Farewell HMAS Warramunga by Anna C

On Sunday West Australian quilters were offered the opportunity to attend at HMAS Stirling Naval Base to say farewell to HMAS Ballarat as she and her crew left on a nine month deployment to the Middle East as part of Operation Manitou.  Being over in Perth I often look on longingly at Eastern States AHQ get-togethers so some of us jumped at the chance, of not only attending this wonderful occasion, but also getting the chance to meet some other WA quilters. 

Sunday 28/Oct was a beautiful morning here in Perth and we met up early at the entrance to the Causeway leading over to HMAS Stirling.  Note to self, there are lots, and lots, and lots of cars lining up to get through the check gates on a farewell morning!  As we patiently waited a massive pelican watched over the line of cars coming in, quite disinterested in all this activity early on a Sunday morning. 

I proudly announced that I, and the ladies behind me, were representatives of Aussie Hero Quilts, and we were signed in and given our passes.  We then made the long and rather beautiful drive over the Causeway onto Garden Island. 

We followed the crowd and found our way onto the wharf where HMAS Ballarat was tied up, looking picture perfect.  The Navy Band was playing, a mixture of jazz and modern, and sounding wonderful, the singers in particular wouldn’t have been out of place in the 1940’s with the Andrews Sisters!

The four of us then had a chance to catch up, myself, Jenny and Joan from Perth, and Jo who had done the drive all the way up from Albany just for the chance to come along to this! (That’s a good five hour drive for those who don’t know WA too well)  Jo and I recognized each other by our distinctive AHQ badges!  We got to board the ship and had the obligatory photo in front of the helicopter.

Jenny spotted a sumptuous morning tea on the go so we popped over to the tent for a cuppa and a scone or two.  There was much discussion about sewing, laundry bags, and of course the all important question, do you or don’t you put Tim Tams in the package?

The speeches then started, in particular Commander Paul Johnson mentioned Aussie Hero Quilts so I felt we just had to go up and introduce ourselves afterwards.  I tried to find out what his quilt request was but he seemed a bit cagey about it.....  The Reverend also gave a lovely speech where he mentioned Chupa Chups solve many problems – well you know what is going in the next parcel!

At the end of the speeches it was announced that there would be 15 minutes for everyone to say goodbye and the ship would be leaving.  Somehow Warrant Officer Thomas Costello who had been our liaison found us in the crowd and had a quick chat to us.  He solved our issue of Tim Tams saying that packages sat on the wharves in blazing sun and all the chocolate melted so don’t send them!  But surely, we reasoned, a Tim Tam in any form, even a melted one, is worth it. 

While we were having a giggle over this we were surrounded by long hugs from crew members to their families and friends, children smiling bravely, young women with tears running down their faces, and I have to say, a lump in my throat at it all.  The crew made their way onto deck, and stood to attention as the ship slowly pulled out to waves, shouts of “love you Daddy!” and more tears. 

We made our way back to our cars and the long line now leaving Garden Island.  It was a lovely experience, certainly slightly less emotional for us than others, but very worthwhile.  This time as I drove back over the causeway I noticed three majestic Sea Eagles sitting atop the lights, again watching the goings on.  It was a fitting end to a rather wonderful experience.

Jenny N WA, Anna C, Jo R and Joan S

Thanks Anna, 
wish I could have been there. 

Till next time,.... keep spreading the word and happy stitching!

Jan-Maree xx