HMAS Arunta Association

A Committee Member would like to share the following:

“12 months in the planning, the celebration of the launch of HMAS Arunta was a greater success than we could have hoped for. Some 170 people were gathered on the day, including 30 Arunta I crew, and 4 former and current Commanding Officers from HMAS Arunta II – one of whom is now a Rear Admiral.

A bus tour of the base, chapels and museum kicked off the celebrations. Our original plan to have a photo of the Arunta I veterans in front of Arunta’s gun outside the museum was thwarted due to inclement weather, and the photo was eventually taken in the Mess.
Many people had brought photos and other memorabilia, which was displayed on tables and notice boards in the Mess.
Following a welcome by our President, there was a fantastic video tribute to Arunta which was compiled by Gavan Kearney. It featured many photos that have not been seen before, and showed actual footage of the launch and sea trials of the ship. Ray followed this video tribute with a speech describing some of Arunta’s actions and why there is such a bond between the ship and her crew, even after all this time.

Commander Stavridis, the current CO of HMAS Arunta II, expanded on the bond between the two ships. He showed a framed letter and shrapnel fragment that had been sent to the ship by a crew member from Arunta I. Arunta I veterans were invited to sign the back of the work, and send a message to the current crew of Arunta II.

A presentation was made to PO Matthew Jacob, who was adjudged to be the Sailor of the Year. He accepted a large plaque, which will be engraved with his name and will adorn the wall in the Senior Sailors Mess on the ship, plus a smaller plaque for himself and prize money.

The lunch was prepared by a dedicated band of students from the Cookery School. All had volunteered to work on this event, even though their course had officially ended some days previously. We are very grateful to them for giving up their time, and for providing such an excellent meal. Desert was individual cupcakes, which had all been topped with an Arunta logo. As a parting gift, attendees were given a bottle of wine with a label commemorating the anniversary of the launch.

It was a marvellous day, and we are very grateful to all who were part of this wonderful celebration.”

AND from our former Secretary some of his thoughts of the day:

“As a more than interested participant, and one who was not in the navy, in promoting this function I spoke with so may people who when upon meeting them on the day their memories almost became mine because each and every one of you told me your story, about your dad, uncle, husband or brother. To put a face to the voices I had heard over the phone was quite moving. I thank you for sharing those precious memories.

We were lucky to have so many veterans of Arunta 2 with us and we congratulate them on continuing the link with the HMAS Arunta Association. In particular we thank Cmdr Stavridis for his support and again acknowledge PO Matthew Jacob on his Sailor of the Year award. We also acknowledge the network of ex Arunta 2 officers who Cmdr Stavridis is in contact with and who we look to for their ongoing support to maintain this Association into the future.

Seventy years on much at HMAS Cerberus has changed. The area is still the same size, the history is there but facilities have been modernised. No longer can sailors catch the train from Spencer Street and get off inside the base.

With such a proud tradition and place in history it’s little wonder the ship decided to find its final resting place in Australian waters. Thanking you for supporting this event and let’s keep the tradition going. Bruce Roberton”

The Association would like to thank all of those who brought along memorabilia items to display. There has been much interest in these items, and we would like to hear from those of you who did bring items as we have had requests for copies and we would also like to return anything to you that may have been left behind on the day. Please contact secretary@arunta-assoc.com or phone Ellen on  03 9585 1950 or 0438071454.

We also welcome all of our new members who signed up on the day, and if you overlooked this or have family members who would also like to join you will find a Membership Form attached. Arunta 1 veterans and their partners $5.00 per annum (yes you read correctly) and all others $10 per annum. In order to maintain these low membership fees we would appreciate an email address, if available, as this will help to keep our costs down.

We would also like to thank those who attended the function from Arunta 2 and those who wanted to come but had prior commitments. The support and acknowledgement of the spirit and endeavours of those who sailed, and still sail, under the Arunta banner was no more evident than by the response we received to this celebration.