HMAS ADELAIDE
So, when you think of going on a cruise what comes to mind? The cruise ships to choose from-
Princess or Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard Cruises, or Celebrity cruises.
What about the largest ship in the Royal Australian Navy- HMAS Adelaide? Well, that was the
unique and wonderful opportunity I had to go on a three day cruise to Eden on HMAS
Adelaide.
HMAS Adelaide and FLYCO
Well, you must be wondering how I got this amazing opportunity. To go back in time, to July
last year 2022, when I had dinner at Jan-Maree’s home to meet and personally present my
recipient with his bespoke quilt and laundry bag. I had picked the request off the request list,
who knew what would happen with that request. He is a FLTLT (Flight Lieutenant) in the Royal
Australian Air Force currently assigned to HMAS Adelaide. He said that when Adelaide had a
family event, he would invite me. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I received a message
would I like to go on a three day cruise to Eden. To say I was stunned and gobsmacked was
an understatement!
As we had to be at Fleet Base East HMAS Kuttabul at 7am Jan-Maree kindly and generously
offered that she would take me in and that I could stay the night at her home. Due to excitement, I had trouble going to sleep and woke up at 4am and could not go back to sleep. I had to be up at 5am anyway.
We had a quick and smooth trip in. Thank goodness Jan-Maree knows where she is going.
So, in ahead of time we sat in the office watching the contractors going in, crew members and then outside seeing families roll up with their little bags. There were 180 family and guests that were invited on board. Had my name marked off while sitting waiting in the office by a crew member.
Keeping an eye out for my recipient out of the office window we spotted him with his little
brother 13years and sister 8 years. Eight years is the minimum age to be on board. The
families had gathered and there were lots of children with a range of ages. We then farewelled
Jan-Maree and walked around over a temporary bridge which is where they put ships into dry
dock and on around the back of the base to where Adelaide was moored.
Upon walking up the gang plank it was then the workout of stairs started. The stair wells are
steep metal steps with narrow treads. It is here that the cardio workout starts as you go from
one deck to another. A stairwell on board ship is called a trunking. It is numbered system
showing the deck and where it is located in the ship.
My recipient took me to my cabin on deck two, to drop off my suitcase. I had the cabin to
myself with a tiny ensuite and the tiniest shower I have ever experienced, only enough room to turn around. Ladies you could not shave your legs in this tiny shower. The water would spill
over the little metal lip into the ensuite, wetting the floor. I set up my bed with a quilt I had made as my recipient had told me the air conditioning is rather fresh. The phone in cabin and
elsewhere in the ship have magnets to hold the handpiece onto the base. I then went around
the corner and down the corridor a little to my recipient's cabin to meet up and we went out
onto the flight deck to check it out and view Sydney harbour.
Ensuite
Bunk
As it was United Nations Day all our ships were flying the UN flag. The front, bow of the ship
was flying the Australian flag on a detachable mast and at aft the White Ensign. The mast and
Australian flag are removed once we push off from the dock as it is classed as at sea.
We certainly had a wonderful day of sunshine and a nautical display. We watched the RHIB
coming back. A RHIB is a Rigid Hull Inflatable boat that is used to provide security. This craft is
lowered from the side of the ship.
As HMAS Adelaide is an amphibious ship it takes several
hours for the ship to dock down-that means flooding the back of the ship to lower it into the
water to allow the LLC-landing craft to enter and exit. Adelaide has two LLC, more about those
later. Then three hours to pump the water out to bring the ship up again before we could leave.
While we were waiting for the ship to dock once the LLC was on board, we got to enjoy a very
rare treat. The USS Oakland had come into Sydney for a few days and came right passed us
while we were on the flight deck.
Nose of USS Oakland coming around us
USS Oakland coming around HMAS Adelaide
USS OAkland and crew backing in
Back of USS Oakland and tug
The US ship had a police escort, and they stay with ship the whole time she is berthed in
Sydney. The USS Oakland is a combat ship built for speed. Her futuristic design was like
something out of Jules Verne’s 20,00 Leagues Under the Sea.
The officer of the Day on HMAS Adelaide always wears a white uniform. The officer of the day saluted the ship as it passed us. We watched as the crew
of the USS Oakland crew in whites stood at ease as they passed us.
USS OAKLAND AND CREW
HMAS Adelaide is an LHD ship as is her sister ship Canberra and also HMAS Choules. That
means Landing Helicopter Dock. These three ships are all amphibious and are used for
humanitarian purposes. Australia does not have an aircraft carrier as we do not have aircraft
that have jump capabilities.
We departed Sydney Harbour later than intended. The tugs came to assist. Always fun to
watch these amazing little boats do their job with these HUGE ships. We farewelled Sydney.
Tugs
Leaving Sydney harbour-bridge
Sydney skyline as we leave
We took the opportunity to go up the ramp of the ship at front and join other families, to get a
birds eye view of sailing out through the heads. It was very windy as we went out the heads.
From the ramp leaving Sydney
Ramp with families as we sail out the heads
Going through the heads Sydney
After lunch we had to assemble on the LVD at the TAA. Yes, this is how they talk and how they
communicate over the PA (public address) system. The LVD is the light vehicle deck. This is
where aid containers, Utes, trucks and personal vehicles are stored. The TAA is a little green
tin shed with a counter at one end of the LVD.
Here we were welcomed by the CO (Commanding Officer) Captain Troy Duggan. He told us it
is normal to get lost and to ask any crew for help. He spoke about HMAS Adelaide being the
friendliest ship in the Navy and that it was a positive supportive environment.
CO Captain Troy Duggen
Many of the visitors had been given an official HMAS Adelaide cap by their family or sponsors.
There was one very special cap.
CO's Mum
Even the Captain had family on board, his Mum and his 13 year old son who is currently
enjoying being in Air Cadets when home.
I did check with different crew about Adelaide being the friendliest ship and they all backed up
what the Captain said. They had worked in other environments, and this was markedly
different with an encouraging, helpful environment that has been carried on from the previous
Captain and stems from the top. Adelaide has this reputation amongst the other ships.
We were handed over to the crew to watch and take in the safety information while on board
and watch the PowerPoint presentations, such as no running, close doors etc. Glad we were
not tested on all the information that we were provided with. We were all issued with our safety glow stick a Chem light tactical light that we had to carry with us at all times. The wrapping had to be torn open for quick use if anyone fell overboard. Then you had to pull it out and snap in half to activate the light and hold it up until you were rescued. No one had to use it.
Chem Light
We were all issued with an LHD Welcome Aboard handbook with our name, who our sponsor
was, where our cabin was e.g. 2-12-4-L as well as our arrival and departure dates. It contained a range of safety information, emergencies information, administration, map of evacuation points, statics of the ship and images of Australian Defence Force Ranks and Insignia. With the numbering system the first number is the deck you are on e.g. -2. Deck two is a good place to be as this is where the eating areas are, you can do the length of the ship and go from port to starboard. The second number indicates where you are on the ship in terms of its length. The aft end (back) of the ship starts at 0 and the numbers get higher (up to 316) as you get closer to the bow (front) end of the LHD.
The third number indicates which side of the ship you are on. Compartments on the centreline
are designated with a 0, those on the port side are even numbers and those on the starboard
side are odd numbers. So, with this information then where is cabin 2-12-4-L?
Basically aft (back) of the ship on the main deck for meals and canteen. This also was the deck that most officers were on.
Cap and handbook
After our safety briefing, we had to take all our electrical appliances to be checked and tagged
before we could use them. Once this was completed, we were divided into groups for a tour of the ship. More stairs. We had a tour of the HVD Heavy Vehicle Deck where tanks and bush masters are stored. Then onto the Dentist, well the dental area near the dispensary and hospital. The ship has a full operating room, ICU, bed areas just like any other hospital for the different levels of care. As one of the nurses explained that sometimes she will allow a crew member to sleep in sick bay to get a good night’s sleep due to a snorer in their room.
When they go on humanitarian missions, like when they went to Tonga Assist, then the reservist doctors and nurses come on board. There is a small medical crew on board at other times. They have kits for all types of different operations including a caesarean kit which may be needed on a humanitarian mission.
We were shown the CCS (Central Control Station). It is manned 24 hours a day. It is a large
room that is dimly lit with computers. As this is a secure area all mobile phones and hats must
be left outside. We were shown the 8 bed cabins used when the ship is transporting an Army contingent. They have a small bathroom of two showers and two or three toilets near their cabin. After the official tour my recipient took us up back up to FLYCO- Flight control office. More decks to pass and more stairs, it is right up the top about four steps away from the bridge.
My recipient and siblings in FLYCO
Due to his rank and position on the ship we could go up to the restricted area of FLYCO and
the Bridge any time. We could go and watch what was happening on the bridge, go out the
side door and look through the big telescope next the Morse lamp used for optical
communication by flashes of the lamp typically using Morse code. FLYCO is a friendly place
where crew from the bridge come in to use the coffee machine and have a chat. It is a perfect
vantage point to see what is going on with all the windows.
My recipient explained to me that in FLYCO they check the wind speed and tell the ship to turn so the helo’s (helicopters) can take off and land. A lot of communication from FLYCO to the bridge occurs. There are eight spots on the deck for the helicopters to land. The rotor blades of the helicopters look like they are going to come in through the windows of FLYCO when they land. HMAS Adelaide has Chinook helicopters. They take up two spaces on deck, they also have Sea Hawks and Tiger helicopters. They are getting Blackhawk’s and Apache helicopters. To move the helicopters to the lower LVD deck, a section of the flight deck is lowered down with the helicopter on, from there it is moved. There are also drones on the ship which are large. The Drone pilots wear flying suits.
Drone
We ate all meals in the Ward Room Mess. This is for officers. No hats or children with hoodies
are allowed in the Ward Room. There are hooks outside to hang caps. Mealtimes are breakfast 6.30am, lunch 11.30am and dinner 5.30pm. Meals are served for an hour, and you eat and get out so the next lot of people can come in. There is a midnight meal for those who are on night shift. They get the leftovers from the dinner meal.
The Ward Room Mess is carpeted, has long dining tables and chairs, not like the other mess
where it is bench seats, lino floor and a much larger eating area. Some crew members are
stewards and refill the water and cordial jugs on the tables and remove your plates and
generally take care of you. All very nice.
Ward Room Dining Room
Breakfast options are fried eggs, only allowed two, scrambled egg, toast, porridge, pancakes
one of the mornings with maple syrup. There is Greek yoghurt, fruit selections, a range of
juices.
Lunch is always hot options. There are four options on the menu for lunch and dinner to
choose from on the wall for you to read as you come up to the hot food. Examples were Butter
Chicken with rice, Spaghetti Bolognese, Lamb Shank. Hot vegies are provided -carrots,
broccoli. There was a salad bar, cold meats, cheese and bread rolls they make on board, they
have a special machine in the kitchen that rolls and shapes the bread rolls so you can make a
roll if you don’t want a hot meal.
Dinner again four hot options. Examples Pork belly, gravy, jacket potatoes, vegies, Sweet n
Sour Pork, fried rice, Buffalo Wings. There is a selection of desserts, one only! Examples
Apple and Rhubarb Crumble with custard, Strawberry Cheesecake, Iced Chocolate Cake, Ice
cream. The meals were very good. You do not go hungry.
We were also allowed in the Ward Room. This is a relaxation area again only for officers. It is
carpeted, has circular lounges in the corners for watching TV. It has a small bar, but no alcohol
is served, only water and juice, large TV’s to watch the news, a board game table. If you know
or have the game Trouble it is that game. Or if like me you played and know it as Ludo with
your Nana it is the same game. You have four counters and roll the die to be the first to get all
your pieces home. If you land on a space where there is an opponent’s piece you send them
home. I was told there is a lot of cheating when they play this game. There was a video game
Mario Cart which my recipients siblings played a game on the second night before we went
back upstairs, more stairs to FLYCO to see the stars but it had become overcast on our
second night.
I quickly developed a sway and swagger on board. I would not have passed a Police Officer
walk the straight line test. This sway continued when I got home for a few days. My head kept
swaying if I stood still.
On our first night my recipients siblings had trouble keeping their eyes open, so it was an early
night to bed for them. I was taken to the Sailors mess for a game of Trivia. I was on the team
with my recipient's boss, his wife and another family member couple of the crew with their son.
It was great fun. We had picture rounds. We had to guess the old movie stars, we did really
well on that round. We had a caricature round. Another round we did well at. We should have
played our joker on one of those rounds. There was a practical task round. You needed four
team members. You were given a small difficult balloon to blow up, tie off and then using your
body you had to pop the balloon with another team member. We ended up coming second.
After Trivia walking back with my recipients boss, he showed me his Aussie Hero quilt that he
had got some years back that was proudly on display on his bed. His maker was Chris. From
his cabin I found my way back to my cabin for an early night as I was so tired. The corridors
have red lights on at night. These are to help with night vision. There is to be no white light that can spill out of the ship so that it cannot be detected. The bridge has red light and it very dark working up there at night.
After a shower then bed, my head hit the pillow and I was out. I was warm and snug in my
bunk even with the cool air conditioning. As we were aft (back) there was a lot of vibration in
the room and the weapons locker vibrated all the time with a rattling sound. I was so tired it did not bother me. Well, that was day one. A very eventful day.
Day 2
Up early to get ready and go to breakfast. From breakfast up the stairs to FLYCO to check out
the view. Climbing the stairs-trunking up the four levels over and over to go to FLYCO my
gluteus maximums started complaining, ouch!
The weather had changed. It was now grey and raining. We were close to Eden on the NSW
south coast. We watched whales breaching and their fins coming up and
slapping the water. As we got closer to Eden harbour we had four dolphins come along the
flight deck. We were in the perfect spot to watch all of this. We were excited to see all of this.
We had a big day coming up. We were not able to dock at the wharf as the lines there were not right so had to moor out in the harbour. As we were to be transported onto shore via the LLC. We had to meet at the TAA on the LVD at a certain time. Now I am testing your knowledge here with the acronyms.
While Adelaide is a humanitarian ship, she is required to carry a certain amount of ammunition
to protect herself. The ammunition is not stored in Sydney for security reasons. Eden harbour
is our third deepest natural harbour in the southern hemisphere. Civilians are not allowed to be on the ship while the process of loading ammunition was happening for safety reasons. So, we had the day wandering in Eden. At the set time we assembled on the LVD and waited and waited. There is a reference with Navy about time and assembling then you wait and wait and wait.
We had to make two lines and have our names marked off, just like on a school excursion. We
were issued with a life jacket and ear plugs. We got to watch the back door open and see the
flooded back half of the ship so that the LLC could move out. The weather had cleared into a
lovely day.
Flooded back of ship
Lined up to get on LLC
Lifejackets on inside the ship on LLC
On LLC leaving the ship
Out the back door of ship
Back of Adelaide from LLC
Leaving Adelaide
Back of other LLC
As we were on the second LLC, we got to watch the first LLC go into shore only to be turned
away, so we had a little tour of the bay. We had to go to a different place to disembark. We
passed a variety of boats as we came into shore.
Crew member to assist us off
Disembarking LLC at Eden
Crew helping us off LLC
We were met by two minibuses with Navy personnel who had driven the buses down from
Sydney and a local tour guide. We were taken for a short ride and highlights pointed out to us
before being taken into main street. Our guide told us that this year has been the best whaling
season with a range of whale species going past heading south with their calves.
Alighting the bus, we headed for a morning tea stop and decide on our plans for the day. We
had one of the crew’s Mum join us. Her son is the navigator of the ship and could not leave. As he is the navigator his is affectionately called “Gator” so the bridge crew named his Mum
“Mumgatior” so that is what she was referred to.
Walking up the street we stopped in at an antique shop and browsed. Continuing up the street
to the Eden Whaling Museum. As the Chamber of Commerce had been notified that we would
be coming the crew and their siblings were given free entry to the museum. Eden has a
population of 3,151. We sat and watched and very informative movie on Eden and the whaling
industry there, the importance of Old Tom a killer or Orca whale and the roll he and the pod
played in assisting one boat of sadly killing and harvesting whales. The whales knew the men
and protected them when they fell out of the boat. My recipient’s little sister and myself had
trouble keeping our eyes open during the movie.
Fun fact did you know that following
Australian Federation in 1901, Eden was a candidate for Australia’s capitol because of its
equal distance between Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania. We toured the museum and went
up the little light house there.
View form whaling museum Eden
Back down the street to the little café for lunch to then decide our next plans for the rest of the
afternoon as we had to be back at 3.45pm for the LLCs to pick us up. A local came in and was
talking to the lady behind the counter. It was heard him telling her that barges came in (not
barges though) with tourists on them. We laughed at this comment.
We headed down to the little wooden Catholic church that Mary Mackillop started a school in.
Her mother died in a ship wreak there and the people of Eden cared for her body till Mary
could come and collect her. To thank the people, she sent two nuns to start a school. So, it had a lot of history. From there we went for a walk along the board walk looking at the beautiful coastline.
View of beach at Eden
We headed back down the hill to the pickup point to meet the LLC’s. The clouds had turned grey. The wind had picked up and was blowing a cold breeze. A few of us sat on the minibus to get out of the cold and wet while we waited. There were cries when the landing craft were spotted. Coming back into the ship some people got wet from the sea spray.
HMAS ADELAIDE at Eden
LLC back door opening
Back of LLC on our way back
Coming back into the ship, back door down
As we were late back in, dinner had to be put back to accommodate us. After dinner we went up to FLYCO, more stairs up the trunkings, better than when I had been on HMAS Hobart with ladders and manholes to go through.
We were rewarded with a whale display probably mother and calf with fin slapping. FLYCO was a social and friendly place with the Padre coming up and some crew. As I had worn my AHQ badge each day a young man spoke to me about the joy he had from selecting from the 400 laundry bags that the crew had received earlier this year. He explained that he spent a lot of time going through them until he found one, he liked. He selected a T-Rex dinosaur bag. When I spoke to any recipient, I always asked did they
remember the name of their maker. His reply was there was no letter in his bag. He was
disappointed as he said he wanted to reply to them as he was very excited with his bag. So
important that we all follow our protocols of including a letter with everything we create for our
hard-working people.
On board there were several people from overseas countries that were part of the crew for a
period. A man from New Zealand in his all black uniform. An Army lady from Papua New
Guinea and an Air Force man from Malaysia.
At one meal we sat with a female officer who is in charge of food supplies and logistics. Her
husband and 8-year-old son were on board. She had her son working in the canteen each time it was open. He loved it and was always keen to go back. We often passed him on our way up to FLYCO and he was doing a great job. My recipient asked her could I have a tour of the kitchen and speak with staff for keeping my competencies up (I am a home economics teacher). She was fine and it was organised for the next day.
So, after another busy and tiring day it was early to bed for me. Well, that was day two.
Day 3
We were allowed an extra half hour sleep in as breakfast was half an hour later. On the daily
orders it stated there were to be presentations for crew and a photo opportunity with Aussie
Hero representative (me), on the LVD and that crew were to bring their laundry bags and quilts with them to the presentation later in the day.
While eating breakfast the announcement fire, fire, fire came over the address system with the details of where the fire was located. Talking later to a family member they saw the crew don the firefighting safety equipment, head to toe with full head cover, to attend to the emergency. This was not a drill. A short while later the announcement came over the address system that there was no fire, someone had a hot shower and opened the ensuite door and let the steam out and this had set off the smoke detectors. At least we know they work.
After breakfast we headed back up to FLYCO. There was something unique happening up on
the bridge that morning as we headed back to Sydney. The bridge was abuzz with activity, lots
of crew and a hive of activity going on in the bridge. The CO’s Mum was sitting in the captain’s
chair and Mumgatior in the only other chair silently watching what was happening. The captain
was standing to the side watching what was going on and asking questions. The captain came
into FLYCO and spoke to my recipient to set up a situation and to throw a whole lot of numbers to the man who was navigating the ship. He got on the phone to the bridge and in a calm manner re-laid information and numbers that the man had to deal with which could affect the course of the ship due to the wind and that the ship has to turn to accommodate the helicopter. My recipient explained what was going on through his laughing. A young man was being tested and assessed as he was going for his platform endorsement which is his license to drive the ship. A very big responsibility. My recipient was laughing as he set up a scenario and continued to provide updated information regarding the situation to the bridge via the phone in FLYCO.
I stepped into the bridge to see the proceedings, standing with others who were there watching at the back. The young man’s father was there watching. The navigator was issuing
instructions to the man, the captain asked him questions had this been done, do we have
information regarding certain things that were being thrown at him. He was very solemn and
was giving crew instructions and they would go and check things in folders.
The captain spotted me and came over and shook my hand and thanked me for all Aussie
Heroes does. He was very grateful for what they have done for his crew. We chatted for a
while. I asked him if the man doing the assessment was going to pass and he said yes. He
signed him off the previous night. He said that these young people get world class training and
do remarkable work. The things they do at such a young age speaks so much of the quality
training and responsibility they demonstrate. He spoke very highly of his people.
From there we went to LVD for the presentation. The crew were assembled on the deck. The
table was set up with the blue ironed cloth and the awards were all laid out. The family and
friends all stood around.
Crew assembled for presentation
You can see in the photos some crew in Army camo. When the ship is returning to port then
personnel wear their service camo not the Navy one that they wear out at sea.
The crew names were read out one by one, from their position in line they verbally responded
and then stepped forward. A crew member read out their achievements and the captain shook
their hand and presented them with their specific achievement award. They had their photo
taken with the captain then the family members joined them and had their photo taken with
them. A very special time for the crew members and their families. Finally, the young man who
had been put through his paces on the bridge was awarded with his platform endorsement
saying he can now drive the ship.
At the completion of the award ceremony the crew were reminded to bring their laundry bags
and quilts for a photo opportunity. The captain and I stood together in the middle while the
crew lined up around us and with great big smiles held up their hand-crafted gifts to
acknowledge and thank them for their service. I spoke with several recipients who wanted to
share with me the joy and excitement of receiving these treasured items.
Group Photo
One lovely young man who is a PT (physical trainer) and helped run the Trivia night shared his experience of selecting from the 400 bags. He preferred this to having a personalized request made for him. He said it was like Christmas with so much to choose from and the air f
excitement that was present. He said he thinks he went through 100 bags till he found the one
he liked.
One of the female stewards had her quilt and I recognized her maker. It was a
stunning Kath and Kim quilt. She said she never imagined anything like it. She thought she
might get some sort of small image of Kath and Kim. She got a large, appliqued image of Kath
and Kim and then as she explained she had Sharon appliqued as well down in the bottom
corner. She was so proud of her quilt and extoled the virtues of her maker which was Lyn R,
whom I contacted once I was home to share with her the joy of her recipient.
After seeing the display from the crew, a Mum who was on our Trivia team, spoke to me about
Aussie Heroes as she wanted to know more. She had not heard of them before and said she
would be looking them up. She explained to me that she could not believe the amount of detail
that was on the quilts. She was certainly impressed. Well, we do have amazing volunteers who work so hard to make fabulous designs to meet the recipient’s requests.
I was off for my kitchen tour before my last hot lunch. I was issued with a baker’s hat to wear
that had Adelaide’s crest embroidered on it. I got to keep it and can use in the future for work.
The kitchen crew member that took me around also shared his excitement of the laundry bag
that he got to select from the 400. He was so pleased with it and its useful functional purpose. I saw the largest washing up sink I have ever seen. I was taken to the different prep areas, got
to see the commercial cooking equipment, saw the different service areas for the different
messes. Had explained the about the stores they carry. They can carry enough fresh milk for
two weeks. He said the crew don’t like long life milk. Down below is a huge freezer and fridge
as well as a pantry. There is a lift in the kitchen where the cardboard rubbish is removed, and
the lift is used to bring food items up to the kitchen.
Food Prep in the Kitchen
Lunch Ready to Serve
I noticed when the crew were assembled for the presentation that some females had long
ponytails with their hair down their backs. I thought it had to be tied up all neat. Some of the
females had acrylic nails and were wearing nail polish. It was explained to me that there has
been changes to allow the females to do this now. This is to encourage members to remain in
the service. Some of the females said they have crazy nail days when out at sea.
So, consider our/your work life. Most of us have a set start and finish time. Some positions taken work home and continue to work at home at night. For others when it is knock off then that is that for the day. Consider that for most of us we can look out a window or leave the building and experience blue skies and feel the sunshine on our bodies. Or leave the building and spend our lunch break outside in fresh air and sunshine. We look forward to weekends to
pursue other things or take our kids to sporting activities or catch up with friends or family. We
look forward to those public holidays where we don’t have to go to work.
Now compare that to life on a ship. There are no weekends to sleep in and do what you want.
There are no windows to look of and see what the weather is doing. If something goes wrong,
you fix it whether you are supposed to have finished work or not. Officers most nights are
continuing to work in their cabins on computers doing more work after giving a full day of work. Given the work the crew do and where they do it, it was interesting to find out that they may not have seen sunshine or fresh air for a week. They must go up onto the back of the LVD deck or flight deck but consider this- helicopters taking off and landing, machinery being moved. So that does not make it easy to go outside and experience fresh air and sunshine. Thus, Vitamin D supplementation is needed. The support and comradery, the crazy nail days, the trivia nights are the things that connect and unite the crew together. No door is locked there is such a level of trust. Walking past cabins you see the personal touches such as the bed sheets, a quilt, stuffed animals on the bed or even an amazing fancy light display on the wall next the person’s bunk that we saw. People acknowledge you in passing and there is always someone there to help.
We watched from the back of the LVD the crew tie up Adelaide right outside the base office
with USS Oakland moored behind us. It was time to collect our luggage and disembark the
ship and back to our normal lives.
USS Oakland berth at Fleet Base East
Coming into berth with USS Oakland behind
Next year HMAS Canberra will be in for maintenance and so HMAS Adelaide with be the ship
to go to any emergency situations. I wish the amazing crew fair winds and safe travels.
It was a unique and wonderful experience that is a result of my volunteer work. I was so
blessed. A huge thank you to my wonderful kind, thoughtful, generous recipient and the crew
for a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience. My recipient certainly is a rare and remarkable
young man.
I hope I have helped you through my eyes to have a greater understanding of a life of service
and making sacrifices and the effect our work does in their lives.
I will leave you with this final insight. One of the wives said to her husband that after spending
time with him and seeing what he does said that “he doesn’t do much”!
Thank to Cath H for this amazing insight! What a once in a lifetime experience!!!
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