Half a century in the Navy

I joined the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1972 – before colour television, credit cards and mobile phones. 

I left home at 16, travelling by train from Brisbane to Western Australia to join HMAS Leeuwin (Walton 40th Division). I spent 12 months training before joining the fleet. 

Able Seaman Currell onboard HMAS Stalwart in 1974

A career at sea  

I wanted to be a Quarter Master Gunner, Fire Control or Tactical Operator but the Navy said, “You will become an Electrical Mechanic” (EM). I was the last of the Ordinary Seaman category to go to sea on HMAS Brisbane (II), deploying for a six-month trip up top for RIMPAC ’73. HMAS Brisbane (II) was at anchor in October 1973 for the opening of the Sydney Opera House; I was then posted to HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Nirimba for further training. 

Able Seaman Currell on HMAS Orion in 1977

Among my many career highlights was helping Darwin recover from Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Spending six weeks on board HMAS Stalwart, I rewound electrical motors and worked with civilian linespersons and electrical contractors to help restore power to the city. Seeing streetlights and the odd house light glowing was rewarding.  

That same year, I cleaned up after the devastating floods in Brisbane – my hometown – and in 1975, I witnessed the independence of Papua New Guinea. For a young sailor, it was eye-opening to see the local tribes in war paint and feathers. 

From submarines to recruitment  

I volunteered for submarine service in 1975 and went to the UK for training. I served on submarines Oxley and Ovens before being posted to Scotland for two years, commissioning crew for NUSHIP HMAS Orion and attending the spectacular Silver Jubilee Spithead Review. In the mid to late 1970s, many months were spent at sea on HMAS Orion performing undisclosed ‘special operations’ for the government. This was tough for our families at home.  

Chief Petty Officer Currell onboard HMAS Orion as part of a Defence Force Recruiting visit

Despite this, becoming a submariner was the best decision I ever made; the camaraderie within a close-knit Naval family is second to none.  

I left submarines and was posted to HMAS Kuttabul (FIMA), rewinding electric motors. With help from Technical Training Unit 2 (TTU 2), the Motor Rewind Course was designed and later won the (civilian) Australian Industry Training Design (AITD) Merit Award for Best In-house Course, much to the RAN’s surprise. The 75th Anniversary and the Bicentennial Naval Salute of the RAN in Sydney Harbour in 1988 was a spectacular event to witness. 

I then served on HMAS Jervis Bay for three years, before being posted to Defence Force Recruiting in Canberra in 1990 and transferring to the Navy Reserves in 1993. 

I witnessed much change over my 33.5 years in Defence Force Recruiting. Dealing with young and more mature jobseekers has been a satisfying job. Giving an individual a second chance, and seeing them develop, is what makes a person. The ships, submarines, aircraft, and Army equipment may have changed, but the principles remain the same when explaining to potential recruits what life in the ADF is all about. 

Helping my fellow submariners 

Over the past decade, under the banner of Submarines Association Australia (SAA) Qld, I’ve been committed to creating a legacy for submariners, such as the Submariners’ Walk Heritage Trail in Brisbane. The trail stretches some 150 m along the Brisbane River and highlights the various classes of submarines that have helped to defend our nation since 1914. 

Donald Currell, then President of the Submarines Association Queensland Incorporated at the opening of the Submariners Walk Heritage Trail in Brisbane in 2013.

Being awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2014 for services to veterans came as a complete shock. I get so much satisfaction from being able to help my fellow submariners. 

I would certainly enlist in the Navy again, as serving this great country has made me realise just how lucky we are living here. 

My wife Wendy has been part of my RAN journey for 47 years and her devotion to our family during my absence has been remarkable indeed.  

Donald Currell and his family at Government House in 2014.