ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY - 100 TH ANNIVERSARY

 

This is a photo of just a small section of the crowd that lined every vantage point of Sydney's beautiful harbour to watch the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy.

 

Yes, our navy is only 100 years old !

Reminds you what a young country Australia is doesn't it ?

From the Sydney Daily Telegraph:

CAPTAIN Arthur Phillip's eyes must have widened to the size of dinner plates when he sailed through Sydney Heads in February 1788 - the first European sailor to glimpse the world's most spectacular harbour where "a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security".

It certainly was the place to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

A huge flotilla took part in yesterday's salute including a replica of Captain Cook's " Endeavour"

 

 

photographed here earlier in the week passing under the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

 

Tall ships joined the huge lineup of RAN ships making up the Naval Fleet Revue

 

while RAN planes and helicopters filled the sky and small boats buzzed around the bigger ships like bees.

 

Joining our newly elected Prime Minister and Governor-General was this chap,

 

on his best behaviour.

 

An Aussie favourite, his visit was very short - just 36 hours -

 

but the Prime Minister's family

 

 and a few other Aussies managed to meet him before he jetted off to Perth this morning.

 

Last night's fireworks and laser display was wonderful with the sails of the Opera House being used as a screen where the history of the navy was played out in words and pictures all accompanied by a stirring musical score that included The Last Post and the Australian Anthem sung by a female member of the navy.

Well done Sydney

 and Happy 100th Birthday RAN.

 

Cheers.

all photos today from the Internet.