Naval MemorialPrint Page

The Naval Memorial commemorates all naval personnel in war and peace time whose final resting place was the ocean bed.

Residents of the Central Coast gathered at Copacabana Beach on Remembrance Day to unveil a new Naval Memorial specially dedicated to all naval personnel in war and peace time whose final resting place was the ocean bed.

The Memorial was designed and the service arranged by Roque ‘Rocky’ Hammal, a long-time resident of Copacabana who served as a naval diver and marine engineer and was also the founder of the ‘Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans Welfare Association’ in WA and NSW.

VIPs attending this special service and laying wreaths included Captain Tony Rayner RAN; Lucy Wicks MP, Federal Member for Robertson; Adam Crouch MP, Member for Terrigal; Councillor Jeff Sundstrom, Central Coast Council; HMAS Voyager Survivors Association; Naval Association of NSW; Legacy; Students and teachers from Copacabana Public School; Peter Hill, Solicitor and past President of the Copacabana Community Association and Steve Boucher, current President of the CCA.

Creator of the memorial, Roque Hammal explained ‘The anchor represents the final resting place for them. A chain is set in a figure of eight around two bollards to denote infinity. The propeller shaft and ‘A’ bracket are turned upside down. It means the ship has sunk. We’ve finished with the main engine. Your duty is over. Thank you for your service’.

Captain Tony Rayner RAN said ‘It’s a great thing to have for a small community like this for people to have a place to focus their Remembrance activities ‘. During the Service, the new Memorial was covered by a Naval Battle Ensign which saw active service in the 1991 First Gulf War. 101 students from Copacabana Public School all laid poppies at this moving Service and 10 helped VIPs to officially unveil the new Naval Memorial.  11th November marked 101 years since the guns fell silent in World War 1. At the 11th hour, attendees held a minute’s silence to reflect on the great toll war has had on Australians in the past and in the present.
Copacabana News.

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Location

Address:	Del Monte Place, Copacabana, 2251
State:	NSW
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -33.490977 Long: 151.432767 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Monument
Monument Theme:	Conflict
Sub-Theme:	Multiple
Designer:	Roque Hammal

Dedication

Actual Monument Dedication Date:	Monday 11th November, 2019

Source: MA