Navy Victoria Network March 2014 News

News & Articles of Interest

25 Mar 2014	Project PAX - Veterans Support Group Project PAX for veterans of Western Australia is an incorporated not for profit organisation. It provides a venue that can offer an area of respite to assist veterans and para military veterans who suffer disability, sickness, injury, or who are still coming to terms with their operational experiences. Project Pax..... Inside story..... PAX constitution..... PAX business plan..... PAX work plan.....
25 Mar 2014	2014 Heritage Address - 14 April 2014 Beneath the Waves at Gallipoli While the battlefields of Gallipoli are etched in the Australian psyche, the hidden underwater relics of the war are generally overlooked. Tim Smith, a leading maritime archaeology practitioner and Executive Director of Heritage Victoria, will talk about his work mapping underwater cultural heritage sites associated with key World War One Australian actions. More.....
24 Mar 2014	Additional Gallipoli Centenary Service in 2015 Australians planning to mark the Centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in 2015 will have an additional commemorative service to attend, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson announced today. More.....
24 Mar 2014	NVN's March 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and haven't been receiving your monthly newsletters by email, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date.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 Mar 2014	Announcement of Bravery Awards for rescues involving SIEV 221 As Chief of Navy, I welcome the group bravery citation for those Navy, Army and Customs personnel involved in the rescue of survivors from SIEV 221 at Rocky Point, Christmas Island. More.....
24 Mar 2014	On the record: Armidale Class Patrol Boat fleet Today in the Australian newspaper there was an article titled Times up for Navy Asylum Fleet. This article discussed the Armidale Class Patrol Boat Fleet. There were a number of errors in the article. More.....
21 Mar 2014	Navy Clearance Divers honoured The Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving (RANCD) Memorial, which remembers those killed on duty in service of their country, was rededicated at a ceremony at HMAS Penguin last Friday. More.....
21 Mar 2014	NHS - PRESIDENT'S MUSINGS MARCH 2014 Rear Admiral Tim Barrett AM CSC RAN was our speaker this year at the Creswell Oration. Currently our Fleet Commander Australia, his career spans three decades. Justifiably proud of the success of the RAN's International Fleet Review, the title of his address was 'The significance of the arrival of the Royal Australian Navy's First Fleet', which proved to be of great interest historically. More.....
21 Mar 2014	Col Elliott - In Between The Laughter Col Elliott has become one of Australia's favourite entertainers. Most know him from his many albums, television appearances, live work and DVD’s... However, there is a whole lot more to this man, who's own life story will surprise and delight!. From a ten quid Pommie, to a life in poor working-class Melbourne... In the stables at 14, to the Navy at 16, and sent to Vietnam at 17... old enough to serve, yet too young to vote or drink. He writes a graphic account of Gunline operations in North Vietnam. Still a kid, surrounded by danger, and under fire. . Life before show business, was as a Navy Sonar Operator and eventual Instructor. He spent his 18th birthday in Vietnam, as part of the rescue team, when the USS Forestal lost 134 brave souls. At 19, he was part of the rescue team that operated when the ‘Melbourne’ cut the ‘U.S.S. Frank. E. Evans’ in half ... 74 men died that morning. Col’s early life is related with much humour and honesty. And throughout the book, you continue to follow his journey, as he and a rag tag bunch of unlikely heroes travel to exotic and often dangerous ports, as a rough and ready band of wandering minstrels. Through all of this, humour plays an integral part... This is a story of survival and as a reader, Col gives you an insight into his battles with depression, alcoholism and at just 37, a major heart attack. He regroups and emerges unbeaten. It tells of his rise through the tough ranks of Aussie comedy... Many long and wonderful years of marriage, three daughters, several grandchildren and growing. This is an Australian story that covers all bases. Belly laughs, Aussie humour, adversity, pathos, mate-ship, action and adventure. Col Elliott's story will surprise many... An enthralling read. Details on purchasing the book are on Col Elliott's website
21 Mar 2014	PENSION INCREASE FOR VETERAN COMMUNITY More than 272,000 veterans, their partners, war widows and widowers across Australia received a pension increase yesterday, announced the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson. More.....
20 Mar 2014	DFWA - MEDIA STATEMENT GOVERNMENT DELIVERS ON ITS DFRB/DRFDB FAIRINDEXATION PROMISE Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), together with its partners in the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations (ADSO), thanks the Government for today introducing legislation to the House to restore fair indexation to DFRB and DFRDB military superannuation pensions, for those aged 55 and over. More.....
18 Mar 2014	HMAS Darwin seizes $137 million of cannabis resin after high-speed pursuit in Gulf of Aden HMAS Darwin has seized and destroyed more than three tonnes of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of $137 million dollars. More.....
18 Mar 2014	Illegal foreign fishing vessels intercepted The Royal Australian Navy, working closely the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) under the coordination of Border Protection Command (BPC), has apprehended four foreign fishing vessels with a total of 58 crew approximately 180 nautical miles North West of Darwin. More.....
17 Mar 2014	Centenary of the arrival of AE1 & AE2 Dear Members of SAA, The Centenary of the arrival of AE1 and AE2 to Sydney is planned to occur from 0800 at the Naval Heritage Centre Garden Island East on Saturday 24 May 2014. We currently have a list of 24 members including their partners for this important submarine event. Our quota is 100 so members are Urgently requested to review their calendars and if possible attend this event to demonstrate our support for the Centenary of the arrival of AE1 and AE2. President Geoff Anderson needs to respond to the Chief of Navy by this Friday 14th March with attendance number so all members who have NOT responded with their intention to attend this event please let me know ASAP by email to This invitation is open to submariners from all states. Regards, Ken Norris Secretary SAA-NSW
15 Mar 2014	HMAS Melbourne returns from billion dollar drug bust mission A crowd of well-wishers today joined Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN at Garden Island, Sydney to welcome home HMAS Melbourne from a successful Middle East mission. More.....
15 Mar 2014	Navy League of Australia (Victoria Division) March Newsletter
14 Mar 2014	Canberra arrives in Sydney An exciting milestone was realised yesterday when the first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship currently being built for Defence, entered Sydney Harbour for the first time. More.....
13 Mar 2014	NEW LOOK PMAC TO TACKLE VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today announced the establishment of a new Prime Ministerial Advisory Council (PMAC) with a renewed focus on veteran mental health. More.....
12 Mar 2014	Melbourne treats Warrnambool to a light show The Warrnambool community were granted a rare opportunity to see a warship on Tuesday, when HMAS Melbourne conducted a close proximity transit during her return voyage to her homeport Garden Island, Sydney. More.....
12 Mar 2014	French and Australian naval ships seize large quantity of cannabis resin In a combined French and Australian operation, naval ships seized and destroyed almost 650 kilograms of cannabis resin hidden aboard a smuggling skiff in the Red Sea. More.....
10 Mar 2014	Unit Citation Presented to HMAS Yarra From NVN’s roving reporter... On a moving occasion held at Victoria Harbour, Docklands, on Tuesday 4th March, Governor General Quentin Bryce, officiating at her last major military ceremony as Commander-in-Chief, presented a Unit Citation for Gallantry (UCG) to HMAS YARRA before a crowd in the vicinity of 400. More.....
07 Mar 2014	Update to investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour On 6 November 2013 the Navy advised that an Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS) investigation team were to be deployed to conduct an investigation into matters surrounding the allegations of unacceptable behaviour in HMAS Ballarat. More.....
07 Mar 2014	A Maritime School of Strategic Thought for Australia: Perspectives This volume examines the notion of a maritime school of strategic thought for Australia, a debate that emerged in 2012 during the development of the 2013 Defence White Paper. The book is the product of a short research project conducted by the SPC-A in 2013. A series of five seminars were conducted between Canberra, Perth and Sydney, alongside an accompanying call for papers. It includes 23 papers which encompass an eclectic mix of perspectives from defence, academia, industry and other government departments, as well as the declassified Maritime Strategy for the Australian Defence Force. It is available electronically.....
07 Mar 2014	The Naval Contribution to National Security and Prosperity This volume is the seventh Sea Power Conference held in Sydney over the period 31 January to 2 February 2012. It was aimed at informing how navies contribute, on a daily basis, to the defence and wellbeing of their nation and its interests. While the national security role of maritime forces during times of conflict is well-understood, navies have been involved in the ongoing task of providing ‘good order at sea’ regardless of the strategic context since their inception. Through this they ensure the economic prosperity and security of the nation by the protection of seaborne trade, the management and conservation of ocean resources, the protection and enforcement of maritime sovereignty, the conduct of oceanic scientific research, and search and rescue to list just a few of the myriad of activities undertaken. But there is also another dimension to the naval contribution to national prosperity, that being the impact of creating, developing and maintaining a navy on the national economy, through impacts on the local community, defence industry, education, employment and technology transfer. It is available electronically.....
07 Mar 2014	Australian Maritime Digest - Issue #232 The Australian Maritime Digest is compiled by the Australian Association for Maritime Affairs – www.aama.asn.au - and published monthly for the benefit of the Australian maritime community. Read.....
07 Mar 2014	New Board To Oversee ANZAC Centenary Public Fund Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, today announced the appointment of a new five member Board to oversee the operation of the Anzac Centenary Public Fund. More.....
05 Mar 2014	Veterans Urged To Take Part In Consultation Today the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) will begin consultation with veterans, war widow/ers, their families, the Community and Public Sector Union and DVA staff about the future of some shopfront services in Victoria and New South Wales. More.....
04 Mar 2014	White Cards and SRCA Clients Sadly it seems that many of the people eligible for their new card have not kept their contact details with DVA up-to-date... therefore, many of these cards were returned to sender. DVA have tried a few other methods to find the clients but there are many yet to be located. Pass this on and make sure your mates have updated their details with DVA recently... the sad thing is many of them probably don't even know they had one coming. The best way to update your details with DVA easily, is to do it through your MyAccount login or of course call them up on 1800 555 254.
04 Mar 2014	Brave crew recognised for extraordinary acts of gallantry in 1942 Proud descendants of the Ship's Company of HMAS Yarra (II) looked on today as Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM, CSC, RAN proudly accepted a Unit Citation for Gallantry awarded to the crew of HMAS Yarra (II) for acts of extraordinary gallantry in action in 1942. More.....
04 Mar 2014	Canberra’s size and power tested at sea trials NUSHIP Canberra, the first of two Landing Helicopter Dock ships being built for the Australian Defence Force, sailed yesterday for the first time under her own propulsion as part of the sea trials and testing program. More.....
02 Mar 2014	Sailor evacuated from HMAS Armidale in North West Shelf combined rescue Following a combined operation yesterday involving a range of government and private agencies, a Royal Australian Navy sailor is now resting in hospital in Broome, Western Australia, following a casualty evacuation operation in Australia’s far North West Shelf region. More.....
01 Mar 2014	Response to ABC’s 730 report on the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce, 27 February 2014 The story titled Navy gang rape victim breaks silence in search for treatment that aired on the ABC’s 7.30 program on 27 February 2014 and appears on the program’s website, contains significant factual errors. More.....
01 Mar 2014	The Chief reflects on Navy's 113th birthday As Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral (VADM) Ray Griggs AO CSC RAN addressed a reception in honour of Navy's 113th birthday, he reminded all those in uniform that it is a day to remember Navy's heritage. More.....

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.

News & Articles of Interest

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Anzac Centenary Events 2014 - 2018

Anzac Centenary Events
2014 - 2018