Heritage goes on display

By Michael Brooke

LIVING HISTORY: Navy’s new Heritage Centre opened at Garden Island recently. It contains over 2,000 historical artefacts. Part of the centre’s clever marketing campaign includes this graphic which features a WWI vintage life ring from HMAS Australia I and this photo of a young sailor named ‘Jack’.

Opening ceremony of the Navy's Heritage centre at Garden Island.

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EYES FRONT: There was plenty of pomp and ceremony at the opening of the Navy’s Heritage Centre at Garden Island recently. Over 150 VIPs took part in the event.

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ON DISPLAY: The first visitors take the time to look at the range of over 2,000 artefacts that have gone on show at the new centre.

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Photos: ABPH Helen Frank

The dust and cobwebs that covered the century long history of the Navy were literally blown away by Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders when he opened the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre at Garden Island recently.

Some 2,000 selected artefacts, only a fraction of the 250,000 historical pieces stored in a warehouse at the Naval Heritage Collection Main Repository at Spectacle Island, are now on display for viewing by current and former Navy personnel, their families and the public.

VADM Shalders was among more than 150 VIPs including Maritime Commander RADM Davyd Thomas and Commander Australian Navy Systems CDRE Geoff Geraghty who attended the opening ceremony on October 4.

‘The centre provided a valuable insight to Australia’s Navy in peace and war while focusing on the story of ordinary Australians who have served and defended their country at sea.’
– VADM Shalders

The director of the centre, CMDR Shane Moore, said it was important for Navy to provide all Australians with the opportunity to view and understand the role that their Navy has played in the history and development of the nation.

“Until now, Navy has not had the capability to do this and it is hoped that the RAN Heritage Centre will provide a window for all Australians to come and see their Navy,” he said.

Many of the items on display and the audio-visual presentations tell of the heroic deeds of RAN officers and sailors in war, such as HMAS Sydney’s battle with the German raider SMS Emden and the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney in WWII.

For example, visitors can watch the sub attack re-enacted on interactive A/V and then inspect the conning tower of M22, one of three Japanese midget submarines that entered Sydney Harbour in 1942.

The most appealing aspect of the centre is that every exhibit tells a fascinating story. Among items that might not rate a second glance, but are of great historical significance, is the engine cylinder block of the Japanese Kamikazi dive bomber that crashed into HMAS Australia II in October 1944.

There are also exhibits that will help visitors gain an understanding of what it was like to live at sea in a warship.

They can also view a WWII mess deck including hammocks and all, as well as see the tradition and pastimes of Navy and how they reinforce the spirit of a fighting service.

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