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Koolama Memorial Print Page 
The monument commemorates the survivors of the M.V. Koolama 1 which was attacked by the Japanese in 1942, and the overland trek they took. The site also commemorates a re-enactment of the trek in 1991.
Koolama Bay is situated on the remote North Kimberley Coastline, and it is where the ship M.V. Koolama 1 was sunk by Japanese bombers. The many people on board were stranded and it was the Indigenous Ballanggarra people of the Kalumburu mission that led the survivors through the remote bushland coast and to back to safety.
The vessel was attacked and damaged by Japanese aircraft off Cape Londonderry and made a run to the shelter of Rulhieres Bay. The Captain was able to nurse the crippled vessel to Wyndham where it was again attacked. The crew who were manning the pumps to keep her afloat evacuated the ship and she filled with water, sinking off the Wyndham wharf. A salvage attempt failed but Koolama was eventually dragged clear of the wharf.
Location
| Address: | Cape Rulhieres, Wyndham, 6740 |
|---|---|
| State: | WA |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -13.913056 Long: 127.356944 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 20-February-1942 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 20-February-1942 |
| Link: | http://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-… |
Dedication
| Approx. Monument Dedication Date: | March-1991 |
|---|
Cape Rulhieres.
The first attack on Western Australia 20th February 1942 at 10:30am.
Site where the survivors of the SS Koolama 1 camped after being bombed by the Japanese. They were rescued by Father Seraphim Sanz and several Aboriginal men from the Drysdale Mission.
Drv. Mech. D. T. Anderson W 24263
March 1991.
The enactment of overland trek to Drysdale & Kalumburu Missions undertaken by Koolama survivors from this cove
26. 2. 42
Bill Loane, Martin Jones, Richard courtney.
Plaque set by Dudley Anderson Koolama survivor.
C.D.C. Graphics
February 1942.
Alfred Lloyd Courtney landed in the bay
March 1991
Richard Lloyd Courtney landed in this bay following father’s footsteps.
