Navy Victoria Network
Proudly supported by the Melbourne Naval Centre

News & Articles of Interest

Keep up to date - download our smartphone app
 view the brochure......


31 Oct 2014 Welcome to Sydney - NUSHIP Canberra sails in
Sydney could not have put on a better morning to welcome the first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), NUSHIP Canberra, into her home port at Fleet Base East.  The 27,000 tonne ship made an impressive sight as her bow cut through the harbour towards her new home.  More.....
31 Oct 2014 ADFA 24 – The facts
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) rejects any assertion that it has not acted in response to historical allegations of abuse at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).  The so-called ADFA 24 refers to 24 serious allegations of physical, indecent and sexual assault from 19 alleged victims identified in the 1998 Grey Review and later referred to in 2011 in the DLA Piper Report (Vol 1). The Defence Abuse Response Taskforce’s (DART) ADFA 24 referral to Defence was primarily based on analysis of historical records rather than individual complaints.  More.....
31 Oct 2014 Announcement of overseas conditions of service for ADF personnel
The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert, today announced conditions of service for ADF personnel serving in Iraq and other Middle East countries.  These conditions of service are based on the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Deployment Allowance framework. Under this framework, the threat level of an operation is the sole metric used to determine the rate of the allowance.  More.....
31 Oct 2014 Theft At ANZAC Commemorative Site in Turkey
The Australian Government was informed overnight of the theft of the letters ANZAC from the Anzac Commemorative Site at North Beach in Turkey.
This latest act of vandalism follows similar thefts in recent days of metal plaques across the Gallipoli Peninsula and thefts from Turkish vendors’ stalls located at Chunuk Bair.
Australian authorities in Turkey are cooperating with the local Turkish authorities in the investigation of this matter. Thefts of metal products for re-sale are not uncommon in Turkey, although vandalism such as this has not occurred in the past.
Whilst deeply disappointed that this act has occurred, the Australian Government will replace the letters as quickly as possible and undertake steps to ensure the letters cannot be removed again.
The Government appreciates the determination of Turkish authorities to track down the offenders.
29 Oct 2014 100 year bond never broken
HMA Ships Sirius and Arunta, and HMNZS Te Kaha rendezvoused in Bass Strait during their passage to Albany, Western Australia, for the centenary of Anzac commemorations commencing 31 October.  The ships will be providing support for the events which will commemorate the departure of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force soldiers for the First World War.  The passage to Albany will enable communication, navigation and warfare training said Commanding Officer Sirius, Commander Darren Grogan.  More.....
29 Oct 2014 NUSHIP Canberra departs Melbourne
Australia’s first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, NUSHIP Canberra has been farewelled from Melbourne as she departs for Sydney.  NUSHIP Canberra departed BAE Systems Williamstown shipyard en route to her Sydney homeport.  More.....
28 Oct 2014 Important Research Studies Released
Three important research studies into the impact on families and veterans of service during the Vietnam War and of peacekeeping duties have been released today.  The Vietnam Veterans Family Study, the Peacekeepers Health Study and the Rwanda Deployment Health Study represent a $12 million investment in better understanding the health and wellbeing of veterans, peacekeepers and their families.  More.....
28 Oct 2014 Remembering Navy Women
Women’s Royal Australian Navy (WRAN) and Royal Australian Navy members, both past and present, come together in October each year at HMAS Harman to remember and honour the sacrifices and accomplishments that women have made through their service to Australia.  The WRANS memorial, which was dedicated on 1 July 2003, 62 years after 14 young women started their first posting at the RAN Wireless/Transmission Station Canberra, stands within the front gates of the base.  More.....
27 Oct 2014 JDS Kirisame arrives in Fleet Base West
Japanese Defense Ship Kirisame arrived at Fleet Base West on 24 October ahead of her participation in the Albany Convoy Commemorative Event.  At over 4,000 tonnes the modern Murasame destroyer is based in Sasebo in Nagasaki and has made the passage from Singapore to Australia following a port visit.  More.....
27 Oct 2014 2015 Creswell Oration
Details of the 2015 Creswell Oration, presented by the Australian Fleet Commander, RADM Stuart Mayer CSC RAN, can be found on the 'Flagship Events' page on the website.
25 Oct 2014 NVN's October newsletter
NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been receiving your monthly newsletters by email, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date. To correct this, contact the webmaster at: and he will copy and amend your address.
24 Oct 2014 Arunta and Parramatta visit Melbourne
HMA Ships Arunta and Parramatta visited Melbourne 17-20 October, coinciding with the centenary of the departure of convoys for the First World War from Port Phillip Bay.  More.....
24 Oct 2014 Further funding approved for local grants program
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today announced that a further 231 grants totalling $1.96 million have been approved under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program.  This brings the total number of grants approved to 605 grants across 123 electorates, with $5.5 million being made available to date for communities to implement commemorative projects.  More.....
23 Oct 2014 New training system for ADF helicopter crews
A modern helicopter training system for Navy and Army personnel has been approved by the Australian Government, Defence Minister Senator David Johnston announced today.  Senator Johnston said the new training system would better prepare Navy and Army aircrew to transition to the ADF’s current combat helicopter fleet, as well as the advanced helicopters entering service this decade.  More.....
22 Oct 2014 Tanker pumping with new life
HMAS Sirius is back out at sea doing what she does best, refuelling ships for the first time since February.  After an extended period of maintenance, Sirius recently left Sydney bound for the East Australian Exercise Area (EAXA) with more than 12 million litres of fuel and sporting a fresh coat of paint.  More.....
22 Oct 2014 Australia lends a hand in Bougainville with Operation RENDER SAFE
Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have arrived in Bougainville to address a potentially deadly legacy posed by unexploded ordnance from past conflicts as part of Operation RENDER SAFE 2014. HMAS Choules is in the vicinity of Torokina carrying approximately 500 personnel and is equipped with an MRH90 Helicopter and an LCM-8 Landing craft.  More.....
18 Oct 2014 Tempest fails to stop Romeo's entrance in Australia
Torrential rain and gale force winds failed to stop the delivery of the Royal Australian Navy's first MH-60R Seahawk 'Romeo' naval combat helicopter to HMAS Albatross, Nowra on 14 October.  "It is absolutely fantastic to welcome the newest member of the Fleet Air Arm to its new home," Commodore Di Pietro said.  More.....
18 Oct 2014 Correcting the record on submarines – Opinion Editorial, Adelaide Advertiser
The first priority of the Abbott Government is to ensure the safety and security of our country.  Right now, the Abbott Government is considering options for the Navy’s future submarines that will replace the Collins Class.  As the Prime Minister has consistently said, work in Australia on the Future Submarine Program will centre in South Australia.  There will be more submarines and that means more jobs for SA.  This will be an exciting opportunity for the State and for Adelaide.  More.....
17 Oct 2014 Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral David Johnston and Air Commodore ‘Joe’ Vincent Iervasi, deliver the second briefing in the Australia room at the Australian Defence Offices in Russell, Canberra.
17 October 2014 | Transcript

DAVID JOHNSTON:
Ladies and gentlemen good morning and welcome to the further operational update, which CDF indicated that we will provide to you on an as required basis to keep you as informed as we can of changes and updates in the operational environment, particularly in Iraq. At the present, slightly different this week to last week, where CDF clearly hosted it. I have with me today Air Commodore Joe Iervasi. Joe leads on my behalf within the operations command out of Bungendore, the way Australia conducts air operations. So not just limited to Iraq, but all the other places where we deploy air capabilities, Joe is the commander of many of those activities for me.  More.....
16 Oct 2014 Update on incident at HMAS Cerberus
A routine inspection this morning of on-base accommodation in HMAS Cerberus resulted in suspected hazardous material being located in a residential unit. As a precaution, a 400 metre safety zone was established around the accommodation block. Victoria Police attended the scene and assessed that there was no suspicious material. However, there were some hazardous items identified which Defence does not permit to be stored in on-base accommodation. A Defence member was taken for questioning by Victoria Police, but was later released without charge. All restrictions on the movement of personnel around the base have now been lifted and activities at the base have returned to normal. Defence is providing support to the member who was questioned. Defence appreciates the assistance of Victoria Police to respond to, and resolve this matter quickly.
15 Oct 2014 10 Days To Go To Confirm Your Place At Gallipoli 2015
There are just 10 days left for Australians offered a place in the ballot for Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015 to accept the chance of a lifetime and provide travel details for next year’s Centenary Dawn Service. The deadline to confirm attendance at the commemorations is 11:59 pm (AEDT) Saturday, 25 October 2014. But it is not enough to just accept your place, you must also provide your travel bookings details by this time.  More.....
14 Oct 2014 DFWA - Media Statement - Defence Service Personnel Overwhelmingly Reject Government Pay Offer
Last Friday 10 October 2014 all members of the ADF finally received advice via a message from the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) that a pay Offer of 1.5% per year increase would be taken to the Defence Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) for endorsement as early as Wednesday 15 October 2014.  More.....
13 Oct 2014 Aussie cricketers visit HMAS Toowoomba in the Middle East
Aussie cricketers had a small taste of life in the Royal Australian Navy on when they visited HMAS Toowoomba in Dubai.  The Australian cricket team was in town for Twenty20 and One Day International matches against Pakistan and was invited to join Toowoomba's ship's company in the United Arab Emirates port, as they enjoyed some respite during her six month deployment to the Middle East under Operation MANITOU.  More.....
10 Oct 2014 Message from the Chief of the Defence Force to all members of the Australian Defence Force regarding the proposed Workplace Remuneration Arrangement
This message advises details of the proposed Workplace Remuneration arrangement that will be taken forward to the Defence Force remuneration tribunal (DFRT) on 15 October 2014.

As you will be aware we are in an economic and budgetary climate where government has indicated the need for managed reduction in costs, of which pay is a part, across the federal public sector. While there is no doubt that the ADF provides a unique service to the nation, we must operate within the government’s wage framework when considering any remuneration package.

Please click here for the full message from CDF.
10 Oct 2014 ADF pay claim progresses
The Government today confirmed the continued progress on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA).  The Assistant Minister for Defence, Stuart Robert announced that an agreed Commonwealth position on remuneration will be taken to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) on 15 October 2014.  More.....
10 Oct 2014 Nutrition the Key Focus During Veterans' Health Week
Veterans across Australia are encouraged to improve their health and wellbeing during Veterans’ Health Week, 13-20 October, by taking part in a week of fun and informative activities centered around improving their nutrition.  More.....
09 Oct 2014 First Landing Helicopter Dock accepted by Defence Materiel Organisation
The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has accepted the first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), NUSHIP Canberra, from contractor BAE Systems.  A ceremony took place in Canberra's hangar to mark the significance of the signing of the acceptance certificate.  Senior representatives from DMO, BAE Systems and Navy attended the event.  More.....
09 Oct 2014 Speech in recognition of the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy delivered to the House of Representatives
On Wednesday, 1 October 2014 a speech in recognition of the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy was delivered by The Hon Teresa Gambaro, MP, to the House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia.
I rise to speak today in recognition of the tireless and often thankless service undertaken by the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy.  More.....
09 Oct 2014 Exercise Bersama Lima 2014 – Australia contributes to the stability of South East Asia
Australia will join with Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) partners over the next fortnight to defend against a fictitious security threat in and around the South China Sea.  Exercise Bersama Lima 2014 will see Defence Force elements from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom confront a simulated conventional threat on land and at sea from 7 to 22 October.  More.....
09 Oct 2014 Defence support to Albany Convoy Commemorative Event
Defence has confirmed significant commitment to the first major Australian-based event for the Centenary of ANZAC commemorations with Army, Navy and Air Force assets and personnel set to take part.  The 'Albany Convoy Commemorative Event' will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the departure of the first convoy of ships to the First World War which carried 30,000 men from the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) to the Middle East, from Albany, Western Australia.  More.....
06 Oct 2014 The Australian ex-Services Atomic Survivors Association Inc. are the latest association to take advantage of having a website under the Navy Victoria Network's website.  If you are one of the survivors and are interested in the association, why not visit the website at http://atomicsurvivors.navyvic.net
06 Oct 2014 

Navy League of Australia (Vic Div) October newsletter......
06 Oct 2014 Australia commences combat operations in Iraq
Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft have completed their first armed combat mission over Iraq, assisting coalition operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).  The Super Hornet aircraft, conducted an Air Interdiction and Close Air Support mission over northern Iraq overnight AEDT (5-6 October 2014).  More.....
03 Oct 2014 HMAS Diamantina visit to Timor-Leste for maritime training
Royal Australian Navy Minehunter, HMAS Diamantina, is visiting Timor-Leste for four days, to engage with the Timor-Leste Defence Force (F‑FDTL) Naval Component in a new phase of Australia’s close Defence relationship with the country.  As part of Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program with Timor-Leste, Diamantina’s crew took members of the F-FDTL to sea to share expertise in navigation, seamanship, damage control and engineering training skills.  More.....
03 Oct 2014
Naval History Society of Australia (Vic Div) President's September musings.  Including an excellent article by the late Commodore Dacre Smyth entitled, 'The Submarine AE 2 in WWI' which originally was published in the N H S of A Review of October 1977.  Read.....
01 Oct 2014 Contract awarded for anti-ship missile decoys
Design of the next generation of anti-ship missile decoys is set to commence following the signing of two contracts between Defence and BAE Systems Australia Pty Ltd.  Defence Materiel Organisation Chief Executive Officer Warren King said the contracts represented continued investment in the jointly developed Australian—United States Nulka capability.  More.....
30 Sep 2014 First Principles Review of Defence – Call for public submissions
On 5 August 2014, I announced the external panel who are conducting the First Principles Review of Defence.  The panel has been commissioned to ensure Defence is fit for purpose and able to respond to future challenges. The First Principles Review Team will make recommendations designed to ensure Defence’s business structures support the Australian Defence Force’s principal tasks out to 2030.  More.....

Archives

Newsletters

News

Anzac Centenary Events
2014 - 2018

The Anzac Centenary (2014 – 2018) will shine a spotlight on the commitment and sacrifice of those who served in the First World War.

Across Victoria, there will be a number of commemorative events marking key dates throughout the Centenary.


OCTOBER 2015

ANZAC Naval Commemorative Ball - 17 October 2015
The Naval Commemorative Committee Victoria, invite all serving ADF personnel, Australian and Allied Veterans along with family and friends, to attend the ANZAC Naval Commemorative Ball on Saturday 17 October 2015 at (New Venue) The Atrium, Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington (10 Minutes from the CBD).  Dance to the Music of the RAN Dance Band.  The Ball is open to all serving and former members of the ADF, NZDF, Reserves, Cadets, families, friends, Police, Emergency Services, our Allies and the General Public.
Full details at: http://www.anzacball2015.org/p2 and http://www.anzacball2015.org/p6

Navy Ball Flyer.....
Navy Ball Information page.....
Navy Ball Booking Form.....


Should you wish to register an event, go to the Anzac Centenary website.