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EVOLUTION OE SEA ROWER

Midshipmen graduating from the Royal Australian Naval

College at Jervis Bay today were told that the Navies of the

world had begun a most exciting period in the evolution of sea

power.

The Governor-General, Lord Casey, who took the salute

at the graduation, said that this had been brought about by the

introduction of atomic weapons,  guided missiles, atomic powered

submarines and by'ntomic powered surface ships.

He said : "These tremendous advances in science and

technology have had a profound effect not only on the design of . .

ships and equipment but also upon Naval strategic thinking and

tactical doctrine." .

Lord Casey said that the Royal Australian Navy was keeping

pace with these developments by equipping with modern ships, Â·

weapons and facilities. The arrival this year of the two new

highly automated guided missile destroyers, with another to

commission in 1967; the; installation in fleet units of the

Australian designed Ikara anti-submarine missile the entry to the

fleet next year of an escort maintenance ship; the acquisition of

sophisticated aircraft with their complex array of balck boxes;  Â·.

and the building of two new Type 12 frigates were evidence of this.

He told the young Naval officers that "In peace and in Ã¢ÂÂ

war the efficiency of the Navy depends on the quality of its

leaders. Some are born leaders,  but the great majority are made,

not born."

2 .

He continued "You have yet to get experience in command

and in your responsibilities towards the men who will be under

you. Your men have to come to respect you. Above all, you will

have to look after them and create as good conditions as you

possibly can for them."

During his address Lord Casey made mention of the

fact that the Navy was planning to begin University courses at

the Naval C.ollege in 1968, and to increase formal learning in

the humanities.

The thirty-three midshipmen who graduated at today's

ceremony will serve in ships of the Australian Fleet continuing

their training in Britain. Some of the graduates began their

Naval careers as Junior Recruits ^nd Apprentices, and transferred

to the College after selection as potential officers. .

The Dux of the graduating class was Midshipman John

Ridler of Sydney, "

The coveted Queen's Medal, for the Cadet Midshipman who

during his training has shown the outstanding offioer potential,

was won by the Chief Cadet Captain, Midshipman Gerard F. McLennan

of Kensington, Vic.

Today's graduates came from New South Wales (15),

Victoria (5), Queensland (5), Western Australia (3)> South

Australia (3), A.C.T. (l) and New Zealand (l). Â·

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * *  *  Â·

Canberra 15 July, 1966

