16 News

HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick has been honoured with the Key to the City at a ceremony today to farewell the ship before it’s decommissioned later this month.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes presented the born-and-bred Novocastrian the ceremonial honour following HMAS Newcastle’s Freedom of Entry March, which gave the public a chance to farewell the vessel and her company for the final time.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes honouring HMAS Newcastle Commander Anita Sellick with Federal Senator Arthur Sinodinis

The Lord Mayor said the gesture was a tribute to commander Sellick’s Newcastle roots and her formidable achievement, as a woman, rising through the ranks of one of Australia’s most respected, traditionally male-dominated institutions.

“It’s an honour to present the Key to the City to Commander Sellick in recognition of her services to Newcastle and the Royal Australian Navy,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Commander Sellick assumed command of HMAS Newcastle in January last year and will embark on her final voyage in control of the ship when she sails out of the heads for the final time on Tuesday.

“We’re proud of our history with the vessel and we’re even prouder that Commander Sellick is at the helm.”

^{Commander Sellick leading her company as they Exercised their Right of Freedom of Entry to the City.}

Commander Anita Sellick joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1994 after graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science.

For meritorious service, she was awarded a Conspicuous Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours; and holds a Chief of Joint Operations Group Commendation for a past command.

She also holds a Baceholor of Science (Oceanography/Computer Science) from the University of NSW and is studying her Master of Business Administration.

Since it was commissioned in 1993,  the ship has maintained close links with Newcastle through active support of her adopted charity organisation, Newcastle Senior School, formerly known as the Hunter Orthopaedic School.

^{The ship’s company at today’s march.}

The ship’s company has raised substantial funds over the years, providing the school with a bus, undertaking working bees and joining in sporting activities.

The final fundraising campaign, ‘The Great Race’, aims to raise $20,000 and is still live at gofundme.com/thegreatrace.

Both Commander Sellick and the ship’s departure on Tuesday will be marked by a seven-gun salute from the historic guns at Fort Scratchley followed by return volley from the ship.

After more than 25 years of service, she will finally be decommissioned at the Garden Island Naval base in Sydney.

For more ore details, visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/Explore/Things-to-do/What-s-On/Events/HMAS-Newcastle.

A stunning new grandstand pavilion for Merewether sporting clubs to celebrate victories past and present has been unveiled at Mitchell Park Oval.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes was joined by representatives of Merewether Carlton Rugby Club, South Newcastle Rugby League Club and Merewether District Cricket Club to celebrate the completion of the new $2 million Clarke Grandstand ahead of its official opening tomorrow.

City staff Lynn Duffy and Tony Ayling, John Davis, Greens rugby player Eddie Clifton, Nuatali Nelmes, and Merewether
District Cricket Club reps Nick Stanebridge, Daryl Daniels and Bec Lawrence
Eddie Clifton and Nick Stanebridge overlooking Mitchell Park from inside the new Green Room

The impressive glass-pavilion that opens to the sea breeze sits above a new gym and refurbished change rooms in the existing Clarke Grandstand following a joint delivery project between City of Newcastle and Local sporting clubs and a community gardening project.

The Lord Mayor said the new pavilion-style structure was the result of a great partnership that hopefully will inspire other sporting clubs and community groups to follow.

“The City worked together with the Clubs to help them achieve their vision for the stand, through a combination of design, planning and approval factors that led to the speedy delivery of this wonderful community asset,” the Lord Mayor said.

“This a fantastic asset for both Souths Rugby league, Merewether Carlton, cricket and cycling groups who use Mitchell Park or Townson Oval.

“This project also provides a good example for other sporting clubs to explore similar ideas for future projects, collaborating to share both facilities that realises their vision that also meet a wider community interest.”

Seeing Green: Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and Eddie Clifton

Past and present: Eddie Clifton with John Davis 
Daryl Daniels with Nick Stanebridge

Lift access is also part of the upgrade set to draw more players and spectators.

Timber, signage and other paraphernalia from the old recently demolished Green Room, on the eastern side of the ground, have been recycled and repurposed in the new spiritual home high in the Clarke Grandstand.

Timber supports, honors boards and the Merewether Municipal Pavilion sign on the front of 1927 weatherboard structure were all salvaged from the demolition and relocated to the new facility.

Merewether Carlton Rugby Club Green Room Project Manager John Davis said the new Green Room and stand will be a wonderful asset to the club and wider community.

“This project not only delivers a new home for our Club but also rejuvenates a 50-year-old Council asset to provide first rate for facilities for other users and the wider community,” Mr Davis said.

“In some respects, it is a return home for us as the Clarke Stand is named after two of the founding fathers of our Club, Ted and Roy Clarke.”