City of Palmerston has welcomed the addition of the ship mast from HMAS Ipswich II to Memorial Park. Memorial Park is the dedicated ANZAC Memorial for Palmerston, where Palmerston RSL have conducted services for 20 plus years. The ship mast from HMAS Ipswich II, which was decommissioned by the Royal Australian Navy on 11 May 2007, joins the existing Australian Army equipment for the community to enjoy.

City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell thanks the Palmerston RSL Sub-branch for their partnership and donation.

“Palmerston is home to many serving and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force, and it is important to have a dedicated area where we recognise them and what they have done for our country.”

This project involved many passionate people and organisations, and we are honoured to play a role in it,” she said.

“Navy and Air Force equipment is hard to come by due to those services being somewhat smaller than the Army, and their retired equipment can be quite large and difficult to relocate. To have a Royal Australian Navy ships mast from a retired vessel is a great achievement for all involved,” stated Clayton Richards from Palmerston RSL.

City of Palmerston thank the following for their time and contribution:
Tony Thomas - Chief Petty Officer 
Tutt Bryant - Heavy Lift & Shift
Paul and Ty Smith - Northern Maritime & Industrial Services
Adam - AM Cranes

The installation is now complete in time for ANZAC Day. ANZAC services will be held at Memorial Park in Palmerston on Monday 25th April 2022. There will be a dawn service from 6am and a morning service from 9am, with many other formalities throughout the day. Full details can be found on Council’s website and Facebook page. 

In addition to this, Palmerston’s Water Tower will be lit up with ANZAC day imagery from Thursday 21 – Monday 25 April 2022. 

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Image: HMAS Ipswich ll in 1985 & HMAS Ipswich ll ship mast in Memorial Park