Our People in WA
Kalgoorlie Sailor in Sumatra Mercy Op -Anthony da Silva
Growing up in the Western Australian desert isn’t the most obvious path to a naval career but for Kalgoorlie’s Anthony da Silva the distance to the ocean wasn’t a problem.
Anthony left the red dust of WA’s goldfields at the age of 19 to join the Royal Australian Navy. He specialised as an aviation technician and been promoted to Able Seaman.
Five years on, he’s aboard HMAS KANIMBLA off the shore of earthquake-shattered Sumatra.
Kanimbla has two Sea King helicopters aboard and Anthony’s duties include maintaining their safety equipment and refuelling the aircraft.
“Having two Sea Kings onboard is a really valuable experience for us as it is not very often that it happens,” Anthony said.
“It keeps us all busy as there is always something that needs doing.”
Anthony, a former member of the Norths Wesley Hockey Club in Kalgoorlie, still gets home as often as he can to visit family and friends.
These days Anthony is usually based at 817 Squadron in Nowra, NSW, the Navy’s centre of excellence for helicopters. In fact Anthony himself has been recognised a couple of times for his excellent commitment to his job.
“I have received two Commanding Officers’ commendations since I joined the Navy,” he said.
“One was at the RAAF School of Technical Training and the other was with my current unit, 817 Squadron.”
Commanding Officers’ commendations are awarded to sailors who excel in their jobs and are highly regarded in the Navy.