| Top
Right - The CPO's Mess Cocktail Party at Port Victoria Seychelle
Islands 1984. The Brisbane CPOs Parties became somewhat famous
during this era. During a round Australia tour the mess was subject
to a mention in Federal Parliment by a complaint from the male
members of 'Parents Without Partners' that we were discriminating
sexually by not inviting any men to attend. Whoever said that
sailors were suspect should have attended some of these raunchy
events. |
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2nd
Right - The Castle Hotel in the main drag of Mombasa, Kenya.
Usually the first watering hole on the agenda after stepping
ashore. The place was full of lovley African ladies wishing
to learn more about Australia and there was no shortage of willing
sailors only too ready to oblige them. Who can forget the 'Tusker'
and 'White Cap' beer at only a few shillings a bottle. The infamous
Rainbow and Sunshine Bars were just down the road and were the
places to head for after the sun went down. Kenya was no doubt
one of the most popular R&R Ports during the Iran-Iraq War era
of the Persian Gulf Deployments. |
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| 3rd
Right - An ancient ceremony carried out by all Australian Warships
the 'Crossing The Line' (or equator) Ceremony was a celebrated
event and all young raw sailors who had never been across the
equator before were subjected to a liberal dose of foul and evil
smelling concoctions then quite physically dunked in a makeshift
pool on the upper deck. most of the officers came in for this
treatment too at the hands of King Neptune's bears and bodyguards.
Pictured here is King Neptune with his dainty and beautiful missus
and his dutiful pirate long John Silver. It was all carried out
in good spirit and relieved the monotony of being at sea. An upperdeck
Beer Issue and Banger Sizzle generally followed after everyone
finally got cleaned up. It is not true that sailors sometimes
exacted revenge upon some of the ship's officers. Not bloody much
they didn't! |
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| 4th
Right - At a particular time each year off the East Coast of Africa
the Monsoon season sets in, this makes life very uncomfortable
on a destroyer. This type of weather is unrelenting and the upperdeck
is constantly 'out-of-bounds', restricting the sailors to the
messdecks. Morale has to be good during these long periods of
discomfort tempers easily become frayed, mealtimes are a nightmare
whilst you hang on with one hand and try to eat with the other
and anyone with a tendency towards seasickness goes through a
living hell. Just life in a blue suit! |
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| 5th
Right - Taking to the roads in Kenya and conducting your own Safari
through the game parks was just one of the options available for
some R&R. The Kenyans themselves are a great people, they love
a beer and a laugh, and this was perhaps one of the best times
of my life. A couple of tours here made me fall hopelessly in
love with Africa. Then there was the time when myself and Ray
Surridge drove through West Tsavo game park in an open mini-moke.
Much to the amusement and bewilderment of the local population.
Crazy, damn Aussies!!!! |
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| 6th
Right - My old mate Simmo, doing an impromptu 'Dance of the Flamers'
in Sembawang Village, Singapore. Don't try this at home only skilled
professionals should attempt this feat of sticking a lighted wick
of paper up your bum and leaping about like a mad bastard to the
chant of your fellow shipmates singing "Haul 'em down you zulu
warrior". |
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