It's Easter at sea for sailor Lisa

FOR Able Seaman Lisa Thompson Easter was just another working day aboard the Australian missile frigate HMAS Melbourne.

Able Seaman Lisa Thompson putting stock away on board HMAS Melbourne in the Gulf of Aden as part of Operation Slipper. . Picture: Contributed

FOR Walloon girl Lisa Thompson Easter was just another working day.

She is an Able Seaman on HMAS Melbourne, a missile frigate that is now serving in the Middle East.

For Able Seaman Thompson Easter was spent at sea, and celebrated with a church service, a special dinner and care packages from loved ones.

That's if they arrived in time.

"We'll receive mail before Easter and there will be care packages from home filled with melted chocolate," she said.

"But it'll be spent at sea... with any luck we'll have a special dinner to go with it though."

HMAS Melbourne is in Middle Eastern waters where she is taking part in Operation Slipper.

The Adelaide Class missile frigate is working on counter-piracy, counter-terrorism and counter-smuggling operations.

The Melbourne has been in the theatre for two months and expected to stay there for a further five.

Able Seaman Thompson works in logistics looking after stores and supplies. It may not sound glamorous, but without it the operations of the ship would fall apart. She is part of a team responsible for supplying the crew with everything from clothes to parts to keep the vessel afloat.

This is her second stint in the navy, having taken time off after her first four years.

"I enlisted in 2004 and spent four years in the navy," she said.

"I got out after that to spend time with my family.

"Obviously the navy isn't in Ipswich, so I wanted to get back to spend some time with them.

"But after a while I realised that I really missed the navy and wanted to go back."

She rejoined the navy in 2010 after spending time with her parents and two brothers at home in Walloon.

"It's just a great way of life, and I love it."

Originally published as It's Easter at sea for sailor Lisa