Scrapyard may be Otama’s next stop Keith Platt keith@mpnews.com.au CONTRACTORS have been hired by the Defence Department to take the former HMAS Otama submarine away from where it languishes in the shallows at Crib Point to be scrapped. A vessel capable of carrying the Otama is expected to arrive in Western Port this week and leave with its cargo on 19 September. Western Port Oberon Association Max Bryant last Friday (9 September) made a last-minute appeal to Defence Minister Richard Marles to save the Otama. Informed sources say the 140 metre, 12,000 tonne Rolldock Sun semi-submersible is expected to arrive in Western Port this week and depart with the Otama aboard on 19 September. Parks Victoria has told the association that it will consider requests from the association for “sections or items” of the Otama. In an impassioned letter to Marles, Bryant has detailed the history of the association’s acquisition of the Otama 20 years ago and plans for it to be the centrepiece of a tourism attraction. “After careful research we had discovered that throughout the world wherever museums had a submarine they were an extremely viable business,” Bryant said. He said the Otama had been moored in Western Port ever since and had not been offered any help by the
federal government despite its future depending on being hauled onto dry land. “The federal government of the time and in particular the local federal member failed to offer any assistance during his time as a member of parliament.” Greg Hunt was MP for Flinders 2001-2022. In July 2020 Parks Victoria had declared the Otama an environmental hazard and ordered its removal. “Unfortunately, without government help it became a daunting task. Eventually Parks made the decision to seize Otama …” Bryant said it was “disputable if they [ Parks] have to power to do so” and alleged “bullying tactics” had been used by a Defence Department official to make the association either sell the submarine for $1 or have it “taken” from the association. “Now Defence Disposal have colluded with Parks Victoria to remove our property and dispose of that property as they see fit, in this case have it cut up for scrap,” Bryant said, adding that it would cost $5 million for this to be done by a vessel from Western Australia. He said Defence could have saved money and helped the association bring the Otama ashore for $500,000. Bryant said abandoning the Otama project would potentially see the loss of 200 jobs as well as “platform” to help veterans and “a lifeline to the local depressed business community”.
EXHIBITING their works: Peninsula Studio Trail artists, back row from left, Gary Goodrich, Gwen Scott (seated), Ian Fletcher, Diane Williamson, Cathie Coleman, Janice Johnston, PST president Jennifer Fletcher (seated), Liz Walker, Karen Erasmus. Front from left, John Stroomer, Rosie Barber, Jan Taber, Lisa O’Keefe, John Trebilco, Janine Sisson. Picture: Noa Fletcher
Trail artists gather at The Studio ARTISTS from around the Mornington Peninsula will be exhibiting their work later this month at The Studio, in Mornington. Many of the 35 artists also participate in the annual Peninsula Studio Trail to be held later this year. John Trebilco said the number of studio trail artists had doubled “during lockdown and the subsequent year”. The types of art being produced had
also diversified, and now included traditional, contemporary and abstract painters, jewellery makers, potters, sculptors in wood, metal, and repurposed, recycled objects, print makers, a book illustrator, shibori dye art, ink and resin art and silk painting. Trebilco said the exhibition at The Studio was an opportunity to “meet the artists and artisans and see live artist talks and videos”.
“The artists will be manning the exhibition each day and look forward to speaking with visitors.” The Peninsula Studio Trail Exhibition will be held at The Studio, Wilsons Road, Mornington. Opening night is 6.30pm-8.30pm Friday 23 September followed by the exhibition opening 10am-5pm until 2 October. Keith Platt
Southern Peninsula News
14 September 2022
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