Stronger bonds of friendship proved the ultimate prize when the crew of HMAS Perth took on Indonesian Navy personnel in a sports day during a recent port visit.
After combined warm-up exercises, competitors participated in a series of friendly sports ranging from the truly international football code - soccer - to less common sports such as sack racing and land-skiing in three-person teams.
No sports day is complete without a tug of war and this one was no exception, with mixed teams formed from both nations to haul their hardest.
The sporting prowess of Indonesian and Australian naval personnel was matched only by the sportsmanship and collaborate spirit on show.
Competition for victory was fierce across all sports, but the real win was the friendship, camaraderie and mutual respect fostered between the two navies.
The sports carnival was a highlight of Perth's four-day visit to Makassar, Indonesia, which marked an important moment in Australia-Indonesia naval relations.
Executive Officer Perth Lieutenant Commander Gemma Casserly emphasised the importance of such engagements.
"Sports and cultural exchanges like these foster better understanding and cooperation between our nations," she said.
"It's an opportunity for our personnel to connect on a personal level, which translates into stronger professional relationships."
'Engaging in joint activities helps build mutual trust, enhances operational compatibility, and provides a platform for learning and sharing best practices.'
Lieutenant Commander Casserly said the benefits extended beyond just improved relations.
"Engaging in joint activities helps build mutual trust, enhances operational compatibility, and provides a platform for learning and sharing best practices," she said.
"This sports day, in particular, offered a relaxed setting where sailors from both countries could interact outside the formal naval environment, contributing to a more profound and personable partnership."
The visit and sports day continued long-running efforts by both militaries to strengthen their maritime partnership.
For the Royal Australian Navy and the Indonesian National Military-Naval Force that have worked alongside each other on various joint exercises, sporting events such as this play a crucial role in reinforcing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two.
"After Perth sailed, the spirit of cooperation and friendship fostered during the sports day will undoubtedly remain, benefiting the relationship between Australia and Indonesia and helping to ensure a robust and collaborative maritime presence in the region," Lieutenant Commander Casserly said.
The visit by the Anzac-class frigate and its nearly 200-strong crew was part of an Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment.
