DEFENCE MEDIA ALERT
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 331/09
Wednesday, 07 October 2009
WEWAK AND BRUNEI TO SAIL FOR TONGA
What:
HMA Ships Brunei and Wewak will load building supplies and stores,
before joining the Australian Government’s humanitarian relief effort
for victims of the tsunami devastated island nation of Tonga.
Brunei’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Staker
and Wewak’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Rob Smilie will make a
short statement to the media.
When:
Media should assemble at the main gate to HMAS Cairns,
no later
than 08:50am Thursday, 8 October 2009. Photo identification must be
carried by all persons entering the base.
Where:
HMAS Cairns Draper Street, Cairns.
The Australian Defence Force is continuing to support the Australian Government’s
humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation in the regions affected by the
earthquake and tsunami that hit the South West Pacific last week.
The Australian disaster relief effort is in response to a request for support from the
Governments of Samoa and Tonga.
The two Heavy Landing Craft, both capable and versatile vessels, will load building
supplies and stores to assist the relief effort.
Once on station it is anticipated the vessels will be utilised to transport relief stores
and equipment between the Tongan islands. Their shallow draft allows these ships to
deliver personnel and equipment to areas otherwise unreachable by larger ships.
Media Contacts:
Mark Tanzer– Defence Public Affairs NQLD
0407 467 235
Defence Media Liaison
02 6127 199/ 0408 498 664
NEWS 
