History
HMAS Cerberus - Celebrating 100 Years By Toni Munday
T
his year marked the centenary of when HMAS Cerberus, the largest training establishment of the Royal Australian Navy, officially came to Crib Point. So when I was asked to write an account of my time at the base, which extended over 15 years and included 6 years as curator of the Cerberus Museum, I wanted to tell a story which reflects the heart of the establishment. Selecting a Site
When the federation of the Australian states took place in 1901 the state colonial navies were amalgamated, leading to the formation of the Royal Australian Navy in 1911. In the previous year the Australian government had requested Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson to select the best location for a central naval base. Of the five sites around Australia that he considered suitable, he nominated Western Port. In 1911 the government secured 4,000 acres of land at Hann’s Inlet, and on 12 February, 1912, the first sod of soil was turned. Construction of the Base Extensive earth moving was required in much of the grounds before building could commence, and clearing of the mangroves, which grew up to the high - water mark, were a priority. Progress was slowed by the outbreak of World War One, but during 1916 17 the peak of construction was reached, with a workforce of 800 men in 1917. Many brought their families and initially a tent city
E ssence
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was set up in what was to become Cook Road. However it wasn’t long before houses began to appear in what became Main Road, Crib Point, near the Park Street entrance. Many of these houses still stand today. The Official Opening The official opening ceremony of Flinders Naval Base was carried out on 1 September, 1920; the original intention was that it would be a submarine base. In the following year it was decided that the new institution would be dedicated to training and the name was changed to Flinders Naval Depot. The Depot was officially commissioned as HMAS Cerberus on 1 April, 1921, but for the men on board it was always Flinders Naval Depot. The local newspaper described the opening day as “...a red letter day for Crib Point.” The local primary school was marched down to witness proceedings. In 1921 when Captain Stanley Roy Miller RN took command he invited the students of Crib Point Primary to a ship visit on board HMAS Australia which was anchored in Western Port. This strong connection between Crib Point school and HMAS Cerberus has now extended for 100 years. Not only does Crib Point Primary have this link, but St Joseph’s Catholic School was built in 1927 with the support of Chaplin Martin from the base. He not only encouraged the establishment of St. Joseph’s, but was also the school’s spiritual leader while serving at the Depot.