HMAS Nirimba Biennial Commemoration and Re-dedication...

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 17, 2023 7:57 pm

I have transferred Brian's post (below) from the Defence News topic as both Brian and I attended the event and I have a number of photos :happy3:

and a report :evil3:

to upload to this new topic in due course...

Stroppy Chippie wrote:

HMAS NIRIMBA BIENNIAL END OF AN ERA COMMEMORATION & REDEDICATION SERVICE

The President and Members of the Nirimba Sub-Section, in conjunction with the faculty of the Nirimba Education Precinct will be holding our Biennial
End of an Era Ceremony on Saturday 17th June 2023 commencing at 1030 and we cordially invite you to attend our Commemoration and Re-Dedication Service
at the Memorial Rose Garden and Walls in the Nirimba Education Precinct, Eastern Road, Nirimba Fields, NSW. We ask that guests are seated by 1015.

POC for the Nirimba Sub Section is Sub Section Member Michael Nash (Email:nirimbasubsection@yahoo.com or Mobile 0430 044 273) Please RSVP by 10th
June 2023. It is requested with your RSVP to provide a contact mobile number in case of late changes.

Yours Sincerely

Malcolm Alexander Honorary Secretary Nirimba Sub-Section Naval Association of Australia

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2023 1:58 am

To offer some points:

...Official Program of Service/ Invite

Keynote speaker was Captain Geoff Cole AM, RAN (Rtd) who gave the history of the base (last Commanding Officer of HMAS Nirimba). Guest speaker was Captain Victor Pilicic, CSC, RAN (Commanding Officer of HMAS Kuttabul and there on behalf of CN). Keynote speaker Mr Anthony Mitri who is the acting CEO of the Western Sydney University (The College) and Provost of the Nirimba Campus.
RAN Band ensemble and singer (excellent).
NSW RFS ceremonial personnel for the flag work during the course of the proceedings.
I was remiss in not speaking with Geoff Cole at the gathering after (my bad), as I was talking to a former Pussers member and civilian Nirimba instructor David ? (really annoyed as I remembered his name last year) and his wife (who is involved with TAFE on the precinct). Suggestions that there was going to be wholesale removal of TAFE courses from Nirimba have been overstated (realisation that there is a large TAFE training commitment on the site). It would seem that the MEDB is now an expanded Chippies workshop.
Rick and I motored around the former base to see the level of change from his day (I could only offer insight as to the last five years). "Getting bearings" appeared the single most difficult action, only assisted when I pointed out the former barge/swimming pool site and the remains of the parade ground grandstand.
No doubt Ricks report will be way more cohesive and have images.

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Fri Jun 23, 2023 10:57 pm

Firstly,

thankyou Brian, :notworthy:

by subbing for me whilst I was tackling 'writer's block', you've done :laughing3:

most of the report :evil3:

I was getting around to... :happy:

eventually... :roll:

Here's the pics..! :happy3:

After guests and dignitaries were assembled and seated, the program began with introductions (at dias) :laughing3:

by Event Organiser/ MC Michael Nash, Nirimba Sub-Section of the Naval Association of Australia...

Completing introductions was facilitated by Mr David Geddes, President of the Nirimba Sub-Section of the Naval Association of Australia on the microphone, backed up by Michael Nash behind the RAN Crest...

After a brief opening prayer delivered by Senior Chaplain Andrew Thorburn, RAN, and a hymn beautifully rendered by Leading Seaman Kirsten Robinson, the Keynote Speaker was invited to take the stand...

...none other than CAPT Geoff Cole, AM, RAN (Rtd) CO HMAS Nirimba 1991 - 1993.

Following Geoff Cole and another hymn by vocalist LS Kirsten Robinson, the Second Guest Speaker, Representing VADM Mark Hammond AM, RAN, CN was CAPT Viktor Pilicic, CSC, RAN, CO HMAS Kuttabul...

After Geoff and Viktor's addresses, (and The Naval Hymn, sung by Kirsten,) next address was by Mr Anthony (man-bun) Mitri, Acting CEO, Western Sydney University, The College, Provost, Nirimba Campus,
handing over once again to Senior Chaplain Anthony Thorburn for a prayer for the wounded and grieving [-o<

before calling Mal Alexander, Nirimba Sub-Section Secretary to solemnise with 'The Naval Ode'...

I feel a special mention warranted here for the musicians, AB Phil Edey, AB Isabella Harvey, AB Jarred Callaghan, AB Chris Davis, AB Andrew Jeffries and vocalist, LS Kirsten Robinson of a specifically chosen
Naval Quintet section of the RAN Band (Sydney) who specialise in just this sort of event. Vocalist Leading Seaman Kirsten Robinson (resplendent in her official uniform pregnancy smock,) :biggrin:

sang like an angel,
(and I'm pretty hard to impress,) but even more impressive was bugler, Able Seaman Phil Edey, (RHS wearing sunnies and his bugle on the deck alongside of him.) It is so, so sad to attend an official military
event, only to have the Last Post and or Reveille massacred #-o

by some high school muso/ boy scout wannabe learning to 'toot the flute'..! :roll:

I was sitting/ standing next to Brian McKenzie, no stranger with
a bugler in his family, (his wife, Verna 'Toots' McKenzie,) and we both agreed, AB Phil Edey's rendition of both the Last Post and Reveille (the Navy version at long last,) were :prayer:

SIMPLY FLAWLESS...! :notworthy:

Finally, in closing off, let me say that I've attended a few of these Re-Dedication/ Commemoration Ceremonies over the years, and this was the best one yet, Keynote/ Guest Speakers were witty and engaging,
the 'Padre' was a hoot, :lol1:

the RAN Band Quintet and Vocalist very polished and professional, the organisers were organised and the Nirimba Education Precinct hosts accommodating and respectful of our
heritage and our legacy... :-k

There were actually more attending this one than any of the others I'd attended... :omg1:

As none of us are getting any younger, :old1:

I would encourage each of you able to get to one of these events to do so... :yess:

They are planning to return to an annual, rather than a bi-annual event from
here on in... $\:D/$

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2023 1:30 am

Rick, excellent presentation. Just have to add that DEEFAS plaque was at the head of the rose garden just behind where we were sitting.

Where is the image of the grounds for the grandstand (and the view across the airfield)?

:evil3:

Webmaster's Footnote: Here's a photo :happy3:

(not taken by me,) of DEEFA's grave [-o<

and the others you'll find in the :type:

'Photos from the back of the drawer...' topic...
...(AFTER I finish the Footy Results a bit later tonight..!) :happy:

Chippy Ned · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2023 8:06 am

I agree with Brian Rick, that is an excellent presentation. A lot of nostalgia in that place. :fantastic:

BC · **Posted:** Sat Jun 24, 2023 9:52 am

Agree, nicely presented Rick & Brian.

My first impression regarding the vocalist was, why wasn't she in winter rig and why did she tuck her shirt in?

So, it's a pregnancy smock. I now have to get my head around all these blokes, walking around these days, wearing pregnancy smocks! :omg:

Hippy Chippy · **Posted:** Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:48 am

I guess there won't be too many more :laughing3:

HMAS Nirimba Memorial Commemorations and Re-dedications according to this:
............... :type:

After 30 years Western Sydney University has abandoned Blacktown City... :omg1:

"After 30 years Western Sydney University has abandoned Blacktown City.

WSU has reduced courses at its Nirimba until it has become unviable to continue.

I am furious that people and organisations make out to be friends of Western Sydney and then dump on Blacktown.

It's time for the people of Blacktown to stand together against these fake friends and take our business to those who actually care about us.

I encourage local students to consider Australian Catholic University (ACU), the only uni that has fully embraced and is proud of its presence in Blacktown."

Mr Stephen Bali MP (ALP) Member for Blacktown

(For further public thoughts and discussion on the subject, after accessing the video clip in the link above, click on the 'Comments' button,
where our own Brian 'Stroppy Chippie' Mackenzie has also added his bit...) :argue:

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Sat Mar 22, 2025 11:42 pm

Whilst I do not dispute the threat to the Nirimba Educational Precinct site, Stephen Bali tends to be a tad inconsistent. When he was "courting" the Australian Catholic University to move onto a site in the Blacktown CBD, he only spoke of them being the first university presence in the City of Blacktown (NO mention of Nirimba and WSU). NO thought to have the ACU move onto the Nirimba site at any time (even though it has land to spare, close to transport and is an educational precinct - the only such precinct in the City of Blacktown).

When he was Mayor of Blacktown he was instrumental in "ursurping" an area of land in Glendenning that had been purchased by the State Government for use by the Kennel and Training Club (and open space), to become the "new" dog pound. He even went cap in hand to the State Government, asking for them to help fund the build of the facility, stating that Council were supplying the $15 million of land for the project. The State Government land transfer agreement saw Council pay $1 for the land, for use by the kennel and training club (and open space) with the requirement to return the land if council determined to change the use of the land. Council did not advise either the Department of Planning or Western Cities Parkland of the conditions and the build of the pound was approved (again to the detriment of the kennel and training club).

Now, I am going to assume that the Nirimba site would have a similar caveat on it, WSU not owning the site (given over to them for a nominal fee with conditions), so their move away costs them nothing. TAFE have been looking to move much of their training to their Kingswood campus but this has been stifled a little due to the area required to conduct the practical part of the training. TAFE currently uses the former MEDB facility, the four refurbished Wellman hangars, the former welding school and the building on the other side of the road (southern side) from the Wellman Hangars.

It would seem only time will tell whether Nirimba becomes a greater part of the Nirimba Fields suburb.

HMAS Nirimba Biennial Commemoration and Re-dedication...

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