Anne Zilko News

The Naming Ceremony for the eighth and ninth Armidale Class Patrol Boats to be launched was held at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Fourteen patrol boats in total are to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The 183.7 ft., all-aluminium monohull vessels were named Broome by Mrs Anne Zilko, daughter of ex crew member Bill Ritchie (subsequently a Commander in the RAN), and Bundaberg by Dr Jocelyn Pixley, daughter of Lieutenant Commander Neville D Pixley RANR, Commanding Officer, HMAS Bundaberg. The ceremony was attended by senior figures from the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence, Government and industry including The Hon.

The Naming Ceremony for the eighth and ninth Armidale Class Patrol Boats to be launched was held at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Fourteen patrol boats in total are to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The 56 m, all-aluminum monohull vessels were named “Broome” by Mrs Anne Zilko, daughter of ex crew member Bill Ritchie (subsequently a Commander in the RAN), and “Bundaberg” by Dr Jocelyn Pixley, daughter of Lieutenant Commander Neville D Pixley RANR, Commanding Officer, HMAS Bundaberg. The first HMAS Broome was commissioned in Brisbane in 1942. She commenced her career engaged on anti-submarine patrols and escort duties in the North Queensland area…