Our People in WA
Jacyntha Gannaway and Susie Monaghan - Yanchep Locals have Vital Mission in the Middle East
Yanchep locals Jacyntha Gannaway and Susie Monaghan are now on pirate patrol off the Horn of Africa aboard HMAS Toowoomba.
The ANZAC Class Frigate is currently serving on Operation SLIPPER as part of Australia's military contribution to Maritime Security Operations in the Arabian Gulf and Anti-Piracy and Counter-Terrorist activities in the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa.
Both locals have now been promoted to Leading Seaman and both are Combat Systems Operators onboard HMAS Toowoomba.
Both spent their entire childhood in Yanchep enjoying summers at the lagoon or at the old National Park pool.
They both attended Yanchep District High School, with Susie being in the first five-year-old pre-primary class at the current Yanchep school site. Susie completed her high schooling at Wanneroo Senior High School. Jacyntha completed her high schooling at Yanchep, participating as faction captain from 1995 until 1997 and school captain in 1998.
With only two years separating them, both girls played netball for Yanchep Netball Club for many years under the watchful eye of Carol Osman.
After school, both Jacyntha and Susie decided that they wanted something different. In 2001 Jacyntha joined the RAN and Susie followed Jacyntha into the Navy in 2002.
“I knew Jacyntha was in the Navy but I didn’t expect our paths to cross, let alone end up serving together,” Susie said.
For Jacyntha, this is her third trip to the Middle East, for Susie her second.
When the ship returns to Western Australia in early December, Jacyntha and Susie will return to Yanchep to visit family and friends. Both girls can’t wait to get back for Christmas.
HMAS Toowoomba is due to return to her home port at Fleet Base West in Western Australia
Australia's military contribution to Afghanistan is part of the nation’s broader commitment to Coalition efforts against international terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security.
The Australian deployment, comprising around 1550 personnel in Afghanistan and a further 850 across the Middle East, is know as Operations SLIPPER. Under Operation SLIPPER. Australian forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, aimed at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists, and the United States-led International Coalition Against Terrorism.