HMAS TOBRUK Deployment

There were a couple of special services held during the deployment in which both buglers played beautiful renditions of Last Post. Able Seaman Aston played at the United Nations Memorial Gardens in Pusan, and Able Seaman Sampson played onboard HMAS Westralia for the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, at sea, in the presence of many war veterans. On arrival in Pusan, the ship was greeted by music of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Band, based in Pusan. After introducing themselves to the Korean Band, three of our musicians were fortunate to be shown around Pusan by the second in charge and the wife of the Commanding Officer. They were treated to the most wonderful day of sightseeing and gastronomical delights. All costs were compliments of the ROK Navy Band. The ROK Navy Band’s Commanding Officer, along with some others from their band joined the Australians for a traditional Korean banquet later that evening. The meal was washed down with some traditional Korean whisky. Qingdao was another great place to visit. There was an official dinner organised by the Chinese Navy to welcome HMAS Anzac to China. At very short notice, we were asked to prepare some sing-a-longs of Australian tunes. We performed a feature number ‘Aussie Salute’, which was enjoyed by the guests. All musicians then lead the singing with Able Seaman Izumi accompanying on guitar. HMAS Anzac’s personnel sang at the tops of their voices, suitably lubricated by the strange whisky concoction they were encouraged to drink by the Chinese. Apparently it was rude to refuse a drink when a toast is offered. The next two days in China involved the most amazing whirlwind tour of Beijing. All of the musicians joined the tour and got to see many spectacular places such as the Ming Tombs, The Great Wall, Tianamen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, as well as seeing an incredible Chinese acrobatic show. Whilst at sea, we provided a variety of different “wakey wakey” calls each morning. We also played during Replenishments at Sea, Entering Leaving Harbour, steel deck BBQs and for sundowners. Going up and down ladders became second nature; but unfortunately, early in the deployment Leading Seaman Flynn found out just how treacherous those ladders could be and had a heavy fall down one of them. We were relieved when he started to recover and returned to playing, despite the couple of broken ribs and a very sore shoulder. Able Seaman Aston enjoyed spending time down the depths of the ship in the laundry, amongst stinky overalls and noisy washing machines. Leading Seaman Klohs took on the role of Quartermaster and could be heard quite frequently over the ship’s piping system. Able Seaman Izumi, Able Seaman Sampson and I got a ride in the ship’s helicopter; something that musicians don’t get to do every day. Leading Seaman Campbell and Able Seaman McIntyre attained their helmsman certificates in a very short time. Congratulations to both of them. It has been a very interesting time at sea, especially for five musicians who have now experienced life at sea for the first time. There have been some challenges, many laughs and good times. The appreciation of some luxuries like a good cup of coffee or showering without wearing thongs can never be underemphasized or understood unless one has spent time at sea. The opportunity to go to sea and visit foreign ports, while still performing as musicians has been tremendous. Many thanks to the crew of HMAS Anzac for making the musicians feel welcome.

HMAS TOBRUK DEPLOYMENT

Article by Petty Officer Kara Williams

After coming together as a whole for the first time at Brisbane Airport, the members of the Royal Australian Navy Band element embarked in HMAS Tobruk made their way with the help of the Bandmaster of the Queensland detachment of the band, Chief Petty Officer Michael Vaughan, to HMAS Tobruk, which would be the group’s home for the next four weeks.

We spent the day at Bulimba Barracks, first working through the material they had put together, then rehearsed with the Queensland detachment for the combined commitments celebrating Queensland’s 'Navy Week' including: a Cocktail Party hosted by HMAS Tobruk and a public concert in the Roma Street Parklands. The Official Reception following the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset in front of the Brisbane Town Hall involved the Brisbane Naval Cadets, HMAS Tobruk Ship’s Company forming the Guard and Parade and a Marching Display by the combined band detachments. The Navy Week Church Service and Open Day for HMAS Tobruk ended the week in which HMAS Tobruk saw over 2500 interested members of the public over the Gangway. With barely any time spent on HMAS Tobruk thus far, we secured our equipment, went about completing newly acquired orientation booklets and proceeded to undertake navigational exercises: get from point A to point B without getting lost! Whilst in transit to Port Vila, rehearsals with the Guard for the Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset to be held in Port Vila commenced on the vehicle deck and a major damage control exercise (a fire in the main engine room) was called in which Able Seaman Tom Bastians, Seaman Ellen Zyla and myself were made into some scarily convincing casualties! Procedure Alpha into Port Vila saw some lily white knees (thank goodness for sunglasses) and soon a steady stream of ship’s company was emptying out onto the wharf and into town as we made preparations for the night’s cocktail party. Fortunately for all, the impending rain showers held off and the Beat to Quarters, Ceremonial Sunset and Cocktail party was a great success. Port Vila saw us attain some welcome time off in various locations. Catching the free ferry over to Iririki Island to swim at the coral beach and in the resort pool then retire to the restaurant to pretend you’re a millionaire all for the cost of your lunch proved to be a favourite amongst Ship’s Company. Some went on sunset yacht dinner cruises, some went bush but most ended up at one time or another at Hide Away Island. You have to love Port Vila’s free ferries and two dollar mini bus fares! A five dollar Island entrance fee allowed the bearer to sit leisurely on the beach and/or snorkel on the reef teeming with marine life and the world’s only underwater post-office (waterproof postcards and all!) for as long as you wished (or as long as the sun screen lasted.) The Port Vila markets proved bountiful for many of Ship’s Company, especially the coconut bras, grass skirts and muumuus favoured by some member’s of the HMAS Tobruk Rugby team! HMAS Tobruk’s Rugby team, including Able Seaman Marcus Salone (not wearing a grass skirt or coconut bra by the way), fought valiantly in the local Rugby grudge match to win four tries up. On a more serene note, Mele Cascades showcased the pinnacle of Port Vila’s natural beauty. Crystal clear water and a gentle hike through the rainforest via numerous water steps and rock pools emerged at a spectacular waterfall. Although cooler than the local sea temperature the refreshing clear water, beautiful scenery and a massage courtesy of the falling water was well worth the comparative chill. Back to steaming in the big blue finding quite a few speed humps along the way! The swell had emerged overnight and the crew of HMAS Tobruk bobbed their way through a hilarious day at the races; HMAS Tobruk’s contribution to the Melbourne Cup horse racing festivities. Able Seaman Jennifer Monk started proceedings with the National Anthem, Able Seaman Marcus Salone sounded the horses to the track and HMAS Tobruk was off and racing! Seaman Ellen Zyla put in a spectacular effort as a jockey in the second race on horse number three, coming a close second last; but the winner of the “Tobruk Cup” for the second year running was romped in (despite being drenched by a rather icy water hazard) by the Senior Sailor’s mess on horse number four, jockeyed by me. Able Seaman Heather Wright, Able Seaman Tom Bastians and myself helped dispose of 4000 Steyr rounds off into the horizon participating in a small arms shoot off the vehicle deck with the Boatswains Mates and other qualified members of Ship’s company. Needless to say, it took no time at all to dispose of the rounds, and who knows what the fish were thinking!

We took part in café party, and helping in the galley as well as entertaining the crew with well thought out “wakey wakey” routines (a favourite being “The Little Drummer Boy” sung by the Quarter Master Able Seaman Michael Malone accompanied on Parade Drum by Able Seaman Heather Wright) when not being involved in Band related activities. Norfolk Island proved to be both the hardest and most rewarding commitments to achieve. Getting the equipment to the flight deck from the tank deck and all of it and us onto the helicopter deployed with HMAS Tobruk for the Official reception at the Governor’s residence was quite an evolution. Thanks to the help of the New Entry Officers Course (NEOC) “roadies” and the Aviation Team ferrying our gear to the helicopter in two flights and two utility vans driving us once we were on land, we were set up and ready to play. The Official reception promptly concluded at 1900 and we were off to the Norfolk Island RSL for a bit of welcome rock band music for the crew of HMAS Tobruk who warmed to the occasion providing us with a mosh pit of dancers all night! All of the ship’s company were warmly and eagerly adopted by the locals and a brilliant time was had by all! A special thankyou to Commander Ashley Greedy AM (RAN, rtd.), Terence Grube, (ex Lieutenant Commander, RAN), “Pinky” and all the locals on Norfolk Island on behalf of the musicians and Ship’s company for all the help and support they gave to make HMAS Tobruk’s visit to Norfolk Island an enjoyable and successful one. (I’m sure Norfolk Island’s economy is looking much healthier in return!) A second big night at the RSL wrapped up the visit to Norfolk Island and our equipment had to go back to the HMAS Tobruk the same way it came over, on the helicopter via a surprise circumnavigation of Norfolk Island courtesy of the flight crew (and a big thankyou to all of you as well.) Lord Howe Island, like Norfolk Island was without sufficient berthing, so again the helicopter was utilised for the Ceremonial contingent from HMAS Tobruk for Remembrance Day on Lord Howe Island. We joined forces with a contingent from the Air Command Band along with members of HMAS Tobruk’s company (Navy and Army) and Tri-Service Guard and Catafalque party from Sydney saw a large military presence. Although a small venue, a crowd gathered and nothing was small about the sentiment of the occasion. The entire contingent then moved to the Lord Howe Airport to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of the airport. At the end of official proceedings, HMAS Tobruk’s ship’s company were able to do a small amount of sightseeing, albeit in uniform. Most, at some point, ended up at Ned’s beach for the fish feeding, which all in “whites” must have looked a sight to the locals! Our last commitment was to partake in was HMAS Tobruk’s “Ship’s Concert” shortly before returning to Sydney. Many and varied acts came forward, but there could only be one winner at the end of the day. Major Bennet won the judges over with her stirring rendition of “Hogan’s Heroes March” on the trumpet and coming a close second were the member’s of the girl’s messes with a heart felt version of “I Will Survive” (original lyrics supported by the musicians). Coming an even closer third place was solo artist Leading Seaman Steward Tye Williams, with his expertise of blowing the conch shell! (Tye subsequently got lynched into doing “wakey wakey” the next morning!) Procedure Alpha into Sydney (with not so white knees anymore) spelt the end of our short deployment. We made many, many new friends and I personally cannot speak highly enough of the way Commander Nick Bramwell and the entire crew of HMAS Tobruk made us feel welcome. There is unfortunately not enough time or space to share all of our experiences, escapades and photographs in this article but I am sure any of the members of the band who joined HMAS Tobruk would be more than happy to share some if asked! The musicians deployed in HMAS Tobruk were: Petty Officer Kara Williams, Able Seaman Tom Bastians, Able Seaman Jennifer Monk, Able Seaman Vitali Rayitsyn, Able Seaman Tim Rees, Able Seaman Marcus Salone, Able Seaman Heather Wright, and Seaman Ellen Zyla.