HMAS Stirling Prepares for the Biggest ANZAC Day

HMAS Stirling is preparing for the biggest ANZAC Day yet in the 99th year since the Gallipoli campaign. Personnel from HMAS Stirling, Fleet Base West units and lodger units will be honouring the special day in locations across Western Australia.

Personnel have been practising their drill in the lead up to the day and Commanding Officer of Stirling Captain Angela Bond says she is impressed with everyone’s commitment to ensuring professional representation.

“Collectively the personnel here at Stirling have rehearsed approximately 30 hours in the lead up. That sort of commitment demonstrates how important this day is to serving personnel.

“We are supporting ANZAC Day activities in 22 locations; one-sixth of the Navy’s personnel are based here so spreading that footprint across the local area and wider Perth demonstrates our engagement with the community in Western Australia.

“To me personally, ANZAC Day is a day for reflecting on our returned and fallen service men and women as well as honouring current serving members.

“It is always a big day and the dedication of the gunnery department here has been impressive. As the subject matter experts they have trained and supported the rest of the Fleet Base West personnel in their training and I have no doubt that their hard work will be proudly demonstrated across the greater Perth area tomorrow,” said Captain Bond.

Next year, in the 100th year of Submarines in Australia, the crews of HMA Submarines Dechaineaux, Sheean, Farncomb and Waller will lead the ANZAC Day Parade in Perth. Submarine support elements will march in Fremantle and a selection Stirling personnel will march in Rockingham and Cockburn.

Other locations Stirling people will support include the small town of Pengally almost three hours away from Perth and Joondalup north of Perth. Smaller representation of Stirling personnel will also be evident in a number of country towns and locations throughout the greater Perth area. HMAS Sirius ship’s company will march in Mandurah, south of Perth.

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Press Release, April 24, 2014; Image: Australian Navy