Navy and NSW Government join forces to commemorate ships and crew lost in war
What: Dedication Ceremony and unveiling of the restored mast of HMAS Sydney (I) – one of Australia’s most important monuments to ships and crews lost in war. This event will include a Colour Ceremony, HMAS Darwin saluting the Sydney (I) mast from seaward of Bradley’s Head, and a Seahawk helicopter flypast.
When: 7:30am – Wednesday, 2 October 2013.
Where: Southernmost tip of Bradleys Head Road, in Sydney Harbour National Park.
Who: Minister for the Environment, The Hon Robyn Parker MP, and Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett.
Background:
The upgrade is part of a joint venture between NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and the Royal Australian Navy. The mast has been upgraded ahead of Navy’s International Fleet Review (IFR), and all ships will formally salute the mast on entry to Sydney Harbour on Saturday, 4 October 2013.
The light cruiser HMAS Sydney (I) was one of the ships that entered the Harbour a century ago, and its mast remains an enduring link to that historic occasion.
The IFR will bring approximately 40 warships, 16 tall ships, 60 aircraft, 10 military bands and over 8000 sailors from around the world to Sydney, in commemoration of 100 years since the arrival of the first Navy fleet.
Repairs to the mast were part of a park wide upgrade by OEH, which included improvements to the car park, installation of lighting and new safety fencing.
