Joint Media Release:
- Senator for New South Wales, Hollie Hughes
The Royal Australian Navy has celebrated 27 years of service by HMAS Melbourne during a decommissioning ceremony, at her home port of Garden Island in Sydney.
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC acknowledged the Navy personnel whose service on Melbourne has contributed to security at sea, at home and abroad.
"The motto of HMAS Melbourne is, she gathers strength as she goes, and for 27 years she has served the Navy with distinction, playing an important role in protecting Australia's maritime interests," Minister Reynolds said.
"Thousands of men and women have called this ship home since she was commissioned in 1992, and for some, Melbourne represents key milestones in their lives and careers."
Melbourne has steamed more than 900,000 nautical miles, deployed on operations to the Middle East eight times and earned battle honours for service in East Timor, the Persian Gulf and Middle East.
She spent most of 2018 and 2019 deployed overseas, including a four-month deployment through north Asia earlier this year where she conducted international maritime surveillance operations to enforce sanctions against North Korea.
Representing the Government at the decommissioning ceremony, Senator for New South Wales, Hollie Hughes said today's ceremony was bittersweet.
"Melbourne will be missed. She has been an integral part of the Navy and the community here at Garden Island," Senator Hughes said.
"It was an honour to attend the ceremony and recognise the men and women of HMAS Melbourne who contributed to her outstanding legacy."
A compile of archive and recent vision of HMAS Melbourne can be found here: https://bit.ly/2lP2uFZ
