HMAS VOYAGER - lost 10 February 1964 after collision with HMAS MELBOURNE

Between 2100 and 2200 tomorrow, please pause for a moment in memory of the 82 men who lost their lives in this the worst peace-time accident in the history of the RAN.

"They have no grave but the cruel sea,

No flower lay at their heads,

A rusting hulk is their tombstone,

Afast on the ocean bed.

We will remember them"

John Face
02 6687 1383
Survivor

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Please find attached a media release from the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, regarding the anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Voyager on 10 February 1964.

For further information please contact Robert Hardie on 02 6277 3582.


Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
Liberal Senator for Victoria

M E D I A R E L E A S E
Thursday, 9 February 2012

Remembering the Voyager disaster

The anniversary of Australia's worst peacetime naval disaster is a timely reminder of the service and sacrifice of Australia's defence forces outside periods of conflict.

Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs, paid tribute to the memory of 82 sailors killed on 10 February 1964, and expressed his support for the survivors of the tragedy, and their families.

"The Voyager disaster remains Australia's worst peacetime naval disaster in our history", Senator Ronaldson said.

"At 8.56pm on 10 February 1964, Daring Class Cruiser HMAS Voyager collided with the naval aircraft carrier, HMAS Melbourne. The much larger Melbourne cut the Voyager in two, resulting in the loss of one in four members of the Voyager crew."

"Two Royal Commissions were held into the circumstances of the accident. This is the first time in Australian history that one incident has been inquired into by two separate Commissions."

Senator Ronaldson extended his thoughts to the families of the deceased and the survivors of the accident.

"On behalf of the Coalition I extend my sympathy and thoughts on the 48th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Voyager", Senator Ronaldson said.


______________________________
Robert Hardie
Adviser
Office of Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs | Liberal Senator for Victoria
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
Suite S1.32 | Parliament House | CANBERRA ACT 2600
 02 6277 3582 |  02 6277 5761

Level 17 | 90 Collins Street | MELBOURNE VIC 3000
 03 9650 0255 |  03 9650 9031

_________________

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

Funeral arrangements for the late Norman James (Jim) HILL (ex-CPOATWO R94227), are as follows.
Service at the HMAS Albatross Chapel at 10.30 on Monday 13th Feb 2012. Parking is available at the FAA Museum (on the right of the Main Gates at HMAS Albatross), where transport will depart for the Chapel, so be there earlier than the scheduled 10.30 service (except if you attending from on-board).
This service will be followed at 12.00 by a private cremation at the Worrigee Crematorium. Armourers, EMU Flight and 'Class of 64' members, are invited to attend. Those not attending Worrigee Crematorium, can make their way upstairs to the FAA Museum Function Room, where a get-together will be held.
By request, no flowers. Donations can be made on the day to the Melanoma Foundation"
Regards,
John Schonberger
President, ACT Division
Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia
PO Box 84
Civic Square ACT 2600
0412 882 810

_________________

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

Today is the 48th anniversary of the collision between the Melbourne and the Voyager.

Sad day in the history of the navy and the commencement of a sad period for the survivors in the manner the government treated them.

RIP

May they have fair winds and following seas.

_________________
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.

For Whom The Bell Tolls - CMDR A.M. K. Schaefer, RAN (Rtd)

It is with regret that the Pussers Greenies Organization records the passing of a shipmate and friend.

O50379 CMDR (WEEO) Alan Maxwell Keith SCHAEFER, aged 81

Passed away in Queensland, Wednesday 28th March, 2012, in the early hours of the morning.

Max joined the RAN in 1956, and saw active service on HOBART in Vietnam in 1970.

May you always have blue skies and gentle breezes Max.

Rest in Peace

Peter Maher
Executive.
--
'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

_________________

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

A sad story, Max was my boss in the gun system on Hobart in Vietnam and a real gentleman. He has also helped me recently with my DVA claims.

One of nature's gentlemen gone from us until we meet again, Vale Max

_________________
Norm Noack
R43049
Ex-WOETW4
18th MOBI Intake
Jan 65 to Jan 86
HMAS Nirimba (4yrs), HMAS Hobart (5yrs), RANTAU (2yrs), HMAS Stalwart (2yrs), HMAS Perth (2yrs), HMAS Stirling (2yrs), Navy Office (3yrs), HMAS Stirling (1yr). Civilian Engineering and construction (24yrs), Pensioner since 2010.

Death of RADM Graeme Shirtley RANR

HI Rick - FYI.

Tuesday a great man died! It is with much sadness that I must inform you that RADM Graeme Shirtley died Tuesday 27th March.

As we all know Admiral Shirtley contributed remarkably as our Patron of the Naval Reserve Association.

Admiral Shirtley contributed greatly and tirelessly to the cause of the Defence Health Service. Two days a week he would put aside the personal financial benefit of working in his own private practice to serve the Nation as Surgeon General and Surgeon General Reserves. He was a strong advocate for the troops under his command and addressed many issues that impeded the deployment of our members with respect to insurance in war zones and somewhat ameliorating the financial loss which all members suffer on deployment which is particularly hard for younger members with young families.

Admiral Shirtley took a great interest in the improvement and advancement of training and demonstrated this by regularly attending Professional Development training events where his insights and contribution to the discussions were always appreciated. He worked hard to establish contacts that could facilitate training in advanced surgical techniques and to enable access to the cutting edge facilities available in the USA.

Admiral Shirley's death is a great loss to the ADF.

• Graduated in Medicine ( MB,BS ) from University of New South Wales 1974

• Diploma in Diagnostic Radiology (DDR) 1979

• Fellowship Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

• Appointed as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine

• at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences Bethesda Maryland USA in 2002 ,

• Chairman CT Accreditation Guidelines and Quality Control Committee of RANZCR till 2005

• Radiology representative on Medicare Participation Review Committee for the Australian Government

• Joined RANR in 1970

• First 5 years as a sailor

• Commissioned 1975

• Chairman ADF Medical Imaging Consultative Group till 2005

• Appointed SGADF and promoted RADM 09 May 2005

• Title changed to SGDHR July 2008

• Chairman Australian Defence Human Research Ethics Committee

• Appointed Adjunct Assoc Prof at the University of Queensland in the Centre for Military and Veterans Health Feb 2006

• Patron Naval Reserve Association

• Patron Australian Military Medicine Association

We will advise funeral details once they are known

Kind regards,

Peter Lyons

Peter Lyons RFD
President,

Naval Reserve Association

_________________

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

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS - CAPTAIN BENJAMIN DUNN RAN

It is with great sadness that I advise of the sudden passing of Captain Benjamin Dunn RAN on Friday 30th March 2012.

Along with his many postings Ben served XO of HMAS Vendetta on the Vietnam trip (69-70) and later became CO of Vendetta (76-78).

A funeral service will be held on Thursday 12th April at the Norwood Park Crematorium in Canberra commencing at 1330. All are welcome to attend.

Our sincerest sympathy and condolences to the family.

May fair winds and blue skies always follow you Ben. We'll all have a beer for you on Anzac Day mate!


Bill Krause

_________________

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

As a serving ADMIRAL, RADM Shirtley's Funeral will be a NAVAL Service to be held Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in the Camellia Chapel of Macquarie Park Crematorium, Plassey Road, North Ryde to commence at 10.30am. The rig for Naval personnel will be S2 which is Summer full dress uniform with Medals. The Guard of Honour will be in Service Uniforms, probably Navy, Army and RAAF as he was the Surgeon General of the Australian Defence Force for FOUR Years.

I suggest NRA Members attending, wear a Jacket with the NRA tie and Medals.

The following is a copy of the Funeral Notice in Saturday’s Daily Telegraph Graeme Spencer SHIRTLEY. Rear Admiral SHIRTLEY, Graeme Spencer AM, RFD, RANR. 17.8.1950 - 27.3.2012. Late of Strathfield Beloved husband of Debbie and loving father of Laura, Mark and Ian. Loved brother of Ross, brother-in-law of Anne, Teen and Gavin and uncle of Anthony.
Greatly missed by all.

The relatives and friends of Rear Admiral GRAEME SPENCER SHIRTLEY are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral Service to be held Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in the Camellia Chapel of Macquarie Park Crematorium, Plassey Road, North Ryde to commence at 10.30am. No flowers by request in lieu donations may be made to The Sir David Martin Foundation envelopes available at the chapel.
MANNINGS FUNERALS ALL SUBURBS

_________________

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

Vale - Ian Wailes

Dear Colleagues,

it is my duty to inform you that our friend and ship mate Ian Wailes
has crossed the bar. Ian passed away on Tuesday evening after a
short illness. He was comforted by his wife Ruth, son Richard and
daughter Julie. Ian said at the end, "I have had a good life".

He was the President of the HMAS STUART and Scrap Iron Flotilla
Association for fifty years. Ian was a gentleman, respectful of
others and very well liked. He particularly enjoyed the company of
his ship mates. Many of us had the privilege of joining Ian and
several of his WWII veteran shipmates at the recent Scrap Iron Flotilla Association annual lunch.

Ian expressly requested a very private funeral with his immediate family only to attend.

Our thoughts are with Ruth, Richard and Julie and may the memory of Ian remain with us forever.

--
Terry Makings
Convenor
Scrap Iron Flotilla Association
STUART, VAMPIRE, VOYAGER, VENDETTA, WATERHEN

_________________

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

I have the sad duty to advise that Kimley Jon (Kim) Hickey passed away peacefully at home on 20th June in Cairns.

Kim was a Vietnam Veteran, having served in 1971 on HMAS SWAN as an LME, R96363. Kim did the Mechanician's course later in the 70's and I spent some time with him at NQEA in the late 90's on the Hydro Ships project.

Kim was a decent bloke and did his job at a million miles an hour.

His funeral will be held at the Uniting Church in Smithfield, Cairns, starting at 1:30 PM on 26th June.

Vale Kim, may you have calm seas and sunshine on your journey.

_________________

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!