Crew of HMAS Sydney welcomed home

Sharon Henderson has been so excited about reuniting with her husband, who has been
aboard HMAS Sydney for six months, she didn't get around to planning a special
homecoming dinner.
"I haven't even thought about dinner. I might just get him a tin of baked beans or
something," she joked.
Mrs Henderson was among hundreds of excited wives, children, families and mates to
welcome home the crew of HMAS Sydney on Saturday, after a round-the-world voyage.
Mrs Henderson waited with the couple's young daughter, visibly elated to welcome her
husband, Chief Petty Officer Marc Henderson.
She told AAP she was relieved to see him come home, and the past six months had been
difficult without him by her side.
"It's basically being a single mother, really."
As the ship docked on a sparkling Sydney Harbour the crew were greeted with the tune
of Waltzing Matilda, which was nearly drowned out by the cheers and whistles of
families.
Some children held bright signs to greet their dads, and many proudly waved
Australian flags.
Several crew members had tearful reunions with wives and girlfriends holding
toddlers and babies.
The commanding officer of HMAS Sydney Captain Peter Leavy said the crew were on a
high after completing the navy's first voyage around the world in nearly 20 years.
"We had a lot of aims for this deployment, a lot based on furthering Australia's
interests, particularly in countries that we don't normally visit, and it's been an
outstanding success by all accounts," he told reporters.
And while berthing in New York and London was a highlight, nothing beats coming into
Sydney Harbour.
"It's always nice rounding Bradley's Head and seeing the skyline of Sydney open up
before you," he said.
"To come in on a Saturday afternoon like this, beautiful weather, it's just fantastic."