70th Anniversary MvM Dedication June 2012 – Photos from PNGAA
Remembering those killed in the Japanese invasion of the New Guinea Islands, and the 70th anniversary of Australia’s worst maritime tragedy. On 1 July 1942 the unmarked Japanese prison ship, Montevideo Maru, was torpedoed by an American submarine off the Philippines. All 1,053 servicemen and civilian internees on the ship lost their lives.
The Luncheon Program - contains the order of proceedings and the menu.
Some of the 680 guests attending the luncheon taking their seats
Master of Ceremonies, Ray Martin (photo Norm Plant)
Lt Gen David Morrison, Chief of Army; Andrea Williams, Secretary, Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Society; and Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, Chair of the Australian War Memorial (photo Norm Plant)
Patron of the Society, the Hon Peter Garrett AM MP, reflecting on the events culminating in the sinking of the Montevideo Maru on 1 July 1942 (photo Norm Plant)
A series of posters covering the evacuation of civilians, the invasion of Rabaul by theJapanese, the loss of 1,053 servicemen and civilians on the Montevideo Maru together with associated material were placed on the walls of the lobby adjoining the luncheon room for the information of guests.
A series of posters covering the evacuation of civilians, the invasion of Rabaul by theJapanese, the loss of 1,053 servicemen and civilians on the Montevideo Maru together with associated material were placed on the walls of the lobby adjoining the luncheon room for the information of guests.
A series of posters covering the evacuation of civilians, the invasion of Rabaul by theJapanese, the loss of 1,053 servicemen and civilians on the Montevideo Maru together with associated material were placed on the walls of the lobby adjoining the luncheon room for the information of guests.
A series of posters covering the evacuation of civilians, the invasion of Rabaul by theJapanese, the loss of 1,053 servicemen and civilians on the Montevideo Maru together with associated material were placed on the walls of the lobby adjoining the luncheon room for the information of guests.
Order of Service
More than 1,000 people attended the dedication ceremony - these were some of the lucky ones who had seats. (photo Norm Plant)
A fly-past by a Hudson bomber, a Wirraway fighter and a Catalina together with the opening anthem, Sons of Australia, performed by Rebecca Raymond, accompanied by the Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band, commenced the ceremony (photo Norm Plant)
His Excellency, Charles Lepani, High Commissioner of Papua New Guinea and Andrea Williams, a/President of PNGAA laying wreaths during the ceremony (photo Norm Plant)
Some of the official wreaths laid at the ceremony
'Thanks and Farewell' given by the Patron of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society, the Honourable Peter Garrett AM MP
'Reflections' - Mrs Margaret Henderson
'Reflections' - Mr Norm Furness (President of the Lark Force Association)
Andrea Williams (a/President, PNGAA) and Phil Ainsworth (President, Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Society) in discussion with Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
The Plaque is located adjacent to the Memorial next to the pathway for convenience of the public and easy reading. A permanent exhibit explaining the significance of the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Memorial is displayed in the Australian War Museum.
A view of 'The Rabaul and Montevideo National Memorial' from the eastern forecourt of the Australian War Memorial. The Memorial was sculptured by James Parrett, an established Australian Sculptor whose works are often constructed in stainless steel.
A view of the Memorial looking towards the AWM. The Sculptor of the Memorial, James Parrett, has 'titled his memorial design "Passage" in reference to a boat's passage, the ocean and movement of the waves, the different experiences of these involved, the journey of the families and loved ones on the road of understanding and perhaps forgiveness, life and lifetimes and of moving on'. James wrote "My sculpture, Passage, possesses all of the grand elements of a major sculptural work, capturing and balancing both the powerful and peaceful nature of the ocean".
The sculpture is fabricated from 3-5mm marine grade stainless steel with the structure strengthened by an engineered internal frame. The sculpture is fixed lo the ground with three feet bolted into a huge under surface concrete pad. Thus the sculpture appears to rise from the ground. The following will provide some idea of the size of the sculpture - overall height: 3.65 m, overall width: 4.08 m, overall depth: 1.95 m, height at lowest points: 130 mm and 954 mm.
A general view of the Memorial
A general view of the Memorial showing some of the wreaths.
Looking east
Looking south to Parliament House
The Japanese script on the front cover of the information booklet prepared by the Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Society reads: "Montevideo Maru - register of shipwrecked prisoners of War & Civilians". This script is reproduced from the cover of "The Montevideo List" recently received from Japan and held by the National Archives, Australia.
The musical accompaniment was provided by members of the Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band. It should be noted that the significance of the attendance of the Salvation Army band at the Dedication ceremony was in recognition of the loss on the Montevideo Maru of 22 Salvation Army bandsmen, the majority being members of the Brunswick Citadel band. The bandsmen had enlisted together and comprised the majority of the band of the 2/22nd Battalion (Lark Force).
Sunday 1 July 2012 - The Salvation Army Melbourne Staff Band performing a preliminary 'warm-up' outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier within the precincts of the AWM prior to the Memorial dedication.
Rebecca Raymond with Pat Johnson (née Bates). Rebecca was the soloist who performed the Ramale Anthem, 'Sons of Australia'. This 'anthem' was composed by Father Reischl (with words by Sister Adela) to mark the liberation of the prisoners of war from the Ramale Prison Camp on New Britain, in September 1945. The first performance was in October 1945 at a concert at Ramale to mark the release from captivity. Father Reischl dedicated the 'anthem' to the late Roma Bates, the wife of Major Charles Bates, MC, who led the party that liberated the prisoners. This rendition of the anthem, on 1 July 2012, to commence the Rabaul and Montevideo Maru National Memorial dedication service, is the second public performance of this work.
On Saturday 30 June 2012 a Commemorative Luncheon was held at the Rydges Lakeside Hotel, Canberra, with the address “Remembering Rabaul and the Montevideo Maru” being given by the Chief of the Army, Lt General David Morrison AO.
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On Sunday 1 July 2012 the Commemorative Address at the dedication of “The Rabaul and Montevideo National Memorial” at the Australian War Memorial was given by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Further photos can be found HERE
