A Salute to Australia

However, our role in the Repatriation Ceremony, the funerals and the National Thanksgiving Service for those killed in the crash of Navy Sea King SHARK 02 at Nias, Indonesia, will remain for me, our most important contribution to the wider Navy family in many years. Our role in those ceremonies ensured a proper level of military ceremony and added a sense of dignity to what were very sad occasions: It is hard to imagine a Navy honouring its people in such a moving way without the involvement of its musicians. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some very hard work undertaken by many within the band. First of all, I wish to acknowledge our reserve musicians. One of the reasons that our marketing reach has been so successful is because of the commitment given by the members of our reserve detachments. It’s worthy to note that, unlike their full-time counterparts, our reserve musicians don’t get time off in lieu of weekend tasks. The Bandmasters of these small detachments also deserve special recognition. They have been working hard to manage the many demands asked of them whilst at the same time trying to move their detachments forward. A very difficult task, I am sure. I also wish to acknowledge the Band Officers and the divisional staff in each of the permanent detachments who I know are usually first in to work and last to leave. Whilst I am sure that they enjoy the privilege of their positions, I also know that quite often they don’t receive the accolades for the significant additional work that they undertake on behalf of their people and to ensure all of the administrative and divisional requirements are met. My personal team also deserve recognition. They too, are usually first in and last out. I know how hard each of them works to ensure the many and varied requirements of my office are fulfilled, and I have certainly enjoyed their company. Recently, the Senior Leadership Group and Outpost Bandmasters met to discus the Way Ahead. The revised vision and mission statements and Statement of Intent are contained at the end of this newsletter. I encourage you all to embrace Navy’s values, our value statements and our direction, and I look forward to the very exciting voyage ahead. Thank you for your valuable contribution, which has ensured that the Royal Australian Navy Band remains ‘one of Australia’s premier military ensembles’.

A SALUTE TO AUSTRALIA

Article by Leading Seaman Cassandra Mohapp

In February this year, bands from all over the world came to Sydney to participate in The Edinburgh Tattoo – A Salute to Australia. The Royal Australian Navy Band, Royal Australian Air Force Air Command Band, and Australian Army Band Sydney formed a contingent of over 120 musicians. A Salute to Australia was held at Aussie Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney. Six performances to a crowd of over 25,000 at each performance ensured this spectacular experience reached many. International guests included military musicians from bands of the Royal Marines and Royal Air Force to the New Zealand Army Band. British Military Pipe Bands teamed up with Australian Pipe Bands and provided a thrilling opening sequence to a flourish of musical journeys to follow. The rehearsals seemed endless… and what a big task it was. We had less than a week to memorise the music, smarten up the drill and have everything in order. Very early starts, and late night finishes ensured we were as ready as we could be. Don’t get me wrong, we had some time to rest and relax. Even our international guests from Scotland found time to relax with a cheeky streak across the Sydney Cricket Ground (located right next to Aussie Stadium) with only his sporran to keep him warm!