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Rathmines Catalina: Memorial
The Rathmines Memorial is erected on land donated by Lake Macquarie City Council, now known as Catalina Park. The walk along a paved, landscaped path leads to a structure with a Catalina propeller featured on top. Walls either side are inscribed with those who served at Rathmines from 1939-1946 and who died for their country, or have since died and had served on the base during that period. The monument was officially unveiled and dedicated on September 16, 1972.
The Rathmines Catalina Association maintain the Memorial, the surrounding grounds and the plaques mounted on the walls. They also organise the well attended ANZAC Day service and March.
A plaque affixed to the monument is inscribed:
“Dedicated to those who served at R.A.A.F. Rathmines and to all associated with Flying Boats and Seaplanes 1939 – 1960.
Unveiled by Air Vice Marshall W. E. Townsend G.B. C.B.E. 16th Sept., 1972.”
Donations to support the upkeep of our Memorial Walls are gratefully accepted.
Relatives of deceased RAAF Personnel who served on flying boat operations during WWII may apply for a personal plaque on a memorial wall at Rathmines by clicking on this link, and providing a return phone number: |
For an alphabetical list of service personnel who have plaques attached to the memorial wall click on the link below to download a PDF copy: ------ Plaque Location.pdf ------ Paques are numbered in Rows - top to bottom, A to D, and individual plaques Left to Right. Note: Count the plaques in a Row not the Column. | We mourn them here - Our dreaming dead. In this quiet, hallowed place To heroes dedicate. As once they loved all this - Cool waters, sea breeze, Tall trees and distant hills, The magpies glory in the early morn. We chose this spot. We took our memories and placed them here And planted trees, like memories evergreen To thrive and grow more cherished with the years. Speak quietly here - tread soft They who loved these shores dream on, The blessed peace for which they fought is theirs, In this tree ringed, green and lovely place. |