Naval namesake sails into city

FOR the first time in six years, the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Ballarat crew has returned to their namesake city for a visit.

With leadership from Commander Benjamin Dalton, the sailors held a memorial service and wreath-laying at the Ballarat Cenotaph on Thursday, contributed to an Australian Defence Force careers event, and took some time for sightseeing.

“It’s really important for us to visit our namesake city, foster new relationships with the City council, and to connect to the community,” Commander Dalton said.

“That includes the ex-services organisation who do an amazing job for people who have finished in the Australian Defence Force, and we will all get there one day, so we thank the RSL for that.

“Being here is important in giving the small group an understanding and appreciation of the key role Ballarat plays in Australia’s political and cultural history.

“It’s an amazing, beautiful, and historic city, and our sailors need to be here to understand the connection we have, and the fundamental role that the city plays.”

As part of that education, the group attended the AURA sound and light show at Sovereign Hill on Thursday night.

Ballarat is the hometown of HMAS Ballarat crew member Angus Phasey, a maritime logistics support operations sailor.

“When I first joined the navy four years ago, I didn’t even know there was a ship called the HMAS Ballarat,” he said.

“Once I joined and learned a bit of history about the ship, it’s been something I’ve been fighting to get on. It took me three-and-a-half years to get on, but I’m finally here.

“I’ve been able to travel the world. I’ve been to Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, and I’ve loved every minute of it.

“It’s been such an honour to represent Ballarat on the ship. I wouldn’t change my career for anything.”

Ballarat RSL president Alan Douglass said the sub-branch has always been supported by the navy.

“They have supplied guest speakers, and marched in the Anzac Day parade,” he said.

“In 2017, they led the parade, and I have invited them, if they are able to, to march and lead again in the near future.

“It depends where they’re posted, but the commander has accepted my invitation and hopefully we can get them back again to lead the march soon.”

The crew of HMAS Ballarat also visited regional Victorian navy cadet units in Bendigo and on the Mornington Peninsula.