Sunday, 31st January 2016
It is Sunday afternoon and I am sitting in McDonalds in Maryborough using their WIFI to do the Log, not easy!. We have had no power for two days and I was going to give it a miss this week, but there are a few important items that need to be posted, so here I am.
At least the thunderstorms have filled the tanks and pool so I am good for water for another three months or so. It is amazing how much we rely on power and I do not know how some families cope without it.
The kids across the road were having a 'sleepover' but with all the thunder and lightning I don't think there was much sleepin, lots of screamin though.
Well, the fumes of the Big Macs and fries is getting to me, I am sure that I will chunder if I stay any longer. That's your lot for the week, sorry about that. Go home and see if the power is on, taking a Iarge Mac and Fries just in case!
At least the thunderstorms have filled the tanks and pool so I am good for water for another three months or so. It is amazing how much we rely on power and I do not know how some families cope without it.
The kids across the road were having a 'sleepover' but with all the thunder and lightning I don't think there was much sleepin, lots of screamin though.
Well, the fumes of the Big Macs and fries is getting to me, I am sure that I will chunder if I stay any longer. That's your lot for the week, sorry about that. Go home and see if the power is on, taking a Iarge Mac and Fries just in case!
Around the Traps
Vale - John Bish
Eira Battaglia wrote "My brother John Bish was a member of your association for some years. He was one of the British submariners seconded to RAN when Australia did not have a submarine in the early 50s. He became an Australian citizen and loved Australia, he remained in the navy until 1961. I am writing to inform your association and anyone who may have known John of his passing after a long illness. If information is required I can be contacted by email as below, I am his sister." The SAA holds no record of John, he would have been a member of the RN Submarines Old Comrades Association (SOCA). If anyone has any information please contact me.
Joel Kavanagh reported that 'Diesel Boats Forever' recently sold submarine T-shirts with a total profit of $246.85 made. Joel said
"DBF will forward $250 to the SAA Welfare Trust and remember that all products are still available in adults, youth and kids sizes! Thanks to everyone who made a purchase in support of your Submarines and Submariners." And thanks to DBF and Joel for a wonderful effort.
Eira Battaglia wrote "My brother John Bish was a member of your association for some years. He was one of the British submariners seconded to RAN when Australia did not have a submarine in the early 50s. He became an Australian citizen and loved Australia, he remained in the navy until 1961. I am writing to inform your association and anyone who may have known John of his passing after a long illness. If information is required I can be contacted by email as below, I am his sister." The SAA holds no record of John, he would have been a member of the RN Submarines Old Comrades Association (SOCA). If anyone has any information please contact me.
Joel Kavanagh reported that 'Diesel Boats Forever' recently sold submarine T-shirts with a total profit of $246.85 made. Joel said
"DBF will forward $250 to the SAA Welfare Trust and remember that all products are still available in adults, youth and kids sizes! Thanks to everyone who made a purchase in support of your Submarines and Submariners." And thanks to DBF and Joel for a wonderful effort.
The latest update on Lloyd Blake "Sincere thanks to every-one of you for your kind thoughts, prayers, cards, emails and messages for Lloyd; concern, transport and gifts that ensure his family stays on track! For Lloyd your contact brings joy and helps him stay in touch with his community. When the time is right, he will thank you himself, but in the meantime we will do our best to keep you informed. Brilliant news is that the spread of the GMB has stopped and the journey to recovery has started.
Lloyd is determined to get his strength back and regain normality into his life. He is a willing and a tolerant patient with all the treatment he endures. Importantly he has not lost his sense of humour! Each day we notice small improvements and with the favourable prognosis for a full recovery he will make it. Hard to believe almost 7 weeks have passed since this dreadful diagnosis stopped us all in our tracks. Right now, rest and full time care will help his nervous system repair the damaged Myelin and lessen the paralysis so he can be transferred into fulltime rehabilitation. When the visitor's doors open, we will let you know. In the meantime please respect that he finds it very tiring to 'entertain' visitors while staff busily ensure he continues progress. They don't leave him alone - not that he minds some of it - actually enjoys telling us about showering with Rachel or Georgia! The Blake girls.
Lloyd is determined to get his strength back and regain normality into his life. He is a willing and a tolerant patient with all the treatment he endures. Importantly he has not lost his sense of humour! Each day we notice small improvements and with the favourable prognosis for a full recovery he will make it. Hard to believe almost 7 weeks have passed since this dreadful diagnosis stopped us all in our tracks. Right now, rest and full time care will help his nervous system repair the damaged Myelin and lessen the paralysis so he can be transferred into fulltime rehabilitation. When the visitor's doors open, we will let you know. In the meantime please respect that he finds it very tiring to 'entertain' visitors while staff busily ensure he continues progress. They don't leave him alone - not that he minds some of it - actually enjoys telling us about showering with Rachel or Georgia! The Blake girls.
Ken 'Bungy' Williams, SSMCC NSW Chapter President wrote "Here are some pics from K13 today. The SSMCC was well represented by the Annual memorial Service conducted by the RN Submariners Association (Eastern States). I was lucky enough to see some pictures taken when the memorial was opened in 1961 which John Sheridan's dad had in his possession. It would be great to see this service supported more by the submariners of old and today as traditionally this was once the only memorial service to submariners in Australia. Anyhow I look forward to next year and the sad fact that the RN numbers will be thinner yet again." Yes, it is hard to get anyone interested in these Memorial Services. Click images below to enlarge.
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Nobby & Billy OZ Day 2016
Allan Dangerfield posted "I've had a request from the Defence Estate in Def Plaza Sydney. They are in the final throws of the transition, post remediation of Plats, however, there is an outstanding issue of what the Roads and Maritime Service are calling the Naval Crossing Cable. Can anyone remember what this may be. I mentioned to the guy it may have been the cable we used for the static noise dives, but I was only guessing that there was such a cable. Any clues?" Allan's post and some responses are at this link.
Sandy Freeleagus wrote "Read of my 'son' Sid (Czabotar) in Dunedin. I was Sid's sea daddy (shaddup) and I wonder if he recalls when we went into the finest emporium in Dunedin so that I could purchase a negligee for HiRob. We were served by an attractive young lass who soon had all manner of negligees in all shapes and sizes all over the counter. To make things easier, Sid and I decided on two requisites - one it had to be black (naturally) and secondly, we had to be able to read a newspaper through both sides of it. Many wayward first, and second looks were projected towards us as Sid stood at one end of the counter holding a wispy thingy up against himself while I contemplated the purchase at the other end of the counter.
Okay - I decided on the style and type, but as the lass was wrapping it, we decided that we'd better check it was the right size, so we got the girl to unwrap it and as she was about the same size as HiRob, got her to hold it up against herself. Sid reminded me that HiRob had bigger boobs than this girl, who then wanted to know how he knew the size of my wife's boobs??? By this time, the head lady of the underwear section came out to see what all the mayhem was about, so we sweet-talked her into getting us spare underwear posters for the mess. She was surprised to find that we preferred models in white garments instead of the more common black. The look on her face was a classic when we told her that the ladies' pink bits showed better in white. She gave up and we got posters in black, red, light blue, dark blue and white.
Whenever Sid and I ventured into that shop again, a buzz would go around, "Look, look - it's them again." Dunedin was a good run."
Sandy Freeleagus wrote "Read of my 'son' Sid (Czabotar) in Dunedin. I was Sid's sea daddy (shaddup) and I wonder if he recalls when we went into the finest emporium in Dunedin so that I could purchase a negligee for HiRob. We were served by an attractive young lass who soon had all manner of negligees in all shapes and sizes all over the counter. To make things easier, Sid and I decided on two requisites - one it had to be black (naturally) and secondly, we had to be able to read a newspaper through both sides of it. Many wayward first, and second looks were projected towards us as Sid stood at one end of the counter holding a wispy thingy up against himself while I contemplated the purchase at the other end of the counter.
Okay - I decided on the style and type, but as the lass was wrapping it, we decided that we'd better check it was the right size, so we got the girl to unwrap it and as she was about the same size as HiRob, got her to hold it up against herself. Sid reminded me that HiRob had bigger boobs than this girl, who then wanted to know how he knew the size of my wife's boobs??? By this time, the head lady of the underwear section came out to see what all the mayhem was about, so we sweet-talked her into getting us spare underwear posters for the mess. She was surprised to find that we preferred models in white garments instead of the more common black. The look on her face was a classic when we told her that the ladies' pink bits showed better in white. She gave up and we got posters in black, red, light blue, dark blue and white.
Whenever Sid and I ventured into that shop again, a buzz would go around, "Look, look - it's them again." Dunedin was a good run."
The Pride of the Fleet
Commander Submarine Force, Captain Matt Buckley, (left) with graduates of the Submarine Warfare Officers' Course at HMAS Watson, US Navy Lieutenant Roger Terry; Royal Canadian Navy Lieutenant Poul Mathiesen; Lieutenant Ben Sweetenham; with Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett and Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer; and graduates Lieutenant Regina Campbell; Lieutenant William Hartridge and US Navy Lieutenant Nathan Whitelaw, with Commodore Training Commodore Michael Rothwell.
The 2015 Submarine Warfare Officers' Course resulted in qualifications for six of the seven participants. It was the first time that three overseas students participated and successfully completed the course. Two US Navy officers and one Canadian officer joined their Australian counterparts in the intensive five-month course.
Commander Submarine Force, Captain Matt Buckley, said completion of the course was an important career milestone for many and that it culminated in an underway assessment phase.
The successful students were Lieutenant William Hartridge, (also dux of the course), Lieutenants Regina Campbell and Ben Sweetenham, US Navy Lieutenants Nathan Whitelaw and Roger Terry and Royal Canadian Navy Lieutenant Poul Mathiesen.
The two US officers are seconded to the Royal Australian Navy for a two year tour in another milestone for the Australian and US Submarine Forces. In order to utilise their learnt skills almost immediately, all the students will be posted to a Collins class submarine as one of the Warfare Officers. The only exception is Lieutenant Campbell, who will be posted to Canada for a two year exchange posting. Full Story at this link.
Commander Submarine Force, Captain Matt Buckley, said completion of the course was an important career milestone for many and that it culminated in an underway assessment phase.
The successful students were Lieutenant William Hartridge, (also dux of the course), Lieutenants Regina Campbell and Ben Sweetenham, US Navy Lieutenants Nathan Whitelaw and Roger Terry and Royal Canadian Navy Lieutenant Poul Mathiesen.
The two US officers are seconded to the Royal Australian Navy for a two year tour in another milestone for the Australian and US Submarine Forces. In order to utilise their learnt skills almost immediately, all the students will be posted to a Collins class submarine as one of the Warfare Officers. The only exception is Lieutenant Campbell, who will be posted to Canada for a two year exchange posting. Full Story at this link.
Submarine Association Australia
Tasmania Branch
Happy New Year to one and all. Hope all are well and did not over do the festive cheer. Apologies for the short notice regards our next social event.
Where: Ocean Child Hotel Argyle St Hobart
Time: 1830 for 1900. Meet downstairs for dinner upstairs in our own private room.
RSVP to me by 9th Feb so I can confirm numbers.
Unfortunately Cathy and I will not be able to attend as we will be in Melbourne to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I'm sure it will be a great night as previously at this hotel. Cheers.
Darren Thompson
SAA Tasmania Branch Social Secretary
New South Wales Branch
Come and join us for a great day and BBQ on Spectacle Island on Sunday 14th February. Please let Ken Norris know if you will be attending for catering purposes. Cost is $15 adults and $10 children.
Time for boats from Drummoyne Sailing Club, St Georges Crescent, Drummoyne 10.00am, 10.45am and 11.15am. BYO drinks and snacks.
RSVP Ken Norris no later than Monday 1st February.
Carol Wilson
NSW Branch Secretary
Happy New Year to one and all. Hope all are well and did not over do the festive cheer. Apologies for the short notice regards our next social event.
Where: Ocean Child Hotel Argyle St Hobart
Time: 1830 for 1900. Meet downstairs for dinner upstairs in our own private room.
RSVP to me by 9th Feb so I can confirm numbers.
Unfortunately Cathy and I will not be able to attend as we will be in Melbourne to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I'm sure it will be a great night as previously at this hotel. Cheers.
Darren Thompson
SAA Tasmania Branch Social Secretary
New South Wales Branch
Come and join us for a great day and BBQ on Spectacle Island on Sunday 14th February. Please let Ken Norris know if you will be attending for catering purposes. Cost is $15 adults and $10 children.
Time for boats from Drummoyne Sailing Club, St Georges Crescent, Drummoyne 10.00am, 10.45am and 11.15am. BYO drinks and snacks.
RSVP Ken Norris no later than Monday 1st February.
Carol Wilson
NSW Branch Secretary
Funny Bits....
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The Aft Mess went ashore for a lunch time session. The mess Leading Hand, Zeke Halley, got pissed and was wandering back to his boat when he saw a church. He was knackered and sat in a pew at the back. It was a Spiritualist church and the preacher asked whether any of the congregation had ever made contact with a ghost. Zeke and six other people raised their hands. He then asked if any had talked to a ghost. Zeke and two others had their hands up. The preacher asked if any had had physical contact with a ghost. Zeke and one other had their hands up. The preacher then asked if any had had sexual contact with a ghost and only Zeke had his hand up. "Could you tell us about your sexual experience with a ghost". Said the preacher. "Oh, a ghost". Said Zeke. "I thought you said a goat".
The old Coxswain, getting along in years, finds that he is unable to perform sexually. He finally goes to his doctor who tries a few things, but nothing seems to work. Finally, as a last hope, the doctor refers him to an African medicine man. The medicine man says, 'I can cure this.' With that said, he throws a white powder into a flame, and there is a flash with billowing blue smoke. Then he says, 'This is powerful healing but you can only use it once a year. All you have to do is say '123,' and it shall rise for as long as you wish!' The man then asks, 'What happens when it's over, and I don't want to continue?' The medicine man replies, 'When your partner can take no more sex all she has to say is '1234', and it will then go down. But be warned, it will not rise again for another year.' The old gent rushes home, anxious to try out his new powers. That night he showers, shaves and smothers himself in aftershave. He slides into bed, cuddles up to his wife, says '123' and suddenly he has the best hard on ever, just as the medicine man promised. His wife turns over and asks, 'What did you say '123 for?" |
We are all equal! Yes, whenever you hold someone in high esteem, think about these.
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Australia Day, 26th January 2016
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Congratulations to all Australian service men and women that have been honoured in the 2016 Australia Day honours List, with a special mention for the following submariners.
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA Rear Admiral Gregory John SAMMUT CSC RAN ACT For exceptional performance as the Head Future Submarine Program, the Director General Submarine Capability and the Director Submarine and Specialist Ship. |
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)
Lieutenant Commander John David DE BOMFORD RAN Vic
For outstanding devotion to duty as the Marine Engineering Officer in HMAS Stuart from December 2013 to March 2015.
MEDAL IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM) GENERAL DIVISION
Dr Michael Duckett WHITE QC (LCDR RAN Retired)
For service to maritime law, and to naval history. Author of Australian Submarines.
Mr David George DWYER
For service to the welfare of naval veterans and their families. Secretary of Naval Association Australia.
Rear Admiral Gregory John Sammut
Rear Admiral Gregory John Sammut was born in Sydney in 1966. He fulfilled a long-held ambition to join the Royal Australian Navy from high school in 1984. Having completed an honours degree in electrical engineering in 1987, he subsequently conducted seaman officer training before qualifying as a submariner in 1991 and then obtaining his submarine command qualification in 1996.
Rear Admiral Sammut served as the commanding officer of the Collins class submarine, HMAS Farncomb, and the Anzac class frigates HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Toowoomba. From June to November 2006, he was Commander Task Group 158.1, directly responsible to the Commander of Coalition Forces in the Northern Arabian Gulf. His most recent operational role was as Commander Combined Task Force 150 from October 2010 to April 2011, during which he commanded operations of the maritime counter-terrorism task force of Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations.
His shore duties have included Commander Submarine Sea Training, Chief Staff Officer–Operations in Fleet Command, Director Submarine and Specialist Ship Development within Capability Development Group, Chief of Staff to Chief of Navy, and Director General Submarine Capability within Navy Strategic Command. Rear Admiral Sammut assumed duties as Head Future Submarine Program in September 2013.
A graduate of both the Royal Australian Navy Staff College and the Naval Command College in Rhode Island U.S., Rear Admiral Sammut also holds a masters degree in business administration.
Lieutenant Commander John David DE BOMFORD RAN Vic
For outstanding devotion to duty as the Marine Engineering Officer in HMAS Stuart from December 2013 to March 2015.
MEDAL IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM) GENERAL DIVISION
Dr Michael Duckett WHITE QC (LCDR RAN Retired)
For service to maritime law, and to naval history. Author of Australian Submarines.
Mr David George DWYER
For service to the welfare of naval veterans and their families. Secretary of Naval Association Australia.
Rear Admiral Gregory John Sammut
Rear Admiral Gregory John Sammut was born in Sydney in 1966. He fulfilled a long-held ambition to join the Royal Australian Navy from high school in 1984. Having completed an honours degree in electrical engineering in 1987, he subsequently conducted seaman officer training before qualifying as a submariner in 1991 and then obtaining his submarine command qualification in 1996.
Rear Admiral Sammut served as the commanding officer of the Collins class submarine, HMAS Farncomb, and the Anzac class frigates HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Toowoomba. From June to November 2006, he was Commander Task Group 158.1, directly responsible to the Commander of Coalition Forces in the Northern Arabian Gulf. His most recent operational role was as Commander Combined Task Force 150 from October 2010 to April 2011, during which he commanded operations of the maritime counter-terrorism task force of Combined Maritime Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations.
His shore duties have included Commander Submarine Sea Training, Chief Staff Officer–Operations in Fleet Command, Director Submarine and Specialist Ship Development within Capability Development Group, Chief of Staff to Chief of Navy, and Director General Submarine Capability within Navy Strategic Command. Rear Admiral Sammut assumed duties as Head Future Submarine Program in September 2013.
A graduate of both the Royal Australian Navy Staff College and the Naval Command College in Rhode Island U.S., Rear Admiral Sammut also holds a masters degree in business administration.
Sunday, 24th January 2016
I have a letter box out the front of my house that people can send mail to, a phone that I use to talk to people on and an email account for receiving loads of crap. So please, do not send me messages or images by SMS, IM (or any other acronym) or Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. Got it: Mail, phone or email only and you may get a response.
Australia Day looms and another milestone has been met, a big 69. Having your Birthday on a public holiday used to be a bonus, but being retired it does not feel the same, everyday is a holiday. I have had a problem though deciding what to buy myself for a present. If it wasn't for the dog's I would get a new car, but with my two it would only be another kennel. don't need any new boy's toys, although I was very interested in a commercial wood chipper last week, but I considered the damage that it/I could cause with it and decided against it.
Been a bad day for The Log, not much material to use and the words aren't flowing. Possibly the humidity, we were supposed to have rain, but not here yet. I have been in and out of the pool all day, getting wrinkly (or more than normal anyway).
Australia Day looms and another milestone has been met, a big 69. Having your Birthday on a public holiday used to be a bonus, but being retired it does not feel the same, everyday is a holiday. I have had a problem though deciding what to buy myself for a present. If it wasn't for the dog's I would get a new car, but with my two it would only be another kennel. don't need any new boy's toys, although I was very interested in a commercial wood chipper last week, but I considered the damage that it/I could cause with it and decided against it.
Been a bad day for The Log, not much material to use and the words aren't flowing. Possibly the humidity, we were supposed to have rain, but not here yet. I have been in and out of the pool all day, getting wrinkly (or more than normal anyway).
I think I will call it quits for the day, been at it since 0530 this morning and not happy with the results. I promise to try harder next week. till then, take care and call someone on Australia Day to say 'G'day, RUOK?
Just noted that the banner for the Log has had January misspelt and no one picked it up, you are all getting slack!
Just noted that the banner for the Log has had January misspelt and no one picked it up, you are all getting slack!
Around the Traps |
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CAPT Stephen Bowater, Pat Heffernan and Toni Munday
Elaine-Lee Blake wrote "Lloyd is progressing his recovery daily and now he is able to, he has asked if the following can be posted on up-periscope? "Thanks to shipmates across Australia for your welcomed cards and messages. I'm making progress and now going deep for recovery therapy." Keep smiling Lloyd, we are all thinking of you mate.
Pat and Mavis Heffernan visited HMAS Cerberus on Friday. "I had the pleasure of donating a copy of Michael White's book "Australian Submarines: a history", 2nd edition, volumes one and two, to Captain Stephen Bowater OAM, the CO of HMAS Cerberus. Both Captain Bowater and Toni Munday, the Curator of the Museum were pleased to receive the book. It is to be held at the Museum for research purposes."
On receiving a card for his Birthday last week Peter Smith, the SAA Historian, replied "Many thanks for the birthday greetings, another quiet day and although I am a few days early Happy Birthday to yourself. I hope your day goes well. My health has improved after two attempts in hospital they yanked my gall bladder out through my belly button. Good news no cancer, bad news it had to go. To all submariners to get good news “no cancer” is the best type of report to have."
Cameron Martin posted "Congratulations to Kevin Stanton who had the winning bid of $500 for the Nelson's decanter of Pussers Rum. I'm sure Duck run will appreciate the generous support for the amazing 'submariner's walk' sign that will grace the banks of the Brisbane River." BZ everyone! Who said submariners were tight?
Pat and Mavis Heffernan visited HMAS Cerberus on Friday. "I had the pleasure of donating a copy of Michael White's book "Australian Submarines: a history", 2nd edition, volumes one and two, to Captain Stephen Bowater OAM, the CO of HMAS Cerberus. Both Captain Bowater and Toni Munday, the Curator of the Museum were pleased to receive the book. It is to be held at the Museum for research purposes."
On receiving a card for his Birthday last week Peter Smith, the SAA Historian, replied "Many thanks for the birthday greetings, another quiet day and although I am a few days early Happy Birthday to yourself. I hope your day goes well. My health has improved after two attempts in hospital they yanked my gall bladder out through my belly button. Good news no cancer, bad news it had to go. To all submariners to get good news “no cancer” is the best type of report to have."
Cameron Martin posted "Congratulations to Kevin Stanton who had the winning bid of $500 for the Nelson's decanter of Pussers Rum. I'm sure Duck run will appreciate the generous support for the amazing 'submariner's walk' sign that will grace the banks of the Brisbane River." BZ everyone! Who said submariners were tight?
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Terry 'Flu' Coldwell sent these photos and wrote "Currently my wife Karan and I are travelling through Malaysia. Today we set of in a car from Kota Kinabalu to a town called Kundasang near Ranau, at the base of Mount Kinabalu. Its here we visited the war memorial gardens that are in memory of Ozzy and Brit soldiers and Malays that died on the forced death marches from Sandakan to Renau. Its a very moving place, its upkeep and maintenance is carried out by locals in conjunction with the RSL. Reading the Honour rolls in the gardens I counted 5 sets of Australian brothers that died on the marches. Also something that was a surprise to me was the amount of RAN personnel that were POWs here as well. Anyone who gets the chance to come to this part of the world should as its well worth the visit. We are continuing on to Sandakan tomorrow where we will be visiting the war memorial park there." I have visited the Memorial, very sad.
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Rick Steley
Keith John Hatfield wrote "BZ again on Up Periscope. Particularly enjoyed reading of ‘Johnnies’ – ahh spewing from the balcony into the snakepit below, what elegant men we were back then. As it said, we were a bit rough and ready and all the rules of etticat (sic) didn’t worry us. Pissed as farts, your mates would always look after you – even if they got you into that state in the first place. Also your bit on the python – it is a known fact that pythons particularly like curling up under beds and settees – especially looking for food. LOL." Typical greenie, always being nice in hope of a free beer one day.
Paul 'Blue' Hartridge posted "When I caught up with my Dad in 1988, bringing a stop to his 20 year Jolly after leaving me in Preston, England in 1967, he told me, "One of the last letters I got from your Mum was of you both going to see Australia's first Submarine" He was talking about HMAS Oxley! What made it 'weird' was that I was then a LS Fore-Endy onboard Oxley." Even weirder Paul was that you made LS.
Rick Steley reports "I am now retired from the IT industry as I was made redundant on my 65th birthday and now enjoying a life of retirement on our little bit of acreage paradise at Taromeo QLD in the Blackbutt Range a couple of hours west of Brisbane, all visitors welcome. I really appreciate the effort you put in with the Log and look forward to it every week. When I was Boat Driver at Plats for some strange reason, the Chief Stoker was my Boss, could never figure that one out why the Chief Stoker was in charge of the Plastic Duck, it’s not like a Chief Stoker would know anything about small boats or anything nautical, very puzzling." Not a puzzle, it makes a lot of sense, Chief Stokers were reliable and could be trusted, unlike those of the 'mullet' persuasion. And they could read and write too (or most of us anyway!).
Sid Czabotar has surfaced! "Just to let you know that Lynn and I are alive and well still in new Zealand. I have access to a computer today so thought I would write to you, as my Tablet broke just after I arrived in NZ so access to the internet has been limited. On our travels I managed to get to Dunedin which I visited on HMAS Otway in 1972 as an additional watchkeeper on her paying off Jolly which included two ports Norfolk Island and Dunedin. I visited the Law Courts Hotel where the Senior Sailors stayed and reminisced about the timed we stayed there, especially the upstairs bar used by Hotel guests. This bar no longer exists. I do remember one incident at the Octagon (a square in the town which has changed dramatically since 1972 or is it my memory after 43 years or so) where Sandy Freeleagus stumbled over a hedge carrying a carton of Beer. Neither Sandy or the Beer was damaged. It also snowed and the only place we could get warm was the heated swimming pool. Ah memories!!!." I shudder when I recall some exciting times I experienced in KIWI land.
Paul 'Blue' Hartridge posted "When I caught up with my Dad in 1988, bringing a stop to his 20 year Jolly after leaving me in Preston, England in 1967, he told me, "One of the last letters I got from your Mum was of you both going to see Australia's first Submarine" He was talking about HMAS Oxley! What made it 'weird' was that I was then a LS Fore-Endy onboard Oxley." Even weirder Paul was that you made LS.
Rick Steley reports "I am now retired from the IT industry as I was made redundant on my 65th birthday and now enjoying a life of retirement on our little bit of acreage paradise at Taromeo QLD in the Blackbutt Range a couple of hours west of Brisbane, all visitors welcome. I really appreciate the effort you put in with the Log and look forward to it every week. When I was Boat Driver at Plats for some strange reason, the Chief Stoker was my Boss, could never figure that one out why the Chief Stoker was in charge of the Plastic Duck, it’s not like a Chief Stoker would know anything about small boats or anything nautical, very puzzling." Not a puzzle, it makes a lot of sense, Chief Stokers were reliable and could be trusted, unlike those of the 'mullet' persuasion. And they could read and write too (or most of us anyway!).
Sid Czabotar has surfaced! "Just to let you know that Lynn and I are alive and well still in new Zealand. I have access to a computer today so thought I would write to you, as my Tablet broke just after I arrived in NZ so access to the internet has been limited. On our travels I managed to get to Dunedin which I visited on HMAS Otway in 1972 as an additional watchkeeper on her paying off Jolly which included two ports Norfolk Island and Dunedin. I visited the Law Courts Hotel where the Senior Sailors stayed and reminisced about the timed we stayed there, especially the upstairs bar used by Hotel guests. This bar no longer exists. I do remember one incident at the Octagon (a square in the town which has changed dramatically since 1972 or is it my memory after 43 years or so) where Sandy Freeleagus stumbled over a hedge carrying a carton of Beer. Neither Sandy or the Beer was damaged. It also snowed and the only place we could get warm was the heated swimming pool. Ah memories!!!." I shudder when I recall some exciting times I experienced in KIWI land.
I thought that wine casks were the ultimate method of buying wine, but it appears that Ray Clarke has gone one better, he now gets his wine delivered in bulk. I hear that on one recent weekend he was entertaining John Rana and others and an additional delivery was required. Good one Ray!
As we get older we sometimes begin to doubt our ability to "make a difference" in the world. It is at these times that our hopes are boosted by the remarkable achievements of other "seniors" who have found the courage to take on challenges that would make many of us wither. Harold Schlumberg is such a person. "I've often been asked, 'What do you do now that you're retired?" Well...I'm fortunate to have a chemical engineering background and one of the things I enjoy most is converting beer, wine and whiskey into urine. It's rewarding, uplifting, satisfying and fulfilling. I do it every day and I really enjoy it." Harold is an inspiration to us all, I have asked Ray to send him the address of his wine merchant.
Tom and Laurie Johnston wrote "A very happy birthday to you for Tuesday 26th, I am sure the rest of Australia will be celebrating with you. We will be starting off with the flag raising at Picton RSL followed by a BBQ at the Sub Branch, Mick Lynch and myself will be representing the Submarine Community. Take care mate have a good one." I wonder if Laurie uses the same wine merchant as Ray?
Condolences to Dale 'Titch' Turner on the recent loss of his father, our thoughts are with you mate. Dale has now moved to Holbrook and I am sure that, if he hasn't already, JJF will get him involved with the Museum. I believe that there will be a big event there in April, watch this space.
Chris Gunn sent this warning, a good reason to take hygiene seriously when out. "Went to the ANZAC Spirit display at University of Wollongong yesterday morning; the first display in NSW. Very well done and an eye-opener. The caution – there can be plenty of grubby little urchins visiting each day and surfaces can become gathering points for germs. Prior to leaving the display, a good hand wash is recommended. Of course, did not do this and at about 2300, the nearest toilet was very welcome. I was the only one in our party touching the ‘buttons’ to log in for the email information downloads so this is possibly where the damage initiation site was located. The dreaded “die in the rear” is still with me; can help lose those additional kilos of course. The word of warning is passed." Something different, an officer with the shits, not giving them! Sorry Chris, couldn't resist it!
Always good to hear from old shipmates and today I received the following from Zeke Halley in Canada. "I've contacted you a couple of times. I was on the Onyx with you, we were both LMEs. This is about the best sailor Joke I've ever heard. I hope you've not heard it and that it may get a few smiles in Up Periscope."
Two stokers, Jock and Smudge, were really good run ashore mates. They ended up in a situation where Jock was duty and Smudge went ashore. Next day, at tot time Jock asked Smudge how his run ashore had gone. Smudge said that he'd had a quiet night and had a couple of pints then took in a movie. Jock asked which movie he had seen. "I saw a movie called Moby Dick" said Smudge. "Ah, I don't like those sordid sex movies" says Jock. "It's not about sex, it's about whales you prick" says Smudge. "I don't like those Welsh bastards either" says Jock." Bloody hell Zeke, I can now understand why you moved to Canada, they have no sense of humour either!
As we get older we sometimes begin to doubt our ability to "make a difference" in the world. It is at these times that our hopes are boosted by the remarkable achievements of other "seniors" who have found the courage to take on challenges that would make many of us wither. Harold Schlumberg is such a person. "I've often been asked, 'What do you do now that you're retired?" Well...I'm fortunate to have a chemical engineering background and one of the things I enjoy most is converting beer, wine and whiskey into urine. It's rewarding, uplifting, satisfying and fulfilling. I do it every day and I really enjoy it." Harold is an inspiration to us all, I have asked Ray to send him the address of his wine merchant.
Tom and Laurie Johnston wrote "A very happy birthday to you for Tuesday 26th, I am sure the rest of Australia will be celebrating with you. We will be starting off with the flag raising at Picton RSL followed by a BBQ at the Sub Branch, Mick Lynch and myself will be representing the Submarine Community. Take care mate have a good one." I wonder if Laurie uses the same wine merchant as Ray?
Condolences to Dale 'Titch' Turner on the recent loss of his father, our thoughts are with you mate. Dale has now moved to Holbrook and I am sure that, if he hasn't already, JJF will get him involved with the Museum. I believe that there will be a big event there in April, watch this space.
Chris Gunn sent this warning, a good reason to take hygiene seriously when out. "Went to the ANZAC Spirit display at University of Wollongong yesterday morning; the first display in NSW. Very well done and an eye-opener. The caution – there can be plenty of grubby little urchins visiting each day and surfaces can become gathering points for germs. Prior to leaving the display, a good hand wash is recommended. Of course, did not do this and at about 2300, the nearest toilet was very welcome. I was the only one in our party touching the ‘buttons’ to log in for the email information downloads so this is possibly where the damage initiation site was located. The dreaded “die in the rear” is still with me; can help lose those additional kilos of course. The word of warning is passed." Something different, an officer with the shits, not giving them! Sorry Chris, couldn't resist it!
Always good to hear from old shipmates and today I received the following from Zeke Halley in Canada. "I've contacted you a couple of times. I was on the Onyx with you, we were both LMEs. This is about the best sailor Joke I've ever heard. I hope you've not heard it and that it may get a few smiles in Up Periscope."
Two stokers, Jock and Smudge, were really good run ashore mates. They ended up in a situation where Jock was duty and Smudge went ashore. Next day, at tot time Jock asked Smudge how his run ashore had gone. Smudge said that he'd had a quiet night and had a couple of pints then took in a movie. Jock asked which movie he had seen. "I saw a movie called Moby Dick" said Smudge. "Ah, I don't like those sordid sex movies" says Jock. "It's not about sex, it's about whales you prick" says Smudge. "I don't like those Welsh bastards either" says Jock." Bloody hell Zeke, I can now understand why you moved to Canada, they have no sense of humour either!
Click to enlarge
Mark "Buster" Keeton has kindly donated two bottles of HMAS Otway Rum Port, dated March 1990, to be auctioned off to the highest bidder and all proceeds to go to Submariners Walk Heritage Trail Sign Fund.
This surely has to be a collector's piece not only from HMAS Otway Plank Owners point of view but those submariners who crewed HMAS Otway in port and starboard crews and have this missing in their collection.
This auction will shut on the Sunday, 31st January 2016. You can place a bid at this page.
This surely has to be a collector's piece not only from HMAS Otway Plank Owners point of view but those submariners who crewed HMAS Otway in port and starboard crews and have this missing in their collection.
This auction will shut on the Sunday, 31st January 2016. You can place a bid at this page.
Submarines Association Australia Update
Now that 2016 is here things seem to be on the move within the Association, it is hopes that more members get involved to ensure that things move ahead. No AGM was held last year, but there will be one in 2016 and the Secretary is calling for submissions of Notices of Motions, your chance to achieve changes that some of you believe are required. This is your chance to do resolve any issues that you may have.
This year will also see a study conducted on the communications requirements of the Association going into the future. The President, Bob Trotter, is discussing the issue with consultants to develop a succession plan for the webmaster, determine what tools and social media should be used, and, how to communicate with members of all age groups. Obviously, as acting webmaster I am probably biased as I believe I understand what our members want and personally have misgivings about the methodology employed to date (never have trusted IT geeks), based on the scant information that I have but I will support the outcomes regardless.
The National and State Executives often come in for criticism but it is important to remember that they are there to enact the requirements of Members. They can only be as good as the support and direction that they get from their Members. Attendance at meetings to support them would help, even if only the branch AGM.
The issue of SUBCON 2016 has been contentious and has generated some comments that have not been helpful. I am probably an offender, but it is now time to put all the history behind us and get on with supporting the organising committee. However, this does not mean raising any concerns you have, but raise them with the appropriate people, the organising Committee who will address your concerns. It is not the venue that makes a SUBCON, it is the people attending.
For those that do not and will not use Facebook the SAA Forum has been re-introduced to publish members questions that are often directed to Facebook or other places. All queries or complaints regarding the Association should be submitted to the National or State Secretaries for action. More general questions and information can be posted on the SAA Forum. Give it a go, it's future is up to the users.
2016 is going to be a great year for the Association, but it is up to all of us to make it so.
This year will also see a study conducted on the communications requirements of the Association going into the future. The President, Bob Trotter, is discussing the issue with consultants to develop a succession plan for the webmaster, determine what tools and social media should be used, and, how to communicate with members of all age groups. Obviously, as acting webmaster I am probably biased as I believe I understand what our members want and personally have misgivings about the methodology employed to date (never have trusted IT geeks), based on the scant information that I have but I will support the outcomes regardless.
The National and State Executives often come in for criticism but it is important to remember that they are there to enact the requirements of Members. They can only be as good as the support and direction that they get from their Members. Attendance at meetings to support them would help, even if only the branch AGM.
The issue of SUBCON 2016 has been contentious and has generated some comments that have not been helpful. I am probably an offender, but it is now time to put all the history behind us and get on with supporting the organising committee. However, this does not mean raising any concerns you have, but raise them with the appropriate people, the organising Committee who will address your concerns. It is not the venue that makes a SUBCON, it is the people attending.
For those that do not and will not use Facebook the SAA Forum has been re-introduced to publish members questions that are often directed to Facebook or other places. All queries or complaints regarding the Association should be submitted to the National or State Secretaries for action. More general questions and information can be posted on the SAA Forum. Give it a go, it's future is up to the users.
2016 is going to be a great year for the Association, but it is up to all of us to make it so.
Notice of an Annual General Meeting
Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Submarines Association Australia for 2016 will be held as part of SUBCON 2016 onboard the P&O PACIFIC ARIA between 16th and 23rd September 2016.
This Notice of the Annual General Meeting is promulgated in accordance with the SAA Constitution which states, “Notices of Annual General Meeting shall be promulgated no later than 1st February each year”.
Therefore, in accordance with the SAA Constitution, Notices of Motion for inclusion in the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting must be in my hands no later than 1st April 2016 (See Application ‘Notice of Motion’ APPENDIX E of the Constitution).
Full details on the 2016 AGM will be available on the SAA website. Further information and Notices of Motion will be promulgated at this site as they become available.
David Bryant.
SAA National Secretary.
Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Submarines Association Australia for 2016 will be held as part of SUBCON 2016 onboard the P&O PACIFIC ARIA between 16th and 23rd September 2016.
This Notice of the Annual General Meeting is promulgated in accordance with the SAA Constitution which states, “Notices of Annual General Meeting shall be promulgated no later than 1st February each year”.
Therefore, in accordance with the SAA Constitution, Notices of Motion for inclusion in the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting must be in my hands no later than 1st April 2016 (See Application ‘Notice of Motion’ APPENDIX E of the Constitution).
Full details on the 2016 AGM will be available on the SAA website. Further information and Notices of Motion will be promulgated at this site as they become available.
David Bryant.
SAA National Secretary.
Ray Kemp, SA Branch President and National H&W Coordinator sent this photo of AE2 on a piece of marble that will be used on the Centenary of ANZAC Walk along Kintyre Avenue Adelaide. Photo Quality not 100% however it gives an idea. Photo taken in a factory in China and there is heaps of reflection on the marble. The long vertical strokes represents the 1000 that were killed.
In February 2015 Ray was appointed to the SA Veteran’s Advisory Council a state government board. He is the only naval representative on the council. At the November meeting he was able to convince the council to include photos of AE1 and 2 and the RAN bridging team on the wall. At first they were just putting a photo of Collins on the wall. I now have the whole council understanding the role the navy played at Gallipoli and it will be given due recognition.
In February 2015 Ray was appointed to the SA Veteran’s Advisory Council a state government board. He is the only naval representative on the council. At the November meeting he was able to convince the council to include photos of AE1 and 2 and the RAN bridging team on the wall. At first they were just putting a photo of Collins on the wall. I now have the whole council understanding the role the navy played at Gallipoli and it will be given due recognition.
Queensland Branch
SUBCON 2016 is fast approaching so if you are thinking of attending now is the time to commit so you do not miss out on what promises to be another great SUBCON gathering. Check out our website and if the listed booking process doesn’t fit your circumstances please give Defence Escapes a call as they are happy to discuss alternate options.
The organising committee has been working closely with Defence Escapes to get the best deal for our Group Booking from P&O, and YES!! We are aware of some of the recent offers made by P&O which we did look into (no reply at this time). However, exclusive use of our own conference facilities and a few others perks under our booking as a ‘Conference Group’, will be more beneficial to us as a group, as opposed to others designed to suit individuals.
Thereare 80 Cabins booked at this time, with another 18 Possible. Our Ship the Pacific Aria and her Crew are new to Australian cruising and will be well settled in by September to care for us and any special needs associated with staging SUBCON 2016.
Now that Pacific Aria is operational, the organising committee working through Defence Escapes, are busy confirming our specific requests and needs with Aria‘s on board cruise director and staff. As this information becomes available we will get it out to SAA members and families etc. through the various websites, as well as by email to Branch Secretaries and the SUBCON Registration’s mailing list.
The SUBCON organising committee members and Defence Escapes staff are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Pete Sellars
on behalf of SUBCON Committee
Submariners Walk and Heritage Trail
Those requiring a copy of the DVD Two types of Ships can now contact Don at this link to purchase the video or make a donation. The Post and Handling cost is included in the $20 purchase price. Order yours now at this link.
Veterans' Affairs
Reciprocal Travel Concession Arrangements in NSW for ACT Seniors Card Holders has been announced. On 16 December 2015, the New South Wales Department of Families and Community Services and Transport for New South Wales, officially released new guidelines and related eligibility information in relation to reciprocal travel concessions arrangements for public transport services In New South Wales for ACT Seniors Card Holders to apply for the New South Wales Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal Card.
Relevant information and links to New South Wales Government websites can be found within the attachments to this newsletter or can be accessed at: opal.com.au or by phoning 13 67 25 (13 OPAL)
SUBCON 2016 is fast approaching so if you are thinking of attending now is the time to commit so you do not miss out on what promises to be another great SUBCON gathering. Check out our website and if the listed booking process doesn’t fit your circumstances please give Defence Escapes a call as they are happy to discuss alternate options.
The organising committee has been working closely with Defence Escapes to get the best deal for our Group Booking from P&O, and YES!! We are aware of some of the recent offers made by P&O which we did look into (no reply at this time). However, exclusive use of our own conference facilities and a few others perks under our booking as a ‘Conference Group’, will be more beneficial to us as a group, as opposed to others designed to suit individuals.
Thereare 80 Cabins booked at this time, with another 18 Possible. Our Ship the Pacific Aria and her Crew are new to Australian cruising and will be well settled in by September to care for us and any special needs associated with staging SUBCON 2016.
Now that Pacific Aria is operational, the organising committee working through Defence Escapes, are busy confirming our specific requests and needs with Aria‘s on board cruise director and staff. As this information becomes available we will get it out to SAA members and families etc. through the various websites, as well as by email to Branch Secretaries and the SUBCON Registration’s mailing list.
The SUBCON organising committee members and Defence Escapes staff are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Pete Sellars
on behalf of SUBCON Committee
Submariners Walk and Heritage Trail
Those requiring a copy of the DVD Two types of Ships can now contact Don at this link to purchase the video or make a donation. The Post and Handling cost is included in the $20 purchase price. Order yours now at this link.
Veterans' Affairs
Reciprocal Travel Concession Arrangements in NSW for ACT Seniors Card Holders has been announced. On 16 December 2015, the New South Wales Department of Families and Community Services and Transport for New South Wales, officially released new guidelines and related eligibility information in relation to reciprocal travel concessions arrangements for public transport services In New South Wales for ACT Seniors Card Holders to apply for the New South Wales Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal Card.
Relevant information and links to New South Wales Government websites can be found within the attachments to this newsletter or can be accessed at: opal.com.au or by phoning 13 67 25 (13 OPAL)
Scam Alert
I have picked up another telephone scam, this one involves a person using your phone number to purchase things over the internet from various suppliers such as a company called IG8 Pty Ltd, Openmarket Pty Ltd etc who specialize in downloaded Games, Videos etc. All a person needs to do is use the phone number online and when your Phone Bill arrives, the Account owner has some new charges on this account he never asked for, usually the charges are small less than $10 but they are repeated every month but some times can get much larger. This was tried on one of our mobiles last month and when I checked my phone account I found a new charge which I certainly didn’t incur, in my case I managed to get Telstra to waiver the charge but they also set up my account so it can’t happen again.
Step 1 Turn off Premium SMS Services, even though you may not use it or have asked for this service, it is by default turned on and open to abuse. https://say.telstra.com.au/customer/general/forms/Premium-SMS-barring
Step 2 – Contact Telstra and have all “Third Party Charging” barred on all your Telephone accounts, all mobiles and landline, again by default this service is on which allows anybody to use your phone number over the Internet to buy services and downloads particularly from a company called IG8 Pty ltd who have an agreement with Telstra and your Phone Account will be charged.
After a long phone call to Telstra and IG8 it was eventually cancelled but was still a battle, Telstra was excellent but not IG8, so to avoid any future problems just do the steps outlined above and save yourself a lot of hassles and always check your phone account for any irregularities each month. There is more information on this here: https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Billing-Payments/Telstra-s-Third-Party-Purchases-SCAM/td-p/229633.
Thanks to Rick Steley for this warning.
I have picked up another telephone scam, this one involves a person using your phone number to purchase things over the internet from various suppliers such as a company called IG8 Pty Ltd, Openmarket Pty Ltd etc who specialize in downloaded Games, Videos etc. All a person needs to do is use the phone number online and when your Phone Bill arrives, the Account owner has some new charges on this account he never asked for, usually the charges are small less than $10 but they are repeated every month but some times can get much larger. This was tried on one of our mobiles last month and when I checked my phone account I found a new charge which I certainly didn’t incur, in my case I managed to get Telstra to waiver the charge but they also set up my account so it can’t happen again.
Step 1 Turn off Premium SMS Services, even though you may not use it or have asked for this service, it is by default turned on and open to abuse. https://say.telstra.com.au/customer/general/forms/Premium-SMS-barring
Step 2 – Contact Telstra and have all “Third Party Charging” barred on all your Telephone accounts, all mobiles and landline, again by default this service is on which allows anybody to use your phone number over the Internet to buy services and downloads particularly from a company called IG8 Pty ltd who have an agreement with Telstra and your Phone Account will be charged.
After a long phone call to Telstra and IG8 it was eventually cancelled but was still a battle, Telstra was excellent but not IG8, so to avoid any future problems just do the steps outlined above and save yourself a lot of hassles and always check your phone account for any irregularities each month. There is more information on this here: https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Billing-Payments/Telstra-s-Third-Party-Purchases-SCAM/td-p/229633.
Thanks to Rick Steley for this warning.
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Warfare of the future? Some people have the ability to come up with what we consider to be far fetched ideas, but many years later they come to fruition.
It's a wonder the do gooders are not kicking up a stink over new measures included in a bill passed by the US Congress last month amid concerns terrorists could take advantage of the program. Australians who have recently visited parts of the Middle East and Africa will now need a visa to enter the United States. From Friday, Australians who have been to Iran, Iraq, Syria or Sudan since March 2011, and dual citizens of those countries, will no longer be eligible to enter under the visa waiver program. The few make it harder for the many as usual. |
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Humour
Three Aussie blokes working up on an outback mobile phone tower: Mongrel, Coot and Bluey. As they start their descent, Coot slips, falls off the tower and is killed instantly. As the ambulance takes the body away, Bluey says, 'Well, bugger me, someone's gotta go and tell Coot's wife. Mongrel says, 'OK, I'm pretty good at that sensitive stuff, I'll do it.' Two hours later, he comes back carrying a case of beer.
Bluey says, 'Where'd you get the grog, Mongrel?'
Coot's wife gave it to me,' Mongrel replies. 'That's unbelievable, you told the Missus her husband was dead and she gave you a case of beer?'
'Well, not exactly', Mongrel says. 'When she answered the door, I said to her, "You must be Coot's widow." She said, 'You must be mistaken. I'm not a widow.' Then I said, 'I'll betcha a case of beer you are.'
A Catholic, a Protestant, a Muslim and a Jew were in a discussion during a dinner.
Catholic: "I have a large fortune... I am going to buy Citibank!"
Protestant: "I am very wealthy and will buy General Motors!"
Muslim: "I am a fabulously rich prince... I intend to purchase Microsoft!
They then all wait for the Jew to speak.
The Jew stirs his coffee, places the spoon neatly on the table, takes a sip of his coffee, looks at them and casually says: "I'm not selling!!"
Bluey says, 'Where'd you get the grog, Mongrel?'
Coot's wife gave it to me,' Mongrel replies. 'That's unbelievable, you told the Missus her husband was dead and she gave you a case of beer?'
'Well, not exactly', Mongrel says. 'When she answered the door, I said to her, "You must be Coot's widow." She said, 'You must be mistaken. I'm not a widow.' Then I said, 'I'll betcha a case of beer you are.'
A Catholic, a Protestant, a Muslim and a Jew were in a discussion during a dinner.
Catholic: "I have a large fortune... I am going to buy Citibank!"
Protestant: "I am very wealthy and will buy General Motors!"
Muslim: "I am a fabulously rich prince... I intend to purchase Microsoft!
They then all wait for the Jew to speak.
The Jew stirs his coffee, places the spoon neatly on the table, takes a sip of his coffee, looks at them and casually says: "I'm not selling!!"
Sunday, 17th January 2016
Hot and humid all week, the promised rain did not eventuate. I used the last water out of the swimming pools reserve tank and the next top up will be from my in ground tanks if it doesn't rain soon. How easy it is to take water for granted.
Managed to catch up on some home maintenance though, replaced some rotting steps and they are safe again. I also discovered dry rot in my Merbau decking. At first I thought it was white ants ( they are everywhere and it is a constant battle to control them, but the wood had just gone 'soft'? They have only been down for 5 years so it came as a surprise. Have had a sample sent away for testing.
Fixing white ant damage this week, two hardwood beams in the garage have been attacked. I regularly go around and do an echo sounding on exposed timbers, these two are almost hollow. I pay a fortune for the pest exterminator to come in and spray each year, but it has little effect. Fortunately the house is pretty well protected, concrete barrier around the house with gravel under. And the stumps are metal that I keep oiled.
Managed to catch up on some home maintenance though, replaced some rotting steps and they are safe again. I also discovered dry rot in my Merbau decking. At first I thought it was white ants ( they are everywhere and it is a constant battle to control them, but the wood had just gone 'soft'? They have only been down for 5 years so it came as a surprise. Have had a sample sent away for testing.
Fixing white ant damage this week, two hardwood beams in the garage have been attacked. I regularly go around and do an echo sounding on exposed timbers, these two are almost hollow. I pay a fortune for the pest exterminator to come in and spray each year, but it has little effect. Fortunately the house is pretty well protected, concrete barrier around the house with gravel under. And the stumps are metal that I keep oiled.
Went out the back on Thursday to see what Niggs was barking at, I thought that it was the possums. It turned out to be a three metre python dangling from the beam on the back verandah. Niggs and I went inside, shut the door and turned the light out. He was gone in te morning and I don't want to know where!
I am getting new neighbours across the road. The QCWA building has been sold and it is being turned back into a house. An elderly couple are moving in, more drinking companions.
Also spent some time on the Association website this week in preparation of a handover to my relief. I have introduced a Forum where you can submit suggestions, questions, raise issues or just seek advice. It is hoped that responses will be provided by appropriate Association officials. The Forum will make all members aware of your concerns, advice, queries and they too may join in the conversation. This is not my first attempt to provide such a 'meeting place' but with luck I will have more luck with this one.
Not a lot of mail this week, come on guys get your pen and pencils out and spin a dit, dob in a mate or just say g'day.
Till next week...................
I am getting new neighbours across the road. The QCWA building has been sold and it is being turned back into a house. An elderly couple are moving in, more drinking companions.
Also spent some time on the Association website this week in preparation of a handover to my relief. I have introduced a Forum where you can submit suggestions, questions, raise issues or just seek advice. It is hoped that responses will be provided by appropriate Association officials. The Forum will make all members aware of your concerns, advice, queries and they too may join in the conversation. This is not my first attempt to provide such a 'meeting place' but with luck I will have more luck with this one.
Not a lot of mail this week, come on guys get your pen and pencils out and spin a dit, dob in a mate or just say g'day.
Till next week...................
Eternal Patrol - LM(E) Edward ‘Ted’ Barker
It is with considerable regret that I announce the passing of LM(E) Edward ‘Ted’ Barker formerly of the Royal Navy on Thursday evening, 14 January 2016 after a long illness.
Ted joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 in 1954 as an Engineering Mechanic and served in HM Submarines HMS Telemachus, HMS Andrew, HMS Exploder, HMS Otus and HMS Tabard between 1958 and 1966. He did two tours in Australia during this time (HMS Telemachus and HMS Tabard) before returning to the UK in 1964. Ted left the RN in 1970 and returned to Australia with his family, settling in Tasmania.
He joined the Tasmanian Branch of the SAA in 1999 and was an active member until recently when his health deteriorated. Ted was noted for the great stories of his time serving with Australian-based boats running out of Sydney and for his wicked sense of humour – he will be sorely missed.
Ted is survived by his wife Beverley, daughter Christine, son Stephen, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren and we extend our sincerest condolences to them. Condolences to 25 Gunn St., Bridgewater 7030.
A funeral service will be held at 1530 on Thursday, 22 January 2016 at the Graham Family Funeral Home, 73 Risdon Rd, New Town. In lieu of flowers Bev has requested that donations be made to the Dementia Research and will be gratefully received at the service.
David Byrne
Hon. Secretary
SAA - Tasmania Branch Inc.
It is with considerable regret that I announce the passing of LM(E) Edward ‘Ted’ Barker formerly of the Royal Navy on Thursday evening, 14 January 2016 after a long illness.
Ted joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 in 1954 as an Engineering Mechanic and served in HM Submarines HMS Telemachus, HMS Andrew, HMS Exploder, HMS Otus and HMS Tabard between 1958 and 1966. He did two tours in Australia during this time (HMS Telemachus and HMS Tabard) before returning to the UK in 1964. Ted left the RN in 1970 and returned to Australia with his family, settling in Tasmania.
He joined the Tasmanian Branch of the SAA in 1999 and was an active member until recently when his health deteriorated. Ted was noted for the great stories of his time serving with Australian-based boats running out of Sydney and for his wicked sense of humour – he will be sorely missed.
Ted is survived by his wife Beverley, daughter Christine, son Stephen, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren and we extend our sincerest condolences to them. Condolences to 25 Gunn St., Bridgewater 7030.
A funeral service will be held at 1530 on Thursday, 22 January 2016 at the Graham Family Funeral Home, 73 Risdon Rd, New Town. In lieu of flowers Bev has requested that donations be made to the Dementia Research and will be gratefully received at the service.
David Byrne
Hon. Secretary
SAA - Tasmania Branch Inc.
Around the Traps |
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Bruce Crane sent this update on Lloyd Blake that he received from Lloyd's wife Lee. "Just heard from Lee, it appears that the centrifugal separator from the Ovens got to Charlie Gairdner’s OK and Lloyd has had two sessions of blood filtering, from all accounts not something you would wish on anyone but it has to be done. After Monday’s session Lee suggested, in no uncertain terms, that he should be moved to a quieter room as all he wanted was to get some rest from all that is going on 24 x 7 where he was, apparently they have no conception of going to “black lighting” at dusk.
"Anyway he was moved into a new room to enjoy some peace and quiet, but unfortunately his condition appears not to have improved if anything is a little worse so they have moved him again into a high dependency room. As Lee said he has not reached the middle of the woods as yet so cannot begin to move out just yet, it will be three weeks come Friday which is, for all accounts, about the time a G-BS sufferer would hit their lowest point, so let’s hope and pray that this is the case for Lloyd."
While he is still flat on his back and unable to move, other than slight movement in his arm, and while his speech is laboured and slurred apparently he is able to view and comprehend Get Well Cards that people have sent and that Lee and Amber read to him, and is so thankful for them giving him a boost along, as such if you haven’t as yet sent one, and or could pass this on to other old shipmates to send one, please address them to; Lloyd Blake, 69 Buxton Street Mt Hawthorn WA 6016. Many thanks for that."
Roger Cooper wrote "I would like to wish my old chief Tiff Ian Taber a happy birthday. Ian was a great submariner and is seen in this photo receiving his award from RADM Dovers, with our Skipper Terry Roach looking on, for deeds done during Otway's saving the crew of the yacht ONE and ALL when it collided with part of the Great Barrier Reef in 1971. As Kevin Hayton and Garry 'Roscoe' Ross will tell you it was a good run in Brisbane, we three could not be aroused (?) from the Pub we were staying in and missed the boat and the proceeding rescue. Ian is the longest serving submariner on the Holbrook Submarine Museums Committee, thanks old mate." Happy Birthday Ian, only 78? In addition to serving on HMS Ocelot, HMAS Otway and HMAS Orion he served on HMA Ships Warramunga, Barcoo, Queenborough, Melbourne and Supply and as an instructor at Engineering School, HMAS Cerberus.
"Anyway he was moved into a new room to enjoy some peace and quiet, but unfortunately his condition appears not to have improved if anything is a little worse so they have moved him again into a high dependency room. As Lee said he has not reached the middle of the woods as yet so cannot begin to move out just yet, it will be three weeks come Friday which is, for all accounts, about the time a G-BS sufferer would hit their lowest point, so let’s hope and pray that this is the case for Lloyd."
While he is still flat on his back and unable to move, other than slight movement in his arm, and while his speech is laboured and slurred apparently he is able to view and comprehend Get Well Cards that people have sent and that Lee and Amber read to him, and is so thankful for them giving him a boost along, as such if you haven’t as yet sent one, and or could pass this on to other old shipmates to send one, please address them to; Lloyd Blake, 69 Buxton Street Mt Hawthorn WA 6016. Many thanks for that."
Roger Cooper wrote "I would like to wish my old chief Tiff Ian Taber a happy birthday. Ian was a great submariner and is seen in this photo receiving his award from RADM Dovers, with our Skipper Terry Roach looking on, for deeds done during Otway's saving the crew of the yacht ONE and ALL when it collided with part of the Great Barrier Reef in 1971. As Kevin Hayton and Garry 'Roscoe' Ross will tell you it was a good run in Brisbane, we three could not be aroused (?) from the Pub we were staying in and missed the boat and the proceeding rescue. Ian is the longest serving submariner on the Holbrook Submarine Museums Committee, thanks old mate." Happy Birthday Ian, only 78? In addition to serving on HMS Ocelot, HMAS Otway and HMAS Orion he served on HMA Ships Warramunga, Barcoo, Queenborough, Melbourne and Supply and as an instructor at Engineering School, HMAS Cerberus.
Click to enlarge
Alan Mooney noted that on Friday 13th January 1967 he joined HMAS Nirimba. He said "The World and the Navy have changed since then, not necessarily for the better. To all those from my term that aren't here - RIP and to those who are still alive - ënjoy life and live for tomorrow. I wish you good health and happiness."
Andy Galley found out through Peter Knights thru The Log, that “Revs” Barend is presently in the Canberra Hospital’s Rehab Independent Learning Unit after an operation in November for a brain aneurism. The operation has left him with partial paralysis and memory loss. Andy said "I rang the hospital and was told he could have visitors at any time during the weekend and after 1400 during the week. I have just got back from visiting him. He looks OK and he did recognise me. Has weakness on his right side and bad vision in right eye. He was very pleased to see me and would love to see other SAA members if they had time. His memory is not too good but is getting better but remembers little from his entry to hospital. He is at the Rehabilitation Independent Living Centre at the end of Gaunt Place Garran. Please pass on to all ship all shore."
Bruce 'Bruta' McLenan wrote "Just touching first base, I had a quite Christmas and New Year here on Mindanau, will be back home next month for a while and will catch up with the Ballina contingent. JJim Moon is in charge of my 3 pot plants this time whilst away, Squizzy murdered the last lot. Mind you, Jim has recruited Lady Monica to assist so am confident that they will survive. Although limited these days, there is incredible diving In this part of the world, the hardest part being convincing my doctor it is OK."
Canadian Ian 'Hoppy' Hopkins wrote "Very many thanks for placing my note in your "Up Scope" and I am happy to say that already I have had one reply. Good On You. Who knows I might find some more scandal as time goes by."
The email that Ian received came from Tim Bowra who had written "I not only express my pleasure in making your acquaintance on this hallowed site but also your service in reminding me of the fun time I shared in basic training at Blockhouse, 1965. The class was a muster of six lieutenants: two Indian, two Canadian and two Australian. We were joined by a rabble of RN subbies. I don’t think any of us actually counted them or shared their enthusiasm for the cause. We had all been sublieutenants.
Tim added "At mid-track there was a trim change. Mrs Indira Ghandi, in line with her sentiments, decided that her country, still in its 500th year-old grip of poverty, would benefit from accepting a gift of a handful clapped out Whiskeys. My close Indian friend, Raja, informed me that he and his fellow officer had been ordered to memorise and retain any documented technology they had consumed on the Oberon class submarine and grab the next flight to Moscow. We had a curry party and gave each other a big farewell hug laced with conspiratorial smiles. Then again, Russian submariners were our brothers in arms and I still hope today that they didn’t pay too much attention to Raja’s course book.
Meanwhile, whilst you lot had HMCSs’ Ojibwa, Onondaga and Okananagan building at Chatham (next time you build boats could you please do your best to separate the last two names) our lot were being trotted out from Scotts. We made a companionship that that was totally devoid of transgression. It was seasoned with a measured dose of cynicism and this gave absolute flavour to the various exchanges we could make after our various seabourne conscriptions. My class-mate Phil Usher and I were seconded to HMS Opossum and HMS Oracle as seaman branch watchkeepers, appointments that reflected our basic training. One of my Canadian friends landed electrical officer and the other, engines. You can see the fun we all had in the early days. What a pity it isn’t extant."
Andy Galley found out through Peter Knights thru The Log, that “Revs” Barend is presently in the Canberra Hospital’s Rehab Independent Learning Unit after an operation in November for a brain aneurism. The operation has left him with partial paralysis and memory loss. Andy said "I rang the hospital and was told he could have visitors at any time during the weekend and after 1400 during the week. I have just got back from visiting him. He looks OK and he did recognise me. Has weakness on his right side and bad vision in right eye. He was very pleased to see me and would love to see other SAA members if they had time. His memory is not too good but is getting better but remembers little from his entry to hospital. He is at the Rehabilitation Independent Living Centre at the end of Gaunt Place Garran. Please pass on to all ship all shore."
Bruce 'Bruta' McLenan wrote "Just touching first base, I had a quite Christmas and New Year here on Mindanau, will be back home next month for a while and will catch up with the Ballina contingent. JJim Moon is in charge of my 3 pot plants this time whilst away, Squizzy murdered the last lot. Mind you, Jim has recruited Lady Monica to assist so am confident that they will survive. Although limited these days, there is incredible diving In this part of the world, the hardest part being convincing my doctor it is OK."
Canadian Ian 'Hoppy' Hopkins wrote "Very many thanks for placing my note in your "Up Scope" and I am happy to say that already I have had one reply. Good On You. Who knows I might find some more scandal as time goes by."
The email that Ian received came from Tim Bowra who had written "I not only express my pleasure in making your acquaintance on this hallowed site but also your service in reminding me of the fun time I shared in basic training at Blockhouse, 1965. The class was a muster of six lieutenants: two Indian, two Canadian and two Australian. We were joined by a rabble of RN subbies. I don’t think any of us actually counted them or shared their enthusiasm for the cause. We had all been sublieutenants.
Tim added "At mid-track there was a trim change. Mrs Indira Ghandi, in line with her sentiments, decided that her country, still in its 500th year-old grip of poverty, would benefit from accepting a gift of a handful clapped out Whiskeys. My close Indian friend, Raja, informed me that he and his fellow officer had been ordered to memorise and retain any documented technology they had consumed on the Oberon class submarine and grab the next flight to Moscow. We had a curry party and gave each other a big farewell hug laced with conspiratorial smiles. Then again, Russian submariners were our brothers in arms and I still hope today that they didn’t pay too much attention to Raja’s course book.
Meanwhile, whilst you lot had HMCSs’ Ojibwa, Onondaga and Okananagan building at Chatham (next time you build boats could you please do your best to separate the last two names) our lot were being trotted out from Scotts. We made a companionship that that was totally devoid of transgression. It was seasoned with a measured dose of cynicism and this gave absolute flavour to the various exchanges we could make after our various seabourne conscriptions. My class-mate Phil Usher and I were seconded to HMS Opossum and HMS Oracle as seaman branch watchkeepers, appointments that reflected our basic training. One of my Canadian friends landed electrical officer and the other, engines. You can see the fun we all had in the early days. What a pity it isn’t extant."
Ramon Lawrence
Ramon Lawrence is going into refit. "I go into hospital this Thursday for a Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy as a preliminary check before undergoing Bariatric Surgery on 28th January to remove half my stomach. Have to lose weight somehow :)) I will be in St John of God's Hospital in Subiaco for about 5 days if all goes well and then start eating like a baby for several months - liquid for a few weeks, baby food for a few more and then onto light solids etc. It is all to improve my diabetes, bad knees carrying too much weight for too long, etc, etc. Providing the operation goes well I should be up and running around well before my trip to Japan for archery in April etc." Wish you all the best Ramon.
Can you help? Dear Friends and Associates, this email is to seek your support in assisting a couple of Aussie battlers achieve their dream. This link is a mechanism which allows interested persons to make contributions to assist Gemma our daughter in law to be able to travel to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (RNCM) UK so that she can undertake her master’s degree in Performance (MPerf). Once you read Gemma’s plea you will understand how hard she and Glenn our son have worked in order for her to be accepted to undertake this degree at RNCM and that any donation however small will assist them to achieve their dream. Thanking you all in advance. Wally and Ros McNamee, proud Parents and Parents in law.
Mark Standing, ex LSSNSM has made an offer too good to miss, take a note of his contact details. He wrote "I am currently the Waste Services Manager at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort. If any submariners (past and present) are heading to Ayers Rock they can contact me two weeks prior to their arrival I will organise accommodation at staff rates. A standard room for example at the Pioneer hotel and lodge is $315 per night. I can get these rooms for $80 per night. I can be contacted on 0411023953."
Can you help? Dear Friends and Associates, this email is to seek your support in assisting a couple of Aussie battlers achieve their dream. This link is a mechanism which allows interested persons to make contributions to assist Gemma our daughter in law to be able to travel to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (RNCM) UK so that she can undertake her master’s degree in Performance (MPerf). Once you read Gemma’s plea you will understand how hard she and Glenn our son have worked in order for her to be accepted to undertake this degree at RNCM and that any donation however small will assist them to achieve their dream. Thanking you all in advance. Wally and Ros McNamee, proud Parents and Parents in law.
Mark Standing, ex LSSNSM has made an offer too good to miss, take a note of his contact details. He wrote "I am currently the Waste Services Manager at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort. If any submariners (past and present) are heading to Ayers Rock they can contact me two weeks prior to their arrival I will organise accommodation at staff rates. A standard room for example at the Pioneer hotel and lodge is $315 per night. I can get these rooms for $80 per night. I can be contacted on 0411023953."
Collins Class - The Pride of the Fleet
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The Navy Daily reports that HMAS Dechaineux returned to her home port at Fleet Base West just before Christmas, following a six month deployment to Asia and the east coast of Australia. Her return marked 176 days since leaving her home port and she steamed 24,000 miles in what was a busy period. A large number of sailors and officers qualified as submariners and on the job training continued for many others.
The busy program has been a challenge for the crew but one they all relished said Commanding Officer, Commander Robin Dainty. "Our tempo was high since we left home all those months ago but despite that the crew remained focused and adapted to changes along the way," he said. "We participated in exercises with many different units from Australia, New Zealand, United States and Malaysia. Even though they were many miles away friends and family of Dechaineux crew have remained supportive and provided encouragement from home." |
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Torpedo Officer, Lieutenant Commander Mark Daly and Australian cricketer Brad Hogg in the Control Room of Sheean
Because of their support a special guest was embarked on Dechaineux's return journey to surprise the waiting friends and family on the wharf. Joining the 60-strong crew, Santa Claus embarked early on the morning of Dechaineux's return bringing with him some gifts for the waiting children. Commander Dainty said that Santa's visit was a welcome surprise. Santa is escorted by Leading Seaman Marine Technician Matthew Carter from HMAS Dechaineux to see family and friends of the crew gathered on the wharf for the boats return from a South East Asia Deployment.
"We were all looking forward to seeing our families and the fact that Santa made a special trip from the North Pole to see them as well was a great reward for our hard work, and it was a particular delight to see the look on the children's faces as we approached the wharf with him onboard," Commander Dainty said.
Once the greetings were done, the presents were distributed and their bags offloaded the fearless crew of HMAS Dechaineux waved off Santa who left for the airport to return home to the North Pole. The most precious gift given though was the chance for the crew to sleep in their own beds that night; the first time in almost six months.
Published on 15 January 2016 LEUT Kara Wansbury (author), LSIS Lee-Anne Mack (photographer)
Just not cricket!
The Navy Daily reported "Friends, family and a contingent from the Submarine Force farewelled HMAS Sheean as she sailed for a deployment to India from her home port of HMAS Stirling in 2015 for a significant milestone as the first time a Collins Class Submarine would visit India. Commanding Officer, Commander Jason Cupples said in preparation for her deployment, the boat went through a full work up process achieving unit readiness.
"We stayed on our program since being release from our intermediate docking, which considering the scope of work, was quite an achievement," Commander Cupples said. With the strength of his crew being their teamwork and positive attitude, HMAS Sheean achieved the aim of their deployment.
"HMAS Sheean took part in Australia India Exercise (AUSINDEX) with HMA Ships Arunta and Sirius as well as Indian vessels and aircraft exercising anti-submarine warfare and demonstrating interoperability in the Indian Ocean region," Commander Cupples said.
As part of the preparation for their inaugural visit to India, the crew hosted Australian cricketer Brad Hogg onboard. Hogg, who had recently toured India himself, was provided a tour of Sheean as well as afternoon tea with crew in the Wardroom. During the visit he signed two cricket bats which were passed to the Indian Navy hosts during Sheean's visit. "Both countries are passionate about cricket and it was a pleasure to host Brad Hogg and speak to him about his experiences in India playing for the India Premier League," Commander Cupples said.
Published on 17 January 2016 LEUT Kara Wansbury (author), LSIS Lee-Anne Mack (photographer)
"We were all looking forward to seeing our families and the fact that Santa made a special trip from the North Pole to see them as well was a great reward for our hard work, and it was a particular delight to see the look on the children's faces as we approached the wharf with him onboard," Commander Dainty said.
Once the greetings were done, the presents were distributed and their bags offloaded the fearless crew of HMAS Dechaineux waved off Santa who left for the airport to return home to the North Pole. The most precious gift given though was the chance for the crew to sleep in their own beds that night; the first time in almost six months.
Published on 15 January 2016 LEUT Kara Wansbury (author), LSIS Lee-Anne Mack (photographer)
Just not cricket!
The Navy Daily reported "Friends, family and a contingent from the Submarine Force farewelled HMAS Sheean as she sailed for a deployment to India from her home port of HMAS Stirling in 2015 for a significant milestone as the first time a Collins Class Submarine would visit India. Commanding Officer, Commander Jason Cupples said in preparation for her deployment, the boat went through a full work up process achieving unit readiness.
"We stayed on our program since being release from our intermediate docking, which considering the scope of work, was quite an achievement," Commander Cupples said. With the strength of his crew being their teamwork and positive attitude, HMAS Sheean achieved the aim of their deployment.
"HMAS Sheean took part in Australia India Exercise (AUSINDEX) with HMA Ships Arunta and Sirius as well as Indian vessels and aircraft exercising anti-submarine warfare and demonstrating interoperability in the Indian Ocean region," Commander Cupples said.
As part of the preparation for their inaugural visit to India, the crew hosted Australian cricketer Brad Hogg onboard. Hogg, who had recently toured India himself, was provided a tour of Sheean as well as afternoon tea with crew in the Wardroom. During the visit he signed two cricket bats which were passed to the Indian Navy hosts during Sheean's visit. "Both countries are passionate about cricket and it was a pleasure to host Brad Hogg and speak to him about his experiences in India playing for the India Premier League," Commander Cupples said.
Published on 17 January 2016 LEUT Kara Wansbury (author), LSIS Lee-Anne Mack (photographer)
The loss of David Bowie last week at 69 had many of us recalling our youth, he was always one of my favourites and I loved his music. Jay Rouse obviously shares a love of his music and he produced this video that he made to honour both David and the Bush fire fighters that were kept busy protecting homes and lives in several states. BZ Jay, I thought I was the only submariner that could sing.
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Association News
Queensland Branch
We have been informed that a member recently booked tickets for the SUBCON cruise without going via Defence Escape Travels. Members who don't book through Defence Escape Travels will not be included with the official events and associated activities that have been organised for SUBCON 2016? Should you have any questions regarding the above please contact us by email or 'phone call on 0418 226 029.
Paul Gapes
Secretary, Queensland Branch
Western Australia Branch
The email address for the Secretary has changed to paultmeakin@gmail.com and you are requested to change it in your address book.
Paul Meakin
Secretary, Western Australia Branch
We have been informed that a member recently booked tickets for the SUBCON cruise without going via Defence Escape Travels. Members who don't book through Defence Escape Travels will not be included with the official events and associated activities that have been organised for SUBCON 2016? Should you have any questions regarding the above please contact us by email or 'phone call on 0418 226 029.
Paul Gapes
Secretary, Queensland Branch
Western Australia Branch
The email address for the Secretary has changed to paultmeakin@gmail.com and you are requested to change it in your address book.
Paul Meakin
Secretary, Western Australia Branch
Submariners Walk
Don Currell is happy with the results of last week's fund raising for the final stage of the Submariner's Walk but still has a long way to go. He wrote "Submariners Walk Heritage Trail, though situated in Brisbane, is not a Queensland thing as it is for ALL submariners regardless of location or nationality. Of the $1000 I received in 5 days when we put the DVD on Up Periscope I actually only sold 16 DVDs of the 2 Types of Ships and the rest were donations towards the cause, ranging from $20 to $500, WOW.... Some submariners were that passionate a place like this existed and wanted to be part of the heritage by making a donation."
There's still a way to go and some branches were able to make donations which were received gratefully. However, as some branches, especially the smaller ones, are not in a great financial state and things are tough their ability to donate is limited. If every Branch did some small fund raising or took up a collection at the next meeting, say $125 then that would generate $1000.
Don's past fund raising ventures included Submarine envelopes (sold just on 15,000 at $1 ea), the AE2 Stamps sold 800 and the DVD of the Launch of Submariners Walk 198 of the 200 as well as a small profit selling 40 AE1 Book 2nd edition by Katherine Spurling. Of the approximately $80,000 I have raised over the past 6 years $40,000 has come from Government Grants (Federal/State) and the remainder from help from around Australia and America plus the many talks I have conducted in the community. Don said "This is the final stage as I have no more to do except sit back and let it do its own thing, tell the community that submariners exist and this is our story."
Those requiring a copy of the DVD are to contact Don via email so he know wheres to post it with a thank you letter from the Submariners Walk Committee for the donation. The Post and Handling cost is included in the $20 purchase price.
Don Currell is happy with the results of last week's fund raising for the final stage of the Submariner's Walk but still has a long way to go. He wrote "Submariners Walk Heritage Trail, though situated in Brisbane, is not a Queensland thing as it is for ALL submariners regardless of location or nationality. Of the $1000 I received in 5 days when we put the DVD on Up Periscope I actually only sold 16 DVDs of the 2 Types of Ships and the rest were donations towards the cause, ranging from $20 to $500, WOW.... Some submariners were that passionate a place like this existed and wanted to be part of the heritage by making a donation."
There's still a way to go and some branches were able to make donations which were received gratefully. However, as some branches, especially the smaller ones, are not in a great financial state and things are tough their ability to donate is limited. If every Branch did some small fund raising or took up a collection at the next meeting, say $125 then that would generate $1000.
Don's past fund raising ventures included Submarine envelopes (sold just on 15,000 at $1 ea), the AE2 Stamps sold 800 and the DVD of the Launch of Submariners Walk 198 of the 200 as well as a small profit selling 40 AE1 Book 2nd edition by Katherine Spurling. Of the approximately $80,000 I have raised over the past 6 years $40,000 has come from Government Grants (Federal/State) and the remainder from help from around Australia and America plus the many talks I have conducted in the community. Don said "This is the final stage as I have no more to do except sit back and let it do its own thing, tell the community that submariners exist and this is our story."
Those requiring a copy of the DVD are to contact Don via email so he know wheres to post it with a thank you letter from the Submariners Walk Committee for the donation. The Post and Handling cost is included in the $20 purchase price.
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Direct Debit can be made to:
SAA Submariners Walk Fund BSB 484799 A/c 453146189 Ref "NAME" DVD |
Or, post a Cheque made out to 'SAA Submariners Walk Fund' to: Don Currell OAM
9/85 Picnic Point Esplanade Maroochydore Qld 4558 |
Sliger said "Have held on to these since my Otway days circa 1985/6. Haven’t had the courage to see if they still fit… See, forendies could sew… I was always on depth by the way as Darryl will confirm."
Domestic Violence
As a member of the ex-JR and submarine community, father of two adult sons a daughter and a registered psychologist I thought I would share this with you all. The intent is to bring this to the collective readerships’ intention, which as men and leaders I believe we have a responsibility to do.
The recent sad and tragic incident at Port Lincoln (see link) underscores a deep and profound issue for many men – not ALL men - living in a society where traditional societal norms which condition men to be ‘leaders, aggressors, studs, conquerors and where women should be passive, caring, not promiscuous and so on’ are being increasingly challenged. I see this every day at work in a profession and work place that is overwhelming female. I think back to Leeuwin, Platypus and the Navy where men were the overwhelming majority.
I recently read a quote in the paper that’s puts it succinctly, thus: ‘’I see a huge crisis of gender identity in our society, the old structures don't apply anymore but we have no idea how the new structures have to look to make our society work. Women have been able to become more like men, but men aren't allowed to leave their traditional corner, unless they identify as gay’’.
One women a week dies in this country as a result of domestic violence. The link describes recent tragic actions of some men where seemingly they are bereft of internal resources in dealing with emotionally charged and relationally challenging circumstances which results in them reverting to extreme behavior that has tragic consequences. There are services in the community that can assist however a good starting point is the family GP.
By way of post script, I see tremendous opportunities for us as a community and believe that there is no human circumstance where good cannot comet. It’s up to us.
Andrew Woods (aka POUWSM 'Slinger')
BA(Psych); M Ed Psych; Ass Dip Mgt Sys;
As a member of the ex-JR and submarine community, father of two adult sons a daughter and a registered psychologist I thought I would share this with you all. The intent is to bring this to the collective readerships’ intention, which as men and leaders I believe we have a responsibility to do.
The recent sad and tragic incident at Port Lincoln (see link) underscores a deep and profound issue for many men – not ALL men - living in a society where traditional societal norms which condition men to be ‘leaders, aggressors, studs, conquerors and where women should be passive, caring, not promiscuous and so on’ are being increasingly challenged. I see this every day at work in a profession and work place that is overwhelming female. I think back to Leeuwin, Platypus and the Navy where men were the overwhelming majority.
I recently read a quote in the paper that’s puts it succinctly, thus: ‘’I see a huge crisis of gender identity in our society, the old structures don't apply anymore but we have no idea how the new structures have to look to make our society work. Women have been able to become more like men, but men aren't allowed to leave their traditional corner, unless they identify as gay’’.
One women a week dies in this country as a result of domestic violence. The link describes recent tragic actions of some men where seemingly they are bereft of internal resources in dealing with emotionally charged and relationally challenging circumstances which results in them reverting to extreme behavior that has tragic consequences. There are services in the community that can assist however a good starting point is the family GP.
By way of post script, I see tremendous opportunities for us as a community and believe that there is no human circumstance where good cannot comet. It’s up to us.
Andrew Woods (aka POUWSM 'Slinger')
BA(Psych); M Ed Psych; Ass Dip Mgt Sys;
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Action Stations at the National Maritime Museum
Action Stations is an exciting new way for you to experience the compelling history of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Explore the danger and drama of military life at sea through a hi-tech and immersive journey that shows the inner workings of the Navy like never before. This exhibition reinterprets and enlivens our much-loved ex-RAN vessels: HMAS Vampire (Daring class destroyer) HMAS Onslow (Oberon class submarine) and HMAS Advance (Attack class patrol boat). SAA President Bob trotter OAM said "Something for all who want a ‘refresher’ next time they are in Sydney?? I served in them both." |
Chasing my grandfather’s ghost in the Australian outback
By Neville Newman - published in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper January 11th 2016.
I had to go to Broken Hill. I don’t mean I wanted to, or I thought it would be nice to go there. I mean I simply had to. I grew up hearing stories about my grandfather’s days as a silver miner in the Australian outback, of how the blokes would gamble on anything – even how many flies would settle on a piece of ham. Well, this year I made it. I flew into Sydney and the following morning boarded the seven-hour train that would take me to the small town of Dubbo, from where I would take a coach for the remaining 8 1/2 hours through the New South Wales outback.
The farther west I travelled, the smaller the railway stations: Rural Australia is a landscape of scrub, dead trees and the occasional mob of ‘roos. The immensity of the outback became even more apparent when I realized that New South Wales has more than one time zone – the coach driver reminded everyone to change the time on their watches as we drove on into the night.
A little after 11, I got out in Broken Hill and walked streets that were eerily quiet to my hotel. I remembered what travel writer Bill Bryson wrote about British villages, whose names were in inverse proportion to their grimness – the prettier their name, the worse the place. The reverse is true in Broken Hill. It should win a prize for the most unattractive and unromantic street names ever devised – Cobalt Street, Oxide Street, Bromide Street, Tin Street. But the names, reflective on what this mining town has been built, belie the quirkiness of Broken Hill. No one would say that Broken Hill is like a Cotswold village, but it bursts with that sense of outback irony that is a raised middle finger to convention.
The train station has the most glorious art-deco exterior; the Palace hotel, the only place in Australia where you can legally play Two-up (games every Friday night), is famous for its floor-to-ceiling murals; the radio station is housed in a building designed to actually look like an old radio – I could go on and on.
As I explored, I tried to find traces of my granddad. Unfortunately, early mine records had been destroyed and Sam Smart’s name did not appear anywhere in the town’s records.
I walked the streets wondering if I was tracing the steps he had taken so long ago. I went underground in the historic Daydream mine in nearby Silverton, typical of where he would have worked. Everywhere, I was haunted by the thought that maybe he had been here, maybe he had been there.
On my last day in Broken Hill, I visited the miner’s memorial that overlooks the town. One miner died by falling down a shaft; another in an explosion; of others there are descriptions of death almost too gruesome to imagine. Had my granddad known any of these men? Was I looking at the names of those with whom he had gambled on his days off? I reflected on the irony that details of these men, who had died, were largely known, while of my granddad, who had survived, there was no trace.
That evening I went into the Southern Cross Hotel for a beer and some tucker. Australian pubs are real watering holes, not ponced-up imitations of “Olde England.” I was halfway through a Tooheys Old when one of the bar staff looked over. Indicating my glass he asked, “You right, mate?”
I know he was just asking if I was ready for another, but “mate” is inclusive in a way that is difficult to describe. It is a word that defines a sense of welcome that is uniquely Australian, a welcome often commented on and more often than not, misunderstood. It is a word that made me feel that here “out bush,” an often stark, unforgiving place – a place where I couldn’t find my family history – I still belonged.
Footnote: Neville Newman, lives in Ontario, Canada. An ex submariner, he served on HMS Opportune, HMS Walrus, HMS Odin and HMS Oracle.
By Neville Newman - published in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper January 11th 2016.
I had to go to Broken Hill. I don’t mean I wanted to, or I thought it would be nice to go there. I mean I simply had to. I grew up hearing stories about my grandfather’s days as a silver miner in the Australian outback, of how the blokes would gamble on anything – even how many flies would settle on a piece of ham. Well, this year I made it. I flew into Sydney and the following morning boarded the seven-hour train that would take me to the small town of Dubbo, from where I would take a coach for the remaining 8 1/2 hours through the New South Wales outback.
The farther west I travelled, the smaller the railway stations: Rural Australia is a landscape of scrub, dead trees and the occasional mob of ‘roos. The immensity of the outback became even more apparent when I realized that New South Wales has more than one time zone – the coach driver reminded everyone to change the time on their watches as we drove on into the night.
A little after 11, I got out in Broken Hill and walked streets that were eerily quiet to my hotel. I remembered what travel writer Bill Bryson wrote about British villages, whose names were in inverse proportion to their grimness – the prettier their name, the worse the place. The reverse is true in Broken Hill. It should win a prize for the most unattractive and unromantic street names ever devised – Cobalt Street, Oxide Street, Bromide Street, Tin Street. But the names, reflective on what this mining town has been built, belie the quirkiness of Broken Hill. No one would say that Broken Hill is like a Cotswold village, but it bursts with that sense of outback irony that is a raised middle finger to convention.
The train station has the most glorious art-deco exterior; the Palace hotel, the only place in Australia where you can legally play Two-up (games every Friday night), is famous for its floor-to-ceiling murals; the radio station is housed in a building designed to actually look like an old radio – I could go on and on.
As I explored, I tried to find traces of my granddad. Unfortunately, early mine records had been destroyed and Sam Smart’s name did not appear anywhere in the town’s records.
I walked the streets wondering if I was tracing the steps he had taken so long ago. I went underground in the historic Daydream mine in nearby Silverton, typical of where he would have worked. Everywhere, I was haunted by the thought that maybe he had been here, maybe he had been there.
On my last day in Broken Hill, I visited the miner’s memorial that overlooks the town. One miner died by falling down a shaft; another in an explosion; of others there are descriptions of death almost too gruesome to imagine. Had my granddad known any of these men? Was I looking at the names of those with whom he had gambled on his days off? I reflected on the irony that details of these men, who had died, were largely known, while of my granddad, who had survived, there was no trace.
That evening I went into the Southern Cross Hotel for a beer and some tucker. Australian pubs are real watering holes, not ponced-up imitations of “Olde England.” I was halfway through a Tooheys Old when one of the bar staff looked over. Indicating my glass he asked, “You right, mate?”
I know he was just asking if I was ready for another, but “mate” is inclusive in a way that is difficult to describe. It is a word that defines a sense of welcome that is uniquely Australian, a welcome often commented on and more often than not, misunderstood. It is a word that made me feel that here “out bush,” an often stark, unforgiving place – a place where I couldn’t find my family history – I still belonged.
Footnote: Neville Newman, lives in Ontario, Canada. An ex submariner, he served on HMS Opportune, HMS Walrus, HMS Odin and HMS Oracle.
Our Heritage
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Johnnies Rum Session
It was two o'clock that afternoon in the Snake Pit down below Mustering up three chairs I thought a table would be the go There was me Spike and Shiner, and the joint was filling fast, And the sailors all cheered loudly as a new keg gave a blast The arrival of two kiwi frigates and the pommy ship Renown, Everyone's at Royal Naval House it's the sailors’ favourite haunt. We might get lucky with some sheilas with heaps of skin to flaunt The sailors from all the ships in town arrived in a constant stream Dressed in No. 2's and their best tid gear, spit polished shoes a gleam A cab pulled in with the Kirribilli gorilla from a pub up around the Cross She filed through with some other sheilas, the crushers not caring a toss Doctors advised her against a bra after examining her special case That way the weight of her tits would pull the wrinkles from her ugly face The sailors knew her well and warned newcomers against getting close She's as welcome as a fart in a phone box and known to pass on a dose Around two thirty the joint was crowded, the place was in full swing Full as a seaside dunny on boxing-day, the sailors all doing their thing If you turned your back your beer disappeared, the sheilas you couldn't trust Most were there for all the free booze, others were there for lust Lenny the Loop and Jeff the Jaw selectively buying the sailors a beer Trying to con some drunken OD, their objectives plain and clear The room was loud and full of smoke the sailors were having fun Most sang along as the juke box again played the House of the Rising Sun We need a volunteer for the dance of the flamers who thinks that he is able? One drunken figure with bleary eyes began climbing on the table His bell bottoms already around his feet and being assisted by some joker A sailor with such a hairy behind like his has got to be a stoker Two of the sheilas braved the crowd and climbed up alongside to take part. One clearly heavier than the other and in her struggle let go a fart The paper burnt right down to the end the extra methane fanned the flames The stoker's arse was doused by a jug of beer but none wasted on the dames The Kirribilli gorilla was drunk and upset and looking for a place to sit Come on you bastards, come pour me a beer I'm as dry as a witch's tit One drunken pommy bought her a beer plus a fiver that he gave her It'll take him six weeks to get over the dose she returns him as a favour And Shiner looked up as he emptied a jug as we joked about whose turn to shout In time these days we'd never forget, I fell silent as I looked about Suddenly the picture loses all sound as I remember mates from past days Sunday at Johnnies the memories of faces fade to little more than a haze Aahhh! JOHNNIES!!! The good ol' days (& nights) |
Royal Naval House Sydney - Johnnies
This poem, author unknown, was sent to me by Reg Bichel. It took me back to the days when, as a 17 year old baby faced stoker, I was introduced to the steamy (and fun) side of life as a sailor. I could never handle my drink, especially rum, and this resulted in many nights I would rather forget. But that was life as a sailor in the '60s. Those were the days.
RAN House was always known affectionately as ‘Johnnies’, although the origin of the name is hard to trace. The first Royal Naval House in Sydney was founded in 1876 for the benefit of ratings of the Royal Navy and was established at 31 Princes Street (later demolished in 1926 to make way for the southern approaches to the Harbour Bridge). It was named then ‘Goodenough Royal Naval House’ after the late Commodore Goodenough RN. The establishment provided about 50 beds. It provided the sailors with a place to stay overnight when on short shore leave from their ships in port.
By 1904, as the Squadron had grown more in numbers of ships and men, further accommodation became necessary and a wing was added, and incorporated as part of the House in 1907. Memories....... |
Defence News
Click to enlarge
Zumwalt on Trial
The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) has begun sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean. The largest destroyer ever built for the US Navy and the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers left the General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works and traveled down the Kennebec River in Maine last week in the first of a series of tests leading up to her commissioning next year.
Launched in 2014, the Zumwalt incorporates advanced stealth design and is expected to be operational in 2016. The Zumwalt is notable not only for its size, but also for its distinct tumblehome hull composite superstructure, which is part of a suite of advanced stealth features that reduce the ship's radar profile by a factor of 50 over current destroyer designs. Carrying a crew of 130 and an air detachment of 28, the destroyer is armed with two 115 mm Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) firing rocket-powered precision Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP) with a range of 63 nm (117 km), which is three times greater than current surface gunnery. Ugly bastard, bring back the Darings!
USS Mississippi goes pink
Two women officers reported to the Pearl Harbor submarine USS Mississippi in December — the first women to serve on an attack submarine in the Pacific the Navy said. The Mississippi is a Virginia-class attack submarine.
The assignment represents an expansion of moves made by the Navy three years ago to open positions to women on its ballistic- and guided-missile submarines. Opening Virginia-class subs to women has to do with berthing and habitability, officials have said. The Virginia subs have berthing that is more modular and has three officers per stateroom.
The Navy announced in 2013 that the branch would be assigning women officers to Virginia-class submarines, pending successful completion of the naval nuclear-powered training program required for that class of craft. Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bill Moran is in Hawaii to meet with sailors and ride on the Mississippi, in part to examine how the integration of women on subs is working.
Thinking outside the box
Poland's new foreign minister has proposed forming an army out of the Syrian men arriving in Europe which could then return to their homeland to fight for freedom. In an interview on Polish state television late Sunday, Witold Waszczykowski also proposed helping Syrian arrivals inn Europe form an army that could invade Syria. "The tens of thousands of young Syrians who jump out of the rubber rafts and don’t ask for water, Food or clothes but ask where they can charge their mobile phones could, with our help, fight to Get their country back," Waszczykowski said.
"Can you imagine a situation in which we send our troops to fight for Syria, while hundreds of thousands of Syrian "refugees" sip coffee on Unter den Linden" - a boulevard in Berlin - “or at the old town square and watch how we fight for their security?" Waszczykowski said
News links
Why Was a US Submarine Just in the Philippines? The Diplomat
According to the U.S. navy in a statement, the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) arrived at Subic Bay on January 12 as ...
Netanyahu: Our submarine fleet deters the enemies who seek to destroy us Israel Hayom
Israel's latest submarine, the INS Rahav, welcomed in a state ceremony in Haifa • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel's citizens must know that ...
The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) has begun sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean. The largest destroyer ever built for the US Navy and the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers left the General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works and traveled down the Kennebec River in Maine last week in the first of a series of tests leading up to her commissioning next year.
Launched in 2014, the Zumwalt incorporates advanced stealth design and is expected to be operational in 2016. The Zumwalt is notable not only for its size, but also for its distinct tumblehome hull composite superstructure, which is part of a suite of advanced stealth features that reduce the ship's radar profile by a factor of 50 over current destroyer designs. Carrying a crew of 130 and an air detachment of 28, the destroyer is armed with two 115 mm Advanced Gun Systems (AGS) firing rocket-powered precision Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP) with a range of 63 nm (117 km), which is three times greater than current surface gunnery. Ugly bastard, bring back the Darings!
USS Mississippi goes pink
Two women officers reported to the Pearl Harbor submarine USS Mississippi in December — the first women to serve on an attack submarine in the Pacific the Navy said. The Mississippi is a Virginia-class attack submarine.
The assignment represents an expansion of moves made by the Navy three years ago to open positions to women on its ballistic- and guided-missile submarines. Opening Virginia-class subs to women has to do with berthing and habitability, officials have said. The Virginia subs have berthing that is more modular and has three officers per stateroom.
The Navy announced in 2013 that the branch would be assigning women officers to Virginia-class submarines, pending successful completion of the naval nuclear-powered training program required for that class of craft. Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bill Moran is in Hawaii to meet with sailors and ride on the Mississippi, in part to examine how the integration of women on subs is working.
Thinking outside the box
Poland's new foreign minister has proposed forming an army out of the Syrian men arriving in Europe which could then return to their homeland to fight for freedom. In an interview on Polish state television late Sunday, Witold Waszczykowski also proposed helping Syrian arrivals inn Europe form an army that could invade Syria. "The tens of thousands of young Syrians who jump out of the rubber rafts and don’t ask for water, Food or clothes but ask where they can charge their mobile phones could, with our help, fight to Get their country back," Waszczykowski said.
"Can you imagine a situation in which we send our troops to fight for Syria, while hundreds of thousands of Syrian "refugees" sip coffee on Unter den Linden" - a boulevard in Berlin - “or at the old town square and watch how we fight for their security?" Waszczykowski said
News links
Why Was a US Submarine Just in the Philippines? The Diplomat
According to the U.S. navy in a statement, the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) arrived at Subic Bay on January 12 as ...
Netanyahu: Our submarine fleet deters the enemies who seek to destroy us Israel Hayom
Israel's latest submarine, the INS Rahav, welcomed in a state ceremony in Haifa • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel's citizens must know that ...
DFRB/DFRDB Petition
I received the following email and I ask you all to consider signing his petition on change.org, it is in your interest to do so. It said: We have the opportunity to have some questions raised on DFRB/DFRDB during a Senate Committee meeting in early February but the lack of support we have received for our Change.Org petition is most disappointing.
We started the petition on 11 November 2015 and so far we only have 2268 signatures yet there are 55000 DFRDB recipients who are not getting a fair go, we need around 50000 signatures to make our political leaders listen. I have been assisted in this project by my colleague Herb Ellerbock who is a genius in data analysis, we have provided our data to all major ESO's but thus far we have not been overwhelmed with their support. It appears that the HQ of the ESO's are making the decision for their members and our message is not getting out to those in need. What we expected from the ESO's was for them to distribute our request to ALL members who had email addresses, not a difficult task.
UNLESS WE CAN GET TO AT LEAST 10000 SIGNATURES PRIOR TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE MEETING WE WILL NOT GET OUR QUESTIONS TABLED.
There are two issues and I will not go into to much detail other than to say our research is thorough and if you need detailed information please contact me and I will forward some of our research papers. The first issue is "Commutation" if you commuted your "Life Expectancy" was factored in to reduce your fortnightly superannuation and we believe that principle to be right and proper. The Life Expectancy tables were introduced in 1962 and have never been updated thus the reduction each fortnight is greater than it should be, because in 1962 a male had a Life Expectancy of 72 years and it is now 82 years.. Even so each fortnight when your deduction is taken and transferred to Consolidated Revenue your debt is reducing. The DFRDB Act is not specific that once a member has repaid his/her advance of future entitlements their fortnightly superannuation would revert to the full entitlement. It took the "Authority" until 2013 to state in the DFRDB handbook that Commutation was a life sentence and the lower superannuation would remain in force until death. We are of the opinion that this amendment to the handbook is not supported by legislation but is merely an "Authority" interpretation. We are asking for no more than the entitlement of a Centrelink client who may take an advance of future entitlements and once repayment is complete they revert to their full entitlement, they don't pay interest why should we?
The second issue is quite insidious and it relates to Spouses Benefit, That is what your partner will receive when you pass away. The Act is quite clear your partner is entitled to 62.5% of your UNCOMMUTED entitlement. Now only 1% of DFRDB contributors did not commute, the rest of us were either misled at resettlement seminars or we needed the money to purchase a house or business. The bureaucrat's (who receive 67% of their final entitlement) could not have this and they introduced a system whereby the person who did not commute had the equivalent of the annual amount had he/she commuted quarantined from indexation. Thus the surviving spouse receives 62.5% of this much lesser amount. I retired in 1987 and the difference between my commuted and uncommuted entitlement is around $5000 I will leave you to do the sums on the impact of this on my spouse. If you want the actual figures please let me know.
We want two sections of the DFRDB Act amended or rescinded and without a lot more support than we have had our ADF brothers and sisters of current and past service will not get their just entitlements. Somehow we have to get current members of the ADF to support the petition as I am confident a win in DFRDB will lead to changes in MSBS.
This is an election year and the best chance we have had for a long time. PLEASE GIVE THIS EMAIL WIDE CIRCULATION.
To sign the petition just follow this link. I thank you in advance for your support.
I received the following email and I ask you all to consider signing his petition on change.org, it is in your interest to do so. It said: We have the opportunity to have some questions raised on DFRB/DFRDB during a Senate Committee meeting in early February but the lack of support we have received for our Change.Org petition is most disappointing.
We started the petition on 11 November 2015 and so far we only have 2268 signatures yet there are 55000 DFRDB recipients who are not getting a fair go, we need around 50000 signatures to make our political leaders listen. I have been assisted in this project by my colleague Herb Ellerbock who is a genius in data analysis, we have provided our data to all major ESO's but thus far we have not been overwhelmed with their support. It appears that the HQ of the ESO's are making the decision for their members and our message is not getting out to those in need. What we expected from the ESO's was for them to distribute our request to ALL members who had email addresses, not a difficult task.
UNLESS WE CAN GET TO AT LEAST 10000 SIGNATURES PRIOR TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE MEETING WE WILL NOT GET OUR QUESTIONS TABLED.
There are two issues and I will not go into to much detail other than to say our research is thorough and if you need detailed information please contact me and I will forward some of our research papers. The first issue is "Commutation" if you commuted your "Life Expectancy" was factored in to reduce your fortnightly superannuation and we believe that principle to be right and proper. The Life Expectancy tables were introduced in 1962 and have never been updated thus the reduction each fortnight is greater than it should be, because in 1962 a male had a Life Expectancy of 72 years and it is now 82 years.. Even so each fortnight when your deduction is taken and transferred to Consolidated Revenue your debt is reducing. The DFRDB Act is not specific that once a member has repaid his/her advance of future entitlements their fortnightly superannuation would revert to the full entitlement. It took the "Authority" until 2013 to state in the DFRDB handbook that Commutation was a life sentence and the lower superannuation would remain in force until death. We are of the opinion that this amendment to the handbook is not supported by legislation but is merely an "Authority" interpretation. We are asking for no more than the entitlement of a Centrelink client who may take an advance of future entitlements and once repayment is complete they revert to their full entitlement, they don't pay interest why should we?
The second issue is quite insidious and it relates to Spouses Benefit, That is what your partner will receive when you pass away. The Act is quite clear your partner is entitled to 62.5% of your UNCOMMUTED entitlement. Now only 1% of DFRDB contributors did not commute, the rest of us were either misled at resettlement seminars or we needed the money to purchase a house or business. The bureaucrat's (who receive 67% of their final entitlement) could not have this and they introduced a system whereby the person who did not commute had the equivalent of the annual amount had he/she commuted quarantined from indexation. Thus the surviving spouse receives 62.5% of this much lesser amount. I retired in 1987 and the difference between my commuted and uncommuted entitlement is around $5000 I will leave you to do the sums on the impact of this on my spouse. If you want the actual figures please let me know.
We want two sections of the DFRDB Act amended or rescinded and without a lot more support than we have had our ADF brothers and sisters of current and past service will not get their just entitlements. Somehow we have to get current members of the ADF to support the petition as I am confident a win in DFRDB will lead to changes in MSBS.
This is an election year and the best chance we have had for a long time. PLEASE GIVE THIS EMAIL WIDE CIRCULATION.
To sign the petition just follow this link. I thank you in advance for your support.
Fun bits.....
Boarding planes in Israel...
What a simple and brilliant idea! It's hard to beat Israeli technology! The Israelis are developing an airport security device that eliminates the privacy concerns that come with full-body scanners. It's an armoured booth you step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on your person. Israel sees this as a win-win situation for everyone, with none of this crap about racial profiling. It will also eliminate the costs of long and expensive trials. I particularly like the 'spare' seat announcement!! You're in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter, an announcement: "Attention to all standby passengers, El Al is pleased to announce a seat available on flight 670 to London . Shalom!"
The true story as told by Hillary Clinton
Finally, the true story as told by Hillary Clinton to world leaders. "Some years ago, nearing dinner time at the White House, our regular cook fell ill and they had to get a replacement on short notice. He wasn't the smartest looking guy, in fact he seemed a bit dirty. The President voiced his concerns to his Chief of Staff but was told that this was the best they could do on such short notice.
"Just before the meal, Bill noticed the cook sticking his finger in the soup to taste it and again complained to the Chief Of Staff, but he was assured that many chefs did that. Dinner went okay, although Bill thought that the soup tasted a little funny. By the time dessert came, he started to have stomach cramps and nausea. It was getting worse and worse until finally the President had to excuse himself."
By now, he was desperately ill with violent cramps and was so disorientated that he couldn't remember which door led to the bathroom. He was on the verge of passing out from the pain when he finally found a door that opened. As he unzipped his trousers and ran in, he realized to his horror that he had stumbled into Monica Lewinsky's office with his trousers around his knees. As he was about to pass out, this naive girl bent over him and heard the President whisper in a barely audible voice: "Sack my cook" "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the whole misunderstanding occurred."
It has been announced that British police are going to be allowed to use water cannons on rioters. They are putting some Tide washing powder in to stop the coloureds from running.
A preacher in a small outback town asked, "Anyone with 'special needs' who wants to be prayed over, please come forward to the front by the altar." With that, a man got in line, and when it was his turn, the Preacher asked : "And what do you want me to pray about for you?" The man replied, "Preacher, I need you to pray for help with my hearing." The preacher put one finger of one hand in the man's ear, placed his other hand on top of his head, and then prayed and prayed and prayed. He prayed to the 'Almighty' for the man, and the whole congregation joined in with great enthusiasm. After a few minutes, the preacher removed his hands, stood back and asked, "Well, how is your hearing now?" The man answered, "I don't know. It ain't 'til next week!"
What a simple and brilliant idea! It's hard to beat Israeli technology! The Israelis are developing an airport security device that eliminates the privacy concerns that come with full-body scanners. It's an armoured booth you step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on your person. Israel sees this as a win-win situation for everyone, with none of this crap about racial profiling. It will also eliminate the costs of long and expensive trials. I particularly like the 'spare' seat announcement!! You're in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter, an announcement: "Attention to all standby passengers, El Al is pleased to announce a seat available on flight 670 to London . Shalom!"
The true story as told by Hillary Clinton
Finally, the true story as told by Hillary Clinton to world leaders. "Some years ago, nearing dinner time at the White House, our regular cook fell ill and they had to get a replacement on short notice. He wasn't the smartest looking guy, in fact he seemed a bit dirty. The President voiced his concerns to his Chief of Staff but was told that this was the best they could do on such short notice.
"Just before the meal, Bill noticed the cook sticking his finger in the soup to taste it and again complained to the Chief Of Staff, but he was assured that many chefs did that. Dinner went okay, although Bill thought that the soup tasted a little funny. By the time dessert came, he started to have stomach cramps and nausea. It was getting worse and worse until finally the President had to excuse himself."
By now, he was desperately ill with violent cramps and was so disorientated that he couldn't remember which door led to the bathroom. He was on the verge of passing out from the pain when he finally found a door that opened. As he unzipped his trousers and ran in, he realized to his horror that he had stumbled into Monica Lewinsky's office with his trousers around his knees. As he was about to pass out, this naive girl bent over him and heard the President whisper in a barely audible voice: "Sack my cook" "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the whole misunderstanding occurred."
It has been announced that British police are going to be allowed to use water cannons on rioters. They are putting some Tide washing powder in to stop the coloureds from running.
A preacher in a small outback town asked, "Anyone with 'special needs' who wants to be prayed over, please come forward to the front by the altar." With that, a man got in line, and when it was his turn, the Preacher asked : "And what do you want me to pray about for you?" The man replied, "Preacher, I need you to pray for help with my hearing." The preacher put one finger of one hand in the man's ear, placed his other hand on top of his head, and then prayed and prayed and prayed. He prayed to the 'Almighty' for the man, and the whole congregation joined in with great enthusiasm. After a few minutes, the preacher removed his hands, stood back and asked, "Well, how is your hearing now?" The man answered, "I don't know. It ain't 'til next week!"
A Good Corporate Citizen
Thales Australia has a multi-year partnership with Legacy, one of Australia's oldest charitable institutions. Legacy is a unique organisation dedicated to caring for the widows and dependents of Australia's war veterans. The partnership is Thales Australia's most significant community initiative to date, and demonstrates its willingness to support the charity's numerous activities.
BZ Thales, and thank you for the support given to the submarine community over the years.
Thales Australia has a multi-year partnership with Legacy, one of Australia's oldest charitable institutions. Legacy is a unique organisation dedicated to caring for the widows and dependents of Australia's war veterans. The partnership is Thales Australia's most significant community initiative to date, and demonstrates its willingness to support the charity's numerous activities.
BZ Thales, and thank you for the support given to the submarine community over the years.
The 2016 Walk for Kids with Cancer is coming your way and you are all asked to dig deep and support Carol and her team.
Over the years the walk has raised a total of $74,128.39 which was donated 50/50 to The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the Royal Brisbane Children's Hospital. Over the last three years we have raised a further $219,000, with all of the funds donated to The Cancer Centre for Children at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Carol said "With the help of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, the Bob "Tug" Wilson's Walk for Kids with Cancer is now an annual event with our number of walkers in 2015 at 421, raising in excess of $155,000. In 2016, we want to break through $250,000 and need your help! 2016 is a very significant year for me as it would have been our Golden wedding anniversary so making the walk this year, even more special. So please support us by joining us on the "Walk for Kids with Cancer" and keeping the memory of Bob (Tug) Wilson alive." Watch the video on YouTube.
Further information and Donations can be made at this link. Direct debit details for those who do not want to use Gofundraise page are:
Bank: Westpac Westmead BSB: 032-340 Account: 106967 Reference WFKWC 275945 Note: Those who use direct debit to donate please send Carol your details by email so that a receipt can be forwarded to you.
Over the years the walk has raised a total of $74,128.39 which was donated 50/50 to The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the Royal Brisbane Children's Hospital. Over the last three years we have raised a further $219,000, with all of the funds donated to The Cancer Centre for Children at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
Carol said "With the help of The Children's Hospital at Westmead, the Bob "Tug" Wilson's Walk for Kids with Cancer is now an annual event with our number of walkers in 2015 at 421, raising in excess of $155,000. In 2016, we want to break through $250,000 and need your help! 2016 is a very significant year for me as it would have been our Golden wedding anniversary so making the walk this year, even more special. So please support us by joining us on the "Walk for Kids with Cancer" and keeping the memory of Bob (Tug) Wilson alive." Watch the video on YouTube.
Further information and Donations can be made at this link. Direct debit details for those who do not want to use Gofundraise page are:
Bank: Westpac Westmead BSB: 032-340 Account: 106967 Reference WFKWC 275945 Note: Those who use direct debit to donate please send Carol your details by email so that a receipt can be forwarded to you.
Those that missed out on their Oberang T-shirts and caps are advised that new stock is due in this week. Orders can be placed now at the Slops Van. If you have already ordered but not received yours yet, the will be sent next week when they arrive.
Sunday, 10th January 2016
I sat near a couple in the pub in Tiaro this week. They noticed my Oberang Tshirt and commented on how it looked like the Cberang. It turns out that they were both submariners on holidays. We ended up having lunch and had a great conversation. They were two really nice young submariners that talked enthusiastically about their boats, I know the the future is in safe hands.
I was pissed off this week when I got chastised by a fund raiser that I support strongly this week. As webmaster I use everything at my means to get the word out to members. More recently this has included Facebook, the tool of many of our younger members of the submarine community. I am a naughty boy for using Facebook without asking first. I don't know why I try! If it wasn't for the cause and the dedication shown by the person concerned I would have dropped my support. Yes, I am a cranky old man!
The Freeloaders from down south left last Sunday after vacuuming out the fridge for any remaining scraps of food (I was unaware that there is a shortage in NSW). The three year old germ carrier carried out his mission, I have been down with congestion on the chest, running nose, sore eyes and a cough since they left. Niggs and sheila didn't mind though, that loved the little brat. Next year I am hiding!
The lack of rain is taking its toll on the gardens, despite much use of my tank water the flowers are declining rapidly and the prognosis is not good. decisions need to be made, water in the pool or water the gardens? Pool wins!
Old Bill has a positive attitude and always finds an upside to every situation. He had a bad fall the other day and late in the night he regained consciousness. He found himself in agonizing pain in the hospital ICU, with tubes up his nose, wires monitoring every function and a gorgeous nurse hovering over him. He realized he'd obviously been in a serious accident. She gave him a deep look straight into the eyes, and he heard her slowly say,"You may not feel anything from the waist down." Somehow he managed to mumble in reply, "Can I feel your tits, then?"
And that's your lot for the week, till next time, take care.
I was pissed off this week when I got chastised by a fund raiser that I support strongly this week. As webmaster I use everything at my means to get the word out to members. More recently this has included Facebook, the tool of many of our younger members of the submarine community. I am a naughty boy for using Facebook without asking first. I don't know why I try! If it wasn't for the cause and the dedication shown by the person concerned I would have dropped my support. Yes, I am a cranky old man!
The Freeloaders from down south left last Sunday after vacuuming out the fridge for any remaining scraps of food (I was unaware that there is a shortage in NSW). The three year old germ carrier carried out his mission, I have been down with congestion on the chest, running nose, sore eyes and a cough since they left. Niggs and sheila didn't mind though, that loved the little brat. Next year I am hiding!
The lack of rain is taking its toll on the gardens, despite much use of my tank water the flowers are declining rapidly and the prognosis is not good. decisions need to be made, water in the pool or water the gardens? Pool wins!
Old Bill has a positive attitude and always finds an upside to every situation. He had a bad fall the other day and late in the night he regained consciousness. He found himself in agonizing pain in the hospital ICU, with tubes up his nose, wires monitoring every function and a gorgeous nurse hovering over him. He realized he'd obviously been in a serious accident. She gave him a deep look straight into the eyes, and he heard her slowly say,"You may not feel anything from the waist down." Somehow he managed to mumble in reply, "Can I feel your tits, then?"
And that's your lot for the week, till next time, take care.
Around the Traps
Today Victorian member Bob Appleton OAM celebrates his 94th Birthday. He was born 10 this day in 1922 Bob joined the RN on the 11 July 1940 and discharged on the 23 April 1946. He served from 1940 to 1946 in North Sea, the Mediterranean and Special Services in Greece during their Civil War 1943. Shore based in Alexandria 1943 and Malta W/T in 1945. He served in HMS L27, HMS Tempest and HMS Tribune.
He cites his time on HMS Tempest as his worst time in submarines. He was a member of it's crew when it was sunk on Friday, 13th February 1942 with the loss of 39 crew. He became a POW for 13 months and on release was kitted up and returned to submarine service.
Bob has been awarded the OAM, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, 1939/45 War Medal, 1942 Malta Medal, Centenary Medal, Prisoner of War Medal.
Bob migrated to Australia, arriving 2nd March 1949 and states "Not going back!" Bob has been involved with the Geelong Maritime Museum historical museum located at 'The Stables', Osborne House, Swinburn Street, North Geelong Victoria, Australia since the Museum was founded in about 1989 with Bob as the foundation Honorary Curator. Bob is still active in the community and is a broadcaster on his local community radio. Read the details of his experience on HMS Tempest in the January 2013 edition of SAA Victoria's Flood Q.
He cites his time on HMS Tempest as his worst time in submarines. He was a member of it's crew when it was sunk on Friday, 13th February 1942 with the loss of 39 crew. He became a POW for 13 months and on release was kitted up and returned to submarine service.
Bob has been awarded the OAM, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, 1939/45 War Medal, 1942 Malta Medal, Centenary Medal, Prisoner of War Medal.
Bob migrated to Australia, arriving 2nd March 1949 and states "Not going back!" Bob has been involved with the Geelong Maritime Museum historical museum located at 'The Stables', Osborne House, Swinburn Street, North Geelong Victoria, Australia since the Museum was founded in about 1989 with Bob as the foundation Honorary Curator. Bob is still active in the community and is a broadcaster on his local community radio. Read the details of his experience on HMS Tempest in the January 2013 edition of SAA Victoria's Flood Q.
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Don Currell and ex CPOPHOT Cameron Martin were class mates at Brisbane State High School in 1971 and they caught up recently, their paths had not crossed since '71. Don joined in '72 and didn't know that Martin joined in '73 and he eventually served on Orion (late 80's early 90's) long after I had left her.
Don remarked "Small world isn't it." |
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Rockingham Foreshore Memorial Park
In Rockingham, Western Australia they have a very nice Naval Memorial park which includes plaques of many ships and squadrons etc, the 4.5 " turret from one of the old Type 12's and HMAS Orion's fin. So it was infuriating to see the following post from peter 'Po' O'Donohue which said "Unfortunately it's school holidays and our very own breed of little ferals went through the park last night ripping the plaques off their plinths and generally doing damage. Sad to report of the 17 plaques ripped off we have only retrieved 5 so far unfortunately our plaque to Chris, Huey and Bears is not one of them! Some damage to the fin but nothing more than some skippers did weekly running!"
It is understood that a separate plaque to commemorate Oberon submarines was not removed. Pod organised a team to search the sand dunes and area surrounding the park and wrote "Many thanks to Tony Mahoney, John Rana, Buster Keating, Dave Coleman, Keith Howell and Jack Warner for coming out in the heat to walk the dunes looking for the plaques. As expected nothing found but at least we looked."
It is understood that a separate plaque to commemorate Oberon submarines was not removed. Pod organised a team to search the sand dunes and area surrounding the park and wrote "Many thanks to Tony Mahoney, John Rana, Buster Keating, Dave Coleman, Keith Howell and Jack Warner for coming out in the heat to walk the dunes looking for the plaques. As expected nothing found but at least we looked."
Richard Barend
Sue O'Donohue (not related to Pod) wrote "I am writing on behalf Edward Barend. His email is temporarily being forwarded to me as he is in Canberra hospital. He had emergency brain surgery in late November due to a vascular malfunction and is now recovering in rehab. At this stage the doctors do not know how much he will recover, whether he will make a full recovery or whether he will have some permanent damage. The surgery affected him physically - his balance, some motor skills and his eyesight - and mentally: his memory and thinking - short term memory damage, loss and confusion in longer terms memories, confusion in thinking. In addition he was unable to eat for a month before the surgery and so lost a lot of weight, all his muscle, and strength."
Sue continued "His physical recovery is proceeding well. His memory and thinking are also improving, though more slowly. That is where the real challenges will be for him. His spirits are good though he is clearly concerned about his future - the significant challenges he faces in his recovery and return to independent living and working life and he is impatient for this recovery to happen though aware it will take as long as it takes. He has just moved the RILU (Rehab Independent Living Unit) at Canberra Hospital as part of his rehab. He can't go home until his memory etc improves enough for him to look after himself effectively and safely and that will depend on improvements in his short term memory. Please feel free to contact me with any queries about Edward. I'm happy to help write a short notice for your next edition of "Up Periscope". Richard was a LSUWSM and served on HMAS Orion and HMAS Ovens I have passed the information onto the ACT Branch, but if anyone that knows Richard is in the ACT I am sure that a visit or phone call would be appreciated.
Another on the sick list is John 'Big Connie' Francis. "Tony Parkins wrote "Not sure if you know or not but John Francis (CPOMTPSM) lives around the corner from me (North Balgowlah) and has been in hospital the last 2 months battling prostate cancer. He is home now and would no doubt welcome a call from his mates on 0425 297 535." John is not on email
Sue continued "His physical recovery is proceeding well. His memory and thinking are also improving, though more slowly. That is where the real challenges will be for him. His spirits are good though he is clearly concerned about his future - the significant challenges he faces in his recovery and return to independent living and working life and he is impatient for this recovery to happen though aware it will take as long as it takes. He has just moved the RILU (Rehab Independent Living Unit) at Canberra Hospital as part of his rehab. He can't go home until his memory etc improves enough for him to look after himself effectively and safely and that will depend on improvements in his short term memory. Please feel free to contact me with any queries about Edward. I'm happy to help write a short notice for your next edition of "Up Periscope". Richard was a LSUWSM and served on HMAS Orion and HMAS Ovens I have passed the information onto the ACT Branch, but if anyone that knows Richard is in the ACT I am sure that a visit or phone call would be appreciated.
Another on the sick list is John 'Big Connie' Francis. "Tony Parkins wrote "Not sure if you know or not but John Francis (CPOMTPSM) lives around the corner from me (North Balgowlah) and has been in hospital the last 2 months battling prostate cancer. He is home now and would no doubt welcome a call from his mates on 0425 297 535." John is not on email
I have just received this update on Lloyd Blake from Bruce Crane "Beth went to see Lee this Saturday morning, and while she is still positive she knows that Lloyd is facing a real uphill battle, to the point she thinks he may be in hospital for over six months such is the nature of G-BS! At this time Charlie Gardeners have asked if they can borrow the centrifugal separator out of the Ovens Donk Shop so as to put Lloyd’s blood through it to get rid of any nasties so to speak, this will go on for a while in the hope to ridding whatever it is that G-BS is causing the white blood cells to attack Lloyds nerves. At present Lloyd has more pipes running into and out of him then what there is in the Bear Pit, unfortunately all currently required in his paralysed state, however he tries to remind medical staff he was a UC1 not at Donk Shop Horse so take away the pipes and give me a headset plugged into an Elvis CD player!
Anyway here is the latest update from Lee following on from his first Plasmapheresis Treatment yesterday, Lloyd has 4 more of these treatments, one every other day, to go. "Still no visitors please. Here is the overview: Lloyd is making the best progress he can under very unusual and trying circumstances. The Guillain Barre Syndrome (where white blood cells attack the myelin of the nervous system and leave the patient partially paralysed) is an exotic and complex condition. The initial period is the worst and the extensive medical team working with Lloyd are doing an outstanding job to help him through. Prognosis remains hopeful for a full recovery, however, this will take some time. Currently Lloyd is undergoing Plasmapheresis (tis best to look up these medical terms as explanation is long) Briefly (bad) white blood cells are being removed and new ones introduced. The cause is unclear as is neither bacterial nor viral. Still it is the cure, that will remove the consistent pain and discomfort that is important. Although Lloyd is unable to respond to your phone calls, messages and emails, these are being passed on to him by family. You are sincerely thanked for messages received. They cheer him and remind him of the special group of mates he has."
Birthday boy Cole Klease asks "And what is it about turning sixty, I had just about every girl give me a hug and kiss at work today. I wonder if it works when you are 60 plus one day - I think I will try it."
Ian Hill wrote "Just got back from the USA and visiting the daughter in New York. Was hoping for a white Christmas but was cheated. It was 70 degrees F and wet in NY while it was 75 degrees F and wet in Sydney – go figure. In fact the temperature was in the range 45 – 70 degrees F. While visiting the Cooper Hewitt Museum near Central Park I came across an appropriate sign – one that truly recognises Engineers. So I had to take a photograph – see attached." Sorry Ian I don't understand, I thought that you were a Greenie? Love the hat though!
Anyway here is the latest update from Lee following on from his first Plasmapheresis Treatment yesterday, Lloyd has 4 more of these treatments, one every other day, to go. "Still no visitors please. Here is the overview: Lloyd is making the best progress he can under very unusual and trying circumstances. The Guillain Barre Syndrome (where white blood cells attack the myelin of the nervous system and leave the patient partially paralysed) is an exotic and complex condition. The initial period is the worst and the extensive medical team working with Lloyd are doing an outstanding job to help him through. Prognosis remains hopeful for a full recovery, however, this will take some time. Currently Lloyd is undergoing Plasmapheresis (tis best to look up these medical terms as explanation is long) Briefly (bad) white blood cells are being removed and new ones introduced. The cause is unclear as is neither bacterial nor viral. Still it is the cure, that will remove the consistent pain and discomfort that is important. Although Lloyd is unable to respond to your phone calls, messages and emails, these are being passed on to him by family. You are sincerely thanked for messages received. They cheer him and remind him of the special group of mates he has."
Birthday boy Cole Klease asks "And what is it about turning sixty, I had just about every girl give me a hug and kiss at work today. I wonder if it works when you are 60 plus one day - I think I will try it."
Ian Hill wrote "Just got back from the USA and visiting the daughter in New York. Was hoping for a white Christmas but was cheated. It was 70 degrees F and wet in NY while it was 75 degrees F and wet in Sydney – go figure. In fact the temperature was in the range 45 – 70 degrees F. While visiting the Cooper Hewitt Museum near Central Park I came across an appropriate sign – one that truly recognises Engineers. So I had to take a photograph – see attached." Sorry Ian I don't understand, I thought that you were a Greenie? Love the hat though!
After reading an article on last week's Log Mike 'Morrie' Morris asked "A little bit out of left field, but can you remember what CHA(RN) stood for with regards to oil cleanliness?" Poor man, if the thought a Chief Stoker would know the answer he is sadly mistake. Not saying I knew nothing, I know it had something to do with oil purity standards so I looked it up on Google. Not much of value there though. If any of you tiffs turned engineer, please let Morrie know.
Short and to the point, Graeme Draper was never one to waste words "Hello to you all my Good Friends. This is my apology for being brief, spasmodic, and any other adjective you think applies. The Xmas & New Year period came - went - BUT YOU were in our thoughts. I hope this year to sort out our power problems and get some continuity. Morag has her left leg in a pressure bandage and a brace on the right one. I am Matron - Chef - Lifter - Coffee Maid - Dogs Body until she goes in for the first operation (Right Leg) Replace Knee (February). As the healing process happens then the Left Leg gets done. Replace Knee and repair ankle. As the healing process happens AGAIN....I'am going into a pub for hibernation. Health to you all this year and a little wealth as well." Get well soon Morag! Did the beast trip you over?
Peter Smith said "A friend offered me a bunch of grapes to eat, I declined, I definitely dislike taking my wine in pill form."
Ian 'Hoppy' Hopkins wrote "Hello Norm, I have received your e-mail address via the Canadian Submarines Old Comrades Association based in Victoria BC. I am just sending greetings to you fellow submariners wishing you all a very healthy and happy New Year. In my past lifetime I was involved with the Royal Navy and served four and one half years in the submarine service during my seven and one half years in the Navy. You could say that I am a blast from the past because I am now enjoying my 91'st year and still able to kick the can down the road. More on one leg than the other but still vertical. I don't know anything about the Australian Submarine Service but if any of you would like to connect for a chat please try hoppyhop@shaw.ca. I'm sure there will be some common ground while we are still breathing clean air.I have some good stories to tell. Why not drop Hoppy a 'Gday email!
Short and to the point, Graeme Draper was never one to waste words "Hello to you all my Good Friends. This is my apology for being brief, spasmodic, and any other adjective you think applies. The Xmas & New Year period came - went - BUT YOU were in our thoughts. I hope this year to sort out our power problems and get some continuity. Morag has her left leg in a pressure bandage and a brace on the right one. I am Matron - Chef - Lifter - Coffee Maid - Dogs Body until she goes in for the first operation (Right Leg) Replace Knee (February). As the healing process happens then the Left Leg gets done. Replace Knee and repair ankle. As the healing process happens AGAIN....I'am going into a pub for hibernation. Health to you all this year and a little wealth as well." Get well soon Morag! Did the beast trip you over?
Peter Smith said "A friend offered me a bunch of grapes to eat, I declined, I definitely dislike taking my wine in pill form."
Ian 'Hoppy' Hopkins wrote "Hello Norm, I have received your e-mail address via the Canadian Submarines Old Comrades Association based in Victoria BC. I am just sending greetings to you fellow submariners wishing you all a very healthy and happy New Year. In my past lifetime I was involved with the Royal Navy and served four and one half years in the submarine service during my seven and one half years in the Navy. You could say that I am a blast from the past because I am now enjoying my 91'st year and still able to kick the can down the road. More on one leg than the other but still vertical. I don't know anything about the Australian Submarine Service but if any of you would like to connect for a chat please try hoppyhop@shaw.ca. I'm sure there will be some common ground while we are still breathing clean air.I have some good stories to tell. Why not drop Hoppy a 'Gday email!
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A comment was made regarding the appropriateness of a T Shirt being produced for one of the Collins boats and it reminded me that there have been several boat's shirts that created a bit of controversy over the years. A good example is the Ovens "In port for short time' which was banned up top. The CO, CMDR 'The Bull' Woolrych, shown here receiving a reminder at SUBCON.
Tony Vine added "This shirt was by banned by the Canadian Minister of Defence. It was made just after the former CO of Ojibwa was court-martialled amongst other things allegedly stuffing a cigar tube up the duck run of his RN Operations Officer after he crashed in a drunken stupor in the Wardroom after a mess Dinner. All copies were ordered destroyed and death promised to anybody caught with one. Six months later It was one of my farewell present from the Canadian Submarine Service, wrapped in brown paper, when I came home from exchange in early 1997." What was your most controversial boat T shirt, send a photo if you can? Click to enlarge image. |
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Ian Pfennigwerth
Commenting on my suggestion that it was time that younger members accept responsibility for the future of the Association by becoming office bearers Ian Pfennigwerth wrote "I’ve been ‘wedged’ more than once by taking an official role in various organisations and then being unable to find somebody to take over when I thought it was time to move on. It is a common problem as you have rightly pointed out. Unfortunately, there are more people prepared to whinge about the perceived shortcomings of the officials than to take up the challenge of showing them how their jobs should be done by relieving them. Perhaps submariners are different from we ordinary folk."
Ian continued "I’ll have some news later this month on the progress of the publication of my book Bravo Zulu, now split into two volumes, and an appeal we will run to raise the capital to pay for it. I’d be grateful if I could use ‘Up Periscope’ as a way of getting in touch with submariners who might have an interest in supporting the cause." I await your word, I am sure that the submarine community will get behind you in this.
Ian Pfennigwerth spent 35 years in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in seagoing, staff and overseas postings, his last twelve years being spent primarily in the intelligence sphere. He commanded the guided missile destroyer HMAS Perth II, served as Director of Naval Intelligence for three years and was the Defence Attaché in Beijing for two. Resigning in 1992, he built a consultancy in Asian business development for the Australian ITC sector. Since 2002, Ian has worked in his third career, researching Australia’s naval history, which he interprets broadly to mean the history of the influence of navies on the discovery, development and defence of Australia and its interests. He makes frequent presentations to the public and at professional conferences and seminars, has lectured on history at the RAN College, and supports and assists other authors in this genre, and writing his own publications.
His next book will be 'Bravo Zulu: Honours and Awards to Australian Naval People 1900-2014'. The descriptor on his web page states:
Whether it be a George Cross for defusing mines during the World War II blitz of the UK, an American Silver Star for flying helicopters into intense enemy fire in Vietnam, or a Conspicuous Service Medal for quietly ‘just getting the job done’, these are the stories of the men and women who have been decorated for their service to the Royal Australian Navy. Some stories are mundane, but give the public an insight into the daily running of our Navy. Others, whose feats of courage under fire or bravery in risking their own lives in saving the lives of others, on and off duty, are truly inspiring.
Between 1900 and 2014 over 3,700 Australian naval people received awards for their efforts, courage, sacrifice and service to the nation. Most of their feats have remained untold until now. This book tells the stories of the brave, the inspiring and the dedicated servicemen and women whom have gone above and beyond their call of duty. Until now a comprehensive list of awards has been missing in the annals of Australian naval history and this publication fills that gap for those with a passionate interest in the subject or even the casual browser.
For the past six years Ian Pfennigwerth has been working with a team of volunteer researchers to explore the background of these honours and awards – Imperial, Australian, and foreign, and the result is a book compiled for a general readership – the Australian public – written so that those with no knowledge of things naval will understand the significance of each award and become acquainted with the history of Australia’s naval forces and their activities and achievements across a tumultuous 115 years since Federation, as well as enjoying a good read.
Ian continued "I’ll have some news later this month on the progress of the publication of my book Bravo Zulu, now split into two volumes, and an appeal we will run to raise the capital to pay for it. I’d be grateful if I could use ‘Up Periscope’ as a way of getting in touch with submariners who might have an interest in supporting the cause." I await your word, I am sure that the submarine community will get behind you in this.
Ian Pfennigwerth spent 35 years in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in seagoing, staff and overseas postings, his last twelve years being spent primarily in the intelligence sphere. He commanded the guided missile destroyer HMAS Perth II, served as Director of Naval Intelligence for three years and was the Defence Attaché in Beijing for two. Resigning in 1992, he built a consultancy in Asian business development for the Australian ITC sector. Since 2002, Ian has worked in his third career, researching Australia’s naval history, which he interprets broadly to mean the history of the influence of navies on the discovery, development and defence of Australia and its interests. He makes frequent presentations to the public and at professional conferences and seminars, has lectured on history at the RAN College, and supports and assists other authors in this genre, and writing his own publications.
His next book will be 'Bravo Zulu: Honours and Awards to Australian Naval People 1900-2014'. The descriptor on his web page states:
Whether it be a George Cross for defusing mines during the World War II blitz of the UK, an American Silver Star for flying helicopters into intense enemy fire in Vietnam, or a Conspicuous Service Medal for quietly ‘just getting the job done’, these are the stories of the men and women who have been decorated for their service to the Royal Australian Navy. Some stories are mundane, but give the public an insight into the daily running of our Navy. Others, whose feats of courage under fire or bravery in risking their own lives in saving the lives of others, on and off duty, are truly inspiring.
Between 1900 and 2014 over 3,700 Australian naval people received awards for their efforts, courage, sacrifice and service to the nation. Most of their feats have remained untold until now. This book tells the stories of the brave, the inspiring and the dedicated servicemen and women whom have gone above and beyond their call of duty. Until now a comprehensive list of awards has been missing in the annals of Australian naval history and this publication fills that gap for those with a passionate interest in the subject or even the casual browser.
For the past six years Ian Pfennigwerth has been working with a team of volunteer researchers to explore the background of these honours and awards – Imperial, Australian, and foreign, and the result is a book compiled for a general readership – the Australian public – written so that those with no knowledge of things naval will understand the significance of each award and become acquainted with the history of Australia’s naval forces and their activities and achievements across a tumultuous 115 years since Federation, as well as enjoying a good read.
Association News
Western Australia Branch
The secretary will shortly be switching email address to paultmeakin@gmail.com and/or secsaawa@gmail.com so please send ALL future correspondence to either of these addresses.
Paul T Meakin
Secretary SAA WA Branch
The secretary will shortly be switching email address to paultmeakin@gmail.com and/or secsaawa@gmail.com so please send ALL future correspondence to either of these addresses.
Paul T Meakin
Secretary SAA WA Branch
Submariners Walk Heritage Trail
Don Currell OAM is busy raising funds to complete Phase 5 out of 6 on the Submariners Walk Heritage Trail. $60,000 is required to install a 20m long x 1m high sign, energised by LED lights, with the words SUBMARINERS HERITAGE TRAIL. The sign will be seen from the Brisbane River and along the walkway at Teneriffe/New Farm. The last Phase completed saw the installation of 4 flag poles with LED lights that were ready for ANZAC Day 2015 at a cost of $14,000.
Terry and Lousie Baker (WA) re seeking a copy of the Two Types Of Ships and the saga but I only had a old VHS version that wouldn't copy properly due to the age and loss of quality. I knew of several people who once worked at TTU2 (now long retired) and after several emails and phone calls to the RAN Public Relations Department I was finally given permission to have the original version taken out of archives and converted to a DVD. Cameron Martin helped me in the process.
I have since sent a copy to Terry Baker to satisfy his request. As a fund raising option I would like to make available the DVD of Two Types Of Ships should any submariner/family/friends who would like to revisit the days long ago when we were young and bullet proof for a small fee.
It has plenty of old faces in it and it may be good to show the grandkids what Pop did in submarines and recall the faces still currently around the traps today or sadly those who have gone on Eternal Patrol. The "New" Post and Handling cost is around $6.50 these days and will be included in the $20 purchase price.
Don Currell OAM is busy raising funds to complete Phase 5 out of 6 on the Submariners Walk Heritage Trail. $60,000 is required to install a 20m long x 1m high sign, energised by LED lights, with the words SUBMARINERS HERITAGE TRAIL. The sign will be seen from the Brisbane River and along the walkway at Teneriffe/New Farm. The last Phase completed saw the installation of 4 flag poles with LED lights that were ready for ANZAC Day 2015 at a cost of $14,000.
Terry and Lousie Baker (WA) re seeking a copy of the Two Types Of Ships and the saga but I only had a old VHS version that wouldn't copy properly due to the age and loss of quality. I knew of several people who once worked at TTU2 (now long retired) and after several emails and phone calls to the RAN Public Relations Department I was finally given permission to have the original version taken out of archives and converted to a DVD. Cameron Martin helped me in the process.
I have since sent a copy to Terry Baker to satisfy his request. As a fund raising option I would like to make available the DVD of Two Types Of Ships should any submariner/family/friends who would like to revisit the days long ago when we were young and bullet proof for a small fee.
It has plenty of old faces in it and it may be good to show the grandkids what Pop did in submarines and recall the faces still currently around the traps today or sadly those who have gone on Eternal Patrol. The "New" Post and Handling cost is around $6.50 these days and will be included in the $20 purchase price.
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Those requiring a copy are to contact me via my email address so I know where to post with a thank you letter from the Submariners Walk Committee for their donation.
Don Currell OAM 9/85 Picnic Point Esplanade Maroochydore Qld 4558 |
Direct Debit can be made to:
SAA Submariners Walk Fund BSB 484799 A/c 453146189 Ref "YOURNAME" DVD Or, post a Cheque made out to 'SAA Submariners Walk Fund' to Don's address. |
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Click to enlarge
Cameron Martin has an unopened bottle of rum (Nelson's decanter) which he bought at the China Fleet Club when Otama was in Hong Kong in 1989. He said "As I no longer drink I thought it would make a good auction item to raise funds for the sign 'Duckrun' Currell is trying to get made for the submariner's walk in Brisbane. The auction will end at 1200 EDST on Sunday 17 Jan 16. Do I have a starting bid?" You can place a bid on the SAA Facebook page, the highest bidder at time of writing this was $280 from John Sullivan. John added "If anyone outbids this I will donate the money anyway". Spoken like a real submariner.
This traditional ceramic 1 litre Pusser's Rum Ship's Decanter, with its very wide base, is designed to stand steadfast in a Captain's cabin on the rough seas. It's also named after another sturdy British seafarer, Admiral Lord Nelson, who lead the Royal Navy to victory in countless battles, including the vital Battle of Trafalgar.
This traditional ceramic 1 litre Pusser's Rum Ship's Decanter, with its very wide base, is designed to stand steadfast in a Captain's cabin on the rough seas. It's also named after another sturdy British seafarer, Admiral Lord Nelson, who lead the Royal Navy to victory in countless battles, including the vital Battle of Trafalgar.
Ken Chilvers wrote "The year goes very quickly and it will soon be the International Submariners Congress in Pula. As of today I am the only Aussie attending and thought you might be able to highlight the event in the Chief Stokers Log. It will be held in Pula from 24th - 28th May and is worth attending. Information can be found on www.isa-croatia-2016.com"
The International Submariners Conference is not well known to the majority of Australian submariners but in previous years those that are members and attended the Conferences were very impressed. Why not join Ken for something different.
The International Submariners Conference is not well known to the majority of Australian submariners but in previous years those that are members and attended the Conferences were very impressed. Why not join Ken for something different.
In Memory - Joey Ashley USS San Francisco
On 8 January 2005 at 02:43 GMT, USS San Francisco collided with an undersea mountain about 675 kilometers (364 nautical miles, 420 statute miles) southeast of Guam while operating at flank (maximum) speed at a depth of 525 feet (160 m). The collision was so serious that the vessel was almost lost - accounts detail a desperate struggle for positive buoyancy to surface after the forward ballast tanks were ruptured. Twenty-three crewmen were injured, and Machinist's Mate Second Class Joseph Allen Ashley, 24, of Akron, Ohio, died on 9 January from head injuries. Other injuries to the crew included broken bones, lacerations, and a back injury. San Francisco’s forward ballast tanks and her sonar dome were severely damaged, but her inner hull was not breached, and there was no damage to her nuclear reactor. She surfaced and, accompanied by the USCGC Galveston Island (WPB-1349), USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham (T-AK-3017), and USNS Kiska (T-AE-35), as well as MH-60S Knighthawks and P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, arrived in Guam on 10 January.
I didn't know Joey Ashley, but he was a Submariner just like me and many of my Shipmates. I knew several of the crew, but they were Submarine Crews like every Submarine I had served on. Their efforts saved the USS San Francisco preventing further loss of the lives of other Shipmates.
Since that time I have become friends with Joey's father Daniel Dan Ashley Sr. I also have a very close friend presently serving on USS San Francisco William Southall.
What happened to USS San Francisco and MM2(SS) Ashley could have happened to me, or any one of us who where Dolphins and go down to the sea in vessels intentionally designed to sink. It's dangerous business whether you are underway operating as the San Francisco was, or sitting in a drydock like the USS MIAMI was. There's reasons it is called "hazardous duty". We all know the hazards and risks every time we go onboard, but we do it because that is the life we choose.
So on this anniversary of this tragic accident let us pause and remember Joey Ashley who gave his live while serving his country in Submarines. And let us all give thanks that we were fortunate that USS San Francisco was not lost and that we are not remembering 127 men instead.
Dan Ashley as I said the other night, the whole Submarine Community is with you during these difficult times and Joey is not forgotten.
"There is a port of no return where ships may ride at anchor for a little space. And then some starless night the cable slips leaving only an eddy at the mooring place. Gulls veer no longer. Sailor rest your oar. No tangled wreckage will be washed ashore". HAND SALUTE Shipmate Ashley . . . Rest Your Oar! Ready Two.
Duane Hunter
SAA South Australian Member - ex USS Simon Bolivar SSBN 641, USS Archerfish SSN-678, USS Hartford SSN-768, USS Seawolf SSN-21 and USS Jimmy Carter SSN-23.
On 8 January 2005 at 02:43 GMT, USS San Francisco collided with an undersea mountain about 675 kilometers (364 nautical miles, 420 statute miles) southeast of Guam while operating at flank (maximum) speed at a depth of 525 feet (160 m). The collision was so serious that the vessel was almost lost - accounts detail a desperate struggle for positive buoyancy to surface after the forward ballast tanks were ruptured. Twenty-three crewmen were injured, and Machinist's Mate Second Class Joseph Allen Ashley, 24, of Akron, Ohio, died on 9 January from head injuries. Other injuries to the crew included broken bones, lacerations, and a back injury. San Francisco’s forward ballast tanks and her sonar dome were severely damaged, but her inner hull was not breached, and there was no damage to her nuclear reactor. She surfaced and, accompanied by the USCGC Galveston Island (WPB-1349), USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham (T-AK-3017), and USNS Kiska (T-AE-35), as well as MH-60S Knighthawks and P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, arrived in Guam on 10 January.
I didn't know Joey Ashley, but he was a Submariner just like me and many of my Shipmates. I knew several of the crew, but they were Submarine Crews like every Submarine I had served on. Their efforts saved the USS San Francisco preventing further loss of the lives of other Shipmates.
Since that time I have become friends with Joey's father Daniel Dan Ashley Sr. I also have a very close friend presently serving on USS San Francisco William Southall.
What happened to USS San Francisco and MM2(SS) Ashley could have happened to me, or any one of us who where Dolphins and go down to the sea in vessels intentionally designed to sink. It's dangerous business whether you are underway operating as the San Francisco was, or sitting in a drydock like the USS MIAMI was. There's reasons it is called "hazardous duty". We all know the hazards and risks every time we go onboard, but we do it because that is the life we choose.
So on this anniversary of this tragic accident let us pause and remember Joey Ashley who gave his live while serving his country in Submarines. And let us all give thanks that we were fortunate that USS San Francisco was not lost and that we are not remembering 127 men instead.
Dan Ashley as I said the other night, the whole Submarine Community is with you during these difficult times and Joey is not forgotten.
"There is a port of no return where ships may ride at anchor for a little space. And then some starless night the cable slips leaving only an eddy at the mooring place. Gulls veer no longer. Sailor rest your oar. No tangled wreckage will be washed ashore". HAND SALUTE Shipmate Ashley . . . Rest Your Oar! Ready Two.
Duane Hunter
SAA South Australian Member - ex USS Simon Bolivar SSBN 641, USS Archerfish SSN-678, USS Hartford SSN-768, USS Seawolf SSN-21 and USS Jimmy Carter SSN-23.
Submarines and the Law of Espionage
James Kraska has written an interesting article called Submarines and the Law of Espionage. He writes that the legal implications of changes in the strategic and operational maritime environment concern appropriate and lawful employment of submarines to gather intelligence, as well as the rights of coastal states to impede espionage against them conducted from the sea. Given the increase in submarine activity in the region, combined with rather testy and contending visions of maritime rights, the article states we may expect that things easily could get out of hand.
The article begins with the ample history of incidents over the past sixty-five years involving Chinese, British, North Korean, American, and Soviet (and Russian) submarines, suggesting that while undersea spying occurs with some regularity, the political and legal consequences are uncertain. As submarines enter the force structure of East Asian navies for the first time we can expect that states in the region will face these issues for the first time. While submarine intrusions into the territorial sea are not uncommon, the legal standards that govern such operations and the rights and duties of affected coastal states are murky.
Although it is apparent that submarine espionage violates the sovereignty of the coastal state in the territorial sea, it is unclear whether the operations are inconsistent with the law of the sea, or even international law more generally. Certainly undersea operations and spying in territorial waters without coastal state consent are not compatible with the regime of innocent passage in the law of the sea, but it is unclear whether they are lawful as “non-innocent” passage. Suggested reading, read the article and follow the links on this page.
Bugger!
Sky News reports a US submarine commander has lost his job after he grounded an Ohio-class guided missile submarine as it returned to port. The nuclear-powered USS Georgia hit a channel buoy and then grounded as it headed for Kings Bay, Georgia, on 25 November, causing at least $1m in damages.
Captain Dave Adams, commanding officer of the boat's "Blue Crew", was relieved of command on Monday by Rear Admiral Randy Crites. In a statement to The Brunswick News, he wrote: "The actions that hazarded Georgia upon a scheduled return to port in the dark on the morning of 25 Nov were mine alone. "I ask that my lapses not be used to denigrate the terrific service of the sailors and families of Georgia Blue. "After 30 years of serving in the world's finest Navy, my only regret is that I will miss sailing with them again to stand against our nation's enemies."
In a statement, the US Navy said Cpt Adams had been dismissed due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command based on facts and circumstances revealed in a command investigation into the Nov 25, 2015, incident in which USS Georgia was returning to port, struck a channel buoy, and then grounded". It added: "Commanding officers are held to the highest standards of professional conduct and accept the responsibility of command with full regard for its consequences."
The USS Georgia has two crews - designated "Gold" and "Blue" - which alternate operating the vessel. It is armed with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as torpedos. The US Navy said the accident caused around $1m of damage to the $2bn submarine. Last month, it said the damage was limited to the exterior of the submarine and there was no water intrusion. Commissioned in 1982 as a ballistic-missile submarine, the USS Georgia was converted to a guided-missile boat in 2004. Cpt Adams was reassigned to Submarine Group 10 after the accident. An investigation remains open.
James Kraska has written an interesting article called Submarines and the Law of Espionage. He writes that the legal implications of changes in the strategic and operational maritime environment concern appropriate and lawful employment of submarines to gather intelligence, as well as the rights of coastal states to impede espionage against them conducted from the sea. Given the increase in submarine activity in the region, combined with rather testy and contending visions of maritime rights, the article states we may expect that things easily could get out of hand.
The article begins with the ample history of incidents over the past sixty-five years involving Chinese, British, North Korean, American, and Soviet (and Russian) submarines, suggesting that while undersea spying occurs with some regularity, the political and legal consequences are uncertain. As submarines enter the force structure of East Asian navies for the first time we can expect that states in the region will face these issues for the first time. While submarine intrusions into the territorial sea are not uncommon, the legal standards that govern such operations and the rights and duties of affected coastal states are murky.
Although it is apparent that submarine espionage violates the sovereignty of the coastal state in the territorial sea, it is unclear whether the operations are inconsistent with the law of the sea, or even international law more generally. Certainly undersea operations and spying in territorial waters without coastal state consent are not compatible with the regime of innocent passage in the law of the sea, but it is unclear whether they are lawful as “non-innocent” passage. Suggested reading, read the article and follow the links on this page.
Bugger!
Sky News reports a US submarine commander has lost his job after he grounded an Ohio-class guided missile submarine as it returned to port. The nuclear-powered USS Georgia hit a channel buoy and then grounded as it headed for Kings Bay, Georgia, on 25 November, causing at least $1m in damages.
Captain Dave Adams, commanding officer of the boat's "Blue Crew", was relieved of command on Monday by Rear Admiral Randy Crites. In a statement to The Brunswick News, he wrote: "The actions that hazarded Georgia upon a scheduled return to port in the dark on the morning of 25 Nov were mine alone. "I ask that my lapses not be used to denigrate the terrific service of the sailors and families of Georgia Blue. "After 30 years of serving in the world's finest Navy, my only regret is that I will miss sailing with them again to stand against our nation's enemies."
In a statement, the US Navy said Cpt Adams had been dismissed due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command based on facts and circumstances revealed in a command investigation into the Nov 25, 2015, incident in which USS Georgia was returning to port, struck a channel buoy, and then grounded". It added: "Commanding officers are held to the highest standards of professional conduct and accept the responsibility of command with full regard for its consequences."
The USS Georgia has two crews - designated "Gold" and "Blue" - which alternate operating the vessel. It is armed with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as torpedos. The US Navy said the accident caused around $1m of damage to the $2bn submarine. Last month, it said the damage was limited to the exterior of the submarine and there was no water intrusion. Commissioned in 1982 as a ballistic-missile submarine, the USS Georgia was converted to a guided-missile boat in 2004. Cpt Adams was reassigned to Submarine Group 10 after the accident. An investigation remains open.
History
A party from HMS Bulldog prepares to board the U-boat 110
Vale - Lieutenant Commander David Balme RN, DSC
Lieutenant Commander David Balme, who has died aged 95, led a boarding party which captured the secrets of Enigma from a German U-boat during the Battle of Convoy OB138 in May 1941, a turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic.
At midday on May 9 1941 Commander Joe Baker-Cresswell, captain of the destroyer Bulldog, was about to order the ships of the 3rd Escort Group to leave west-bound trans-Atlantic Convoy OB318 in order to refuel at Iceland, when two merchant ships were torpedoed in quick succession. The torpedoes were fired from U-110, commanded by the U-boat ace Fritz-Julius Lemp, who failed to notice the proximity of the corvette Aubretia. Before his second salvo of torpedoes struck, Aubretia’s Lieutenant Commander Vivian Smith commenced a counter-attack with depth charges which blew U-110 to the surface.
The destroyer Broadway attempted to ram the surfaced U-boat and all three British ships opened fire with their guns. There was panic in U-110 and the crew abandoned ship: 15 men were killed or drowned including Lemp, and 32 survivors were picked up and hurried below deck in Aubretia. The action was over in minutes, and when Baker-Cresswell stopped Bulldog alongside the U-boat he found it wallowing stern-down in the Atlantic rollers. Balme was ordered to row across in Bulldog’s whaler to “get whatever you can out of her – documents, books, charts, and get the wireless settings, anything like that”. Jumping on to the U-boat’s outer hull he walked, revolver in hand, to the conning tower, at which point he had to holster his pistol in order to climb three ladders to the top of the tower and down again inside the U-boat to the control room. It was, he later recalled, “a very nasty moment because both my hands were occupied and I was a sitting target to anyone down below”.
Balme was very frightened; he expected the boat to sink, or scuttling charges to blow up at any moment, or to be overcome by chlorine from damaged batteries. The inside of the boat was dimly lit, there was a “nasty” hissing noise, and he could hear water slopping in the bilges. “I immediately went right for’d and right aft with my revolver in my hand to see if there was anybody about,” he said later. Noting that despite damage the U-boat was clean and well-kept and there was food on the table, but finding no Germans aboard, Balme called down the boarding party and “started ransacking all the treasures of the U-boat”.
In the wireless office, telegraphist Alan Long found “a funny sort of instrument, Sir, it looks like a typewriter but when you press the keys something else comes up on it”. Balme recognised this as “some sort of coding machine”, which he ordered to be unscrewed, and he organised a human chain to carry the machine and other equipment, charts and documents up the ladders and into the whaler. Balme and Long had found an Enigma machine, the cipher device which the German U-boat service used to communicate to its fleet in, as the Germans thought, an unbreakable code. Besides that day’s settings they also recovered the daily settings until the end of June, which, when delivered later to Bletchley Park, enabled Alan Turing and his team to read the German naval “Hydra” code, the officer-only code, and, with the knowledge and experience gained, to go on to crack several other codes. Lemp’s crew were so demoralised and ill-disciplined that later in prison camp they talked freely to their interrogators about U-110 and about other boats in which they had served.
Balme and his men spent six hours inside U-110, where for some time they were left alone in the Atlantic, listening to the distant sound of depth charges while the 3rd Escort Group hunted another U-boat. When Bulldog returned, Balme passed a towline, and for a day U-110 was pulled towards Iceland, until about 11.00 on May 10 1941 when the German vessel reared its bows in the air and sank stern-first.
The loss of U-110 enabled the British to throw a cloak of secrecy over the whole affair, a cloak so dark that even when Captain Stephen Roskill, the official historian of the Royal Navy, wrote about the capture in 1959, only those already in the know were able to read between the lines and would have realised that the secret of the capture was not the U-boat but the Enigma material which was salvaged from it. Balme had been told that the truth of his secret capture would be kept forever, and was surprised when in the 1970s its secrets began to leak out.
Baker-Cresswell and Smith were awarded the DSO, Balme the DSC, and Long the DSM, for enterprise and skill in action against enemy submarines.
There were also breaches of security: Baker-Cresswell had told Balme to bring him back a pair of binoculars. Balme brought back two, and he used these swastika-stamped Zeiss binoculars in his yacht for 50 years. He also pinched Lemp’s cap from his cabin, keeping it as a souvenir until he presented it to the Imperial War Museum in 2003.
David Edward Balme was born in Kensington, London, on October 1 1920, of Huguenot stock. Aged 13, David entered Dartmouth Naval College in the Anson term of 1934. Balme’s naval career was unusually varied. Pre-war, as a midshipman, he served in the cruisers London and Shropshire in the Mediterranean during the Spanish Civil War; he recorded the rising tension in Europe in his midshipman’s journal. When he was re-appointed to the destroyer Ivanhoe in June 1939 she was on the Palestine Patrol, preventing illegal immigration into the Holy Land, and when she was recalled to Britain at the outbreak of war he witnessed the torpedoing of the carrier Courageous in September. In mid-October he took part in the Battle of Convoy KJF3 when two U-boats were sunk.
Balme had a very enjoyable few months on his foreshortened sub-lieutenant’s courses in Portsmouth and Greenwich in early 1940 and his next appointment was as sub-lieutenant of the gunroom in the cruiser Berwick. On November 27 1940 she fought against the Italian fleet in the Battle of Cape Spartivento, when she was hit by two 8in shells which knocked out her after turrets, killing seven men, wounding nine others and igniting a fire which took an hour to subdue.
Then on Christmas Day that year Berwick was off the Canaries escorting Convoy WS-5A when, despite being hit several times, she drove off the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, thus saving a valuable troop convoy bound round the Cape for the Middle East. When Berwick returned to Plymouth for repairs, Balme was appointed to Bulldog as her navigator. Bulldog, he declared, was “a happy little ship and far the best time that I ever had in the Navy”. While in her he took part in several trans-Atlantic convoys, and
in the occupation of Iceland. Balme’s navigational skill led to him being selected as an observer in the Fleet Air Arm. En route to Egypt in June 1942 he commanded a party of British gunners on-board the American merchantman Chant, part of a convoy intended for the relief of Malta – but was sunk. Rescued from the water, he spent two nights in an air raid shelter in Malta before flying on to take up his duty as senior observer of 826 Naval Air Squadron.
Balme’s Fairey Albacore bombers perfected the technique of pathfinding – dropping flares for RAF Wellingtons to bomb. When he left, in February 1943, the Air Officer Commanding sent him a signal of thanks for the “magnificent work with and for the Wellingtons. There is no doubt that these night attacks were one of the decisive factors in crushing the enemy’s attack. The successful conclusion of the land battle may well prove to be a turning point in the war in Africa.” Balme was mentioned in despatches.
Next Balme qualified as fighter direction officer (FDO) and was sent to the battleship Renown, and when she brought Winston Churchill and his staff back from the Quebec Conference in September 1943 Balme studied him closely. Balme also attended the 21st birthday party of Mary Churchill (later Lady Soames). Almost Balme’s last appointment was as staff FDO in the Eastern Fleet, in the battleship Queen Elizabeth, when with acting rank he became the youngest lieutenant commander in the fleet. His service included a month in the escort carrier Empress directing her aircraft on photo-reconnaissance missions over Malaya.
Post-war Balme joined the family’s wool-broking business. He hunted with the New Forest Hounds and, as a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, sailed the coasts of Western Europe. In 1999 Balme was historical adviser during the making of the Oscar-winning film U-571, which recast the capture and boarding of U-110 as an American victory. When the prime minister at the time, Tony Blair, called this an affront to British sailors, Balme, the one-time chairman of Lymington Conservatives, pointed out that it was a great film, that it would not have been financially viable without being Americanised, that the credits acknowledged the Royal Navy’s role in capturing Enigma machines and code documents, and that he was glad the story had been told in tribute to all the men involved.
Balme married Susan im Thurn in 1947. She survives him with their two sons and a daughter.
Lieutenant Commander David Balme DSC, RN, born October 1 1920, died January 3 2016
Lieutenant Commander David Balme, who has died aged 95, led a boarding party which captured the secrets of Enigma from a German U-boat during the Battle of Convoy OB138 in May 1941, a turning point in the Battle of the Atlantic.
At midday on May 9 1941 Commander Joe Baker-Cresswell, captain of the destroyer Bulldog, was about to order the ships of the 3rd Escort Group to leave west-bound trans-Atlantic Convoy OB318 in order to refuel at Iceland, when two merchant ships were torpedoed in quick succession. The torpedoes were fired from U-110, commanded by the U-boat ace Fritz-Julius Lemp, who failed to notice the proximity of the corvette Aubretia. Before his second salvo of torpedoes struck, Aubretia’s Lieutenant Commander Vivian Smith commenced a counter-attack with depth charges which blew U-110 to the surface.
The destroyer Broadway attempted to ram the surfaced U-boat and all three British ships opened fire with their guns. There was panic in U-110 and the crew abandoned ship: 15 men were killed or drowned including Lemp, and 32 survivors were picked up and hurried below deck in Aubretia. The action was over in minutes, and when Baker-Cresswell stopped Bulldog alongside the U-boat he found it wallowing stern-down in the Atlantic rollers. Balme was ordered to row across in Bulldog’s whaler to “get whatever you can out of her – documents, books, charts, and get the wireless settings, anything like that”. Jumping on to the U-boat’s outer hull he walked, revolver in hand, to the conning tower, at which point he had to holster his pistol in order to climb three ladders to the top of the tower and down again inside the U-boat to the control room. It was, he later recalled, “a very nasty moment because both my hands were occupied and I was a sitting target to anyone down below”.
Balme was very frightened; he expected the boat to sink, or scuttling charges to blow up at any moment, or to be overcome by chlorine from damaged batteries. The inside of the boat was dimly lit, there was a “nasty” hissing noise, and he could hear water slopping in the bilges. “I immediately went right for’d and right aft with my revolver in my hand to see if there was anybody about,” he said later. Noting that despite damage the U-boat was clean and well-kept and there was food on the table, but finding no Germans aboard, Balme called down the boarding party and “started ransacking all the treasures of the U-boat”.
In the wireless office, telegraphist Alan Long found “a funny sort of instrument, Sir, it looks like a typewriter but when you press the keys something else comes up on it”. Balme recognised this as “some sort of coding machine”, which he ordered to be unscrewed, and he organised a human chain to carry the machine and other equipment, charts and documents up the ladders and into the whaler. Balme and Long had found an Enigma machine, the cipher device which the German U-boat service used to communicate to its fleet in, as the Germans thought, an unbreakable code. Besides that day’s settings they also recovered the daily settings until the end of June, which, when delivered later to Bletchley Park, enabled Alan Turing and his team to read the German naval “Hydra” code, the officer-only code, and, with the knowledge and experience gained, to go on to crack several other codes. Lemp’s crew were so demoralised and ill-disciplined that later in prison camp they talked freely to their interrogators about U-110 and about other boats in which they had served.
Balme and his men spent six hours inside U-110, where for some time they were left alone in the Atlantic, listening to the distant sound of depth charges while the 3rd Escort Group hunted another U-boat. When Bulldog returned, Balme passed a towline, and for a day U-110 was pulled towards Iceland, until about 11.00 on May 10 1941 when the German vessel reared its bows in the air and sank stern-first.
The loss of U-110 enabled the British to throw a cloak of secrecy over the whole affair, a cloak so dark that even when Captain Stephen Roskill, the official historian of the Royal Navy, wrote about the capture in 1959, only those already in the know were able to read between the lines and would have realised that the secret of the capture was not the U-boat but the Enigma material which was salvaged from it. Balme had been told that the truth of his secret capture would be kept forever, and was surprised when in the 1970s its secrets began to leak out.
Baker-Cresswell and Smith were awarded the DSO, Balme the DSC, and Long the DSM, for enterprise and skill in action against enemy submarines.
There were also breaches of security: Baker-Cresswell had told Balme to bring him back a pair of binoculars. Balme brought back two, and he used these swastika-stamped Zeiss binoculars in his yacht for 50 years. He also pinched Lemp’s cap from his cabin, keeping it as a souvenir until he presented it to the Imperial War Museum in 2003.
David Edward Balme was born in Kensington, London, on October 1 1920, of Huguenot stock. Aged 13, David entered Dartmouth Naval College in the Anson term of 1934. Balme’s naval career was unusually varied. Pre-war, as a midshipman, he served in the cruisers London and Shropshire in the Mediterranean during the Spanish Civil War; he recorded the rising tension in Europe in his midshipman’s journal. When he was re-appointed to the destroyer Ivanhoe in June 1939 she was on the Palestine Patrol, preventing illegal immigration into the Holy Land, and when she was recalled to Britain at the outbreak of war he witnessed the torpedoing of the carrier Courageous in September. In mid-October he took part in the Battle of Convoy KJF3 when two U-boats were sunk.
Balme had a very enjoyable few months on his foreshortened sub-lieutenant’s courses in Portsmouth and Greenwich in early 1940 and his next appointment was as sub-lieutenant of the gunroom in the cruiser Berwick. On November 27 1940 she fought against the Italian fleet in the Battle of Cape Spartivento, when she was hit by two 8in shells which knocked out her after turrets, killing seven men, wounding nine others and igniting a fire which took an hour to subdue.
Then on Christmas Day that year Berwick was off the Canaries escorting Convoy WS-5A when, despite being hit several times, she drove off the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, thus saving a valuable troop convoy bound round the Cape for the Middle East. When Berwick returned to Plymouth for repairs, Balme was appointed to Bulldog as her navigator. Bulldog, he declared, was “a happy little ship and far the best time that I ever had in the Navy”. While in her he took part in several trans-Atlantic convoys, and
in the occupation of Iceland. Balme’s navigational skill led to him being selected as an observer in the Fleet Air Arm. En route to Egypt in June 1942 he commanded a party of British gunners on-board the American merchantman Chant, part of a convoy intended for the relief of Malta – but was sunk. Rescued from the water, he spent two nights in an air raid shelter in Malta before flying on to take up his duty as senior observer of 826 Naval Air Squadron.
Balme’s Fairey Albacore bombers perfected the technique of pathfinding – dropping flares for RAF Wellingtons to bomb. When he left, in February 1943, the Air Officer Commanding sent him a signal of thanks for the “magnificent work with and for the Wellingtons. There is no doubt that these night attacks were one of the decisive factors in crushing the enemy’s attack. The successful conclusion of the land battle may well prove to be a turning point in the war in Africa.” Balme was mentioned in despatches.
Next Balme qualified as fighter direction officer (FDO) and was sent to the battleship Renown, and when she brought Winston Churchill and his staff back from the Quebec Conference in September 1943 Balme studied him closely. Balme also attended the 21st birthday party of Mary Churchill (later Lady Soames). Almost Balme’s last appointment was as staff FDO in the Eastern Fleet, in the battleship Queen Elizabeth, when with acting rank he became the youngest lieutenant commander in the fleet. His service included a month in the escort carrier Empress directing her aircraft on photo-reconnaissance missions over Malaya.
Post-war Balme joined the family’s wool-broking business. He hunted with the New Forest Hounds and, as a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, sailed the coasts of Western Europe. In 1999 Balme was historical adviser during the making of the Oscar-winning film U-571, which recast the capture and boarding of U-110 as an American victory. When the prime minister at the time, Tony Blair, called this an affront to British sailors, Balme, the one-time chairman of Lymington Conservatives, pointed out that it was a great film, that it would not have been financially viable without being Americanised, that the credits acknowledged the Royal Navy’s role in capturing Enigma machines and code documents, and that he was glad the story had been told in tribute to all the men involved.
Balme married Susan im Thurn in 1947. She survives him with their two sons and a daughter.
Lieutenant Commander David Balme DSC, RN, born October 1 1920, died January 3 2016
Donate to Austpost Retirement Fund
I want to be a postman!
On the ABC 7.30 Report last night (Wednesday 23 December 2015) Malcolm Turnbull was explaining why the increase to $1 for a stamp was necessary. He never mentioned anything about this eye-opener below.
Recently Australia Post which is totally Government owned and has been for 200 years, announced the loss of 900 jobs, being part of a cut back program. This is due to the decline in letters beings sent and that’s true as email has further reduced letter writing and in many ways understandably.
The Managing Director and CEO of Australia Post' s salary package was estimated to be worth $4.8 million last year. So let’s get some perspective here. The top ten executives in Australia Post combined earn around $20 million each year. That’s simply immoral. How can the CEO of the Post Office earn so much, especially when the postal service is bleeding money from letter delivery. No employee is worth 5 million a year and especially not from a government=owned business.
The top Federal Public Servants in Australia have salaries of between $665,600 and $844,800. The Prime Minister of Australia earns a modest $507,000 considering the real burdens of office, while the CEO of the Gold Coast Council earning slightly less and that’s patently out of kilter with the PM’s package. The Mayor of GCCC brings in $225,000 so how on earth can the Post Office justify the massive pay of their CEO?
The head of the US Postal Service with 19 times more staff and 11 times more revenue than Australia Post receives $550,000. In France the head of their Post Office was paid $1.1 million with a staff compliment of 268,000 employees.
What a country full of mugs are we to sit by and let all this happen?? I would have run the big game of Post Office for a lot less and still done a reasonable job and in fact, if the best of we seniors applied ourselves we could run the damn Post Office better and accept a normal salary and a free lunch now and again.
On the ABC 7.30 Report last night (Wednesday 23 December 2015) Malcolm Turnbull was explaining why the increase to $1 for a stamp was necessary. He never mentioned anything about this eye-opener below.
Recently Australia Post which is totally Government owned and has been for 200 years, announced the loss of 900 jobs, being part of a cut back program. This is due to the decline in letters beings sent and that’s true as email has further reduced letter writing and in many ways understandably.
The Managing Director and CEO of Australia Post' s salary package was estimated to be worth $4.8 million last year. So let’s get some perspective here. The top ten executives in Australia Post combined earn around $20 million each year. That’s simply immoral. How can the CEO of the Post Office earn so much, especially when the postal service is bleeding money from letter delivery. No employee is worth 5 million a year and especially not from a government=owned business.
The top Federal Public Servants in Australia have salaries of between $665,600 and $844,800. The Prime Minister of Australia earns a modest $507,000 considering the real burdens of office, while the CEO of the Gold Coast Council earning slightly less and that’s patently out of kilter with the PM’s package. The Mayor of GCCC brings in $225,000 so how on earth can the Post Office justify the massive pay of their CEO?
The head of the US Postal Service with 19 times more staff and 11 times more revenue than Australia Post receives $550,000. In France the head of their Post Office was paid $1.1 million with a staff compliment of 268,000 employees.
What a country full of mugs are we to sit by and let all this happen?? I would have run the big game of Post Office for a lot less and still done a reasonable job and in fact, if the best of we seniors applied ourselves we could run the damn Post Office better and accept a normal salary and a free lunch now and again.
Funny bits.....
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church services when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled: 'Stop! Acts 2:38 !' (Repent and be baptised, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven.) The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar: "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture at you." "Scripture!" replied the burglar. "I thought she said she had an Axe and Two 38's!"
A young man with a silk robe, two gold front teeth, and a half inch thick gold chain around his neck; walked into the Centrelink to sign some paperwork. He marched up to the counter and said, "Hi. You know, I just H A T E being on the DOLE. I'd really rather have a job.. I don't like taking advantage of the system, getting something for nothing and all that."
The social worker behind the counter said, "Your timing is excellent. We Just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a chauffeur and bodyguard for his beautiful daughter. You'll have to drive around in his 2015 Mercedes-Benz CL, and he will supply all of your clothes. Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You'll also be expected to escort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips. This is rather awkward to say but you will also have to, as part of your job, satisfy her sexual urges as the daughter is in her mid-20's and has a rather strong sex drive."
The guy, just plain wide-eyed, said, "You're bullshittin' me!" The social worker said, "Yeah, well...You started it." .....
A young man with a silk robe, two gold front teeth, and a half inch thick gold chain around his neck; walked into the Centrelink to sign some paperwork. He marched up to the counter and said, "Hi. You know, I just H A T E being on the DOLE. I'd really rather have a job.. I don't like taking advantage of the system, getting something for nothing and all that."
The social worker behind the counter said, "Your timing is excellent. We Just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a chauffeur and bodyguard for his beautiful daughter. You'll have to drive around in his 2015 Mercedes-Benz CL, and he will supply all of your clothes. Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You'll also be expected to escort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips. This is rather awkward to say but you will also have to, as part of your job, satisfy her sexual urges as the daughter is in her mid-20's and has a rather strong sex drive."
The guy, just plain wide-eyed, said, "You're bullshittin' me!" The social worker said, "Yeah, well...You started it." .....
3rd January 2016
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A New Year's MessageMay you have the grace and wisdom to act kindly, learning to distinguish between what is personal and what is not in 2016. May you have good friends to mirror your blind spots.
Friends are the foundation of a balanced life and maintaining these friendships is one of the goals of the Submarines Association Australia. These aims are achieved by establishing communications through various online means and social gatherings and the ability to help Members in need through its Welfare Foundation. |
Do your bit to help and support the Association achieve this goal in 2016.
One of the biggest problems that most Associations have is an ageing membership. This leads to some Branches 'rolling over' committees from year to year through lack of volunteers. Although being a Committee Member is not arduous they become stale and need revitalisation. If you want to see changes, 2016 is your chance to make a difference.
Lets strengthen the bond between ALL submarines. 2016 should be the year we drop any perceived 'them and us' issues between today's submariners and us Oberon submariners. WE ARE ALL SUBMARINERS!
The National Executive are carrying out a study on how best to meet the communications requirement of it's Members and the tired and dated SAA Website should benefit from this study. The increased use of Social Media (Twitter, Facebook etc) will also be addressed in the study. So watch this space.
The Association is trying to encourage new Members by keeping the subscription rates very low and by offering 12 months free membership to Collins submariners on qualifying; it is good to see that some have taken up the option. Not a member? Please consider!
Finally, I wish you all a personal 'Thank You' for your support over the years, especially 2015. Without it we would not have been able to keep you informed of the news, both good and bad.
Norm Williams
Acting Web Manager
Submarines Association Australia
One of the biggest problems that most Associations have is an ageing membership. This leads to some Branches 'rolling over' committees from year to year through lack of volunteers. Although being a Committee Member is not arduous they become stale and need revitalisation. If you want to see changes, 2016 is your chance to make a difference.
Lets strengthen the bond between ALL submarines. 2016 should be the year we drop any perceived 'them and us' issues between today's submariners and us Oberon submariners. WE ARE ALL SUBMARINERS!
The National Executive are carrying out a study on how best to meet the communications requirement of it's Members and the tired and dated SAA Website should benefit from this study. The increased use of Social Media (Twitter, Facebook etc) will also be addressed in the study. So watch this space.
The Association is trying to encourage new Members by keeping the subscription rates very low and by offering 12 months free membership to Collins submariners on qualifying; it is good to see that some have taken up the option. Not a member? Please consider!
Finally, I wish you all a personal 'Thank You' for your support over the years, especially 2015. Without it we would not have been able to keep you informed of the news, both good and bad.
Norm Williams
Acting Web Manager
Submarines Association Australia
Thanks to all those that answered the Christmas message, even the person that pointed out of it's Members does not need an apostrophe. My response was "After several bottles of red, I don’t give a toss!"
It has been a struggle to get this issue out, I am still getting over having the freeloaders from the South's week stay. The fridge and bar are empty, the cupboards are bare, the laundry is full of sheets and towels (they thought they were at the Hilton, fresh towels daily and of course two traumatised dogs. It was good to have them here, but a three year old is a daunting animal, even one as well behaved as our Jack. When you are only used to catering for one, to cater for five, all with differing requirements, it gets hard.
They did leave me something though, a bloody cold! I have been coughing and sneezing all day... bastards! Why do we do it? probably because we love our families.
The year has got of to a bad start with the death of Michael Pool and Lloyd Blake's health issues, let us hope that this is not a warning of a bad year ahead.
Today's log has been hard to produce, a lot of email but not a lot I could do much with. And now with this cold I am not enjoying myself so I am going to call it a day and drive up to Maryborough before the Chemist shuts.
Till next week, take care and God bless you all.
It has been a struggle to get this issue out, I am still getting over having the freeloaders from the South's week stay. The fridge and bar are empty, the cupboards are bare, the laundry is full of sheets and towels (they thought they were at the Hilton, fresh towels daily and of course two traumatised dogs. It was good to have them here, but a three year old is a daunting animal, even one as well behaved as our Jack. When you are only used to catering for one, to cater for five, all with differing requirements, it gets hard.
They did leave me something though, a bloody cold! I have been coughing and sneezing all day... bastards! Why do we do it? probably because we love our families.
The year has got of to a bad start with the death of Michael Pool and Lloyd Blake's health issues, let us hope that this is not a warning of a bad year ahead.
Today's log has been hard to produce, a lot of email but not a lot I could do much with. And now with this cold I am not enjoying myself so I am going to call it a day and drive up to Maryborough before the Chemist shuts.
Till next week, take care and God bless you all.
Michael Pool
Eternal Patrol PONPC Michael Pool
It is with much regret that I have to report the death of ROSM Michael Pool of a heart attack in Parramatta on Sunday, 27th December.
Unfortunately Michael was not a member of the Association and had not registered his details on my database, he was an ROSM in the 80s and it is thought that he discharged in 2007 as a PONPC.
Note: We will all die one day and it would be nice to be able to provide family and friends with some of your service history. If you are not a SAA member you can still submit your details at this link, information will be kept private and not divulged without your permission.
It is with much regret that I have to report the death of ROSM Michael Pool of a heart attack in Parramatta on Sunday, 27th December.
Unfortunately Michael was not a member of the Association and had not registered his details on my database, he was an ROSM in the 80s and it is thought that he discharged in 2007 as a PONPC.
Note: We will all die one day and it would be nice to be able to provide family and friends with some of your service history. If you are not a SAA member you can still submit your details at this link, information will be kept private and not divulged without your permission.
Around the Traps
Paul Meakin, Secretary of the SAA Western Australia Branch wrote "I have just heard about Lloyd Blake's condition and hospitalisation. Bruce Crane is linking us with his family and will keep us informed."
Bruce wrote "Santa was not kind to Joe Blake who on Christmas Day came down with a dose of Guillain-Barre Disorder, a rare but debilitating disease that has left him in Charlie Gardeners in the one level down from intensive care wing as yet no idea as to what to do or how long he needs to be in, he is looking to get transferred to Hollywood but that is in the air at this time. No Visitors as yet, just hold him in your prayers at this time and more info when it is available, this is just a bad hand he has been dealt at an in appropriate time with Family over from Melbourne for Christmas and New Year and to be taken like this is not good! More info as it becomes available."
In a follow up message Bruce added "We just had a text message from Elaine, unfortunately Lloyds condition has deteriorated overnight and he is currently undergoing neurological tests, we get the feeling that they are not quite sure they got the diagnosis correct, and or they are not sure what they can do about it. Apparently not a lot is known about Guillain-Barre Syndrome, who gets it, why they get it and how to treat it as there is no known cure, unfortunately Lloyds situation is not looking good at all, and to make matters worse today is their 44th Wedding Anniversary. Elaine is by his bedside and not taking any calls but texting every so often so I will pass on any news when we get it, but for now all we can do is pray for Lloyd."
Bruce wrote "Santa was not kind to Joe Blake who on Christmas Day came down with a dose of Guillain-Barre Disorder, a rare but debilitating disease that has left him in Charlie Gardeners in the one level down from intensive care wing as yet no idea as to what to do or how long he needs to be in, he is looking to get transferred to Hollywood but that is in the air at this time. No Visitors as yet, just hold him in your prayers at this time and more info when it is available, this is just a bad hand he has been dealt at an in appropriate time with Family over from Melbourne for Christmas and New Year and to be taken like this is not good! More info as it becomes available."
In a follow up message Bruce added "We just had a text message from Elaine, unfortunately Lloyds condition has deteriorated overnight and he is currently undergoing neurological tests, we get the feeling that they are not quite sure they got the diagnosis correct, and or they are not sure what they can do about it. Apparently not a lot is known about Guillain-Barre Syndrome, who gets it, why they get it and how to treat it as there is no known cure, unfortunately Lloyds situation is not looking good at all, and to make matters worse today is their 44th Wedding Anniversary. Elaine is by his bedside and not taking any calls but texting every so often so I will pass on any news when we get it, but for now all we can do is pray for Lloyd."
Cameron Martin
John and Helen Bishop, are following the trend and have moved into a retirement village in Ridgehaven, not far from their previous address. Joe said they moved "Not because we are old, I do feel it sometimes, but we now have someone to look after the place when we go away." Their phone and e-mail remain the same. Sounds like a good idea.
Cameron Martin (ex CPOPHOT) wrote "I've been visiting family on the Sunshine Coast and managed to catch up with Duckrun Currell and I also ran into Gus Mellon in Caloundra this morning. The interest in the 'two kinds of ship' video has been amazing. Duckrun would like to sell copies of the DVD as a fundraiser for the submariner's walk, so I expect him to contact you shortly." I will let you know of any progress on this as information becomes available.
One that expressed an interest was Alan Broom who wrote "I was surprised in the latest Log to see my name at the end of the video you posted "Two Types of Ships"; was it really 30 years ago! I guess that explains the extra girth and lack of hair. Anyway the other reason for dropping you a note is to give you some background(that I can remember ) around the video you put up on the site. This is actually a remake of the 1981 production produced in 1985. In the original the crew of HMAS Otway under Rick Canham and in the later version you have some of the original footage (which was pre SWUP) updated with the crew of HMAS Otama under Bob Carter."
"The reasons for the update were to assist the Submarine Recruiting Team with their presentations. The update included using a SWUP submarine with associated weapons load, initial training was conducted at the Submarine School, HMAS PLATYPUS rather than the UK (great to see Joey Bishop and the systems models again) and finally we were asked to changed the focus of the video from the surface fleet being targets to foster a more one Navy perspective. This was particularly important as the Team were regularly scheduled for presentations at the Recruit School HMAS Cerberus. Looking back on it now it served its purpose, though didn't have the production values or punch of the 1981 original. Sorry Cameron but the quest for the original version must continue!"
Cameron Martin (ex CPOPHOT) wrote "I've been visiting family on the Sunshine Coast and managed to catch up with Duckrun Currell and I also ran into Gus Mellon in Caloundra this morning. The interest in the 'two kinds of ship' video has been amazing. Duckrun would like to sell copies of the DVD as a fundraiser for the submariner's walk, so I expect him to contact you shortly." I will let you know of any progress on this as information becomes available.
One that expressed an interest was Alan Broom who wrote "I was surprised in the latest Log to see my name at the end of the video you posted "Two Types of Ships"; was it really 30 years ago! I guess that explains the extra girth and lack of hair. Anyway the other reason for dropping you a note is to give you some background(that I can remember ) around the video you put up on the site. This is actually a remake of the 1981 production produced in 1985. In the original the crew of HMAS Otway under Rick Canham and in the later version you have some of the original footage (which was pre SWUP) updated with the crew of HMAS Otama under Bob Carter."
"The reasons for the update were to assist the Submarine Recruiting Team with their presentations. The update included using a SWUP submarine with associated weapons load, initial training was conducted at the Submarine School, HMAS PLATYPUS rather than the UK (great to see Joey Bishop and the systems models again) and finally we were asked to changed the focus of the video from the surface fleet being targets to foster a more one Navy perspective. This was particularly important as the Team were regularly scheduled for presentations at the Recruit School HMAS Cerberus. Looking back on it now it served its purpose, though didn't have the production values or punch of the 1981 original. Sorry Cameron but the quest for the original version must continue!"
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Before going on holidays Laurie Reeves sent out a warning about drink driving. "With Christmas only a day away I would like to share a personal experience with my friends about drinking and driving. As you may know some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time on the way home after a "social session" out with friends.
Well two days ago I was out for an evening with friends and had several drinks followed by some rather nice red wine. Feeling jolly I still had the sense to know that I may be slightly over the limit. That's when I did something that I've never done before - I took a taxi home. Sure enough on the way home there was a police roadside checkpoint but since it was a cab they waived it past. I arrived home safely without incident. This was a real surprise, as I had never driven a taxi before, I don't know where I got it and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it." |
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Laurie Reeves escaped from the extremes of Victoria and spent his holidays on the Gold Coast. Here he is wearing his new Oberang cap at Wet n Wild - with a Cussler dit, he said it doesn't get any better. I couldn't show any more, he was showing too much! In his Christmas message Laurie wrote "Merry Christmas to all, no doubt there will be some degree of overindulgence followed by a plethora of healthy New Year commitments. Enjoy your day. Reeves family Christmas Day snap for posterity. (Note - the dude in the red suit and the Asian elf are not part of the Reeves Clan - I will own up to the rest."
Michael 'Dinga' Bell sent this photo and said "This was me and a Norwegian sea Captain recently in Thailand, I was visiting an ex submariner - Sean Kenney (I'm on his bike). Had a blast - went to Chiang Mai bike week and saw some interesting sights! Riding a big bike in Thailand is character building I can assure you - didn't die so all good."
Michael 'Dinga' Bell sent this photo and said "This was me and a Norwegian sea Captain recently in Thailand, I was visiting an ex submariner - Sean Kenney (I'm on his bike). Had a blast - went to Chiang Mai bike week and saw some interesting sights! Riding a big bike in Thailand is character building I can assure you - didn't die so all good."
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The wife of an Australian submariner has created a line of T-shirts for sale and she is donating the profits to benefit submariners. The final distribution is not yet set in concrete but a percentage will be allocated to the SAA Welfare Trust. She asked that I not identify her at this time, she is using the name DBF to identify herself, her husband is still serving. There is a great range to chose from, mainly the focus is on Collins class merchandise. This is a wonderful initiative, a real example of 'Buddies in Boats' and I ask you to support her efforts, visit the shop today at this link.
Michael Date said "Doing the Sydney Hobart on Boxing day so I will try and write another ditty about the race for the Log. Have a great Christmas and New Year and a well deserved break. Keep an eye out for CEX Dolce, that is the name of the yacht I am going south on, but don’t ask me to pronounce it I have no idea." Unfortunately the boat broke a mast and did not finish.
Michael Date said "Doing the Sydney Hobart on Boxing day so I will try and write another ditty about the race for the Log. Have a great Christmas and New Year and a well deserved break. Keep an eye out for CEX Dolce, that is the name of the yacht I am going south on, but don’t ask me to pronounce it I have no idea." Unfortunately the boat broke a mast and did not finish.
Kevan Broad wrote "I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas and thank you for keeping us all informed and entertained. I have attached a photo of me with Benny Hill taken here in the Philippines. Benny and his wife paid me a surprise visit for my 60th birthday last week. Much beer was consumed and many warries discussed. What a wonderful surprise for me, organised by my wife Jhay." You don't look anywhere near 60 mate... Benny is another story!
SAA Associate Member, Alby Osborne (NZ) wrote "I only spent about six weeks at Platypus in 1972, and are very proud and very respectful, of the real submariners, those Aussie boys at that time had many a laugh at my expense, but my God I was privileged to be serving amongst you guys. Norm, submariners are very special people and not any naval sailor could achieve such a high level of ability and skill in any navy, as high as you boys did. In reference to your request that we try to look after those less fortunate than ourselves, I agree with you Norm and will continue to do so."
SAA Associate Member, Alby Osborne (NZ) wrote "I only spent about six weeks at Platypus in 1972, and are very proud and very respectful, of the real submariners, those Aussie boys at that time had many a laugh at my expense, but my God I was privileged to be serving amongst you guys. Norm, submariners are very special people and not any naval sailor could achieve such a high level of ability and skill in any navy, as high as you boys did. In reference to your request that we try to look after those less fortunate than ourselves, I agree with you Norm and will continue to do so."
Association News
SAA Welfare Trust
On the 14th December the family of the late LCDR Fred Lawrence RAN (Rtd) donated the sum of $1,000 to the SAA Welfare Successor Foundation. I will be writing to Barbara and Yoli over the next few days on behalf of the Association and Trustees to thank them for this most generous donation to the Foundation in Fred’s name, which will be acknowledged as all donors are in the end-of-year report.
The money donated was the result of a raffle on our Website for a rare bottle of Scotch.
David Bryant
Welfare Fund Trustee
South Australian Branch
The association is planning an Australian Day cruise on the Port River Dolphin Explorer, from 1130 to 1400, the cost is $10 for cruise. On completion lunch will be had at the Lighthouse hotel just opposite cruise departure. You will get to see HMAS Farncomb and Nuship Hobart alongside. Please reply with numbers by 10th January 2015.
Ray Kemp
State President
SAA Annual Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions were due on the 31st December and a list of those due, as well as those that are overdue or lapsed is available at this link. Check it out and see if your name appears, it may be a tad out of date as the Treasurer is away.
SAA Contacts
Have you updated your details on the SAA Members Database? If not, you can do it online at this link.
On the 14th December the family of the late LCDR Fred Lawrence RAN (Rtd) donated the sum of $1,000 to the SAA Welfare Successor Foundation. I will be writing to Barbara and Yoli over the next few days on behalf of the Association and Trustees to thank them for this most generous donation to the Foundation in Fred’s name, which will be acknowledged as all donors are in the end-of-year report.
The money donated was the result of a raffle on our Website for a rare bottle of Scotch.
David Bryant
Welfare Fund Trustee
South Australian Branch
The association is planning an Australian Day cruise on the Port River Dolphin Explorer, from 1130 to 1400, the cost is $10 for cruise. On completion lunch will be had at the Lighthouse hotel just opposite cruise departure. You will get to see HMAS Farncomb and Nuship Hobart alongside. Please reply with numbers by 10th January 2015.
Ray Kemp
State President
SAA Annual Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions were due on the 31st December and a list of those due, as well as those that are overdue or lapsed is available at this link. Check it out and see if your name appears, it may be a tad out of date as the Treasurer is away.
SAA Contacts
Have you updated your details on the SAA Members Database? If not, you can do it online at this link.
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Health & Welfare
In November I put in 2 Submission to the RMA in regards to Smoking and Benzene. The terms of the review have been widen and we have been given further time to put in more submission. I ask all Australian Submariners to take the time and put your own submission in, you have until the 22nd Jan 2016 to do so. It may not seem important today however it could be tomorrow especially if it is a cancer related to benzene. The more submissions the greater chance we have of having service in RAN Submarines accepted as causing health problems. I have enclosed 3 MSDS, and DVA Business line along with the framework of 2 letters. Please state how long you served on skimmers and submarines if you smoked and how many. For the Benzene submission also talk about diesel on the 2 classes of submarines. If unfortunately you have any of the diseases then discuss them as well. Ray Kemp National Pension and Welfare Co-ordinator |
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News Links
A Day in the Life of a Canadian Submariner
By Pamela Roth - Victoria News, Dec 30, 2015The ladder leading down into the HMCS Chicoutimi submarine is surprisingly long. Taking the first step feels like entering a manhole, but the bottom is a world unlike any other. A maze of white pipes and shiny valves line much of the dimly lit walls, making it look like a spaceship that’s preparing for take off. Aside from a periscope, there are no windows to see what’s going on outside as the submarine plunges into the darkness of the ocean for days on end.
This is where Petty Officer First Class John Janssen and Lt. Phil Fordham come to work each day. The pair can’t imagine anything better than working on a submarine. “It’s definitely one of the coolest things you can do in the military,” said the 28-year-old Fordham, who began working on submarines when he got bored with surface fleet. “With subs, there’s always something different. You get to be a lot more involved with everything you’re doing for operations.” A member of the Canadian navy for 30 years, Janssen has spent 17 of those on surface fleet and the rest on a submarine.
Like Fordham, he needed a change and jumped at the opportunity to work on a submarine when he heard they were getting placed on the West Coast, even though he had never been on one before. But when Janssen stepped onto a sub for the first time he was overwhelmed. Despite his training, he wondered what he had gotten himself into. So did Fordham. Read the full article at this link.
By Pamela Roth - Victoria News, Dec 30, 2015The ladder leading down into the HMCS Chicoutimi submarine is surprisingly long. Taking the first step feels like entering a manhole, but the bottom is a world unlike any other. A maze of white pipes and shiny valves line much of the dimly lit walls, making it look like a spaceship that’s preparing for take off. Aside from a periscope, there are no windows to see what’s going on outside as the submarine plunges into the darkness of the ocean for days on end.
This is where Petty Officer First Class John Janssen and Lt. Phil Fordham come to work each day. The pair can’t imagine anything better than working on a submarine. “It’s definitely one of the coolest things you can do in the military,” said the 28-year-old Fordham, who began working on submarines when he got bored with surface fleet. “With subs, there’s always something different. You get to be a lot more involved with everything you’re doing for operations.” A member of the Canadian navy for 30 years, Janssen has spent 17 of those on surface fleet and the rest on a submarine.
Like Fordham, he needed a change and jumped at the opportunity to work on a submarine when he heard they were getting placed on the West Coast, even though he had never been on one before. But when Janssen stepped onto a sub for the first time he was overwhelmed. Despite his training, he wondered what he had gotten himself into. So did Fordham. Read the full article at this link.
USN Enlisted Female Submariners
2016 will be a milestone year for the U.S. military, a year when one of its few remaining gender barriers will be dismantled as four enlisted women become the first to integrate into the crew of a Navy submarine. The four sailors, who along with 38 other enlisted women completed an intensive basic submarine course in October, will report for duty to the U.S.S. Michigan, a guided missile submarine, in “early 2016,” The Navy Times reported. The exact date of the integration remains unknown.
In October, the Atlantic Fleet’s top enlisted submariner said the navy was still laboring over the instructions for the integration. “We are revising our instruction that was -- no kidding -- 49 pages long of excruciating detail on what you wear on the treadmill and how you manage the head,” said Force Master Chief Wes Koshoffer, per The Navy Times. “The instruction just ought to read: We will treat each other with dignity and respect because we are professionals. We have a fraternization policy and until we cross those lines, proceed.”
Captain Andrew Jarrett, the commander of the Naval Submarine School, said earlier this year that the female sailors will be given “the same opportunities as their male counterparts” when they report for duty. “It will be good for the navy, it will be good for the young ladies, it will be good for the submarine force,” Jarrett said, according to The Associated Press.
The navy lifted its ban on women serving aboard submarines in 2010. The following year, the first female officers began service aboard Ohio-class subs. In January, an officer became the first woman to serve aboard a fast-attack Virginia-class submarine.
2016 will be a milestone year for the U.S. military, a year when one of its few remaining gender barriers will be dismantled as four enlisted women become the first to integrate into the crew of a Navy submarine. The four sailors, who along with 38 other enlisted women completed an intensive basic submarine course in October, will report for duty to the U.S.S. Michigan, a guided missile submarine, in “early 2016,” The Navy Times reported. The exact date of the integration remains unknown.
In October, the Atlantic Fleet’s top enlisted submariner said the navy was still laboring over the instructions for the integration. “We are revising our instruction that was -- no kidding -- 49 pages long of excruciating detail on what you wear on the treadmill and how you manage the head,” said Force Master Chief Wes Koshoffer, per The Navy Times. “The instruction just ought to read: We will treat each other with dignity and respect because we are professionals. We have a fraternization policy and until we cross those lines, proceed.”
Captain Andrew Jarrett, the commander of the Naval Submarine School, said earlier this year that the female sailors will be given “the same opportunities as their male counterparts” when they report for duty. “It will be good for the navy, it will be good for the young ladies, it will be good for the submarine force,” Jarrett said, according to The Associated Press.
The navy lifted its ban on women serving aboard submarines in 2010. The following year, the first female officers began service aboard Ohio-class subs. In January, an officer became the first woman to serve aboard a fast-attack Virginia-class submarine.
Take time for a smile...
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Living in a submarine – hygiene is a joke,
You don’t use shampoo and you don’t use soap, Down by the bathroom hear the ‘tanky’ swear, ‘you’d better not waste any water in there!’ On the surface, on the bottom, or somewhere in between, It really doesen’t matter if you’re dirty or your clean, Able Seaman, Chiefy, the Skipper or the Queen, Nobody showers in a diesel submarine. On a diesel boat you have got no water to spare, You can’t use the shower so you stow your beer in there, You’re oily and grimy for a month or so, On ‘channels night’ it’s off to the bathroom you go. |
Two basins of water, and a pint beer mug,
Get your lagging off and get ready to scrub, The last of the water’s just enough for your teeth, So finish up pronto and make some room for the chief. Next evening at the disco in your sharp civvies clothes, Every girl around you starts holding her nose, For the way that you smell there is no antidote, They can tell that you’re a sailor on a navy diesel boat. |
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Life was so much simpler then..............
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For all of you in education, with sons, grandsons, or who just love the things little kids say a reminder that adult words are often taken literally.....
A teacher noticed that a little boy at the back of class was scratching his crotch, and not paying attention. She went back to find out what was going on. He was quite embarrassed and whispered that he had just recently been circumcised and he was quite itchy. The teacher told him to go down to the school office. He was told to telephone his mother and ask her what he should do about it. He did and returned to his class. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the back of the room. She went back to investigate only to find him sitting at his desk with his 'private part' hanging out. "I thought I told you to call your mum!" she said. "I did," he said, "And she told me that if I could stick it out until lunchtime, she'd come and pick me up from school." |
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We still have most sizes in stock of the new Oberang range. Visit the Slops Van now for full details.
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