Pulbah Island Memorial

Thirty-seven days after the loss of HMAS Sydney a memorial tree was planted on Pulbah Island. Pulbah Island is the largest island in Lake Macquarie, located at the centre of the lake.

The ceremony was attended by Nature Reserve Trustees, members of the public and the Minister for Labour and Industry.

The ceremony and planting commemorated the loss of all hands. 9 Squadron members on detachment to HMAS Sydney were among the missing. 9 Squadron was stationed at RAAF Rathmines, about 10km from the island, for much of WWII.

Minister Baddeley planted the deciduous native white cedar Melia azedarach.

The memorial planting is no longer visible on Pulbah Island.

“It is right that everything should be done to honour the brave. War inures a nation to heavy reversals of fortune, and we must be prepared for the news of adverse happenings. The loss of this warship, though it has to be kept in proportion to the tremendous scale of events in this world’s tragedy, struck home to Australians with poignant force.” Address at the HMAS Sydney memorial planting, Pulbah Island. J.M. Baddeley Minister for Labour and Industry. Given 26 December 1941. Newcastle Morning Herald and Miner’s Advocate

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