Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Saturday was the 80th anniversary of the loss of the HMAS Parramatta II. Commissioned in 1940, her crew served in perilous conditions, escorting, patrolling and mine sweeping as part of the Red Sea Force. In 1941, she began service in the Mediterranean, supporting the reinforcement of Cyprus and allied forces besieged in Tobruk. In the early hours of 27 November 1941 she was escorting a ship carrying much-needed ammunition supplies to Tobruk when she was sunk by a German submarine. The damage to the ship was so great that only those on deck had time to escape. Twenty-four crew survived the sinking; 138 lost their lives. On Saturday, I was honoured to attend the annual memorial service in honour of the men who served on the HMAS Parramatta II that was held at Queen's Wharf Reserve on the Parramatta River. I'd like to thank the Naval Association of Australia, Parramatta memorial subsection, and its president, Bruce Richens, for their work to commemorate the HMAS Parramatta II and her crew.

I'd also like to thank the other organisations in my community that work tirelessly to support veterans and service men and women in the community: the Parramatta RSL subbranch—President Ron Grace; the Merrylands RSL subbranch—President Robin Grimley; the Granville RSL subbranch—Treasurer Alice O'Connor; the Vietnam Veterans, Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association of Australia, New South Wales branch—President Frank Cole; and the Sydney Veterans Lodge—President Fred Mannah. Lest we forget.