MORE than 700 people packed into the Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross on Friday to pay farewell to Nowra-based senior sailor Kane Vandenberg, who was killed in a mountain bike accident in Canberra last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chief Petty Officer Vandenberg, 46, was a highly respected member of the navy’s aircraft engineering staff, spending most of his career at HMAS Albatross and in more recent times was based in Canberra.
He died when he came off his bicycle while taking part in a registration ride at the Defence Mountain Bike championship at Mt Stromlo.
In an emotional service his wife Margaret and son Hayden both delivered messages via video recordings.
His wife said they were young sweethearts and although they may have been complete opposites in so many ways they complimented each other.
“Kane loved the navy and it has been nice to hear him referred to as one of the navy’s finest in recent days,” she said.
“He loved me and loved our boys. He was a wonderful father.
“He has made me and our children the people we are today.
“I would particularly like to thank the navy, the Fleet Air Arm and our friends for their support.”
Hayden said he would try to live his life the way his father had.
“He set us the example of how to live our lives,” he said.
“And I will follow one piece of his advice; that, ‘If something needs doing, do it’.”
Captain Scott Lockey spoke on CPO Vandeberg’s service record including some of his many sporting exploits over the years.
CPO Vandenberg is survived by his wife Margaret, sons Joshua and partner Orcadia, Hayden and partner Stephanie and Lachlan.
He is the son of Keith (deceased) and Toni and son-in-law of Les and Dorothy Moore.
The service included an RSL commemoration, The Ode, Last Post and Reveille and a minute’s silence.
A 21-gun salute concluded the service before the cortege moved off through a guard of honour.
