DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 421/09
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
TOBRUK RETURNS FROM HUMANITARIAN MISSION
The Royal Australian Navy’s heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk arrived in her homeport Garden
Island, Sydney today, following a five week humanitarian deployment to the Pacific as part of
Operation Samoa Assist.
Tobruk delivered over 500 tonnes of equipment and relief aid to Samoa and Tonga following the
30 September tsunami that damaged parts of the island nations. The aid package included a
$400,000 fire truck donated by the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade to Samoa.
The Commanding Officer of HMAS Tobruk, Commander Peter Thompson, said the sight of
Sydney Heads is always welcome after a lengthy time at sea.
“The ship’s company, along with the embarked Army units, have worked tirelessly throughout the
conduct of this operation. I am proud of their efforts and the contribution they made in our
region,” Commander Thompson said.
“One of the real highlights was the direct engagement with the communities we visited.
“We took several opportunities to conduct health clinics in remote regions and contributed where
we could to the ongoing reconstruction work that is underway to repair the destruction caused by
the tsunami,” Commander Thompson said.
During the deployment, Commander Thompson was presented with the Officer of The Royal
Military Order of St George by the King of Tonga, George Tupou V, in appreciation for the
support provided in the aftermath of the tsunami. This is the fourth-highest military honour that
can be awarded by the King of Tonga.
“It was humbling to receive this award which acknowledged the vital contribution made by the
Australian Government and Royal Australian Navy in supporting Tonga in its time of need,”
Commander Thompson said.
The 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 Note
and the
Commanding Officer of HMAS Tobruk is available for interview.
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
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