H.M.A.S. Sydney Whaler Boat Tragedy Print Page 
On October 17th, 1963, the whaler left H.M.A.S. Sydney with a crew of five young officers on a training cruise in the Whitsunday area. The boat failed to return and it was found 100 kilometres away on October 21st. H.M.A.S. ANZAC found the bodies of two midshipmen in the whaler which was dismasted and swamped.
An intensive sea, air and land search which lasted for several days failed to find any trace of the other three young officers.
The monument was organised by Allan Miles, CEO of the Operation Pilgrimage Group - Operation Pilgrimage consists of former members of the Australian Defence Forces who served together in the years between 1960 and 1977.
Location
| Address: | Altmann Avenue , Lions Park, Cannonvale, 4802 |
|---|---|
| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -20.272806 Long: 148.703703 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
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| Monument Theme: | Disaster |
| Sub-Theme: | Maritime |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Sunday 25th October, 2015 |
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This Memorial Stone and Naval Anchor is placed here in memory of the five Naval Officers from H.M.A.S. Sydney who were lost during a training excercise in October 1963
Sub Lt. Norman Longstaff R.A.N.R. NSW
Midshipman Brian Hayward Mayger SA
Midshipman Peter George Mulvaney VIC
Midshipman Graeme John Pierce QLD
Midshipman David James Sanders NSW
Unveiled by family members
Erected by
Mayor Jenny Whitney
Councillor Jan Clifford
Whitsunday Regional Council
Allan Miles Project Co-ordinator
Operation Pilgrimage Group
Bill Rose
Airlie Beach -Whitsunday Sub - Branch
Plaque :
This memorial
Unveiled by : Clive Longstaff (Brother)
Jim Mayger (Brother)
Peter Mayger (Brother)
Dedicated by : Allan Miles
Blessed by : Father Chris Yule
25th October 2015
