Benalla honours fallen heroes of Battle of Sunda Strait with solemn service

President Paul Hartland said he was pleased with how it went.

“The only thing I was disappointed in, is that we sent her a letter to the American consulate inviting a representative, and didn't receive a reply,” he said.

“But the weather's been good, a number of other sub-branches of the RSL have turned up, the senior vice-president of the RSL is here, and the Navy sent a representative who actually served on the HMAS Perth, chief petty officer Shane Kirby”

The current HMAS Perth is named for the vessel captained by Benalla’s Hec Waller, which was one of two ships sunk at the Battle of Sunda Strait.

Chief Petty Officer Kirby spoke about Hec Waller and the ambush which saw the HMAS Perth sink beneath the waves, all those years ago.

The service concluded with RSL members, Benalla Rural City Councillors and local people laying wreaths of remembrance at the cenotaph.