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Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, has presented the Duke of Gloucester’s Cup to HMAS Parramatta’s current and previous Commanding Officers, Commander Anita Nemarich and Captain Troy Van Tienhoven, on behalf of Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia David Hurley, AC, DSC.
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The Duke of Gloucester’s Cup has been part of Royal Australian Navy tradition since 1946 and recognises the unit, squadron, clearance diving team or establishment that has displayed the highest overall level of skill in areas such as seamanship, training, administration, morale, maintenance and resourcefulness.
HMAS Parramatta has taken out a number of awards, including the coveted Duke of Gloucester’s Cup for 2019, for her exemplary conduct in a year of deployments.
RADM Mead read a letter from the Governor-General to the ship’s company, commending their achievement.
“By any measure HMAS Parramatta has had an outstanding year. Throughout 2019, Parramatta demonstrated a consistently high level of proficiency in all activities. This is directly attributable to the expert seamanship of the ship’s company,” the Governor-General said.
RADM Mead commended the ship’s company’s efforts as in keeping with Navy’s highest order and in keeping with the highest traditions.
He added, “Setting the benchmark for all fleet units, Parramatta’s conduct in exercises and operations has been outstanding. Parramatta has demonstrated astute planning, superior reliability and proven operational excellence in every assigned task, both on the Australian station and across the Asia-Pacific.”
Parramatta was also awarded the Collins Trophy for the most proficient embarked helicopter flight – 816 Squadron’s Flight 4 and MH-60R helicopter ‘Medusa’ – and the Spada Shield, which is presented to the surface unit that has excelled in all aspects of operations and warfare.
CMDR Nemarich said being awarded the Gloucester Cup reflected the significant efforts of Parramatta’s people over the past year.
“It’s a lot easier to lead when you’ve got outstanding people. I could only do what I did during our most recent deployment because of the ship’s company I had supporting our efforts and our mission,” CMDR Nemarich said.
Parramatta recently returned to her home port in Sydney following a three-month Asia deployment, sailing more than 24,000 nautical miles and working with partner navies in the region to strengthen interoperability.
HMAS Parramatta (IV) is the fifth of eight Anzac Class frigates built for the Royal Australian Navy by Tenix Marine Systems, Williamstown, Victoria. The design is based on the German Meko 200 frigate.
Parramatta is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. Anzac's combat capabilities have been significantly improved under the Anti-Ship Missile Defence upgrade program, a world-class program that provides an enhanced sensor and weapons systems capability.
The upgrade showcases Australian design and integration capability, with new phased array radar technology designed by CEA Technologies in Canberra, upgrades to combat systems performed by Saab Systems in South Australia, and platform integration design by BAE Systems in Victoria.
