Warship Open Day in Cairns
The people of Cairns will have a rare opportunity to tour HMAS Parramatta comes alongside Trinity Wharf and opens its gangway to the public on Monday, 17 April, says a press release of Royal Australian Navy. One of the sailors who will be on board to show people around is former Cairns local, Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Thomas Ketchell. “I am extremely proud to be a member of ship’s company in HMAS Parramatta and I have been given some fantastic opportunities to see not only Australiabut the world,” he said. Able Seaman Ketchell’s role includes seamanship, gunnery, weapons handling, boats and navigation. Parramatta is one of the most potent warships in the world, capable of conducting air, surface and undersea warfare simultaneously.
Australian Navy Role-models Boosted by Graduation
Eleven Indigenous young men and women graduated from Navy Recruit training in one hit on October 13 in front of family, friends and the Chief of Navy. For Seaman Star Marine Technician Jeff Andrews, the hard work was well worth the effort. Awarded 'Recruit of the Intake' and 'Sportsperson of the Intake', Seaman Andrews impressed staff through his exemplary performance, outstanding attitude, his skill at motivating others and in helping fellow Recruits achieve their goals. “I had several attempts to get into Navy before being accepted by the Defence Indigenous Development Program – Navy," he said. “I have a twin brother in the Army who has served eight years. “This sense of direction has been one of the most rewarding feelings,” Seaman Star Andrew said.
Australian Navy Recruit School Graduates First Shipp Division
For the first time in the history of the Royal Australian Navy’s Recruit School, a recruit division named after a sailor, rather than an officer, graduated today. Eighty recruits were welcomed into the Navy from Shipp Division, named after the late Leading Seaman Noel Ervin Shipp, during a Graduation Parade for General Entry class 314 that was held at HMAS Cerberus. Shipp joined the Royal Australian Navy on January 10, 1963, as an underwater control rating. He then transferred to the aircrewman category in July 1967…
