Supply of goodwill in port visit

The Navy’s newest support ship, HMAS Supply, made her first visit to her ceremonial home port of Eden, NSW on May 29.

CAPTION: Able Seaman Tegan Bradley pats an Eden resident’s dog during the ship’s company’s walk into the NSW town during a port visit. Story by Acting Sub Lieutenant Jack Meadows. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

The ship berthed at the town’s cruise wharf ahead of a program of community engagements that will further cement a relationship between the town and the ship.

Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Mark Hammond said while some members of the crew had visited Eden previously, this was the first time the ship itself had visited the town.

“Navy and Eden have a long shared history, and this visit is a great opportunity for HMAS Supply to strengthen ties with the Bega Valley Shire,” Rear Admiral Hammond said.

“The Navy can’t do the important work that is required of us without the strong support of the Australian community.”

CAPTION: Chaplain Graham Swan, centre, and Eden resident Gill Neilson serve food after a friendly netball game involving crew members of HMAS Supply and Eden Netball Club. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Commanding Officer Supply Captain Ben Hissink said the crew was excited to showcase their recently commissioned ship to the community.

“We have already done so much with the Eden community, from hosting a smoking ceremony on board in Sydney with the local Indigenous peoples to helping Eden locals recover from the bushfire crisis by rebuilding fences and infrastructure,” Captain Hissink said.

“It’s a privilege to bring Supply to Eden – the first port we are visiting since commissioning.”

While in Eden, the ship’s company conducted a range of community engagements, including visits to a primary school and a high school and a walk down the main street to interact with locals and buy snacks and souvenirs.

They also participated in a series of netball games played against a local team at Lake Curalo.

Supply is the first of two Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships that will deliver a significantly enhanced logistics capability to the region.

CAPTION: Krista Dodsworth, left, of the Eden Netball Club competes for the ball during a friendly netball game against crew members from HMAS Supply in Eden. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

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