Navy League of Australia

Page Last Updated 22 June 2009

1. NOTE - From 25 May 2009 this site is reserved for VICTORIA DIVISION Navy League of Australia.
A new National NLA website has been commissioned.
Basic information is still recorded here, for the time being, but up-to-date information about Navy League Divisions is found on the new Federal website under the oversight of NLA Federal - Secretary Phillip Corboy.
1A. Victoria Division Navy League of Australia will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the arrival of HMVS Victoria II, Albert and Childers (1) in Port Phillip Bay on 25 June 1884. The luncheon, attended by the Governor of Victoria Prof David de Kretser and Mrs Jan de Kretser will be held at the Mercure Hotel Thursday 25 June 2009 at 1200. Limited Edition Souvenir First Day Covers and Post Cards and a specially printed APO label stamp have been obtained to take advantage of the Post Office special postal cancel that will be used on that day at the Williamstown Postoffice. To book for the luncheron and order postal items contact the Navy League.
1B. The Navy League honours the service of its former member and supporter, Commodore Dacre Smyth AO Legion de Honeur(Fr) RAN, 5.5.1923 - 3.12.2008.
1C The 'Australian Navy Foundation Day 2009 Creswell Oration' will be celebrated in Melbourne on Sunday 1st March 2009 firstly at a Thanksgiving Service at the Anglican Mission to Seafarers in St Peter the Mariner Chapel at 1000 followed by the Creswell Oration Lucheon at 1200 at the Mercure Hotel, 13 Spring Street, when the Oration will be delivered by Rear Admiral Stephen Gilmore AM CSC RAN.
1D. On Thursday 25 June the Victoria Division NLA will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the arrival of the Victorian Colonial Warships Victoria II, Albert and Childers in Melbourne. The Navy may have HMAS Childers join us on this date and Australia Post has prepared a Spcial Historic postage cancel for this day and the Victoria Division NLA is preparing First Day Covers and will design Label stamps and have them printed by Australia Post for use on the covers and for limted sale.
1E. The centenary of the USN Great White Fleet visit to Melbourne, Australia on 29 August 1908 was held in Melbourne from 29 August 2008, with a Centenary luncheon at the Naval & Military Club on 1st November when the State Governor, US Ambassador and US Consul and other special guests attended.
1F. The annual Navy League Community Award Trophy, won by HMAS Ceberus in 2007, presented by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral R Shalders AO RAN to Captain S Williams RAN, CO HMAS Cerberus on Friday 23 May, at HMAS Cerberus, has now been won for the 2008 year by HMAS Parramatta.
2. Annual Navy League Community Awards to RAN Ships and Establishments
2A. Navy League Website:
Navy League's new Federal website is now available for viewing.
3. NEW Navy League Australia ADDRESS and TELEPHONE.
4. HMB Endeavour miniature "Cook" Cannon.
5. Publications and Items for Sale
6. Observations by Geoff Evans
7. Australian Navy Cadet Centenary 1907 - 2007, was celebrated on 1st July 2007, Australia Post providing a Pictorial cancel to celebrate the event that was centred at Williamstown, Victoria.
8. Battle for Australia - graphic image summarising the various involvements of Australian defence and civilians.
9. The Navy League's Microfiche Project saw all of the known 1920-2004 journals copied together with a specially prepared consolidated Index by the Victoria Division, which were gifted to Australian National & State Libraries, selected Maritime institutions, Greenwich Maritime Museum UK and the US Navy League.
11: Navy Windows: The late Commodore Dacre Smyth AO Legion of Honour (Fr), RAN Ret'd, designed, constructed and installed two new Australian Navy stained glass windows in the Mission to Seafarers' Chapel of St Peter the Mariner, and these were dedicated by Rt Rev Jeremy Ashton, Bishop, on 1st March 2007.
12: Battle of Trafalgar - The late CDRE Harry Adams commented on why Australia "a nation girt by sea" should understand the significance of this historic battle.
13: The Battle of Trafalgar 21st October 1805: Sacrifice by Lord Nelson and many of the sailors who fought alongside him on HMS Victory and on the other 22 RN ships. Australia received a lasting legacy for which Australia is eternally grateful.
14: Infrastructure and the Merchant Marine - a timely warning for the Federal Parliament by RADM Andrew Robertson RAN.
15: VADM Peek RAN Ret'd (The Australian newspaper 11.4.05) commented on the Australian Government's peacetime censorship of HMAS Kanimbla's Commanding Officer, describes it as "one of the hallmarks of a totalitarian government."
16: Netherlands East Indies, 1942 and its Government in Exile in Australia. Their highly valued support, Naval, Maritime and Air, in the Battle for Australia.
17: Anniversary of Battle of Leyte Gulf and Surigao Strait 21-25 October 1944. HMAS Australia, attacked on 21 Oct., Trafalgar Day 1944, being the first Allied warship hit by a suicide aircraft. On the morning of 23rd Oct.1944, three Japanese cruisers - Atago, Taxao, and Maya from Admiral Kondo's 1942 force were sunk. Read about Leyte Gulf and The biggest Naval Battle in History) See the Oct-Dec 2004 "The Navy"
18: Sea Cadet History 1939-45 - When H.M. The King became Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps.
19: Need For An Australian Merchant Navy: Comments by CAPT N. Pearson Master Mariner.
20: RAN's first successful attack against the Japanese Navy 21 Jan 1942: by HMAS Deloraine.
21: SS Automedon Affair 1940 & the Loss of HMAS Sydney in 1942. British secret War Cabinet minutes of 1940 contained a UK Defence report revealing details of the indefensibility of the Far East, Britain's Allies not being warned of the loss - an intelligence disaster. Subsequently Australia recalled her troops from Africa, in early 1942, the beginning of the 'Battle for Australia'. [Refer to book "Betrayal at Pearl Harbour" by CAPT Eric Nave OBE RAN (Codebreaker) and James Rusbridger (ex MI6), 1991. The publication 'A Man of Intelligence' by Ian Pfennigwerth 2005] that reviews many of Rusbridger's statements not authorised by his co-author CAPT Eric Nave OBE RAN prior to publication are placed into proper prespective.
With the discovery of HMAS SYDNEY in March 2008 and the publication in 2007 of the book "Mrs Ferguson's Tea-Set, Japan, and The Second World War: The Global Consequences Following Germany's Sinking of The SS Automedon in 1940" (ISBN: 1905246285) by Seki, Eiji, part of the SS Automedon disaster gives new information pointing to the possibility that the overall loss of Naval & Maritime war-time codes, reports and intelligence may have been one of the many causes leading to the sinking of HMAS Sydney in 1942.

Notice Board- Click below for the latest Updates. © COPYRIGHT - Victoria Division NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA May 2009 PATRON: *Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce* AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia & Constitutional Commander -in-Chief of the Naval & Military Forces of the Comonwealth NAVY LEAGUE of AUSTRALIA approved "The Navy" Microfiche and Index Project at its Centenary Celebration 2000. Several years later the preparation and research resulted in an official Launch at the State Library of Victoria, in 2005, with gift sets of Microfiche accompanied by copies of the Navy League Journal of NSW 1920-1946, The Navy 1947-2004, 1920-2004 Index. Recipients were National, State and selected Libraries, Universities, RAN College, RAN Sea Power Centre, United States Navy League and UK Greenwich National Maritime Museum. AUSTRALIAN NAVY FOUNDATION DAY 2009 Sunday 1st March 2009 "Creswell Oration" Sunday 1 Mar 2009 - Mercure Hotel, 13 Spring St., Melbourne.** is the 108th Anniversary Year of the Foundation of the Australian Navy. Creswell Oration presented TBA. 'The Navy' magazine OUT NOW Jan-Mar 2008 Issue. Obtain a copy and read the latest maritime articles of interest. One of Australia's quality maritime journals. 2008 - 107th. Anniversary Year of Foundation of the Australian Navy 1901 (later renamed Royal Australian Navy in 1911) AUSTRALIAN NAVY FOUNDATION DAY ORGANISING COMMITTEE (Vic) 2008-9 CMDR John M Wilkins RFD RANR (NLA Vic), LCDR John Redman RAN (NOC Vic), Ray Gill (NAA Vic), Rex Williams (NHS-Victoria)* 2001 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by CDRE Jim Dickson AM MBE RAN Ret'd 2002 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by Rear Admiral Peter Briggs AO RAN Ret'd 2003 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by Commodore Brian G. Gibbs AM RAN Ret'd 2004 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by Rear Admiral Raydon W Gates CSM RAN Maritime Commander. 2005 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO RAN Chief of Navy. 2006 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by Vice Admiral Russell Shalders AO CSC RAN Chief of Navy. 2007 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by Commodore Ray Griggs CSC RAN, Deputy Fleet Commander representing Chief of Navy. 2008 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by VADM M Tripovich AM CSC RAN, Chief - Capability Development Group ADF 2009 Foundation Day "Creswell" Oration by RADM Stephen Gilmore AM CSC RAN, Commander - Australian Navy Sysytems Command LinkPage HMAS Sydney & VLSV Association & Sea Cadet (UK) & Master Mariners. Naval aspects of 'ANZAC' TS 'Sydney' history Naval history & general information website RAN Sloops Memorial HMAS YARRA (Amended 8Feb2006) *Lord Nelson & Trafalgar* Mariner's Compass Details	Page Last Updated 22 June 2009 1. NOTE - From 25 May 2009 this site is reserved for VICTORIA DIVISION Navy League of Australia. A new National NLA website has been commissioned. Basic information is still recorded here, for the time being, but up-to-date information about Navy League Divisions is found on the new Federal website under the oversight of NLA Federal - Secretary Phillip Corboy. 1A. Victoria Division Navy League of Australia will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the arrival of HMVS Victoria II, Albert and Childers (1) in Port Phillip Bay on 25 June 1884. The luncheon, attended by the Governor of Victoria Prof David de Kretser and Mrs Jan de Kretser will be held at the Mercure Hotel Thursday 25 June 2009 at 1200. Limited Edition Souvenir First Day Covers and Post Cards and a specially printed APO label stamp have been obtained to take advantage of the Post Office special postal cancel that will be used on that day at the Williamstown Postoffice. To book for the luncheron and order postal items contact the Navy League. 1B. The Navy League honours the service of its former member and supporter, Commodore Dacre Smyth AO Legion de Honeur(Fr) RAN, 5.5.1923 - 3.12.2008. 1C The 'Australian Navy Foundation Day 2009 Creswell Oration' will be celebrated in Melbourne on Sunday 1st March 2009 firstly at a Thanksgiving Service at the Anglican Mission to Seafarers in St Peter the Mariner Chapel at 1000 followed by the Creswell Oration Lucheon at 1200 at the Mercure Hotel, 13 Spring Street, when the Oration will be delivered by Rear Admiral Stephen Gilmore AM CSC RAN. 1D. On Thursday 25 June the Victoria Division NLA will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the arrival of the Victorian Colonial Warships Victoria II, Albert and Childers in Melbourne. The Navy may have HMAS Childers join us on this date and Australia Post has prepared a Spcial Historic postage cancel for this day and the Victoria Division NLA is preparing First Day Covers and will design Label stamps and have them printed by Australia Post for use on the covers and for limted sale. 1E. The centenary of the USN Great White Fleet visit to Melbourne, Australia on 29 August 1908 was held in Melbourne from 29 August 2008, with a Centenary luncheon at the Naval & Military Club on 1st November when the State Governor, US Ambassador and US Consul and other special guests attended. 1F. The annual Navy League Community Award Trophy, won by HMAS Ceberus in 2007, presented by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral R Shalders AO RAN to Captain S Williams RAN, CO HMAS Cerberus on Friday 23 May, at HMAS Cerberus, has now been won for the 2008 year by HMAS Parramatta. 2. Annual Navy League Community Awards to RAN Ships and Establishments 2A. Navy League Website: Navy League's new Federal website is now available for viewing. 3. NEW Navy League Australia ADDRESS and TELEPHONE. 4. HMB Endeavour miniature "Cook" Cannon. 5. Publications and Items for Sale 6. Observations by Geoff Evans 7. Australian Navy Cadet Centenary 1907 - 2007, was celebrated on 1st July 2007, Australia Post providing a Pictorial cancel to celebrate the event that was centred at Williamstown, Victoria. 8. Battle for Australia - graphic image summarising the various involvements of Australian defence and civilians. 9. The Navy League's Microfiche Project saw all of the known 1920-2004 journals copied together with a specially prepared consolidated Index by the Victoria Division, which were gifted to Australian National & State Libraries, selected Maritime institutions, Greenwich Maritime Museum UK and the US Navy League. 11: Navy Windows: The late Commodore Dacre Smyth AO Legion of Honour (Fr), RAN Ret'd, designed, constructed and installed two new Australian Navy stained glass windows in the Mission to Seafarers' Chapel of St Peter the Mariner, and these were dedicated by Rt Rev Jeremy Ashton, Bishop, on 1st March 2007. 12: Battle of Trafalgar - The late CDRE Harry Adams commented on why Australia "a nation girt by sea" should understand the significance of this historic battle. 13: The Battle of Trafalgar 21st October 1805: Sacrifice by Lord Nelson and many of the sailors who fought alongside him on HMS Victory and on the other 22 RN ships. Australia received a lasting legacy for which Australia is eternally grateful. 14: Infrastructure and the Merchant Marine - a timely warning for the Federal Parliament by RADM Andrew Robertson RAN. 15: VADM Peek RAN Ret'd (The Australian newspaper 11.4.05) commented on the Australian Government's peacetime censorship of HMAS Kanimbla's Commanding Officer, describes it as "one of the hallmarks of a totalitarian government." 16: Netherlands East Indies, 1942 and its Government in Exile in Australia. Their highly valued support, Naval, Maritime and Air, in the Battle for Australia. 17: Anniversary of Battle of Leyte Gulf and Surigao Strait 21-25 October 1944. HMAS Australia, attacked on 21 Oct., Trafalgar Day 1944, being the first Allied warship hit by a suicide aircraft. On the morning of 23rd Oct.1944, three Japanese cruisers - Atago, Taxao, and Maya from Admiral Kondo's 1942 force were sunk. Read about Leyte Gulf and The biggest Naval Battle in History) See the Oct-Dec 2004 "The Navy" 18: Sea Cadet History 1939-45 - When H.M. The King became Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps. 19: Need For An Australian Merchant Navy: Comments by CAPT N. Pearson Master Mariner. 20: RAN's first successful attack against the Japanese Navy 21 Jan 1942: by HMAS Deloraine. *21: SS Automedon* Affair 1940 & the Loss of HMAS Sydney in 1942.** British secret War Cabinet minutes of 1940 contained a UK Defence report revealing details of the indefensibility of the Far East, Britain's Allies not being warned of the loss - an intelligence disaster. Subsequently Australia recalled her troops from Africa, in early 1942, the beginning of the 'Battle for Australia'. [Refer to book "Betrayal at Pearl Harbour" by CAPT Eric Nave OBE RAN (Codebreaker) and James Rusbridger (ex MI6), 1991. The publication 'A Man of Intelligence' by Ian Pfennigwerth 2005] that reviews many of Rusbridger's statements not authorised by his co-author CAPT Eric Nave OBE RAN prior to publication are placed into proper prespective. With the discovery of HMAS SYDNEY in March 2008 and the publication in 2007 of the book "Mrs Ferguson's Tea-Set, Japan, and The Second World War: The Global Consequences Following Germany's Sinking of The SS Automedon in 1940" (ISBN: 1905246285) by Seki, Eiji, part of the SS Automedon disaster gives new information pointing to the possibility that the overall loss of Naval & Maritime war-time codes, reports and intelligence may have been one of the many causes leading to the sinking of HMAS Sydney in 1942.