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Victorian Artificial Reef Society

Home Welcome to the web site of the ex HMAS Canberra.
Sink the Canberra Details of what has happened, where we're at, and what is still to be done to sink the ex HMAS Canberra as an artificial reef and wreck dive site in Victoria.
- Environmental Benefits Sinking the ex HMAS Canberra will provide Victoria with a new marine reef system and many environmental benefits.
- Environmental Talking Points VARS answers your environmental concerns about the sinking of the ex HMAS Canberra.
- Ship Cleanup Once prepared, the ex HMAS Canberra will become a magical new underwater ecosystem for Victoria.
- Site Selection Chhosing the optimal site to sink the ex HMAS Canberra makes a huge difference to the safety, accessibility, protection and economic benefits of the articial reef and wreck dive.
- Economic Benefits The sinking of the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria has many economic benefits.
The Diving Dive sites in Victoria, including the ex HMAS Canberra.
- ex HMAS Canberra Reef Dives Dives available on the ex HMAS Canberra Reef in Victoria, Austrlia.
- ex HMAS Canberra Dive Site Guidelines The guidelines for scuba diving on the {{site-cbr} artificial reef and wreck dive site.
- ex HMAS Canberra Reef Marine Life Which animals can you expect to see on the ex HMAS Canberra Reef and in what ways are they being monitored?
- ex HMAS Canberra History & Specs Some of the history and specifications of the ex HMAS Canberra.
- Wreck Dives The wreck dives available in Victoria, Australia include warships, submarines, sailing clippers and much more...
- Boat Dives Reef dives, drift dives and much more...
- Shore Dives There is much to learn as you shore dive Victoria's coastline.
- Reef Dives Victoria features many unique temperate water reef dives.
- Diver Emergency Australian and New Zealand Diver Emergency Contact Information.
- Dive Medical You may require an Australian dive medical check in order to dive the ex HMAS Canberra.
Booking Book your dives of the ex HMAS Canberra, accommodation etc. with these Victorian operators.
- Charter Operators Dive the ex HMAS Canberra Reef and other Victorian dive sites with these dive charter boat operators.
- Complete Packages Book your dives of the ex HMAS Canberra, travel, accommodation etc. with these booking agents.
- Dive Shops Select from these Victorian dive shop operators to dive the ex HMAS Canberra and other Victorian dive sites.
  - Bellarine Peninsula Select from these Bellarine Peninsula based dive shops.
    - Australian Diving Instruction Simply the best
    - Bay City Scuba Learn to dive.
    - Geelong Dive Centre Learn to dive.
    - Henderson Dive Scuba diving for fun.
    - Queenscliff Dive Centre Join us for a Great Southern Adventure.
  - Mornington Peninsula Select from these Mornington Peninsula based dive shops.
    - Aquatic Adventures - Rye Your ticket to underwater adventure!
    - Bayplay Victorian Tourism Award Winner - Adventure Tourism.
    - Dive Perfect Leran to dive.
    - Dive Victoria Dive our famous submarines and shipwrecks.
    - Diveline Professional Scuba Diving Academy.
    - Harbour Dive Learn to dive.
    - IDC Scuba Learn to dive.
    - The Scuba Doctor Scuba Service and Repair, Dive Shop, Courses and Trips.
  - Melbourne Select from these Melbourne based dive shops.
    - AB Ocean Divers Scuba dive Melbourne, Victoria.
    - Aquability Swim, Snorkel, Dive.
    - Aquatic Adventures - Glen Iris Your ticket to underwater adventure!
    - Aquatic Adventures - Narre Warren Your ticket to underwater adventure!
    - Aquatic Adventures - Rowville Your ticket to underwater adventure!
    - Dive and Dive Take the plunge.
    - Dive Experience Experience the adventure!
    - Diver Instruction Services Come and Experience Australia's Finest Temperate Water Diving.
    - Diving Headquarters Dive with the sharks
    - Interdive Learn to dive.
    - Melbourne Diving School Learn to scuba dive.
    - Paradise Divers Go down for it!
    - Scuba Culture Join us for Friday night drinks.
    - Springvale Dive Centre A family run business.
    - Vision Divers Scuba diving is awesome!
  - Country Victoria Dive Shops Select from these country Victoria based dive shops.
    - Dive Inn - Apollo Bay Dive the shipwreck coast.
    - Dive Inn - Warrnambool Dive the shipwreck coast.
    - Professional Diving Services - Portland Portland and Melbourne Australia
    - S.E.A.L. Diving Services Learn to dive.
- Accommodation Places to stay when you dive the ex HMAS Canberra and other Victorian dive sites.
- Activities and Tours The is plenty to do in Victoria.
FAQs Frequently asked questions about diving the ex HMAS Canberra Reef.
- Litres, metres and bar We explain how to dive using the metric system of litres, metres and bar for your units of measurement.
Supporters Thanks to everyone supporting the sinking of the ex HMAS Canberra as an artificial reef and wreck dive site.
About VARS Let's sink the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria!
- News from VARS Recent announcements from VARS about the ex HMAS Canberra.
- In the News Read some of the press stories about the ex HMAS Canberra.
- Media Releases VARS talks direct to the media.
Contact Us How to get in touch with Victorian Artificial Reef Society.
- Request Information How to request more information from Victorian Artificial Reef Society.
- Privacy Policy Victorian Artificial Reef Society respects your rights to privacy.
- Legal Notices Victorian Artificial Reef Society Internet Legal Disclaimer, Conditions and Copyright.
- Colophon How the ex HMAS Canberra web site was built and who is responsible for it.
- Search this site This page allows you to search the ex HMAS Canberra Reef web site.
  - Search Results Here is what we found for you on the ex HMAS Canberra web site.
- Accessibility Victorian Artificial Reef Society has tried to ensure the ex HMAS Canberra web site is accessible to people with disabilities by supporting the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
- Site Map Links to every page on the ex HMAS Canberra web site.

News from VARS

VARS Launches ex HMAS Canberra Web Site 28 March 2007: VARS launches ex HMAS Canberra web site.
ex HMAS Canberra Reef VARS calls for volunteers to help sink the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria.
VARS Announces the Canberra is Coming! The ex HMAS Canberra warship will soon be in Victoria to be prepared for sinking as an artificial reef and dive site.
ex HMAS Canberra is on tow to Victoria The ex HMAS Canberra warship has left Rockingham WA and is on tow to Victoria
ex HMAS Canberra to arrive on Tuesday, 10th June 2008 The ETA of the ex HMAS Canberra through Port Phillip Heads is now early Tuesday, 10th June 2008
ex HMAS Canberra Arrives The ex HMAS Canberra warship arrives through the heads of Port Phillip Bay
VARS Moves Forward With ex HMAS Canberra Project VARS forms sub-commitees and reports on ex HMAS Canberra progress.
ex HMAS Canberra Project Progress VARS reports on progress being made with the ex HMAS Canberra project.
Sinking Site Agreed On for the ex HMAS Canberra VARS reports on progress with the ex HMAS Canberra project and site selection.
VARS Annual Report 2007 28 August 2007: The VARS Annual Report for 2007 is now available to view/download on the VARS web site.
Federal Government Offers to Fund and Sink the ex-HMAS Canberra Dr Brendon Nelson, Minister for Defence, announced that the Federal Government is prepared to take Project Management responsibility for the ex HMAS Canberra project and make $7 million in funding available.
VARS Meets With Minister of Defence 14 March 2007: Members of the VARS Committee met with Dr Brendan Nelson (Minister of Defence) and Steward McArthur (Federal Member for Corangamite) to discuss the sinking of the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria as an artificial reef and wreck dive site.
Red tape ties up ship for peninsula dive site 29 March 2007: VARS highlights story from The Independent titled, Red tape ties up ship for peninsula dive site.
Delay strikes divers 20 April 2007: The Bellarine Peninsula Independent published the story, Delay Strikes Divers.
VARS puts delay concerns to the Minister of Defence 23 April 2007: VARS puts delay concerns to the Minister of Defence
MPs Respond to VARS Concerns 8 May 2007: MPs respond to VARS concerns about ex HMAS Canberra delays.
Dive hopes sink 11 May 2007: The Bellarine Peninsula Independent published the story, Dive hopes sink.
Update from VARS President, John Lawler 25 May 2007: John Lawler provides an update on VARS activities.
VARS Meets With Tourism Minister 20 July 2007: An update on VARS activities.
ex HMAS Canberra Arrives - VARS Patron Announced VARS reports on the ex HMAS Canberra arriving and the appointment of its Patron.

In the News Items

The Bellarine Peninsula Independent, Friday 16 March 2007, Page 3 Andrew Mathieson writes about how the Victorian Government is holding up obtaining the ex HMAS Canberra as a wreck dive site.
The Bellarine Echo, Thursday 31 May 2007, Page 3 Martin Watters reports on what Tourism Minister Tim Holding and Federal MP Stewart McArthur are now saying about delays with the ex HMAS Canberra project.
Parliament of Victoria - Wednesday, 23 May 2007 Victorian Parliament MP Martin Dixon speaks about lack of progress obtaining the ex HMAS Canberra as an articial reef and wreck dive site for Victoria.
The Bellarine Peninsula Independent, Friday 11 May 2007, Page 1 Karen Hart interviews John Lawler for the VARS take on the ex HMAS Canberra project.
Herald Sun, Wednesday 9 May 2007, Page 19 The Herald Sun published Lloyd Borrett's leter to the editor as a My Say item on Wednesday 9 May 2007.
The Bellarine Peninsula Independent, Friday 20 April 2007, Page 1 Andrew Mathieson writes about how the ex HMAS Canberra will languish in Western Australia for months.
Minister for Tourism - Thursday, 19 October 2006 Media Release from John Pandazopoulos, Minister for Tourism, announcing Victoria has won an interstate bid to secure the former ex-HMAS Canberra, as a new artificial dive attraction.
Martin Dixon MP - Friday, 10 March 2006 Martin Dixon MP, State Member for Nepean, calls on the Bracks Government to get their act together on the bid for the de-commissioned ship HMAS Canberra.
The Age - Tuesday, 27 December 2005 Martin Boulton reports in The Age that Premier Steve Bracks plans to bid for a former warship to be scuttled in Victoria waters.
The Sun-Herald - Thursday, 15 February 2006 It's an underwater freak show as Stephen Walsh discovers maritime history.
ninemsn Travel - Monday, 23 October 2006 ninemsn reports on the ex HMAS Canberra as a new dive site for Victoria.
Greg Hunt MP - Thursday, 8 December 2005 Greg Hunt MP, Federal Member for Flinders, calls on the Premier to put in a bid for HMAS Canberra.
Parliament of Victoria - Tuesday, 30 May 2006 Victorian Parliament MPs Dixon and Neville speak about obtaining the ex HMAS Canberra as an articial reef and wreck dive site for Victoria.
Minister for Defence, Thursday, 19 October 2006 The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence, announces Victoria has been selected to be gifted the former Royal Australian Navy Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Canberra for sinking as a dive wreck.
Minister for Defence, Monday, 23 July 2007 The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence, announces the Howard Government is to fund and sink ex-HMAS Canberra.

Media Releases

Monday, 10th July 2006 Victoria is currently competing with other states to secure the ex HMAS Canberra for scuttling as a new artificial reef.
Friday, 2nd February 2007 VARS provides an update on the progress of the ex HMAS Canberra.
Friday, 15th December 2006 New dive wreck creates opportunity to boost tourism in Victoria.
Wednesday, 13th June 2007 VARS reports on the progress of the ex HMAS Canberra project.
Friday, 20th July 2007 VARS reports on the progress of the ex HMAS Canberra project.
Friday, 12th October 2007 VARS calls for volunteers to help sink the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria
Tuesday, 27th May 2008 The ex HMAS Canberra warship will soon be in Victoria to be prepared for sinking as an artificial reef and dive site.

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