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Victorian Artificial Reef Society

  • Home Welcome to the web site of the ex HMAS Canberra dive wreck and artificial reef in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • Diving the Canberra Details of dive sites in Victoria, including the ex HMAS Canberra FFG-02.
  • Booking Book your dives of the ex HMAS Canberra, accommodation etc. with these Victorian operators.
  • FAQs Frequently asked questions about diving the ex HMAS Canberra Reef.
  • 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.
    • Ship Preparation Photos taken during the preparation of the ex HMAS Canberra as a dive wreck and artificial reef.
    • Site Selection Choosing 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.
    • Ship Journey to Site ex HMAS Canberra was towed from Geelong to the sinking site on Saturday, 3 October 2009.
    • Ship Scuttling Details of how the scuttling of the ex HMAS Canberra FFG-02 occured.
    • Economic Benefits The sinking of the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria has many economic benefits.
  • 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!
    • VARS Patron Lieutenant Commander (RAN retired) Mackenzie J. Gregory (Mac), VARS Patron.
    • VARS Committee The people who currently serve on the VARS Committee.
    • Join VARS Become a member of VARS today!
    • 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.
    • Media Kit VARS has a media kit for our media friends.
  • 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

In the News Items

  • Geelong Independent, 29 October 2009 Jessica Benton of the Geelong Independent reports that a new dive site off Barwon Heads has become a cash cow for State Government.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 2 October 2009 The Geelong Advertiser reports that the HMAS Canberra is expected to be sunk two nautical miles off Ocean Grove on Sunday.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 23 September 2009 Peter Begg from the Geelong Advertiser reports the former HMAS Canberra will not be sunk this weekend, due to a forecast of wind and rain on grand final weekend.
  • The Age, 21 September 2009 Lorna Edwards from The Age reports HMAS Canberra II will find a fresh role as a marine reef when it is scuttled in Bass Strait.
  • Victorian Notice to Mariners, 17 Septeber 2009 Victorian Notice to Mariners from the Department of Transport, Marine Safety Victoria about the Installation of Buoys — Pre Scuttling, HMAS Canberra
  • The Age, 11 June 2008 Carolyn Webb from The Age reports on HMAS Canberra having passed quietly through Port Phillip Heads yesterday.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 10 September 2009 Tony Prytz from the Geelong Advertiser reports Saturday's planned sinking of HMAS Canberra off Ocean Grove has been postponed.
  • Ocean Grove Voice, 13 July 2009 The Ocean Grove Voice reports that the ex-HMAS Canberra warship will become a major new temperate water artificial reef and dive site within the month.
  • Geelong Otway Tourism, 9 August 2009 The Great Ocean Road is to eclipse the Great Barrier Reef for diving once the sinking of the de-commissioned Australian warship - the HMAS Canberra - takes place in order to form an artificial reef, according to local dive operator.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 5 September 2009 Alex Oates from the Geelong Advertiser reports on the scuttling of the ex HMAS Canberra FFG-02 sheduled for next weekend.
  • Tourism Victoria, 26 August 2009 Tourism Victoria reports that the HMAS Canberra is to be scuttled in September 2009.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 1 October 2009 Alex Oates reports for the Geelong Advertiser that the scuttling of HMAS Canberra remains in limbo more than three weeks after the event was postponed.
  • ABC News, 4 October 2008 ABC News reports ex-HMAS Canberra is perfectly positioned to form an artificial reef, after being scuttled off Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula this afternoon.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 29 October 2009 Alex Oates from the Geelong Advertiser reports on of the people behind the idea to sink the HMAS Canberra off Ocean Grove, to create a top-class dive destination, has been refused a mooring licence for his company OzDive and Boat Charters.
  • Geelong Independent, 15 October 2009 Jessica Benton from the Geelong Independent reports recreational divers will have limited access to a new $10 million dive site off the Bellarine Peninsula.
  • The Australian, 10 October 2009 James Jeffrey from the The Australian reports on the suggestion the new wreck would offer a diving experience superior to the Great Barrier Reef.
  • The Cairns Post, 8 October 2009 The Cairns Post reports 61 per cent of respondents said Geelong's sunken warship be more popular with divers than the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 8 October 2009 Alex Oates from the Geelong Advertiser reports divers eager to scour the wreckage of HMAS Canberra on the sandy floor of Bass Strait need not get too excited.
  • The Age, 5 October 2009 Lorna Edwards from The Age reports thousands of onlookers lined the shore while hundreds of spectator boats jostled to watch the former navy frigate Canberra deliberately sunk for a new life as a diving wreck near Ocean Grove yesterday.
  • The Australian, 5 October 2009 Andrew Trounson from The Australian reports the tugs had to wrestle with her for about four hours after she lost her main anchor, but in the end HMAS Canberra yesterday went down gloriously off the Victorian coast.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 4 October 2009 Geelong Advertiser reports thousands of onlookers have gathered at vantage points in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads to see the HMAS Canberra sunk this morning.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 5 October 2009 Jane Harper from the Geelong Advertiser reports it may have been with more of a fizzle than a bang, but the HMAS Canberra has finally been successfully scuttled.
  • The Age, 4 October 2009 Michelle Draper from The Age reports there was a barely audible explosion, a puff of grey smoke and in about two minutes the decommissioned Australian naval warship HMAS Canberra sank beneath the waters off Victoria's coast.
  • The Premier of Victoria, 16 September 2008 Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said the ex-HMAS Canberra vessel is on track to be scuttled early next year.
  • Tourism Victoria, 9 October 2008 Tourism Victoria talks with Tourism Minister Tim Holding about the ex HMAS Canberra.
  • Minister for Tourism, 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, 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, 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, 15 February 2006 It's an underwater freak show as Stephen Walsh discovers maritime history.
  • ninemsn Travel, 23 October 2006 ninemsn reports on the ex HMAS Canberra as a new dive site for Victoria.
  • Greg Hunt MP, 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, 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, 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.
  • The Bellarine Peninsula Independent, 16 March 2007, Page 3 Andrew Mathieson from the The Bellarine Peninsula Independent writes about how the Victorian Government is holding up obtaining the ex HMAS Canberra as a wreck dive site.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 3 October 2009 Alex Oates from the Geelong Advertiser reports that thousands are expected to take to the water for the scuttling of the HMAS Canberra tomorrow.
  • The Bellarine Peninsula Independent, 20 April 2007 Andrew Mathieson from the The Bellarine Peninsula Independent writes about how the ex HMAS Canberra will languish in Western Australia for months.
  • Herald Sun, 9 May 2007 The Herald Sun published Lloyd Borrett's leter to the editor as a My Say item on Wednesday 9 May 2007.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 9 June 2008 Jeff Whalley from the Geelong Advertiser reports the HMAS Canberra will be towed through the heads of Port Phillip Bay at about 6.30am tomorrow.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 28 May 2009 Jeff Whalley from the Geelong Advertiser reports the sinking of HMAS Canberra as a dive wreck has been delayed after a stoush over where best to scuttle the navy vessel.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 27 August 2009 Alex Oates from the Geelong Advertiser reports that locals will have an opportunity to witness the scuttling of the HMAS Canberra.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 8 July 2009 Jeff Whalley from the Geelong Advertiser reports on progress in the preparation of the HMAS Canberra as a dive site.
  • Geelong Advertiser, 24 May 2008 Peter Begg from the Geelong Advertiser reports on how the once pride of the Australian fleet HMAS Canberra will be towed into Geelong in the next fortnight to prepare to meet its watery grave.
  • The Age, Monday, 24 August 2009 Lorna Edwards from The Age reports on plan to scuttle former navy vessel HMAS Canberra as dive wreck.
  • Minister for Defence, 23 July 2007 The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence, announces the Howard Government is to fund and sink ex-HMAS Canberra.
  • The Bellarine Echo, 31 May 2007 Martin Watters from the The Bellarine Echo 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, 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, 11 May 2007 Karen Hart from the The Bellarine Peninsula Independent interviews John Lawler for the VARS take on the ex HMAS Canberra project.
  • The Cairns Post, 3 October 2009 The Cairns Post reports winning the AFL grand final may have gone to Geelong's head - it believes it has a dive site even better than the Great Barrier Reef.

Media Releases

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