The Royal Australian Navy turns 100

We've just returned home from the celebrations of the Royal Australian Navy in their centenary. 

Navy Week was a superb military display in such a beautiful setting.

From the Sydney Harbour Bridge we watched the Tall Ships come into the harbour in hail on Thursday! They were led by the RAN Sail Training Ship YOUNG ENDEAVOUR and the replica of Captain Cook's ship the bark ENDEAVOUR,  particular favourites within our family as the spiritual home of HMB Endeavour is Whitby in Yorkshire, my old stamping ground, and Young Endeavour has seen two family members being part of her permanent RAN crew and the third RAN family member once sailed as part of her Youth Crew.

Next day we went to one of the many parks along the shore to enjoy the sunshine and significance of the re-enactment of the original 7 RAN ships sailing into their new home 100 years ago.

On Saturday we saw the whole fleet come past the Governor General Quentin Bryce, who took the salute, with Prince Harry and other dignitaries also on board the HMAS Leeuwin. The Australian ships looked magnificent, freshly painted and not a skerrick of dust or rust to be seen! We enjoyed the helicopters from those carrying the huge flags beneath, to those who showed off their rescue skills. The Air display was a trip down memory lane and a deafening reminder of what the modern fighter planes can do.

The firework display on Saturday night was amazing as it was incorporated with a laser light show... the history of the RAN was flashed across the Opera House sails, the 'search lights' came on, a plane roared over and suddenly, as they sprang to life with fireworks pouring forth from their decks, you realised there were 5 warships berthed in complete darkness in the harbour. Incorporated into the light show, they were ghostly grey reminders of the role they play in the defence of this very large island. There was a lull, the Last Post was played, the plane flew over again, the searchlights flashed across the sky and the warships burst into life again. You suddenly realised this was not the traditional gaiety of the New Years Eve fireworks party, this magnificent display was part celebration but also part remembrance, part homage, part reflection on the sacrifices sailors have made over the years. 

Thank you RAN.

Lest We Forget