I'll second that. Privileged to spend time with a great bunch of people. Cheers all.

_________________
Brian Mackenzie
ex-Shipwright Instructor
Oct '88 to Dec '93 (NIRIMBA) before and beyond

Weather forcast for today: Clouds developing, but 29 degrees,
a great day for today's BBQ and Cruise...

And thanks to the Chief of Navy, another Australian White Ensign and
Banner Day for the 45th Birthday of The MOBI Yacht 'Nirimba'...




Hmmmmmm... Nobody else up yet... O.K. then, I'm off to RANSA...!

_________________

Rick Pengilly
WEBMASTER
Ex-CPOMTH3
R42630
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'74
HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Melbourne - HMAS Cerberus - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Lonsdale - HMAS Tarangau - HMAS Nirimba - HMAS Brisbane

Helluva of day, so pleased I made it.
Great to see so many past acquaintenances and friends.
Thanks heaps you guys and if the good lords willing and the creeks don't rise I hope to make it again next year.
Cheers all

_________________
Graeme 'Smiley' Rhodes
R94714
Ex-CPOMTP(D)5
Jan'65 Leeuwin Intake (10th) - Jan'66 Nirimba Intake (20th)
Jan'65 to Mar '88
Leeuwin, Nirimba, Stalwart, Samarai, Lae, Penguin, Curlew, Buccaneer, Navy Office, Barbette, Cairns, RANTTU (based in Port Moresby), Stirling, Bunbury.

Just got home after driving back after the BBQ at RANSA. Once again we had an absolute ball, lots of laughs and frivovility.

I met a few blokes for the first time and renewed heaps of old aquaintences, the company was superb, the booze was delicious, shit I might go again next year.

_________________

John Kelly (WEBMASTER)
R42620
Ex-WOMTH
13th MOBI Intake
July'62 to July'83
Nirimba x3 - Rushcutter - Sydney x2 (Carrier) - Melbourne (Carrier) - Penguin - Kuttabul - Creswell x3 - Stalwart x2 - Brisbane.

Once again, I have sore sides from laughing so much, an empty wallet, and a questionable digestive system from drinking a great deal more than I should (you'll notice I didn't say 'drinking too much ).

I feel sorry for the poor young girls that the lechers in our group accosted and forced them into 'photo opportunities'. You'll note if you ever see the phots that they all have the 'get me outta here' look........

During both days when I looked around at all these boozing, bullshitting, babe-mauling old sailors I kept thinking "How good is this??!!" and that I'm now impatient for the next one to come around.

The flight home was as rough as guts due to the storms around Sydney and NSW, and it's good to be home to relax and get back to normal.

....but I wish there was another run next week......


and for Mick Thompson, over there in Loch Frozenarse, Scotland:

You missed another great one, brother!!

_________________

Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

Would love to have been there.

_________________
Mike (Pony) Moore
O42860
Ex-LT GLEN(ME)
16th MOBI intake
Jan 64 - Jul 88.
Anzac, Nirimba, Stalwart, Moresby, Creswell, Waterhen, Penguin, Vampire, GMGID (PJP), Coonawarra, Attack, Ardent, Cook, Kuttabull, Cerberus.

May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.

Your presence was sorely missed, Mike. We desperately needed someone of excellent character there to control the lechers - who were all tiffies!!!

Weyling, Maxwell, Staples, Kelson. The usual suspects............

_________________

Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

....and before the bleating and counter-accusations start, no, I saw no Chippies besmirching their own good reputations!!

_________________

Chris O'Keefe
R43136
Ex WO Chippy
19th MOBI Intake
July 65 to July 85
HMAS Nirimba X 4 -Penguin-Sydney-Queenborough - Creswell - Moreton - Stalwart - Platypus - Coonawarra Reconstruction Team 76 - Platypus - Hobart - Cerberus - FHQ - Coonawarra.

Anyone can be ordinary. Shipwrights choose to be extraordinary!

I am sure that was only because you were up to you a** in besmirching your own reputation and didn't have time to look

_________________
Mike (Pony) Moore
O42860
Ex-LT GLEN(ME)
16th MOBI intake
Jan 64 - Jul 88.
Anzac, Nirimba, Stalwart, Moresby, Creswell, Waterhen, Penguin, Vampire, GMGID (PJP), Coonawarra, Attack, Ardent, Cook, Kuttabull, Cerberus.

May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.

That is why I will need to be there next year ---me being of excellent character as well. And you lot need a young ex dibbie to look after you.

_________________
Bruce Francis
R112774
JRTE 40TH Intake
July 72-June73
Ex WM,QMG,Bosun,Paid off Sept 93
Leeuwin,Cerberus x3, Lonsdale, Watson, Coonawarra(DNB), Harman.
Supply, Melbourne, Vampire, Attack, Ardent, Brisbane x2, Fremantle(Commissioning Crew), Sydney-FFG 03(Commissioning Crew), Hobart, Cessnock. Go the Mighty Magpies