Navy commander Alastair Walsh flies high before landing at old stomping grounds

Commander Alastair Walsh made a grand entrance at his old stomping grounds for a very important mission. DETAILS >>

Commander Alastair Walsh has made an epic return to his old stomping grounds, but this time he brought some backup – a navy fleet and a chopper ride to The Hutchins School.

After graduating from The Hutchins School in 1999, Commander Walsh joined the navy and worked his way up the ranks.

Now as the Executive Officer on the Royal Australian Navy’s largest ship HMAS Adelaide, he has returned home to inspire a new generation of potential recruits.

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” he said.

“I went straight to the Defence Force Academy and then did some ship driving as a junior officer then became a diving officer and now the executive officer, second in command of HMAS Adelaide.”

Alastair Walsh Executive Officer HMAS Adelaide who is a former student of The Hutchins School with Jack Wright 16 in year 11 The Hutchins School and Olivia Bridgeman 16 in year 11 at St Michael's Collegiate. Australian Navy visit to The Hutchins School in Sandy Bay. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A navy fleet, including HMAS Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney, have been doing training exercises up and down the East coast and through Bass Strait.

Commander Walsh describes himself as the “deputy mayor of a small floating city”.

“It’s a small floating city of 400 people which can hold up to 1400 people, depending on what our task is,” he said.

“We can take up to 1000 embark forces so soldiers, extra aircrew, vehicle drivers, tank drivers, all that kind of thing.

“We’ve got a police station with military police, we’ve got a an airfield for the helicopters. We’ve got a dock where we run landing craft out of the back and when we’re at sea, we’ve got the best restaurant within 1000 miles, we’ve got a bakery, we’ve got to the sewage treatment plant, we’ve got a water treatment plant.”

Australian Navy visit to The Hutchins School in Sandy Bay. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Coming into Hobart is an opportunity for the navy crew to have a respite as well as recruit and engage with the local community.

“Growing up in Hobart, I did some tours on ships when they came in and I’ve seen a helicopter here (at Hutchins),” Commander Walsh said.

“Being in Hutchins helped me prepare for the selection process to get into the navy, but visiting ships and submarines when I came into Hobart piqued my interest.

“Both my grandfathers were in the military. So my grandfather’s in the navy in World War II and my other grandfather was in the Army in World War II.”

Year 11 high school students Jack Wright, 16, and Olivia Bridgeman, 16, have set their eyes on joining the Defence Force when they finish school.

“I am looking at becoming a helicopter pilot with the army when I’m older,” Miss Bridgeman said.

“Seeing the scale of the helicopter at close and all the mechanics is pretty cool.”

Once finishing year 12, Mr Wright plans on joining the Australian Defence Force Academy

“It’s inspiring in seeing the role that they play in society,” he said.