Submarines

Association

Australia

11 June 2025

Crest

Current NEWS:

To SAA Members

On behalf of the SAA I would like to congratulate the three submariners named in the recent Kings Birthday Honours list, it is great to see submariners being recognised for the service

Commodore Philip Mark STANFORD RAN AM For exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in submarine capability development and military workforce planning.

Chief Petty Officer Colin Thomas GLASTONBURY OAM For meritorious performance of duty as an Acoustic Warfare Analyst and Acoustic Intelligence Specialist on submarine operations from 2002 to 2024.

Leading Seaman Sara Emily RODWELL CSM For meritorious devotion to duty through the adept application of her skills and leadership throughout her tenure in HMAS Dechaineaux as the Catering Supervisor.

Cheers
David Strangward, AM
SAA, National President

Slops Van

Navy Uniforms
As you may remember, some time ago the Slops Van ceased business and the SAA Executive and State braches agreed that the SAA would no longer hold stock as it was expensive and required management. At the time it was agreed to allow any small business that provided/manufactured memorabilia to have a web site link placed on the SAA site.
The one strict condition was that the company had to prove that they had engaged with Navy Brand for the correct approvals for the use of Navy logo/s etc.
I can announce that Warren Humphrey (Bear) has approached the SAA for permission to advertise on our site, he has also provided proof that his company has been given right approvals and shortly his business link/s etc will be on the SAA web page. He has also stated that a percentage of his sales from the site will be passed on to the SAA.
So the more you use it the more dollars comes to the SAA, Bear does have an extensive array of merchandise and can tailor for particular needs you just need to chat with him.
David Strangward, AM
SAA National President

A permanant link will be included on our: Notice board

SAD NEWS

CPOCOXNSM WAYNE (GIO) DAVID SMITH :
A Vale for Wayne is available at the following link: Vale Wayne Smith

AB COOK SUBMARINES JOHN DOUGLAS SIMOUNDS R64483
A Vale for John is available at the following link: John Simo Simounds

Carol's Walk for Kids with Cancer 2025
More information on our Notice board

SUBCON NEWS Letter 2 :

SUBCON 2025 : Information now has its own page SUBCON 2025

Submariners Walk Heritage Trail Memorial Extension
Expression of Interest

Please see the email below from Dave Strangward,
National President,

SAA Members:
Below this message is an email from the Qld Branch and I believe it is of interest to all,
I fully support this action and could I ask that each state table the request to their members and provide a response indicating members interest to Brian Mateer

Please reply to Brian Mateer, President, SAA Queensland your expression of interest to have a memorial plaque on the wall.
Email address:- presidentsaaqld@gmail.com

David Strangward, AM
SAA National President

Dear Dave,

I am putting an application in for the extension of the subject memorial on behalf of the Management Committee,
SWHT Sub-Committee and the members of the SAA QLD INC through the DVA grants program "Saluting Their Service".

In the application there are specific criteria that are required including supporting documentation and needs.
I can pull this together.
However, for this venture to become a reality I need the states to give me an indication of the interest level of members who would like to have their names included by named plaques mounted on the wall extension for their families,
generations of submariners in the future and for the admiration and contemplation of the Australian public.

For this to be a success and a major memorial to the Submarine Service, cooperation and a commitment that the individual state associations will focus on this being a major attraction for the SAA National and Submarine Squadron communities.
Please send it to the state secretary’s for their input and return it to me. Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

Eric Brian Mateer
President
Submarines Association Australia - Qld Inc
Ph 0404 011 005

Submariners worldwide are a special breed, rarely understood by mere mortals and never understood by skimmers. Submariners of all nations understand this and show respect to each other, knowing the hardship and danger that each has faced to achieve membership to that elite club to which they belong.

The Association's aims and goals are:
•To keep alive the unique esprit de corps of the Submarine Service;
•To establish and maintain a charitable trust, being a welfare foundation;
•To assist one another as occasion may require and to encourage social activities;
•To liaise with kindred organisations, both nationally and internationally; and,
•To educate members about their entitlements and provide access to Department of Veterans' Affairs advocates

The Association maintains a close relationship with several overseas Submariners' Associations. Membership is open to all submariners, regardless of the Navy in which they served.

SAA National President Message

As the year comes to an end I would like to, on behalf of the National and State Committees, wish all SAA members and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
It has been a busy year for the SAA with a great SUBCON in QLD, our web site back up and running.
On the subject of SUBCON, NSW have stepped in to organise SUBCON 25 and there will be more news on the plans etc in the New Year.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the National Committee for all the work they have done this year, much of it behind the scenes.
Our Vice Pres Tony Vine has also worked hard to update our constitution which has needed a lot of work as it has been many years between updates.
Tony has also been able to track down members details and update the Eternal Patrol details as a number of submariners details were incorrect.

Also a big year in the Navy with both senior positions now being filled by submariners, with Mark Hammond as CN and Matt Buckley as DCN so we know the Navy id in good hands.
I was also honoured to be invited to Matt Ritchie’s promotion to CDRE, in early December he has come a long way since his time as a baby greenie in HMAS Onslow.
Of course the AUKUS project is gathering momentum and hopefully in the not too distant future we may have some USN submariners join the association as they move to the West.
Just a reminder that next year is an election year for the National Executive, so please have a think about stepping up and putting your name forward for a position if not for one of the National positions then maybe on your state committees as I see the same names year after year doing a great job in their respective states.

So in closing please keep safe and I look forward to catching up in 2025.