From the Director’s Desk

RAN BAND NEWS EDITION NUMBER 18 15 AUGUST 2011

ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR ‘A NAVAL SALUTE’

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

As I read through the various articles in this edition of RAN Band News I could not help but be impressed by the volume of work being done across the whole of our programme, and the quality of output being produced. This edition articulates loudly, the significant work that our musicians are doing each and every day towards delivering positive news stories and enhancing Navy’s reputation. Those stories are not limited to just our musical achievements. For example, Petty Officer Gordon Orr’s achievement in winning the Champion Shot Navy Medal and Petty Officer Mark Ham who was selected to play for the combined Australian Services Cricket Team to compete in the Arafura Games 2011. This six-month period has been particularly busy with very successful international deployments to Abu Dhabi and Brunei, a national radio broadcast, and the recording and release of our latest recording, The Seafarer Mk II. However, the highlight and milestone event was our Flagship Recital, A Naval Salute, which celebrated the Centenary of the Royal Australian Navy on 10 July 2011. It was a rare occasion to have such an impressive list of distinguished guests present at the concert including the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce; the Governor of New South Wales and Honorary Commodore, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE; Chief of Defence Force, General David Hurley AC DSC and Mrs Hurley; and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN and Mrs Griggs. Her Excellency Marie Bashir penned the following words of appreciation: Warmest congratulations and deep appreciation for the memorable concert held to celebrate the Centenary of the Royal Assent which marked the independence of our Royal Australian Navy from it parental predecessors. Your splendid program conveyed the proud links, as well as the unique Australian character, and even some appropriate nostalgia which brought quiet tears to the eyes of those who may have recalled the darker days of World War II. The naval musicians were superb and kept the audience enthralled to the final note.