organisations are facing the challenge of managing a workplace that has been inundated by a new cohort of talented, well educated, techno-savvy, open-minded young workers known as Generation Y.2 These young adults, often portrayed as lazy and self-interested, are one of the most misunderstood generations in recent history.3

3 4 5

6 7

Navy’s Signature Behaviours – how the adoption of the behaviours will ensure Navy’s culture is aligned to the expectations of recent generations.

Definition The Oxford Compact English Dictionary defines the word ‘generation’ as “all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively”10. Twentieth Century generations typically represent a period of twenty years. There are many theories on the exact birth years for each generation. For the purpose of this paper the five main generations of the Twentieth Century are:

In order “to support its new capability”5, the Navy will change course to focus “on the management and engagement of its people”6. Chief of Navy (CN), Vice Admiral Russ Crane, reiterated this point relaying that NGN was designed “to transform our Navy into a more sustainable and people focused organisation”7. To kick-start NGN’s cultural change, a set of ten ‘Signature Behaviours’ were developed. Seen as “core to NGN”8, the Signature Behaviours are designed for

Generational Theory – including profiling Navy personnel according to their age and rank; and

GENERATIONAL THEORY

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is not immune to the trials faced by other organisations. Navy has realised the need to recruit, manage and retain Gen Y and has a strategy to take on this challenge. Getting underway early in 2009, the New Generation Navy (NGN) initiative is a reform program designed to transform the RAN into an organisation fit to deliver future capability outlined in the Defence White Paper.4

Table 1: Twentieth Century Generations NAME

McQueen, M. (2008). p. 5. The ‘New’ Rules of Engagement – A Guide to Understanding & Connecting with Generation Y. Australia: Nexgen Impact. Tulgan, B., & Martin, C.A. (2001). Managing Generation Y – Part 1. Retrieved September 26, 2009, from http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2001/sb20 010928_113.htm McQueen (2008) op. cit. pp. 6-7. Crane, R.H. (2008). State of the Navy: 2008 Video Symposium (DVD). Canberra: Department of Defence. Menhinick, R & Orton, T. (2009). p. 3. New Generation Navy Strategy [electronic version]. Retrieved February 05, 2010 from http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/NGN/ComWeb.as p?page=101095 Ibid. p. 4 Crane, R.H. (June 2009). para 3. New Generation Navy – Structural Reform [electronic version] Retrieved February 05, 2010 from http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/NGN/ComWeb.as p?page=101095 Crane, R.H. (April 2009). para 7. Promulgation of New Generation Navy Actions [electronic version]. Retrieved February 05, 2010 from

BIRTH YEARS

AGE AT YEAR 2010

Builders*

Early 1900s – mid 1940s

65 – 110 years

Baby Boomers

Mid 1940s – mid 1960s

45 – 65 years

Generation X

Mid 1960s – early 1980s

29 – 45 years

Generation Y

Early 1980s – late 1990s

13 – 29 years

Generation Z

Late 1990s -

0 – 13 years

*Builders = a combination of the ‘Interbellum’ and ‘Silent’ Generations. Source: McQueen (2008, p. 14)

http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/NGN/ComWeb.a sp?page=101095 Crane, R. H. (Sep 2009[b]). p. 12. Navy Values – Serving Australia With Pride [electronic version]. Retrieved February 10, 2010, from http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/NGN/comweb.as p?page=101097 Soanes, C. (Ed.). (2003). p. 460. The Oxford Compact English Dictionary (2nd ed. revised). Oxford: Oxford University Press

Generalisation Attempting to characterise people based on the year they were born does have limitations. Some writers even dismiss the concept altogether. However there is enough recent research on generational theory to confirm that profiling generations is a valid study producing useful tools for parents, teachers and managers.11 It is important to realise that a person’s generation is only one factor that helps understand their behaviour. Also it must be realised that characteristics describing a generation will not always fit every member of the group. For example, not all students in the 1960s were hippies12. Generational theory aims to “highlight and examine the patterns and trends of the significant majority of a cohort”13 while recognising there is always “a place for diversity and nonconformism”14.

Change

Dislike

Demand

Technology

Ignorant of

Comfortable with

Masters of

Via parents’ phone

Via personal phone

Mobile phone, email, chat rooms, facebook, etc, etc

I’ll earn it

I don’t care that much about it

Gimme, or I’ll take it

Communication

Characteristics

Wealth

Behaviour and characteristics of generations are influenced by events and circumstances its members experience15 Characteristics of the Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y can be summarised as follows:

Source: McQueen (2008, p. 45)

Statistics

Table 2: Summary of Characteristics of Baby Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y TOPIC

BABY BOOMERS

GEN X

Employment Attitudes

Jobs are hard to find

I’ll work if I have to

Jobs are a dime a dozen

Loyalty to employer

I’ll work my way to the top

This could lead to the top

If I can’t take Saturday off, I’ll quit

Role Models

Men of character

Men and women of character

What’s character?

Respecting Elders

Is automatic

Is polite

Is earned not assumed

Education

Tell me what to do

Show me how to do it

Show me why to do it

11 12 13 14 15

Using the information from table 1 combined with data from the Australian Defence Organisation Personnel Report16, the following tables represent the percentage of Navy personnel representing each generation at different rank levels.

GEN Y

Table 3: Percentage of Navy Personnel Representing Each Generation Generation

Percentage of Navy Personnel

GEN Y

55.9%

GEN X

32.6%

Baby Boomers

11.5%

Source: DWI (2010, p. D-8). Information reflects data reported on PMKeyS as at 31 January 2010.

McQueen (2008) op. cit. pp. 16-18. Ibid. Ibid. p. 18 Ibid. Gilburg, D. (Oct 2007). para. 6. Management Techniques for Bringing Out the Best in Generation Y. Retrieved September 26, 2009, from http://www.cio.com/article/149053/Management_Techniques_f or_Bringing_Out_the_Best_in_Generation_Y

Directorate of Workforce Information [DWI]. (2010). Australian Defence Organisation Personnel Report [electronic version]. Retrieved March 01, 2010, from http://mars.eas.defence.mil.au/MarsContent/ADO%20Personnel %20Reports/2010_01.pdf

Table 4: Percentage of Navy Personnel Representing Each Generation Across Different Rank Levels. Rank

Gen Y

Gen X

Seaman / Able Seaman

86.77%

12.01%

1.22%

Leading Seaman / Petty Officer

40.16%

53.84%

Chief Petty Officer / Warrant Officer

0.16%

61.28%

38.56%

Lieutenant

42.6%

45.53%

11.87%

Lieutenant Commander / Commander

0.64%

51.28%

48%

NEW GENERATION NAVY – SIGNATURE BEHAVIOURS Signature Behaviours are designed to be lived by all Navy personnel, however it is evident that personnel at the Commander / Lieutenant Commander and Warrant Officer / Chief Petty Officer level (predominately Gen X and Baby Boomers) are the key to the implementation of NGN21. These personnel were also given responsibility to deliver the NGN message in the workplace.22

Baby Boomer

Navy places significant importance on the Signature Behaviours that must be considered during every decision made.23 Put simply, “if it doesn’t fit the signature behaviours – don’t do it, or change course so it does”24. This section looks at how Navy’s ten Signature Behaviours relate to Gen Y and why their Gen X and Baby Boomer managers need to accept and adopt them in order to attract and retain Gen Y.

Source: DWI (2010, p. D-8).

Table5 – Navy’s Signature Behaviours 1, 2 & 3: focus on PEOPLE

Note: Information reflects data reported on PMKeyS as at 31 January 2010. Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.

How we behave towards each other

Analysis

1. Respect the contribution of every individual

Looking at table 4 it is clear that those personnel given the responsibility to manage most departments and ships (LCDR/CMDR) mostly represent Gen X and Baby Boomers. Senior Middle managers (WO / CPO) are predominately Gen X and Baby Boomers. Frontline supervisors (LS / PO) are mainly Gen X and Able Seamen / Seamen have a large majority of Gen Y.

Characteristic differences between generations have created new challenges for many organisations in how they manage their workforce19. Inevitable differences between generations can frustrate all members. Understanding each other is the key to working together more effectively. In particular if Baby Boomer and Gen X managers can understand why their Gen Y subordinates behave the way they do, workplace morale will improve, more members will be retained, Navy will become a more attractive employer and expected future capability will be met. As Gilburg says, “you need to understand what makes them tick and how to work with its members to bring out their high potential.”20

19 20

•

Be respectful of role, experience and background

•

Value diversity

•

Develop Navy people to their full potential

•

Know and care for people

•

Keep people at the core of all decisions

•

Build the team – provide guidance and challenge their abilities

3. Communicate well and regularly

Recognise the value of each person’s contribution to Navy

2. Promote the well being and development of all Navy people

In the coming years the percentage of Gen Y in the workforce will increase17. Therefore it is important for organisations to position themselves in such a way that embraces Gen Y’s strengths and develops them as tomorrow’s leaders.18

•

AON. (2006). p. 2. Managing and leading across the generations: are Gen Y a different species? [electronic version]. Retrieved September 26, 2009, from http://www.aon.com.au/pdf/speakers_corner/people_capital_m anagement_2006.pdf McQueen (2008) op. cit. AON (2006) op. cit. Gilburg (Oct 2007) op. cit. para. 3.

23 24

•

Keep you team informed

•

Be clear, consistent, timely and accurate

•

Engage thoughtfully and check for understanding

•

Express and receive feedback gracefully

Crane (2008) op. cit; Crane (April 2009). Op. cit; Hughes, W. (2008). ‘Work Smarter not Harder: CN’s New Generation Navy’, Defence Magazine, issue 4 2008/2009. Australian Navy Strategic Command. [AUSNAVSTRATCOM](2009). New Generation Navy Culture Project 1 Making the Change engagements [electronic version]. Retrieved February 05, 2010 from http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/NGN/ComWeb.a sp?page=101095 Crane (April 2009) op. cit. Menhinick & Orton (2009) op. cit. p. 5.

How Signature Behaviours 1, 2 & 3 Relate to Gen Y

Table6 – Navy’s Signature Behaviours 4, 5, 6 & 7: focus on PERFORMANCE

Gen Y desires a workplace where their opinions and ideas count25. Utilising and recognising peoples’ unique skills can boost individuals’ self worth and help them recognise their importance to the team. Blanchard & Bowles share this sentiment by suggesting that part of a team’s success relies on developing individuals’ skills for the benefit of the whole team.26

How we behave in the way we perform our duties 4. Challenge and innovate

Mutual respect and flexibility are taking the place of power and experience in the workplace. Gen Y wants to work for people they respect and can learn from. They do not respect someone because of age or seniority. Managers must earn respect – measured by what they do and what they achieve.27

•

Challenge, question and be open to change

•

Generate new ideas

•

Support creative solutions

5. Be cost conscious

McGee lists ‘Build personal relationships’ as one of five key ways to manage Gen Y28. Managers need to talk and listen to their Gen Y employees in or to know and understand them. Gen X and Baby Boomer managers need to realise that not all employees want the same thing they want.

•

Understand the cost implication of the decisions you make

•

Find solutions that are enduring, efficient and add value

•

Use it like you own it

6. Fix problems, take action

Given Gen Y’s focus on personal development and their personal goals, they look for companies that have strong personal development policies and educational opportunities29. Promoting and accommodating programs such as the Defence Assisted Study Scheme will help satisfy these desires.

•

Seek and accept responsibility

•

Take ownership of what you say you will do

•

Turn your ideas into actions

•

Be a part of an effective solution

7. Drive decision making down

Communication is one critical factor to an organisation’s success in managing Gen Y30. When most Gen X and Baby Boomer managers were more junior members, they were likely to blindly perform their duties with little desire to enquire into why, how or where their order came from. Attitudes have changed and Gen Y desire understanding on the rationale behind the tasks they perform.

•

Make sound, timely decisions based on principles not just rules

•

Drive decision to the appropriate level

•

Trust and support people make good decisions

How Signature Behaviours 4, 5, 6 & 7 Relate to Gen Y Gen Y is known for their sense of entitlement, outspokenness and inability to take criticism. Feedback and critique needs to be delivered gracefully as they have been overpraised and protected from feeling unsuccessful31. Managers who probably received a more robust style of feedback in years past will need to adopt this more refined approach.

26 27

28 29 30

Gen Y tends to place high-achievement objectives on themselves32. Providing challenging work will help the workplace take advantage of this approach. Gen Y seeks more feedback, responsibility and involvement in decisionmaking33. Without effective leadership at the top of the organisation, other leaders throughout the organisation are

McGee, P.E. Jnr. (2004) para 2. A new generation at work: Y and how to manage it. Washington Business Journal, May 10, 2004. Retrieved September 04, 2009, from http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2004/05/ 10/focus3.html Blanchard, K., & Bowles, S. (2001). High Five! The Magic of Working Together. London: HarperCollins Business. The Challenges of Managing Generation Y. (2006) paras 1-2. Retrieved September 26, 2009 from http://www.hrleader.net.au/articles/72/0c043f72.asp; AON (2006) op. cit. p. 10. McGee (2004) op. cit. para 5. AON (2006) op. cit. p. 16. McGee (2004) op. cit. para 1

31 32 33

Gilburg (Oct 2007) op. cit. paras 2 & 9. McGee (2004) op. cit. para 4. Generation Y. (n.d.). In Wikipedia online encyclopaedia. Retrieved September 04, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Y

less likely to be empowered to exercise their own leadership skills.34

confident, optimistic, moralistic, principled and value driven39. These traits fit directly into NGN principles.

Table5 – Navy’s Signature Behaviours 8, 9 & 10: focus on PROFESSIONALISM

CONCLUSION Regardless of our generation, cultural background and upbringing, we all desire positive a workplace. Society’s culture is ever-evolving and organisations such as Navy need to consistently update their leadership culture in order to sustain their workforce. Managers have a choice - be part of the problem or part of the solution – embrace change or resist it.

How we behave while representing Navy in a professional manner 8. Strengthen relationships across and beyond Navy •

Work together to identify and achieve common purposes and objectives

•

Build inclusive partnerships

•

Deliver on Navy’s promises, and do it well

A crucial step in embracing cultural change is understanding those we work with. In particular, taking the time to self-educate about the characteristics of people you manage will go a long to breaking down the frustrating generational barriers that hinder understanding and communication.

9. Be the best I can •

Strive for professional excellence

•

Know yourself and seek self-improvement

•

Maintain your personal wellbeing

•

Lead by example

Navy has identified a need for cultural change in order to meet future capability. This paper has explained how the New Generation Navy will attract and retain a new generation of sailors, while emphasising the importance of managers to accept and adopt Navy’s Signature Behaviours.

•

Value Navy’s identity and reputation

RECOMMENDATIONS

•

Live Navy’s Values

In order to enhance managers’ understanding of the people they command, the following recommendations are presented:

10. Make Navy proud, make Australia proud

How Signature Behaviours 8, 9 & 10 Relate to Gen Y According to Gen Y, you should have ‘one life’. They do not distinguish between work, home and social life and therefore expect to shape their jobs to fit their lives35. As they personally experienced the cost of their parents’ ‘workaholism’: stress; broken marriages; and absent parenting, they do not wish to be slaves to their jobs like their Baby Boomer parents were36. In order to create a more flexible workplace, Navy has introduced Flexible Work Practices37. Such reforms are also likely to be welcomed by Gen X who have been battling for years against their Baby Boomer managers for more flexible work arrangements38. Obviously, Gen Y will become Navy’s future senior managers. Gen Y leaders will be civic minded, visionary,

Add a ‘Generational Theory’ component to management courses. In order to target the right people, it is suggested that generational theory components be added to the: Junior Officers Leadership Course (JOLC) and/or the Junior Officers Management and Strategic Studies Course (JOMSSC); CPO Promotion Course; and WO Promotion Course.

A ‘Generational Theory Awareness’ course could be developed for delivery through CAMPUS to provide ‘catch-up’ education to those who have already completed the courses above; and

Elements of this paper could be added to the NGN Toolbox to give managers easy access to key information. For example, table 2 could be used as a quick reference guide.

This Paper will be published in the September edition of the Australian Naval Institute Journal ‘Headmark’. 34 35 36 37

Henry, A. (2008). Understanding Strategic Management. Oxford: Oxford University Press. The Challenges of Managing Generation Y. (2006) op. cit. para 3; Generation Y. (n.d.) op. cit. para 19. AON (2006) op. cit. p. 16; Gilburg (Oct 2007) op. cit. para 2. Flexible Work Practices in Navy. (n.d.). In New Generation Navy Flexible Working Practices. Retrieved February 10, 2010 from http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/NGN/ComWeb.as p?page=101095 Gilburg (Oct 2007) op. cit. para 11.

Understanding Generation Y. (n.d.). Retrieved September 04, 2009, from http://www.sustainable-employeemotivation.com/generation-Y.html

LATEST RECORDINGS A FLAGSHIP RECITAL (MARK III) & CRUISING STATIONS (MARK II)

The Royal Australian Navy Band maintains a wide range of music products within its capability suite, and this breadth of music styles and repertoire gives the band the flexibility to reach across demographics to engage audiences of all ages. The band is fortunate to have within its ranks some of the finest soloists in the Australian Defence Force; and A Flagship Recital (Mark III) features three of the best. This recording also demonstrates the superb ensemble performance skill of the band’s instrumentalists as they perform four very challenging compositions for Wind Orchestra.

The Admiral’s Own 1. Love Walked In (Gershwin) Saxophone: Petty Officer Chris Palamountain Trumpet: Able Seaman Chris Ellis 2. My One And Only Love (Mellin & Wood) Saxophone: Petty Officer Chris Palamountain Trombone: Leading Seaman Robert Flynn 3. Come By Me (Harry Connick) Vocal: Able Seaman Damian Dowd Piano: Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov 4. Zambezi (Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe) Saxophone: Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe Trumpet: Able Seaman Chris Ellis Piano: Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov 5. Sharing House ( Able Seaman Shvetsov) Saxophone: Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe Trumpet: Able Seaman Chris Ellis Piano: Able Seaman Vladimir Shvetsov 6. Crowed House Medley (Finn, Finn & Froom) Vocal: Petty Officer Mark Ham Vocal: Able Seaman Damian Dowd Guitar: Able Seaman Aaron Geeves 7. Crazy (Reverberi, Decarlo, Callaway, Burton) Vocal: Able Seaman Damian Dowd The Corvettes 8. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag (James Brown) Vocal: Able Seaman Rachel Summers 9. The Coffee Song (B. Hilliard, R. Miles) Guitar: Leading Seaman Yoshi Izumi Vocal: Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson 10. Always true To You (Cole Porter) Vocal: Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson Saxophone: Able Seaman Gregory Smith 11. Wives And Lovers (Burt Bacharach) Saxophone: Able Seaman Gregory Smith 12. Lake Louise (Leading Seaman Cam McAllister) Tenor Saxophone: Able Seaman Robert Sandner Alto Saxophone: Able Seaman Gregory Smith 13. It Must be Love (Labi Siffre) Vocal: Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson 14. Samba For Norm (Leading Seaman McAllister)1 Saxophone: Leading Seaman Tom Bastians Trumpet: Leading Seaman Cameron McAllister Recording and Mixing Engineers: Petty Officer Daniel Hobson, Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe and Able Seaman Ross Chapman

The Admiral’s Own and The Commodores are high energy music performance units positioned within the Sydney and Melbourne detachments, and provide a platform for the musicians to perform repertoire from some of the best jazz and contemporary artists in the world. Cruising Stations (Mark II) demonstrates the superb ensemble performance, and individual improvisational and compositional skills of the jazz musicians who contribute to these ensembles.

Scott McAllister 10:27

Black Dog Clarinet: Able Seaman Andrew Doyle

2-4

Henk Badings

Concerto for Flute & Wind Orchestra Flute: Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya

5-7

James Bonney

Chaos Theory Guitar: Able Seaman Aaron Geeves

8-11

Robert W. Smith

The Divine Comedy

MEMBERS OF THE SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP REHEARSING ONBOARD HMAS KANIMBLA

ABMUSN VITALI RAYITSYN AND THE SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN CHOIR DURING THE ANCHORS AWEIGH CONCERT IN PADDINGTON

CPOMUSN SAMSON AND THE MELBOURNE DETACHMENT MARCHING THROUGH MELBOURNE FOR ANZAC DAY

SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP EMBARKED IN HMAS KANIMBLA FOR RIMPAC 2010 REHEARSING IN THE TANK DECK

SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE DETACHMENT MUSICIANS RECORDING THE CHOIR PART OF A NEW WORK FOR WIND ORCHESTRA

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE 17 RELEASED 17 DECEMBER 2010

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

WIND ORCHESTRA IN A RECORDING SESSION AT TRACKDOWN STUDIOS, SYDNEY

FROM THE PR DESK

CONTENTS

Earlier this year I found myself being sounded out about taking over the role of the National Public Relations Manager in the Director of Music’s office. This came as somewhat of a surprise, as it seemed only a short time since Leading Seaman Tracy Kennedy had moved into the job. Leading Seaman Kennedy, as you would be aware, has moved Public Relations into the 21st century with the fantastic work she has put into helping develop the Band’s website, the professional presentation of this Newsletter and a number of other Band documents. However, after 18 months away, Leading Seaman Kennedy was missing the Band, and the public was missing Leading Seaman Kennedy’s fabulous singing, and so it came about that she and I did a swap in mid-July. After seven years as a flute player in the Sydney detachment and a ten year period of music teaching following an earlier stint in the Royal Australian Air Force Air Command Band at Richmond NSW it was many years since I had last done a desk job: in a previous life I worked as a Social Worker in the then Department of Social Security, now Centrelink. A significant part of my role there was the promotion of Social Security’s payments and services within local communities so I came armed with some relevant experience! (continued on page 3)

FROM THE PR DESK

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

KIRSTY JONES AWARD

RIMPAC 2010 SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP

OPERATION SLIPPER DEPLOYMENT

ANZAC EXCHANGE 2010

STRENGTHENING TIES BEYOND NAVY

BOWLING IN THE UK

CHAMPION SHOT NAVY 2010

NAVY’S VARIETY BASH

REMEMBRANCE DAY ADDRESS

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

assist with entertainment tours sponsored by the Forces Advisory Council on Entertainment. Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis was selected to tour the United Kingdom with the Royal Australian Navy Lawn Bowls Association (RANLBA) and Able Seaman Natalie Urquhart was fortunate to work with the New Zealand Navy Band as a participant of ANZAC EXCHANGE. Leading Seaman Gordon Orr competed at the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting (AASAM) and placed third in the Champion Shot – Navy section. In previous years he had placed fifth, third and second. Gordon’s achievement this year was all the more remarkable noting that he hadn’t shot a weapon since the last AASAM twelve months earlier. Leading Seaman Esa Douglas participated in the annual Variety Bash, which is Australia’s most successful charity motoring event, and Able Seaman Simon Bartlett performed with Ngarukuruwala, an indigenous choir comprising members from the Tiwi people of Bathurst Island. His article Strengthening Ties Beyond Navy is a particularly good read. We achieved this impressive level of output despite very significant funding challenges, and in a time of considerable change. New Generation Navy has brought with it a significant administrative and compliance regime. I am pleased to report that we have met all of those requirements; but more will be expected from each of us in the coming months as Navy pushes on with its ambitious change program. I regret to say that it is unlikely that the funding pressures will ease in the foreseeable future, and it is likely that the band’s financial allocation will continue the ever-declining trend. Our current customer model, approach to the marketplace, and inventory liability will need re-evaluation to meet the challenges of the ‘value for money’ and ‘cost conscious’ arguments, which place less value on the human factors and make it difficult to balance the needs of our people with those of Government and Navy.

Welcome to another edition of RAN Band News. The articles contained in this edition tell a story of significant achievement across the band’s national and international program. Despite the ever-persistent funding challenges, the articles show that the band continues to reach many hundreds of thousands of people ashore and afloat. Collectively, our detachments have proven a very effective platform in which to deliver musical services to Navy.

We recently said farewell to Warrant Officer Arend Bekendam, who was one of our longest serving members. Arend gave 38 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Royal Australian Navy and Navy Band. As a Warrant Officer, he provided forthright advice to the band’s senior leaders and a high level of divisional support to the musicians. We owe Warrant Officer Bekendam a vote of thanks for his loyalty to us and dedication to service in the Australian Defence Force. On behalf of all members of the Navy Band I thank him for his service and wish him and his wife Donna and family the very best for the years ahead.

In addition to routine activities, our detachments visited Marysville in Victoria, Maroochydore in Queensland, Cairns in far north Queensland, Mt Morgan in South Australia, and Symmons Plains and Lachlan in Tasmania. We also recorded three major musical works for ‘A Flagship Recital Mk IV’ which will be released in July this year. Recoil by Joseph Schwantner, Bells for Stokowski by Michael Daugherty and Planet Earth by Johan de Meij are very significant works for Wind Orchestra and the standard of performance achieved during the recording sessions was second to none within the Australian Defence Force.

P.C. ANDERSON Lieutenant Commander, RAN

In amongst all of this activity, we welcomed back to Australia 12 musicians who had been embarked in HMAS Kanimbla for RIMPAC 2010, and we deployed technical support teams to OPERATION SLIPPER and OPERATION MAZURKA to

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND LEADER

whilst small at present, it is starting to reveal some very interesting information. Areas reporting the highest borrowing rates include Camden and Blacktown in Sydney, and the Gold Coast and Gympie in Queensland. Borrowings have been consistent since our CDs were first distributed to libraries in 2002, and all styles of music are equally popular. Many of the schools sent letters of appreciation, indicating that the CDs would be used by students not only in music courses but also for background music in other technology and media projects. And by the way if you are ever visiting “The Submarine Town” of Holbrook in NSW listen in to the background music being played in the Museum – I am told it is from Navy Band CDs!

(Continued from page 1) Naturally the most important part of any Public Relations role is getting to know the many individuals, groups and organisations that comprise our ‘customers’ both within Defence, and in the community. It has been wonderful over the last six months meeting so many of you either in person or over the phone, and I appreciate the very warm welcome that many of you have given me. As I have familiarised myself with the various mailing and distribution lists that have been compiled over the years I can only be impressed by the thoroughness of my predecessors in leaving no stone unturned when it comes to avenues for publicising the Band’s activities Nevertheless as a Sydney local, and having been involved in amateur and professional music making and teaching in Sydney for many years, I have been able to generate some new and potential audiences.

Of course CDs are not the only way to access music and images of the Royal Australian Navy Band. Most of the tracks on our CDs (and some not released on CD) can be listened to on our website (www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Band) Many works that are out of copyright can also be downloaded to create your own compilations. In addition, there are now a considerable number of videos of the band performing both live and in rehearsal on the Director of Music’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/DMUSN) The latest upload to YouTube is video footage of the Royal Australian Navy Band participating in the military tattoo to mark the 60th birthday of the Sultan of Brunei in 2006. The Navy Band’s growing presence on the ubiquitous World Wide Web is opening up links with interested individuals, radio stations, and other music organisations around the world from which we are now receiving regular enquiries.

One of my early tasks was the advertising and ticket distribution for the Flagship Recital featuring The Commodores Chamber Ensemble at the Independent Theatre in North Sydney. Co-incidentally The Commodores Chamber Ensemble had also just been engaged to provide a series of supporting chamber music recitals for the David to Cézanne exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. By attending the Art Gallery recitals and promoting the concert I was able to engage a significant number of new audience members many of whom have now been added to our mailing list. For one of these recitals the Commodores performed to an audience of over 100 in the surrounds of the Gallery’s 19th Century Australian Art collection. The performance and atmosphere were on a par with a similar concert I was lucky enough to have experienced in The Hermitage in St Petersburg last year. I felt extremely proud of our musicians and the statement that we were able to make in conjunction with the Art Gallery of New South Wales about Australian art and culture.

Recruiting activities have continued over this period. Most of the vacancies for full-time musicians exist within the Sydney detachment; the Mornington Peninsula must be a much more desirable place to live, or perhaps it just has something to do with respective property prices! In Sydney vacancies are mainly for the ‘classical” instruments with clarinet positions being particularly hard to fill at present. I have recently held Band recruiting/information stalls at The Ultimate Clarinet and Saxophone Weekend in Sydney and in conjunction with The Admiral’s Own Big Band concert at the Australian Institute of Music. We are currently advertising in all the major tertiary music institutions across the country hoping to attract some of this year’s graduates.

The Independent Theatre is a new venue for the Sydney detachment, and one ideally suited to chamber music performances. With 90% of seats allocated prior to the performance we were anticipating close to a full house, however, somewhat disappointingly, many who had booked tickets did not actually attend on the day. Those who did were treated to a feast of both popular and lesser known chamber works. The enjoyment of the musicians was infectious, with audience members commenting on “the exuberance of the young sailors” and “the enthusiasm and talent of the musicians who mixed with the public at interval and afterwards”. If you missed out this year don’t despair we are intending to hold further performances there in 2011.

By the time you read this several of our detachments will have been sharing the festive spirit with you from Fremantle in the West, to Mt Morgan in South Australia, and at HMAS Watson in Sydney. I hope the Christmas break will be a peaceful and happy one for all. 2011 is shaping up to be a big year for the Royal Australian Navy Band as we prepare to commemorate major Navy anniversaries. Events to put in your diary are a ‘direct to air’ broadcast from the Eugene Goossens Hall on ABC Classic FM commencing 1300 on 2 March and a Flagship Recital commencing at 1930 on 10 July at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney.

Another of my early tasks was the distribution of the Band’s two latest CDs to libraries and schools all over Australia. Cruising Stations (Mark II) and A Flagship Recital (Mark III) represent the latest achievements of our Big Bands and Wind Orchestra respectively, with some outstanding instrumental solos for flute, clarinet and guitar. If you can’t find these in your local library please let me know and I will send some out. I have also started to build a database of statistics about the usage of our CDs in local libraries and,

CATHY WAINWRIGHT Leading Seaman Musician National Public Relations Manager

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

the Western Pacific Naval Symposium in September, Martin Place, Harbour’s Edge at Darling Harbour (HMAS Kuttabul Ball), HMAS Penguin Wardroom, and Chief of Navy’s Reception in December. The Admiral’s Own Big Band connected with audiences at Centennial Park, Cronulla Pavilion, Manly Jazz Festival, Darling Harbour and the Australian Institute of Music.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVEN STANKE

Our Education Programme continued in 2010 with very successful performances at Petersham, Canterbury Girls, Epping West, and Wheeler Heights Schools and Newington College. Students from Urangan School in Queensland were welcome visitors at our studio. Thanks to Petty Officer Mark Ham, Able Seaman Damian Dowd and Able Seaman Simon Bartlett for their invaluable assistance in the Education Programme. In October, a small group travelled to Cairns for Navy Week. This annual trip is keenly anticipated as regional and interstate trips are relatively infrequent in these challenging economic times. The local hospitality is always generous and the summer weather is a chance to be reacquainted with balmy nights and sea air. Performance highlights included a Ceremonial Sunset on the Esplanade, background music for HMAS Cairns Open Day (where a visit from Commander Flynn AKA actor Ian Stenlake of HMAS Hammersley added a touch of glamour), lunchtime concerts in the mall and concerts at Cairns High and Smithfield High schools. We also contributed some musical content to the Naming of Centaur Park ceremony.

LIEUTENANT STEVEN STANKE ON PARADE FOR THE VISIT OF CHINESE NAVY SHIPS TO FLEET BASE EAST, SYDNEY

Parade activities by the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band for the second half of 2010 included Guards of Honour for the arrival of the Chief of Navy of Singapore (in Canberra) and CNO ADM Gary Roughhead from the United States Navy (Sydney), Victory in the Pacific commemorations (Sydney), Divisions at HMAS Albatross, Freedom of Entry at Parramatta, the Rugby ‘Golden Oldies’ parade in Sydney, and Beat to Quarters/Ceremonial Sunsets at HMAS Creswell and HMAS Penguin. Buglers were also kept busy with memorial services at Garden Island, Canberra, Sydney and Parramatta.

The year concluded with very-well received Christmas concerts at HMAS Watson, Navy House in Canberra and St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.

The ‘Band Call’ concerts at St. Andrews Cathedral continue to be valuable opportunities to flex our wind orchestra muscle with significant soloistic performances from Able Seaman Damian Dowd, Able Seaman Volker Schoeler, Able Seaman Zola Smith, Able Seaman Andrew Doyle, Able Seaman Haylen Newman, Leading Seaman Tracy Kennedy and Leading Seaman Gordon Orr. Members of the detachment were also instrumental in choosing the repertoire, and brought a wide range of musical interests and suggestions to these concerts.

Several members plied their technical craft in far-flung places. Able Seaman Damian Dowd travelled to Sinai in December to assist with a Forces Entertainment tour as did Lieutenant Steven Stanke, Petty Officer Brett Douglas and Able Seaman Greg Turner in August (East Timor) and Leading Seaman Gordon Orr (Afghanistan). Able Seaman Natalie Urquhart exchanged roles with Leading Seaman Jonathan Franklin of the New Zealand Navy Band for three months and both can be commended for their expertise, contribution and development.

Another opportunity to explore repertoire and performance skills for the entire wind orchestra was experienced in November with several days at Trackdown Studios in Sydney recording Recoil by Joseph Schwantner, Bells for Stokowski by Michael Daugherty and Planet Earth by Johan de Meij. All were challenging works, written for very large ensemble and will be included on Flagship Recital CDs to be released in 2011. These works are usually unable to be included in our standard programmes because of the resources required, and are a satisfying example of our current capabilities and interests. Wind chamber ensembles featured strongly in our performances this year with concerts at St James Church in Sydney, the NSW Art Gallery and the Independent Theatre. Our Admiral’s Own Rock Group added Australiana and seasonal music to their repertoire for their performances at

LEADING SEAMAN JONATHAN FRANKLIN FROM THE NEW ZEALAND NAVY BAND REHEARSING WITH SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

Lieutenant Mohapp’s turn to conduct her first parade for Recruit School.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MATTHEW KLOHS

In October the Melbourne detachment spent a week at the Defence Force School of Music to perform an At Home Concert as the Australian Army Band - Melbourne was on a deployment to the west. The band performed extremely well for this concert, which was an assessment task for the Band Officers and Assistant Band Leaders courses at the School. This month also included the National Servicemen’s Parade here at HMAS Cerberus while the Pipe The Side Woodwind Quintet performed at the Seniors Week Expo. The annual Seafarer’s Memorial was also held at both St Paul’s Cathedral and later at the Shrine. The month culminated with the Commanding Officer’s reception which incorporated a Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters by the Parade Band.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ON PARADE AT HMAS CERBERUS

November and December continued to be busy beginning with the Corvettes Big Band performing at the Marysville Wine Festival on Melbourne Cup Day. There was also a performance by the Concert Band in the gardens of the Beaumaris RSL Club. In December we had the annual RMIT Graduation ceremonies at Etihad Stadium as well as a night graduation for Recruit School which incorporated a Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters.

After a relaxing mid year leave period the Melbourne detachment came back to work to begin a busy second half of the year. As well as our many musical commitments a number of our people were involved in various sporting activities, courses and sea trips. July was a busy month, which began with the Sir Weary Dunlop Memorial Parade in the city. This was followed later in the month with a visit to HMAS Cerberus by Sandgate District High School whose Musical Director, Ken Lincoln, is an ex-Warrant Officer Musician. It was an enjoyable experience and the students were exposed to a wide range of music and rehearsal techniques as well as master classes and workshops. The Corvettes Rock Group performed at the combined Wardroom and WOSSM Winter Ball while the Pipe The Side Brass Quintet attended a function for the Royal Association of Honorary Justices. A milestone was reached by one of our newest Officers, SubLieutenant Brian O’Kane, who conducted his first parade for the monthly Recruit School Pass Out with great success.

The Melbourne Detachment welcomed back five sailors (Able Seaman Karen Baker, Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson, Able Seaman Fletcher Mitchell, Able Seaman Greg Smith and Able Seaman Russell Ward) from operation RIMPAC in late August. From all reports a great time was had by all, and the contribution of the Sea Deployment Group was highly successful and greatly appreciated by Ship’s Company of HMAS Kanimbla. As well as the many musical commitments the detachment has completed this year there have been other activities that should not go unmentioned. In the sporting arena the detachment has been encouraged to participate in depot sport each Wednesday afternoon. As a result, one of our Senior Sailors, Petty Officer Sharon ‘Jack High’ Jarvis has become extremely involved in the sport of Lawn Bowls. This has given her the opportunity to participate in several Defence championships. She also had the opportunity to travel to England for a Tour in July.

August was an extremely busy month of which the highlight was our Concert Band, performing for the Mornington Police Senior Citizens Register. This was followed by the annual Back to Caulfield Parade and a visit to Cranbourne High School. The Pipe The Side Brass and Woodwind Quintets performed at Parliament House for the launch of Legacy Week, while the Corvettes Rock Band performed at the Lake Attack Run at Albert Park.

Able Seaman Andrew Hansch and Able Seaman Russell Ward as well as myself and Warrant Officer Dale Granger were selected to represent Victoria for Navy in the 2010 Inter-Service Golf Trophy in October. Good sportsmanship and good golf abounded, with the resulting victory to Navy being celebrated by all. The contribution of the musicians was certainly noted as being to the fore. Able Seaman Andrew Hansch and I also took the opportunity to represent Navy at the Australian Defence Force Golf Association National Championships in Canberra in December, both of us having some mixed results, but putting in a credible performance.

September was also an extremely busy month with the highlights including a performance at the BMW Edge Theatre at Federation Square by the Concert Band. The concert was a great success and was attended by the Director of Music. The Corvettes Big Band, Jazz Ensemble and Rock Group performed at the Military Officers Ball at the Sofitel Hotel and the Pipe the Side Woodwind Quintet performed at the Victorian SES Reception at Parliament House. The Corvettes Rock Group performed at the Royal Melbourne Show and also at the Open Day at Cruden Farm for the Sir Weary Dunlop Foundation. This month it was

I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Able Seaman Adam Arnold and Able Seaman Jeff McGann on their

Our busiest month by far was October. It started with Able Seaman Darren Skaar providing bugling support for a Navy Week Commemoration Service at Bundamba. The following week we did a static display for the annual Navy Week Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset. With the support of six members of the Sydney detachment and Lieutenant Andrew Stokes as the Music Director it would have been quite a spectacle, if not for the torrential subtropical downpour that eventuated. The whole event was moved indoors and fortunately we were able to provide suitable entertainment for the Lord Mayor’s Navy Week Reception. The following day, although still wet, the detachment performed to a large crowd in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall. The performance was supported by the Federation Guard’s Precision Drill Team.

impending promotions to Leading Seaman early next year. Both sailors are hard working and make a great contribution to the detachment and their promotions are well deserved. I’d also like to welcome Able Seaman Joe Williams and Able Seaman Dominic Parsons to the Melbourne Detachment. I wish them well in their careers and hope they enjoy their time here at HMAS Cerberus.

Mid-October saw the Rock Group heading up to Maroochydore for the Sunshine Coast Flotilla Cadet Ball. Leading Seaman Gemma Tilly and I provided the dinner music which was followed by the Rock Group. After a slow start the cadets finally loosened up and hit the dance floor with the expected enthusiasm. The following week saw Leading Seaman Tilly and I again performing, this time at the Brisbane Conservatorium of Music’s Café supporting a Defence Force Recruiting initiative to increase musician recruitment. The concept worked well and many students took the time to stop and listen. I was a bit surprised, however, by just how many guitar students there were. No pressure!

ABLE SEAMAN BENJAMIN SMART TUNES THE TIMPANI AT HMAS CERBERUS

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

Over the remainder of that week we were fortunate to have as guest Leading Seaman Jonathan Franklin from the New Zealand Navy Band. I’m sure that all of you who met Jonathan during his ANZAC Exchange would have been very impressed with his musicianship and warm personality. His professionalism was obvious to me when he was able to effortlessly enhance the performance of the guitar and vocal duo for the Naval Officers Club Trafalgar Dinner. The next day Seaman Robke and I travelled to the Gold Coast to support the Gold Coast Naval Foundation Navy Week Commemoration. Seaman Robke’s vocal support certainly enhanced the service, and I dusted off the bugle one more time.

Aloha, from the Sunshine State! Unfortunately summer hasn’t really kicked in this year, so I can’t boast about the terrific run of balmy sub-tropical days as I had intended! Queensland detachment’s first commitment in July was the Queensland Air Museum Open Day. This was an excellent opportunity for the Stage Band to perform as our last performance of this type was in April. The next commitment followed a request from Redcliffe State High School to perform at their Gala Music Night. The timing was perfect as we were able to provide entertainment from the newly formed Pop Group. Seaman Leigh Robke, vocalist, was the inspiration and catalyst for this new group. The repertoire could not have been better suited to the occasion, and the students, staff and families were very impressed with our selection of Top 40 tunes. The end of July once again saw the detachment performing at the Morningside Festival street parade and at a Citizenship Ceremony in Brisbane. This was a very busy start to the new financial year.

The final full commitment for 2010 was the Gold Coast SubBranch Remembrance Day Dinner at the Currumbin RSL Club. This provided an excellent opportunity for Chief Petty Officer Graham Carter to be assessed on his conducting skills by conducting a small mess band as part of his Assistant Band Leader course. Well here we are in December, and I know I say it every year, but hasn’t it just flown by? It’s been a tough six months for many. There has been a lot of change, but change is inevitable and we will roll with it. The Queensland detachment will continue to develop with a number of new recruits coming through over the next few months. This will enable us to provide the best possible musical support to Navy, and the community in South-East Queensland. Also congratulations to Seaman Rebecca Lloyd-Jones and Seaman John Smallcombe on their promotions to Able

August was relatively quiet with just a Defence Charity Ball to prepare for. As usual the Australian Army Band, Brisbane provided the dinner music and supported the guest artist, whilst the Queensland detachment provided the dance music with the Stage Band, Pop Group and Rock Group all featuring prominently throughout the evening. In September the month kicked off with the Wynnum Manly Jazz Festival on an overcast and wet Father’s Day. The detachment performed our usual mix of popular stage band tunes to a smaller than usual, but nevertheless, appreciative crowd.

Commanding Officer of 11 Squadron, Wing Commander Phillip Champion said, “the South Australian detachment of the RAN Band is a very talented and obviously well practiced group and the exceptional contribution that your music made to the night was integral to its success. The tone of the music and the enthusiasm with which you performed enlivened the atmosphere of the function and meant that all attending had a very enjoyable night”.

Seaman, and to Able Seaman Anthony Sargeant on being awarded his Australian Defence Medal. On behalf of all members of the Queensland detachment I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy festive season.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

As the year draws to a close the detachment is looking forward to a trip 300kms north of Adelaide to the town of Morgan on the Murray River. Over the weekend 11/12 December we will be supporting the town’s Christmas pageant, and presenting a 90 minute performance for the locals and visitors on the foreshore. Travelling with the detachment will be the South Australian team for the Navy Community Engagement Scheme with a Navy Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). The RHIB will be joining in the pageant and later providing a naval backdrop during our performance.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

The pace of the South Australian detachment during this period was considerably slower than in previous years. This can be attributed to several factors, but mainly due to changes under the Funded Reserve Commitment and the cancellation of Navy Week in Adelaide owing to there not being a ship visit. Navy Week had traditionally been a very busy week for the South Australian detachment.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas from all of us here in sunny and (currently) not too wet, South Australia.

The detachment’s saxophone quartet proved to be popular once again at the Investiture ceremonies held at Government House. This is an activity enjoyed by the musicians, Petty Officer Tschirn, Able Seaman Robinson, Seaman Cooper and Seaman Finney, as it provides an opportunity to play music of a genre quite different to our usual rock band format. In addition, the quartet also supported the Climb for Kids Charity Challenge and the Commanding Officer’s end of year cocktail party. Lauren Hindmarsh, a Climb for Kids participant said, “the South Australian detachment made a difference to Australian kids through supporting Kid’s Helpline, giving them assistance to grow up strong and make a difference in the world”.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

Well, it’s hard to believe that we are at the end of another calendar year! Since the last newsletter there have been a lot of changes, most significantly the reduction to the Funded Reserve Commitment. Nevertheless we are determined to push on through these tough times. July was a huge success for the detachment with the 50th anniversary reunion of Junior Recruit trainees from the then HMAS Leeuwin here in Fremantle. The day started with the dedication of a new monument at the front of the Drill Hall before a crowd of 3,000. Guest of honour was Chief of Navy, Vice-Admiral Russ Crane, a former Junior Recruit himself. That evening we were off to the Burswood Casino Grand Ballroom for a dinner dance. The venue had never hosted such a large event before, and they too were in new territory. Some months later I am still getting feedback about what a fantastic night it was and what a highlight the detachment was. July finished off with another dinner dance, this time at the Sergeant’s Mess at RAAF Pearce. The newly refurbished mess had only been open two weeks and looked great.

THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT’S SAXOPHONE QUARTET AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Leading Seaman Guy McRedmond was kept busy on his bugle performing the Last Post and Reveille at various memorial services around Adelaide, including Remembrance Day and United Nations Day.

August was a quiet month and so we were able to help out the Australian Army Band, Perth with a bugler for the Battle of Long Tan commemorations. This quiet time allowed us to do some serious rehearsing.

The South Australian detachment also provided support to 11 Squadron’s Welcome Home from the Middle East Area of Operations dinner held at the Hilton Hotel. The

In September our Dixie Group played at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal for Celebrate Maritime Day. The Dixie

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

combo was perfect for this occasion. Not only is the group ‘portable’ but the music is upbeat and lively. About 8000 people attended the event, and were tapping along to the music.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANIEL HOBSON AND ABLE SEAMAN SHELLYANNE KLEYWEGT

October was another quiet month with just one bugling job. We made good use of the time to start rehearsing for our big gig in December - the Fremantle carols.

In the second half of this year the Tasmanian detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band were excited to welcome Chief Petty Officer Daniel Hobson to his new posting with us. Chief Petty Officer Hobson has been enthusiastically received, with the entire ensemble responding to his leadership and expertise.

November saw us getting out a little more than in the previous few months. On Remembrance Day four of our buglers participated in playing the Last Post and Reveille in the city centre. Police stop the traffic whilst the buglers play and a minutes silence is observed.

During the cooler months the rhythm section worked up a number of new and dynamic rock group charts. Able Seaman Dorian Broomhall worked on writing up horn parts for the section which was soon to expand with Able Seaman Shellyanne Klewegt returning from maternity leave to take up alto sax again and Chief Petty Officer Hobson filling it out nicely on baritone.

Next it was the turn of our five piece group. They played for two events and were much appreciated. The first was a Senior Sailor’s Cocktail Party, and this was followed by a MEKO Conference at the Maritime Museum which was attended by many senior officers. December has been our biggest month. Our first job was a Dining-In Night at HMAS Stirling to farewell the Governor of Western Australia, and also Commodore Davies (Commodore Submarine Squadron) and Captain Dowsing (Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling). It is sad to see Captain Dowsing go as he has been a big supporter of this detachment. He even comes to rehearsals to listen and keep in touch with us.

After a quieter period from July to September a few of us set out for the east coast in October for the Triabunna Seafarers Memorial. We supported the cadets with Seaman Samantha Mole leading the singing for the service. The weather didn’t blow us away as in previous years, and a great many of the sea-going community came out to pay tribute to loved ones. A week later our bugler, Able Seaman Dorian Broomhall attended the HMAS Australia Leyte commemoration. Interestingly, HMAS Australia’s Captain Emile Dechaineux who was killed in the action was born and raised in Launceston, Tasmania before joining the Royal Australian navy at the age of 14.

The following night was the culmination of our past few months rehearsals. The detachment led an audience of over 6,000, all in fine singing form, with their favourite carols and Christmas songs. There was a great atmosphere and the evening finished off with fireworks.

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT LEADING THE CAROL SINGING IN FREMANTLE

On behalf of the Western Australian detachment I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. We look forward to continuing our journey as part of the Navy Band in 2011. HMAS AUSTRALIA’S CAPTAIN, EMILE DECHAINEUX

As November moved closer Chief Petty Officer Hobson implemented intensive side drum rehearsals. The Junior Sailors were pleased to utilise what they had been working on for their task books and to take it out onto the parade ground more frequently. The detachment’s drum and bugle

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

corps, having increased in size and skill, were therefore excited to perform at the St Helen’s Remembrance Day ceremony. We look forward to continued progress in our drum and bugle corps as it is now a regular part of our weekly rehearsals.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

The second half of this year commenced with the second Section Leader course for the year. Able Seaman Daniel McMahon from Sydney detachment was the only Navy representative on this course. Daniel is a fine trombone player who excelled on the course. He is to be commended for his attitude, and for his willingness to learn and assist fellow course members. Daniel’s efforts were rewarded by his being nominated for the Section Leader’s Course Student of Merit Award for the training year 2010/11. The winner of this award will be announced following the completion of the next course in 2011. Able Seaman Haylen Newman, also from the Sydney detachment attended the Studio Recording Course in August. Haylen was also a keen and enthusiastic student who thrived on the tuition given. Haylen is another example of the fine young musicians that we are fortunate to have in our category. Congratulations on your performance Haylen, I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Defence Force School of Music (DFSM).

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANIEL HOBSON AND THE DRUM CORPS AT ST HELEN’S REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY

Back in Hobart the rock group assembled for a weekend at the V8 Supercars event at Symmons Plains. We were pleased to have the Director of Music with us for this occasion. Unfortunately, the weather forecast was for rain, and this time they got it right! Our summer rig was splashed a lovely caramel brown and our white shoes rather the worse for wear. All in all, the weekend has equipped us with experience in pulling off professional entertainment – rain, hail or shine! Our bugler returned to Hobart on the Sunday to play at the HMAS Sydney Memorial service on the Elizabeth Street pier. It continued to rain as promised and the ceremony was performed under umbrellas – if you were lucky!

Lieutenants Cassandra Mohapp and Brian O’Kane continue to make impressive progress on the Band Officers Course (BOC). They are both thriving on the instruction and knowledge they are gaining on this very demanding course. I would like to congratulate Brian on his promotion to Lieutenant on 19 October 2010. Brian was promoted during one of the DFSM ‘At Home’ Concerts by the Commanding Officer DFSM, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Lambie, CSM.

The detachment was thrilled to celebrate their 21st anniversary on 25 November 2010 with a dinner that was well attended by old familiar faces as well as newer recruits. It was an opportunity to reflect on where the years have taken the band, from concert band, big band through to the present day rock and jazz band, and to look to the future, discussing how we can improve and grow. It was a wonderful evening to relax and enjoy friendships that will last for life.

We were fortunate to have the Melbourne detachment assist us with training in late September/early October. Without their assistance valuable training would have been lost, including the cancellation of one of our ‘At Home’ concerts. These concerts allow the BOC students to conduct a military band in a concert situation, and this training is essential for their development. The Corvettes Big Band from the Melbourne detachment also assisted the BOC with the ‘Rehearse a Stage Band’ component of their course. I may be a little biased, but the musicianship and performance level of the Melbourne detachment was superb, and brought much praise from a very appreciative audience. I would like to thank Lieutenant Matthew Klohs and his team for the assistance they have given DFSM throughout the year.

At the end of November we set out for the country town of Lachlan. Lachan was holding their annual festival, and we were able to play to the entire market and chat to the local farmers against a backdrop of rolling green hills. Parents came with their little ones to eat a sausage or two and the feedback from the locals was extremely positive. We entertained the crowds with some jazz standards, moving through some laid back Norah Jones, Maroon 5 and into our usual rock band favourites.

On Saturday 6 November, the staff and trainees at DFSM turned off their computers and headed bush for five days of Adventure Training. This was conducted at Walkerville South, near Wilson’s Promontory in Gippsland, Victoria. Activities included sea kayaking, mountain bike riding and bush walking. This was a great team building exercise and

On a final note we’ve been able to open some long awaited Christmas presents a little early – our DPNUs! We will enjoy rehearsing in them in the busy months ahead in 2011. In the meantime we are looking forward to a Christmas break and we wish you all a safe and enjoyable Christmas.

throughout the Royal Australian Navy Band; and upholding Navy’s values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.

an opportunity for members to move outside their comfort zone, build confidence and increase leadership skills. It was a very rewarding trip and a great opportunity for us all to escape the rigours of training.

The Kirsty Jones Award was created to honour the memory of, and as a dedication to, ex-Petty Officer Musician Kirsty Jones who inspired her subordinates and superiors through her personal qualities, positive attitude, and commitment and dedication to duty.

Our second Introduction to Live Sound course has just concluded with Able Seaman Damian Dowd from the Sydney detachment being the Navy representative. Damian is a fine vocalist, and this course gave him a good insight into the requirements, demands and expectations of our sound operators. Damian performed very well on the course, is now able to adjust his own fold-back levels, and I’m sure will be a lot more compassionate in the future when dealing with sound operators!

All members of the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band are eligible for the Kirsty Jones award with the recipient decided by the band's Senior Leadership Group. The award comprises a perpetual shield to be displayed in the winner’s detachment, a letter from the Director of Music, and a crystal plaque.

As the year quickly comes to an end we are preparing for our Twilight Concert series. This series consists of five concerts including the DFSM Christmas Concert. These concerts provide an opportunity for the BOC students to plan, produce and execute an entire production, including running sheets, stage plans, lighting plots, programming, compering and conducting, thereby putting into place all of the learning achieved during the year.

The 2010 recipient is Able Seaman Paul Parnell from the Sydney detachment. I congratulate Able Seaman Parnell on his outstanding contribution to the Navy Band. He is indeed a worthy recipient who lives by Navy's values and who honours the memory of Petty Officer Musician Kirsty Jones.

In concluding I would like to thank Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron and Petty Officer Kara Williams for the support they have given me, and all the Navy students, that have attended courses throughout the year. Danny, Kara and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

RIMPAC 2010 SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF, ABLE SEAMAN ADAM ARNOLD, ABLE SEAMAN FLETCHER MITCHELL AND ABLE SEAMAN ELLEN ZYLA

‘FROM THE ARCHIVES’! - CHRISTMAS AT DFSM 1957 STYLE

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF ONBOARD HMAS KANIMBLA IN TRANSIT TO HAWAII

KIRSTY JONES AWARD

On Monday, 1 June 2010 twelve musicians selected for the RIMPAC 2010 Sea Deployment Group (SDG) Chief Petty Officer Doug Antonoff, Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy, Leading Seaman David Coit, Able Seaman Adam Arnold, Able Seaman Karen Baker, Able Seaman Melissa Ballantyne, Able Seaman Tony Frantz, Able Seaman Stephanie Hutchinson, Able Seaman Fletcher Mitchell, Able Seaman Doug Ross, Able Seaman Greg Smith and Able Seaman Ellen Zyla, met, some of us for the first time, at the RAN Band Studio in Sydney. Most of the group had never been to sea before and in the ensuing days were to be

The Kirsty Jones Award is presented annually to a member of the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band who has been assessed as making an outstanding contribution to the band’s operational effectiveness. The recipient of this award is selected to specifically acknowledge their direct contribution to encouraging good morale within the team; promoting a positive workplace atmosphere; enhancing a sense of esprit-de-corps

children was one of the most rewarding moments of the deployment.

initiated into all the necessary pre-embarkation preparations. These included liaising with the Executive Officer (XO) of HMAS Kanimbla to discuss the SDG’s daily routine; arranging accommodation, a rehearsal area, and storage area for our musical equipment; collating music and rehearsing for all the musical requirements of the deployment. Two days prior to sailing we moved all our personal belongings and band equipment on board. Bunks various messes and lockers were secured and equipment was stowed on the tank deck. On the afternoon of 9 June we set sail for Hawaii via Samoa, to the sounds of the SDG playing nautical marches. Then began our daily routine. 0800 to 1600 each day was set aside for band rehearsals in the tank deck. – extremely hot and the constant engine noise made it very difficult to hear ourselves playing! Moreover our rehearsals were regularly interrupted for various briefings and exercises.

THE SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP PERFORMING THE DRUM RUFFLE FOR CHILDREN OF VAI-ALA BEACH SCHOOL, SAMOA

Crossing the equator and entering the realm of King Neptune is always a big occasion on an RAN ship and most of the SDG joined with the 200 or so others of the Ship’s Company for whom this was a new (and somewhat mucky) experience!

The XO and the Officer Commanding the Ship’s Army Department onboard, and under whose wings the Band was placed, were very supportive and keen to do anything to help us go about our business. The SDG quickly made new friends with the Ship’s Company and were accepted as part of the crew. We attended PT sessions in the evenings, participated in whole of ship evolutions and all Able Seamen did a stint in the scullery over the duration of the deployment. Leading Seaman Coit regaled us with popular (and in some cases not so popular!) songs each morning for 0645 ‘wakey-wakey’.

Prior to our departure, and whilst en route, Petty Officer Kennedy had been in contact with the US Pacific Fleet Band in Pearl Harbor arranging performance opportunities for the SDG. We joined forces with the Pacific Fleet Band for a Fourth of July street march through the small seaside town of Kailua at Kaneohe Bay. The varying ensembles of the group performed in many different places including a jazz and rock group gig at the Hale Koa Hotel (for US Defence members and their families), the Wet ‘N’ Wild Theme Park, a ceremonial sunset onboard HMAS Kanimbla and a sombre brass quintet performance at the USS Arizona Memorial. When not busy performing, the group found time to enjoy the offerings of Hawaii. Most stayed at a hotel to relax and recharge the batteries, tasted the local brew and hired mustangs or Harleys to check out the sites and tour the island. “Waikiki is just the same as the Gold Coast except that our beaches are better and have surf for the surfers”, one of our group observed. After ten days alongside and a gig nearly every day, it was once again time to set sail for Exercise RIMPAC 2010, three weeks of combined exercises with navies from other Pacific Rim countries in the Hawaiian waters. The SDG was unable to rehearse during this time as HMAS Kanimbla embarked over 200 US, Canadian and Indonesian soldiers and marines, and our tank deck rehearsal area was full of Amphibious Assault Vehicles. Nevertheless whilst the ship was at anchor in a bay with a backdrop of the locations for films such as Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones and South Pacific the rock group was able to do a concert for the Ship’s Company and embarked forces.

(L TO R) ABLE SEAMAN FLETCHER MITCHELL, LEADING SEAMAN DAVE COIT AND ABLE SEAMAN ADAM ARNOLD DOING ‘WAKEY, WAKEY’ ON THE BRIDGE OF HMAS KANIMBLA

Our first port of call was Apia in Samoa to deliver two fire trucks gifted by the Australian Government. The SDG played on the ship as we entered harbour and then again for the Commanding Officer’s presentation of the fire trucks to the Prime Minister of Samoa. Performances ashore included a street march with the Samoan Police Band and a performance at Vai-ala Beach School. From the moment we arrived at the school the children were amazed and intrigued with everything, from our instruments as we unpacked, to the name bars and ribbons on our uniforms. The Band played everything from the drum ruffle to rock and disco. Many of the children had never seen or heard a band perform live, and being able to bring something new to these

During this phase the SDG was offered the opportunity to spend some time on two US ships, USS Cleveland and USS Bonhomme Richard Whilst difficult logistically, including helicopter transfers for twelve people, their

luggage, instruments, amplifiers and PA gear, the spirit of international co-operation allowed the crews of all the ships to make it happen. Our time on the USS Bonhomme Richard was especially interesting as it provided us with an insight into what the two new LHDs currently being built for the RAN and due for entry into service in 2013 will be like. Concerts were given on both ships and were highly appreciated by the embarked forces, which included a platoon of Australian Army troops from 2RAR onboard USS Cleveland.

thrilling tour. I had to suppress the desire to jump on the first flight to Afghanistan and get the tour started and redirect that energy into four days of RSO&I training. Besides, the entertainers were a week away from arriving and I wasn’t sure that the one-man-Andrew-Stokes-show would go down real well! With RSO&I complete, we had some time to relax and make final preparations for the tour. Once the entertainers and the equipment arrived it was all hands on deck to prepare for moving into Afghanistan.

After 25 days at sea it was time to return to Pearl Harbor but our work was not yet finished. The SDG had been invited to perform on one of the Japanese ships for their end of exercise cocktail party. After the performance we were invited below deck for food, sake and Japanese beer. The Captain enjoyed our company immensely and was torn between socialising with us below decks and the official party on the flight deck. He apologised regularly as he returned to the official party, returning only minutes later to rejoin us. The following day was our last chance to take in the sights and sounds of Pearl Harbor, the Naval Exchange for duty free shopping and of course Waikiki beach.

Landing at Tarin Kowt revived the parallel anxious and exciting feelings. There was no time, however, to worry about being shot at or rocketed as the first show was approaching fast and with briefings to attend and accommodation to find our set up time was diminishing fast. Thanks to the crew’s hard work, the first show got underway on time and was a great success. The next day we were off to Kabul where again, with much time taken by briefings and waiting for equipment, we needed to execute a fairly hasty set up. Although there are very few Australians in Kabul, the audience numbers were good and the show went well.

The last phase, our trip home, was very much a repeat of what we had already experienced, two ship’s concerts, damage control exercises and a little more time to read and watch movies. For all the members of the group RIMPAC 2010 was an unforgettable experience and a deployment that will be talked about for years to come. Naturally there are many more stories than we can cover in this brief account so feel free to get us talking whenever you next see us!

With some time to spare the next morning, there was opportunity to have a look around Kabul Air Base and visit the markets. One thing I found weird was walking into shops carrying a rifle – I felt like I needed to explain that I was not there to rob them. What was even stranger was sitting down to a lunch at a Thai restaurant where all patrons were wearing military uniform and had weapons under their chairs!

OPERATION SLIPPER DEPLOYMENT

That afternoon we flew to our next destination – the hustle and bustle of Kandahar Air Field. The place is incredible – 47 nations, tens of thousands of troops, traffic jams and what war-zone Air Base would be complete without its own KFC! We received a warm reception that night at Camp Baker with an Aussie style barbeque complete with sausage sandwiches, a gum tree and ‘near beer’. There was some time the next morning for a look around Kandahar Air Field before setting up for the evening show.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES

The next day it was back to Al Minhad Air Base where we combined with the Op Mazurka tour for two shows over our final two nights in the Middle East. Once we improvised our way around our power problems and snuck in quick sound checks in between local prayer times, it was on with the final shows. Even though it was a relatively short tour, on reflection, I feel much was achieved. Five shows at four venues over six days, reaching over 1000 troops. The team worked hard, bonded together well and quickly established good rapport with the entertainers. A big thanks to Petty Officer Simon Potter, Leading Seaman Tom Bastians and Leading Seaman Gordon Orr for their contribution to making the tour successful and memorable.

TOUR ‘TECH CREW’ CLOCKWISE FROM TOP-LEFT: LS GORDON ORR, LEUT ANDREW STOKES, PO SIMON POTTER, LS TOM BASTIANS

Touching down in Al Minhad Air Base I was feeling both anxious and excited. Anxious about the danger and the unknown, while excited to be part of what promised to be a

ANZAC EXCHANGE 2010

actual parade to march the Ship’s Company through the Wellington streets.

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN NATALIE URQUHART

Leaving the Band to return to Auckland, a friend and I were lucky enough to be able to take a week sightseeing on the South Island. We started with a ferry trip that took us to Picton at the top of the South Island. Entering Picton through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds was a magnificent experience. Christchurch was the next stop where we saw the devastation caused by the earthquakes and the after-shocks that continued to rock the city. After a night in Christchurch it was on to Mt Cook and the Tasman Glacier, where the scenery was breathtaking. From there we travelled to Lake Wanaka and Queenstown and spent the next two days wining, dining, having an exhilarating ride on the Shotover Jet, and an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Back in Auckland a day of rest was well needed for the week ahead – Navy Week! More Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunsets were part of a huge week in the New Zealand Navy’s calendar. The opening of the Navy Museum at Torpedo Bay was an important event, attracting even the Prime Minister who was dazzled by yet another fantastic marching display. HMNZS Philomel had an Open Day where we performed yet more Kiwi classics, and the week finished off with a church service at the lovely chapel at HMNZS Philomel.

ABLE SEAMAN NAT URQUHART FINDS A HOME AWAY FROM HOME IN NEW ZEALAND DURING ANZAC EXCHANGE 2010

On 15 August I arrived at HMNZS Philomel Devonport, which was to be my home for the next three months whilst I was on exchange to work with the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy. My exchange partner, Jonathan Franklin (also a saxophone player) was to spend the next three months with the Sydney detachment. After a quick introduction to my fellow ‘bandies’ it was straight to work rehearsing for my first gig which was at the Museum, and it got rained out! We did, however, return there a few days later to entertain the crowds, along with the visiting Korean Navy Band, playing popular Kiwi tunes. The next few weeks were a mixture of ship welcomings, school gigs and a concert in Takapuna.

The following week we drove from Devonport to Palmerston North for an ‘All Ships Reunion’. The gig was well received and my presence did not go unnoticed by the appreciative crowd. Other places that I got to see on the North Island included 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga and my favourite place, The Bay of Islands. Sadly my trip was coming to an end, and it was back to my last working week with the Band. The saxophone quartet played at a fashion show charity event that was hosted by Temuera Morrison, wellknown as ‘Jake the Muss’ from Once Were Warriors.

Despite the Band’s busy schedule I was fortunate enough to be able to take a few days off. I decided to head to the cultural (and very smelly) town of Rotorua and its surrounds. The Geothermal Parks were magnificent, and we saw geysers, bubbling mud pools, mineral pools and of course had a first hand experience of the unique smell for which Rotorua is famous. All smells aside, we experienced a traditional Maori Hangi and the cultural show at Tamaki Maori Village - a magical place. Our next adventure was to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, and what would a trip to Rotorua be without a soak in mud and a sulphur spa?

ANZAC Exchange came to an end on 5 November when the Navy personnel were flown to Palmerston North where we spent the night at Linton Army Camp before leaving on a C130 from Ohakea Air Force Base. My time with the New Zealand Navy Band was fantastic, and I met some great people who will always be considered my friends. Spending three months overseas has been a great opportunity, and I am privileged to have been able to work with such a talented group of people. I wish to thank the Band of the Royal New Zealand Navy for their wonderful hospitality, and the Director of Music for allowing me to participate in the exchange program.

Back at work and there were more ship arrivals, play centre visits and plenty of gigs to keep me busy. We even managed to get a sax quartet together for a performance. During this time the band was busily preparing for the celebration of HMNZS Wellington’s maiden voyage. Our first night in Wellington saw a Ceremonial Sunset and my first marching display with the New Zealand Navy Band. Never have I heard a crowd get so excited at a Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset! The following day I got to experience the famous winds of Wellington. During the parade rehearsal it took all my concentration not to get blown off my feet! The weather was kinder, however, for the

STRENGTHENING TIES BEYOND NAVY

accommodation and went to ‘The Club’. This is a licensed premises with very strict rules: maximum of six drinks per person; no buying drinks on someone else's behalf; only mid-strength beer cans available and no take aways.

ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN SIMON BARTLETT

The following day we continued rehearsing, except this time at ‘The Club’. Part of the purpose of this rehearsal was to allow the local kids to hear the traditional songs, and after some negotiation, the kids were allowed into ‘The Club’ the first time minors had ever been allowed onto the premises. The Ladies also taught the kids the ‘Strong Kids Song’, a combination of traditional melody and lyrics reinforcing what the kids thought were important in staying safe. Representatives of the Red Cross, Northern Territory who had funded some of this rehearsal period were in attendance. A free sausage sizzle was an integral part of the event, as that ALWAYS gets people there, and the NAVY cap proved a good conversation starter. We then drove the Ladies back to their homes so they could pack for the flight to Darwin. On our first day in Darwin we travelled to Charles Darwin University, where we would be artists-in-residence. We held an open rehearsal with students and lecturers in attendance. The Head of Creative Art and Music, is especially interested in projects such as this that marry indigenous and contemporary music. The next day was the first of our performances at the Darwin Festival. Having assembled outside the venue, the Ladies began singing and dancing. One of the elders then gave me my dreaming - Niyamwayi, or Water Buffalo Some of the Water Buffalo women taught me my dance - once you have your dreaming, then you do that particular dance, whatever the music is! (This actually happened at ‘The Club’ a few nights earlier - regardless of what was on the juke box, people would do crocodile, shark, jungle fowl, horse, dugong or water buffalo dances, depending on their dreaming!)

ABLE SEAMAN SIMON ‘WATER BUFFALO’ BARTLETT WITH THE TIWI LADIES OF BATHURST ISLAND PAINTED IN THEIR DREAMING

For many years, French Horn player for Australian Idol and Musicologist Genevieve Campbell has been working with the Tiwi People of Bathurst Island, recording their traditional songs, and observing the way these songs have developed over the past century, by comparing them with previous recordings. As a part of this work, she has formed a group called Ngarukuruwala (literally translated as ‘We Sing Songs’), which combines the songs of the’ strong’ women of Bathurst Island with a jazz group.

Once on stage, we tried to play the program as advertised, however, the Ladies act spontaneously when they perform, adding or discarding songs as the mood takes them. Although the band plays arrangements, the Ladies will come in when they like, pointing to the band when they want an instrumental break, and the lines of each verse may vary in length by a number of bars! The main reason for rehearsal is for the Ladies to gain confidence.

I got to know all about this in the playground of Croydon Public School, where we would wait to pick up our respective daughters. One day she asked me to come and play with Ngarukuruwala at a performance at the Sydney Conservatorium, which I did. She then asked if there was any chance I could help out the when the ladies sang at the Darwin Festival. I sent a request up the Divisional Chain, and it was agreed that this could only be a good thing for Ngarukuruwala and Navy.

At the end of the performance the band played, and the ladies danced. Leonie, one of the elders, pointed to me and said ‘dance’. I obediently put my trombone down, went to the front of the stage, and did my Water Buffalo Dance. The Tiwi men in the front of the audience laughed, pointing at me and shouting out ‘Wrong! Wrong!’ To add insult to injury, the Ladies kept getting me to go back to the front of the stage and repeat the dance. I would like to think that it was because I was a good dancer, but I think it was really because I needed the practice! I have never been so glad of a Festival's ban on photography during performances.

After an overnight stay in Darwin we boarded a charter flight to Bathurst Island This 25 minute trip included an impromptu flying lesson during which I took the controls once we had reached cruising altitude. (You don't get that with Qantas!). Once installed in our accommodation, we went to the old Catholic Church (situated next to the radio shack where a priest warned Darwin of the impending attack by the Japanese), and rehearsed the program for Darwin Festival with the ladies. By about 3pm, everyone was tired out, so we called it a day, drove the ladies back to their respective

sports club, Cardiff Athletic. This time, more used to a slow green, our players were competitive from start to finish. On completion of the match we were invited back to the club for some warm ales and were treated to a private tour of the restricted Welsh Rugby trophy room.

The following night’s performance went along the same lines, except we ‘painted up’. The photo shows me and some of the Ladies painted with our dreaming. All in all, the trip was a resounding success: the performances were incredibly well received; I gained a better understanding of indigenous people; and my contribution was gratefully received. I hope that in the future there will be further opportunities for this type of involvement with community groups.

The Word Heritage City of Bath was next on our whirlwind tour. In perfect conditions and on a green of a similar pace to those found at home the RANLBA took the points before retiring to the club house for home made pork pies and scones with clotted cream. Of course, a visit to Bath wouldn’t be complete without seeing the sights of this glorious city, in particular the Roman Baths.

BOWLING IN THE UK

The final game of the tour took place in London competing against the Metropolitan Police. The Police fielded a strong side which unfortunately defeated us; nevertheless a good time was had by all. Whilst in London the cricket tragics in the squad took a day out to support the Aussies at Day One of the Australia vs. Pakistan Test at Lords. For the rest (actually just me) seeing a few shows in the West End was high on the list of priorities.

ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER SHARON JARVIS

All the squad members on the tour paid for their own airfares. Accommodation and meals were paid for from money raised by selling copious amounts of raffle tickets. I felt very lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in such a fantastic and well organised tour. So for all you ‘nonsporty’ folk out there why not give lawn bowls a go? You never know just where it will take you. PETTY OFFICER SHARON JARVIS AT THE HISTORIC SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BOWLING CLUB IN PLYMOUTH, UK

CHAMPION SHOT NAVY 2010

The Royal Australian Navy Lawn Bowls Association (RANLBA) toured to the United Kingdom this year and I was fortunate enough to be one of the lucky squad of twelve selected. Our first game was at Atherley Bowling Club in Southampton. Playing 21 ends in a two bowls–fours format (a team of four, each having two bowls) didn’t allow much time for the team members to get accustomed to the very slow greens. As expected the locals got the jump early, though to our credit we did close the margin late in the afternoon. Unfortunately we left our run a little too late, allowing the locals first bragging rights after taking a narrow victory. Whilst in the area the squad took time to visit famous sites like HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Dockyard Museum at Portsmouth.

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN GORDON ORR

The historic Sir Francis Drake Bowling Club in Plymouth was the venue for our second match. Because so many of the home club’s members were eager to try their hand against the RAN bowlers, a round robin of two bowls–fours over 21 ends was played. Again the competition was fierce. Our chance of victory over the locals was never going to be easy though, as the Club Captain is Dave Cutler who has represented England for 12 years and was a silver medallist at the World Championships. The day ended with reflective ale or two, lamenting our second loss.

LEADING SEAMAN GORDON ORR COMPETING IN THE AASAM

In May this year I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to compete again in the Australian Army Skill At Arms Meeting (AASAM) held at Puckapunyal Military Range, Victoria. Since 1986 the AASAM has been Australia’s premier military shooting tournament, with a worldwide reputation. It is open to all ADF members, and also attracts competitors from Thailand, France, Singapore, Canada, Brunei, the Philippines, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

The squad then made its way to the beautiful Welsh city of Cardiff where we came up against the famous combined

throughout Australia. Since 2003 the Navy Bash team has raised more than $340,000. This year there were eleven people in the Navy team, and five cars, all over 40 years old. We had two EH Holdens, and two HR Holdens that had been transformed into a frigate, two helicopters and a submarine, as well as a Dodge crew cab painted in DPNU camouflage! Early on 22 August 117 themed cars lined up next to the B Shed at Sydney Markets to begin the 3,500km journey to Byron Bay via Temora, Cobar, Bourke, Moree, Goondiwindi, Toowoomba, and Lismore.

The competition is designed to pitch the best soldiers against each other in a tough combat-like environment. This ensures that it is representative of the skills required of a modern fighting soldier and provides a means of validating current doctrine and evaluating training standards. The first three days of the competition included a series of shoots consisting of Match 1, 2, 3,4 Deliberate, Rapid and Snaps at 100, 200 and 300 metres, Live fire 6 and 18 and close quarter combat, rapid response firing at shorter distances. The top ten scorers, of which I was one, are then eligible to advance to the next stage to shoot for two more days and compete for Champion Shot Navy. Champion Shot consists of a series of matches, including run downs from 400, 300 and 200 metres, adopting different firing positions and engaging each target with various numbers of rounds in a certain amount of time. As you can imagine there is a certain amount of skill, fitness and breath control required to compose oneself at the end of each run and get the hits on target. The matches are continuous, in that one starts at 400 metres, does a rundown to 300 metres, fires, then runs to 200 metres and finally 100 metres, firing with different procedures at each point. Some memorisation is required to remember how many shots, from which position at which type of target.

LEADING SEAMAN ESA DOUGLAS WITH ‘HMAS VARIETY’

This year I came away with third placing in Champion Shot Navy, not too bad considering I had not shot a weapon since the last AASAM twelve months earlier. I also requalified for my cuff rate marksmanship badge, shooting applied marksmanship practice LF19 with a score of 250 from 300 and handing back three rounds.

Each morning and lunchtime we would gather at a hall or school to meet with the locals and present them with items ranging from computers to sporting equipment. The children always had a lot of fun seeing how much ‘booty’ they could acquire from the thousands of giveaways the Bashers had to disperse. With plenty of Navy and Defence Force Recruiting giveaways we certainly got our name out there very positively. All of the cars would then line up and parade through the Variety arches while being given our instructions for the next destination.

I have come fifth, third and second in previous Champion Shot Navy competitions and am still looking for that first place one day. I would like to thank the Director of Music, Commander Anderson and my managers in the Sydney Detachment for their support in allowing me to compete.

There were a number of theme days and fun activities over the week. Day Two was white day for lawn bowls at Cobar. Also on this day all the cars gathered at the Temora Aviation Museum where we were divided into four teams for a mini games morning to mark Armed Services Day. This event took place in the true Bash style of treachery, cheating and bribery and (perhaps not surprisingly!) the Navy team triumphed.

FROM B SHED TO BYRON BAY WITH NAVY’S VARIETY BASH ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN ESA DOUGLAS

The annual Variety Bash is Australia’s most successful charity motoring event. It is not a race or a rally, but an annual charity drive that is the focal point of fundraising events by many hundreds of supporters of Variety – the Children’s Charity. It is an event that I have always wanted to participate in since I was a child, having watched it on TV and seen the ‘Bashers’ come through my home town. The idea of travelling around with a group of mates to places one wouldn’t usually see, whilst raising money for an obviously great charity and having a lot of fun in the process appealed to me even then.

The highlight of the trip for me was during our stay in Moree when we drove out to a ‘secret’ location. We had a passenger that day, a lady who had bought a seat for a day in a Bash car at a Variety fund-raising auction. A local farmer was kind enough to open up his farm for the day and so all the cars traversed across the levees, at times heading in totally opposite directions to each other (oops!). We met at the homestead for another games day and were treated to the most amazing barbecue of local meats and delectable desserts. Thanks to our Bash spirit (the aforementioned cheating, bribery etc.) we won a silver service dinner at the Western theme night, dressed as cowboys, Indians and barmaids.

Since its beginnings in 1985 the Bash has raised more than $100 million to help ill, special and disadvantaged children

Other highlights were the two days I got to spend in other Bash cars – the ‘Bashbusters’ who have been bashing for about 20 years and the ‘Three Little Pigs”. I also met Ian Stenlake from Sea Patrol who joined the Navy team for the last couple of days. It was great fun driving down dirt tracks, through water crossings and even just stopping by the side of the road to watch the sun set. I feel so proud and lucky to have been able to take part in such a wonderful event.

5,533 Australian casualties at Fromelles—in one night.

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In the fighting at Pozières the Australian Imperial Force suffered more than 23,000 casualties in little more than six weeks, with nearly 7,000 killed.

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At Bullecourt, 10,000 Australians were killed or wounded.

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During the three battles at Ypres there were 38,000 Australian casualties.

Today these numbers are mind-numbing—they are horrific in magnitude. So it is right that we honour the service and sacrifice of the fallen today. It is right that we honour all those who have served. And it is right that we remember today those who are still serving.

REMEMBRANCE DAY ADDRESS BY COMMANDER PHILLIP ANDERSON

From a naval perspective it is also right to consider that at the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, the Australian Fleet operated as an integral part of the Royal Navy and served in all operational areas. The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force carried in HMAS Berrima and supported by units of the Australian Fleet, including HMAS Australia which had the first band of the Royal Australian Navy embarked and whose musicians performed wartime duties as medical orderlies) captured German New Guinea colonies. This was the first amphibious assault of the war. After this operation the ships of the Royal Australian Navy began the vital role of convoy escort. It was whilst escorting a convoy that the light cruiser HMAS Sydney was detached to investigate the sighting of a strange warship. This ship turned out to be the German light cruiser Emden. In the ensuing battle Sydney destroyed the Emden and thus won the Royal Australian Navy’s first battle. The Royal Australian Navy also played a supporting role in the Gallipoli campaign. HMAS AE2 became the first allied warship to penetrate the Dardanelles, but was eventually sunk by the Turkish Navy in the Sea of Marmora. On the peninsular the Royal Australian Navy also played a supporting role in the Gallipoli campaign. HMAS AE2 became the Bridging Train provided vital service to the troops as well as being the last Australians to leave Gallipoli. The submarines AE1 and AE2 were the only losses suffered by the Royal Australian Navy during this conflict. The first named was lost with all hands off New Britain on the 14 September 1914, and AE2 was scuttled by her crew in the Sea of Marmora on the 30 April 1915, after she had forced a passage through the dangerous waters of the Dardanelles in support of the Gallipoli campaign.

At 11 am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent when the Germans called for an armistice. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month has attained special significance in the post-war years. It’s the moment in time which has become universally associated with the remembrance of those who died in that war. After fours years of bloodshed the battlefields were becalmed; Great empires had been broken; and millions lay dead—among them, sixty thousand Australian heroes whose final resting place will forever be foreign soil. And there were a further one hundred and fifty thousand whose bodies and minds were forever scarred by the horrors of that war. And all this from a country of some four million people.

In years past, Remembrance Day ceremonies overwhelmingly reflected personal loss. It is different now. Thankfully, a great many Australians have no personal experience of war, no way of knowing the anguish of enforced separation, or the greater grief of separations made permanent. Today we remember that each of the fallen had a family and friends whose lives were enriched by their love and diminished by their loss. Each added to the life of a city suburb or country town. Each worked before enlistment in one of countless occupations, which added to the prosperity and the richness of our nation.

It was called the War to End All Wars. But we now know that it was not. It was the First World War. Today we remember the end of that Great War where we as a nation paid a heavy price: •

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26,111 Australian casualties at Gallipoli including 8,141 deaths.

including the following poem from an American, Miss Moira Michael, entitled We Shall Keep the Faith:

These strangers from another time have given us a legacy from the past on which to build the future. A spirit born on the cliffs of Gallipoli, then matured in the mud of the Western Front, in jungles and in deserts, and in desperate struggles on the seas and in the sky. A spirit which draws Australians together in time of need. A spirit which may seem to slumber; but arises to draw new breath when needed. Their story, the legacy of all Australians who have died or suffered in war and armed conflict, has been passed to each one of us. By today's act of remembrance, we cherish and nurture this possession, their gift. We prove an understanding both of its value and its cost.

Oh! You who sleep in Flanders’ fields, Sleep sweet - to rise anew, We caught the torch you threw, And holding high we kept The faith with those who died. We cherish too, the poppy red

One of the most enduring symbols of Remembrance Day is the Red Poppy, which was among the first plants that sprouted from the devastation of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium. This same poppy also flowers in Turkey in early spring—as it did in April 1915 when the ANZACs landed at Gallipoli. Folklore tells us that the poppies were vivid red from having been nurtured in ground drenched with the blood of soldiers.

That grows on fields where valour led.

The Red Poppy was first described as a flower of remembrance by Colonel John McCrae who served in France in World War One as a medical Officer with the first Canadian Contingent. After watching the death of a close friend he wrote in pencil on a page torn from his despatch book the following poem which has become synonymous with Remembrance Day:

In Flanders’ fields.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

In Flanders’ fields.

It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a lustre to the red Of the flower that blooms above the dead

And now the torch and poppy red Wear in honour of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught We’ve learned the lesson that ye taught

Between the crosses, row on row,

It is right that we remember those who fell, that we remember the lessons they have passed to us, and that we honour the contribution they have made to our nation. We honour the contribution they have made to the world. And we commit ourselves afresh to the worthy cause of peace.

That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

Lest We Forget

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. We should all be familiar with that poem, but you may not know that it inspired many replies from across the world

ABLE SEAMAN SIMON BARTLETT (L) AND LEADING SEAMAN DANIEL MCMAHON (R) DURING RECORDING FOR THE SEAFARER (MARK II) RIMPAC 2010 SEA DEPLOYMENT GROUP REHEARSING ON THE DECK OF HMAS KANIMBLA

ABLE SEAMAN TONY FRANTZ PLAYS INSTRUMENTS OF A DIFFERENT KIND WHILST DEPLOYED ON RIMPAC 2010

LEADING SEAMAN JONATHAN FRANKLIN ANZAC EXCHANGE PARTICIPANT FROM THE NEW ZEALAND NAVY BAND ON PARADE WITH SYDNEY DETACHMENT

ABLE SEAMAN CHRIS ELLIS (L) AND ABLE SEAMAN STUART MALCOLM (R) PERFORM A DUET DURING THE ADMIRAL’S OWN BIG BAND CONCERT AT THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MUSIC, SYDNEY

OUR HERITAGE GUARD PERFORMING A DRILL DISPLAY TO ‘A SCRAP IRON FLOTILLA’ ON 10 JULY 2011

WIND ORCHESTRA WITH COMPOSER GRAHAM LLOYD AFTER PERFORMING THE COMMISSIONED WORK CIRCUMNAVIGATION DURING FLAGSHIP RECITAL ‘THE SEAFARER’ ON 2 MARCH 2011

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE 18 RELEASED 15 AUGUST 2011

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND ON STAGE AT THE CITY RECITAL HALL, SYDNEY, FOR ‘A NAVAL SALUTE’ CENTENARY CONCERT

FROM THE PR DESK

CONTENTS

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN CATHY WAINWRIGHT

Phew, what a six months it’s been! I can honestly say it’s been the busiest six months of my eight years in the RAN Band - but then a Centenary Concert doesn’t come around every day of the week! Add to that a concert and live broadcast on ABC Classic FM in March, and two overseas deployments in February and May, and you are starting to get some idea of the frantic pace that has permeated the Director’s office this year.

FROM THE PR DESK

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

My roles in relation to the Centenary Concert were twofold. Most significantly from my point of view has been the opportunity to research and help realise the commissioning of an indigenous art work acknowledging the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to the first 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy. This project began about nine months ago, with the germ of an idea put ‘out there’ by the Director, which captured my interest, and from which I have learned an enormous amount. I have also had the opportunity to meet some very committed and interesting people along the way.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE – ABU DHABI

BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL TATTOO 2011

‘A NAVAL SALUTE’ – CENTENARY CONCERT

THE SALUTE

CHAMPION SHOT NAVY 2011

ARAFURA GAMES 2011

DEFENCE WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

BOOK REVIEW

It was a great honour to be the ‘unveiler’ of the artwork on stage at the Centenary Concert in the presence of the Governor-General, representing the culmination of this fascinating project. (continued on page 3)

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN and Mrs Griggs. Her Excellency Marie Bashir penned the following words of appreciation: Warmest congratulations and deep appreciation for the memorable concert held to celebrate the Centenary of the Royal Assent which marked the independence of our Royal Australian Navy from it parental predecessors. Your splendid program conveyed the proud links, as well as the unique Australian character, and even some appropriate nostalgia which brought quiet tears to the eyes of those who may have recalled the darker days of World War II. The naval musicians were superb and kept the audience enthralled to the final note. She also added some personal words, which I won’t reproduce here; but I want you to know that when she spoke with me immediately after the concert it was very clear that she was deeply moved by the band’s performance. Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce also spoke to me (a length) about the concert and our performance at Admiralty House on the previous evening. Let there be no doubt that she was exceedingly warm and generous with her praise of the Navy Band, its musicians and its role in Australia’s musical heritage. I also sensed a very strong level of care and pride amongst our musicians during the rehearsals and performance, and there were a lot of people doing good things behind the scenes and beyond what is normally expected. I wish to acknowledge Lieutenant Andrew Stokes and his event production team for their work towards ensuring a successful concert, and Leading Seaman Cathy Wainwright for ensuring a full house on the evening. I know that many valuable lessons have been learned by the experience of hosting a major event.

As I read through the various articles in this edition of RAN Band News I could not help but be impressed by the volume of work being done across the whole of our programme, and the quality of output being produced. This edition articulates loudly, the significant work that our musicians are doing each and every day towards delivering positive news stories and enhancing Navy’s reputation. Those stories are not limited to just our musical achievements. For example, Petty Officer Gordon Orr’s achievement in winning the Champion Shot Navy Medal and Petty Officer Mark Ham who was selected to play for the combined Australian Services Cricket Team to compete in the Arafura Games 2011.

The articles in this edition show that our activities range from relatively simple tasks to more complex ones such as A Naval Salute and the international deployments; and they continue to build the proud story of the Navy Band’s service to Navy and the wider community. Regardless of the level or complexity of the task you have all made a magnificent contributed to telling that story.

This six-month period has been particularly busy with very successful international deployments to Abu Dhabi and Brunei, a national radio broadcast, and the recording and release of our latest CD A Naval Salute Mk II. However, the highlight and milestone event was our Flagship Recital, A Naval Salute, which celebrated the Centenary of the Royal Australian Navy on 10 July 2011.

Thank you, and well done. P.C. ANDERSON Commander, RAN DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND LEADER

It was a rare occasion to have such an impressive list of distinguished guests present at the concert including the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce; the Governor of New South Wales and Honorary Commodore, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE; Chief of Defence Force, General David Hurley AC DSC and Mrs Hurley; and Chief

… The evening before we attended the Capitol Theatre and saw Mary Poppins … I must tell you though that Sunday evening topped Saturday and my daughter was absolutely beside herself. She hasn’t stopped talking about it since.”

(continued from page 1) The second part of this project was finding a way to reproduce the artwork and its accompanying story in a form that could be attached to the drummers’ slings as an enduring feature of the Drum Corps in all our detachments.

HAPPY CENTENARY ‘ROYAL’ AUSTRALIAN NAVY - FINALE OF ‘A NAVAL SALUTE’ AT THE CITY RECITAL HALL, SYDNEY

However, like the Roman God, Janus, we must always be looking forwards as well as backwards. Whilst we paid tribute to our veterans and the legacy they have passed on to today’s sailors, we must continue to focus on investing in the future of the Navy and the Navy Band, through organisations and programs such as the Naval Cadets, the Work Experience Program and school visits. Many of our Musicians acknowledge that it was exposure to a military band in their formative years that sparked their thoughts about pursuing this as a career.

UNVEILING THE INDIGENOUS ARTWORK ‘THE SALUTE’ AT THE RAN CENTENARY CONCERT

My other main task was Ticketing and Front of House, and let me tell you, keeping track of over one thousand tickets and making sure that everyone ended up in seats that were suitable, and with the people they wanted to sit next to, was not without its challenges! I was assisted at various stages during this task by Able Seaman Paul Stiles, Able Seaman Alisha Coward and Able Seaman Kevin Orchard without whom I would never have got all those phone calls made, and all the envelopes addressed! My sincere thanks to each of you for all you did. Our work paid off and (contrary to the Navy News report) we had a wonderfully appreciative audience of approximately 900. No sooner had we started advertising than we were swamped with bookings, and the flyers never even made it out of the box! At one stage we had a waiting list of over a hundred people while we made sure we had kept enough seats aside for the VIPs, and I had to keep the tickets out of sight so that they didn’t disappear! A large number of people also accepted the invitation to be added to our mailing list thus ensuring new audience members into the future.

This year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of applications from 16 year olds for Work Experience placements with the Band. Three have already taken place and another six are lined up for the remainder of year. Pleasingly two of these have resulted from a Band visit to the students’ school. Two of the schools that the Sydney detachment has performed for this year also organised large groups of parents and students to be in the audience at the Centenary Concert. These linkages, networking and added value that spin off from the Band’s performances are what for me make our job satisfying and meaningful. Likewise, interest in auditioning for the Band has been high with some 15 enquiries to date that have progressed, or will progress, to auditions. As a result of some sustained advertising we are even managing to recruit some of those rare and endangered species, bassoon, clarinet and french horn players! It is pleasing to be able to report that we now have a full complement of french horn players for the first time in many years.

The response following the concert was overwhelmingly positive, with many telephone calls and emails arriving in the following days as well as cards and chocolates! The one which summed it up best for me came from a member of the public whose teenage daughter is very keen to pursue a career as a Naval Musician. He wrote

Our music continues to travel far and wide. In the last few months requests for our CDs have come from Alaska, Canada, Sweden and the USA. Our music is played in the operating theatres at Albury Base Hospital to calm both surgeons and patients, and only recently we supplied parts for I Am Australian and Waltzing Matilda to a community band in Ireland to welcome in a cruise ship of Australian tourists!

“The evening was indeed overwhelming and we feel privileged to have shared it; we felt we were in the presence of a very big, very special family celebration.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVEN STANKE

ABLE SEAMAN TONY FRANTZ PLAYS REVEILLE DURING THE RAAF 90TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE AT THE SYDNEY CENOTAPH

Sadly, for those with salty blood in their veins, we said goodbye to the latest HMAS Manoora, decommissioned in June, but welcomed back HMAS Stuart after a six-month operational period in the Gulf. We farewelled HMAS Stuart late last year and met her in Abu Dhabi in February for ceremonial activities so we’re pleased to maintain a connection with her maritime activities.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT MARCHES DOWN GEORGE STREET DURING THE 2011 ANZAC DAY PARADE

The usual tasks for the Sydney detachment are many and varied, but for sheer excitement and job satisfaction the two international performances in 2011 would surely rate high on the RAN Band ‘bucket list’. In February, 30 personnel travelled to Abu Dhabi to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2011 International Defence Exhibition, an activity drawing enough appreciation for it to be repeated on each of the following three days of the exhibition itself. We were a little overwhelmed by the active displays of military hardware during the ceremony, but were pleased to add our small musical contribution, along with colleagues from the New Zealand Army Band and the United Arab Emirates Army and Police Bands. A 10 minute marching display of distinctive Australian flavour (Waltzing Matilda, RAN, The Alert and Proud Echo) preceded the military display and a massed band conclusion, featuring nationalistic snippets and local marches.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT AT HMAS CRESWELL ‘S NEW ENTRY OFFICERS GRADUATION PARADE

An invitation to attend the Brunei International Tattoo quickly followed and was approved. This event celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Brunei Defence Force, and was truly international, including performances by bands from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Britain and the United States. Again it was a pleasure to present a distinctly Australian program, including our own The Alert march, I Am Australian and four versions of Waltzing Matilda (fanfare, vocal, jazz and parade).

There were several significant opportunities to flex our wind orchestra muscle with a live broadcast on ABC Classic FM in March, a recording at Trackdown Studios and the ever popular ‘Band Call’ concerts at St. Andrews Anglican Cathedral in Sydney. Solo assistance was particularly valuable from Leading Seaman Tracy Kennedy, Able Seaman Tony Frantz, Able Seaman Damian Dowd, Able Seaman Simon Bartlett, Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya and Able Seaman Haylen Newman. Leading Seaman Martyn Hancock provided his usual outstanding level of musical arrangements, most noticeably adding an original march (The Scrap Iron Flotilla) and a trumpet solo (Legende by Georg Enescu) to our repertoire. We continued our outreach to communities through concerts at Camden (April), North Sydney (April) and Kingsgrove (May).

Local ceremonial and parade activities in 2011 included the Java Sea commemoration in Sydney (February), the RAAF 90th anniversary parade (March), Anzac parades in Castle Hill and Sydney, a Freedom of Entry in Newcastle with HMAS Newcastle (sadly, diminished by poor weather), Chief of Defence Force’s farewell to Navy at Garden Island (May), Battle of the Coral Sea parades in Sydney and Canberra (May), Chief of Navy’s changeover in Canberra in June, and the usual six-monthly graduation parade for the New Entry Officer’s Course at HMAS Creswell.

Rhythm based ensembles were also kept busy with the Admiral’s Own Rock Band providing music for the Australia Day Regatta (January) and the HMAS Ballarat Ball at the Sydney Hilton (June), and at Erina Fair, Cockatoo Island, Darling Harbour, Warringah Mall, Martin Place, and Crown Street Mall in Wollongong. The jazz ensemble forged a presence at Manly Corso (February, March, April) and

School Passing Out Parade of the year. This is one of many ‘regular’ jobs that the detachment performs for HMAS Cerberus. Other such jobs include Ceremonial Divisions parades as well as many Graduation Parades for the CIS wing of the Defence Force School of Signals.

Erina Fair (April) and the Admiral’s Own Big Band showed their wares at the Bowral Big Band Festival (March), Darling Harbour (March), Newcastle High School (March), Alzheimer’s Fundraiser at Leichhardt (May) and the Avalon Tattoo in June. Our Education Programme included performances at Katoomba Primary, Willoughby Public, Smith’s Hill High (Wollongong), Newcastle High, Matraville Soldier’s Settlement Public School, St Patrick’s Sutherland, and Canberra High. Students from Randwick Primary were welcome visitors at our studio. Thanks to Leading Seaman Tracy Kennedy, Able Seaman Damian Dowd and Able Seaman Simon Bartlett for their invaluable assistance in the Education Programme.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT MARCHING ON ANZAC DAY

February was a busy month for the detachment. The Corvettes Jazz Group performed at the Mornington Markets and the Parade Band marched in the Western Port Festival Street Parade in Hastings. The Parade Band provided support to the opening of a time capsule that was buried in Hastings 25 years ago. The detachment also provided support for the Reserve Forces Day at Mentone Grammar School. We had many of our sailors deployed to other detachments throughout February. Able Seaman John McCorkelle and Able Seaman Andrew Hansch were involved in the welcome home ceremony for HMAS Melbourne in Sydney, whilst five personnel were sent to Adelaide to help the South Australian detachment with a variety of jobs in Goolwa. The end of the month saw the first Benchmark activity of the year in Sydney which was a direct to air broadcast on ABC Classic FM.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT PERFORMS FOR STUDENTS AT SAINT PATRICK’S COLLEGE IN SUTHERLAND

Wind chamber ensembles continued their monthly presence at St James church in Sydney, and were appreciated by many with influence at Admiralty House and the NSW Art Gallery. At the time of writing (June), the detachment is busy rehearsing for a major concert at Angel Place, Sydney on 10 July. This concert, ‘A Naval Salute’, celebrates the centenary of the RAN (1911-2011) and promotes core messages on the history, activities, people, and future direction of the RAN.

March was a busy month for the Corvettes Rock Group. They kicked off the month at the Patterson Lakes Festival and followed this with a visit to Leongatha Public School as a part of Exercise Overture, designed to extend Navy’s reach into regional communities. The Corvettes Rock Group then performed at South Gippsland Secondary College, and finished off the month combining with the Parade Band to perform at the annual Walk For Life event at Mornington Secondary College in support of cancer research. March saw the first of our Soundwaves concerts on board HMAS Cerberus and the Corvettes Jazz Group performed at Parliament House Open Day in the city. Pipe the Side Brass Group was also kept busy this month with jobs at Rye RSL, the annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic and a Wardroom Commissioning Mess Dinner.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MATTHEW KLOHS

After a relaxing and not too hot Christmas break, we returned to work ready to begin a new year. Our first commitment for the year was the Corvettes Big Band performing at the Eltham Jazz Festival. This was followed on Australia Day with the Corvettes Jazz and Rock Groups performing at the Australia Day Regatta in Geelong, which is Australia’s largest sailing regatta and Victoria’s oldest sporting event. The end of the month saw the first Recruit

The beginning of April saw the first of our Anzac Day commitments with the annual Anzac Day Service for Schools which was organized by the Rotary Club of Monash. The Concert Band performed a recital at St Peter’s Church in Brighton and the Corvettes Big Band performed at Geelong Central. The Parade Band performed

become the first female Rear Admiral in the RAN in December this year.

a Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters as a part of the Recruit School Passing Out Parade which heralded the beginning of our Anzac Day commitments.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT AT A RECRUIT SCHOOL PASSING OUT PARADE IN JUNE ABLE SEAMAN MELANIE WILKINSON PLAYING THE LAST POST AT THE MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND ON ANZAC DAY

Four bugle calls were required for Anzac Ceremonies at Oatlands Public School, Beaumaris Community Centre, Clayton RSL Sub Branch and the Huntingdale Golf Club. Anzac Day itself involved the Parade Band marching through the streets of Melbourne and playing marches at The Shrine of Remembrance before the Corvettes Rock Group, assisted by Able Seaman Damian Dowd from the Sydney detachment, performed at the Anzac Day AFL match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies. Able Seaman Melanie Wilkinson performed the bugle call and did an outstanding job, as did singers Able Seaman Damian Dowd and Able Seaman Stephanie Monk who performed the National Anthem.

As well as all our musical commitments for this first half of the year many other important and noteworthy events have happened. In January we welcomed Leading Seaman Robert Flynn back to the Melbourne detachment, and in May we farewelled Able Seaman Andrew Hansch and Able Seaman Kirstin Hansch as they posted back to the Sydney detachment. This half of the year has also seen two weddings in the detachment. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Petty Officer Simon Potter and Able Seaman Fred Whitson and their new wives all the very best for the future. Leading Seaman Tom Bastians and Leading Seaman Matthew Booth have successfully completed the Group Leader Course at the Defence Force School of Music with Leading Seaman Bastians’ high marks resulting in him being awarded the Stucas Shield.

May was a hectic month in many different ways. The Concert Band performed at Geelong High School to kick off the month, followed by the Corvettes Rock Group who performed at the annual Jobs Expo at Caulfield Race Course. The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Crane, visited the Band Studio to say farewell and to thank the detachment for its hard work and support during his tenure as Chief of Navy. May saw a milestone for Lieutenant Brian O’Kane and Lieutenant Cassandra Mohapp when they visited us to complete one of their last formal examinations, the Ceremonial Sunset assessment.

As mid-year leave rapidly approaches, the detachment is busily preparing for the graduation ceremony at the Defence Force School of Music, and for the upcoming Navy Centenary Concert in Sydney. We look forward to the midyear break in order to rest up for what promises to be an extremely busy second half of the year. My thanks go out to the whole team for their ongoing support, professionalism, patience and musicianship.

Leading Seaman Jeff McGann and Able Seaman Fletcher Mitchell were both successful in their M3 skill grade exams and are to be congratulated for their outstanding performances. May also saw eleven Melbourne detachment personnel depart for Brunei in support of the International Tattoo celebrating the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Golden Jubilee. Another six personnel were sent to Sydney to participate in the HMAS Manoora Decommissioning Ceremony. The Pipe the Side Brass Quintet was invited to perform at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Rye in support of their 150th birthday celebrations and the detachment welcomed five personnel from the Sydney detachment for support during HMAS Cerberus Divisions. Commodore Walker was the Reviewing Officer for this parade and will

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

Looking forward to a fresh start after a quiet end to last year, the Queensland detachment returned to rehearsal with enthusiasm and focus. Even the weather had taken a turn and we started to feel the warmth of summer! January kicked off with the Australian Defence Force Academy Enlistment Ceremony in St John’s Cathedral and

Barracks Dawn Service, the Bulimba Service and again in the City for the arrival of the Governor prior to the main parade. Once again thousands turned up this year to the idyllic setting amongst the Moreton Bay fig trees for the Anzac Day Service in Bulimba. To look around and see every person captivated by the detachment’s performance, featuring Able Seaman Leigh Robke singing Amazing Grace was truly satisfying, and it has definitely set the standard for future Bulimba Anzac Day services.

the inaugural Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at the Brisbane Convention Centre. The HMAS Voyager Commemoration Service was the first commitment in February. During the wreath-laying, Seaman Leigh Robke performed a superb rendition of Amazing Grace which was beautifully supported by the Queensland detachment and greatly enhanced the ceremony in historic St Mary’s Church. The following weekend the Stage Band journeyed up to Maroochydore for the Sunshine Coast RSL Congress Dinner.

LEADING SEAMAN GEMMA TILLY SINGS AT THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE ACADEMY ENLISTMENT CEREMONY IN ST JOHN’S CATHEDRAL, BRISBANE

April hadn’t finished there, with two performances the following weekend. A serene winery just outside of Gympie hosted the annual Dingo Creek Jazz Festival to raise money for SIDS and Kids QLD Charity. The stage band blew the crowd away and it was great to have the support and attendance of the Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, on the day. With no more than a nights rest, the detachment was back to work the following day with a performance at the Redlands Heritage Festival. Thank you to Able Seaman Volker Schoeler from the Sydney detachment for assisting us over the weekend. Also I cannot over-emphasise the effort and commitment of Petty Officer Peter Jaskolski sitting in on Bass Guitar and Able Seaman Chris Ward on Piano. Well done men!

ABLE SEAMAN LEIGH ROBKE LEADS THE SINGING OF HYMNS DURING A CORAL SEA COMMEMORATION SERVICE IN MAY

The main performance stage in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall hosted the detachment’s Stage Band for two consecutive weekends in March. The appreciation from the audience was tremendous as they kicked back and listened to the graceful vocals of Leading Seaman Gemma Tilly, as well as myself on a couple of tunes and Able Seaman Darren Skaar featured on trumpet to a great version of Take The A Train. Bringing March to a close, newly promoted Able Seaman Leigh Robke and I were welcomed at the Star of the Sea School at Cleveland for their unveiling and opening ceremony. The staff and students were overwhelmed as we entered to a drum sequence followed by a bugle call to open the ceremony. Dividing the formal and informal parts to the ceremony Able Seaman Robke and I provided entertainment with our guitar/vocal duo, playing songs that the kids so noticeably enjoyed.

On a sensational sunshine state day the detachment was joined by the United States’ Seven Fleet Band at Newstead House for the Commemoration of the Battle of the Coral Sea. The combination of both bands providing musical support for this service certainly made for a memorable and appropriate commemoration of what was the turning point of the war in the Pacific.

Leading up to Anzac Day in April, Able Seaman Darren Skaar was kept busy bugling around Brisbane. He was in the spotlight at a number of services and on Anzac Day performed the Last Post and Reveille at the Bulimba

The saxophone quartet continued to prove popular with the Governor of South Australia and once again supported the Investitures held at Government House. This is an activity enjoyed by the musicians of the quartet, Petty Officer Clayton Tschirn, Leading Seaman Luke Townsend, Seaman Ivan Cooper and Seaman Siobhan Finney, as it provides an opportunity to play music of a genre quite different to our usual rock band format.

During my absence while on deployment in Brunei, the detachment still had a number of commitments which included the Defence Community Organisation National Families Day at Gallipoli Barracks, Investitures at Government House and a day trip to Maleny for the Agricultural Show. Thank you to Chief Petty Officer Karina Bryer and Chief Petty Officer Graham Carter for their support and leadership in my absence.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

The South Australian detachment was kept busy during the last six months with a Freedom of Entry march, the Jetty Classic, bugler requirements for various services and the annual commitments at CLIPSAL 500, Investitures and on Anzac Day. Upon return from a well earned Christmas holiday rehearsals commenced for Brighton’s Jetty Classic 1500. This event is South Australia’s largest ‘Open Water Swim’ and attracts approx 10,000 spectators and participants. It is a 1.5km swim involving a water start from the Brighton Jetty, swimming south along the natural line of the coast to the turning buoys, then back around the jetty and ending with a run up the beach through the finishing gates. The South Australian detachment’s rock group kept the enthusiastic crowd and participants entertained throughout the day in between events.

THE SAXOPHONE QUARTET ENTERTAINS DURING INVESTITURES AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ADELAIDE

Parade band format was next on the agenda as we readied for 817 Squadron’s Freedom of Entry to the City of Goolwa located 180kms south of Adelaide near the mouth of the Murray River. Light on numbers, additional support was provided by members of the Melbourne and Sydney detachments. 817 Squadron was adopted by the City of Goolwa and this was to be their last visit and parade in Goolwa before decommissioning. The Freedom of Entry march, viewed by the Governor of South Australia, Rear Admiral Scarce (Rtd), coincided with the bi-annual Wooden Boat Festival which was also attended by the Governor of South Australia and supported by the South Australian detachment and 817 Squadron’s guard for the official opening ceremony. After a lengthy break, the guard and band completed the day with a moving Sunset Ceremony held on the wharf with a paddle steamer forming the background.

Leading Seaman Guy McRedmond and Leading Seaman Ryan Stott were kept busy on their bugles and performed the Last Post and Reveille at various memorial services around Adelaide. The most poignant of these were the funerals of two young sailors from HMAS Cerberus tragically killed in a car accident. Leading Seaman Ryan Stott was made available by his employer to assist. Anzac Day was soon upon us, and parade rehearsals became the norm as we readied for a Dawn Service and marching twice in Adelaide’s Anzac Day parade. Advanced training was at the fore for three of our new members completing their On Job Training task book. Congratulations go to Able Seaman Brianna Budgen (ex Leading Seaman CIS), Seaman Ivan Cooper and Seaman Siobhan Finney for their hard work and dedication to completing their task books. The successful completion of their task books by Seaman Ivan Cooper and Seaman Siobhan Finney has resulted in their promotions to Able Seaman.

The very popular and significant tourism attraction for South Australia, the V8 super car event Clipsal 500 was next on the agenda and we were fortunate to have Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, join us for the weekend. Two performances in between races and one on completion of the main race on the Saturday and Sunday kept the band very busy and provided alternative entertainment to many who took a break from the loud V8s.

Congratulations also to Petty Officer Anthony Rogers for successfully completing the Group Leader Course. The distance learning package offered additional challenges, requiring much initiative and tenacity to reach a successful

outcome over the past twelve busy months. Balancing his demanding civilian employment workload and Group Leader Course studies, within the prescribed time frame resulted in Petty Officer Anthony Rogers successfully completing the Group Leader Course and becoming a fully qualified Petty Officer Musician.

MINISTER FOR DEFENCE STEPHEN SMITH AND CAPTAIN MALCOLM WISE, RAN, COMMANDING OFFICER HMAS PERTH AT THE CENTENARY ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY COIN LAUNCH ONBOARD HMAS PERTH.

In April we headed south to Albany to play at an AE2 Unveiling Ceremony, the day before Anzac Day. Albany is an important port, from which all the ships departed to go to Gallipoli. The Mayor of Gallipoli sent a representative and the ceremony was concluded with the Turkish and Australian Anthems being played. After the service, we had a quick bite to eat and then headed back to Perth to get ready for Anzac Day. The month of April is always busy for our buglers, and in particular Anzac Day. Our buglers were running from venue to venue playing at various Dawn Services, racing back to join the detachment to do the Perth and Rockingham Anzac Day Parades, then finally enjoying the remainder of the day with family and former servicemen and women. The remaining members of the detachment were honoured to receive a Group Commendation from Captain Brett Wolski, Commanding Officer, HMAS Stirling, for their exemplary performance as part of the ceremonial guard during the Len Hall Commemorative AFL match in front of an audience of 43,500 people.

THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT WITH 817 SQUADRON MARCH THROUGH THE CITY OF GOOLWA

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

It is hard to believe we are in the middle of the year already. As we are seeing the end of financial year out, jobs have been quiet on the home-front, with January being the quietest month. February saw some great weather, although hot at times. Our first gig was a Coin Launch of a new one dollar coin to celebrate 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy. This event was held onboard HMAS Perth fresh out of refit and with a new Commanding Officer. Next up was the Defence Community Organisation’s Welcome to the West day. This is a day for all Defence members and their families recently posted to the Perth area to find out about the support available to them in the local community. The following week saw the detachment on show at the Mussel Festival. This event gets much support from HMAS Stirling, with divers attending and a cook-off competition that was won by Navy this year. The next day the detachment was in the suburb of Yokine playing for the Uniting Aid Concert, which becomes bigger and better every year.

May was a month of departures, both positive and negative. On the positive side, HMAS Toowoomba departed to the Middle East for six months, but with the knowledge she would return after a known length of time. Unfortunately, however, there were a number of funerals. Claude Choules, our last surviving World War 1 veteran passed away at 110 years young. A full Navy funeral was held in his honour in Fremantle with Chief of Navy in attendance. There were two other funerals which I attended; one for a HMAS Perth I survivor and a HMAS Perth I survivor’s wife. During the colder month of June, work commitments slow down in Perth, leaving more time for detailed rehearsals and general administrative work.

March was on the ‘little-too-quiet’ side this year. There were absolutely no jobs this month. This gave us a chance to work up some new charts and to improve older ones by adding a little more life and feel to them. Rehearsal wise, this was the best month we have had in a long time, enabling us to concentrate and prepare for upcoming jobs. Some extra time practising on the parade ground in preparation for Anzac Day was also advantageous.

There have been ten promotions from Seaman to Able Seaman since the last newsletter. Those promoted were Josh Abbot, Samantha Ashman, Daniel Black, Catherine Brandt, Tiana Commijs, Christopher Buswell, Carl Harper, Breanna Jagoe-Banks, Jennifer Stevens and Robert Tomlin. I wish to congratulate them all on their promotions.

weekend. With the stunning weather and entertainment provided all around the Hobart waterfront, it was a very successful weekend with large crowds. Regatta Day fell on the last day of the weekend which saw the band perform again with the inflatable staging provided by one of the local production companies. Although a few technical difficulties in the set up left us a little ‘deflated’, (see picture!) the performance went ahead with the Derwent River and HMAS Ballarat offering a stunning backdrop.

COMMANDING OFFICER’S COMMENDATION ON THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT’S PERFORMANCE ON ANZAC DAY THE INFLATABLE STAGING PROVIDED SOME CHALLENGING TEAMWORK OPPORTUNITIES ON REGATTA DAY

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

The Tasmanian detachment has a history of providing support to smaller communities for Anzac Day. This continued this year as the band made its way to Nubeena on the Tasman Peninsula. The detachment provided a drum corps to lead the parade to the War Memorial and Seaman Samantha Mole sang the National Anthem and I am Australian. This was followed by a lunch time Jazz group performance at the local Ex-Serviceman’s Club.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANIEL HOBSON

The month of May saw the detachment’s return to Tasmania’s largest event, AGFEST. More sunny weather saw almost 60,000 people attend the Agricultural Festival at Carrick in the state’s north. The detachment has seen a few changes in personnel over these last six months. Firstly, Able Seaman Dorian Broomhall has left the state for further study in Victoria and we wish him well in his studies. Able Seaman Dorian Broomhall has been an enthusiastic member of the local detachment for the last few years and I recommend him to the Melbourne detachment if they are in need of a trumpeter or bugler.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ONBOARD HMAS PARRAMATTA DURING A CEREMONIAL SUNSET

The Tasmanian detachment had a busy start to the year with Navy Week, the Hobart Regatta and the Australian Wooden Boats Festival all lining up on the same weekend. The weekend began with a cocktail party and Ceremonial Sunset on the flight deck of HMAS Parramatta, one of the highlights of which was an ‘a cappella’ version of the Evening Hymn sung by the detachment. The Australian Wooden Boats Festival was free to the public for the first time this year. This provided us with a great opportunity to expand the detachment’s usual Navy Week performance at Salamanca into a number of performances over the

Seaman Shellyanne Kleywegt has chosen to leave the detachment as she feels her musical skills would be better suited to the concert band of the Australian Army Band – Tasmania. We wish her well. I would also like to congratulate Blair Reardon who was promoted to Able Seaman, and Caleb Wilson, who will be promoted to Leading Seaman upon completion of the Leading Seaman Promotion Course.

Finally, I attended the enlistment ceremony on 27 June of the branch’s latest members Ritnarong Coomber and Thomas Brooke. They are heading off to Recruit School for five weeks. We wish them luck and look forward to the extra capability they will provide upon their return.

LIEUTENANT CASSANDRA MOHAPP CONDUCTING BROADCAST AT THE DFSM GRADUATION CONCERT

BELLE’S

Navy musicians featured in the award ceremony, with Leading Seaman Daniel McMahon winning the Royal Australian Navy Band Association Award for the most outstanding Navy student of the Section Leader Course and Leading Seaman Tom Bastians winning the Stucas Shield for the most outstanding student on the Group Leader Course. Lieutenant Brian O’Kane won the Commanding Officer’s Award which is presented to the student of the Band Officer Course who achieved the highest standard in the art of conducting. Lieutenant O’Kane also won the Percy Grainger Award which is awarded to the most outstanding student of the graduating Band Officer Course. I would like to congratulate all of the award winners.

NEWLY PROMOTED ABLE SEAMAN BLAIR REARDON RECEIVING HIS SOFT RANK INSIGNIA

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

The end of the training year finished in spectacular fashion with the running of the 2011 Defence Force School of Music Graduation Ceremony. The ceremony was held in Newman Hall on Wednesday 15 June 2011. The event also marked the finish of the 2010 Band Officer Course in which Lieutenant Cassandra Mohapp and Lieutenant Brian O’Kane graduated. It was indeed an honour to see these two officers grow over the 18 month course, and I congratulate both of them on their achievements.

May 2011 saw Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron deploy to Greece and Crete as a bugler along with members of the Australian Federation Guard to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete. In Athens, Chief Mulheron performed at the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma Square, Athens, and Phaleron Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. In Crete he performed at Preveli Monastery commemorative service, Fortress of Firka allied flag hoisting ceremony, 6 Divisional Memorial in Stavromenos, Hellenic-Australian Memorial, Galatas Village Memorial service, Kriti Memorial service in Alikianos, British Ceremony at Suda Bay War Graves Cemetery, German Cemetery in Maleme and at the Maleme Airfield Memorial Service. Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron also attended receptions at HMS Sutherland in Suda Bay and the closing ceremony at Maleme. Danny said “It was a trip of a life time”.

This year’s Graduation certainly had a nautical flavour. The band was made up of members of the Australian Army Band Melbourne and the Melbourne detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band. The concert commenced with the playing of the fanfare VK2FV, composed by Lieutenant Mohapp. The fanfare is based on the call sign for Australia’s first certified female radio telegraphist, F.V. McKenzie, OBE. The program also featured Lieutenant Cassandra Mohapp’s arrangement of Belles’ Broadcast which was written to pay tribute to the first 14 female communication specialists who enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy during WWII. The nautical flavour continued with the performance of Circumnavigation which was composed earlier this year by Graham Lloyd to mark the 110th anniversary of the Navy and the 100th anniversary of the granting of the title Royal Australian Navy. The work was commissioned and conducted on the night by Commander Phillip Anderson, OAM, Director of Music Navy. The principal guest for the evening was the Commanding Officer, HMAS Cerberus, Captain Mark Hill, CSC.

I would like to thank Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron and Petty Officer Kara Williams for their continued support and their contributions to training at the Defence Force School of Music. I would like to wish you all every success for the remainder of the year.

kilometres per hour, in little over four seconds, has to be one of the most exhilarating rides that can be experienced. Add to that a few unsuspecting mosquitoes that, at those kind of speeds, become tiny painful exploding paintballs that make a mess of your shirt and you’ve got the ride of your life!...Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi. However, that of course is not the reason why we were enjoying our visit to the United Arab Emirates. Back in February, 30 musicians from Sydney and Melbourne detachments, including Lieutenant Commander Paul Cottier from the Defence Force School of Music, were fortunate enough to travel to Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates to participate in this year’s International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX 2011).

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANNY MULHERON PLAYS BUGLE DURING A 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE CEREMONY

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, IDEX 2011 was the 10th anniversary of this biennial event. This year turned out to be the largest event to date with more than 60,000 visitors, 1,060 exhibitors, four naval ships from the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and France, as well as military bands from New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and of course Australia.

INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE 2011 ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN MARTYN HANCOCK

It was a privilege to be part of such a large international event, and our participation was a huge success, not only demonstrating our professional musicianship and drill but also for strengthening international relations. The show itself, once all of the considerable preparations and rehearsals were over, ran for a five day period. Each day we were required to take part in an opening ceremony, our individual display, and a finale. The other bands ran similar routines and in addition, the daily show consisted of showing off immense military power and technology including Mirage and F-16 fighter jets, Chinooks, Black Hawk and Apache attack helicopter gunships, unmanned drones, tanks, armoured vehicles, stunt motorbikes, winged skydivers and a spectacular tactical demonstration of Special Forces storming a building.

THE AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT ‘CHEER SHIP’ DURING REHEARSALS IN ABU DHABI

ABLE SEAMAN DAMIAN DOWD SINGING WALTZING MATILDA AS PART OF ‘A NAVAL SALUTE FROM AUSTRALIA’

Whoosh!...Aaaaaaaaaaagh!...Splat,ouch…splat,ouch..splat, ouch…phew, it’s over! Sitting in the front seat of the world’s fastest roller coaster, being catapulted from 0-240

remembered by all band members for its extraordinary dining experience. This place was incredible and we were simply, and quite literally, spoilt for choice. For dinner, we were presented with an obscene amount of extravagant, sumptuous food from every nation thinkable. And only those wise enough to have left room were fortunate to have experienced the numerous desserts on offer! As well as the Gala Dinner and main show for IDEX 2011, the band also performed for a cocktail party and Ceremonial Sunset onboard HMAS Stuart, but it wasn’t all work, work, work.

Our display concentrated on demonstrating Navy traditions with the use of bugle calls, boatswain’s calls, Beat to Quarters and a Cheer Ship. In addition, we also put an emphasis on producing a display with an internationally recognisable Australian theme. This was achieved by performing the acclaimed Waltzing Matilda, but with a twist! After forming our finale positions with a team of fanfare trumpeters at the front of the band, a formal flourish and chorale based on the melody was played, which led into a contrasting upbeat jazz version where the trumpeters relaxed and showed off their improvisation skills to the audience’s delight.

During our stay in Abu Dhabi, we also managed to cram in plenty of sightseeing, including a brief visit to Dubai. Of course there was the Ferrari World attraction mentioned earlier and close by our hotel there was plenty of action at the Yas Marina Formula One Circuit. Abu Dhabi, however, also offers a great cultural experience with an interesting history, friendly atmosphere, good food and shopping, as well as plenty of sights to see. In particular, the unique contemporary architecture stands out, with an array of interesting shapes and designs from modern day leaning towers to giant upright circular discs. Possibly Abu Dhabi’s most famous landmark though is the majestic Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. This remarkable structure boasts several world records including the world’s largest carpet and largest chandelier. Whilst we were there, we were lucky enough to have been given a detailed guided tour around this incredible building.

THE FANFARE TRUMPETERS ADD A JAZZ FLAVOUR TO WALTZING MATILDA DURING IDEX 2011

Participating in international events such as these is always an enjoyable and educational experience, working closely with bands and military personnel from different and contrasting cultures. However, special mention must be made of our the New Zealand Army Band, with whom we worked particularly closely during our stay in Abu Dhabi, and who continued their spectacular routine even though their home town of Christchurch was devastated by the earthquake whilst they were in Abu Dhabi. In addition to the main show, both ourselves and the New Zealand Army band, entertained a large crowd at the Gala Dinner held at the Abu Dhabi Armed Forces Officers Club, each performing as a ceremonial ensemble and jazz group.

All in all, our visit to Abu Dhabi turned out to be a very successful, enjoyable trip and an experience to remember.

BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL TATTOO 2011 ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN SVETLANA YAROSLAVSKAYA

The RAN Band and Precision Drill Team from Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) joined together from 25 May to 2 June to represent Australia at the Brunei Darussalam International Tattoo (BIT) 2011. The rehearsals commenced at Garden Island, Sydney with AFG and band musicians arriving from all over Australia on 24 May. It was a unique experience for both the RAN Band and AFG

THE ADMIRALS OWN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ENTERTAIN AT THE ABU DHABI ARMED FORCES OFFICERS CLUB

The Armed Forces Officers Club, itself a highly impressive complex constructed of what seemed to be mostly gold and marble with a plethora of crystal chandeliers and an abundance of elaborate ornaments, will also no doubt be

Precision Drill Team to combine efforts in performing a new marching display on the international stage.

the first prints of the Australian indigenous artwork ‘The Salute’ to the people of Temburong village.

From the first rehearsal everyone involved had the ‘right attitude’ and the display worked from the first run-through. The eight minute display included The Alert march, I Am Australian (sung by Able Seaman Damian Dowd), traditional Beat to Quarters and Waltzing Matilda presented in three sections – fanfare opening, Sea Chanters Choir sung by band members and a jazz segment featuring Leading Seaman Cam McAllister, Able Seaman Dayne Grindley, Able Seaman Tony Frantz, Able Seaman Andrew Hansch and Able Seaman Dave Coit on fanfare trumpets.

The Roadshow earned much praise and applause from the village crowd. On the way back to Bandar for yet another rehearsal, the banks of the river were alive with grey monkeys and crocodiles. It was hard to resist sending a quick text message back to Sydney: “Hi Darling, I am in the jungle 4 degrees north of the equator!!!”

AUSTRALIA OPENS PERFORMANCES

THE

BRUNEI

INTERNATIONAL

The Opening Show – what a banquet of traditional melodies, songs, and dances; what a carnival of different cultures, styles and languages! Australia was the first country to present its display to the people of Brunei. The Band and the Precision Drill Team performed at their absolute best, receiving tremendous applause from the five thousand people in the audience. ‘It must be one of the Band’s best performances ever’, enthused one of the RAN musicians. Bruneians absolutely adore Australia and our display received the biggest applause. Waving the Australian flag for the traditional Cheer Ship, joined by everyone in the audience, filled my heart with pride.

TATTOO

The AFG Precision Drill Team enriched the display with more than 300 specific movements synchronised with the music. This was the first time some new dynamic moves were added to the AFG Precision Drill Team routine, including weapon twirling, throwing and catching. Both the Band and the Precision Drill Team agreed that not only did the combined display work very well, but it also allowed representation at the tri-service level.

HIS MAJESTY, THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI THANKS COMMANDER PHILLIP ANDERSON AND DRUM MAJOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER CAMILLE MARTIN ON A SUCCESSFUL OPENING SHOW

Upon arrival at the Brunei Rimba Air Base, each member of the Australian contingent was presented with the traditional Malay wedding ceremony gift Bunga Telur - paper flowers covered in glitter with a boiled egg attached to each one – a very nice touch and a warm Brunei welcome. On the same day Tattoo rehearsals commenced at the air-conditioned indoor stadium the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex.

Over three days and five shows of the Tattoo more than 25,000 Bruneians enjoyed our live performances. His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, personally thanked the Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, and the Drum Major Chief Petty Officer Camille Martin.

A Reception at the Royal Berkshire Hall gave us an opportunity to meet Tattoo participants from twelve different countries. The cameras flashed non-stop taking pictures of band members, dancers and singers from all over the world. It was a fantastic experience to get acquainted with performers from the Singapore Armed Forces Band, the Chinese Acrobatic Team, the Pakistan Armed Forces Band, the Philippines Armed Forces Band and others. On 30 May the RAN Band joined the Combined Bands of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Chinese Acrobats and the Singapore Armed Forces Band on a three hour boat trip to perform at the Temburong District Brunei Darussalam International Tattoo Roadshow. During the welcoming ceremony Commander Phillip Anderson presented one of

THE FINALE OF THE BRUNEI INTERNATIONAL TATTOO 2011

‘A NAVAL SALUTE’ – RAN CENTENARY CONCERT

This was completed with music from the Naval Hymn, Eternal Father Strong to Save. The intermission provided a chance for many veterans to catch up with old shipmates and be introduced to the Guests of Honour and VIPs.

ARTICLE BY ALLAN ‘SHORTY’ MOFFATT OAM PRESIDENT RANCBA (NSW) (REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION)

On return to the hall, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN gave a speech reflecting on all: the past, the present and the future, which was well received. This was followed by a video presentation Navy’s People.

As one of the many functions that are being held to promote the Royal Australian Navy’s 100th anniversary, the RAN Band held a concert ‘A Naval Salute’ at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney on 10 July 2011.

A display was then given by some of the crew of HMAS Kanimbla called Boarding Party Close Up.

The RAN Band under the Directorship of Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, RAN can take a Bravo Zulu for an evening that will long be remembered by all those that attended.

Then Commander Phillip Anderson OAM RAN, Director of Music gave a speech and invited a representative of the 13 veterans associations, whose banners were displayed around the stage, to come forward. Representatives of HMA Ships Australia, Canberra/Shropshire, Melbourne, Sydney, Quiberon, Perth and Condamine, the Fairmiles, the Corvettes, the Communications Branch, the ExWRANS, the Vung Tau Ferry and the RAN Band Association marched up onto the stage while the Band played Heart of Oak. Seating had been arranged for us on stage. The RAN Band then cheered ship. They removed their caps and gave two cheers, and all in the hall were asked to participate in the last cheer for those that had served.

The evening commenced with a fanfare Serving Australia With Pride. On each side of the stage were two Navy Cadets from TS Sirius sending a semaphore message. On arrival of the Guests of Honour, the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce; Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley AC DSC and Mrs Hurley; Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN and Mrs Griggs; and the Governor of New South Wales, Honorary Commodore Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE; the Vice Regal salute was taken.

This was followed by a very moving Ceremonial Sunset commencing with the hymn The Day Thou Gavest Lord, Is Ended. A musical bracket was then played and sung - My Country, followed by Advance Australia Fair, Waltzing Matilda and A Life on the Ocean Wave.

Colours were then carried out to two masts that had been erected, and with a Colour Party all bearing arms - .303 rifles with bayonets fixed – the Australian White Ensign and Australian National Flag were hoisted. The music then commenced. Ships Without A Name, a tribute to our first submarines AE1 and AE2 and the fate of the ships and the men who served in them; and Jack Tar! highlighting the irreverence and humour of the sailors of the RAN.

I felt very proud and humble being asked to come forward and represent the RAN Communications Branch across the Nation on this very special night, but my thoughts went to those that I served with in the RAN, those Communicators who are no longer with us, and the young ones who are following in our wake who have made our Branch and our Association what it is today.

Then a spectacular musical performance Belle’s Broadcast in honour of the fourteen women of the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps who enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service and were based at HMAS Harman during World War II. Belle’s Broadcast was a moving tribute commencing with eight bells and using a number of Morse Code messages including Clear Lower Deck, SOS and Sydney is Lost. The arrangement contains a very moving version of the Naval Hymn as well as songs made famous by Vera Lynn. The next music was The Scrap Iron Flotilla accompanying a Ceremonial Drill Team display. The drill team wore tally bands acknowledging the five Australian destroyers that served in the Mediterranean during World War II: HMAS Stuart, HMAS Vampire, HMAS Vendetta, HMAS Voyager and HMAS Waterhen, collectively known as the Scrap Iron Flotilla, and tagged by Goebbels as “a consignment of junk”.

LEADING SEAMAN MARTYN HANCOCK COMPOSER OF THE SCRAP IRON FLOTILLA AND JACK TAR!

THE SALUTE INDIGENOUS ARTWORK

The Salute was commissioned by the Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson OAM RAN, to honour Indigenous service to the Royal Australian Navy. It was created by the Aboriginal artist, Darren James Moffitt, and presented to the Royal Australian Navy in the presence of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, at a concert on 10 July 2011 marking the Centenary of the Royal Australian Navy. A dugong is the central feature in this painting—the dugong has strong cultural links to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and like the Navy, is inherently connected with the sea. The dugong is surrounded by five smaller sea animals, each representing Navy’s values with two of each type to symbolise both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: the Stingray for Honour, Fish for Honesty, Shark for Courage, Crab for Integrity and Turtle for Loyalty. The dark blue Starfish form the Southern Cross Constellation to represent Australia and the stars on the Australian White Ensign. This also symbolises country as does the coastline, which frames the painting. The coastline is scattered with stencil paintings, rock wall paintings and footprints. These symbols represent the past: tall ships for the Royal Navy, and Bungaree whose footprints tell of his circumnavigation of Australia with Matthew Flinders. The hands and traditional weapons are symbolic of Indigenous ancestors and past warriors. The boomerang, nulla nulla and stone axe are used in Royal Australian Navy ship crests to represent Australia. The stark kangaroo and Aboriginal hunter represents HMAS Parramatta, the first commissioned ship of the Royal Australian Navy and first of many to bear Indigenous names. The drum corps in each detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band wear slings adorned with a copy of the salute to represent navy’s enduring acknowledgment of indigenous service.

CHAMPION SHOT 2011 ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER GORDON ORR

PETTY OFFICER GORDON ORR WITH HIS ‘TOOLS OF TRADE’

I would like to thank the Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, my present and past Band Officers, all other band members and my family for their support over the years. PETTY OFFICER GORDON ORR IS CARRIED HIGH AFTER WINNING THE CHAMPION SHOT NAVY MEDAL IN THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY SKILL AT ARMS MEET AT PUCKAPUNYAL ARMY BASE

It has been a goal of mine since starting service shooting just over 10 years ago to be the first RAN band member to win the Champion Shot Navy Medal. I commenced Service shooting with WDARA (Westernport District Army Rifle Association) in 2000 with a Navy shooting team based at HMAS Cerberus. Our team competed in Tri-service shooting competitions each month at HMAS Cerberus, and travelled interstate to Canberra, Holsworthy, and the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meet (AASAM) in Greenbank near Brisbane. Whilst shooting at my first AASAM in 2000, I qualified for the Marksmanship Cuff Rate with a score of 258/300; a score of 240 is needed to qualify. I have received the Permanent Skills at Arms Award (Marksmanship Cuff Rate) for successfully qualifying in the Marksmanship Match LF18 twice in the last two consecutive years, meaning that I can now wear the Cuff Rate for life.

THE CHAMPION SHOT MEDAL RECOGNISES SKILL AT ARMS IN THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE

ABOUT THE AWARD Skill at arms is an important ability for military personnel, and recognition of this skill has a long tradition in the defence forces.

I have competed for Champion Shot Navy Medal on five separate occasions, finishing 5th, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd and now 1st. Attending the AASAM is a great activity for honing ones shooting skills, with a variety of shooting matches held to distances up to 500 metres. I feel proud to have reached the goal of Champion Shot Navy for 2011 and to represent the Band Branch of the RAN.

The Champion Shot Medal encourages and rewards skill in arms shooting in the three Australian armed forces - the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force. Each year, the armed forces conduct target-shooting competitions with standard issue weapons. Three medals – one for each force – are awarded to the winners.

top PNG team and a tie with the strong Northern Territory Development Squad saw us finish third in the pool matches.

The Champion Shot Medal was established on 13 September 1988 by Letters Patent. HOW IT IS AWARDED The Governor-General makes the awards on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Force or the Chief’s delegate. No more than three medals can be awarded in each calendar year. MEDAL DESIGN The Champion Shot Medal is a circular antiqued brass medal 38 millimetres in diameter. It is ensigned with the Crown of St Edward, also in antiqued brass. Two wreaths of laurel leaves surround a symbol of two crossed rifles superimposed on the stars of the Southern Cross. (information from www.itsanhonour.gov.au)

ARAFURA GAMES 2011 ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER MARK HAM

It was indeed a privilege and honour that I was fortunate enough to be selected to play for the combined Australian Services Cricket Team (ASCA) to compete in the Arafura Games 2011. Our team would be part of the 150 strong ADF squad scheduled to compete in a variety of sports in and around Darwin. All ADF athletes were accommodated at the luxurious ‘Tin City’ at RAAF Darwin - accommodation best described as a shipping container separated into three rooms cooled by a steam powered air-conditioner with the whisper quiet efficiency of a 3km freight train hauling coal carriages through a tunnel. There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep and that’s what we got – nothing like a good night’s sleep!

PETTY OFFICER MARK HAM COMPETED AS PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN SERVICES CRICKET TEAM IN THE ARAFURA GAMES

My playing highlight was the game against the Malaysian Youth Squad. Unfortunately the Malaysians had sent a team of novice school boys who were completely out of their depth. Most had not played a lot of cricket and were poorly equipped with bats that had great chunks missing and poor protective equipment. As I am now a Level 2 Cricket Australia coach, I held an impromptu coaching session with the boys to help them out. Our team also ‘went easy’ on them, letting them have a hit and coaching them during the game. Our team’s actions made me very proud to be a part of the ADF and to play in the true spirit of the game.

As the opening ceremony approached, more and more competitors arrived at ‘Tin City’ giving the place something of an Olympic village feel. For those unaware, the Arafura Games are held every two years and have been taking place since 1991. The Games are a great opportunity for smaller, local nations to compete, as well as our National sporting groups (States etc) in an ‘Olympic style’ event. Furthermore, there were plenty of Indigenous sporting groups represented showcasing the skills of these wonderful athletes.

The cultural highlight for me was being part of the opening ceremony and being with all the other athletes. This was the closest I will ever get to competing at an Olympic or Commonwealth Games and it helped me understand what a great thrill it must be. The opening ceremony was well produced with many dancers and singers involved, the headline acts being Jessica Malbouy (a Darwin local) and Icehouse (whom I grew up listening to).

So it was fitting that our first encounter was against the Indigenous Development Squad. This squad was made up of young Indigenous cricketers aged 17-24 from around Australia. It included many first grade players and one who is on the verge of a WA Sheffield Shield contract – suffice to say that these boys could play! Unfortunately we came up short in this match, but bounced back to defeat the Papua New Guinea (PNG) No. 2 national team. PNG are ranked 17th in the world, so this was a fantastic victory. A loss to the

With the spirit of the Games in mind, we made it a point to go out and cheer fellow ADF athletes and teams wherever possible and to soak up the Games atmosphere. With that

opportunity to see if she would really like to swap farm life for the big smoke or the ocean blue.

said, some boys did seem to follow the women’s volleyball a little more closely than the men’s Shot Putt – don’t know why?

Georgia is considering two options in the Navy after she leaves school. Her first preference is to apply for Seaman Officer Entry as she is keen to learn ship’s navigation. I felt obliged to inform her that it’s not at all like Sea Patrol! Her second interest is in becoming a Naval Musician – she is only frustrated that she cannot do both!

After some hard fought games and an equal win/loss ratio, we were pipped by 16 runs in the semi final and missed out on going for Gold. Injuries from this tough T20 format (two games per day) took its toll, and in the Bronze play off we lost to PNG No 2 and had to be content with a Fourth placing overall.

I found Georgia to be well informed about job opportunities in the Australian Defence Force. She had already attended a Defence Careers Information Day, researched job opportunities on the Defence jobs website and visited the Navy Band website.

The Arafura Games is a fantastic experience and I encourage everyone to get to Darwin to witness some quality sport, played with good spirit in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

www.defencejobs.gov.au www.navy.gov.au/navy_Band Georgia said she found the detachment environment and activities to be fairly much what she was expecting. She admitted to excitement rather than nerves the night before her first day, and said the only thing she found surprising was that the detachment was more ‘laid back’ than she had anticipated. She quickly added that she could see, however, that they are not laid back when they are performing! Georgia has been playing alto saxophone for two years having started on trombone in the school band program in Year 7. She plays in a concert band and big band at school, has private lessons organised through school and is also studying music theory. Georgia was very excited to be able to play with the detachment for the recording of Lieutenant Stokes’ new fanfare Serving Australia With Pride.

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN CATHY WAINWRIGHT

Offering Work Experience placements within the Royal Australian Navy Band provides an opportunity to generate interest in a career as a Naval Musician, as well as offering a means for the Band Branch to contribute to the development and education of Australian students. Defence supports the provision of work experience for secondary and tertiary level students at Defence establishments. Such placements foster community awareness of the ADF and Navy in general, and the role and activities of the RAN Band in particular. As such these placements represent another important public relations activity through which we can ‘strengthen relationships across and beyond Navy’. 2011 has seen an unprecedented demand for Work Experience placements within the Sydney detachment (eleven to date), and opportunities in the Melbourne detachment are now also included on the Department of Defence Work Experience website. www.defence.gov.au/workexperience Country students are just as keen as city students to experience life in the RAN Band, and recently I caught up with 16 year old Georgia Creighton at the Sydney detachment studio. Georgia is a Year 11 student from Cobram, a small pastoral, dairy, fruit and wine growing town on the Victorian side of the Murray River between Albury and Echuca. Georgia’s parents had taken a break from growing tomatoes and grain crops on their farm to holiday in Sydney for a week whilst Georgia completed her Work Experience placement. For Georgia it was also an

WORK EXPERIENCE STUDENT GEORGIA CREIGHTON AT THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT STUDIO

During her week with the detachment, Georgia also had the opportunity to accompany the musicians on a visit to St Patrick’s School, Sutherland, and the Admiral’s Own Jazz Group to a lunchtime performance in the beachside suburb of Manly. Georgia also had a glimpse of Naval ceremonial activities witnessing the Chief of Defence Force’s Farewell Parade at Fleet Base East.

While there are a variety of small historical contributions available on the World Wide Web and Australian museum collections, there has remained no major historical record that pieces together the evolution of the RAN Band from its inception. Author and ex-Bandsman, Robin Himbury, has now forged a milestone work that consolidates our rich and interesting growth from the last Colonial bands to our current One Band model.

Georgia expressed surprise that during her week with the detachment there were more performances and less rehearsals than she had expected. I explained to her that in the Navy Band no two days are the same, and certainly no two weeks are the same, so it is pretty much the luck of the draw for a one week Work Experience placement. Who knows where Georgia will end up? She may even decide not to join the Navy at all as other opportunities present themselves in the next few years. One thing is certain, however, Georgia is one more person who will spread the word about the great opportunities the Navy and the Navy Band have to offer to young Australians.

The author has aptly described his work as a ‘Chromatic Chronology’; it is an ordered collection built upon facts and explanations that span just over 100 years. The first chapters provide a snapshot of service through to the end of World War II and include band manifests, general ship information, and personal recollections. Throughout the remaining chapters, some quite detailed information is presented on band uniforms, major tours and parades, and the fascinating history surrounding the delivery of the Ceremonial Silver Drums. Himbury’s inclusion of facsimile documents from the Prime Minister’s department makes a particularly interesting read. Also covered through various parts of the book is the maternal influence played by the Royal Marines Band Service in shaping our heritage and military band traditions.

BOOK REVIEW BY LEADING SEAMAN MUSICIAN PAUL PARNELL

As the book’s forward suggests, The Evolution of the Royal Australia Navy Band is not a peer-reviewed research paper, rather, it is a very readable reflection of how we have grown from humble beginnings. The greatest value of Himbury’s effort is that we now have an initial resource to encourage further research and documentation of our history. Within our own cohorts and amongst colleagues, the oral narratives and anecdotes are alive and well, but without continued preservation of these facts and stories, much of our journey will be lost for the next generations of Australian naval musicians and those who have an interest in our evolution. Behind the chronological list of Bandmaster resumes and various personnel lists is a story yet to be told of visions and transformations that have lead us to our current Branch operation. The author has laid a factual and chronological foundation for research that might subsequently delve deeper into stories of our people and account for their experiences across the decades.

In this centennial year since the Royal Australian Navy was granted its Royal title, we reflect on the magnificent evolution of our Australian Navy and most importantly, the people who have served within the organisation over this past century.

Those who have read Mike Carlton’s Cruiser have sampled some terrific and truly heroic stories of RAN musicians during the darkest days of our Bands’ history. Like the families Carlton discovered in his research, many relatives of veterans possess personal memoirs and important artefacts that have long been forgotten, or are thought to be unimportant. With the recent digitalisation of archival information at the Australian National War Museum and the Australian National Archives, Himbury’s book should now serve as an excellent departure point for others to engage in pursuing the second stage of documenting our rich history into the next century. The Evolution of the Royal Australian Navy Band is highly recommended reading for any retired or serving RAN Band musicians.

As with any grand anniversary, 2011 will be a year to take a reflective look at the narratives, the annals, journals, and the historical chronicles that have undergirded our growth as a national service and given us historical identity as a great organisation. However, as military historian Jeffrey Grey has pointed out, the Australian tradition of service has largely been portrayed by an Army mythology; he emphasises that the history of the RAN and its units is scant in comparison with the wealth of historical and narrative information available on the Australian Army. The RAN Band is no exception to this pattern.

LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES AND PETTY OFFICER GORDON ORR BEING PRESENTED WITH THE AASM BY COMMANDER CHRISTINE CLARKE, COMMANDING OFFICER, HMAS KUTTABUL, APRIL 2011

THE DIRECTOR CONDUCTING ‘CIRCUMNAVIGATION’ DURING THE FLAGSHIP RECITAL ON 10 JULY 2011

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GREG MORRIS FROM COMMAND CEREMONIAL BEING PRESENTED WITH THE SOUTH PACIFIC 2006 MEDAL AND 30 YEAR CLASP BY COMMANDER CHRISTINE CLARKE, COMMANDING OFFICER, HMAS KUTTABUL, APRIL 2011

SEAMAN JIMMY ROACH CONCENTRATES INTENTLY DURING REHEARSAL FOR ‘THE SEAFARER’ CONCERT AND LIVE BROADCAST CELEBRATING 110 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN NAVAL SERVICE

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER NATALEA ERSKINE BEING PRESENTED WITH THE 20 YEAR CLASP BY COMMANDER CHRISTINE CLARKE, COMMANDING OFFICER, HMAS KUTTABUL, APRIL 2011

RAN BAND NEWS Edition No. 19 dated 16 December 2011

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND THE MELBOURNE DETACHMENT AT THE NAVY 100 RECEPTION AT MELBOURNE TOWN HALL

RECIPIENTS OF DIRECTOR OF MUSIC COMMENDATIONS FOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND WHICH WERE PRESENTED ON 18 OCTOBER 2011 (L TO R) ABLE SEAMAN ROSS CHAPMAN, CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANIEL HOBSON, WARRANT OFFICER DALE GRANGER, LIEUTENANT ANDREW STOKES, PETTY OFFICER KARA WILLIAMS, ABLE SEAMAN ANDREW DOYLE, ABLE SEAMAN ZOLA SMITH, ABLE SEAMAN SVETLANA YAROSLAVSKAYA, LEADING SEAMAN CATHY WAINWRIGHT, ABLE SEAMAN DAMIAN DOWD AND DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, COMMANDER PHILLIP ANDERSON

RAN BAND NEWS NEWSLETTER OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND

ISSUE NUMBER 19 OF 16 DECEMBER 2011

‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’

FINALE OF THE 4TH CHINA NANCHANG INTERNATIONAL TATTOO IN FRONT OF THE HISTORIC TENGWANG PAVILION, NANCHANG

FROM THE PR DESK

CONTENTS

ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN CATHY WAINWRIGHT

Well here we are at the end of the Navy’s Centenary year and co-incidentally a year of unprecedented overseas and interstate travel for many members of the band. In between the trips and centenary events it has been a challenge to try and keep up with the constant requests for our recordings, and the more routine aspects of the Public Relations (PR) job; such as keeping the website up to date, sending out mail to the roughly four hundred people now on our mailing list, and recording audience numbers and media hits for every gig undertaken by the band around the country. Having the opportunity to be involved in the preparation for the three overseas deployments this year has opened my eyes to just how much work goes on behind the scenes to make these deployments run smoothly and successfully for all concerned. From the initial negotiations which must be undertaken with overseas organising committees and our own Navy management, through obtaining visas, organising freight, (continued on page 3)

FROM THE PR DESK FINAL SIGNAL FROM THE DIRECTOR EMAIL FROM DMUS-A SYDNEY DETACHMENT MELBOURNE DETACHMENT QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT TASMANIAN DETACHMENT DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC 4TH NANCHANG INTERNATIONAL TATTOO OPERATION RESOLUTE TSE 62 ‘BAULKHAM HILLS TO BUCCANEER ROCK’ PRINCE OF WALES AWARD KIRSTY JONES AWARD RAN BAND ASSOCIATION AWARD CDF LEADERSHIP FORUM BAND COOL UNDER PRESSURE

1 2 3 5 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19 20

FINAL SIGNAL FROM THE DIRECTOR R 130427Z DEC 11 FM DMUS-N TO RAYUKB/RANBAND DET SYD RAYLFB/RANBAND DET MELB RAYUQB/RANBAND DET QLD RAYLFH/RANBAND DET TAS RAYLRC/RANBAND DET SA RAYLYB/RANBAND DET WA RAYLFB/MUSCHOOL WATSONIA INFO RAYLSA/AUSNAVSTRATCOM BT UNCLAS SIC Z5A SUBJ: MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC 1. AS I APPROACH THE CONCLUSION OF MY TENURE AS NAVY'S 8TH DIRECTOR OF MUSIC I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE CONTRIBUTION YOU HAVE MADE IN PROMOTING THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY IN SUCH A FAVOURABLE AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE WAY. THE WORK UNDERTAKEN BY EACH OF YOU AND YOUR DETACHMENT MEMBERS HAS BEEN FIRST-CLASS AND COLLECTIVELY YOU HAVE BEEN A POWERFULLY POSITIVE AND CONSISTENT VOICE FOR NAVY'S PUBLIC IMAGE, FOR DEMONSTRATING NAVY'S VALUES AND TRADITIONS, AND FOR ENGAGING WITH AND EMBRACING CHANGE. 2. I HAVE BEEN TRULY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD SO MANY HIGHLY COMPETENT MUSICIANS AND SAILORS OF GREAT QUALITY TO HELP CARRY THE BAND'S BANNER, AND WHO HAVE ATTENDED TO THE NAVY BAND'S MUSICAL AND CEREMONIAL DUTIES WITH SUCH FLAIR AND AUTHORITY. 3. I AM ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE CONFIDENCE SHOWN BY NAVY'S SENIOR LEADERSHIP IN ALLOWING ME SUCH AN EXTENDED PERIOD AT THE HELM OF THIS WORLD-CLASS MILITARY ENSEMBLE, FOR AFFORDING ME WISE COUNSEL WHEN NECESSARY, AND FOR GIVING ME SIGNIFICANT FREEDOM TO MANOEUVRE. 4. MANY OTHERS WITHIN NAVY HAVE ASSISTED ME OVER THE PAST NINE AND A HALF YEARS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE MOVED ON TO OTHER POSITIONS OR TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT. I WISH TO ALSO THANK THEM ALONG WITH STAFF AT THE DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC FOR THEIR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING HIGHLY TRAINED MUSICIANS FOR IMPORTANT MUSICAL LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN THE NAVY BAND. 5. MY SUCCESSOR, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER, WILL ASSUME THE POSITION AS NAVY'S 9TH DIRECTOR OF MUSIC ON 16 JANUARY 2012. I AM CONFIDENT THAT HE HAS THE SKILL, ABILITY, AND ENTHUSIASM TO BUILD UPON THE STORY OF THE NAVY BAND'S PROUD RECORD OF SERVICE. I WISH HIM MY MOST SINCERE BEST WISHES. 6. SERVING IN HARMONY, IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE. I AM DEEPLY INDEBTED FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES AND MEMORIES THAT YOU HAVE AFFORDED ME. BT P.C. ANDERSON Commander, RAN Director of Music and Leader

EMAIL MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC – ARMY

EMAIL RESPONSE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC - NAVY

From: McLean, Ian LTCOL Sent: Friday, 16 December 2011 09:40 To: Anderson, Phillip CMDR Cc: Lambie, Gordon LTCOL 1

From: Anderson, Phillip CMDR Sent: Friday, 16 December 2011 10:44 To: McLean, Ian LTCOL Cc: Lambie, Gordon LTCOL 1; Cottier, Paul LCDR

Good morning Phil, on behalf of all members of the Australian Army Band Corps may I extend good wishes as your appointment as Director of Music- Navy comes to an end. You have made a wonderful contribution to Service music during your tenure and you will be remembered particularly for your outstanding understanding, interpretation and presentation of concert band music as well as your ability to develop the versatility of Navy bands so that performances have always been richly entertaining and relevant to the expectations and desires of the modern day audience.

Ian

I have sincerely appreciated the cooperative way in which you and I have worked together, always aiming to demonstrate how good music performed well can be such an aid to our respective Services in promoting a positive image. I know how deeply Gordon has valued your contribution and advice as he has advanced training systems, methods and standards at the DFSM.

On behalf of all members of the Royal Australian Navy Band may I also extend good wishes as your appointment as Director of Music - Army comes to an end.

All the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages. W. Shakespeare. I am truly deeply moved by your words; and to be honest, I will cherish them amongst my finest memories. Being the Director of Music for Navy has been an honour and a privilege, and I am indebted for the opportunities that I have been afforded.

I am glad that the Royal Australian Navy Band and Australian Army Band Corps have reached a point in their evolution where their leaders can conclude their music careers with terms of enduring friendship. We have come a long way, and I wish the Australian Army Band Corps heartfelt success in its journey ahead; in what are challenging times, and for which you have done well to achieve the best possible outcome for your people. It is a journey that will continue to require wise leadership to ensure that the record of service of both our great band organisations will flourish.

I'm sure you depart with a deserved level of satisfaction noting the excellent shape in which you leave Navy music. I must confess to a touch of jealousy as we Army guys observe how well you have been able to resource and task your fine players. Our very best wishes for your future Phil. You have developed and maintained enduring friendships with many of us in Army music. We value the friendship and respect you have given to us. I'm sure the next stage of your career will be approached with the same dedication, enthusiasm and devotion that you have demonstrated as DMUS-N. No role will perhaps ever provide the level of satisfaction you have gained whilst working with Service musicians but I do hope your new life will be both enjoyable and challenging for you.

I have written separately to Gordon and feel sure you are as confident of him as I am of Paul, that we have left our organisations in the hands of good men who care passionately about their people and the future of their organisations. Now go we in concert to liberty and not to banishment. W. Shakespeare. Serving in Harmony.

Kind regards and all the best. Cheers,

P. C. ANDERSON Commander, RAN Director of Music - Navy

I.J. McLean, AM,CSC Lieutenant Colonel Director of Music - Army

Nanchang, the team then learned ‘Lest We Forget’ for Remembrance Day, and most recently ‘Mt Nelson Two Hundred’ and ‘Anglesea Two Hundred’ for the Tasmanian events. It was a challenge for all of us, but also fun doing something completely different.

(Continued from page 1) uniforms, music, rehearsals, public relations materials, travel arrangements and then of course the rehearsals and performances once in country; many people contribute in numerous ways sometimes unseen and taken for granted. Even after we return there is follow up work to be done, media releases and letters of thanks to be written, and liaison with contacts made overseas to be followed up.

Speaking of something completely different the Director of Music nominated the band for the first time ever for the Navy League Perpetual Trophy awarded for assistance by an RAN ship or unit to the civilian community either in Australia or overseas. This required the preparation of a substantial supporting document outlining the wide range of activities the six detachments have undertaken over the last financial year offering direct assistance to charities, and indirect support to community groups and veterans associations.

Feedback comes from some unexpected sources such as the following from Adjutant Jean-Marc Lanois of the French Republican Guard Cavalry Fanfare Band. “I saw last week Lieutenant Arandel, Assistant Conductor of the Versailles Transmission Band of France that you met in China, and he spoke to me for a long time about the excellent impressions that he had of your band.”

An analysis of our PR stats revealed that in the last financial year our direct and indirect audiences around Australia numbered roughly 9.5 million or 43 per cent of the Australian population. Broken down by category our engagements were 36.2% defence related, 32.9% community focused, 14.7% supporting veterans groups, 8.0 % for schools, 5.7% for government and vice-regal functions and 2.5% supporting charity events. There is no doubt that the Navy Band ticks the box for the signature behaviour ‘strengthening ties across and beyond Navy’.

In this regard it is very satisfying to be able to congratulate Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton on being presented the Kirsty Jones Award. As a key member of the overseas deployments, Chief Stapleton has that knack of being able to put us through our paces and get us wanting to have the best marching display in the tattoo even when we feel we just cannot do it one more time! And he does that with unceasing good humour and patience which always brings out the best in people. The commissioned artwork ‘The Salute’ acknowledging the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to the Royal Australian Navy has also travelled overseas with us in various forms. Initially conceived of just a sleeve to be worn on the drummer’s slings, it has now also been reproduced as full size and A4 sized mementos, and reproduced onto drum sticks. ‘The Salute’ has travelled to Brunei and China as well as to every band detachment in Australia, telling the story of how our Navy has been supported and strengthened by the contribution of the indigenous people over the last one hundred years. It is rewarding to see images of ‘The Salute’ starting to appear in photos coming in from all the detachments. In the New Year all detachments will be displaying a full size reproduction of the artwork with the accompanying story, and the Melbourne detachment has been chosen to permanently display the original.

In this regard I must make mention of the many people in the Sydney and Melbourne detachment PR teams who have worked consistently throughout the year doing the ongoing jobs of preparing programs, advertising detachment commitments and sending in the audience figures. I always enjoy the discussions we have about ways that we can expand and improve our audience reach. This hands-on support at the detachment level allows my job to take a more strategic and hopefully developmental focus. Finally I must make mention of the outstanding year that it has been for the Work Experience program. Ten students from both country and metropolitan high schools have had the opportunity to spend a week with the Sydney detachment observing the job of a naval musician and in some cases playing with the detachment for performances or recordings. This is a significant contribution of time and resources towards the development of future musicians and something of which we should be proud.

At the time of writing I have just returned from a visit to Hobart as part of a group supporting the Tasmanian detachment’s contribution to the 200th anniversary celebrations for Anglesea Barracks and the Mt Nelson Signal Station. As part of the Navy Headquarters Tasmania display on Open Day ‘The Salute’’ and the Tasmanian silver drum (given by the Government of Tasmania to the Royal Australian Navy on the occasion of its 50th anniversary) aroused much interest amongst visitors to Anglesea Barracks.

Finally, on behalf of us all, I would like to acknowledge the enormous amount of work done by Commander Anderson in public relations for the RAN Band over the last 9½ years, and wish him all the best for his new endeavours. And one final message …

Members of the Royal Australian Navy Band take on many roles and the 4th China Nanchang International Tattoo saw the debut of a five person Semaphore team reinvigorating this naval tradition of communication in the visual medium. After signalling ‘Nanchang Hero City’ to the people of

SYDNEY DETACHMENT

Nanchang. The bands also gave concerts throughout the city, mostly at University auditoriums and with one or two other bands. We were paired with the Chinese PLA - Navy Band and the O’Shea-Ryan Irish Dancers from Victoria (Australia) at the Nanchang Radio and TV Center continuing our developing friendship with the Chinese musicians. There was also a street march through the central business district and old town of Nanchang which was very well received.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT STEVEN STANKE

With memories of the ‘Naval Salute’ concert on 10 July fresh in our ears and memories, members of the Sydney detachment resumed duties in late July after a short midyear break. We were very pleasantly surprised to learn that our year of living internationally (already United Arab Emirates and Brunei) was not yet over, as a trip to China to participate in the 4th China Nanchang International Tattoo was confirmed for October, but more on that shortly. Our July resumption was still echoing with fragments of ‘Naval Salute’ melodies.

Back home once again local ceremonial and parade activities in the second half of 2011 included the departure of the cars and teams in the Variety Bash (in which our very own Petty Officer Esa Douglas bashed her way across Australia), the Willoughby Street Fair parade, HMAS Albatross Divisions, and services at Martin Place for HMAS Australia and HMAS Sydney II. We sent buglers to Canberra to assist in commemorations for HMAS Canberra, Vendetta and Hobart, and a small parade group travelled to Penshurst on Remembrance Day to assist the RSL with the unveiling of their new memorials. Other commemorations included HMAS Shropshire and HMAS Parramatta (on the 70th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Parramatta II by submarine U559) and a plaque was unveiled at the Heritage Centre in September, honouring the loss of submarine AE1 in the Dardanelles during the First World War.

‘A Naval Salute’ celebrated the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy and featured musicians from the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, South Australian, Western Australian and Tasmanian detachments, as well as staff and cadets from TS Sirius, and Command Ceremonial. The musical skills of all were on display, including our composers (Leading Seaman Martyn Hancock, Lieutenant Andrew Stokes and Lieutenant Matthew Klohs), and arrangers (Lieutenant Steven Stanke, Lieutenant Cassandra Mohapp, Commander Phillip Anderson and Lieutenant Andrew Stokes). Leading Seaman Hancock’s Jack Tar featured our intrepid buglers keeping the tradition of playing .303 rifles alive, and his march The Scrap Iron Flotilla pays tribute to the five Australian destroyers that served in the Mediterranean during the Second World War (HMA Ships Stuart, Voyager, Vampire, Vendetta and Waterhen). Reportedly, Nazi propaganda minister Goebbels dismissed these already old and outdated ships as a ‘consignment of junk’ and ‘Australia’s scrap iron flotilla’, but the ships had been extremely well built and their crews were renowned for their cheerfulness, courage, optimism and pride, so their eventual reputation as a very distinguished unit was well deserved. Incidentally, Leading Seaman Hancock’s great-grandfather and several other relatives were shipbuilders at the Clyde shipyards in Scotland during the time that the ships of the Scrap Iron Flotilla were built, so his interest and connection was personal.

SYDNEY DETACHMENT WIND ORCHESTRA IN CONCERT IN ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL SEPTEMBER 2011

Our regular six-monthly graduation parade for the New Entry Officer’s Course at HMAS Creswell was memorable for the inclement weather (summer in Australia seems less reliable and arriving much later these days), but both the Ceremonial Sunset and Graduation Parade went ahead with Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs the Reviewing Officer. Again, for those with salty blood in their veins, we said goodbye to a stalwart of the fleet. This time it was HMAS Kanimbla, decommissioned in November after 17 years service to the Royal Australian Navy. We farewelled HMAS Parramatta heading off on deployment and will welcome HMAS Choules (newly commissioned) to Sydney in December.

Another feature of the ‘Naval Salute’ concert was Belle’s Broadcast, Lieutenant Cassandra Mohapp’s tribute to the WRANS. Combining bells and morse code with songs by Vera Lynn and the Naval Hymn, Belle’s Broadcast is a tribute to the 14 women from the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps, based at HMAS Harman during the Second World War. The Nanchang International Tattoo 2011 indeed lived up to its name, with bands from Belarus, New Zealand, Poland, Tonga, Turkey, Russia, Australia, France, and of course, China showcasing their current marching band thoughts and capabilities. The tattoo itself was performed twice, once as the Closing Ceremony for the Chinese National City Games at the Nanchang International Sports Center (their spelling) and again at the Tengwang Pavilion Square, in central

Our wind orchestra and choir remained busy and challenged, with recording sessions at Trackdown Studios (Planet Earth, Angels in the Architecture, Rahoon and

Downtown Diversions) and the always popular ‘Band Call’ concerts at St. Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral in Sydney. Those providing solos at various times were Able Seaman Dayne Grindley, Able Seaman Damian Dowd, Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya, Able Seaman Sean Hennessy, the saxophone section (Able Seaman Ross Chapman, Able Seaman Natalie Urquhart, Able Seaman Robbie Sandner and Petty Officer Chris Palamountain), Able Seaman Melissa Ballantyne, and Able Seaman Volker Schoeler.

THE COMMODORES WIND QUINTET PLAYING FOR THE RAAF RICHMOND COMMUNITY AFTERNOON TEA. (L TO R) ABLE SEAMAN EMMA LEFROY, PETTY OFFICER ESA DOUGLAS, ABLE SEAMAN ZOLA SMITH, ABLE SEAMAN PAUL STILES AND ABLE SEAMAN ALISHA COWARD

Our Education Programme included performances at Abbotsleigh School, Cromer Primary, Mt Keira Demonstration School, Cumberland High, Bondi Beach Primary, Daceyville Primary, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Primary and Matraville Soldiers Settlement School with welcome visits to our Band Studio from students, teachers and parents of Burwood Girls’ High and Manurewa High School in New Zealand. Thanks to Able Seaman Damian Dowd, Able Seaman Rachel Summers, Able Seaman Douglas Ross, Able Seaman David Coit and Able Seaman Simon Bartlett for their invaluable assistance in the Education Programme.

COMMANDER ANDERSON CONDUCTS THE SEA CHANTERS FEMALE CHORUS IN REHEARSAL AT THE SYDNEY BAND STUDIO FOR RECORDING JOHANN DE MEIJ’S PLANET EARTH

I am pleased to report that the word from St Andrew’s management is that the Navy Band continually draws the largest crowd, no doubt helped by our, comparatively, large numbers with which we can program major wind band works. I look forward to continuing this exploration of large wind band works in 2012 and beyond.

Chamber ensembles were warmly received at St James’ Church in Sydney. Although a busy schedule did not allow as many visits as we would have liked we maintained a valuable presence at other events that requiring a small ensemble, including the Shalom Centre (Marsfield), Rooty Hill RSL, Government House and naval establishments (HMAS Harman, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Albatross and RAAF Base Richmond). A small concert band also provided very suitable musical and visual accompaniment to a Garden Party at Government House in November (under the big tree, in fact), hosted by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir as she welcomed the HMAS Sydney Association.

Rhythm based ensembles were also kept busy with the Admiral’s Own Rock Band providing music for the Hyperbaric Conference at Coogee, Ships Balls for HMAS Creswell and HMAS Newcastle, a ball celebrating the 21st Anniversary of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in Canberra, another ball at Parliament House in Canberra celebrating the centenary of the Royal Australian Navy, and the RAAF Christmas Treat at RAAF Richmond Our jazz group continued their appearances at Cronulla Mall, Erina Fair and Manly Corso, and the Admiral’s Own Big Band were active at the Fairfield Multicultural Festival, Merrymakers Gala Concert (at the Sydney Opera House no less) and the Australian Institute of Music. The Merrymakers concert featured such artists as Katie Noonan, John Paul Young, Dragon, Julia Morris, and Felicity Urquhart (no relation to Natalie), each with their own distinctive sound and it was a highlight of the year to be their accompanying ensemble. Able Seaman Martin Duck and Petty Officer Grant Metcalfe also Grooved High and were no less stars.

MELBOURNE DETACHMENT

at Noble Park, the Maltese Association Memorial Service at the Shrine of Remembrance, and the Fleet Air Arm Commemorative Service at St Marks Chapel at HMAS Cerberus. The Corvettes Big Band and Jazz Ensemble were kept busy with a concert at the Xavier College Jazz Week in Kew, while Pipe the Side Brass Quintet performed at the Legacy Widows Service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT MATTHEW KLOHS AND CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MICHAEL VAUGHAN

September began with the concert band welcoming Lieutenant Brian O’Kane as guest conductor for a workshop with the Catholic Care Bushfire Benefit Wind Band Concert at Williamstown High School. These concerts provide help to schools that lost everything including music and instruments in the Black Saturday bushfires a few short years ago. The parade band had a busy month which started with the Navy 100th Birthday reception at the Melbourne Town Hall. VIP guests include the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Griggs, the Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Gilmore and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle. The parade band backed up the next day for a Freedom of Entry march through the streets of Melbourne led by the Fleet Commander and reviewed by the Chief of Navy. This parade marked the 100th birthday of the RAN and the 90th birthday of HMAS Cerberus.

FREEDOM OF ENTRY PARADE THROUGH THE CITY OF MELBOURNE MARKING THE CENTENARY OF THE RAN AND THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF HMAS CERBERUS

After a well earned mid year break the detachment started the second half of the year with all guns blazing. We all mustered at Tullamarine Airport on Sunday 3 July 2011 to begin a week long stay in Sydney for the Navy 100 Anniversary culminating in ‘A Naval Salute’ Concert at the City Recital Hall on 10 July 2011. The concert was very well received and all personnel involved are to be congratulated for their hard work and excellent effort over what was a long but satisfying week. Upon our arrival back in Melbourne it was back to business with the usual round of monthly Recruit School Pass Out Parades, various Soundwaves concerts and a plethora of bugle calls and commemorative services that occur at this time of year for the many Associations and RSL Clubs. Support was also provided to the Defence Force School of Music for their ‘At Home’ monthly concerts. The Corvettes Jazz Group and Pipe the Side Wind Quintet kicked off a busy second half of the year programme with the Frankston RSL Navy 100th Dinner.

THE WETTEST RECRUIT SCHOOL PASS OUT PARADE EVER?

The detachment also welcomed Lieutenant Cassandra Mohapp during this month to conduct the monthly Recruit School Pass Out Parade. The parade was quite substantially shortened due to heavy rain, thunder and even hail! Our winter uniforms are still recovering from the downpour! Later in the month, the Fanfare Team played for the Vice Admiral Creswell Memorial unveiling at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Club. The Corvettes Jazz Ensemble performed for the Mornington Peninsula Shire Arts and Ideas Concert and at the launch of Radio 3RPP while the Corvettes Rock Group was kept busy with commitments at Duaringa Public School and the Royal Melbourne Show.

August was also a busy month for us with the concert band invited to play at Dandenong South Primary School. The concert culminated in the opening of a time capsule that had been planted at the school twenty five years earlier in the presence of the then Victorian Naval Band. The concert band also had the privilege of playing in the Melbourne School Bands Festival Finale Concert later in the month. The parade band travelled to Station Pier in the City where we participated in a cocktail party, Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters for HMAS Newcastle which was in port for a short visit. Bugle calls were provided for many occasions during August, these included the RSL Women’s State Conference, the dedication of the 100th Anniversary of the RAN memorial

This brings us to the final two weeks of what has been a busy year for the Melbourne detachment. Our first commitment for the month with be the Recruit School Passing Out Parade including a Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters. This will be followed by the final Divisions parade for 2011 and the final concert band performance will be a Carols Concert in the grounds of Recruit School, hosted by Commander Glassock as one of his final duties as Executive Officer of HMAS Cerberus. Commander Glassock and his family have been regulars at our Soundwaves concerts throughout his time at HMAS Cerberus and we wish them all the very best for the future. LIEUTENANT CASSANDRA MOHAPP CONDUCTS THE MELBOURNE DETACHMENT FOR THE RECRUIT SCHOOL PASS OUT PARADE … BEFORE THE RAIN CAME DOWN.

QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT

October provided some rest for the larger groups of the detachment. The parade band performed a Ceremonial Sunset and Beat to Quarters at the Commanding Officer’s Reception at HMAS Cerberus and then again at the HMAS Cerberus Open Day a few days later. We would like to pass on our appreciation to Able Seaman Rebecca Lloyd-Jones from the Queensland detachment for her assistance at very short notice. Thank you Rebecca, we really appreciated your professionalism, and look forward to working with you again when you are next in Melbourne.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ANDREW STAPLETON

It was a busy month for the Corvettes Jazz Ensemble who again performed at the Mornington Peninsula Shire Arts and Ideas Concert and also at Government House with the Fanfare Team for the Melbourne Cup Eve Reception. They then teamed up with the Corvettes Rock Group to perform together at the Sandringham Yacht Club Centenary celebrations. The Corvettes Jazz Group also worked with the Pipe the Side Brass Quintet at the Kingston City Council Seniors Week Concert which capped off a busy month for this group. The Corvettes Rock Group performed at the Preston Festival whilst the Pipe the Side Woodwind Quintet provided background music for the Mission to Seafarers Art Awards night at Docklands in the city. The Pipe the Side Brass Quintet also provided music for the Company of Master Mariners Seafarer Memorial Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne.

THE QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT PERFORMING FOR NAVY WEEK

The Queensland detachment commenced the second half of the year with a performance of Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset at the Queensland Maritime Museum for Reserve Forces Day. The Reserve Forces Day Committee had decided that the most fitting venue to celebrate the Navy 100 Anniversary would be at the Maritime Museum with HMAS Diamantina providing a spectacular backdrop. One week later the detachment supported the Navy 100 Anniversary Church Service at St Mary’s Church, Kangaroo Point which was ably lead by Chief Petty Officer Graham Carter in my absence. Both these significant events were in the presence of the Governor of Queensland.

The parade band started November with the National Servicemen’s March here at HMAS Cerberus. The parade band also took part in the Remembrance Day service at the Shrine of Remembrance. The Corvettes Big Band and Jazz Ensemble as well as the Pipe the Side Brass Quintet played two nights earlier at the official Shrine of Remembrance dinner with guests including the Governor of Victoria, The Honourable Alex Chernov, AO, QC. The Corvettes Rock Group had a busy month with performances at the City to Sea Run in Melbourne, a school performance at Stella Maris Primary School and a spot at the Carnegie Rock Festival. The Corvettes Jazz Group performed at St Joseph’s Primary School fete while the Pipe the Side Wind Quintet provided entertainment for the Sydney Emden Dinner at HMAS Cerberus and the AIDN-Victoria dinner in the City.

Myself and Able Seaman Rebecca Lloyd-Jones from the Queensland detachment were very privileged to be involved in the Navy Centenary Concert at the City Recital Hall in Sydney. This was without doubt the signature event celebrating the Navy 100 Centenary, and Able Seaman Lloyd-Jones’ performance and outstanding professionalism on percussion received a lot of praise.

October is traditionally the Queensland detachments busiest month, and this year was no exception. We headed up to Maryborough on 1 October for the Royal Flying Doctor Fundraiser Ball. The Maryborough Town Hall is over 100 years old and is a magnificent venue in which to perform. The local RSL Sub-branch staged the event, and although the attendance was lower than expected, their hospitality and warm welcome was much appreciated.

The detachment still had a number of commitments throughout the month of July including the Centenary Rocks Festival, the Morningside Festival and the Redcliff State High Gala Fundraising Concert. All these events were very well attended and provided excellent exposure for the stage band, parade band and pop group. With not a lot of requests for support in August the detachment took the opportunity to perform at Queen St Mall in the city on two consecutive weekends. This venue is free of charge for musical ensembles and Brisbane Marketing provides excellent technical and audio support. There is always a guaranteed audience and it is a perfect opportunity to showcase a number of our ensembles.

The following week was Navy Week in Brisbane and the Queensland detachment and the Navy contingent of Australia’s Federation Guard put together an excellent rendition of Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset for the Lord Mayor’s Navy Week reception. This was the first time the event had been held in its traditional venue in King George Square in some years. It was a fantastic setting and the hundreds of guests were treated to a Precision Drill Team display from the guard The detachment’s performance also received a lot of favourable comment, particularly Able Seaman Leigh Robke’s singing of I Am Australian, the Naval Hymn and the National Anthem. During my absence in China for the 4th China Nanchang International Tattoo, Leading Seaman Gemma Tilly did an excellent job liaising, coordinating, rehearsing and performing for the annual Naval Officers Club Trafalgar Dinner and the Gold Coast Navy Week service and luncheon. The feedback received was very complimentary of all the members who performed for the Trafalgar Dinner, including Leading Seaman Mick O’Loughlin on piano and Able Seaman John Smallcombe on saxophone. Particular mention was also made of Able Seaman Darren Skaar’s bugling for the Navy Week service and Leading Seaman Gemma Tilly’s hard work and vocal talent for both commitments.

LEADING SEAMAN GEMMA TILLEY AND THE QUEENSLAND DETACHMENT ENTERTAINING SHOPPERS IN BRISBANE’S QUEEN STREET MALL

The only other commitment in August was the Naval Association’s Navy 100 Anniversary Cocktail Party again at the Queensland Maritime Museum. Myself and Leading Seaman Gemma Tilly provided guitar and vocal duo repertoire as the guests arrived, and the jazz group performed throughout the rest of the evening for the guests onboard HMAS Diamantina.

The final commitment for the year, which turned out to be one of the best, was the Sunshine Coast Community Hospice Ball held at the Sheraton Noosa. We provided a small 12 piece ensemble performing 1920s style dance music complementing the roaring 20’s theme for the event. Rock group then played practically every tune in their repertoire to what was one of the most enthusiastic and appreciative crowds we’ve performed to all year.

After a reasonably quiet August, September and October were shaping up to be quite busy. We started with the Wynnum Manly Jazz Festival where we’ve become the headline performer. Due to a magnificent spring day and better advertising, the event saw a record crowd in attendance. The very next evening we provided support for the Lord Mayor’s Citizenship Ceremony with an estimated audience of over 2500 people. The following Saturday was the Defence Charity ball where the detachment provided a jazz group for dinner music, a stage band for dinner dancing and concluded the evening with the pop and rock group. The guest artist was Darryl Braithwaite and his band who performed a feature set of classic Aussie rock.

In closing I’d like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to all members of the Queensland detachment for another rewarding and productive year. Every member of the detachment makes a vital contribution in an effort to provide the best possible musical support to the region. However, I must make special mention of the contribution made by Petty Officer Peter Jaskolski on bass guitar. There is no doubt that without his willingness to perform on bass guitar the detachment would have found it impossible to provide the high level of support achieved. I wish everyone in the Queensland detachment and the entire RAN Band a very happy Christmas and festive season.

This year the Defence Ball was also bigger and better than previous years, and this detachment’s contribution was an integral part of a successful event. September was capped off with another smaller Citizenship Ceremony supported by the brass quintet, and the annual Seafarers Service at St John’s Cathedral. Able Seaman Lloyd-Jones was once again in Sydney contributing her expertise as a percussionist for benchmark recordings.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT

Navy Week performances included workshops for the music students at Woodcroft High School and Emmaus College who then joined us for a couple of numbers during our performance, much to the delight of the students and staff. Another school performance had us drive to South Australia’s famous wine district the Barossa Valley, for a performance to the primary students at St Jakobi Lutheran School.

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DOUG ANTONOFF

The South Australian detachment continued the busy schedule and pace set in the first half of 2011, supporting significant South Australian events including Vietnam Veterans Day and Navy Week which included a visit to Adelaide by HMAS Newcastle. With the busy schedule generating much to focus on, this year, like last, flashed by. Able Seaman Budgen and I were privileged to be invited to take part in ‘A Naval Salute’: celebrating the Centenary of the Royal Australian Navy. Able Seaman Budgen, a former Leading Seaman CIS who transferred to the South Australian detachment as a vocalist on discharge from the permanent Navy in 2009, said, “this was an awesome opportunity to work alongside so many professional musicians and to be a part of a high quality concert for a very significant event.” Following a break in 2010 the South Australian detachment performed at the annual Vietnam Veterans Long Tan day memorial service once again. Popular demand had us returning to the stage for a one hour performance, much to the pleasure of the veterans, their families and friends. “It’s great to have you guys back”, said veteran Jock Campbell.

‘JOIN THE NAVY’ - HANIDING OUT NAVY POSTCARDS DURING NAVY WEEK, IN ADELAIDE (L TO R) ABLE SEAMAN DARCY FITZPATRICK, ABLE SEAMAN SERGEY GRYNCHUK, ABLE SEAMAN IVAN COOPER AND ABLE SEAMAN SIOBHAN FINNEY

Three lunch time performances were held on North Terrace in Adelaide in front of the Art Gallery and South Australian Museum to an audience taking time out from their office jobs to enjoy their lunch with a free concert. The usual ship’s cocktail party took place with Able Seaman Katrina Dickson-Caton playing guitar and singing to the guests. The Navy Week church service took place on the Saturday and finally, in the presence of the Director of Music – Navy, and with all good things coming to an end, we performed on the wharf at the Air Warfare Destroyer ship yards for HMAS Newcastle’s Open Day to an appreciative crowd of around 5000 people.

Following Vietnam Veterans day we started in earnest with rehearsals for a number of Navy Week performances in September. Navy Week was preceded by a week of daytime rehearsals which enabled the musicians to rehearse fresh in the morning without being tired after a hard days work at their civilian employment which is normally the case on a Tuesday evening. This resulted in a well rehearsed, finely tuned and choreographed program. This would not have been possible if it were not for the dedication and willingness of the detachment’s musicians to seek leave, (for some leave without pay) from their employers, and juggle the calendar in their own business or family life to make themselves available for the two week period.

Our next performance was a self generated concert by the rock group playing in the forecourt of the South Australian Museum on a Sunday afternoon. This event was also supported by the NHQ-SA Navy Domestic Engagement Team who were on hand with a display of photos and movie footage of the RAN’s first 100 years in the foyer next to the main entrance to the museum. This proved to be a popular event enjoyed by those who sat on the lawns to watch the performance and who viewed the display. South Australian detachment buglers, Able Seaman Hickey and Able Seaman Grynchuk supported Remembrance Day services around Adelaide and Chief Petty Officer Antonoff laid a wreath on behalf of NHQ-SA at the Unley Park gardens. As we draw to the years end, we have one more show to do, and our focus is on the rural town of Morgan on the banks of the River Murray approx 280 kilometres north of Adelaide. Our support there will ensure Santa arrives with due fanfare at the Morgan Xmas Pageant, and the

FRONT LINE CHOREOGRAPHY WITH WOODCROFT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (L TO R) ABLE SEAMAN IVAN COOPER, ABLE SEAMAN SIOBHAN FINNEY, ABLE SEAMAN BEN DALY, AND LEADING SEAMAN JAMES ATKINSON

townspeople are treated to an exciting and entertaining program with music from Kate Perry to Split Enz under the stars. Watch for more about this in the next Newsletter.

whose babies had been born whilst they were away on deployment. Remembrance Day was the busiest day for all our buglers. We had from Perth to Port Kennedy covered and not a split note anywhere.

We welcome back to the fold, Leading Seaman Tom Bastians following his discharge from the permanent Navy in November 2011. Tom has been successful in gaining a position as the Marketing Manager for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and has also provided some valuable support already to the detachment in his short time here. We wish him every success in his new career and look forward to his ongoing contribution to the detachment.

The detachment had a four day venture to Geraldton to mark the 70th anniversary of the loss of HMAS Sydney II. We left on Thursday evening after everyone had done a full day’s work in their civilian employment. On the way up to Geraldton, on the Brand Highway, about 30 kilometres north of Gin Gin, we came across a head-on collision between two motor vehicles. We were pretty much first on the scene. Thankfully the detachment carries an Emergency Response Team amongst the band members. We had a fire-fighter, two policemen, a student that works in an Emergency Department, another in the medical industry and a few members that didn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Unfortunately, a father in one of the cars had died at the scene, whilst his wife and their baby were in a critical condition. People in the other car were unharmed due to their airbags deploying successfully. Our members helped stabilise the victims until paramedics arrived about an hour later, with a medivac following.

Enjoy your well earned respite over the festive season. Best wishes for a Merry Xmas from all of us here in Australia’s best kept secret - SA.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GABE KICSAK

We have since had updates on the mother and child – the child has had some plastic surgery and is out of harm’s way, and the mother will be in hospital for about six weeks. Sadly, the family has to organise a funeral for her husband. The outcome could have been a lot worse had we not had such a wealth of expertise onboard our coach. The detachment has received commendations from the Chief of Navy and down. Once again, a job well done. We finish November with a Ceremonial Sunset at STS Leeuwin in Fremantle for the Reserve Excellence Awards Night. Our very own Nathan Hicks was nominated for an award. The final commitment for the month was a bugler playing for the Royal Australian Navy in Vietnam Memorial Service.

MEMBERS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT IN FRONT OF THE HMAS SYDNEY II MEMORIAL IN GERALDTON.

Another year has passed us by. If I can say it, the Western Australian detachment has experienced both very quiet and very busy periods over the past six months. July to October was quiet on the performance front; however, our buglers were busy with the usual Dedication Services such as the Naval Association of Australia Triennial Memorial Service, Vietnam Veterans Service and some Submariners Services as well. These are all generally well received by the organisations and are in high demand for future years. November gets the ball rolling for the ‘silly season’. We started the month welcoming home HMAS Toowoomba from the Middle East Area of Operations. This was a successful trip for the ship but unfortunately there was a loss of life before the trip started, and another loss of life on her return to Australia. It was a sombre occasion and yet a joyful one as well, as there were three new fathers onboard the ship

THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN DETACHMENT PERFORMING FOR THE RESERVE EXCELLENCE AWARDS IN NOVEMBER 2011

A few days later this was contrasted by leading a parade of veterans to the Hobart Cenotaph for Vietnam Veterans Day.

December closed with an ISAF (World Sailing Championships) parade through the City of Perth. This is where Australian competitors are selected for the 2012 London Olympics. We led the parade for about 1500 competitors from 80 countries. The following day was the annual Christmas Carols for the City of Fremantle. Another big crowd was there with about 8000 people singing their way through all the familiar and much loved carols.

For most of this half of the year the detachment has been missing one of its founding members, Chief Petty Officer Greg Hince. Firstly Chief Petty Officer Hince won a Prince of Wales Award that took him to the United States of America. This award rewards selected Australian Defence Force Reservists for their dedication and commitment to Reserve service, by providing an opportunity for individuals to undertake a training or development activity, either in Australia or overseas, related to their civilian occupation or profession. Chief Petty Officer Hince’s report about his experiences is further on in this newsletter. Secondly, as part of his employment, Chief Petty Officer Hince will be spending a number of months, including Christmas, down in Antarctica. We wish him well down there and a safe return to us in time for the Hobart Regatta next year.

Twelve members from the Sydney detachment came over to help out with the Plaque Unveiling for the Naval Association of Australia in the presence of the Governor of Western Australia. This meant that we were also able to rehearse for the commissioning of HMAS Choules which took place in December. The commissioning ceremony took place in Fremantle so the general public could attend as well. This was a great idea as it allows the public to witness Navy’s traditions and to see what we do best. With such a hectic schedule, I am proud of all the achievements of this detachment. Next year looks like a good year and will be my last with the Western Australian detachment. I’ll find out mid year where our postings will take us. On that note, have a safe and prosperous Christmas and New Year. See you all again in the next counter-march.

As the weather slowly starts to warm up, the detachment’s program starts to become busier. The first commitment in spring was a warm day in Kingston for the Ollibolen Festival. Plenty of sunshine and Dutch doughnuts called Ollibollen. Remembrance Day was marked in Pit Lane at Symmons Plains Raceway. A large crowd of mainly school students as well as all the teams and officials involved with a motor race event joined with us for the commemoration. This was followed by two days of performances amongst all the colour of the largest sporting event in Tasmania. We were also lucky to have the best weather of the spring, which is never a certainty down here.

TASMANIAN DETACHMENT ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER DANIEL HOBSON

The detachment then had a busy end to the year with major commitments at the V8 Supercars and events surrounding the 200th Anniversary of Anglesea Barracks. To enhance our capabilities for the events surrounding the Anglesea 200 celebrations, we welcomed members from the Sydney detachment including the .303 Drill Team (Able Seaman Martin Duck, Able Seaman Peter Taylor, Able Seaman Greg Turner, Able Seaman James Roach and Able Seaman Ellen Zyla) and Semaphore party (Leading Seaman Cathy Wainwright and Able Seaman Aaron Geeves). The Semaphore Party was particularly relevant during the Mt Nelson Signal Station’s 200th Anniversary celebrations.

ABLE SEAMAN ANITA CAIRNS (VOCALS) AND ABLE SEAMAN DORIAN BROOMHALL (TRUMPET) PERFORMING WITH THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT

The Tasmanian detachment had a great start to the second half of this year providing music for the Make a Wish Foundation Ball at the Tasman Room of Wrest Point Casino. This was a large event in an excellent venue which gave the members of the detachment a great buzz. Of particular note was the lighting system which made the members feel like rock stars.

Our first course in the second half of this year was the Section Leaders Course. The course had eight members including Able Seaman Jade Barker, Able Seaman Kerri Loonam, Able Seaman Fletcher Mitchell and Able Seaman Damian Dowd. All of our Navy members worked extremely hard, and it was pleasing to see their leadership and confidence develop over the period of the course. Able Seaman Dowd being a non-instrumentalist worked tirelessly to achieve excellent results and I am sure that what he learned will assist him when singing in front of the band in the future. Able Seaman Barker’s confidence grew as the course progressed and Able Seaman Loonam had a very good rapport with the musicians during section rehearsals. Able Seaman Mitchell’s brass band experience assisted him when conducting sectionals and he also was able to bring the best out of the musicians. Well done to you all.

THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT WITH THE DRILL TEAM AND SEMAPHORE PARTY OF THE SYDNEY DETACHMENT AT MT NELSON SIGNAL STATION

I would like to thank a few people who helped make Navy’s contribution to the Anglesea 200 celebrations successful. Firstly, the Heritage Centre and the Director of Music - Navy for agreeing to the release, and display of the Tasmanian Silver Drum. It provided a focal point for the Navy Headquarters – Tasmania display, and was seen by a large number of Tasmanians that would not normally be able to get to Garden Island in Sydney to see it. It was also viewed by a number of VIPs including, Her Excellency the Governor General.

The Assistant Band Leaders Course is the first promotion course which requires students to conduct and compere concerts. Petty Officer Sharon Jarvis from the Melbourne detachment and Petty Officer Mark Ham from the Sydney detachment were fine representatives from Navy on this course. Petty Officer Jarvis worked extremely hard during the course and improved greatly especially when conducting and rehearsing the band. Being the only female on the course she kept the males honest. Petty Officer Jarvis should be very proud of her achievements and I wish her well in the future. Petty Officer Ham is a very experienced musician who demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities. He has the ability to get the best out of the ensemble and he is to be congratulated on the musicianship he displayed whilst on course. His efforts were acknowledged by being awarded the Student of Merit award for the course. Congratulations on your achievements Mark.

I would also like to thank Able Seaman Dorian Broomhall for coming back to Hobart to provide bugle and trumpet support and Leading Seaman Paul Parnell for providing expert training the detachment’s drum corps. The detachment welcomes two new members Seaman Rit Coomber and Seaman Tom Brooke, fresh from Recruit School. We look forward to seeing these young musicians develop as they complete their studies at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music. We also congratulate Caleb Wilson on his promotion to Leading Seaman and wish him well on the completion of his Section Leader Distance Learning Course.

Our last course for the year was the Introduction to Live Sound course. Able Seaman Volker Schoeler from the Sydney detachment and Able Seaman Anita Cairns from the Tasmanian detachment worked extremely hard during what is a very intense and demanding course. It is now up to the students to practise what they have learned on course and to develop their skills further.

Lastly I would like to wish all a merry Christmas from, as Zoe my five year old daughter says, HO HO HObart!

DEFENCE FORCE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Once again the Defence Force School of Music relied heavily on the support given from the Melbourne detachment for our training and especially our ‘At Home’ and ‘Twilight’ Concert series. To Lieutenant Matthew Klohs and his team thank you very much, your assistance is greatly appreciated.

ARTICLE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PAUL COTTIER

As the training year comes to an end, it is time to reflect on what has been a very productive and successful year. Our Distance Learning Courses have seen record numbers of participants, and, more important a very high completion rate. Our ‘At Home’ concert series have continued to be very popular with large audience numbers and very positive feedback.

As my time at the Defence Force School of Music comes to an end, I would like to thank Chief Petty Officer Danny Mulheron and Petty Officer Kara Williams for the professionalism they display and the support they have given me during my tenure. To Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Lambie, and the Officer

tattoo included our fanfare trumpeters performing in the opening sequence, our individual band marching display, then a massed band finale. The band’s marching performance closely resembled the routines we had honed in the United Arab Emirates and Brunei earlier in the year: This consisted of formation displays during The Alert march, bugle calls and Beat to Quarters, a newly-formed Semaphore Pty spelling out the words ‘Nanchang, Hero City’, Cheer Ship by the Director and the ever-popular fanfare, chorale, jazz and parade versions of Waltzing Matilda.

Commanding Major Andrea McMahon and to all the staff of the school, thank you for your continued support and for making my time at the School of Music so memorable. I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous 2012.

4TH CHINA NANCHANG INTERNATIONAL TATTOO ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN DANIEL MCMAHON

During October, 51 band members were fortunate to be selected to visit Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi province in inland China. It was the third overseas trip for many in the Navy Band this year, and it was an amazing travel experience for us all. The band was invited to participate in the 4th China Nanchang International Tattoo, as a result of links forged between the Director of Music of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army - Navy (PLA-N) Band and our own Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson. These links have been forged during visits to Australia by Chinese Navy vessels carrying bands.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND AT THE AWARD WINNING NANCHANG INTERNATIONAL SPORTS CENTER, VENUE FOR THE FIRST TATTOO PERFORMANCE

Along with the O’Shea-Ryan Irish Dancers from Victoria and the New Zealand Air Force Band, we represented our region in the Tattoo in which 17 bands and groups from around the world participated. Some of the other groups included the Tongan Royal Corps of Musicians, the Russian Frontier Guard Band, Chinese PLA Military Bands, Phranakhon Drum and Bugle Corps from Thailand, and our French friends from the Versailles Transmission Band. Altogether there were 2,500 participants in what was truly an International Tattoo. As with any tattoo the performances were a spectacle of colour, music and movement as each group represented its own culture with precision displays born of many hours of rehearsal.

We then performed as a massed band during a wreath laying at the August 1st 1927 Nanchang Uprising Monument in Ba Yi Square. Military music has always been important in Nanchang and this was nobly demonstrated at this service, playing Chinese anthems and marching songs of the Motherland to the applause of many people in the square. We followed this by one of the longer street marches in recent times – 2.5 kilometres down Zhongshan Lu to the former Communist Party Headquarters building. It was quite an energetic morning marching session! The parade route was lined with many thousands of citizens who showed great appreciation and support for the parade.

After a 14 hour door-to-door plane trip from Sydney through Guangzhou (Canton) airport, we settled in at the Treasure Palace Hotel in Nanchang. This very comfortable five star hotel along with our air fares were generously paid for by the Tattoo Organising Committee. Our first engagement was a joint concert with the Chinese PLA-N Band in the Nanchang Radio and Television Center, for which we performed as a wind orchestra. Able Seaman Damian Dowd joined with the PLA-N band vocalist to sing the beautiful traditional Chinese song Azalea, Able Seaman Svetlana Yaroslavskaya performed the haunting flute solo Home Away From Home and the O’Shea Ryan Irish Dancers whose ages ranged from eight to eighty highlighted Celtic origins of many of Australia’s population.

We found many cultural experiences in downtown Nanchang during our time off, including some wild local driving! Taxi trips into town were like rollercoaster rides which saw us dodging pedestrians, buses, motorbikes and chickens, often missing other road users by inches! There was plenty to explore, and armed with some basic Mandarin we saw a lot of sights. Some of us went to the Youmin Buddhist Temple in which was a giant statue of Guanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy. Bayi Park was pretty with its lakes and gardens and outdoor ballroom dancing lessons in progress. Shengjin Pagoda and temple was quiet and peaceful and the 1,000 year old Anyi villages in the Nanchang countryside were amazing.

The tattoo was held in conjunction with the Nanchang National City athletic games, held in the newly completed ‘birds nest’ International Sports Stadium. This single event was attended by thousands and broadcast by Hong Kong TV to millions of people! Our band’s involvement in the

We were all struck by the apparent inequality of living conditions and the seemingly uneven distribution of wealth in Communist China, as well as the complete absence of westerners on the streets. We felt we were something of a

revisit to China – but for all of us it was a memorable time and a great final overseas trip for 2011.

curiosity! Nanchang has a fascinating military and social history, becoming one of the earliest bases of the Chinese Communist Party in the 1920s with a much-honoured uprising of the Communists against the Kuomintang, creating the People’s Liberation Army and we tried to absorb some of this political history in the Uprising Museum.

Video of the Royal Australian Navy Band’s contribution to the 4th China Nanchang International Tattoo can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/DMUSN

OPERATION RESOLUTE – TRANSIT SECURITY ELEMENT ROTATION 62 ARTICLE BY ABLE SEAMAN MUSICIAN DAVID COIT AND ABLE SEAMAN MUSICIAN DAYNE GRINDLEY

As part of the Australian Defence Force’s continuing efforts in border protection, we volunteered earlier this year for a temporary role as members of the Transit Security Element (TSE) team in Darwin. This deployment was five months in total, consisting of a training element of two months and a force assignment of three months. The TSE role has been ongoing since the tasking of Operation Resolute began in 2006, although has previously been undertaken by members of the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force. Earlier in 2011, naval high command announced that the RAN would participate in a two year trial that would relieve the Army and Air Force of these duties, and see Navy personnel take control of the role.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND FLANKED BY THE CHINESE PLA NAVY BAND AND VERSAILLES TRANSMISSION BAND FROM FRANCE DURING THE TATTOO FINALE

Those who ventured away from the hotel restaurant came back with many culinary tales to tell, eating, seeing and smelling foods we had never come across before in the restaurants and amongst the street sellers in the markets. Plunging into the all-consuming sensory experience of the Chinese markets was fantastic. Along with spicy local chilli noodles, black fungus and dumplings, some of us experienced turtle and pigeon chilli stir-fry, a wok of bullfrogs, and the freshest chicken one could ask for...straight from cage, to stove, to table! The unfortunate lost-in-translation ‘Chinglish’ on the menus in some local restaurants gave rise to much humour – wonderful food but with some very amusing names! Some of our favourites were ‘sizzling cowboy bone’ and ‘health speculation Guangdong vegetables’! And just what exactly is ‘peasant beans bubble of burning flesh’??

Operation Resolute is a tri-service operation (controlled by Joint Task Force 639) ensuring that the northern borders of Australia including Christmas Island, Ashmore Island and Reef, Cocos Islands and the Tiwi Islands remain patrolled and protected, and that foreign threats are identified and apprehended before they are able to make landfall. Currently the operation includes seven Armidale class patrol boats at sea at any one time, an RAAF Orion P3 and Customs aircraft patrolling the northern borders, a TSE of 20-36 personnel, Army Regional Force Surveillance members, several Customs sea-going platforms and RAN major fleet units on standby for supplementary tasks.

The final performance of the tattoo was in the courtyard of Tengwang Pavilion, first built about 2,000 years ago on the banks of the Gan River. What a spectacularly memorable final gig! Our performance was warmly received by the large audience, who gave an exceptionally rousing applause when Commander Anderson gave three cheers for Nanchang, Hero City of China in Chinese. It concluded with an amazing ten minute firework display right above our heads, and many band members said it was one of the most unforgettable performances ever.

The TSE role is vital in the operation, and relieves regular sea going personnel of duties when a Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel (SIEV) carrying potential asylum seekers or illegal fishing boat is apprehended in Australian waters. The TSE role is one of boarding, security, holding and steaming and involves small teams (from two to eight) being attached to Navy and Customs vessels temporally. As part of the training, members are instructed in initial boarding techniques and procedures, use of the Browning 9mm pistol and ASP baton, defensive (hand-to-hand) techniques, situation resolution and use-of-force, first aid in field operations and safety equipment usages.

Our performances in China were carried out with a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm, which showcased the Navy Band’s capability to the world. It was an honour for us to be involved with bands from China and around the world, and the large audiences at the performances always warmly appreciated us. For several band members this was their first overseas trip with the band; for others it was a

of Operation Resolute. While the rotation of TSE 62 is now complete, Able Seaman Musician Karen Baker is currently undertaking TSE 63 and we wish her all the best and a safe deployment.

The TSE rotation 62 was comprised of Navy members from almost every rate, including combat systems operators, electronic technicians, communicators, marine technicians, boatswain mates, stewards, cooks, musicians, and hydrographical surveyors. During normal sea evolutions, the TSE members participate, where possible, in ship duties including galley assistance, sea-boat bowman, helmsmen watches, watch on decks and other assorted watches.

BAULKHAM HILLS TO BUCCANEER ROCK – VARIETY BASH 2011 ARTICLE BY PETTY OFFICER ESA DOUGLAS

The 2011 annual Variety Bash promised to one of the longest, toughest and most challenging Bash routes that had been faced for many years, and it certainly delivered just that! One hundred themed Bash cars gathered in the early morning of Saturday 6 August at Totally Home Bella Vista at Baulkham Hills, shiny and ready to hit the road on its 5,800km, 12 day journey to Buccaneer Rock in Broome, Western Australia. Entertainment was generously provided by the Sydney detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band playing a selection of marches and accompanying Tori Darke and the Ironbark Ridge Primary School choir with the National Anthem to get the Bash underway. Their presence certainly set the scene for the Navy Team, who this year had a contingent of ten personnel driving four pre-1974 cars. The parade band marched the cars through the Variety arches, and soon our team was underway!

ABLE SEAMAN DAVID COIT (RIGHT) AND ABLE SEAMAN DAYNE GRINDLEY DURING THE TSE TRAINING PHASE

However, it is when an illegal boat is apprehended that TSE members are required to fulfil their specific role, ensuring that the detained people are kept calm, safe and protected. Members of the TSE team hold the apprehended boat after the initial boarding for up to five days, and this can be done by themselves or in conjunction with regular ship’s company, Federal Police or Customs officials. The TSE team are also used in long-haul operations when apprehended persons need to be transported from one location to another on a naval vessel.

The first day had us winding along the Putty Road and heading to our only New South Wales stop, Inverell. We reached Queensland (aah, the only state to be in!), and visited schools and communities in Charleville, Blackall, Longreach and Cloncurry. Day five was a relatively short driving day and we pulled into Mount Isa around lunchtime. This was a great chance to put our feet up, (do a bit of washing!), and prepare ourselves for Bash Idol! Bash Idol is an infamous event that has been known for acts to form 30 seconds before going on stage.

This role is considered to be ‘front-line’ for the Navy and while generally the situations are kept safe, there is an inherent risk of something going wrong, as was realised with the apprehension of SIEV. 36 when fuel was ignited by an apprehended person. Five people died and a further 51 were injured. There is also a constant risk of attacks on embarked personnel with weapons, of people jumping overboard and of attacks on other apprehended persons. During the force assignment, between us, we were involved in over 20 boardings, which included the apprehension of four SIEVs and one illegal fishing vessel; several long-haul voyages and time patrolling areas of interest at Christmas Island, Ashmore Island, and Broome, and a visit to Bali.

This year, the Navy team came well prepared with a song and dance routine that had the Mount Isa Civic Centre bursting into rapturous applause! Many thanks must go to the Sydney detachment rock band for pre-recording the song and making us sound great! It wasn’t to be our triumph though as we were pipped to the post, but our song could be heard later on impromptu road side stops in the middle of nowhere and around the campfire at night.

It’s hard to say whether musicians will continue to be involved in this deployment due to the staffing nature of TSE rotations and the disbanding of a similar program Enhanced Military Force (EMF) which will see personnel formerly involved in EMF integrated into TSE. Nevertheless the role of TSE will continue to be of vital importance to the success

The next couple of days we headed into the Northern Territory which saw us traversing through cattle properties, one farmer kindly allowing us to drive though his five million hectare property! A couple of tough days later, with countless breakdowns within our own team and others, we made it to Top Springs for our first camping night.

of the Navy Team again this year and to have been given the opportunity to participate. We certainly upheld Navy’s catch phrase ‘The Team Works’. Whether it was fixing cars, packing and unpacking luggage or stocking daily refreshments and giveaways for the communities we passed through, each person contributed to making every day a success.

The small roadhouse became ‘party central’ with tents spread out everywhere, a raging bonfire, and karaoke like you wouldn’t believe into the wee small hours of the morning. It was also this day that a couple of our team mates didn’t arrive until those wee hours, and our cars limped in.

As we travelled across Australia, at each stop we handed out various Navy items from pencil cases, to ‘stress ball’ submarines and Navy caps. To see the delighted looks on the kids’ faces as they collected mountains of giveaways was truly priceless. The appreciation from school principals and community members as Variety presented them with much needed equipment for children in need were moments to warm your heart, and make you realise that the journey was all worth it. The Bash this year raised about 1.8 million dollars, an exceptional effort by all participants. Since its inception in 1985, the Bash has raised over 100 million dollars, and is one of Variety’s biggest fundraisers.

PRINCE OF WALES AWARD

PETTY OFFICER ESA DOUGLAS ON THE 816 EH HOLDEN ‘HELICOPTER’ A LONG WAY FROM ANYWHERE

ARTICLE BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GREG HINCE

The next morning we woke to a beautiful sunrise and … Christmas! 350 Bashers running around in Santa suits to promote the Santa Fun Run (held on Sunday 27 November throughout Australia). It was certainly a sight to see, and being such a Christmas addict (as my work mates can attest) it was a most memorable day for me. A few repairs later, and our cars were off again. Not too far down the road however, the ‘Submarine’ faced a ‘minor’ incident with the fan going through the radiator, (the bumps it experienced the day before may have contributed!) so we were towed back to Top Springs. With some ingenious thinking from team members and mobile workshop guys, a transformation resulted in a Commodore radiator being fitted vertically and minus a bonnet, we set off once again!

CHIEF PETTY OFFICER GREG HINCE OF THE TASMANIAN DETACHMENT FACILITATING AT THE 40TH RELATIONSHIP AWARENESS CONFERENCE IN CALIFORNIA

All that we had faced so far in the scheme of things was challenging, and then … we came to the Gibb River Road. I had never heard of this road before, but I will never forget it! The Western Australian Variety Bash had just been through it, and we met them in Kununurra. They lost nine of their 45 cars on this road. All we could do was pray ours would hold together. The Gibb River Road is a notoriously tough road for four wheel drive cars, so to be heading onto it with our two wheel drive pre-1974 cars seemed to be madness. Heavily corrugated roads, rivers crossings and bumps like you wouldn’t believe were eventually overcome as we pulled up somewhat intact into Derby. It was hard to believe that somehow we had reached day ten, and the next day we would be parading into Broome!

Earlier this year, I was fortunate to receive a Prince of Wales Award to attend the 40th Relationship Awareness Conference in Carlsbad, California. Relationship Awareness theory is a group of ideas that help people to build productive relationships and manage conflict by providing a window into the motivation that drives behaviour. It was developed by Dr Elias Porter after working extensively with Erich Fromm and Carl Rogers. The conference is a forum for accredited facilitators to exchange experiences and to increase their facilitation qualifications. One of the highlights of attending the conference was my gaining additional accreditation to facilitate the leadership development package The Leaders We Need. This program was developed and delivered by leadership expert and author Dr Michael Maccoby. Dr Maccoby has an extensive list of high profile organisations and individuals he has worked with, and listening to his experience and wisdom was a privilege.

Day 11 – the final leg from Derby to our destination Buccaneer Rock. I’m not sure how many of the original 100 cars made it over the finish line, but all the team members who started got over the line, whether it was by hitching a ride in someone else’s car, or in a hire vehicle that they had picked up along the way. I am so proud to have been a part

positive impression and good memories, as indeed I will have of them. On the final day, I presented a collection of Royal Australian Navy Band recordings, a copy of the programme from the RAN Centenary Concert and a framed copy of the indigenous artwork ‘The Salute’ to the Director, Lieutenant Mark Corbliss.

Another highlight was presenting a workshop to other facilitators on how we prepare leaders and teams for work in hostile environments such as Antarctica and Macquarie Island. Attendees were also interested in how this applied to our teams in the RAN, and in particular, some of the other advanced techniques we use for developing our music performance. On completion of the conference, I spent two weeks working with the US Navy Band Southwest in San Diego. This band has approximately 45 members and spends most of the year performing in smaller groups, covering up to 600 performances a year. As a result, it was rare for all musicians to be in’ the office’ at the same time.

Thank you to the Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division for enabling the trip, the Australian Antarctic Division for allowing me to attend and to the Director of Music - Navy for endorsing my work with the US Navy Band Southwest. The Prince of Wales Award (POWA) Scheme seeks to reward selected Australian Defence Force Reservists for their dedication and commitment to Reserve service, by providing an opportunity for individuals to undertake a training or development activity related to their civilian occupation or profession. For more information about the award visit

During the first week, I accompanied some of the small groups to official functions and ceremonies such as a ‘change of command’ held on board the USS Midway (museum). At the end of the first week, we travelled to San Francisco to participate in the Fleet Week Parade and associated celebrations.

http://www.defencereserves.com/aspx/reserve_awards.aspx

The parade wound through some of the typical San Francisco streets and the response from onlookers was amazing. The American citizens I spoke with are intensely proud of their military personnel, and were always keen to speak to someone in an Australian Navy uniform. While in San Francisco, I experienced more of life with the US Navy and US Marine Corps while living on board the USS Bonhomme Richard.

KIRSTY JONES AWARD The Kirsty Jones Award is presented annually to a member of the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band who has been assessed as making an outstanding contribution towards the band’s operational effectiveness. The recipient of this award is selected to specifically acknowledge their direct contribution to encouraging good morale within the team; promoting a positive workplace atmosphere; enhancing a sense of esprit-de-corps throughout the Royal Australian Navy Band; and upholding Navy’s values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty. The Kirsty Jones Award was created to honour the memory of, and as a dedication to, ex-Petty Officer Musician Kirsty Jones who inspired her subordinates and superiors through her personal qualities, positive attitude, and commitment and dedication to duty. All members of the permanent component of the Royal Australian Navy Band are eligible for the Kirsty Jones Award with the recipient decided by the Senior Leadership Group. The award comprises a perpetual shield to be displayed in the winner’s detachment, a letter from the Director of Music, and a crystal plaque.

ON BOARD THE USS MIDWAY WITH THE UNITED STATES NAVY BAND SOUTH WEST

The highlight of the second week was performing with the rock band and stage band. The first of these events was a performance for the Space Warfare leadership conference. The second event was the 100th anniversary of the City of Chula Vista. This event was held at the Chula Vista Olympic training centre – one of the largest in the United States. The sound and light stage for the event took up a large section of the Olympic soccer training field, and was complete with giant video screens.

The 2011 recipient is Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton, Bandmaster from the Queensland detachment.

What impressed me most about the US Navy Band was their professionalism, musicality and flexibility. Their hospitality was humbling, and they all spoke with exceptional regard for the musicians of the RAN. It was clear that their interactions with RAN musicians had left a

RAN BAND ASSOCIATION AWARD

discussions, and open floor discussions with senior defence leaders. Hosted by the Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics, this year’s theme was based on General Sir John Hackett’s book The Profession of Arms, and CDFs interpretation of this book given at King’s College, London in 2010.

Upon arrival I was presented with a room key and a 300 page compilation of readings to be studied for the next morning! In addition to The Profession of Arms, topics included everything from ‘Stoic Philosophy’ to current professional and ethical thinking of comparative defence forces.

The recipient of this award is selected to specifically acknowledge their direct contribution to encouraging good morale within the team; promoting a positive workplace atmosphere; enhancing a sense of esprit-de-corps throughout the Royal Australian Navy Band; and upholding Navy’s values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty.

The opening address by Warrant Officer of the Navy Mark Tandy, enabled us to link the readings to how we could start thinking about current and future challenges of the ADF. Importantly, what do the strategic and operating demands of the next two decades demand of us as professionals?

Many of the guest speakers clearly emphasised that, regardless of rank or job description, we need to shun ‘followerism’ and mediocrity, to become a creative-thinking modern fighting force. Importantly, the speakers highlighted that the three service model of the ADF is bedrock to how we do business.

The award was created to promote awareness of the Royal Australian Navy Band Association and to thank the Reserve component of the Royal Australian Navy Band for the assistance they have given the Association.

While many new platforms will be operated by more triservice components in the near future, we risk the trap of becoming ‘purple’ and losing the individual service character that has forged us to be a great fighting force over the last century. The level of cooperation needed to conduct amphibious operations and fourth generation warfare platforms, for example, will necessitate us being very analytical about how we see ourselves and our organisations, and how we will establish new ways of working together to achieve Defence objectives.

The 2011 recipient is Leading Seaman Michael O’Loughlin from the Queensland detachment.

CDF LEADERSHIP FORUM ARTICLE BY LEADING SEAMAN PAUL PARNELL

The breadth of presentations was nothing less than mindblowing; my brain was twisted sideways as I tried to put the many seemingly unrelated topics into some order. Lieutenant Geneal Peter Leahy (Rtd) gave an excellent overview of Force 2030 and how our capability planning relates to the geo-political realm. After syndicate discussions on numerous threads, we were fortunate to hear from a visiting Canadian Army Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Marco Rancourt ,who gave us a first hand account of a critical national incident where the gradual diminishing of professional military conduct lead to the murder of a civilian boy in Somalia in 1993. Unfortunately, the essence of the problem was not terribly different from recent problems highlighted in the HMAS Success inquiry. The Canadian incident took ten years to repair public confidence, and stands as an example of the potential for catastrophe when poor people-management, poor ethical and professional conduct, and the mediapolitical machine collide.

LEADING SEAMAN PAUL PARNELL (CENTRE OF DRUM CORPS) DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

The Chief of Defence Force, (CDF) Warrant Officer and Non-commissioned Officer Leadership Forum was held over two days in October at the Australian Defence College, Weston Creek Canberra. Approximately 100 personnel from across Navy, Army and Air Force were selected to participate in two days of presentations, syndicate

On a lighter note, we were treated to an excellent lecture by one of Australia’s foremost First World War historians, Dr. Peter Stanley, who has looked deeply into the ‘larrikinism’

perspective of the greater organisation, and to consider what more we can do to enhance our relations with internal customers, instil public confidence, and enhance our image as a Profession of Arms.

that has existed throughout our military history, and what positive effect this spirit continues to play within our Defence culture. At this point, a theme was emerging from many of the presenters highlighting that we can enjoy ourselves and embrace the larrikin spirit; indeed this is what makes us unique as a fighting force. But we need to be aware of society’s expectations of us, and have the self-control to know where to draw the line, or have the courage to speak up when necessary.

BAND COOL UNDER PRESSURE

Our syndicate discussions reflected some of the challenges that face the ADF, including the pressure we are under as Defence members to be seen to uphold professional and personal standards at a higher level than the general population. We also had some interesting debate about equity in our organisation and particularly the topic of women in combat. Interestingly, it was some of the female participants who were passionately opposed to the changes. I was surprised to hear hardened male combat veterans, up to the most senior members present, advocate for equality in our male-only units.

ARTICLE BY SUBLIEUTENANT SARAH WEST (NAVY NEWS)

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs has applauded the efforts of the Western Australian detachment of the RAN Band after they provided assistance at a serious two-car motor vehicle accident while travelling on duty in November. The detachment was travelling by bus to Geraldton to perform at the HMAS Sydney II memorial service when it encountered a serious car accident that had occurred just moments before. The RAN unit, led by Bandmaster Chief Petty Officer Gabe Kicsak, was first on the scene and secured it until emergency services arrived an hour later.

At this stage I really appreciated what a progressive organisation we work in, and what great potential we exhibit as a team. On a daily level we tend to take ourselves for granted; the forum certainly made me aware that we are individually diverse and unique, as are our workplaces, but collectively we accept change readily and get things done.

The detachment, which is made-up almost entirely of reservists, used the specialist skills of its members, including a fireman, two policemen and an emergency room radiographer, to assess and contain the scene and help the injured.

In the evening we enjoyed a formal mess dinner hosted by the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshall Mark Binskin, during which we were given the chance to network with members in all fields, and across all ranks. Consequently, all of us left having a deeper appreciation for each other’s service cultures, roles, and challenges. I was quite taken aback by the level of professional pride in the room when we discussed what we do as units, and how we contribute to the ‘big goals’. I must add that I wasn’t disparaged as a mere ‘bandy’ once throughout the conference. In fact I felt equally respected by everyone I talked with, including Special Forces soldiers, CSOs and clerks who were all interested in how our Band branch fits into the picture and how we go about our core business. This went to the highest level, as a senior HQ-JOC officer became totally wound up telling me about his love of jazz and playing trumpet. I left with a stronger sense of purpose and a realisation that what we do may seem insignificant in the daily grind, but we are a crucial part of the whole support structure.

Vice Admiral Griggs thanked the detachment for their efforts and applauded the composure and compassion shown by its members. Navy’s Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson, also commended the actions of his sailors. “By all accounts the members provided excellent support under very difficult circumstances,” he said. “We can all be very proud of their efforts.”

Overall, the forum was certainly a career highlight. I was particularly pleased to have been given the opportunity to toast ‘Our Men and Women’ at the dining-in night sitting adjacent to the Warrant Officer of the Navy, with whom I shared some discussion about New Generation Navy and the positive change I see it having on our service culture, particularly when compared to a number of civilian jobs I experienced before I re-joined. I would strongly recommend to my colleagues to put forward nominations for the next forum. It is an excellent opportunity to think about our military music profession in the

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND CELEBRATES NAVY’S MILESTONES

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND CELEBRATES NAVY’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY - 1961

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND CELEBRATES NAVY’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY – 1986

THESE VINYL RECORDINGS ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF OTHERS WERE REMASTERED AND RE-RELEASED ON COMPACT DISC ENTITLED THE SEAFARER (MARK II) ITO CELEBRATE NAVY’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2011

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY BAND AND CADETS FROM TS SIRIUS SALUTE VETERANS ON STAGE AT ‘A NAVAL SALUTE’ CONCERT CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY IN SYDNEY JULY 2011