Thread: HMAS SYDNEY finally found

There is an ex HMAS Sydney organisation [I was a member as I had served on the Carrier Sydney ,] up to a couple of years ago there were several old sailors that had served on the Sydney In its Med ops they were Lobbying the federal government for years to try to find the wreck I hope a few of those guys are still with us and am sure will be delighted at the results possibly of their lobbying. Cheers George ex RAN

It is good that it has been found and may give some closure to families.
But how it differs from any other person MIA presumed dead mystifies me. As does taxpayer money being used to find it. There are many more things taxpayer dollars should be spent on before finding shipwrecks. At the end of the day it is not really going to change anything. But hey as a society we all seem hell bent on wasting money rather than fixing our hospitals etc, stuff that people actually need.
No offence or disrespect intended to any of the personnel that served on board or there family. I do have the upmost respect for people that defend our country.

Originally Posted by CraigE

...There are many more things taxpayer dollars should be spent on before finding shipwrecks. At the end of the day it is not really going to change anything. But hey as a society we all seem hell bent on wasting money rather than fixing our hospitals etc, stuff that people actually need....

Craig

I can't agree with you on this part of your post.

Yes there are things that we should spend money on, but putting closure on the deaths of those serving their country is also a necessary burden on the national purse. We are a poor country indeed if out history rates as only a optional accessory on the bottom line of the budget.

We are correct to spend money on identifying the bodies of WWI soldiers found in the Somme Battlefield and we are correct mapping and photographing the wreck of the HMAS Sydney.

If we want to lose frivolous expenditure for improving hospitals, schools and transport, cancel the Sydney fireworks each "envelope opening day" and APEC Summits.

Diana

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Craig

I can't agree with you on this part of your post.

Yes there are things that we should spend money on, but putting closure on the deaths of those serving their country is also a necessary burden on the national purse. We are a poor country indeed if out history rates as only a optional accessory on the bottom line of the budget.

We are correct to spend money on identifying the bodies of WWI soldiers found in the Somme Battlefield and we are correct mapping and photographing the wreck of the HMAS Sydney.

If we want to lose frivolous expenditure for improving hospitals, schools and transport, cancel the Sydney fireworks each "envelope opening day" and APEC Summits.

Diana

Fair enough Diana, but we will disagree on the funding issue. I have no problem with spending taxpayer money on that sort of thing if all other socio economic issues are addressed first. I really can not see how any one can justify spending money on something that is not going to actually change anything apart from proving where it lies, when there ar children living in poverty, people dying on hospital waiting list and children not being educated effectively.
As said I do hope it brings some peace to the families.

Originally Posted by CraigE

Fair enough Diana, but we will disagree on the funding issue. I have no problem with spending taxpayer money on that sort of thing if all other socio economic issues are addressed first. I really can not see how any one can justify spending money on something that is not going to actually change anything apart from proving where it lies, when there are children living in poverty, people dying on hospital waiting list and children not being educated effectively.
As said I do hope it brings some peace to the families.

Craig

I have no problem with disagreement.

You are also correct about spending on health, education and infrastructure. However when we are spending billions of dollars on 2nd hand Super-Hornets, and reconditioned Abrams tanks then a few millions looking for a war grave is nothing, particularly as we already have a commitment to maintain Commonwealth War Graves. It is also less than the millions of dollars spent party political propaganda (in the guise of government advertising) and on fireworks each year, both examples of government waste. This is the sort of priority we should be complaining about.

Fireworks are great, but they should be self funding, not out of the Government purse.

Diana

HMAS Sydney was a modified Leander-class light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy. The ship had great success in the first years of World War II, but controversy and mystery surrounds the loss of Sydney and her crew in November 1941. Her sinking with all hands represents the greatest ever loss of life in an Australian warship; Sydney was also the largest vessel of any country to be lost with no survivors during the war.[citation needed]

It was announced on March 16, 2008 that the wreckage of the German vessel which sank HMAS Sydney, the auxiliary cruiser HSK Kormoran, had been found on the night of March 14, 2008.[1] On the next day, March 17, 2008, the discovery of the wreck of HMAS Sydney herself was announced by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.[2] Sydney was located on March 15, 2008, 150 kilometres (81 nmi) from Shark Bay and 22 kilometres (12 nmi) from the location where the German ship HSK Kormoran was found.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Craig

I have no problem with disagreement.

You are also correct about spending on health, education and infrastructure. However when we are spending billions of dollars on 2nd hand Super-Hornets, and reconditioned Abrams tanks then a few millions looking for a war grave is nothing, particularly as we already have a commitment to maintain Commonwealth War Graves. It is also less than the millions of dollars spent party political propaganda (in the guise of government advertising) and on fireworks each year, both examples of government waste. This is the sort of priority we should be complaining about.

Fireworks are great, but they should be self funding, not out of the Government purse.

Diana

Diana,
Absolutely correct. The funds to find the Sydney should have come from the military budget.
Cheers
Craig

Diana,
Seperate issue. Are you working a night shift or just an insomniac?
Cheers
CraigE

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Craig

I have no problem with disagreement.

You are also correct about spending on health, education and infrastructure. However when we are spending billions of dollars on 2nd hand Super-Hornets, and reconditioned Abrams tanks then a few millions looking for a war grave is nothing, particularly as we already have a commitment to maintain Commonwealth War Graves. It is also less than the millions of dollars spent party political propaganda (in the guise of government advertising) and on fireworks each year, both examples of government waste. This is the sort of priority we should be complaining about.

Fireworks are great, but they should be self funding, not out of the Government purse.

Diana