By
Graham Davis
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The
safety curtain goes up around the Parramatta I Memorial
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Photo: Chris Tweedie, Parramatta City Council
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A
curtain has been drawn on the HMAS Parramatta I Memorial in Queens
Wharf Reserve at Parramatta.
It won’t be there for too long, however. The memorial is being
renovated and the curtain is a safety screen as part of occupational
health and safety regulations.
The memorial is based around the stern of the old timer, circa
1910. (Her bow is at the northern end of Garden Island.)
S
The stern is mounted on a brick wall built in 1981.
The wall features a brass plaque and signage also dated 1981.
Parramatta City Council has seen that the stern shows corrosion
requiring urgent treatment. Other restoration and conservatory
measures are required to stop water from pooling inside the stern.
Council also saw the need to upgrade the appearance of the relic
and to add interpretive information regarding the history of the
relic and the use of the name HMAS Parramatta on this and subsequent
RAN vessels.
The council has decided to spend $153,000 for the work including
some landscaping and paving upgrades. Work is underway.
Before moving on the project, the council consulted with the RAN,
the Naval Historical Association, the Naval Association of Australia
and local RSL sub branches.
The restoration is expected to be completed in June.
