Concept

HMAS Perth (I) Memorial

A Tribute to Courage, Sacrifice and Enduring Memory

Project Purpose

This Memorial commemorates the loss of HMAS Perth (I), dedicated to the lost Crew, the survivors who were imprisoned, enslaved in prisoner of war camps, and to those who finally returned home to Australia bearing the scars of their suffering for the duration of their lives.

The HMAS Perth (I) Memorial has been conceived to honour the 681 men who served aboard the Perth (I) on her final voyage — those who were lost at sea, those who survived only to endure imprisonment and forced labour, and those who returned home carrying the invisible scars of their suffering.

This memorial also acknowledges the families whose lives were forever changed by the tragedy of war — the parents, wives and children who bore their own quiet burden of loss.

Design Criteria

The purpose of the memorial is to create a sacred and contemplative space — a place for remembrance, reflection and education. Its design and function will:

• Commemorate the Fallen: Honour every member of the Perth (I) crew and their families through elements of symbolism and narrative.

• Create a Space for Reflection: Provide a calm, contemplative environment suitable for both public ceremonies and private remembrance.

• Support Commemorative Events: Facilitate flag raisings, wreath layings, and official naval ceremonies.

• Respect and Enhance the Site: Integrate seamlessly with the existing Navy League HQ and museum in East Fremantle while modernising to meet 21st-century standards.

• Be Inclusive and Accessible: Ensure comfortable access for people of all ages and physical abilities.

• Educate and Inspire: Expand the site’s role as a place of learning for Navy Veterans, Sea Cadets, students and visitors from Australia and abroad.

• Preserve Historic Value: Recognise the site as the home of Australia’s first Sea Cadets.

Artists’ Concept Statement

Our design for the HMAS Perth (I) Memorial is both emotional and architectural — a balance between artistic expression and practical function. It responds to the site’s existing structures while transforming them into a cohesive, dramatic and enduring memorial.

At its heart lies the desire to express the loss, suffering and courage of those connected to this tragic episode in Western Australia’s naval history — while ensuring that the memory of their service resonates across all of Australia.

The memorial stands within a living environment: an active museum housing salvaged artefacts from HMAS Perth (I), a Sea Cadets’ training ship, and a meeting place for veterans and their families. Our approach preserves this context while elevating it into a unified commemorative experience.

Memorial Components

The Glass “Prow” Structure

The focal point of the memorial is a dramatic, glass-walled space shaped like a ship’s prow — symbolising the forward thrust of HMAS Perth (I).

This elegant structure extends the existing museum, creating additional space for displays and interpretation. Constructed from fused ceramic glass panels — twin layers of 12 mm laminated glass — it will feature historic images and text fused permanently into the glass with ceramic inks under intense heat.

The tonal palette of grey-blue evokes the sea and the era’s monochrome photography. By day, it reflects light with quiet strength; by night, subtle blue illumination transforms it into a luminous beacon of remembrance.

The imagery can be viewed from both inside and out, inviting engagement from dedicated visitors and casual passers-by alike. At the apex of the prow, a flagpole connects symbolically to the ship and serves as a ceremonial focus during memorial events.

The ship’s prow forms the defining architectural feature of the HMAS Perth (I) Memorial. Conceived to suggest the warship rising powerfully from the sea, this striking structure is composed of two 10-metre-long steel-framed walls of ceramic glass that meet at a precise angle — symbolising the bow of HMAS Perth as it cuts through the waves.

Visitors are invited to step within this sculptural form, experiencing the sensation of standing on the ship’s forward deck, surrounded by light, reflection, and memory.

Each glass wall bears historic imagery of HMAS Perth (I) and her crew — a layered composition of battle scenes, portraits, and archival photographs. This fusion of architecture and imagery transforms the memorial into a vessel of remembrance, ensuring that the courage and sacrifice of those who served are not only remembered but felt.

The Wall of Remembrance

At the right-hand entrance to the memorial stands a Wall of Remembrance — a solemn space inscribed with the names of all 681 members of HMAS Perth (I)’s final crew. Each name will be engraved into highly polished black granite, reflecting both the sea’s depth and the enduring dignity of their memory.

The Title Wall

To the west of the memorial, the Title Wall serves as the official introduction to the site. Clad in polished black granite, it bears the insignia, title and dedication text of the memorial, unifying all key information in one elegant focal point.

USS Houston Remembrance

The memorial also pays tribute to the USS Houston, the American vessel that fought bravely beside HMAS Perth (I) and was likewise lost during the Battle of Sunda Strait.

Wreath-Laying Area

A ship’s propeller, mounted on a compass-rose base crafted in grey and black granite, forms the ceremonial location for wreath layings. This element provides a tangible connection to the sea and to naval tradition.

Landscaping and Site Design

The landscape treatment replaces traditional lawns with refined architectural paving in non-slip, flamed-finish granite — a durable, dignified and low-maintenance surface.

Two contrasting shades of grey granite will subtly echo the hues of Navy Grey, guiding movement and defining space while reflecting the interplay of light and shadow on a ship’s hull.

This restrained, timeless palette ensures the sculptural glass elements remain the emotional heart of the site while the stonework symbolises endurance, discipline and unity.

By removing grassed areas, the design creates an unbroken contemplative plane — quiet, timeless and free from distraction — allowing visitors to immerse themselves fully in remembrance and reflection.

A Living Memorial

More than a monument, the HMAS Perth (I) Memorial is envisioned as a living space of remembrance — a place where history, education, and emotion converge. It is both a tribute to the past and a message to future generations: that courage and sacrifice must never be forgotten.