Copacabana Naval Memorial Middle Image Image Image 0 / 0 - Prev Next Description / Background This memorial is dedicated to all Naval personnel, in war and peace time, whose final resting place was the ocean bed. It consists of an upright metal panel, with two stainless steel plaques attached. The panel stands on a metal plate, in between a brass propeller and a brass anchor, which has a chain wrapped around it. A chain is also used to form a border around the edge of the panel and the back, left, and right sides of the plate. A third stainless steel plaque is attached to the bottom plate in front of the two bollards. The memorial was designed and built in 2019, but is not permanently fixed to the ground. It was approved by Central Coast Council as a 'Transportable Naval Memorial', as no digging was permitted out of respect for the Aboriginal heritage of the area. When on display, it is positioned near two flagpoles adjacent to the Surf Life Saving Club at Copacabana Beach. It is in place seven days before and seven days after commemorative services, such as Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, and any other veterans' commemorative events. The dedication ceremony for the memorial took place on 11 November 2019. Present were representatives of the Royal Australian Navy, HMAS Voyager Survivors Association, Naval Association NSW, and Legacy. Also among those gathered were Lucy Wicks, Federal Member for Robertson; Adam Crouch, Member for Terrigal; Central Coast Councilors; local residents; and school students. In his speech, Captain Tony Rayner of the Navy said: It's a great thing to have for a small community like this for people to have a place to focus their Remembrance activities around Anzac Day and certainly Remembrance Day as well. During the emotional service, the memorial was covered by a Naval Battle Ensign, which saw active service in the 1991 First Gulf War. More than 100 students from Copacabana Public School laid poppies and 10 also helped the dignitaries with the official unveiling. Inscription Plaque 1 They have no grave, but the cruel sea no flowers lay at their head a rusting hulk is their tombstone a'Fast on the ocean bed They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old age shall not weary them nor the years condemn at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them LEST WE FORGET Presented to Roque Charles 'China' Hammal Founder of the Australian Navy in Vietnam Veterans' Welfare Association (WA and NSW) For your ongoing support to serving and past members of the Royal Australian Navy assisting with the Department of Veteran's Affairs 11th November 2018 Plaque 2 COPACABANA NAVAL MEMORIAL This memorial was unveiled by Captain Tony Rayner, RAN Royal Australian Navy Lucy Wicks MP, Member of Robertson Adam Crouch MP, Member for Terrigal Councillor Jeff Sundstrom, Central Coast Council George "Bluey" Ducker, HMAS Voyager Survivor Elizabeth Ward, Past President Brisbane Water Legacy Doug Waters, Vice President Cental Coast Naval Association Craig William Mitchell, Copacabana Public School Marion Stewart, Copacabana Resident Robert Clancy, Copacabana Resident We forever thank you for your service and sacrifice, which gives us the freedom to enjoy our Copacabana lifestyle. 11th November 2019 Plaque 3 This Memorial is Dedicated to all who paid the Supreme Sacrifice In war and peace time, Whose final resting place was the ocean bed. Thank you for your Service & Sacrifice “Lest we forget” Related links Remembrance Day 2019: New Naval memorial unveiled (11 Nov 2019) Central Coast: Lest we forget (11 Nov 2020) Do you know more about this war Memorial? Click here to learn how you can contribute Sidebar Address Copacabana Beach Copacabana NSW 2251 Local Government Area Central Coast Council Setting Garden/park Memorial type Monument Recorded by Roque Charles "China" Hammal Year of construction 2019 Dedication date 11 November 2019 Conflict/s Peacekeeping, 1947–present All conflicts Materials Brass Timber