By LCDR Desmond Woods
The HMAS Sydney (II) Memorial at Geraldton in WA has become a place of pilgrimage for 65,000 visitors each year. Some 20,000 arrive by sea on cruise ships that come to Geraldton specifically to allow passengers to visit the Memorial. Many others come because of the reputation of the Memorial as an outstanding example of commemorative art. It was designed by WA sculptors Charlie and Joan Smith and opened by the then Governor of WA Lieutenant General John Sanderson AC, on 19 Nov 2001. That was on the 60thanniversary of the loss of the RAN’s cruiser in battle with the German raider Kormoran off the coast of WA in 1941. The annual commemoration each November has become a major occasion in the life of Geraldton and attracts relatives of Sydney’s sailors among many others from far and wide who wish to pay their respects to the 645 members of the ship’s company who died with Sydney II.
