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HMAS SYDNEY's Captain John Collins talking to Billy Hughes, 10 February 1941
HMAS SYDNEY's Captain John Collins talking to Billy Hughes, 10 February 1941

HMAS SYDNEY's Captain John Collins talking to Billy Hughes, 10 February 1941

Photographer (Australian, 1899 - 1953)
Date1941
Object number00020347
DCMITypeStill image
NameNitrate negative
MediumEmulsion on nitrate film.
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Samuel J Hood Studio
DescriptionHMAS SYDNEY has just returned from the Mediterranean Sea and its service with the 7th Cruiser Squadron. Onboard Captain John Collins talks to the Minister for Navy, William Morris 'Billy' Hughes. Collins would later become the First Naval Member of the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board and Chief of Naval Staff, while Hughes was Prime Minister of Australia from 1915 to 1923. HistoryHMAS SYDNEY arrived back in Australia in 1941 and moored at Watson's Bay just before midnight on Sunday 9 February 1941. On the 10th February SYDNEY headed to Circular Quay accompanied down the harbour by other of vessels, thrilled to be welcoming the cruiser home. A huge crowd of families and well-wishers were waiting at the quay to embrace the long absent crew and including the Governor-General, Lord Gowrie, the Minister for the Navy, Billy Hughes and the First Naval Member Sir Ragnar Colvin. There was much media coverage on this good news story and the following day the Premier of New South Wales Mr Mair and the City of Sydney Lord Mayor, Alderman Crick came on board the cruiser to present a plaque to the ship commemorating SYDNEY's victory over the Bartolomeo Colleoni on behalf of the citizens of Sydney. The crew then marched to the Town Hall where a civic reception which had been arranged for them. Children were even given the day off school so that they too could enjoy the celebration. At the Town Hall, each member of SYDNEY's crew was presented with a smaller medallion individually inscribed with the recipient’s personal details. The occasion was memorable and uplifting as "SYDNEY's return was both timely and symbolic. The Government had not only heeded the call, but had brought home the battle hardened SYDNEY. In the eyes of the Australian public, all would be well now that SYDNEY was home - none would have believed that in less than a year she would be gone, taking all those on board with her." - Royal Australian Navy, HMAS SYDNEY (II) SignificanceHMAS SYDNEY had become invincible in the eyes of most Australians when she returned from her duty in the Mediterranean. The crew, from all states in Australia, embodied the idea of bravery and ingenuity that was needed to get through the war.