Number 6 ARUNTA BUZZ September 2010
CELEBRATE THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAUNCH OF ARUNTA 1
Sunday 28th November, 2010
at
HMAS CERBERUS Western Port
Be a part of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the launch of HMAS Arunta at Cockatoo Dockyard Sydney 30 November 1940
This is building to be a truly memorable day as we have had enquiries from all parts of Australia! We have heard from people who helped build the ship through to some who served on her and others that were on ships who Arunta escorted through dangerous waters during wartime. There is no doubt that this famous ship has left her mark in Australian naval annals and touched the lives of so many. In the process of promoting this celebration I have received many letters and emails that take us back to yesteryear.
Quote: Douglas C Stewart (Corporal) AIF
On 15 February 1943 my AIF Unit (4th Australian Infantry Brigade Signal Section) embarked with other Units aboard USAT “Both” in the Brisbane River and steamed north at 1700 hours. After anchoring off Magnetic Is. for 24 hours we continued north on 21 February with HMAS Arunta and a Catalina aircraft as escort. Arunta’s escort was vital in view of the presence of Japanese submarines in the Coral Sea region. At sunset on 22nd February I was on the upper deck of our transport. It was then I witnessed a sight that has been indelibly etched in my memory to this day. HMAS Arunta had concluded her duty by escorting us through the dangerous waters. From her position ahead of us she turned and headed south towards the Australian mainland. The ocean was like the proverbial millpond as Arunta knifed through the water, casting huge bow waves as she did so. She steamed by a mere hundred or so metres to our starboard with smoke streaming from her smoke stack in the calm tropic air.
Now I didn’t know at that time but aboard Arunta was a sailor named Henry George Muddyman who was to marry my cousin Elsie Isobel Stewart later during the War. I only knew George Muddyman to have the rank of Petty Officer when we spoke of our ventures around the Pacific in wartime.
So what does the day hold in store?
For those needing transport, we will provide free return private coach transport to HMAS Cerberus from Southern Cross Station (formerly Spencer Street Station). The coaches will leave Melbourne around 9.00am arriving at Cerberus at 10.30am. For those driving, you will need to have passed through the security gate and parked in the car park at the Senior Sailors Mess by 10.30am. After a quick refreshment break we will all board the buses for a windscreen tour of the base which will finish at the museum and adjacent chapels. Here you can see the stained glass window dedicated to the Tribal Class destroyers and marvel at the many fine pieces of naval history housed in the museum. At the conclusion of this tour we plan to take a group photograph next to one of Arunta’s 4” guns. After that, it’s off to our lunch prepared by the cooks in the Senior Sailor’s Mess, where you can purchase drinks over the bar. During lunch you will have ample time to catch up with old friends, hear from Arunta II’s captain, see some classic photographs and film footage and witness the announcement of the HMAS Arunta II “Sailor of the Year” – an award sponsored by our Association.
It will be a special day. Children are encouraged to join the celebrations; however, as Cerberus is a working base, they must remain under the strict supervision of their parents at all times. Access to the Senior Sailors mess, the Chapel and museum are all stair-free and disabled accessible.
NEWS FROM HMAS ARUNTA II
LCDR Cameron McGregor
HMAS Arunta (II) has recently participated in the multinational exercise Kakadu and will follow with exercise Singaroo afterwards. Along with Australian Navy, Army and Air Force units, these exercises see us play host to units from Thailand, Japan, and Singapore, as well as observers from many other nations. They are an excellent opportunity to hone our war-fighting skills and build international relationships as well as to achieve internal training. As a result of these exercises, Arunta will be operating out of Darwin until mid-September before sailing for a short deployment to South East Asia. The ports of Makassar, Indonesia and Port Kelang and Kuantan, Malaysia are on the itinerary before returning to Perth in November for some much needed leave
The current deployment comes after a three-month maintenance period alongside Fleet Base West. This period not only saw the opportunity for ship’s company to clear leave, but it also saw Command of the ship change. Commander John Stavridis assumed Command of Arunta on 16 June 2010, the eighth Commanding Officer. Commander Stavridis joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1988, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1991. He trained as a Warfare Officer with specialisations in Anti-Submarine Warfare and Communications and has enjoyed sea postings to HMA Ships Perth, Hobart, Brisbane, Sydney, Anzac and as the Executive Officer of HMAS Stuart.
Prior to our time at home, Arunta participated in the Fleet Concentration Period in Sydney and completed a deployment to New Zealand, visiting Newcastle, Hobart and Adelaide on the return. In Adelaide over Anzac Day several ship’s officers enjoyed the company of the South Australian branch of the Arunta Association at their annual lunch and were pleased to welcome association members onboard Arunta.
Although Arunta will not be able to visit Melbourne for the association’s 70th, we hope to be able to send a contingent of personnel to join you for this auspicious event. Until then, we thank you for your support and will keep you updated on our travels.
TRIBALS JOINT LUNCH
6th July 2010
A very successful lunch for the tribals was held at the Dandenong RSL on 6 July 2010 hosted by the Bataan Association. A good number attended and nine from Arunta. Bataan had invited a number of guests from the RAN recruits school at HMAS Cerberus, including the commanding Officer, Cmrd P J O’Grady, who had been one of the Commissioning Officers in Arunta II. The company was friendly; the speeches were good and the meal delightful. Bataan presented a model of Arunta 1 to our association. The model was based on Arunta after she was refitted in 1954. The model had been made by Mr K Moore, a member of the Bataan Association. Warramunga will host the lunch in 2011. We hope the lunch will be well supported by our members.
ANZAC DAY MARCH 2011
The arrangements for the March next year will be similar to those of this year. Veterans are encouraged to travel by car. This year we were provided with Rolls Royce cars. In 2012 all veterans will be required to travel by car.
Next year it is very probable that the three Tribal Class Associations will be required to march as one group. Descendants will still be able to march. Details have not been finalized at present.
ANZAC LUNCH 2011 MELBOURNE
Next year ANZAC day falls on the Easter Monday holiday. The march will be held on that day. It is not practicable to have our annual lunch on Good Friday 22nd April. In these circumstances the lunch will be brought forward to Friday 8th April 2011. Formal notice will be given in due course.
FUTURE EVENTS
Navy Week
Sunday 17th October 2010
Annual Seafarers Service
St Pauls Cathedral
Melbourne at 10.30 AM
Decorations may be worn
Sunday 17th October 2010
Navy Remembrance Service
Shrine of Remembrance
at 2.00 PM
Gather at forecourt at 1.30 PM
Decorations may be worn
The speech will be given by Mr David Manwanning – POW – survivor HMAS Perth
MEMBERS’ Update
Veteran Ray Martin has had his right leg amputated below the knee. Ray is having rehabilitation at Caulfield Hospital in Kooyong Road. He is planning to make the celebrations at HMAS Cerberus on the 28th November.
GOORANGAI MEMORIAL SERVICE
Sunday, 21 November 2010
The annual HMAS Goorangai memorial service and lunch will be held at the Ocean View lookout Queenscliffe at 11.00 AM. The march will commence at 10.45 AM in Jesse Street along side the RSL Building. Decorations may be worn. Other members and friends should be seated by 11.50 AM. After the service lunch will be provided in the RSL Hall at a cost of $15.00 per person. Members and friends who are marching and wishing to have lunch should fill in and return the attached form to John Ricardo at the address set out on the return form to be received on or before Monday 25 October 2010. Tickets will be distributed at Queenscliffe.
Interstate members intending to attend the 70th anniversary celebrations please note – This event takes place on the Sunday prior to our event at Cerberus, so if you are planning an extended stay in Melbourne, please try to include this event in your itinerary.
