The Function of the Tingira Australia Association – is to keep alive the spirit of the second generation of ‘Tingira Boys’ from HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Leeuwin Junior Recruits, through the reuniting of class and shipmates at a social and friendship level. The Association is non-political and does not provide welfare services or advice.

Life Membership and General Membership of the Association are open to all personnel who have served onboard HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Leeuwin and worn the famous ‘Tingira Flash’.

‘Associate Life Membership’ and ‘Associate General Membership’ are also available to friends and family members, Tingira descendants, Leeuwin instructors, Ships’ Company, and officers of the Royal Australian Navy.

Membership now exceeds 900 and continues to grow as we celebrate our first 15 years as an Association from 1/1/11.

Our members range in age from approximately 55 to 82 years young, with some of our stalwart members still serving in the RAN today. While the majority are dispersed throughout the length and breadth of Australia, many members are also located overseas. Membership is available directly via our website at www.tingira.org.au.

Members are kept informed of past, present, and future events through our website and our magazine, VOICEpipe. ANZAC Day and the Tingira Birthday—13 July, marking the anniversary of the first Leeuwin intake in 1960—are the two most important annual events that we commemorate and celebrate.

As an Association, we acknowledge and represent the history, activities, and descendants of the officers and sailors of the English clipper ship Sobraon, which later became the NSW Nautical School Ship Sobraon, before entering its third life when commissioned as HMAS Tingira on 25 April 1912.

The Association also supports the RAN Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus through a dedicated ‘Tingira Class’ within the new Yarra Division. At each Passing Out Parade, the ‘Tingira Topshot’ Trophy is awarded to the recruit who achieves the best results on the rifle range.

The Tingira Stonehaven Medal is awarded annually to a Tingira Boy or Boys—members who demonstrate achievement ‘above and beyond’ expectations in naval or civilian community service. This is the highest honour within the Association and is based on the original Stonehaven Shield, first was presented annually to HMAS Tingira by the Governor-General, Lord Stonehaven, in 1925.

All activities and services of the Association are supported by unpaid volunteers elected to the National Tingira Committee for three-year terms. The Association does not hold official lists of Tingira Boys who served aboard Sobraon, Tingira, Cerberus, or Leeuwin; these records are held by the Department of Defence and may be accessed by direct request to the Department.

The Association welcomes sponsorship and fresh ideas from members and friends, either through Committee members or directly via the Secretary.

Long Live Tingira – Mates For Life

_{TINGIRA AUST ASSOC – ABN 72 952 167 649 – Inc Assoc NSW – 1/1/11}