Australian Navy Commander Honoured By King Of Tonga

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23rd November 2009, 06:21pm - Views: 702





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DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE



Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT

Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545



MSPA 406/09

Monday, 23 November 2009


AUSTRALIAN NAVY COMMANDER HONOURED BY KING OF

TONGA


The Commanding Officer of the Royal Australian Navy’s heavy landing ship HMAS

Tobruk, Commander Peter Thompson, was honoured by the King of Tonga, George

Tupou V, at a ceremony on 21 November 2009, at the Royal Villa in the Tongan

capital, Nuku’alofa.


Commander Thompson was presented with the Officer of The Royal Military Order

of St George, in recognition of the humanitarian relief effort that the Australian

Government, and in particular the Australian Defence Force, has provided in the

aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Pacific Island region on 30

September this year.


King George Tupou V said it was, “Very much appreciated what the Australian Navy

and Australian Government had done to help the communities of Tonga affected by

the tsunami.”


Commander Thompson said, “This Operation has been a chance for the Australian

Defence Force, in particular the Royal Australian Navy, to help our Pacific

neighbours during a time of crisis and support the local agencies with their relief

efforts.


“I am honoured and humbled to receive this award on behalf of the Royal Australian

Navy and the Australian Government,” Commander Thompson said.


The Officer of the Royal Military Order of St George is the fourth-highest military

honour that can be awarded by the King of Tonga.


HMAS Tobruk has provided support to the nations of Tonga and Samoa, carrying

over 500 tonnes of humanitarian aid supplies, and assisting local groups and agencies

such as the Red Cross in their work in affected communities.


The most recent delivery of humanitarian aid has brought the total assistance to Tonga

and Samoa by the Australian Government, non-government organisations and the

Australian community to $13 million.



Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664






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