A Naval Salute – RAN Centenary Concert

From the first rehearsal everyone involved had the ‘right attitude’ and the display worked from the first run-through. The eight minute display included The Alert march, I Am Australian (sung by Able Seaman Damian Dowd), traditional Beat to Quarters and Waltzing Matilda presented in three sections – fanfare opening, Sea Chanters Choir sung by band members and a jazz segment featuring Leading Seaman Cam McAllister, Able Seaman Dayne Grindley, Able Seaman Tony Frantz, Able Seaman Andrew Hansch and Able Seaman Dave Coit on fanfare trumpets. The AFG Precision Drill Team enriched the display with more than 300 specific movements synchronised with the music. This was the first time some new dynamic moves were added to the AFG Precision Drill Team routine, including weapon twirling, throwing and catching. Both the Band and the Precision Drill Team agreed that not only did the combined display work very well, but it also allowed representation at the tri-service level. Upon arrival at the Brunei Rimba Air Base, each member of the Australian contingent was presented with the traditional Malay wedding ceremony gift Bunga Telur - paper flowers covered in glitter with a boiled egg attached to each one – a very nice touch and a warm Brunei welcome. On the same day Tattoo rehearsals commenced at the air-conditioned indoor stadium the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex. A Reception at the Royal Berkshire Hall gave us an opportunity to meet Tattoo participants from twelve different countries. The cameras flashed non-stop taking pictures of band members, dancers and singers from all over the world. It was a fantastic experience to get acquainted with performers from the Singapore Armed Forces Band, the Chinese Acrobatic Team, the Pakistan Armed Forces Band, the Philippines Armed Forces Band and others. On 30 May the RAN Band joined the Combined Bands of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Chinese Acrobats and the Singapore Armed Forces Band on a three hour boat trip to perform at the Temburong District Brunei Darussalam International Tattoo Roadshow. During the welcoming ceremony Commander Phillip Anderson presented one of the first prints of the Australian indigenous artwork ‘The Salute’ to the people of Temburong village. The Roadshow earned much praise and applause from the village crowd. On the way back to Bandar for yet another rehearsal, the banks of the river were alive with grey monkeys and crocodiles. It was hard to resist sending a quick text message back to Sydney: “Hi Darling, I am in the jungle 4 degrees north of the equator!!!” The Opening Show – what a banquet of traditional melodies, songs, and dances; what a carnival of different cultures, styles and languages! Australia was the first country to present its display to the people of Brunei. The Band and the Precision Drill Team performed at their absolute best, receiving tremendous applause from the five thousand people in the audience. ‘It must be one of the Band’s best performances ever’, enthused one of the RAN musicians. Bruneians absolutely adore Australia and our display received the biggest applause. Waving the Australian flag for the traditional Cheer Ship, joined by everyone in the audience, filled my heart with pride. Over three days and five shows of the Tattoo more than 25,000 Bruneians enjoyed our live performances. His Majesty, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, personally thanked the Director of Music, Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, and the Drum Major Chief Petty Officer Camille Martin.

A NAVAL SALUTE – RAN CENTENARY CONCERT

Article by ALLAN ‘SHORTY’ MOFFATT OAM

PRESIDENT RANCBA (NSW) (REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION) As one of the many functions that are being held to promote the Royal Australian Navy’s 100th anniversary, the RAN Band held a concert ‘A Naval Salute’ at the City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney on 10 July 2011. The RAN Band under the Directorship of Commander Phillip Anderson OAM, RAN can take a Bravo Zulu for an evening that will long be remembered by all those that attended.

The evening commenced with a fanfare Serving Australia With Pride. On each side of the stage were two Navy Cadets from TS Sirius sending a semaphore message. On arrival of the Guests of Honour, the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC and Mr Michael Bryce; Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley AC DSC and Mrs Hurley; Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN and Mrs Griggs; and the Governor of New South Wales, Honorary Commodore Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE; the Vice Regal salute was taken. Colours were then carried out to two masts that had been erected, and with a Colour Party all bearing arms - .303 rifles with bayonets fixed – the Australian White Ensign and Australian National Flag were hoisted. The music then commenced. Ships Without A Name, a tribute to our first submarines AE1 and AE2 and the fate of the ships and the men who served in them; and Jack Tar! highlighting the irreverence and humour of the sailors of the RAN. Then a spectacular musical performance Belle’s Broadcast in honour of the fourteen women of the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps who enlisted in the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service and were based at HMAS Harman during World War II. Belle’s Broadcast was a moving tribute commencing with eight bells and using a number of Morse Code messages including Clear Lower Deck, SOS and Sydney is Lost. The arrangement contains a very moving version of the Naval Hymn as well as songs made famous by Vera Lynn. The next music was The Scrap Iron Flotilla accompanying a Ceremonial Drill Team display. The drill team wore tally bands acknowledging the five Australian destroyers that served in the Mediterranean during World War II: HMAS Stuart, HMAS Vampire, HMAS Vendetta, HMAS Voyager and HMAS Waterhen, collectively known as the Scrap Iron Flotilla, and tagged by Goebbels as “a consignment of junk”. This was completed with music from the Naval Hymn, Eternal Father Strong to Save. The intermission provided a chance for many veterans to catch up with old shipmates and be introduced to the Guests of Honour and VIPs. On return to the hall, the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN gave a speech reflecting on all: the past, the present and the future, which was well received. This was followed by a video presentation Navy’s People. A display was then given by some of the crew of HMAS Kanimbla called Boarding Party Close Up. Then Commander Phillip Anderson OAM RAN, Director of Music gave a speech and invited a representative of the 13 veterans associations, whose banners were displayed around the stage, to come forward. Representatives of HMA Ships Australia, Canberra/Shropshire, Melbourne, Sydney, Quiberon, Perth and Condamine, the Fairmiles, the Corvettes, the Communications Branch, the Ex-WRANS, the Vung Tau Ferry and the RAN Band Association marched up onto the stage while the Band played Heart of Oak. Seating had been arranged for us on stage. The RAN Band then cheered ship. They removed their caps and gave two cheers, and all in the hall were asked to participate in the last cheer for those that had served. This was followed by a very moving Ceremonial Sunset commencing with the hymn The Day Thou Gavest Lord, Is Ended. A musical bracket was then played and sung - My Country, followed by Advance Australia Fair, Waltzing Matilda and A Life on the Ocean Wave. I felt very proud and humble being asked to come forward and represent the RAN Communications Branch across the Nation on this very special night, but my thoughts went to those that I served with in the RAN, those Communicators who are no longer with us, and the young ones who are following in our wake who have made our Branch and our Association what it is today.