Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips has welcomed the presentation of a framed tail blade from Nowra’s famous ‘Chopper on a Stick’ to the Shoalhaven community.
The tail blade from the original UH-1B Iroquois (Huey) Helicopter was lovingly restored and framed by HMAS Albatross Commanding Officer Captain Paul Hannigan and Warrant Officer Stuart Hammond with help from the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Framed with photos of the Huey (Serial 894) on its stick, and also flying over the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 1980s, the tail blade will be hung in the Shoalhaven City Council building to mark the strong relationship between Navy and the local community.
The Huey welcomed people at Nowra’s northern gateway for more than 20 years before it was removed in September 2023.
It will be replaced by a full-sized replica MH-60R Seahawk (Romeo) helicopter, which represents the Royal Australian Navy’s current chopper fleet based at HMAS Albatross.
Mrs Phillips thanked the Navy, Captain Hannigan, WO Hammond and the Fleet Air Arm for the “fabulous gift” to the Shoalhaven community.
“Nowra is a proud Defence town, home to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm at HMAS Albatross. It is the only naval air station in Australia and its significance here locally and across the nation is profound,” she said.
“Gilmore is proudly home to 5,775 veterans and we have more than 7,500 serving Defence members in the region. The Defence and Defence industry supports thousands of jobs and also supports local families who go to our local schools, partners who work locally and families who contribute to our local way of life and community.
“Everyone remembers the Huey and it’s so great that we will now have a permanent piece of the iconic ‘Chopper on a Stick’ on public display.
