General News
15 February, 2024
Remembering those who perished
A SMALL crowd gathered in Mortlake over the weekend to remember the 82 sailors who lost their lives during what was described as one of the worst peace time disasters in Australian Naval history.
Around a dozen people visited the Mortlake War Memorial on Saturday morning to pay their respects 60 years after the HMAS Voyager (II) was sank during a training exercise off the coast of New South Wales.
As Western District Newspapers reported last week, Mortlake Returned and Services League branch president Merv Hampson had invited members of the South West branch of the Naval Association of Australia to visit Mortlake and pay their respects.
Mr Hampson, himself a navy veteran who had spent time on the HMAS Voyager and a member of the South West branch of the Naval Association of Australia, said the fateful evening was among the most storied in Australian history due to the catastrophic loss of life.
Among those to attend the service were fellow Naval Association of Australia south west branch members Lee Priest (president) and Michael ‘Mick’ Clifford,
Mr Priest laid a wreath in commemoration of those who lost their lives, while Mr Clifford spoke before the small crowd describing the events of the fateful evening when the HMAS Voyager collided with the HMAS Melbourne and sank.
“When the two ships collided at 20.56, 82 of the 314 personnel aboard the HMAS Voyager at the time of the collision were lost at sea,” Mr Clifford said.
“There were no casualties aboard the HMAS Melbourne.
“It remains one of the worst disasters during times of peace in Australian naval history.”
Mr Hampson recited the Naval Ode before a moment of silence was held.
“They have no grave but the cruel sea, no flowers lay at their head,” he said.
“A rusting hulk is their tombstone, afast on the ocean bed.
“They show grow not old as we that are left grow old, age shall not wear them, nor the years condemn.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
Following the service, Mr Priest thanked Mr Hampson for hosting the service and the invitation to visit Mortlake.
“We were going through to another commemorative event in Ballarat and wanted to pay our respects,” he said.
“It was an important event in Australia’s naval history.
“We were pleased to stop by Mortlake at Merv’s invitation and lay a wreath.
“It was 60 years ago but we continue to remember those who perished.”
