Congratulations
On the award of your Dolphins              

ABMTSM B Hunt - HMAS Waller                       
ABCISSM A Twigg - HMAS Collins
ABMTSM B Goldfinch - HMAS Dechaineux                            
SMNAWASM L Tripp - HMAS Dechaineux
ABMTPSM M Niven - HMAS Collins
SMNCTS D Kay - HMAS Collins
POMTSM K Moir - HMAS Collins (RN Retread)

AROUND THE TRAPS

John Culnane sent this link for a new advertisement filmed on board the WWII submarine HMS/m Alliance in the submarine museum. It’s been named ‘Ad Of The Week’ and should be officially launched in November, so watch this space. John added "I actually served on this ‘boat’ for a short period (spare crew) when she was used as an occasional training ‘boat’ in 1963… Alliance, although of WW2 design, was not commissioned until 1947 & served until 1973 with many “experimental” modifications in that period… She became a “walk in walk out” static museum piece in 1981 after having her keel strengthened before being put on a “dry land display” in the Submarine museum at HMS Dolphin, (Submarine HQ) Gosport, Hants… "

James Jackson is trying to get in contact with Eddie Brent. He wrote "I live in Cairns (well near it ) and was around when Eddie first came to Cairns and then purchased 'Chintoo'. Also was his 'deckie' on the 'Noel Buxton (127' - 120 tonne ex Light-house ship - then tourist vessel doing - Cairns to T.I. and back every week. Did quite a bit of sailing with Eddie before he took-off 'round the world'. Kept in touch with him when they got their boat in the Caribbean (whilst he was skippering a tug and some charter boats) before the left for the Med. Helped him get it ready to sell and store his gear.  Lost touch with them and having turned 70 I realise - yet again - just how bloody important - 'real friends' are in the big-picture of life. We now live in the middle of the tropical rainforest on 14 acres just out of Cairns. I'd sure-as-heck be ever so grateful if you could help me get in touch with Eddie."  Eddie definitely immersed himself in a sea faring life, I have an email address for him, but not sure if he gets my mail. 

WOMTSM Brian Donnelly must be going for the record of oldest serving submariner.  I suggested that one day they would realise his 'use by' date had expired. He responded "Passed it many years ago, however, have yet to be found out....Keeping well and using the usual training aids to maintain my "IR" Cigs and Wine.....Me missus said the Cardiologst only meant a "Couple" of glasses of red per night....NOT the "Couple" of bottles that sometimes evaporate in me presence......Och well......That is nothing compared to the "Wine TASTING Afternoons" of yore......?"  A tough breed these Scots, even a heart attack a few years back haven't slowed him down!!!
 

Ken Williams, our representative on the Platypus Community Consultative Committee, asks "Can you confirm what these are (see photo to right) and what they were used for?" I recall seeing them, but not sure what they were for? If you know what they are, please let me know.

I met a fairy who granted me one wish. "I want to live forever," I said.
"Sorry," said the fairy, "But I'm not allowed to grant that type of wish."
"Fine," I replied, "Then I want to die when NSW wins the State of Origin."
"You crafty bastard," said the fairy.

While on the subject of fairies, if you are interested in the Junior Recruits reunion - Perth 2010 - then follow this link.

What is the difference between a vuvuzela and a woman? One is an irritating, monotonous, continuous droning in your ear the whole  time.   The other is a plastic trumpet used by South African football fans.

WO Mark Dixon swallowed the Anchor earlier this month and sent the following to those that are left................. "Some of you may be aware, however for the benefit of those that don't, my time in the RAN comes to an end this week after a total of 24 and half years service (with a brief sabbatical outside). It is not something I necessarily wished for, however everything happens for a reason. To that end, my last working day is this Friday 17 July 2010 and shortly thereafter I will be starting a new career in the oil and gas industry.

I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that have thoroughly enjoyed working with you all and have been fortunate enough to work with some highly professional and dedicated people, both inside and outside the Commonwealth. I won't say the last 12 months has not been without its challenges and frustrations, however that is what makes the successes more rewarding and gratifying. Thank you all for contributing to those successes and my experience. I would particularly like to thank the COLSPO sustainment staff, the project teams (ASC and ISS) and of course the Stores Bashers for ensuring everyday was a new adventure, for tolerating my "gob" and for maintaining their sense of humour when I vented my frustrations.

Since my first time as the Chief Tiff on Farncomb, just after she commissioned over 12 years ago, I have seen a lot of change, some good and some not so good and I have also seen a lot of things stay the same. However, I don't think I have seen as much collective effort or commitment from all concerned to improve the submarine capability as I do now. I hope that momentum continues and the Submarine Arm once again uses the term "an empty wharf is a happy wharf' (and that doesn't mean hiding them in Adelaide).

For those involved with HMAS Collins' SMP, I will still be around up until my discharge date (notwithstanding admin tasks), at which time WO Chris Garner will takeon the caretaker role until a relief is secured. I will try to get around and see most of you before I go, however if I don't my parting gesture is summed up in Thai.

Pom ja kit teung tahan reua la gor kit teung tuk tan ti tum ngan nai tahan reua
Garuna tuk kon kwarm jum jai yen yen dai mai krap
Chok di korp khun maak krap....sawas di krapom
Pom ja pop gap Khun ik krang krap

I will miss the Navy and all its people
Please remember to maintain a cool heart
Good Luck, thank you very much, farewell
See you again in the future"

We all wish Dicko the best for civvy street, he will be missed!

Vale Captain John E Moore RN (Rtd)
Peter Horobin reported the death of Captain John E Moore RN aged 88.Peter said "We all relied upon John Moore’s work in Janes to tell us what was really going on in the Cold War."

John had a long Naval career, joining the RN as a Cadet in September 1939 and retired as a Captain in 1973.

He joined submarines as a Lieutenant in 1944 and erved in HMS Wolfe (Depot ship), Trident, Rover, Vigorous, U994 (1L), Trenchant (1L), Tradewind and Reserve Group D (1L).  He completed Perisher in 1949, and commanded Totem and Alaric. Then SOO SM3, then GS. In 1953 to HMS Terror (FE) and commanded Tactician and Telemachus. On promotion to Commander reverted to GS until 1963 when he was Commander SM1. Then back to FE as Commander SM7. Promoted to Captain he became CSO (P&E) to CinC Naval Home Command, and in 1968 became Captain (W) DI3 (Navy).

On retiring from the RN in 1973, John Moore became Editor of Janes Fighting Ships until 1987. He wrote many books, including Impact of Polaris. 

Some good 'uns here
Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have remained a virgin' - Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter).

I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: - 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.' - Eleanor Roosevelt.

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. - Socrates

I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. - Groucho Marx

My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe. - Jimmy Durante

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. - Alex Levine

I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap. - Bob Hope

Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, It will avoid you. - Winston Churchill

Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty .. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out. - Phyllis Diller

By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere. - Billy Crystal

And the cardiologist's diet: - If it tastes good spit it out.

HEALTH & WELFARE

Coalition Government will introduce new indexation arrangements for DFRDB members
A Coalition Government will introduce new indexation arrangements for Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme (DFRDB) members as part of its commitment to supporting Australia’s veterans and ex-service personnel.

Under a Coalition government, from 1 July 2011 those DFRDB members aged 55 years or older will have their military superannuation pensions indexed to the greater of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) or the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI).

These changes are being made as part of the Coalition’s recognition of the unique nature of military service and our commitment to introducing a fair, equitable and fiscally responsible military superannuation system. Widows of DFRDB superannuants will also benefit from the announced changes.

This change brings into line the indexation of DFRDB superannuation with the aged pension.  Currently DFRDB superannuation is indexed according to the CPI. If the indexation rate had increased in line with the aged pension, military superannuants would have received an extra $28.40 per fortnight to their pension (if they received the full pension rate) in March this year.

The Coalition acknowledges the February 2010 submission from Returned Services League (RSL) National President, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO RAN (Rtd) on military superannuation together with the long-standing efforts of the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA) and in particular, of Colonel David Jamison (Rtd), National President of the DFWA. We are committed to real action to support our veterans, and will ensure that those who have served their nation are properly looked after in their retirement. After all, military service is unique and unique solutions are required to recognise that service.

DEFENCE NEWS

U.S. Navy Marks 50th Anniversary of First Submerged Launch of Fleet Ballistic Missile Built by Lockheed Martin
20 July 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs' first underwater launch of a Fleet Ballistic Missile, which was designed and built by Lockheed Martin. The Polaris A1 missile successfully launched from the submerged USS George Washington (SSBN-598), the first ballistic missile submarine, July 20, 1960, off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla. This successful Navy test proved the capability of launching missiles from the natural protection of the deep sea, securing a strategic advantage to the nation.

"Launching the A1 missile was a significant accomplishment for the Navy and the nation," said Melanie A. Sloane, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missile programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "A submerged launch has several added technical challenges and considerations, such as launch tube environment, underwater current flow impacts and pressure differentials at various depths. Overcoming these challenges in concert with our Strategic Systems Programs partner, and evolving the capability over the past 50 years to today's Trident II D5 missile, is a national security mission we are proud to support."

Today's Trident II D5, a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile, travels a nominal distance of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles. The Navy has achieved 134 consecutive successful submerged test launches of the D5 missile since 1989 -- a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle. The Trident missile is currently aboard OHIO-class submarines and British VANGUARD-class submarines patrolling international waters.

Wireless Device Sends Power Through Armoured Doors
Scientists in the UK have developed technology that allows power to be transmitted wirelessly through several inches of steel.
The developers, at BAE Systems, say the device could be used to send power and communications signals through submarine hulls or armoured doors.  The device uses very high frequency acoustics - essentially converting the signal into sound waves.

Currently the system is still at demonstration stage, but the developers claim that it could eventually help save millions of pounds currently spent adapting submarine hulls for the necessary communications equipment. A technology executive from BAE Systems Advanced Technology Centre in Bristol, explained that, currently, 300 holes have to be drilled in a submarine hull to accommodate the sensors and communications technology it requires. "In each of these holes, they fit special valves called penetrators," he explained. And each of those costs from £20,000 to £750,000 pounds. "It then costs up to £50,000 to weld the valves in to the holes, and through their life they have to be checked to ensure that the welds aren't cracking."  "So through the 25-year life of a submarine, the total cost of all of its penetrators is in order of £80 million."

One key aspect that the developers are yet to perfect is the adhesive that will be used to stick the connectors to the outside of a submarine or vehicle.

Report: Germany Reconsiders Funding Israel's Latest Submarine
The American weekly Defense News reported on Tuesday that Germany has reconsidered providing funding for a sixth submarine for the Israel Navy, even though it expressed a willingness in the past to help finance the project. The publication said the Germans had told Israel that, despite expectations, Germany would not fund about one-third of a $1.6 billion transaction that includes Israel's sixth Dolphin-class submarine and two warships made in Germany.

Germany funded more than 80 percent of the cost of Israel's first three Dolphin submarines in the 1990s, and is currently accounting for a third of the cost of two more submarines being manufactured in Germany.  Shani told the American weekly the Germans were facing a difficult economic situation, so it was understood they could not assist Israel with the deal, which will now have to be reevaluated.

Defense News said the collapse of the deal presents the Israel Navy with major difficulties in renovating its aging fleet of ships and submarines. The German retraction has also revived a difference of opinion in Israel between politicians who support the acquisition of a sixth submarine and planners in the Israel Defense Forces who prefer to buy new ships.  A senior officer in the General Staff said Israeli politicians "are trying to force the purchase of the submarine on us." He criticized the navy, which he said "put all its eggs in the German basket" and didn't attach sufficient importance to a comparable deal with the United States that could have been funded from U.S. military assistance to Israel.

The chances of obtaining the ships from Germany had already declined last year after the Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi acquired the shipyards where they were being made.

Iran Set To Unveil New Submarine Class
A new class of submarines planned for an August launch by the Iranian military will feature advanced weapons, the Iranian defense minister said Monday.  Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, the Iranian defense minister, told reporters Monday that domestic engineers were prepared for an August launch of their latest high-tech submarine class, the semiofficial Fars News Agency reports. "The submarine enjoys advanced technology, high power of maneuvering and underwater operations and is equipped with high-tech weapons," he said.

Iran in 2009 unveiled around 20 new military devices, including laser systems and electronic warfare devices. A 40mm anti-cruise cannon dubbed Fath was reportedly capable of reaching targets as far as 7 miles away with a firing rate of 300 rounds per minute.

Iran commissioned three new Ghadir-class submarines for its naval fleet last year, bringing the total number of the sonar-evading vessels to seven.  The Ghadir class is a smaller vessel with a displacement of around 120 tons. Fars in 2007 said the Ghadir class was equipped with stealth technology.

Identity Crisis

The old submariner was dressed to kill in his Association blazer, Association tie, Dolphins on his chest, the lot.  He went up to the bar and ordered a drink. As he sat there drinking his rum, a young lady sat down beside him. After she had ordered her drink she turned to the submariner, looked at the Dolphins and the crest on his blazer and asked him, “Are you a real submariner?”

He replied, “Well, I spent my whole naval life in the submarine service, sailed the seven seas, spending many hours snorting on watch in the engine room or on the panel. Having spent time in boats where Father Famine (The Coxswain) gave us the delights of Curried Arigonies. Yes, I guess I am.”

After a short while, he asked her what she was.

She replied, “I am a Lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning I think of a woman, when I eat, shower, watch T.V. everything seems to make me think of other women.” A short while later she left and the submariner got himself another drink. A nearby couple had overheard the conversation and moved to sit down with him.  They asked him, “Are you really a submariner?”

He replied, “I always thought that I was, but I have just found out that I’m a Lesbian!”

I hope you're behaving Niggs, no Schmackos for bad dogs......
 

Sunday, 18^th July 2010

I don't have much time for the Log today, off to hospital early in the morning for a few days - have spent the last couple of days in the garden, another fortune spent on plants and chemicals this week.  I think I could start my own chemical war, reading the warnings on some of the stuff I have is scary!!!

One problem that I had last year was Bindiie so the lawn was given two doses of 'stuff' this week and it was supposed to start dying off in a day or so, no signs yet, but the chook has slowed down a bit (?) and only getting an egg every second day.  I think I will give them to the neighbour, no point in taking health risks at the moment.

Another reason for a small entry, I have several neighbours coming for dinner and I have had to keep sampling the wines to make sure that they are OK, the first bottle definitely was.

If I have not answered your mail there may be a slight delay, bear with me.

See ya..............

AROUND THE TRAPS

David Bryant reports "I visited Tid(Currie) this morning in the Modbury Hospice.  He is much improved, as they are able to deliver a better supply of oxygen to him than what he was getting at home with the portable equipment provided.  The aggressive antibiotics are also helping to ease the terrible lung congestion which he suffers from – The problem is the lung tumors have invaded his lungs to such an extent that his breathing is getting progressively more difficult.  However, Tid is in marvelous spirits, and if his demeanor continues to improve, he is hoping to return home on Friday." 

The WA Branch of the Submarines Association Australia has a new new President, Perry Holland. Perry replaces Fred Lawrence who has done a great job over the past few years.  My congratulations to Perry and his new Committee;

• Vice President Sid Czabotar

• Secretary Paul Meakin

• Treasurer John Rana

• Committee:   Ted Curr and Peter Donahue

• Ex Officio; Welfare Buster Keating NAA delegate Lloyd Blake

Reg Bichel wrote "Liz and I attended the excellent SUBCON in Coffs this year. I was charged with 'reminding' the missus to bring the camera. Because I didn't remind her I've been threatened with a whack up the side of the swede with the new frying pan. So to put an end to this unwarranted punishment, I would like to make the following appeal for someone to come to the aid of a fellow comrade:  Does anyone have any photos of Liz and I at the Dinner Dance. If so could you send them to me pleeese?" I had intended putting an album of SUBCON photos online, but not enough received, if you have any photos please send them (preferably on disc if you have heaps) and I will get an album online ASAP.  Here are a few I have received.

Here is a photo of Peter 'Possum' Adams and new puppy, "Travis".  Possum wrote "We bought him at a fund raiser for a 15yo. local boy who was run over by a young 19yo. guy. His name is Travis, nearly every bone in his body was broken so he was put into an induced coma for a week. Doctors' weren't sure if he would survive or not, so took him out of the coma, and he moved his fingers and tried to talk, so it looks like he will be okay, but take about 10 - 12 months to recover. Travis was riding his bike without a helmet and rode straight out onto the main road. The driver stopped to help, he wasn't drunk driving or on drugs, just bad luck. The local community raised $2,500 on the day with raffles and auctions which is when we bought the puppy and named him after the boy. There are a lot of collection tins around the local towns that have to be collected so a lot more money will help his family to help Travis when he finally gets home. Anyway, that's about all for now, will send some more photos of Travis later."   Travis is the cute on that doesn't need a haircut!

Lloyd Blake sent this photo of Vic Borg (TI Rtd) and his number plates............... you can take the man out of submarines, but you can't take the submarine out of the man!!!!

The room was full of pregnant women with their partners. The class was in full swing. The instructor was teaching the women how to breathe properly and was telling the men how to give the necessary assurance to their partners at this stage of their pregnancy. She said "ladies, remember that exercise is good for you. Walking is especially beneficial. It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery that much easier!" 

She looked at the men in the room, "and gentlemen, remember -- you're in this together -- it wouldn't hurt you to go walking with her."

The room suddenly got very quiet as the men absorbed this information. Then a man at the back of the room slowly raised his hand.  "Yes?" Answered the teacher.  "I was just wondering. Is it all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk?"

Some more SUBCON photos..........

ALARIC - A Ditty by Tid Currie

30 odd years is quite a considerable time when you attempt to cast the mind back and recall names, faces and incidents that make up those good old days of Submarining in the UK, some of the more unkind say that it is not so much the passage of time, but the damage done to the brain cells that bring on these memory lapses.

When Peter Smith first told me that he was putting together a collection of Australian Submarine anecdotes for publication, my reply was, “wish I could help Pete, but the old memory ain’t what I it used to be.” But then I got to thinking that if everyone thought like that there would be no book, so here goes Peter, please excuse the little embellishments.

I was part of the second group of Australian volunteers who embarked for the UK aboard a Qantas flight in December 1963, the first group having departed these shores some three moths earlier on a more leisurely sea voyage.

To keep the story short, suffice it is to say that we drank the aircraft dry three times before we reached Mother England’s welcoming shores. The bus trip to Portsmouth was an extension of the flight really, with the first stop at a quaint little pub not far down the track from the airport. This was our first encounter with the evil warm flat offering that the Brits tried to pass off to us as BEER. Quickly forming a shout with Blue Butler and Danny Kaye, I pushed to the counter and called “three beers thanks sweetheart,” three appeared before me three buckets of black, froth-less, bubble-less, warm liquid, with the words “two and six luv”. I thought it must be the accent, so I said, “I wanted beer, you’re given me stout, give me three of those like that bloke’s got there!” (Pointing to the bloke next to me who had what appeared to be closer to beer coloured liquid). This turned out to be Best Bitter which tasted to us not much better than the so called beer and so started the saga of the Lagers. We were finally, during our training months, able to settle on one, ‘Bass Blue Label’, which was a local Pommy brew that, if refrigerated (at our special request), was most palatable. But therein was another accent problem, many was the time when fronting the bar and requesting a ‘Bass’ one was confronted with a pint of still, lifeless, flat ‘Best’ (bitter),-Me- “No, no I want Bass!” – Landlord – “You want Best, you got Best!’ – Me – “No Bass you Pommy twit not Best”, - Landlord – “Bloooody colonials -----“, and so on. This went on for quite a time until finally a few of us, Blue, Ian Adgie, Johnny Head and others whom I cannot recall at the moment, talked the Manager of the NAFFI Club into ordering a couple of cases of Fosters from the London reps as a trial.

Needless to say, the trail went off well, in fact, in time I think that Fosters became their biggest seller and what we didn’t drink before closing time we would buy and take with us.

It was on one such night that the usual group of us squeezed in JH’s little van for the trip to the married patch to carry on the night’s entertainment, with JH at the wheel, Biff Mills and self in the front with him and piled into the back was Mick Corran, Danny Kaye, Ian Adgie, Blue Butler and, I think Wallaby Ware. All was going well until the long arm of the British constabulary decided to investigate the cause of the erratic navigation antics of our conveyance and choral emanations from within. They extracted JH and inquired if anyone was capable of controlling the vehicle, “not a worry” says Biff, jumping into the driver’s seat, dropping into the first cog he could find, planing his foot and kangarooing down the High Street. They had us within a hundred yards, before Biff could do him or us any damage, and this time decided not only take away the second driver but discouraged the third by removing me by the scruff of the neck as I attempted to replace Biff in the driver’s seat. I don’t think Portsmouth’s Finest have ever seen so many bodies complete with half dozen cases of colonial lunatic soup crammed into the confines of a small BMC van. We explained that as submariners in the making we were trying to acclimatise ourselves. Sighting his comrade entering the Bobby shop between two constables JH leapt forward and exclaimed, “She’s right Biff, they letting me go, no need for bail,” “bail be buggered,” mutters Biff, “they nicked me now.” We did manage to make it to the married patch; I have the photographs to prove it.

Fond memories of that dreaded tot issue, whilst in Dolphin II under training it was dished up at 1600, after classes and before libertymen I recall the time the RNers led me to the dinning hall and said “geritdownyerdink”, bugger me, I thought, they can’t hate us this much! How easily it is for a bloke to change, I think I became one of the biggest ‘Rum-rats’ in the RN.

Being a non-smoker it was always easy to get that extra tot in exchange for an issue packet of pussers Blue-liners. And then Roy (Jumper) Collins and I were attached to the EMR in Dolphin, Jumper, being a non drinker of his tot, would daily lend his ration card which allowed me double whacks at lunch time in Vulcan Block.

All went well with this little lark until the day Big ‘L’ from EMR was witnessing officer, pointed the card at the number on the list and blurted “Collins 192”, received my tot from the Bosun, tossed it down and strode off to the scran queue. A quick glance back and I could see ‘L’ giving me a strange look, not to worry; I collected my 57 varieties of spuds, apple crumble duff and sat down to troff. Tucker under my belt it was time for the second tot, so off to the back of the line again, all the time looking very nonchalant and engaging in silly chit chat with the RN stoker behind me, at the front of the line now and straight into routine, “Currie 212”, grab the glass and start off, - “Good afternoon Currie, enjoy your lunch?” Jeez Big ‘L’ has picked it! So, touching the forelock and bobbing the head in proper subservient manner, I replied “yes sir, yes sir very enjoyable, thank you sir!” Scoffed the tot in one and shot out the door. A look back through the window as I scooted past and there was ‘L’ looking towards the door with a vacant expression and scratching his head. I know he always appeared to be a little dim to Roy and me, but did all us colonials look alike to him??

Scrumpy runs ashore to the RA (Royal Arms) in Gosport, or on a more adventurous night, across the water to Portsmouth and the Golden Fleece. 10 shillings saw you clear for the night and even left enough to get an egg and bacon wedge at the ‘Comical Café’ in Squeezegut Alley on the way back on board. Funny how cold, biting wind that drives down Haslar Creek and hits you as you cross pneumonia bridge on the way ashore never seems to trouble you on the way back across!!

Following basic Submarine Part 1 and specialist Part 2 training at HMS Dolphin it was customary for the powers that be to attempt to place Australian Part 3 trainees in the latest Oberon or, at the very least, Porpoise class submarines to complete their qualifying period. This was all very well provided there were enough billets to go round, and with the Canadians already occupying the better proportion of these available billets all that was left for us unfortunate were old ‘A’ and ‘T’ classes running out of Pompy and Guss.

It was May of 1964 with kitbag on my shoulder that I reported to the 2^nd Submarine Squadron Office on board the Depot ship HMS Adamant in Guss dockyard and informed by the inboard Cox’n that I was to join submarine Alaric. The wizened old Jock grocer barely looked from what he was doing and with a fine spray of oatcake and burgoo muttered something unintelligible like “GuidgodnaeanitherDinkcannaethiysendaereeelsubmariners”.

From memory, which as I said has suffered more than a little over the years, the 2^nd Squadron at the time consisted of HM Submarines Alaric S41, Artful S96, Astute S47, Auriga S69, Aeneas S72 and Artemis S49. I was to find that, as well as Yorkies, Brummies, Scousers, Janners, Geordies, Jocks, Taffys and Irish, this squadron was liberally populated with nationalities of all makes and colours, Australian, Canadians, Pakistanis, Indians, Israelis, you name it, they were there.

And so I joined Alaric and, although I was not to know it then, ahead of me was what I consider to be my best couple of years in pussers. In keeping with the rest of the squadron we had a cosmopolitan crew with 3 or 4 Canadians and besides me Lieutenant Ian Mac Dougall navigator, Leading Seaman Norman (Darky) Henwood, stokers Mick Corran and John Holbrook made up the Australia contingent and from time to time we had the usual smattering of Indians, Pakis etc. under training.

I was soon acclimatised to the way of life and then some months later qualified for my RN Submarine Badge (the sausage on a stick), and was accepted as one of the crew.

I have no idea how in the world they will ever run their own submarines, but at one time there was a foreign dusky skinned trainee stoker who just happened to decide that he would take 40 winks with arms and head resting on the port rail below the group exhaust whilst we were snorting. The Tiffy on the plates, espying said brown chappie picked up the biggest spanner I have ever seen and after a swing that would shame Greg Norman brought it down on the rail a foot or so from our tired watchkeeper. I was on watch in the motor room, I heard crack of the spanner, a high pitched scream and then washed aside by the slipstream, as a brown blur resembling the tail of Haley’s Comet passed by me. And then the crash of the after ends bulkhead door. Some time later, after we had stopped snorting and had gone deep I was requested to slip aft and pay the tiffy’s respects to the absent watchkeeper and request that he return to the donk shop. Now the after end of an ‘A’ boat at that stage of proceedings looked, smelt and sounded like the dark interior of a prehistoric cave dwelling of a bear family. It is true what they say about the eyes, that is all I could see, they were enormous, the poor little brown man was buried in a pile of old rags, emitting a low pitched keening wail and shaking like a dog shitting razor blades, oblivious to his surroundings, it was useless trying to pass my message, I shook Tiger Lyons instead and asked him if he would care to cement international relations by doing an extra watch.    

Then there was the Annual Squadron Ball, supposedly for all us hardworking submarine crews to get together and have a jolly knees up and general all round good time. The only problem being that this thing was run by the depot ship staff – general service skimmers, all the Top Brass and brown nosed hangers-on complete with a full complement of Jossmen, Jaunties and Crushers from the Plymouth Naval barracks. All the boats were tucked up snugly alongside mother Adamant and the crews were cleaned into their best number one rigs and looking forward to making new acquittances among the fair maidens of the good city of Plymouth.

Ian Adgie emerged from the fore-hatch of Artful which was outboard of us and met me at the top of the gangway, it was winter and we looked as smart as guardsmen in our Red-Anchor tiddly tailored watchcoats complete with gleaming Australian flashes on the shoulders. Over on Adamant,  through the dockyard and out of Devonport gate, “Bit early yet, don’t you think Tid, “ says Ian, “Yair, lets get a cab to the Long Bar and have a couple of heart starters,” says I – our first mistake!

A few hours later and more that a few lagers later, interspersed with the odd glass or two of cane cutters-cordial, we decide we were ready to face the Plymouth Debs, so off we set.  How we arrived outside the Guildhall I will never know, but there we were, only a dozen or so marble steps to negotiate and we were at the doors, trickiest damn steps we had ever come across, three up, two back, two up, three back, bloody skimmers, this is a setup! We never did make it to those doors; we were set by the Jaunty and his henchmen, six to each arm and leg, or so it felt at the time, and escorted to the nearby Naval police Bus which was hovering for just such occurrences and incarcerated therein, until, as the Jaunty said, we was under the watchful eye of the Adamant shore patrol, made up of one PO, one Killick and two supply sailors, all inboard staff. By this time our pride had been somewhat dented and our hackles raised, we thought the actions of these so called upholders of the law quite unreasonable, “You take care of the killick,” says Ian, “I’ll take the big ugly PO,”  completely ignoring the poor little supply bods and contingent of Wallopers whose acquaintance we had made earlier. I shall leave out all the nasty in betweens and cut to the morning after. Now the cells at HM Naval Establishment Plymouth have absolutely nothing in common with a five star hotel, nor a star for that matter, more in the minus standard really, and they laid on their very best for us. Just a little coincidence to finish off this story, as we were backing out of our cells that morning, scrubbing brushes and buckets in hand, there was I (Alaric) in one cell, Ian (Artful), in the next an RNer from Astute in the next, our boats as they lay alongside the after trot of Adamant were Alaric, Artful and Astute! Oh well! I thought it was good anyway. From all the reports the Ball was bloody lousy anyway.

Once a year they manage to prise the keel of old Adamant off the pile of rusting beer and Fray-Bentos cans and together with her brood of ‘A’ boats spread out protectively about her as she would gracefully steam south to the warmer climes of Gibraltar, where we could all frolic in the warm and clear blue seas of the Mediterranean while Britain shivered in the winter winds. It just so happened that this was the year that the Brits released their new toy into the arena, her name was Dreadnought, and our little part in the game was to spread out across her path and shoot her down if we could locate her. I think we were in the Bay of Biscay or a little further south, I was a greenie not a navigator, anyway Darkie and I were relaxing off watch in the fore-ends (our mess on the A-boats) with a cup of kye when we could hear a high pitched whistling noise getting steadily closer, in fact so close we thought that very shortly they would be dropping in for a brew. However the very thoughtful Jimmy chose that moment to allay any fears and general panic by announcing that it was indeed the Dreadnought, but no cause for alarm, she was still 100 miles distant (this may be a little exaggerated, but it was bloody louder than anything we ever heard).

Gibraltar, what a run, who could forget those exhibitions over the border in La Linea, the ferry run across to Algeciras with Malaga at about a penny a glass, there we were, Henwood and myself, like somewhat inebriated Texan oil tycoons shouting every one and anyone that liked to step up to the bar, we had the engine-room staff, the deckhands and when I asked who was the jolly old fellow at the end of the bar partaking of our hospitality they chorused in unison “Capitano”, says I, “bugger me who’s running this vessel, no worries, give us another round of Malaga sport.”

Being escorted (somewhat worse for wear) back across the border by two bobby style Gibraltar Constabulary, who with looks of incredibility informed us that this was our lucky day, the Spaniards have a habit of locking up foreign sailormen and throwing the key away. When asked by the constables just what we had done, all we could do was look stupid and say “Dunno but it was a good run”.

Then there was the big exercise in West Indies. The Yanks and various assorted South American Navies wanted a Brit submarine to take part in their little games with the kick off point being San Juan, Puerto Rico. Viva Alaric. So it was across the Atlantic, with a stop at Ponta Delgada in the Portuguese Azores for fuel, I think I was on stoppage there (another little indiscretion), but not to worry, there was no leave granted, we were in a hurry to save America.

Now Vasco De Gama (Lt Mac.) our worthy navigator, was wont to use the quiet of the wireless office in the dog watches to work his evil spells over the wind and water, and he could be seen there for hours hovering over his navigational globe and muttering incantations to Poseidon, Neptune and all other ancients. It just so happened that the beer caterer was non other than young Reginald ‘Fixit’ Foden R/S RN, and he did his issues from the wireless office every night. Here we were bobbing around in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with grey leaden skies and not a sight of the sun for days, I am collecting the beer issue for the fore-ends mess, being dished out by Fixit RN, who at this time was doing his best to convince the RAN that we needed his talents, I get to the W/T office door, “G’day digger what’ll it be, a Fosters?” Says Fixit. “Ha, Ha good one R/S, just a dozen cans of your ersatz lager thanks,” says I and to the Navvy, “Where are we navvy, any idea?” “Not a clue Tid, not a clue,” says navvy scratching his head and puzzling over the weird inscriptions on his toys. Now I knew he was joking, but the Brits were not too sure how to take this Dink officer who was entrusted by their lordships to ensue that one of Her Gracious Majesty’s submarines did not fall off the edge of the world. They need not have worried; he got us there spot on the knocker and right on time.  

Ashore with a month’s pay in our pockets and we head for the fleshpots and drinking dens of San Juan where the Bacardi runs like tap water, where one side of the street is off limits while the other side is OK, and where big Yank MPs by the truckload to police it. How tempting were those bars on the other side, why not, let’s give it a go! And so we did, and the Yank MPs completely ignored us. Whacko, all these bars to ourselves whilst the other side of the street was jammed with mariners from all manner of navies.

Dawned Monday, and the start of the big games which the US of A had paid big bucks to bring us over here for, we were at Harbour Stations and have just maneuvered away from the wharf  and are about to take up station behind half of the Yank fleet who are flopping along down the creek. I am at my station on the port motor and “Group up, half ahead together” is the order, wind the field switch, out starting switches, slam over the ahead and astern switch, grouper to group up slam in the starter switches, wind in field, ------ nothing, “hey chief”, I call ‘Trapper’ Kirk, the chief electrician, “looky here, no load”, “Tap the glass laddie” say Trapper, tap, tap Tap, TAP, BASH,  “No go chiefy, we got a problem!” Trapper grabs the intercom “Chief EA to the motor room on the double.” “We’ve lost a screw” says the CEA, who known to, be a boffin and not make rash statements. “Balls” says Trapper, probably because he didn’t think of it first, then again probably because it seemed to be a ridiculous statement to make. Ridiculous or not, all indications were that we had indeed lost a  screw, damn thing must have just up and dropped off, so with much signalling and flashing about by the communicators we pulled out and returned alongside  the big Yank depot ship.

The Yanks don’t muck about; they built staging around our stern and sent down a diver who reappeared minutes later to confirm that the port shaft was bare. Damn and we were so looking forward to that two weeks at sea!  The prognosis was that we would have to wait whilst a new screw could be flown down from Halifax, Nova Scotia and fitted by the depot ship, it would probably take a couple of weeks. Oh Dear! Well that was the good news to us plebes, of course the wardroom were very upset at missing the war-games, the bad news was all that money we had when we first arrived had been blown as we had expected to be at sea for the next two weeks. Not to worry, the local Bacardi distillery conducted guided tours of their facility, and they had a bar which dispensed free Bacardi concoctions whilst one waited for the next guide. Henwood and I were feeling in a very benevolent mood that day and as guides came to escort the next line we would give up our place time and time again to the never ending streaming flamboyantly arrayed yank tourists, meanwhile availing ourselves to the generously proportioned gratis drinks.

The Lady Mayoress also came to our aide by throwing a Civic reception and inviting, among others, the crew of the visiting albeit disabled, Britannic Majesty’s Submarine Alaric. We were in good company that night, among the invited guests was one Jimmy Durante, of oversized proboscis fame.

Well after having done our part to cement Anglo – American relations, and with a brand new propeller shipped and tested it was time to depart. But not before a little jolly down to Bridgetown, Barbados, in the Windward Islands before crossing the Atlantic on the homeward voyage. I strongly suspect the Skipper had an up-homers in Bridgetown, why else, with the whole Caribbean to pick from would he choose to visit Barbados?

Hello Barbados, more bars, more Bacardi, another round of receptions and tours, and goodbye Barbados, we off home. And so were fifty thousand former residents of Bridgetown, they made their appearance a day or two out at sea, - first the Jimmy to the mullet on the wheel, - “Stop scratching and fidgeting Doherty, pay attention to your ship’s head!” “Carnt ‘elp it sur, must be ‘eat rash”, replied the hapless rating who was relieved at the wheel and ordered to report to the cox’n. By that time Dr. Death has diagnosed Doherty’s ‘eat rash as having legs and being exceedingly mobile, He has a queue of  hopping, scratching, curing sailors clamouring for relief from these biting little critters that have somehow, unbeknown to them , taken up residence in the sleeping bags. The curse spread faster than margarine on a hot day, it was everywhere, from the fore-ends, the after-ends and the in betweens, all except the wardroom, well, that’s what we were told anyway! From then on until we reached mother England there was not a waking moment that you couldn’t see the cox’n engulfed in clouds of billowing white powder as he fumigated from end to end and then back again, there was no nook or cranny that escaped that dreaded choking, blinding cloud. It is rumoured that some of the stokers were sloshing their tots under their armpits and other nether regions in the belief that the critters would get drunk on the rum and stone each other to death with the particles of white powder. Back alongside Adamant and a couple of days leave to the natives, I wonder how they explained to the missus, one can only wonder, then back to jolly old exercisers again.

Somewhere in the English Channel, probably off Portland, the order was given in the control room, “Stop snorting, stop snorting, group up half ahead together.” We had been at watch snorting for some time now and I was on the port motor eagerly awaiting to obey my telegraphed order. The Tiffies stopped their donks and the stokers were running about doing stoker things like shutting exhausts etc., I saw the Tiffy on the starboard engine give my winger Jan Rice the thumbs up to say his engine clutch was out and Jan slamming home his switches to start the motor. Now a submarine Captain can get very twitchy when playing their little games and even a couple of seconds may seem like the proverbial eternity to him. I am hopping about from foot to foot making all manner of semaphore movement and mouthing my discontent to the seemingly disinterested Tiffy on the port plates. Over the tannoy comes the booming almost hysterical scream, “What is the bloody hold up with the bloody port motor!!” Totally unfazed by his tone, but feeling a little miffed by the intoned accusation I grabbed the intercom mike and reported, “When your bloody Tiffy gets his bloody engine clutch out I shall start to motor your bloody submarine!!”                         

Probably not the way to reply to one’s Captain, no matter what circumstances, and there was silence in the motor room, my Watchkeeping partner staring in disbelief at the intercom. Waiting, the engine clutch came out, I started the motor, and all was normal. Some time later, the Navvy comes back aft with a grin from ear to ear, “thanks Tid, you have just made my day,” says Mac, who had been in the control room during the incident. I did not know it then, but had been told since by Ian that he and the skipper were not getting on too well together in those times and the skipper was riding him a little. I also heard that there was one RN Tiffy who had his bottom smacked too.   

The squadron had been working very hard pleasing the skimmers and so their sirships thought it was time the lads had a jolly, it was decided that Alaric, Artful and Astute should go to Bristol, show the flag, spread some culture, rest and recuperate, that sort of thing. I seem to recall that our ETA alongside Bristol docks was about 9 o’clock on a Friday morning and so we entered the channel at Avonmouth quite early for the long passage upstream. This, other than pissing off the motor watchkeepers, proved basically uneventful until we reached the stretch to the Avon approaching the city limits at around peak traffic period. Telegraph orders were coming thick and fast as river traffic too, which was unusually heavy and the marked channel quite tricky to navigate. In fact so tricky that Astute, who was leading the little parade, failed to cleanly round one bend and managed to come in contact with the bank on the edge of the channel, where she decided to linger a while. This created a little confusion with the following vessels and, as Alaric took evasive action to miss Astute, Artful was not and managed to come in contact with Alaric. Now the local populace may have found this situation quite amusing at any other time, but as mentioned, it was peak hour traffic and it so happened that we were having our little waltz right below the open span of the main arterial road bridge, bringing the city to virtual standstill for an hour or so whilst the Royal Navy extracted itself from the embarrassing situation. I only wish that I had kept the newspaper article that appeared the next day.

Although Alaric was a southern boat from the Second Squadron we did our turn at the Perisher running, we were detached to the Third Squadron at the top of Gare Loch for six week period to relieve a brand new ‘O’ boat which had broken down. First came a short docking period to scrape, bottom paint and underwater survey, during which period us southerners were introduced to the delights of the north. The ‘Imperial’, the ‘Church of Turkey’ and the best of all meeting the Dumbarton Debs at the ‘Clachan’. But this was no jolly, we were here to work and so it was off to the Irish Sea with our class of would be Submarine Drivers, hairy days those, with many hurried “Flood Q”. That was about the only time I think I felt any compassion towards skimmers up on the roof, the Irish Sea is not the calmest stretch of water on the globe and when we were rockin’ and rollin’ at 90 feet I could imagine what they were copping up there. Ah! The joys of submarining. Most night we dropped the pick at Rothesay on the Isle of Bute at about 1900 and leave is granted till 0600 next morning, trouble is, the last boat leaves the pier at midnight. After a session in the ‘Grapes’ it was not often that we made the last boat and up on a winter’s night the staff at the local bakery would let you curl up on the deck in the warmth of the ovens and get a few hours shuteye. A nice fresh bread roll hot from the oven at 0500 and off to the pier for another day’s perisher.

There were other times on Alaric as well, probably too many to recall here in the effort to keep this little ditty short. Once we were up in the Lochs of Bonnie Scotland and we had a spare night away from the exercising skimmers so the skipper decided to take us into a little backwater village and drop the pick for the night.   Local pub leave would be granted if we could find some way of getting ashore. We could see quite plainly the light of the local hotel at the end of the narrow loch and cars coming and going, but how were we to contact them. The skipper had the bright idea that we call them up on signal lamp, all the jocks about these parts being fishermen and seafarers of sorts, there was bound to be someone who can read the lamp. A buntin’ tosser broke out the Aldis and started clacking away and within seconds a car headlights began answering, although unreadable he appeared to read us, and so our request for a liberty boat was passed (or so we thought!)

They seemed to be taking an awful long time ashore, when about half an hour later we sighted a boat setting out in our direction, you beauty! We were ready, dressed in all manner of pirate rig and tonguing for a McEwens Ale. As the boat drew steadily nearer our spirits wilted, it was only a small dingy with one man rowing and another sitting bolt upright in the stern sheets. It was now within hailing distance and the rower stopped his rowing and called in broad, barely understandable jock accent, “Submarine ahoy, I have ye doctor!”  Doctor? Oh! Oh! There’s been a little misunderstanding here. “We don’t require a doctor; we want a boat to take us ashore to the pub, can you take a couple in with you?” “Ye light said ye wanted a doctor, we’ve dragged him awa fra his hame an his supper, an nae ye say it’s the drink ye wantin’,” followed by a lot more that we could not understand and then as he was disappearing into the dark, “S41 ye’ll be heeering more aboot this!” It was a nice night so we had a beer issue on the casing.

Then there was Londonderry, tied up alongside the converted landing craft HMS Stalker in Foyle River at the top of Lough Foyle, runs ashore to Joe Cassidy’s bar, the reputed den of the IRA, with the walls covered in photographs of a younger Joe with well known members of the Yank underground, Al Capone and the like. We would slip down to Joe’s during the day in working rig after ditching gash and he was always good for a tip-off when the shore patrol was in the vicinity and hide you in a back room if they looked like coming in. Over the border to Buncranna in the Republic, to the local dance and meeting the Buncranna Belles.

As they say all good things must come to an end and so my draft chit back to Dolphin, farewell drinks with the lads in Guss and it was the night train to Portsmouth, disgorging me at Pompey station at sparrows fart in the morning. Out of the Pussers cattle truck at HMS Vernon gates, show my ID and travel papers to the sentry, wearily throw the kitbag on the shoulder again, take up my steaming bag and head across Vernon to the boat landing, under a sky of black scudding clouds and into the wind driven rain. I had no idea of the time and did not really care too much, when halfway across the parade ground I was stopped in my tracks by the shrill call of a bosun’s pipe, seeming to come from point of the compass and breaking me out of my gloomy reverie. Bugger it I had been caught by ‘Colours’! I threw down the kitbag and steaming kit in disgust at my misfortune and stood leaning with one hand resting on the kit bag. More piping, people saluting, much pomp and ceremony, pissing rain then, - a booming voice “That man there, report to me immediately!” I look over my shoulder and at a single open window in the big red brick building, where there is a flash of gold rings. “I think he is talking to you, chum,” says a nearby PO, “through the double doors, up the stairs, third door on yer right.”

Shit! What have I done now! I knocked on the said door, “IN” boomed the voice from within; he was standing with his back to me staring out the window, while I stood dripping all over his carpet. He had four rings on his sleeve, and I assumed him to be Vernon’s CO, which as it turned out was correct assumption. As he turned from the window to face me he sighted the shoulder flashes on my greatcoat, “God a colonial! Don’t you salute colours in your navy lad?” So that was his problem, he is lucky I didn’t bare my behind at his colours, the way I was feeling, too bloody cold anyway. “Can’t remember sir, I’ve been away too long” says I. “Where are you going? What are you doing here in my ship”” Says he. Ship! Ship thinks I, this bloke is demented, stone frigate is all he has here, “In transit to the boat wharf to get the duty boat to Dolphin sir.” “God a submariner as well! Get out; get your boat to Dolphin, and never set your foot in Vernon again as a gangway, do you understand??” “Yessir, thank you sir, good morning sir.” What a lunatic, lucky I was a greeny and not a UW rate, otherwise our paths may have crossed again, as it was, I think I used the duty boat to Vernon on quite a few excursions to Pompey for a run ashore.

I lasted about a month in spare crew, before Ian Mac Dougall was instrumental in getting me back onto Alaric for her paying off jolly.

It was Christmas 1965 and we were off to Copenhagen as a little fling for Alaric before she left the squadron for her well earned refit. Up through the Skagerrak and Kattegat and into Copenhagen to tie up at the Naval Base, where we were victualled inboard for the week. Good run down to Nyhaven  where the bars only shut to sweep out, so you move to the next, blind drunk and into a tattoo parlour where my Scouse  oppo reckons he can do a better job than the artist, so I give him his chance, he’s wrong. Then we discovered the ferry to Malmo in Sweden and discover that grog is cheap on the ferry, so spend the day travelling to and from till we forgot which end we had to get off.

When Alaric paid off it was back to Dolphin and spare crew for me, a whole bunch more Australian were populating the RN submarine service by this time, among them ‘Speedy’ Freemantle, with whom I spent many a memorial run ashore, before, in August 1966 my draft came through. I was to fly to the US of A with Arie De Rooy and ‘Minnie’ Maisey, to attend radio courses in Rochester, NY, and the Naval Radio School in San Diego. On completion I was to fly home to Sydney to join the RN Fourth Division as spare crew for HM Submarines Tabard, Trump and Taciturn.       

I was the first qualified Australian submariner to be drafted back to Australia and boy did general service staff at HMAS Penguin make a balls up of that. At one stage I was almost thrown in cells as a deserter, it was then that I realised for the first time just what an amateur bunch of twits our Navy really was, however that’s another story.    

Peter Smith sent the above with the following note. "Can you please find a prominent place on Up Periscope to put Tid Currie's excellent story of his early days in the UK learning to be a submariner. And could you please let our members know through the "Chief's Log" that it is there"  A pleasure Peter.

health & welfare matters

Qualifying Service - what it means in dib dab terms...

Veterans Service Centres now open

Veterans in Victor Harbor, Port Pirie and Port Lincoln in South Australia, and Hervey Bay, Queensland, will benefit from new Veterans Service Centres opened recently in Centrelink offices.  Sites will provide local veterans with easier access to veteran specific information, on the support and entitlements available to them, where a stand-alone DVA office is not viable.

Centres have DVA trained staff and provide access to DVA information. Staff will handle basic inquiries, provide information on benefits and services and accept DVA claims forms. More complex matters will be referred to DVA.  An Alice Springs Service Centre is due to open shortly.

Veterans’ Health Week 19 – 25 July

More than 130 free activities and events are planned across Australia for the veteran community on Veterans’ Health Week 19 – 25 July.  In keeping with this year’s themes, nutrition and healthy eating, activities will include health expos, celebrity chef demonstrations, fresh food markets, organic gardening, BBQ cook-offs, combined fitness and food activities and Indigenous food exploration.

New DVA cards rolled-out

The mail-out of new Repatriation Health Cards has commenced. More than 40,000 Gold, White and Orange cards were sent to clients in late June, with the remaining mail-outs to be completed by the end of August.  New cards feature a magnetic strip holding client data, micro printing and a DVA registered hologram for improved security.

Health providers will accept both the old and new cards during the transition process.

Review of DVA-funded ESO Advocacy & Welfare Services

To ensure advocacy and support services meet the needs of current and future members of the veteran community, a Review of DVA-funded ESO Advocacy and Welfare Services is underway.

More than 130 submissions were received and comments on those submissions have been consolidated into a Key Issues Paper.  Submissions on the Key Issues Paper are now being sought from ex-service organisations and other interested parties. Submissions close on 30 September 2010.

To access the Key Issues Paper and for information on how to make a submission visit the DVA website.

For more information on any of the above, visit the DVA website.

Come on Niggs, let's go and pack, early start in the morning......

Joke of the Year .....

Two women were sitting quietly together, minding their own business.

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Sunday, 11^th July 2010

I have been away all week and have managed to get home for the weekend and I am stuffed.  As a result of this, the Log will be brief tonight.

I have spent most of the day installing more wire on my fences in an attempt to keep Niggs away from the dogs that are after his body, bloody bitches!  No matter what I do he manages to break through, he even 'got through' the pig wire that I had installed, it really surprised me.

Coming home on Friday I was taken 'off road' by my satnav, not unusual out here to be routed to unsealed roads so I did not worry.  That is until things got very confusing, it started to take me down dead ends, telling me to take turns when there was no roads and throwing in the occasional 'Do a U turn when possible".  The bastard was lost, and so was I!  Normally I would not worry too much, just turn around and follow my nose, but I had two problems; short on petrol and my mobile was out of range.  I was driving around for another 40 minutes before hitting a sealed road and just as I did the 'low level alarm' started to alert me that I was nearly dry.  There was no road signs to tell me which way to go and no traffic to ask for assistance.  I took a chance and turned left and continued on, expecting the fuel to run out at any moment.  Fortunately, after 35 Km I came across a garage selling what had to be the dearest petrol in Australia, but I would have been happy to pay twice as much if I had to.  The tank must have been bone dry, I got 42 litres into a 40 litre tank.

This little cross country tour has made me lose faith in satnavs.  It turns out that mine has a software problem, playing with it this morning I was told that a trip to Gympie which normally takes 45 minutes will take 11 hours 30 minutes!!! Where can I buy a Gregorys?

Gotta go, more next week.

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AROUND THE TRAPS

Dave Bryant reports that John 'Tid' Currie has been admitted to the Modbury Hospice, he isn’t travelling too well "The tumors on his lungs are causing difficulty with his breathing, and as a result he is on oxygen, as well, he has a god-awful cough, which robs him of sleep. He is on morphine, and very drowsy, so I didn’t stay long. He is at home, but has regular visits from the palliative care nurse."  It was good to catch up with Tid at SUBCON, we had a good chat and reminisced over better times.  Address for cards is; 1 Loxton Court, Hope Valley SA 5090.

Phil Solomon sent this report - seems that northern the sun has got to him! "G'day All, just a quick update of wot's bin 'appinin' in our neck of the tropical woods. What a great three days we all had at the Cairns Ukulele Festival. We took part in the World Record attempt at having the most Ukes playing the same song together. Record was 850 set in UK, but we only managed 670 but there is always next year!! The bad part was that there were two songs we had to play and they had to last for 5 minutes each. The Lion Sleeps Tonight wasn't too bad, but not ACHY BREAKY HEART!!! Arrrgghh. I hated that song when it came out in 1993 and here I am playing it 17 years later ... who da thunk it?? Guess being only two chords made it a logical choice but really??"

"Highlight of the festival for me was meeting one of my heroes, Seaman Dan, an 88 year old Thursday Islander who is a great entertainer and dual ARIA award winner. Also got to play along with world famous Uke stars, Daniel Ho and Jason Arimoto (Hawaii), James Hill (Canada), and the Old Spice Boys (Australia) .... that's almost as good as it gets in the Uke World. The only one missing from the line-up was the best in the world, Jake Shimabukuro, but he sent a message that he will be here next year. He is fantastic and a double header for me is that he also plays in Jimmy Buffett's band, The Coral Reefers, on occasions."

"Jake is double cool to me. He also donated a self designed and signed Ukulele for a charity auction and guess who won it? TA DA!!! Yep it was little old me!! It is being shipped straight from the maker in Hawaii to me at the end of July. Boy, was I stoked. It makes my $200 Uke look like a kid's toy. Guess I had better get a lot more practice in so that I can do it justice. We all got home with a bit of a hangover and sore jaws from laughing and smiling for days on end. Can't wait until next year. Now we have a break for a while until we fly to San Fran and Las Vegas to catch two live Jimmy Buffett concerts in October ... hope Jake Shimabukuro is in the line-up so that I can personally thank him for my new you beaut Uke!! For all those that think a Uke is daggy, check out some of the above names online and on youtube and you will soon change your minds, I promise. As Jake's motto goes ... Play Loud Ukulele."

Phil and Wayne with our Hero, Seaman Dan.	Phil, Bobby and Wayne rehearsing.

Alan Mooney writes "Just found this on my computer. I thought that it might of been of some interest. It is a letter sent to HMAS Otama's families before we went away for a fact finding trip."  Follow this link to read this little bit of history............

You have got to go to youtube and watch this wonderful production, worth 5 minutes of your time!  And if you are a Helen Reddy fan, try this, very entertaining.

Boot Hatfield sent a reminder to SAA Victorian Members "Hi all, just a fond reminder to all Victorian members - and interstate guests who may be around. Sunday 15th August is our annual remembrance service for VP Day. Remembering all the allied submariners and forces personnel who helped make Australia the country it is today, and a lot of whom died so that we might enjoy it. Please make an attempt to spare them an hour or two on Sunday 15th August from 11:30am for 12 noon start at the ESU/Naval Association House, cnr Walsh Street and Toorak Road, South Yarra.  Mike has invited lots of dignitaries to the service so let's do the Association proud and have a good turn-up. Looking forward to seeing you ion July 18 (social meeting) or August 15 (VP Day). Details can be found on the Associations web site.

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Les Thurgood reports "Between 4 and 26th June I was away on a Gardens and Chateax tour in Normandy and Loire Valley. Tour leader was Stephen Ryan, now front man for ABC's Gardening Australia (a neighbour of mine at Mt Macedon where he has his rare plant nursery). Started off with 5 nights in Rouen, then 4 nights in Bayeux followed by one or 2 nights in various Chateaux turned into hotels. Not all gardens of course. 

We also did some history stuff. Bayeux Tapestry of course, but also the Apocolypse Tapestry in Angers. That is at the castle of Angers, William the Conqueror's pile now mostly demolished due to bombing during the Normandy Landings WW2. Got to Monet's house and garden and lily pond at Giverny. And also Etretat on the coast where he painted the cliffs - very similar to the cliffs at Dover.

Also visited the old French port of Honfleur on the Normandy coast, Famous chateaux we visited included Fontainebleu, Chenonceau, Cheverney, Vaux-le-Compte, with those formal French symmetrical gardens.

Now in Hobart for the Festival of Voices which starts on 7 July through 11th. Took a day trip down to Port Arthur on 6th - only time I was there previously was in 1962 when I joined HMAS Melbourne after passing out of Comms School at Cerberus end of 61. Lot of changes obviously.  Another reason for going to Port Arthur, was that 2 years ago the men in the choir I have been in since leaving pussers - Royal Melbourne Philharmonic - did individually recordings for a sound installation now up and running in the chapel of the Separate Prison at Port Arthur."

"We had to do 2 verses of 2 different hymns from back then (pretty standard and basically same as today) that were sung at Sunday services. Along with 2 sermons that were in the archives recorded by 2 actors, by a catholic Irish priest (hellfire and brimstone type one) and a protestant vicar (either Anglican or Weslyan not sure.Finally installed there earlier this year. Quite an interesting experience hearing it as your can pick out individual voices when up close One being the recent restoration of the Separate Prison (still in progress) including the chapel with a soundscape of priests saying sermons and convicts singing. The voices for the convicts was done by the men in my choir (Royal Melbourne Philharmonic) 2 years ago. We did individual recordings of verses to 2 hymns from that era with the sermons done by actors and all taken from the written records of the period. Quite an experience listening to it and trying to pick out the individual voices."

Final concert for FoV is next Sunday and then I have 2 more nights visiting friends from Sydney who moved down here to Middleton 3 years ago. Started workshops for the festival today.  Nice and cold down here but mostly sunny and dry.  Off to have lunch - probably scoff a dozen oysters down at Constitution Dock"

Vecihi Basarin Awarded the 2010 ANZAC Peace Prize   The RSL ANZAC Awards Committee has awarded the 2010 ANZAC Peace Prize to Vecihi Basarin in recognition of his sustained and enthusiastic commitment to promote relationships between Australia and other communities around the world, particularly in Turkey, with a significant emphasis on his commitment to Rotary Youth Exchange Programs and building understanding of the Gallipoli campaign.   Vecihi Basarin is co-author of the book on AE2 "Beneath the Dardanelles" which is available now from the Slops Van for $25.    AE2's mission to 'run amuck' ended after five days in the Sea of Marmara when it was caught by the Turkish Sultanhisar torpedo boat. After being holed, AE2's captain Stoker scuttled the submarine and its crew were saved by Sultanhisar's captain, Ali Riza. This book is based on the memoirs of the captains of AE2 and Sultanhisar.   Congratulations to Vecihi for this much deserved honour.

Dr. Calvin Rickson, a scientist from Ohio State University, has invented a bra that keeps women's breasts from jiggling and prevents the nipples from pushing through the fabric when cold weather sets in.  At a news conference, after announcing the invention, a large group of men took Dr. Rickson outside and kicked the shit out of him.

John Culnane wrote "With regard to the story in last week's Log; I was the S/M 7 spare crew Stoker PO (SPO) on HMS Forth at the time of the visit to Fremantle and I can assure you that for most of the visit HMS/m Finwhale was tied up alongside “Forth” as we were doing a muffler tank/valve change and “Finwhale had to be alongside for the crane facilities and workshop staff access… I know because the SPO on “Finwhale was threatening to “go sick” and I, as the ONLY SPO in spare crew, was looking at a “pier head jump” after I had helped fix the muffler tank problem… I was “always” getting sent to Finwhale when a long deployment was imminent, which was “suss” in itself… During my 3 years on S/m 7 I did more (long trips) time on Finwhale than any other boat in the squadron… When she finally went home to the UK she “really needed to go home to the UK” if you get my drift…"

John continued "I vaguely remember ‘Buster’ Keating s the Killick forendy, but one thing about Finwhale that I do remember was that they had a good crew that “ran together” and ‘Sammy’ Salt was the (2 ring) skipper at the time and he loved to run with his crew, especially in Hong Kong (but that’s another story)… He went on to skipper a frigate that was “shot out from underneath him” in the Falklands war with the ‘Argies’…"

One sunny day in June, 2010 an old man approached the Canberra Lodge where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the security guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with "the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  The Guard looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Rudd is no longer Prime Minister no longer resides here."  The old man said, "Okay", and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the Lodge "I would like to go in and meet with the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. The Guard again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr Kevin Rudd is no longer the Prime Minister and no longer resides here."  The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the Lodge and spoke to the very same Guard saying, "I would like to go in and meet with ."Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.  The Guard, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr Rudd I've told you already that Mr Rudd is no longer Prime Minister and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?"

The old man looked at the Guard and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it."  The Guard snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "See you tomorrow, Sir."

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Lloyd Blake sent this little piece of history that dates back to a time BEFORE the WA Branch of the SAA was formed, adding "George Marriotto and Robby Burns donated this banner." Last time I saw George he still had that '80s mustache!

A man takes a lady out to dinner for the first time. Later they go on to a show. The evening is a huge success and as he drops her at her door he says 'I have had a lovely time. You looked so beautiful, you remind me of a beautiful rambling rose. May I call on you tomorrow?'
She agrees and a date is made. The next night he knocks on her door and when she opens it she slaps him hard across the face. He is stunned.  'What was that for?' he asked.

She said 'I looked up rambling rose in the encyclopedia last night and it said 'Not well suited to bedding but is excellent for rooting up against a garden wall'

HEALTH & WELFARE

The Old a Target for Conmen
We are an ageing population and unfortunately too often the target for conmen. There are reports that police have received numerous reports recently of suspicious behavior in inner city suburbs. The reports are of males offering to fix the residents plumbing or paint house numbers on the driveways for an amount of money. In some instances the males pretend to be working with police and show documents with police insignia. The victims targeted are elderly.

In the first situation the offender will claim to be a plumber, stating that due to recent rain the plumbing requires checking. The offender will enter, check the toilet by flushing it and informing the elderly resident that there is a problem and they can fix it for an amount of money. Once the money has been handed over the offender leaves the residence without carrying out any work.

The second situation is a male offering to paint house numbers on the curb of driveways. The offender advises the victim that he has ‘special’ paint that will not fade over time, even when the victim already has painted house numbers. A price is agreed upon however if more money is given the offender claims to have no change or increases the price if more than one number is painted.

The third situation is a male pretending to be working with police to gain entry to the residence. The offender is in plain clothes, carrying a folder with paperwork which has a police insignia on it, claiming he requires a signature from the victim. Upon entry the offender may assault the victim before leaving with a sum of money.

Superintendent Kylie Flower from ACT Policing Crime Prevention team said there are some home safety precautions the elderly can take to minimise this happening to them.

Do not let a person you do not know into your home; Talk with them through the security screen door or open the door with the security chain still engaged. If you are expecting a service repairman or similar, check their identification. If in doubt, call their head office to verify their details. Use the number out of the phone book and not a phone number they provide to you. If the person is claiming to be a police officer then ask to see identification. If you are unsure, then call the Police.

Promises, promises, promises.................
Sandy Freeleagus reports:  As Secretary of our local RSL Sub Branch, I have cause to deal with our local Federal Members Andrew Lamming. As such, he has been in contact with me on various matters.

I received a letter from him, asking me to inform my members that a Coalition government under Tony Abbott has promised to bring the DFRDB indexation in line with the Average Male Weekly Earnings etc and in line with the other pensions in Australia. I duly passed this onto my members, who received it with a lukewarm response and a "We've heard all this before" and a "So what - they give us an increase in DFRDB only to decrease the Service Pension a corresponding amount." I passed this reaction back to Andrew.

I then received a panic phone call from him. He could not comprehend my members' reaction, as he stated that 1. the Coalition has never before promised to fix the indexation problem - it was Labor who promised, then reneged; 2. the indexation has already been costed and funded, ready for implementation on the 01 July 2011; and 3. the indexation is set in concrete and can not be rescinded in the future. All we have to do is vote for Tony Abbott.

Don't know if you were aware of this. Thought I'd send it on.

He did not comment on the commutation on the DFDB pension after age 60, when the 4 year "lump sum loan" that we took on discharge was supposedly paid out and we should revert to a full pension. I'll continue to work on him on that one. Won't hold my breath - but hey, I was a submariner and I learnt to hold my breath for up to 6 weeks while underwater. I LIKE being a secretary - you can stir so much.

Andrew Johns' son came home from school upset after only getting 9 from 10 in his geography test. Johns asked him what he got wrong and his son told him they asked where the Black Sea was and he answered he plays in the centres for Queensland!

DEFENCE NEWS

Collins Class Submarines Training In Undersea Warfare
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Collins Class submarines have been captured in impressive imagery, whilst exercising off the West Australian coast recently. HMAS Collins, HMAS Dechaineux and HMAS Waller have been involved in an extensive training exercise which has tested both the crews and submarines. Imagery available shows two of the submarines conducting early morning activities just off Garden Island.

The exercise encompassed a number of military assets including RAN Frigate HMAS Anzac, three RAN Seahawk helicopters from the Nowra based 816 Squadron and a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P3 Orion. These units were taking part in order to expose all participants to a variety of challenging and complex anti-submarine warfare scenarios.

Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Steve Gilmore said these types of exercises, involving multiple units are vital in ensuring that our war fighting skills and competencies in the under-sea environment are maintained at the highest level.  “The exercise provided appropriate challenge to all who were involved, and was conducted with the utmost professionalism,” said Rear Admiral Gilmore.

“Activities such as these ensure our people and platforms remain at the highest level of readiness in the defence of Australia.”

Security Council Considers Rebuke Of North Korea For Ship Incident
The U.N. Security Council is considering multiple options for addressing North Korea's suspected culpability in the sinking of a South Korean warship, Agence France-Presse reported today (see GSN, July 2).  Seoul has called for Security Council condemnation of Pyongyang, after a multinational investigation determined that the patrol vessel Cheonan was sunk March 26 by a torpedo fired from a North Korean submarine. Forty-six sailors were killed when the ship went down.

Security Council veto-wielders Russia and China are believed reluctant to approve even a sanctions-free statement on the incident. Beijing, the North's top ally and economic benefactor, is seen as particularly unwilling to draw a connection to Pyongyang.  China has prepared a draft statement on the issue, the Yonhap News Agency reported. A South Korean government source said the Security Council was not likely to come to agreement on the document in the near future.

"There are various proposals. ... They are sometimes combined and sometimes separated," the official said.

North Korea has denied sinking the Cheonan and has threatened war, should it be punished. Yesterday, the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper lashed out over the situation.  "The serious situation prevailing on the peninsula requires the D.P.R.K. (North Korea) to bolster up its nuclear deterrent in a new developed manner," it said, echoing a warning Pyongyang issued last week. The regime regularly threatens to augment its nuclear arsenal when it perceives itself to be under external pressure.

Combined South Korean-U.S. naval drills, a show of force in the wake of the ship sinking, are expected to be conducted after the Security Council takes action, the Associated Press reported.  Seoul "will conduct the drills by linking them to the result" from the council, according to Col. Lee Bung-woo, spokesman for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. He did not provide greater detail on the schedule or scope of the exercises, which were initially planned for June.

China has warned that the exercises could lead to more provocations from Pyongyang. Beijing in recent days conducted live-fire exercises viewed as an advance reaction to the planned Yellow Sea drills near China's maritime boundary.  The exercises are expected to involve a South Korean submarine, destroyer and fighter aircraft, along with a U.S. destroyer, submarine and aircraft carrier, Kyodo News reported.

Indian Admiral shot dead in firing range 'accident'
Touted as "one of the brightest officers in the Navy" Rear Admiral Jamwal shot himself in the head a with a 9mm pistol - after it had a jam and he was checking out why.  Rear Admiral Jamwal was one of India's most senior naval officers A senior Indian navy officer has been killed as the result of an "accidental firing," a navy spokesman said. An inquiry has been ordered into the accident, a navy statement said.

The officer was a specialist in anti-submarine warfare and had earlier served as a naval attache in Moscow.  He was the second in command at the Navy's southern command.

RULE NUMBER 1 THRU 25: DO NOT LET THE SENIOR OFFICERS NEAR TOOLS OF THE TRADE!!!

Drug running submarine
Police in Ecuador seized a 100-foot submarine being built by suspected drug traffickers capable of carrying a crew of six and 10 tons of cocaine on underwater voyages lasting up to 10 days — a "game changer" for U.S. anti-drug and border security efforts, officials said Monday.  A raid Friday by 120 police officers and soldiers netted the fiberglass sub as it was nearing completion in a clandestine "industrial complex" hidden in mangrove swamps near San Lorenzo, a town just south of the Colombian border.

The craft was outfitted with a conning tower, a periscope, air conditioning and "scrubbers" to purify the air, and bunks for a maximum crew of six. But what set the craft apart from semi-submersible craft that drug traffickers have used for years was a complex ballast system that would have enabled it to dive as deep as 65 feet before surfacing.

Previously, drug traffickers were known to use ships that resembled submarines but that actually cruised just below the ocean surface to avoid visual detection. Since 2006, when the first semi-submersible craft was detected, 47 have been captured at sea and on land, including 17 last year. But so far this year, only three such craft have been captured. The number of voyages has probably dropped, officials said, because of the success in detecting the vessels with a variety of methods, including aircraft that can identify their wakes in the water.

The sub that Ecuadorean police seized on their Pacific coast is much more technologically advanced and will require the U.S. and its allies in the drug war to deploy "every resource" in anti-submarine warfare technology, said Jay Bergman, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Andean director. Those countermeasures could include added oceangoing and airborne surveillance vessels and aircraft, he said.

Ecuadorean authorities said in a statement Monday they believe the ship had a maximum speed of 8 knots and could have made underwater voyages lasting up to 10 days, long enough to reach the Pacific coast of Mexico. The cost of the ship, which had twin diesel engines, was estimated at $4 million.

Neither the designer of the sub nor the provenance of the equipment was known. The periscope appeared to be military-issue, but Bergman declined to speculate on which country it came from.

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God. In the beginning was God – and all else was darkness and void, and without form. So God created the Heavens and the Earth. He created the Sun and the Moon and the Stars so that light might pierce the darkness. And the Earth God divided between the land and the sea, and these He filled with many assorted creatures.

And God created life in many forms, one of which was human, and the lowest form he called Soldiers. But God is filled with love and mercy and to cover their nakedness he gave them trousers which were too long, shirts which were too short and deep pockets in which to warm their hands. Then he gave them very loud voices and a limited vocabulary of words, all of which have only one syllable, that they might understand each other.

But the result was such that God’s sense of humour was outraged so he embellished their uniforms. God gave them badges and he gave them coloured cords. Then he gave them ribbons, and patches, and crowns, and chevrons. He gave them emblems and crests and all sorts of shiny things that glittered and devices that dangled. (When you’re God you tend to get carried away in a big way).

When all this was finished it was the fifth day of God’s labours. For looking after Soldiers is very tiresome and God looked for an easier creation.

Then God created flighty creatures of the air, which he called Airmen, (God is very bright), and these he clothed in uniforms which were ruffled and foul. But being a wise and just God he allowed them to wear bushy moustaches in order to hide their ungodly features. And the Airmen too talked to each other and were not understood by the Soldiers. So most of the time the Airmen talked to themselves and remained in constant admiration of the brilliance of their dialogue.

And on the seventh day God rested. On the eighth day God looked down upon the earth and was not happy. GOD WAS NOT HAPPY!!

So He thought about His labours and in his infinite wisdom He created divine creatures and these creatures he called sailors. And Sailors were created in the image of God Himself. He made them tall, with wavy hair and sparkling eyes, of splendid physique and calm demeanor. Resolute and courageous, God made them rule the seas and to give direction and guidance to the lesser creatures. And to complement their superior bearing, God gave them wonderful uniforms.

He gave them practical, fighting uniforms so that they could wage war against the forces of Satan and Evil.

He gave them Service uniforms for their daily work and training, so that they might be sharp and ready.

And he gave their Officers and Senior people evening dress uniforms. Sharp, stylish, handsome things so that they might win the hearts of the ladies at cocktail parties and impress the hell out of everybody!!

And at the end of the eighth day, God looked down upon the earth and He saw that it was good. But was God happy? No! God was still not happy because, in the course of his labours, He had forgotten one thing. He had forgotten to give himself a Sailors uniform! But He thought about it and finally satisfied himself in knowing that well, not everybody can be a Sailor.

Is your wine cellar getting low? Top up now and take advantage of some great bargains?  For this week's specials go to GetWineDirect and save enough to buy heaps more, you can never have enough wine.   Please visit the website and when you place your order be sure to include the CLUB ID number to go onto your order so the SAA can claim the 5% of sales. SAA ID Number is 3558.   

Come on Niggs, let's fix the fence......

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Sunday, 4^th July 2010

The Sun God continued to look down on us this and most of the crop that I put in last week continues to survive.  There are exceptions, two native trees (cannot spell their names so native trees will have to do) are in intensive care, although I have the plant undertaker on standby.   Another is the Chives, they were doing well until Lucky the chook decided to dig them up.  She will be Unlucky if she does any more damage! 

The biggest success has been the Mint and Parsley (both old fashioned varieties, none of this pooncy crap they use on Masterchef, they are both responding to the love and care that I am giving them and have almost doubled in size.  I even used some of the Parsley on the Osso Bucco that I cooked last night.

Apart from the gardens, my biggest challenge this week has been to protect Niggs from the little slut down the street.  She is on heat and has her eyes on my pure and innocent 'best friend'.  He has managed to get out a couple of times but I managed to get him back before she could do the nasty on him!  I have pig wire to keep him in, but despite his size he manages to force his way through it so this week I am going to have to re-inforce it with chicken wire so he cannot get through the holes.

Some of you have said that I was anti Rudd (not sure why you got that opinion) and must be pleased that he had been deposed in the palace coup.  Pleased I was to see him go, but his replacement will please me less!  I want a man that is not ashamed of wearing budgie smugglers and will sink any vessel that approaches our shores as my leader, roll on the election.   They say you should always unroll the whole newspaper before reading the headline, but this time I think not....

I went to Harvey Norman's this week to buy a new mobile phone after discovering that my old one was not machine washable (why don't they put a label on them saying so?).  After standing around the phone counter for about 10 minutes waiting for a sales person to help me I gave up and wandered over to the television section and was ambushed by three sales people in seconds.  Their interest waned when I told them what I wanted.  I went to OfficeWorks and had a new phone in minutes, now to learn how to use it.

Why is it that I can go to any furniture store and buy a good lounge suite for less than the cost of getting my old one upholstered?  I have had my current lounge for over twenty years and it is still very comfortable but getting a little 'tatty', but it fits me!  Which is more than I can say for most of the overstuffed ones that are available.  You need to be at least six foot tall to be comfortable in them, the don't fit me!!!

I noticed this morning that I was much smaller than usual so I rushed into my doctor's office and shouted, "Doctor!  I think I'm shrinking!"  The doctor calmly responded, "Now, settle down. You'll just have to be a little patient." 

Eternal Patrol - Romeo Carinci
It is my solemn duty, and with great sadness, that I inform all members of the sudden passing of Romeo Carinci, one of the Squadron's 'Three Amigos'.

Romeo was involved in a motor cycle accident last Sunday morning (27th June), along Peats Ridge Rd, Calga. Romeo was riding in a group with fellow submariner Greg Reid when he lost control of his bike and hit a rock wall.  Those that he was travelling with tried valiantly to save him, but unfortunately he died at the scene.

I am advised that Greg also crashed but was not badly hurt and is home with his wife Jane.

Frank Owen sent this photo of Romeo (closest to the camera) taken during a parade at HMAS PLATYPUS while he was serving in HMAS Onslow.

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Ian Doig was just one of many that expressed their shock and sadness to hear of Romeo's death.  He wrote "What very sad news about Romeo. Mate, just thinking of him now and I can see that big shit grin of his. Don't know if you ever saw him on one of Rex Hunt's (fishing) programme, they were sitting on the casing of Otama alongside Plats'. Remember how Rex used to slap a liplock on the fish before throwing 'em back? Well Mrs Carinci's little boy lent over with that grin on and went give Rex a peck on the cheek, he only just dodged out of the way, funny as. He was one of a new generation of officers, sorely needed in boats, the "Mob" and the ADF generally. Blimey he couldn't have been that old either. Mind you I tend to think of the boys in the Squadron as they were, which is why its sometimes hard to pick 'em as they are now when their photos appear on the site."

Another was CMDR Sandy Coulson RANR "I was so sorry to read your e-mail. I remember Romeo from my time as XO of PLATYPUS 1998-2000 inclusive- usually in his overalls, great sense of humour and very well liked by all. Although not my area of expertise- my observation was he seemed to be a very good engineering officer and a caring DO; not above the odd bit of mischief himself but he was a typical young officer in those days so fair enough. My condolences to his family and friends and to all who knew and worked with him in the Squadron."

Steve Conlon found this photo he took on his last day in the Mob, on Onslow 1989. Darren Coonan, Marcus Alfonso, Romeo Carinci and Kim Pitt enjoy a break.

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Vale - Annette Anderson
It is with much sadness that I report the death of Annette Anderson, the beloved wife of Harry.  Annette had fought a courageous fight against cancer but to no avail.

The thoughts of all go out to Harry and his family.

 

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AROUND THE TRAPS

I always thought that UWs were different, now Clinton Roberts has proved it. He wrote "Hi Norm,  a couple of weeks ago my Chiropractor sent me to have x-rays of neck and back. When I went in for the results the Doctor said "You have something I've never seen before". I just looked to the sky. Dr went on " You have to large spurs growing out each side of your neck like bolts."  I just laughed, "They think I'm a Neanderthal around my town and your saying I'm more like Frankenstein."   Is it any wonder being a UW, LOL.

If you have a spare $1,500 Paul Dann found the following item on eBay:   Badge, Australian Submarines Comrades Association 1902-18 Old , 27mm diameter.   Similar to the British types but the reverse button has the stamping of Angus & Coote, Sydney NSW.  Issued to surviving members and associates of Australian Submarines AE1 and AE2 and VERY RARE!   Originally purchased from the respected Sydney Militaria dealer Jack Langley with his ticket.

Ken Williams sent these HMAS Platypus Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting notes of 16 June 2010.   Ken is the SAA's representative on the CAC and will submit reports after each meeting.  It is hoped that the SAA will gain some real estate at Plats for meetings etc.

John 'Buster' Keating, in reply to Vic Borg's query regarding the RN SM in Fremantle circa 1970, writes "It was the Porpoise class HMS Finwhale visiting from SM7 in Singapore, I was the Killick forendy. We were outboard of HMAS Oxley.  The 'warship' tied up astern of HMS Forth, was possibly HMAS Stalwart."

Chris Gunn also recalled the visit "Re the story about HMS Forth in Nov 1970. I was a midshipman in the Melbourne and a year mate Dave Francis (pusser) was doing mids time in Oxley and did the exercise - Exercise Southern Cross II (I think). The RN had withdrawn east of Suez but they had a task force, FOF II working out of Singapore. After the exercise, the combined fleet visited Fremantle and other WA ports. Can't remember which ships were where but Melbourne was at the passenger terminal and Forth plus escorts were on the other side of the harbour. After we got back for Christmas break, I joined Oxley for mid's time. There was a fleet anchorage in Cockburn Sound before going in - all ships were to anchor with their starboard anchors; the submarines got a bollicking! Can't remember the lead ship for the fleet anchorage.  I think the RN boat was a "P" boat.

However, some people may have been confused as Noel Lowrie said "Hi Norm, Oxley is the inboard boat, Otway is outboard. If conformation is required check with Joe Knowles, but that starts another story."

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Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers. Unfortunately, all the Swiss league records were destroyed in a fire, and so we'll never know for whom the Tells bowled.

Can you help..........
Col Deller Is off to Canada this month and is wondering if there are any contacts over there and would appreciate any info so he can make contact.

Bernard and Shirley Watts have moved from the Emerald Isle and now live in Wolumla, NSW. Bernie said "We have only been here a few weeks, but would appreciate knowing if there are any SAA Members in the south eastern corner of NSW, as we would really like to get to know some of the local guys if there are any." I only have one member in the 2250 post code, if there are any more of you please let me know.

Dave Hallas asks "Do you or anyone else down under have any contact details for Frank Wolfe who was Nav on the Otter first commission. He attended a small reunion which I arranged some years ago travelling from Holland. I have recently had to reformat my machine and have lost all of my contact details."  Contact with Frank has been re-established thanks to Frank Owen.

For those of you who have never travelled to the west, cattle guards are horizontal steel rails placed at fence openings, in dug-out places in the roads adjacent to highways (sometimes across highways), to prevent cattle from crossing over that area. For some reason the cattle will not step on the "guards," probably because they fear getting their feet caught between the rails.

A few months ago, Kevin Rudd received and was reading a report that there were over 10,000 cattle guards in NSW & Queensland. Graziers had protested his proposed changes in grazing policies, so he ordered the Minister to fire half of the “cattle” guards immediately!!  Before the Minister could respond and presumably try to straighten him out, Minister for Employment Julia Gillard, intervened with a request that…. before any “cattle” guards were fired, they be given six months of retraining.

Lloyd Blake sent this photo (on left) taken while Otway was in South Africa, can you name the 'tourists'?

Andy Galley will not be nominating for the Presidency of SAA ACT Inc’ this year. In an email to Members he said "I’m a firm believer that there comes a time when new leadership with new ideas and enthusiasm is needed. In my six year tenure I believe we have achieved quite a lot and I’m not going to blow my own trumpet but I consider the holding of a SAA SUBCON as being a highlight.  would encourage you all to look at nominating for this position. Naturally, I won’t be disappearing and will continue to contribute in anyway I can to the branch. So please think seriously about the Presidency. It has been very rewarding and I can truthfully say I have enjoyed my time  in the job."  The ACT AGM will be held at 1500 on the 29th August.

VETERANS' AFFAIRS

PROCEDURE FOR CLAIMING THE SERVICE PENSION - QUALIFYING SERVICE 1978/1992-SPECOPS

Before you even start you had to HAVE been awarded the ASM (Specops) for service in RAN submarines between 1978 and 1992. There is a list of people that have not claimed their Medal on the SAA website, this is NOT complete, but worth checking.

There are two pieces of paper you may have and if they are attached to any paperwork you submit it will make the processing of your submission easier, but their inclusion is not essential. .

• Your Discharge Certificate

• Statement of Service

If you are already on a Disability Pension for this service fill in the Standard DVA Form and submit as detailed below

If you are over 60

Contact your nearest DVA Office and request a Form 0503; or,

If you are computer literate search, DVA website, which will give you the DVA homepage www. dva.gov.au

1. On the right side of page under quick links click, Forms

• With DVA FORMS page up, on left side under Find your Form by click and then scroll to the for number 0503

• Click, Form Number 0503 open and print.

When you receive notification back from DVA that you are eligible for the Service Pension then follow the procedure detailed above

To questions such as:-

a. R20;Did you serve outside the country of your enlistment?  Tick the YES box and use the dates noted below for your trips and Country or area where you served.- insert 'NOT DISCLOSED SUBMARINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS'

b. Area or location of Enemy Action. Tick the YES box insert 'NOT DISCLOSED SUBMARINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS'

Some questions are obviously Not Applicable.  When the form is completed either take to your nearest DVA Office.

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COALITION TO REMOVE DISCRIMINATION IN ADF SUPERANNUATION INDEXATION ARRANGEMENTS
David Jamison the National President of the Defence Force Welfare Association has welcomed the announcement that from 1 July 2011, under a Coalition Government, DFRB/DFRDB* members aged 55 years or over will have their superannuation pensions indexed in the same manner as Age and Service pensions.

In briefing DFWA on this policy initiative today, the Leader of the Opposition Mr Tony Abbott acknowledged that this was a matter of fundamental justice and the time had come for it to be fixed. If adopted, this move will remedy an unfair and discriminatory feature of the DFRB/DFRDB military superannuation schemes. The current indexation formula for DFRB/DFRDB superannuation pensions is based solely on the CPI which no longer meets the original intention of maintaining purchasing power.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) says that “CPI is not a purchasing power or cost of living measure” which the previous Government recognised in 1997 when it abandoned the CPI for Age and Service Pensions. Reinforcing this inadequacy, the Matthews Review into indexation of Commonwealth funded superannuation commissioned by the current Government, reaffirmed the purpose of indexing was to maintain the purchasing power of pensions which showed the inadequacy of the CPI being used for this purpose for any of the Commonwealth superannuation schemes.

A comparison of the different indexation formulae over the last 20 years clearly shows the obvious unfairness of CPI, which does not protect pension purchasing power. After 20 years using CPI to index a $20,000 commencing pension, the recipient receives $7,000 per annum less than they would have received had their pension been indexed in the same way as the Age & Service pensions now are.

Adding to the pain, military super pensions although attracting a rebate, are taxed whilst the vast majority of Australians pay no tax on their super pensions after age 60.  This positive measure would leave just the current Military Superannuation Benefits Scheme (MSBS) as the sole remaining military superannuation scheme still subject in part to the now abandoned CPI indexation formula. This will be a disappointment to serving ADF members of MSBS as well as those receiving MSBS superannuation pensions.

DFWA recognises that this is but one of a number of policy announcements concerning the well being of our Nation’s servicemen and women and would like to see this initiative extended all members of our military superannuation schemes.  Mr Jamison welcomed Mr Abbott’s acknowledgement that our military are being treated unfairly, and called on the Gillard Labor Government to honour its commitment to supporting a fairer Australia by
adopting a bipartisan approach and extending the Coalition’s initiative to all members of the ADF’s superannuation schemes.

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MINISTER QUESTIONED ON MILITARY SUPERANNUATION
One month following the passing of a notice of motion on military superannuation by the House of Representatives, Independent MP for Lyne Robert Oakeshott again raised the issue in Parliament with a direct question to the Minister for Veterans Affairs. “How we look after our retired defence force personnel is important and both the major parties have promised a lot to date, yet delivered very little,” said Mr Oakeshott.

“We are all agreed that the CPI is not a cost-of-living index. So the question now is why on earth are we continuing to peg military superannuation to the CPI, when we don’t do that for the aged pension or a parliamentary pension? I have been asking the Minister and the Government to consider increasing the Miliary Superannuation Pension twice annually by the greatest of either the Consumer Price Index, the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index or the Male Total Average Weekly Earnings,” said Mr Oakeshott.

“This would at least recognise cost-of-living pressures in a more realistic way for retired military personnel until a more appropriate index is found as this was the ‘sticking point’ in the Matthew’s Review,” said Mr Oakeshott

“The Minister did seem to indicate consideration of a better military superannuation indexation and I hope that is the case very soon. Meanwhile, we will continue to press for this issue to be dealt with in a more equitable way than at present,” said Mr Oakeshott.

DEFENCE NEWS

Submarines collide in Mumbai naval jetty
MUMBAI: Two kilo-class 877EKM attack submarines collided with each other at the Naval Bay in Mumbai-half-a-km from the Gateway of India-last Monday.   Officials said the "minor accident'' took place when INS Sindhukesri was parked at the bay and INS Sindhuratna was returning from patrolling; the latter-being towed by a small tug boat -hit the parked Sindhukesri.

"The accident was not too serious as Sindhuratna's engine was switched off and it was being towed by a small tug. These are minor accidents,'' an official said, trying to downplay the incident.

Naval assistant PRO Narendra Vispute confirmed the incident, but said, "I have spoken to my senior officers who have told me that the incident is very minor and there is no damage to the rudder of any of the submarines. There's only a small dent on one of the submarines' rudders.''

Others in the know said Sindhukesri's rudder had been slightly damaged. Vice-admiral Pradeep Chauhan of the Western Naval Command said an inquiry had been ordered. "It happened some days back,'' Chauhan said.

The kilo-class 877EKM attack submarine is capable of touching 11 knots on the surface and 20 knots under water. It is still not clear whether the accident was due to human error or inclement weather.   Both 2,300-odd-tonne vessels have low noise levels. That could be one of the reasons why they got too close to each other without anybody noticing.

INS Sindhuratna was the second Indian naval submarine to be fitted with four ZM-54E1 missiles with a range of 300 km. It has a hull-mounted medium frequency digital sonar.

France probes US submarine link to fishing boat sinking
A French appeals court appointed two magistrates to relaunch a probe into the loss of the Bugaled Breizh off the Cornish coast in January 2004. In particular, they have been asked to try and identify what US submarines were in the vicinity at the time.

The sinking happened a day before Nato military exercises began in the area.  Submarine expert Dominiques Salles said in May the sinking could have been caused by a US nuclear attack submarine.   He suggested the sub may have been spying on a top secret consignment of military grade plutonium, shipped from the French port of Cherbourg to Japan on board a British nuclear transport vessel.

An inquiry in 2008 concluded a nuclear submarine snagging the boat's trawl was the "highly probable cause" of the sinking, but the judges recommended the investigation be wound up, with no guilty party traced.   Mr Salles' findings were submitted in a report that had been commissioned by appeal judges in Rennes last November.

The 72ft (23m) Bugaled Breizh, which means "child of Brittany" in Breton, was based at the small port of Loctudy.

Malaysia's second submarine arrives in Lumut
The KD Tun Razak, the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) second of two Scorpene submarines, arrived at the RMN Base, Lumut.

The official welcoming ceremony was attended by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah and the Raja Dihilir of Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, while the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah got onboard the ship from Langkawi, Kedah.  Also seen welcoming the submarine were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The vessel will continue its journey to its base in Teluk Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah after a week here.

The 64-day travel which began in Toulon, France on April 30, included several transit stops at the Iskandariah Port (Egypt), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Salalah (Oman) and Cochin (India) before arriving in Lumut.

Port Stanley submarine plan remains afloat
Making Port Stanley a new home for a decommissioned Cold War-era submarine has moved a step closer to reality. Central Elgin, asked by the Elgin Military Museum to say it wants the HMCS Ojibwa to become a lakeside attraction in the port, has opted instead to continue talks while its lawyer considers the plan.

“We can’t just say go ahead,” Central Elgin Mayor Tom Marks said.  “We have to check with our lawyer and get an opinion. We are trying to indicate, ‘Let’s talk.’ Before we can make a decision we need information. We did not say no.”

The federal government is prepared to spend $1.9 million to tow to Port Stanley the 1960s-era sub that was facing the scrap-yard in Halifax.   “Certainly, 80,000 to 100,000 visitors a year is positive for whatever community it’s in,” he said, using attendance figures from Ojibwa’s sister sub, the HMCS Onondaga, which recently became the latest tourist attraction in the St. Lawrence river community of Rimouski, Que.

Submarine hitches a ride
Hindustan Cargo Ltd (HCL) has handled the shipment of submarine weighting 2325 tonnes which is heading from Visakhapatnam Port to Severodvinsk, Russia for a refit. The submarine measuring 74.50 m in length, 9.90 m in width and 14.73 m in height was loaded on the RollDock Shipping vessel RollDock Sun.

The project was awarded jointly by the Ministry of Defence (Navy) to Hindustan Cargo Limited and RollDock Shipping.

 After two days of deck preparation, the loading of the submarine was complicated as a result of the height of the submarine, as well as the swell caused by the rising tide. This made ballasting work quite slow.

RollDock Sun sailed on June 25. It is on its way to Russia via the Cape of Good Hope and the total transit time is expected to be 42-47 days.

Hindustan Cargo Ltd is the Indian member of the Worldwide Project Consortium network for project forwarding companies.

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SAA Annual Subscriptions
If you appear on the list below it means that your Annual Subscription is overdue and you have been removed from the Member's List.  You should have received at least one notice by either mail or email.  Included in this list are some Members that did not renew in 2009, this is your chance to renew without penalty.  If you want to re-instate your membership without penalty you can,  just send John your money....

The Annual fees remain at - Annual subscription: $10, 5 years: $40 or 25 years: $175

Payment details are;

Payment by Mail (Cheque or Money Order):: Treasurer, SAA John Rana, 5 Mirror Cove Waikiki WA 6169

Payment by EFT: Bank: Aust Defence Credit Union Account: 100125212 BSB: 802 397 Account name: Submarines Association Australia

If you DO NOT wish to renew please notify the Secretary so that our records can be updated and we will save a lot of wasted time trying to chase you up.

Andrews, E, OS	Hanson, M, NSW	Maynard, , NSW	Tuckwood, FR, QLD
Barlow, J, NSW	Harrison, , OSEAS	McKenzie, G, QLD	Tunbridge, , QLD
Boyles, W, TAS	Hawthorne, , WA	Merrigan, L, NSW	Waples,J , OSEAS
Braund, JC, QLD	Hillman, M, QLD	Metcalf, JP, VIC	Warwick, AM, NSW
Bundy, R, NSW	Hoare, D, VIC	O'Neill, JG, ACT	Watson, DP, NSW
Callaghan, G, NT	Hodges, J, VIC		Wernas, M, VIC
	Holding,W , WA		Westwood, GJE, NSW
Creighton, K, QLD	Holmes,JS , NSW	Osborne, WT, ACT	White, GD, WA
Daley, FJ, NSW	Hopman, A, ACT	Patrick, RL, NSW	Wilkinson, NA, NSW
Davis, S, NSW	Hosking, , QLD	Perrin, C, NSW	Wilkinson, AJ, NSW
	Hughes, AO, ACT		Willcock, A, SA
Dening, R, WA		Protheroe, G, NSW
Dikkenberg, GJ, NSW	Johnstone, AM, SA	Reinke, C, WA*	Williams, PR, NSW
Fearnside, EA, VIC	Jones, K, NSW
Flannery, SJ, SA	Keeton,M , QLD	Ross, GH, QLD
Flemming, D, NSW	Kelley, , NSW	Seear, JR, VIC
Galloway, R, NSW		Smith, WD, NSW
Gannon, RT, NSW	Laird, AJ, NSW	Snudden, DR, NSW
Gilbertson, DJ, VIC	Lenehan, C,	Standing, M, VIC
Gregg,PD, TAS	Loft, GS, TAS	Stepetz, , NSW
Hackenberg,J , QLD	Mariotto,G, VIC
Hall, PG, NSW	Masterson, MG, NK	Thompson,K , QLD