Loconut was there to see the HMAS Anzac arrive home today following a deployment in the Middle East. Family and friends of the 183 men and women that have been at sea for 182 days, eagerly awaited the arrival of their loved ones – and the buzz on the dock of anticipation and happiness was high! Watching the ship come in, kids with flags, posters and balloons ran around trying to spot mum or dad and husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends and friends stood back and proudly watched and waved as they spotted their loved ones!

As they docked and stepped off the ship – to the sounds of Advance Australia Fair, the rain began to fall as did the tears – Commanding Officer Captain Simon Middleton stepped off the ship on his final day as Captain of the ship, and was reunited with his wife and two children. Then the others stepped off greeted with those posters, balloons and flags that their kids had been running around with earlier. There was hugs and kisses, and words of “I’m home now, I’m really home” said over and over by all that arrived back on land!

“The best thing about having dad home is being able to unwrap the presents with him at Christmas time, but the worst thing about him being away was that he missed my birthday, but is home in time for my brothers!” is what one girl said about her dad coming home! 150 days at sea, two members of the crew became fathers for the first time, nearly 90,000 meals were made and 4366 kilograms of mail from family and friends was received!

It was an emotional time for all involved and I’m sure there will be a lot of catching up to do!