HMAS Cerberus Open Day 2011
Sunday October the 23rd and HMAS Cerberus was opened for it's annual public day.
Victoria turn on an absolutely perfect day for the annual open day at HMAS Cerberus. The only disappointment was the petrol tanker turning over just out of Hastings which closed off part of Westernport highway, making all the traffic heading to Cerberus and beyond use the back roads. That wasn't too bad as it rekindled memories of how we use to find quick ways of getting into Frankston without getting caught.
A perfect day as I said and the depot was a picture, with shuttle buses moving people from the Golf course carpark, it removed the chaos of parking on the depot (Last time visited an open day was 15 years ago and it was mayhem). Most of the activities were centred down on the wharf where the crowds were entertained by a flying exhibition of World War 2 planes and the RAAF Roulette. Yes the place has changed (Building wise) considerably but the character still remains. The School of Music is now the Museum's curator office's but still portrays where we all started from.
Across the road from the old school of Music is the museum (Old Supply school) and that was heavily patronaged all day. The building on the parade ground (Old Admin offices) was exhibiting model ships and their makers plus an artist with his paintings of war ships. The parade ground (still feels empty without the Drill hall) held active displays throughout the day.
The program highlighted the Band playing at the wardroom at 1pm so we ventured up to the wardroom after getting a bit of sustanance at "Millies" (Yes, still there, in name only though). Setup in the gardens was a tent and to my surprise we were entertained by a trio led by Greg Smith on Tenor.
It was an excellent performance as usual and was appreciated by a very small audience. Greg mentioned when I had a chat with him that some of the band were actually in China for a tatoo and the percussionist hurt his foot otherwise it would have been a quartet.
The climax for the complete band was the Beat to Quarters and Sunset ceremony on the parade ground at 3pm. It was quite a warm humid day by that time and I'm sure they were happy to finish that performance. Wandering back through the gardens by the school and train platform to the gangway some of the memories came back, having lessons under the trees on a sunny summers day, convincing someone that there were Crocodiles in the pond or Blowing up funnel web spiders with Brasso just to name a few came flooding back.
The crowds were definetly down from when I visited an open day last but still a big crowd and enjoyable day. Jumped on the Harley and hit those back roads again (Ken MacCallum, Dean Butler, Rudi Strating just to name a few would remember them well on their bikes).
Admin.