DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 229/09
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
THE ITALIAN JOB
By popular demand, pizza and pasta are set for a comeback onboard HMAS
Toowoomba thanks to the Italian Navy.
Sailors from Toowoomba recently had a rare opportunity to conduct a Personal
Exchange Program crossdeck with an Italian Naval Ship Borsini, after both ships
departed the Gulf port of Abu Dhabi together.
The opportunity was taken for personnel to swap places with their counterparts for the
day and experience a day at sea in a ‘different navy’. Some of the In-Company
activities involved Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres, Replenishment at Sea
Approaches and the Borsini’s Agusta-Bell 202 helicopter, the ‘Godfather’,
conducting Deck Landing Practices on Toowoomba.
One lucky participant was Toowoomba’s chef, Able Seaman Cook Scott Tysoe who
had a ‘Busman’s Holiday’ cooking in Borsini’s galley. His Italians hosts were happy
to trade secret recipes on authentic Italian pizza and pasta.
It was a great experience for Scott, who said, “We already make authentic Italian food
but some of these new tips on magic ingredients will come in very handy”.
Able Seaman Marine Technician Kane Turco also enjoyed the culinary experience:
“The food they served us was just like my Nona used to make,” he said. His Italian
hosts were most impressed that Kane could also speak Italian.
Sub Lieutenant Sarah Tame had a unique experience when she found herself in charge
of Borsini for Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres. This was a special achievement for
Sarah, as she was the first foreigner to be given the Con of Borsini.
Some of these moments were captured by the Prospero Film Crew embarked in
Toowoomba filming an upcoming documentary series called ‘Warship’.
Toowoomba began Operation SLIPPER duties in June, conducting Maritime Support
and Counter Terrorism operations in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Later
this year, Toowoomba will be the first RAN ship to participate in Task Force 151
Counter Piracy Operations, where she is likely to encounter her new friend Borsini.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
