Officially opened the HMAS Perth (I) Memorial Exhibition

The Governor formally opened the HMAS Perth (I) Memorial Exhibition at the Perth Town Hall, just a few days before the 79th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Perth which occurred during the Battle of the Sundra Strait on Java’s South Coast on March 1, 1942.

The HMAS Perth (I) Memorial Foundation was formed in 2019 to establish a permanent and fitting memorial to the World War II Cruiser and her crew, with this new memorial aimed at paying homage to the spirit and resilience of all those on board.

A permanent memorial is now being planned and its hoped it will be ready by 2022. The Memorial will also acknowledge the USS HOUSTON which was also lost in the Battle of Sundra Strait.

Photo – HMAS PERTH (I) Memorial Foundation President Michael Bailey, Mr Robert Waller (Grandson of HMAS PERTH Commanding Officer Hec Waller), with Governor Beazley at the Exhibition launch. 

Being asked to formally open the Perth Town Hall exhibition was something close to the Governor’s heart, who is also Patron of the Foundation.

“The HMAS Perth, and remembering her crew was a big part of my childhood,” said the Governor.

“I vividly recall accompanying my father as a young child and teenager to the annual commemoration service at St John’s Church Fremantle, and being fascinated by meeting survivors and their family members who attended those services. You could say I effectively watched them grow old as the years passed.

The HMAS Perth (I) Memorial Foundation has been established to build a fitting memorial to the ship and her courageous crew, and we are privileged to be the first people to see it.”

The criuser, HMAS Perth, is the first of three Royal Australian Navy vessels to bear the name with the exhibition featuring artefacts, models and memorabilia in honour of the ship and crew.

The current exhibition is on display in the under croft of the Perth Town Hall from now until this Thursday between 10am and 4pm. More information here

 

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