Doorstop Interview – Bradleys Head Memorials, Sydney

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
Doorstop
Bradleys Head Memorials, Sydney
Tuesday, 17 March 2026

JOURNALIST: So just to start off, can you explain why we're here today and why it's so important to recognise this site.

MATT KEOGH, MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE PERSONNEL: So today, we are officially recognising Bradleys Head Memorial here as a Military Memorial of National Significance that's under federal legislation. There's only eight other memorials of national significance before this one, and this is an incredibly important Memorial, because not only does it recognise the service of those on HMAS Sydney I, which was the first naval vessel to be engaged in combat during the First World War, but also those that were on HMAS Sydney II, which was sunk during the Second World War, but it's a memorial that recognises the service and sacrifice of all members of the Royal Australian Navy, which is celebrating it's 125th birthday this year, so a fitting time to be recognising this Memorial here as a Military Memorial of National Significance.

JOURNALIST: And we've heard that, you know, as ships pass through the Harbour, they render ceremonial honours to the site. It's obviously incredibly significant to the Navy. And you were saying yourself that there are incredibly strict guidelines in order to make this list. Can you talk us through the process? How long has this plan been in the works to have this site recognised?

KEOGH: So uniquely about this site, whenever a naval vessel passes through, it has to render ceremonial honors, which is effectively a ship salute to the Memorial here, which makes it unique in Australia, but to be a Military Memorial of National Significance, obviously it has to be a significant site for commemoration, but also it needs to be one that is freely accessible to the public. That's really important, and it's about making sure that there's a way of maintaining the site as well. And the nomination that came through, supported by the New South Wales Government was from the local association here that has been doing the work of preserving the memory of our Royal Australian Navy through the maintenance of these memorials, the creation of a memorial here for HMAS Sydney II as well. The mast here from HMAS Sydney I was erected in the 1930s so it's been a significant site for nearly 100 years in terms of commemorating naval action and the loss of life in combat, as well as everyone who's served in our Royal Australian Navy over its 125 year history.

JOURNALIST: Is there a reason why that process took so long with almost a century of being here?

KEOGH: So certainly, from my point of view, from the Government's point of view, we responded to the application that was made by New South Wales Parks and Wildlife as the owner of the site, but really put together and supported by the local Navy Association and all the work that they have done. So there's a lot of work that they need to compile around the history of the site, how it led to becoming a Memorial, how it's been modified over time as additional plaques have been added. And so they had to compile that work with the New South Wales Government and then submit it to us that then had to be considered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. I also engaged with the Royal Australian Navy about the significance of the site to the Royal Australian Navy specifically, to make sure that when we're recognising a site of national significance, a Military Memorial, that it does meet the criteria, and that we're appropriately recognising that, and this is a site of national significance, absolutely so really happy to be able to make that official today through the legislation.

JOURNALIST: Beauty. Thank you so much.

ENDS

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