Midget submarine attack insights shared

Geoff Cole, who retired as Commanding Officer of HMAS Albatross in 2000 after a 40 year career in the Royal Australian Navy, is giving an illustrated talk on the Imperial Japanese Navy midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour during World War II.

“This audacious attack by Japanese midget submarine crews on May 31, 1942 proved to be a sharp wakeup call to Sydneysiders for whom the war had seemed distant,” says Geoff.

This ‘Battle for Sydney’ was one of the most significant events of World War II to occur on Australian soil.

“There were two major incidents on the Australian mainland,” Geoff says, “the air raids into Darwin (February 1942) and these midget subs in Sydney Harbour.

“It took people some time to hear about the raids on Darwin, but when things happened in Sydney Harbour, it was pretty hard to keep that under wraps.”

Geoff’s family lived in Northern Queenland at this time and he says the war seemed much closer.

“The airforce was active out of Townsville, fighting the Battle of the Coral Sea. We knew that war was a lot closer than the southerners thought.”

Geoff will talk about the actual intrusion into Sydney Harbour by the submarines and how close they came to major success.

“I include in the talk a video clip from an old classmate of mine, Admiral Peter Briggs, who as one of modern generation of Australian-trained submariners, had a good understanding of submarine warfare and tactics.

“He says it was pretty close to a lot worse happening that day. He says it was only by the Grace of God that torpedoes aimed at the USS Chicago and HMAS Canberra missed and ran aground at Garden Island, blowing up the requisitioned Sydney Harbour ferry Kuttabul, which at that time was being used as an RAN depot ship.”

The Kuttabul sank immediately and 21 Allied naval ratings, 19 Australians and two British were killed. Others were badly injured or trapped.

The two buildings outside the gate to Garden Island on Macleay Street Potts Point which are used today as barracks as named in honour after the Kuttabul.

Geoff’s talk is part of Kiama’s Anzac Day Remembrance weekend and will be held at Kiama Library and presented by the Kiama and District Historical Society.

Geoff saw active service on HMAS Vendetta in Malaysia/ Borneo during the confrontation period. He attained the rank of Captain in 1987.

He was Commanding Officer of HMAS Nirimba in 1989 to 1992, and Commanding Officer of HMAS Albatross from 1997 to 2000, before his retirement in Kiama Downs.

Kiama and District Historical Society talk, Saturday April 22, Kiama Library, 2.30-4.40pm. $3 Members;$5 non-members.

by Perrie Croshaw

30yr Focus On Youth

This year’s Youth Week, 2030 April, will also mark the 30th anniversary of Council founding its Youth Services (SENTRAL), which have operated from the heritage cottages in Hindmarsh Park all that time.

Over the years, SENTRAL has played an important role in supporting local youth through concerts, training programs, encouraging creativity and providing a safe place to hang out.

People with a connection are welcome to attend a reunion that has been organised for former and current SENTRAL staff on Saturday 22 April, 2-5pm.

In addition, this year’s special Youth Week activities include:

Basketball Competition

Thursday 20 April, 9am-5pm

149 North Kiama Drive

Disco Night

Friday, 21 April 3-9pm

Joyce Wheatley Centre

Movie night – Youth Week

Friday, 28 April 7-9pm

Joyce Wheatley Centre

The Hangout

Saturday, 29 April noon-5pm

SENTRAL Cottage, Hindmarsh Park Trapeze workshop

Saturday, 29 April noon-5pm Hindmarsh Park

GSLSC DA approved

from page 1 of work into it,” says Gary.

FROM 5.30PM MEMBERS PRICES VISITORS WELCOME

MONDAY PIZZA NIGHT (7 varieties) $12 / 14

TUESDAY STEAK w/ chips & salad $19 / 21

WEDNESDAY TACOS OR WINGS $12 / 14

THURSDAY SCHNITZEL w/ chips & salad $14 / 16

FRIDAY BURGER + BEER $14 / 16

SUNDAY ROAST (small or large) $10 / 12

“The driver has been to have a bigger club for more storage area, as we have outgrown our current clubhouse which was built by members in the 1970s.

“We also wanted to create a similar concept to what we have upstairs now, with a big multifunction area, kitchen and bar that we can operate now under a limited licence for members.

“At the same time we wanted to create a space that would give us more flexibility on how we could use it down the track. We don’t know what those options are at the moment, but it is very difficult for surf clubs to generate revenue and it is really important that we can work to identify future revenue streams.”

Expanding the activities that can happen on the site will depend on changes to the Local Environment Plan (LEP) to allow things like restaurants to operate in the prime location, and then a new DA will be required to permit the use.

Nearby resident Craig Pontey says that while he supports the upgrading of the community facility, he is against it being designed for commercial activities that aren’t allowed in the zoning.

“The existing LEP doesn’t allow the commercial application, so it will be an interesting next stage for all of this,” he says.

“My concern is there are whole lot of issues around traffic, licenced premises, noise, smells from the kitchen and parking that still have to be addressed.”

At Public Access, he likened the DA to a wolf in sheep’s clothing given its design is for activities not permitted on the land at the moment.