HMAS CANBERRA (2) Decommissioning Crew 2005
Decommissioning Crew -2005
The HMAS Canberra Decommissioning Crew had a very busy a hectic year in 2005.
IHMAS Canberra spent more 280 days away from home port, visiting China, Japan, South Korea, Guam, Singapore and Malaysia as well as visits around Australia to Mackay, Sydney, Adelaide, Geraldton, Albany and Fremantle.
The ships company participated in memorable occasions including providing a guard for the Prime Minister at the World Expo in Japan, a freedom of entry in Canberra, and climbing the Great Wall of China.
Decommissioning Crew Nominal List
Decommissioning Ceremony
HMAS Canberra became the first Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigate (FFG) to be decommissioned from the Navy last month and could be destined to be sunk as a dive site at some stage in the future.
After proudly serving her country for 24 years, the Defence Minister, Robert Hill, was joined by Maritime Commander RADM Davyd Thomas, and the ship’s Commanding Officer, CMDR Ray Leggatt, to officially farewell the ship in a traditional ceremony at Fleet Base West.
During her lengthy career HMAS Canberra sailed nearly 800,000 miles and saw active service in the Persian Gulf and conducted operations in areas such as the Southern Ocean and Solomon Islands.
Mrs Jenny Moir was the Guest of Honour for the decommissioning. Mrs Moir is the daughter of the late Lady Marjorie Tange, who was HMAS Canberra’s Launching Lady and the wife of the then Secretary of the Australian Department of Defence, the late Sir Arthur Tange.
Decommissioning Ball
The ships company and veterans enjoyed a formal decommissioning ball on 5 November in Fremantle, with music provided by the rock band, The Hoodoo Gurus, and the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Decommissioning Crew Image Galleries:
Decommissioning Crew - 2005
The last voyage completed by the Decommissioning Crew was 280 days away from home port with visits to China, Japan, South Korea, Guam, Singapore and Malaysia as well as visits to Mackay, Sydney, Adelaide and more recently Geraldton, Albany and Fremantle
Decommissioning Crew Nominal List
Decommissioning Ceremony - 2005
HMAS Canberra was decommissioned from the Royal Australian Navy at Fleet Base West at 10:00 hrs Saturday 12 November . The Decommissioning Ceremony was attended by the Minister for Defence, Senator The Hon Robert Hill, the Fleet Commander, former CO's and crew members
Decommissioning Ball - 2005
The ships company and veterans enjoyed a formal decommissioning ball on 5 November in Fremantle, with music provided by the rock band, The Hoodoo Gurus, and the Royal Australian Navy Band
Hoodoo Guru's - 2005
The Hoodoo Gurus have a long history with HMAS Canberra.
Lead singer Dave Faulkner's father was a survivor from HMAS Canberra I, and the RAS song for Canberra played when breaking away from a replenishment at sea) has been the band's popular hit, 'A Thousand Miles Away'
Final Searide - 2005
The Ship conducted its final searide for Family members of the Decommissioning Crew, it was also the last opportunity for Commissioning Crew members to go to see on HMAS Canberra, the ship departed Fleet base West and sailed to Fremantle, the HMAS Darwin crew manned the side and gave HMAS Canberra 3 cheers as the ship pulled out of Fleet base West