Australia: Weekend Celebrations Mark Start of Navy Week 2013

Friday the 16th of August marks the start of Navy Week celebrations in Brisbane for 2013. This year’s Navy Week has been moved forward from its traditional October dates to allow for more service personnel to participate in the upcoming International Fleet Review, in Sydney on October 3.

Navy Week will commence with a traditional Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset held in the picturesque King Georges Square, opposite Brisbane’s recently reopened City Hall in the CBD. The Queensland Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band will be the feature performers at this event, and will be supported by members of the South Queensland Flotilla of Australian Navy Cadets.

The Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset are derived from the oldest of naval traditions – originally ship’s drums were beaten as a call for the Ship’s company to man the quarters, or action stations, when battle was imminent.

Ceremonial Sunset reflects the world-wide naval tradition of saluting the lowering of the ship’s Ensign at sunset each day in ships in harbour and shore establishments.

The ceremonies will commence at 6.30pm, and members of the public are warmly invited to join with Navy to launch Brisbane Navy Week 2013

Additionally as part of Brisbane Navy Week 2013, the Queensland Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band will be showcasing their repertoire in free concerts on Sunday in the Queen Street Mall.

Led by Chief Petty Officer Musician Andrew Stapleton, with vocalist Leading Seaman Gemma Tilly, the Queensland Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band will lay down a mix of swing, jazz and current popular songs as performed by well known entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr and many others.

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Press Release, August 19, 2013; Image: Australian Navy