I AM one of the five volunteers comprising the Finding Sydney Foundation, which discovered the wreck of HMAS Sydney II in 2008.

I have an abiding and very active interest in all matters concerning this important part of our history, so I would like to correct some aspects of Jon Stanhope’s column (“Australia remembers and chooses to forget”, CN, November 12).

Firstly, the “unknown” sailor’s grave on Christmas Island was “lost” by its guardians and only found after two archaeological digging expeditions by the Navy in 2001 and 2006.

Secondly, the man’s grave in Geraldton is placed in its War Cemetery, which is maintained under the auspices of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is clearly identified, is well cared for and often visited, especially on occasions such as the anniversary of Sydney’s loss on November 19 when I visited the grave, as I do each year. I noted that it had some poppies placed there.

It seems to me that it should be the families of all of the men who were killed in Sydney who should be respected in this issue. My impression from some of them at the ceremony in Geraldton last month and the very many who attended his interment in 2008, is that he is home, where he belongs.

Bob Trotter, via email

Defending the indefensible

ON Thursday, November 26, the ACT Government defended the million-dollar beach volleyball facility after a cost blowout.

Again, Mr Barr defends a simply indefensible ACT Green-Labor Government project. Six hundred people will use it, while thousands (yes, thousands ye naysayers) wait for the restoration of the privately funded, constructed and successfully managed Canberra International Dragway and, of course, the V8 Supercars.

Of course, the beach facility could be reshaped a little and used for a miniature Dakar Rally course for radio-control and nitro-model car racing in winter. Hey, just saying.

Michael Attwell, Dunlop