The following formal submission have been made public
Submitter: Papua New Guinea Association of Australia - Rabaul & Montevideo Maru GroupNew Southern Entrance
Thank you for the comprehensive overview of the new development concept which appears thorough and impressive, both in scale and design. We congratulate you for the enormous vision and opportunities it will provide to educate Australians on the incredible sacrifices of war, as well as the courage and bravery of so many Australians.
Our particular interest is to do with the Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial which was located on the Eastern Precinct and removed into safe storage in May 2021.
The sinking of the Montevideo Maru, with 1053 Australian prisoners and internees remains Australia’s greatest maritime disaster – next year will be the 80th anniversary.
This memorial reflects on a significant part of Australian history. 15% of the total Australian POWs who died in captivity perished with the Montevideo Maru sinking; the only hellship with no allied survivors. It lost almost double the number of Australians killed in the Vietnam War and many more than died in the sinking of the HMAS Sydney (645) and the hospital ship the Centaur (268).
The Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial remembers all those who fell at the commencement of the Pacific War in the New Guinea islands in early 1942, both soldiers and civilians. They were hostages to fortune, and the few who survived the incredible weeks and months to escape, and their families and friends, remembered them always. Rabaul, the capital of the Australian territory of New Guinea, was the first Australian town to be attacked in WWII.
Today, Australia’s close relationship with its nearest neighbour, the now independent nation of Papua New Guinea, reflects greatly on its long relationship since it was an Australian Mandated Territory.
Whilst there is a firm commitment to return both this memorial (and Simpson and the Donkey), their location has not yet been ascertained.
Reflecting on the immense detail of the project, it occurs that some forward discussion and planning at this stage seems appropriate for the Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial to ensure its integration is as seamless as possible.
Besides a new location, perhaps the possibility of including an audio guide app or directional audio technology might be considered. Visitors could then have a more comprehensive and interactive educational experience whilst viewing the memorial sculpture. Adding this would be preferable in the planning stage.
It appears important that the location of this elegant and prominent memorial is considered now, rather than later, in the overall scheme of develop works to this greater memorial.
Our particular interest is to do with the Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial which was located on the Eastern Precinct and removed into safe storage in May 2021.
The sinking of the Montevideo Maru, with 1053 Australian prisoners and internees remains Australia’s greatest maritime disaster – next year will be the 80th anniversary.
This memorial reflects on a significant part of Australian history. 15% of the total Australian POWs who died in captivity perished with the Montevideo Maru sinking; the only hellship with no allied survivors. It lost almost double the number of Australians killed in the Vietnam War and many more than died in the sinking of the HMAS Sydney (645) and the hospital ship the Centaur (268).
The Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial remembers all those who fell at the commencement of the Pacific War in the New Guinea islands in early 1942, both soldiers and civilians. They were hostages to fortune, and the few who survived the incredible weeks and months to escape, and their families and friends, remembered them always. Rabaul, the capital of the Australian territory of New Guinea, was the first Australian town to be attacked in WWII.
Today, Australia’s close relationship with its nearest neighbour, the now independent nation of Papua New Guinea, reflects greatly on its long relationship since it was an Australian Mandated Territory.
Whilst there is a firm commitment to return both this memorial (and Simpson and the Donkey), their location has not yet been ascertained.
Reflecting on the immense detail of the project, it occurs that some forward discussion and planning at this stage seems appropriate for the Rabaul & Montevideo Maru Memorial to ensure its integration is as seamless as possible.
Besides a new location, perhaps the possibility of including an audio guide app or directional audio technology might be considered. Visitors could then have a more comprehensive and interactive educational experience whilst viewing the memorial sculpture. Adding this would be preferable in the planning stage.
It appears important that the location of this elegant and prominent memorial is considered now, rather than later, in the overall scheme of develop works to this greater memorial.