ROLES The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is taking an overall project coordination role and has formed a multi-agency group that is assisting the various state and federal approvals processes required. DPC, in conjunction with Tourism NSW are responsible for the Communication Strategy which will allow the people of the Central Coast and elsewhere to stay in touch with the project as it progresses.
The Department of Lands (DOL) has responsibility for the Terrigal Haven foreshore and the seabed on which the ex HMAS Adelaide will eventually sit. DOL has taken on the lead role of the preparation, sinking of the ship and ongoing management of the artificial reef site.
SITE SELECTION The NSW Minister for Lands, Tony Kelly announced on 20 June 2008 the gazettal of the HMAS Adelaide Reserve off Avoca Beach on the Central Coast of NSW.
Creating the reserve will enable preparations to commence for the scuttling of the HMAS Adelaide in late 2009.
Tony Kelly said that the Reserve includes Crown land below the high water mark to the three nautical mile limit of state waters in an area between Terrigal and Avoca off the Central Coast.
Mr Kelly reassures that ?normal activities in the area such as commercial and recreational fishing, diving and other uses will not be affected by the gazettal.?
Mr Kelly said, ?the long term plan is to create a much smaller reserve boundary of approximately 500m radius around the wreck itself once it has been scuttled.?
WHERE IS HMAS ADELAIDE NOWThe HMAS Adelaide was decommissioned in Perth in January 2008 and has been relocated to Garden Island, Sydney. The Department of Defence have begun the de-militarisation process. The de-militarisation process involves removing military equipment such as combat systems, weapons, sensors, engines, ammunition, generators and stores such as food and clothing. It is expected the vessel will be handed to the NSW Government in 3rd quarter this year. This marked the end of her 27 years of service for what was the Royal Australian Navy?s oldest frigate.
CENTRAL COAST WELCOMES THE HMAS ADELAIDEI have just come back to the West where I have settled with my family, after spending the last few years as the Warrant Officer, Senior Marine Technician onboard HMAS Adelaide.
I was up on the deck when we came to Terrigal in January, showing the ship to the locals the morning before we docked in Sydney for the final time. Adelaide was still the fastest FFG in the Fleet at the time of the decommissioning and that morning off Terrigal, the skipper was showing the locals just how good she was. If you were there to see us throwing the ship around, just imagine what the cooks down below were saying, as they were chasing the eggs around the hot plate cooking breaky for the troops.
It was terrific seeing all the locals out on the cliffs, beaches and the dive clubs along with others out in their boats off Terrigal waving and chatting to us. I had my in-laws there on the cliff waving, as they are locals and looking forward to having the Adelaide sunk in their backyard also. I will be across at Terrigal for the sinking and possibly a few times before she does go down, visiting the family during the year.
This account was provided by John Scarfe
Warrant Officer Marine Technician
COMMUNITY FORUMS An information session was conducted on Tuesday 6 May 2008, for business operators with an interest in the provision of recreational diving, tourism or other commercial activities related to the ex HMAS Adelaide Reef. Recreational Diving Groups were consulted in February this year.
An Information session was also held in June 2008 for The Central Coast Marine Discovery Centre which brought together a range of stakeholders with diverse interests including: environment and conservation, education, tourism, economic development, scientific research and development, natural resource management, business and industry. The information session included discussions on how the Artificial Reef will enhance the marine and coastal ecosystems in the area and potentially lead to additional marine research opportunities.
To find out more on the MDC phone 4349 4756 email
admin@ccmdc.org.au or visit the website
www.ccmdc.org.au HMAS ADELAIDE IN PEACETIME ANSWERED A CALL FOR HELP FROM A SHIP IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEAHMAS Adelaide was sent to rescue both stranded Briton Tony Bullimore and French solo yachtsman Thierry Dubois from the Southern Ocean in 1997. ?The rescue of Tony Bullimore and Thierry Dubois by HMAS Adelaide in January 1997 has been hailed by some as one of the greatest maritime rescues in History? Lieutenant Nathan Fry, RAN.
To read more about this recollections of the rescue refer to the Library section of our website and select the journal article ?The Southern Ocean Rescue of Thierry Dubois and Tony Bullimore? by Nathan Fry.
HMAS ADELAIDE HAS BEEN IMMORTALISED HMAS Adelaide has been immortalised with an official stamp. The stamps are designed to bring attention to the service and dedication of the officers and ships companies who served on the HMAS Adelaide from 1980 until decommissioned. To register your orders please contact Diana Hill, President HMAS Adelaide Association at
diana.hill@internode.on.net .
FIRST R.A.N SHIP TO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH A HARPOON MISSILEIt is with great sadness that I heard of the decommissioning and outcome of the FFG 01, I served as a Combat Data Systems Operator on this very capable ship in the early to mid 80?s and have a great affection for what we achieved whilst serving onboard this beautiful Lady. One of the main parts of the ships serving history seems to have been overlooked, that being She was the FIRST R.A.N ship to successfully launch a Harpoon Missile, this milestone occurred during RIMPAC 84 in the waters off the Hawaiian islands, I took part in this firing and the target was given a direct hit, this had never been done before by an Australian vessel, also during the RIMPAC Exercise Adelaide, single handedly engaged and sank various major US Naval units including the carrier Enterprise much to the chagrin of the US Commanders, under the formidable control and command of Captain Gerry Carwardine. We proved to the rest of the world participating in these manoeuvres, that the Royal Australian Navy was a potent fighting force.
Story provided by Grant Harris (ex ABRP RAN)
Tasmania
