HMAS Anzac’s Ship’s Company Gets Gloucester Cup for 2012

Recently the prestigious Gloucester Cup was presented to HMAS Anzac’s ship’s company, now embarked in HMAS Stuart by the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO. Accompanying Her Excellency for the presentation was Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett AM, CSC, RAN.

The award recognises that whilst embarked in HMAS Anzac, the crew was deemed the most efficient Fleet Unit out of all ships, squadrons and establishments in the fields of operational efficiency, seamanship, supply and administration, training, maintenance and resourcefulness.

Accepting the award on behalf of former Commanding Officer, Commander John Stavridis, RAN, Commander Jason Hunter said he has been impressed with the dedication and commitment displayed by every member of his ship’s company.

“It is a great honour to be selected as the recipient for the 2012 Gloucester Cup. While I was not Commanding Officer at the time, I have seen first hand the exemplary attitude and professionalism of this crew,” said Commander Hunter.

“During 2012, Anzac hit some remarkable milestones,  working tirelessly to prepare the ship for operational deployment to the Middle East, while demonstrating a positive and enthusiastic attitude”.

Rear Admiral Barrett echoed the praise, saying the ship represented the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian public admirably on the world stage.

“While deployed, Anzac demonstrated the spirit of pride and determination we have come to associate with her name. This attitude shone through in all the ship’s actions and earned them high praise from our Operation Slipper Coalition Partners,” said Rear Admiral Barrett.

The Gloucester Cup was implemented by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, and was first presented in 1947. The Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force also present Gloucester Cup awards to their best performing units.

Since news of their Gloucester Cup achievement, the crew of Anzac have conducted a hull swap with Stuart and are well advanced in ensuring the ship is well prepared for future operations.

In addition to winning the Gloucester Cup, Anzac’s ship’s company was also recognised with the following Fleet Awards for 2012.

• SPADA Shield – awarded to the Surface Force unit which has been foremost in all  aspects of Major Fleet Unit operations, safety, reliability, warfare and unit level training;
• Commodore Wardle Cup – awarded o the fleet unit that has achieved the highest standard in fleet communications;
• Supply Excellence Award – awarded to the fleet unit that has achieved the highest standard of supply excellence; and
• Electronic Warfare Proficiency Shield – awarded to the fleet unit that has achieved the highest standard in electronic warfare
• Wormald Shield – awarded to the fleet unit that has achieved the best results in Combat Survivability.

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Press Release, August 6, 2013; Image: Australian Navy