A Navy guard from HMAS Stirling is flanked by part of the 3000-strong crowd during a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the loss of HMAS Sydney. Photo by ABPH Tony Barclay-Jeffs.

To commemorate the loss of HMAS Sydney on November 19, 1941, dedication of the HMAS Sydney II Memorial at Geraldton took place on Sunday, November 18.

The dedication also formed part of four days of activities.

His Excellency LTGEN John Sanderson, Governor of Western Australia, accepted and committed the memorial on behalf of the people of Australia.

Chief of the Defence Force, ADML Chris Barrie and the Deputy Chief of Navy, RADM Brian Adams, were among the dignitaries at the opening of the memorial, which included the Mr Wilson Tuckey, representing the Prime Minister, and the Premier of Western Australia, Dr Geoff Gallop.

Well in excess of 100 relatives of those lost in HMAS Sydney came from as far away as Canada for the memorial dedication.

Also among the 3000-strong crowd were numerous ex-service groups, including former commissioning ship's company members of Sydney II.

A guard and catafalque party from HMAS Stirling, along with the Western Australia Naval Band and Naval Reserve Cadets from TS Morrow provided the naval flavour at ceremonies in Geraldton which included lighting of the eternal flame on November 19.

SCHA Mark Walbank from HMAS Stirling was the officiating CHAP.

The current HMAS Sydney had planned to be in Geraldton for activities commemorating her predecessor's loss and the opening of the memorial.

However the ship's deployment to the Gulf to replace HMAS Anzac in support of UN sanctions against Iraq circumscribed this and with the Navy's current operational tempo it was not possible for another ship to take her place in Geraldton.

By Gary Booth