Last year when I met with HMAS Toowoomba’s chaplain I asked him if it would be possible to write a bit a piece that would give you an idea of what it is like on board Toowoomba during this deployment. He was kind enough to agree and althought he is very busy whilst at sea he managed to put something together for us and get it approved by the Captain.
I hope you enjoy the read.
Source
HMAS Toowoomba sailed on 28 Dec for a 5 month deployment to the Middle East in support of OP SLIPPER. This is a deployment that would primarily have the ship conducting operations in support of anti-piracy and anti-drug smuggling activities. However, as Navy is often used to support wider Government interests, Toowoomba’s deployment will include port visits and exercises that further enhance Australia’s reputation and engagement with the international community.

As we sailed, 190 families were left behind to deal with the next 5 months without their husband, wife, partner, mother, father, daughter, son, friend … being around. So as you sail there is an immediate sense of excitement about what awaits, but tinged with the knowledge of the stresses of relationship that will occur during the deployment.
Quickly Toowoomba slips into routine, Defence Watches commence with a large number of the ship’s company operating in a 12 hours on, 12 hours off routine, thus allowing the ship to operate 24/7. This routine is supported by the remainder of the ship’s company who are day hands; aside from working a full day, they are also called upon at all hours to conduct extra duties, such as boats parties, boarding teams, aircraft launching and recovery, replenishment at sea, and the myriad of activities that occur in a warship.
Deploying with the Navy is challenging, so why do we do it? Well, the reasons are many and varied, but some of the themes that tend to resonate throughout ship include the time old privilege of the opportunity to serve one’s country and perhaps make a difference for the better. Tied in with this is the professional pride that one develops in doing an important job well and when comparing yourself to other nations, observing that our sailors are as good, if not better, than anyone else in the world. Other reasons for serving in warships is it is something different – it is often described as an adventure where you get to experience things and have opportunities that just don’t exist out in the mainstream civilian world. Plus, there is the added bonus of visiting interesting places and experiencing different cultures. Finally, there is the sense of belonging and mateship in the Navy that is often absent in many other walks of life.
Thank you so much to the Chaplain for taking the time to write and send that to me for publication.
I think you will find the next couple of messages interesting too. I always wondered at the number of requests for cartoon characters but I understand a little better having read the following. And come to think of it, even I wore a silver Mickey Mouse watch during the years of my time in the RAAF as an Air Traffic Controller so I guess I can relate.
Dear Julie-Ann,
I would firstly like to start by sending a big thankyou to you and all the quilters for such an amazing idea and for being a part of such a wonderful organisation. It is a great idea and brings a smile to everyone’s faces when we receive something in the mail, especially something like this so thankyou.
Secondly, the quilt was amazing!
I loved the pirates and they look great against the background, I just thought that pirates might be better than something too naval themed. Alot of people take their own quilts and sheets to sea with them to brighten up their cabin (mostly funny children’s sheets likes car’s and barbies quite funny actually, one person I knew was known for having temper tantrums and he had an incredible hulk doona cover). I don’t do this mostly because its a bit of a fight to get your sheets put through the washers and dryers, however when you use the ships provided ones, although they are a boring plain blue they are all washed together and you don’t have to worry about keeping an eye on their washing progress throughout the day. So I thought pirates might be a perfect nautical theme that isn’t too naval and will not only brighten my cabin, but hopefully others when they see it, and this pattern is perfect. Somehow you managed to do all this with the extra laundry bag as well! So thankyou so much! I love both the quilt and the laundry bag, I think i have sparked some curious eyes around the ship with it already, leading to a few more emails no doubt. l definitely plan on taking it home to show my family how wonderful it is, I also mentioned it in a recent email I sent to my mum, how excited I was to receive it when I got the email telling me that it had been shipped over.
Oh and how it reminds you of Pirates of The Caribbean, ironically its one of my favourite movies and I am one of those annoying people who can recite movie upon movie, and Pirates of the Caribbean is one of them. So thankyou, the thought and work that must have gone into the quilt is very much appreciated.
I cannot thank you enough for you kind letter, the quilt and the laundry bag… they are already in use!
The delicious coffees, mentos and paper were very much appreciated also.
My mother lives in XXXXXX and I’m looking forward to going back home to QLD to see the family and relaxing after this deployment. Again thank you very much for the quilt, it was very kind and I appreciate the time and effort it takes to make them. I have attached a photo when I received the quilt.
Love this post! Thanks to the Chaplain for giving us an insider view.