Navy Victoria
Network
Proudly supported by the Melbourne Naval Committee
            
Our mission is to provide a free, all-inclusive medium for the electronic exchange of information of interest, not just to the extended navy community of Victoria, serving and ex-serving, but also to the wider Australian navy community. |
||
 |
Latest News for our Navy Network |
 |
31 March Service
ends after voyage to moon and backHMAS Pirie (II) has completed her service to the nation and was decommissioned at her home port of Darwin on March 26. Pirie, the first Armidale-class patrol boat to be decommissioned, has conducted a wide variety of border protection missions and tasks to combat illegal fishery over the past 15 years. More..... |
31 March Government
accelerates Sovereign Guided Weapons manufacturingThe Government will accelerate the creation of a $1 billion Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise, boosting skilled jobs and helping secure Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities. The Department of Defence will now select a strategic industry partner to operate a sovereign guided weapons manufacturing capability on behalf of the Government as a key part of the new Enterprise. More..... |
| What is
Hypersonic Weapon? What makes these missiles nightmare?
Why it is hard to detect it? |
|
29 March A
blend of traditionsNUSHIP Supply’s development of a culturally inclusive workplace is leading Navy’s diversity and inclusion commitment, enabling the fighting force to deliver on its duties. When Supply’s commissioning crew formed in January 2020, there was an immediate goal from command to have a transparent and open dialogue with the ship’s company. More..... |
29 March Navy
service a source of pride for Manus villageAble Seaman Duncan Stemp said his recent return to his birthplace on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, as a Royal Australian Navy sailor was one of the proudest days of his life. While some of his extended family have served in the PNG Defence Force, he is the first to serve in the Australian Defence Force – and his relatives couldn’t be happier. More..... |
|
|
27 March Support for connecting ex-service organisationsEX-SERVICE organisations (ESOs) across Australia are invited to apply for a share of up to $145,000 in funding to continue their vital support role to our veteran community, as part of the annual Grants-In-Aid program. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said applications were now open for eligible national ESOs to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help connect with their local branches. More..... |
26 March 3
Russian Submarines Surface From Under Arctic Ice For The
First TimeThree Russian submarines simultaneously surfaced from under the ice at a distance of up to 300 meters from each other for the first time in history during Arctic drills, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. More..... |
26 March Admiral
Gorshkov Frigate test-fires Oniks Cruise MissileRussian Northern Fleet’s Admiral Gorshkov (F 454) successfully fired a P-800 Oniks (SS-N-26 Strobile) from the Barents Sea today (March 25), Russian MoD announced. The missile firing took place in the morning in the Barents Sea. The target, located on the South Island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, was successfully hit by the Onyx cruise missile at a distance of over 300 kilometers from the launch point. More..... |
26 March Sirius
ready to refuel othersHMAS Sirius has completed her 715th replenishment at sea (RAS) when she supplied fuel to HMAS Anzac (III) during a transit through the South China Sea. The latest RAS proves the auxiliary oiler’s readiness to provide similar support to other navies in the region. More..... |
25 March Flight
crew returns to ship for deploymentThe aviation team and MH-60R helicopter of 816 Squadron's Flight 6 are back aboard HMAS Anzac. The Flight 6 team of six aircrew and 12 maintainers was previously embarked in Anzac but detached in November last year. The team returned to Anzac prior to a 10-week deployment throughout South-East Asia and the north-east Indian Ocean. More..... |
25 March Latest
updates - Operation COVID-19 AssistNationally - approximately 1,168 personnel are deployed as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist. Current nationwide Defence support includes: * 83 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel in Vaccine Delivery Teams supporting the Department of Health's vaccine roll-out in aged care and disability facilities. * Supporting law enforcement agencies with mandatory quarantine arrangements. * The ADF will not be authorised as law enforcement officers as this remains the responsibility of the states and territories. More..... |
| 25 March The ADF evacuates flood-stricken campers in Wollondilly Forest The crew of the Navy MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, based at HMAS Albatross, Nowra located the isolated group, cut-off by flooding in the Wollondilly State Forest. The nine campers and their pet dog "Candy" were plucked to safety and flown to Mittagong Sports field where they were met by the NSW State Emergency Services (SES). |
|
24 March UK’s
Integrated Review 2021 comprises a larger fleet in the next
decadeThe UK’s Government published its Integrated Review 2021 of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy: Global Britain in a Competitive Age, on 16 March 2021. This review is the largest one since the Cold War and a detailed study of the UK’s approach to the upcoming challenges of the next decade. More..... |
24 March NUSHIP
Stalwart Starts Sea TrialsNavantia has commenced sea trials of NUSHIP Stalwart, the RAN’s second Supply class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) to be built in Spain. Spain has been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the vessel’s trials schedule, but it is now scheduled to arrive in Australia by the end of 2021 for final fit-out, and commissioning in 2022, some eight months behind schedule. More..... |
24 March Elbit
bolsters Seagull USV platformThe firm has integrated new safety technologies onboard its Seagull unmanned surface vessel. Elbit Systems has fitted a 360-degree panoramic video system with an automatic target recognition capability and a patented automatic navigation system to its Seagull unmanned surface vessel (USV). The new technologies are designed to enhance the platform’s autonomous capability, supporting navigation in busy maritime environments. More..... |
23 March Morrison
Government equipping Navy with cutting edge intelligence
capabilityThe Morrison Government is boosting the Royal Australian Navy’s intelligence capability through Defence’s Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System Continuous Development Program. The Program has reached a new milestone following the selection of five respondents to progress to the next phase of the procurement process. More..... |
23 March Record
drug seizure by the French Navy in the Gulf of GuineaSunday the 21st of March 2021, in the Gulf of Guinea, the French Navy performed a record seizure of more than 6 tons of cocaine, during an operation led by the maritime prefect of the Atlantic and Brest prosecutor's office. |
23 March Zumwalt Destroyer Will Control Unmanned Ships, Aircraft in Upcoming Fleet Battle Problem  U.S.
Pacific Fleet will host its most complex exercise to date
involving unmanned systems, with next month’s Fleet Battle
Problem exercise including unmanned aircraft on the water’s
surface and in the air and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001)
commanding and controlling the missions.
More..... |
23
March Frigates to dominate naval vessels market over next
decade, report showsFrigates are expected to account for a 32.7% revenue share of the total naval vessels market over the coming decade, GlobalData’s new report shows. The global naval vessels and surface combatants market is valued at $34.1 billion in 2021 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.49% to reach $48.1 billion by 2031. |
23 March A
day to acknowledge the weather warriorsWorld Meteorological Day, today, provides an opportunity to applaud the ADF's 'weather warriors'. They are the meteorologists and oceanographers who provide forecasts of weather and sea conditions, briefs, data and tactical advice in support of ADF exercises and operations. Navy meteorologist and oceanographer (METOC) in HMAS Canberra Lieutenant Commander Fiona Simmonds said she enjoyed the job and her floating office. More..... |
| 23 MarchADF
supporting NSW flood emergency Australian Defence Force (ADF) helicopters will today deploy to NSW to support search and rescue activities for the flood emergency. Additional ADF personnel and equipment will also deploy this week to assist with the clearance and recovery operation. More..... |
23 MarchMorrison
Government and Naval Group secure a win for Australian
Industry The Morrison Government’s Future Submarine Program has reached a major milestone with the conclusion of negotiations between Defence and Naval Group for the amendments to the Strategic Partnering Agreement. This will see Naval Group’s commitment to spend at least 60 per cent of the contract value in Australia over the life of the Program reflected formally in the Strategic Partnering Agreement, supporting Australian jobs in the defence industry. More..... |
| 22 March Chief of Navy 2021 Priorities |
|
22 March Boosting regional cooperation and training in
maritime law enforcementMaritime law enforcement (MLE) vessels are non-naval vessels employed on maritime law enforcement duties, primarily coastguard vessels, but also vessels of other MLE agencies, such as marine police and fisheries protection services. The growth of coastguards and other MLE forces has been particularly evident in Southeast Asia. There have been several reasons for this development. More..... |
20 MarchVeterans'
pensions set to increase VETERANS, their partners, war widows and widowers will benefit from an increase to their pensions in line with the biannual indexation process coming into effect today. Pensions are indexed twice a year in March and September. Those who need additional support should contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs who can provide a range of financial supports and allowances for those experiencing hardship. More..... |
20 March Royal
United Services Institute of Victoria (RUSIV) ADF Ethics
CompetitionAs a positive response to the Bretherton Report on incidents in Afghanistan, the Royal United Services Institute of Victoria (RUSIV) is running an endowed essay competition on the topic of Ethics for the Australian Defence Force. More..... |
18 March MMHN
Update March 2021 Greetings. There is a clear sense of the ‘new normal’ opening up as we 'slowly sail' our way out of COVID. A timely quote about the benefits of ‘slow sailing’: The brutal crisis of the coronavirus is precipitating us into a paradoxical time; urgent need to stop the virus on the one hand, suspension of social time on the other. The urgency forces us to slow down. But isn't slowness precisely what many of us are looking for. More..... |
18 March Australian
National Veterans Arts Museum 'MARCH TO ART: PLACE' ExhibitionThe Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) annual exhibition 'March to Art: Place' an exhibition of Veterans Arts curated by Mr Bruce Copland, 6 to 25 April, at No Vacancy Gallery, 34-40 Jane Bell Lane (off Russell St), Level 3, QV Building, Melbourne, Vic. |
18 March Stamp
marks arrival of Cerberus 150 years agoAustralia Post will issue a stamp on March 22 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Her Majesty’s Victorian Ship (HMVS) Cerberus’ arrival in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, in April 1871. The stamp depicts a painting by Sydney-based artist Ian Hansen of HMVS Cerberus during the late 1880s, steaming on the waters of Port Phillip Bay. The painting shows the ship in the fourth colour scheme, which was introduced in 1888. More..... |
18 March Cultural
immersion a key part of Navy programCultural immersion days are a key part of the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP), which was established in 2014. The NIDP supports Defence’s Reconciliation Action Plan and the Australian Government’s agreement on Closing the Gap, which aims to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of disadvantage. More..... |
17 March A
homage to HMAS BataanGerry Shepherd was a bit miffed he had to wait 13 months to join the Navy while those from other states were allowed straight in. Then 18-year-old Mr Shepherd headed to HMAS Cerberus in 1944, before joining the destroyer HMAS Bataan as part of the commissioning crew. He then deployed to Japan in 1945 just in time to bear witness to the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. More..... |
17 March ADF
teams injected into vaccine rolloutThe ADF has begun deploying teams to aged and disability care facilities around Australia in support of the Government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategy. Following a request from the Australian Government Department of Health, the ADF is providing up to 12 teams of five personnel each, including clinicians and support staff, to help administer the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. More..... |
17 March Engineering
scholarship program preparing future shipbuilding workforceForty engineering students from Australian universities have been awarded scholarships as part of the Morrison Government’s plan to grow the pool of engineering talent for naval shipbuilding. The National Naval Shipbuilding Pipeline Scholarship program provides students from the Queensland University of Technology and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology with funded university study. More..... |
| 16 MarchAustralian
defence industry to continue to sustain and export cutting edge
technology Australia’s defence industry will continue to export crucial technology as part of a joint Australian and US program, following the awarding of a $150 million contract to BAE Systems Australia. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today announced a five-year contract with BAE Systems for in-service support and round production of the next generation of Nulka decoys and launcher systems. More..... |
16 March Ships
wrap up mission in TasmaniaTwo mine hunters marked the end of this year’s Fleet Certification Period with a mine location and recovery mission off the coast of Tasmania on March 15. Farewelling the annual maritime exercise, which involves varying RAN ships, were the crews of HMA Ships Gascoyne and Diamantina, testing their mine-hunting abilities and drills in challenging conditions. More..... |
16 March Second
Games' postponement a positive for AussiesThirty-two competitors from the Australian Invictus Games 2020 – The Hague team, have been given the reprieve they were hoping for with the announcement the Games will be delayed until 2022. A delay in any event would normally not be cause for celebration however, the Invictus Games Foundation’s February 2 announcement of a further delay of 12 months was met with elation by the members of the Australian team. More..... |
16 March Exercise
in cooperation for air and sea powerAir and maritime assets came together for integrated high-end warfighting training as part of Exercise Tasman Shield 21, from February 22 to March 12. HMAS Hobart worked closely with Air Force aircraft, as an integrated joint force, to enhance maritime air defence procedures and demonstrate interoperability through simulated air-maritime missions off the east coast of Australia. MMore..... |
| 15 March COVID-19 vaccine delivery team deploy to aged care facility in Nowra, NSW |
|
15 March Long-held
ties strengthened in exerciseHMA ships Anzac and Sirius have completed two separate passage exercises with vessels from the Philippine Navy as part of a two-month deployment throughout the north-east Indian Ocean and South-East Asia. The first passage exercise was recently conducted at dawn with the BRP Juan Magluyan, a Jose Andrada-class patrol boat. More..... |
15 March Sydney
sails for trials in United StatesHMAS Sydney departed her home port at Fleet Base East last week to conduct trials on her AEGIS weapons system with the United States Navy. The tests are a crucial milestone in order for Sydney to be declared available for operational deployments. More..... |
| 12 March Gippsland officially announce Mallacoota as Choules’ ceremonial homeport |
|
12 March Putting
underwater survey work on the mapMapping the ocean floor is an important job in the Navy, providing a major capability during war and peacetime. Two deployable geospatial survey teams (DGST) at HMAS Penguin and two at HMAS Cairns make up a significant component of the Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit. The crews and their easily transportable survey kits can deploy at short notice in any ship. More..... |
12 March An
old adage rings trueNavy Indigenous Development Program recruit Clayton Anderson says it’s never too late to go after what you want, and he lives by that principle. At age 30, the man from the small community of Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria region of the Northern Territory, is one of the older recruits currently in the program. More..... |
11 March
 Sailors
say this submarine has been ravaged by bed bugsThe crew of the fast-attack submarine Connecticut has been subjected to a bed bug infestation in their racks, and sailors assigned to the sub allege that the boat’s command has been slow to fix the problem. The infestation issue began while the sub was taking part in ICEX 2020 in the Arctic Ocean in March 2020 and continued during a deployment last year, according to a Connecticut petty officer who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. More..... |
10 March Beijing
replicates its South China Sea tactics in the HimalayasEmboldened by its cost-free expansion in the South China Sea, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s regime has stepped up efforts to replicate that model in the Himalayas. In particular, China is aggressively building many new villages in disputed borderlands to extend or consolidate its control over strategically important areas that India, Bhutan and Nepal maintain fall within their national boundaries. More..... |
|
10 MarchBonds
renewed between HMAS Choules and Mallacoota THE unbreakable ties between HMAS Choules and the town of Mallacoota, forged during the 2019 bushfire crisis, have been recognised with the announcement of the town as Choules’ ceremonial homeport. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said during Operation Bushfire Assist Choules conducted the largest domestic maritime evacuation, with residents and holiday makers transported from Mallacoota to Hastings, Victoria. More..... |
10 March Microsoft
Exchange VulnerabilitiesAustralian organisations are being urged to access and follow updated advice from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) following vulnerable Microsoft Exchange systems being compromised by malicious cyber actors. Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP, said Australian organisations should take immediate steps to urgently patch vulnerable systems. More..... |
09 March Australia
should do more than just wait for the Attack-class submarines to
arriveDebate on Australia’s future submarines is understandably focused on the information that floats out of the Defence Department about France’s Naval Group and the $80 billion program to design and build the boats. It’s very sensible to be concerned about the program because of the contrast between the assurances Defence officials provide to parliament that everything is proceeding according to plan and the episodic need for high-level political intervention to resolve fundamental issues between Defence and its French industrial partner. More..... |
08 March Childhood
curiosity opened door for engineerHead of Navy Engineering Rear Admiral Kath Richards was little more than a toddler when she got her first taste of the Navy. Then three years old, she was visiting her father, Rear Admiral Geoff Bayliss, Fleet Medical Officer in aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. More..... |
05 March $50m
Vietnam Vets museum plans unveiledPlans for a new $50 million National Vietnam Veterans Museum will go to Bass Coast Shire this month, with an ambitious target to start construction later this year. General manager Phil Dressing last week confirmed a planning permit was being sought for a museum, to be built on a 100-acre site opposite the current museum, with access from the Cape Woolamai roundabout. More..... |
05 MarchGrants
open for ex-service organisations EX-SERVICE organisations (ESOs) who help veterans and their families are invited to apply for the 2021 Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program which is now open. ESOs across the country deliver extensive services to veterans and their families including leisure activities, transition support, assisting with claims, rehabilitation and wellbeing programs and hosting many commemorative events and activities. More..... |
|
05 March Voyages Endeavour to build confidence in youth |
|
05 March Paying
respects on Navy’s birthdayA commemoration service was held at Brighton Cemetery in Victoria on March 1 to remember Vice Admiral Sir William Rooke Creswell. Officers and sailors from HMAS Cerberus joined Senior Naval Officer Victoria Commodore Greg Yorke for the ceremony, which included a wreath laying and coincided with the RAN’s 120th birthday. More..... |
05 March Changing
course for the betterAble Seaman Brianna Briscoe joined Navy four years ago, changing course from an otherwise desperate future. The Indigenous aircraft technician’s story starts in rural communities around Laramba, north-west of Alice Springs. From a young age, the Anmatyerr woman was exposed to substance abuse and violence. Aged 19, battered and in an abusive relationship, she started questioning her life choices. “I look back now and think ‘holy crap, what were you thinking’ and I feel really grateful I had people pushing me to do better,” she said. More..... |
05 March Commemorating
the Battle of Sunda StraitOne of Australia’s toughest military involvements, the Battle of Sunda Strait was commemorated at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on March 1. The Battle of Sunda Strait was a naval battle, which occurred during World War II in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra. More..... |
05 March Tim
Tams cap off exercise with NZ shipThe crew of HMAS Hobart used a replenishment-at-sea exercise to pass gifts to the crew of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest ship, HMNZS Aotearoa, in a show of camaraderie. Navy’s guided missile destroyer rendezvoused with Aotearoa off the coast of Sydney on March 1. A Hobart ship’s cap, ship’s coin, and packet of Tim Tam biscuits, packaged in a COVID-19 safe manner, were sent over to Aotearoa in the messenger bag. More..... |
05 March Remembering HMAS Armidale Association newsletter No.6 is now available to download..... |
04 March
 Birthday
a time to reflect on the pastThe celebration of Navy’s 120th birthday on March 1 gave personnel the opportunity to reflect on their own service and that of their families. The aviation technician trainees and Navy staff at the RAAF School of Technical Training at RAAF Base Wagga marked the milestone with a dawn colours ceremony beside the HMAS Sydney (I) flagpole in the Victory Memorial Gardens. More..... |
|
Moving towards gender equality |
|
03 March Chef
tastes successIced Vo-Vo after Iced Vo-Vo, pâtissier Leading Seaman Maritime Logistics – Chef Submarines Ryan Brooks was working at Arnott’s when an opportunity for adventure came across his marble pastry board. Taking a six-month sabbatical in Thailand, Leading Seaman Brooks was introduced to the world of Asian cuisine during a cultural tastebud immersion. More..... |
03 March Huge
maintenance task a firstThe recent completion of HMAS Canberra's maintenance is the first time an operation on such a scale had been performed in Australia. Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group’s Head Maritime Systems Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said successful completion of the maintenance period at Fleet Base East in Sydney was testament to the collaboration between Defence and Australian industry. More..... |
03 March Training
ensures crews prepared for emergenciesIf there was a fire or a toxic hazard was discovered aboard Navy replenishment vessel HMAS Sirius, the crew would know exactly how to respond. That is because they, in company with frigate HMAS Anzac, have spent the past two weeks conducting damage-control training. More..... |
03 March Voyages
endeavour to build confidence in youthThe national Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour has completed its first voyage since sailing was suspended in March last year because of COVID-19. Sixteen young Australians taking part in the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme and the Navy crew embarked for the 11-day COVID-safe voyage on February 13. More..... |
|
Navy celebrate their 120th Birthday |
|
02 March Veteran
founded organisation delivers first assistance dogTHE first Psychiatric Assistance Dog trained by veterans, for veterans, has moved home with her veteran handler in Canberra. The veteran founded not-for-profit specialist service, Integra Service Dogs Australia, helps veterans manage their post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has delivered its first dog under the Federal Government’s Psychiatric Assistance Dog Program. More..... |
01 March Tasmanian
pride on show as HMAS Sheean visits stateHMAS Sheean berthed at Beauty Point in northern Tasmania at the weekend in the first of a series of port visits in the state. Navy Commander of Submarines Captain Doug Theobald said the Collins-class submarine would also visit Hobart, Burnie and Devonport in the coming months. More..... |
|
HMAS Sheean visits Tasmania |
|
01 March FlyByA periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. March..... |
01 March Royal
Australian Navy commemorates 120th birthdayA commemorative service at the Navy Memorial, Anzac Parade Canberra has marked the Royal Australian Navy’s 120th birthday. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO, RAN said Navy can draw strength and honour from humble beginnings 120 years ago. More..... |
|
DIARY OF EVENTS
NOTE:
Due to COVID-19, it is advisable to check with the coordinators to
confirm whether the event you were planning to attend is still going ahead. It's Time
Membership
|
 RAN Website |
|
|
