An intimate ceremony to farewell the former HMAS Adelaide has been held more than a kilometre out to sea.
Many of the commissioning crew members were overwhelmed with emotion as they laid a wreath over the wreck site.
text will be replaced
An intimate ceremony to farewell the former HMAS Adelaide has been held more than a kilometre out to sea.
Many of the commissioning crew members were overwhelmed with emotion as they laid a wreath over the wreck site.
Thank you so much Georgi for helping us to record our final moments with HMAS Adelaide and to take away such a poignant reminder that she is really gone.
I guess it might be difficult for many people to understand the attachment that sailors have with their ships and their mates that they have served with.
Conditions on a ship can be best described as austere, even in peacetime and without rough weather. That hardship builds a bond that is very strong.
Thank you once again for providing us with the opportunity to record our goodbye in such a dignified way.
By the way, that was my first visit to Terrigal and Avoca Beach – what a beautiful place with such friendly people.
Best regards
Alan Ashman
Leading Seaman Radio Operator
1980-1983
Commissioning Crew (1980) and
first North West Indian Ocean Deployment (1982)
A huge thankyou to Georgi and her camera her for filming the events on Adelaides’ sinking.
A very emotional for us was well covered and the film clips will be shared to the other members of the commissioning crew unable to attend.
Once again thankyou
Graham Cheetham
Georgie and team, thanks for helping show the ‘human’ side of the Adelaide Artificial Reef. It was such a pleasure meeting the commissioning crew over the last few days. We had corresponded via e-mail since the delayed scuttling date last year and to finally meet and spend time with them served to make the day a much more memorable event for my and all who came in contact with these guys. over the 2 or 3 days they were together i heard them share many memories, MANY jokes and a few not-so-quiet ales. Well done guys and i hope you had an enjoyable time. Now all we have to do is organise a scuttling anniversary!
Sue Dengate (CCARP)
Hi Georgi
As one of the commissioning crew living overseas and thus unable to attend the scuttling or any of the other ceremonies. I wish to thank you and mark my appreciation for you taking this video.
Although, thanks to our modern electronics age, I was able to see the big media coverage of the scuttling of HMAS Adelaide. Nowhere else, but for your diligence and this website would I have been able to witness the personal side of our story.
As you may have gathered we are tight knit group. The emotion you witnessed is real & well meant. I cannot wait until our reunion in the coming year. I shall definitely be one of those diving on ship.
Thank you again
Des Edwards
ex LSETC3
HMAS Adelaide – commissioning crew
I was sad to see her go down. It seems like the commissioning was only yesterday, when we were all much younger. You all probably don’t remember me–I was ,married to Paul (Pincher) Martin. Paul called me from Pittsburgh today to tell me about the scuttling. He was very pleased to have his words he wrote about the Adelaide spoken at the wreath laying ceremony. I have fond memories of the crew, their families, and our time in Seattle and Long Beach. My best to you all–you’re a great bunch of guys!
I have to agree with the above, it was a great occasion and I felt proud to be present with those who had worked so hard to bring this off as well as with some of the Navy boys who shared times with my Late son Andrew (Andy) Ross.
I feel much honoured to have celebrated a new lifetime being taken on by such a proud Frigate and to have shared the emotions of all – and it was emotional!
Also through this event I have received photo’s of Andrew taken by friends of his as I had very few and their kindness in doing this is much appreciated. I’m still looking for one in his uniform. Well done. Bettye Ross
Such a wonderful coverage and support from Georgi and your great team.
Also, a big thank you to the people of Terrigal/Avoca – You are now the custodians of ex HMAS Adelaide.
As for the dolphins which held up proceedings a little, they were bringing good luck to ex HMAS Adelaide – just as the Port River dolphins did for HMAS Adelaide when she sailed from Port Adelaide on her very last visit and those on board were delighted.
The wreath laying was a fitting tribute to an amazing occasion.
Thank you
Diana