Currents

Belated recognition for heroism

Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean VC

AFTER A LONG BATTLE FOR recognition, the heroism of Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean and his actions aboard HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942 have finally been acknowledged with the posthumous award of a Victoria Cross. Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean VC becomes the first member of the Royal Australian Navy to be awarded the armed forces’ highest honour. During its final battle, HMAS Armidale was attacked by at least a dozen Japanese aircraft. Two torpedoes hit the corvette, then a bomb struck aft. Survivors leapt into the sea and were strafed by machine guns. Eighteen-year-old Sheean ignored the order to abandon the listing ship, strapped himself to a gun and went down with Armidale in battle.

Studio portrait of Teddy Sheean, 1941. Image Australian War Memorial 044154 Eighteen-year-old Sheean ignored the order to abandon the listing ship, strapped himself to a gun and went down with Armidale in battle

He shot down one bomber, kept other Japanese aircraft away from men in the water and was seen to be still firing as Armidale finally sank. Sheean was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery and in 1999 a Collins Class submarine was named after him – the only ship in the Royal Australian Navy to bear the name of an ordinary seaman. After years of trying to have Sheean’s deeds recognised by a military award, his nephew Gary Ivory stated: I have been fighting for 32 years, we have had the ups and downs, but we have never given up. It matters, because of the injustice in the beginning. Because ... nothing was done right from day one with it. A recent Defence Honours and Awards Appeal Tribunal report unanimously recommended the commendation, which had previously been rejected by the Federal Government. The report found that there had been ‘maladministration’ in the original decisions not to award the military honour. In overturning the Government’s decision, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: He was done a substantial injustice in the original decision-making period in 1942 to 1943 and his courageous sacrifice of his life to save his shipmates makes him eligible for the Victoria Cross. In his investiture address, 78 years to the day of Armidale’s sinking, Mr Morrison said:

Today, almost eight decades on from Teddy’s brave actions, we know his story grows with the ages. He now takes his place as one of the guiding lights of the country he indeed served to save.

His life brings to mind the words of the British officer and poet Thomas Mordaunt – ‘One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name’.

The name, the example, the glorious life of Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean VC will always be remembered. For a full biography please go to navy.gov.au/biography/ordinaryseaman-edward-teddy-sheean-vc

Art inspired by war

Illuminating multicultural Australia

War not only destroys cities and towns and objects of beauty, war defaces humanity. The effects of war can leave a person feeling empty. Art is a way out of that emptiness.

MAHER AL KHOURY, who arrived in Australia as a refugee from Syria four years ago, was one of 15 artists from First Nations, refugee and migrant backgrounds who contributed to an exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum in January. Motherland – Exile/Refuge – Migration (repeat) was the first major initiative under a new partnership between the museum and Settlement Services International (SSI) that aims to build awareness of people’s experiences of migration to Australia and to help illuminate Australia’s multicultural success story. The exhibition, produced by the SSI Arts & Culture team, attracted more than 1,400 visitors. It explored views and experiences of displacement, migration and settlement and raised important questions about belonging, identity and the complex layers of forced and voluntary human movement.

For Mr Al Khoury, art is an essential part of life. It supports wellbeing and is deeply healing, especially during times like war when there is little else to keep hope alive.

Maher Al Khoury explains his work Ground Zero during a tour of the exhibition Motherland – Exile/Refuge – Migration (repeat) at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Image Danish Ravi The partnership between the museum and Settlement Services International (SSI) aims to build awareness of people’s experiences of migration to Australia

Ground Zero, a new work commissioned for the exhibition, tells the story of his journey as an artist losing everything due to the destruction of his homeland and arriving in Australia in search of new memories. It explores new ways of seeing, new subject matter, new light, and the tragic poetry of a life destroyed but with visions of hope for a new future for himself and his family. Mr Al Khoury said:

I am very proud to be a part of this exhibition at the museum. It is the first major exhibition I have been a part of in this country. I want to share my story and my art with Australian people. I think this is important because Australia is such a beautiful place.

Acknowledgments The Australian National Maritime Museum acknowledges the support provided to the museum by all our volunteers, Members, sponsors, donors and friends. The museum particularly acknowledges the following people who have made a significant contribution to the museum in an enduring way or who have made or facilitated significant benefaction to it.

Honorary Fellows John Mullen AM Peter Dexter AM Valerie Taylor

Ambassadors Christine Sadler David and Jennie Sutherland

Major Donors – SY Ena Conservation Fund David and Jennie Sutherland Foundation Honorary Life Members Yvonne Abadee Dr Kathy Abbass Robert Albert AO RFD RD Bob Allan Vivian Balmer Vice Admiral Tim Barrett AO CSC Maria Bentley Mark Bethwaite AM Paul Binsted Marcus Blackmore AM David Blackley John Blanchfield Alexander Books Ian Bowie Ron Brown OAM Paul Bruce Anthony Buckley Richard Bunting Capt Richard Burgess AM Kevin Byrne Sue Calwell RADM David Campbell AM Marion Carter Robert Clifford AO Helen Clift Hon Peter Collins AM QC John Coombs Kay Cottee AO Helen Coulson OAM Vice Admiral Russell Crane AO CSM John Cunneen Laurie Dilks Leonard Ely Dr Nigel Erskine John Farrell Kevin Fewster AM Bernard Flack Daina Fletcher Sally Fletcher Teresia Fors Derek Freeman CDR Geoff Geraghty AM Anthony Gibbs RADM Stephen Gilmore AM CSC RAN Paul Gorrick Lee Graham Macklan Gridley Sir James Hardy KBE OBE RADM Simon Harrington AM Christopher Harry Gaye Hart AM Peter Harvie Janita Hercus Robyn Holt William Hopkins Julia Horne Kieran Hosty RADM Tony Hunt AO Marilyn Jenner John Jeremy AM Vice Admiral Peter Jones AO DSC Michael Kailis Hon Dr Tricia Kavanagh John Keelty Kris Klugman OAM Judy Lee Matt Lee David Leigh Keith Leleu OAM Andrew Lishmund James Litten Hugo Llorens Tim Lloyd Ian Mackinder Stuart Mayer Jack McBurney Bruce McDonald AM Lyn McHale VADM Jonathan Mead AM RAN Ron Miller Arthur Moss Patrick Moss Rob Mundle OAM Alwyn Murray Martin Nakata David O’Connor Gary Paquet David Payne Prof John Penrose AM Neville Perry Hon Justice Anthe Philippides Peter Pigott AM Len Price Eda Ritchie AM John Rothwell AO Kay Saunders AM Kevin Scarce AC CSC RAN David Scott-Smith Sergio Sergi Mervyn Sheehan Ann Sherry AO Shane Simpson AM Peter John Sinclair AM CSC Peter R Sinclair AC KStJ (RADM) John Singleton AM Brian Skingsley Eva Skira Bruce Stannard AM J J Stephens OAM Michael Stevens Neville Stevens AO Frank Talbot AM Mitchell Turner Adam Watson Jeanette Wheildon Hon Margaret White ao Mary-Louise Williams AM Nerolie Withnall Cecilia Woolford (nee Caffrey) Honorary Research Associates Lindsey Shaw Jeffrey Mellefont Paul Hundley Rear Admiral Peter Briggs Dr Ian MacLeod Dr Nigel Erskine David Payne John Dikkenberg

Congratulations to Wayne M Coles, who won the Signals 133 caption competition with this entry: ‘Look! That fool thinks he’s the king of the world!’

Autumn in Store

Open 7 days a week 02 9298 3698 Or shop online at store.anmm.gov.au Live nearby? We also offer Click-and-Collect for online orders.

Follow us on instagram.com/ seamuseum_store

Prehistoric sea monsters on sale

A huge range of dinosaur and prehistoric sea monster goodies on sale now – books, toys, educational activities, tees, homewares, gifts and more!

Duyfken

Explore our specially selected range of items related to Duyfken, tall ships, navigation and early exploration.

Ceramic trivets

These enchanting Australian wildflower ceramic trivets are a stylish addition to any modern home or the perfect gift for gardeners and nature lovers.

$25.00 / Members $22.50 Brass anchor hook

Need a hook for your hats or coats? Why be boring when you could be nautical? A perfect gift for the sailing enthusiast in your life.

$8.95 / Members $8.05

Jackspeak: A guide to British naval slang and usage

What’s a ‘poop deck’? Or a ‘dit spinner’? Jackspeak is a comprehensive reference guide to the humorous and colourful slang of the navy.

$35.00 / Members $31.50

3D model kit – humpback whale

This environmentally friendly kit contains flat cards with individually numbered pieces, all ready for you to assemble. One of a huge range in store.

$19.95 / Members $17.95 Royal Australian Navy in the Atlantic and Mediterranean

This commemorative publication by the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs is a part of the series ‘Australians in World War II’.

$20.00 / Members $18.00

Book sale

Need some adventure in your life? There’s currently up to 65% off a huge range of titles, including history, adventure, kids, indigenous, science, art, photography and more.

Members’ discounts and further special discounts now available in store. (Members’ discount is not available on already discounted items.)

Signals ISSN 1033-4688 Editor Janine Flew Staff photographer Andrew Frolows Design & production Austen Kaupe Printed in Australia by Pegasus Print Group Material from Signals may be reproduced, but only with the editor’s permission. Editorial and advertising enquiries signals@sea.museum – deadline midJanuary, April, July, October for issues March, June, September, December Signals is online Search all issues at sea.museum/signals Signals back issues Back issues $4 each or 10 for $30 Extra copies of current issue $4.95 Call The Store 02 9298 3698

Australian National Maritime Museum Opening hours 10.30 am–4 pm during COVID-19 2 Murray Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia. Phone 02 9298 3777

The Australian National Maritime Museum is a statutory authority of the Australian Government

Feed your imagination and explore Australia’s stories of the sea by becoming a museum Member. Options for individuals, families and people who live interstate or overseas offer a great range of benefits, including unlimited entry to our museum, vessels and exhibitions, as well as special discounts. Visit www.sea.museum/members ANMM Council Chairman Mr John Mullen AM Director and CEO Mr Kevin Sumption PSM Councillors Hon Ian Campbell Mr Stephen Coutts Hon Justice S C Derrington Mr John Longley AM Rear Admiral Mark Hammond AM RAN Ms Alison Page Ms Arlene Tansey Dr Ian Watt AC

Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation Board Chairman Mr Daniel Janes Mr Peter Dexter AM Ms Arlene Tansey Ex officio Chair Mr John Mullen AM Ex officio Director Mr Kevin Sumption PSM Mr David Blackley Mr David Mathlin Mr Tom O’Donnell Dr Jeanne-Claude Strong Mr Simon Chan

American Friends of the Australian National Maritime Museum Mr Robert Moore II Mr John Mullen AM Mr Kevin Sumption PSM Ms Sharon Hudson-Dean

Foundation sponsor ANZ

Signals is printed in Australia on Hannoart Plus Silk 250 gsm (cover) and Hannoart Plus Silk 113 gsm (text) using vegetablebased inks. Major sponsors Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation Nine Port Authority of New South Wales Sponsors Art Centre Melbourne Australian Maritime Museums Council AusRelief Challis & Company City of Sydney Colin Biggers & Paisley Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Empathy Museum Laissez-Faire Catering National Gallery of Australia Nova Systems Settlement Services International Sydney by Sail Tomra Wesfarmers Arts

Supporters Australian Government Ovolo 1888 Property NSW Royal Wolf Shipping Australia Limited Silentworld Foundation TimeOut Tyrrell’s Vineyards

@seamuseum_

/sea.museum

#seamuseum

sea.museum/blog

Nova Systems

Experience Knowledge Independence

Duyfken

Meet the newest member of our fleet – a stunning replica of the first European ship to reach Australia in 1606.

NOW OPEN | Darling Harbour Sydney | sea.museum/duyfken

Duyfken was built by the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation, jointly with the Maritime Museum of Western Australia, and launched on 24 January 1999 in Fremantle. Construction of the vessel was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kailis family.