As HMAS Arunta made its transit through Port Phillip Bay recently, headed for the Port of Melbourne, this was certainly the case for one young aviation technician.
Able Seaman Phoebe Poole is a member of Flight 801, within 808 Squadron, based at HMAS Albatross in NSW.
The flight was embarked on Arunta with its MH-60R Seahawk helicopter during its Navy Week visit to Melbourne.
For the young Aussie born and raised in Echuca, the journey from the Murray River and ski boats to high seas and warships was one she was always interested in.
Able Seaman Poole spent 14 months training at the RAAF base at Wagga, and finished with nine months of specialist Seahawk training at Albatross, before posting to 808 Squadron.
Encephalitis detected
Community members and visitors are being reminded to continue to take action to prevent mosquito bites after a second case of Japanese encephalitis was identified in a resident of northern Victoria, with likely exposure in the Riverina area of NSW.
The new case sparked a health alert from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer last week, while further evidence of JE circulating has been identified through environmental and mosquito sampling along much of the Murray River.
Mosquitoes can carry a range of diseases that are transmissible to humans, including Japanese encephalitis, Barmah Forest virus, Ross River virus, Murray Valley encephalitis, West Nile/Kunjin virus and Dengue virus.
For some of these diseases there is no effective treatment or vaccine, and the consequences of infection can be serious and, in rare cases, life-threatening.
Lunar eclipse
A blood moon will be seen overhead tonight, due to a total lunar eclipse.
A lunar eclipse takes place when the earth lines up directly between the moon and the sun, blocking sunlight from reaching the moon’s surface, causing the colour change.
This won’t be the only blood moon, or total solar eclipse for the year, with one scheduled for September.
The best time to view the blood moon locally will be right around 7.40pm and you must be ready for it as the spectacle will only last a short time.
Adult skiing day
The Deniliquin Boat Club will be holding an adult ski day on Sunday, March 16, giving adults a chance to have a go on the skis.
The club regularly runs a ski school for young members of the community, teaching them some key skills to be on the water, and now they are offering a session for adults.
The adult ski day will also take on a German flair, with foods from the country being prepared for those in attendance, including pretzels, sausage and sauerkraut.
The club says all ability levels are welcome.
The adult ski day will start at 10am and finish about 2pm. Anyone interested or with questions can contact Aileen Hayes on 0425 808 615.
22°C