Australian Centenary of Submarines

Submariners from across Australia participating in the ANZAC Day march in Holbrook.

Holbrook has laid out the red carpet for visitors over the ANZAC day weekend to celebrate the Australian Centenary of Submarines.

The Holbrook RSL sub-branch held a Dawn Service on ANZAC day, followed by a breakfast at the Holbrook Returned Serviceman’s Club.

On Saturday 26th of April a commemoration for Australian Submarines with recognition of Commander Norman Holbrook’s Victoria Cross (Dec. 1914, Dardanelles) was held at Submarine Park.

Additionally, the AE1 – AE2 exhibition was launched at the Submarine Museum alongside the new book by Dr K Spurling, The Crew of AE1.

The AE1 – AE2 exhibition recognises the gallant efforts of the first Australian submariners during World War One, providing an insight into the conditions they fought under and the heroism of Australia’s first submariners.

 The All Submariners Reunion Dinner Dance was also held Saturday evening with entertainment provided by the Royal Australian Navy Band.

A sayonara brunch was also held on Sunday morning to bid farewell to the visiting submariners at Submarine Park, and in the afternoon an official ceremony was held as part of the NSW Centenary of ANZAC Commemoration to dedicate and rename the recreation area known as Circus Flats, adjacent to Submarine Park, to Gallipoli Victoria Cross Rest Area.

The Rest Area was dedicated to those Australians who were presented the Victoria Cross for the highest acts of valour during the Gallipoli campaign.

The dedication ceremony was organised in collaboration with the NSW Office for Veterans’ Affairs, Commonwealth and State Government representatives, military institutions and Greater Hume Shire Council.