HMAS Sydney Flagpole, Wagga Wagga

The memorial is a derrick from HMAS Sydney used as a ceremonial flagpole within the Wagga Wagga Victory Memorial Gardens.

In early 1931, the Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Alderman E E Collins, conducted a search for a suitable flagpole for installation in the Victory Memorial Gardens. He was successful in securing a derrick from HMAS Sydney from the Department of Defence. A number of citizens covered the costs of transporting the flagpole to Wagga Wagga and installing it in the gardens.

The memorial was dedicated by the Mayor on Remembrance Day, 11 November 1931. A large gathering assembled in the gardens, including returned soldiers, members of the Red Cross, the Junior Red Cross, Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and residents. Shortly before 11am the Mayor, representing the Wagga Wagga community, placed a wreath at the memorial, with other wreaths laid by the Kyamba Shire, Mitchell Shire, Red Cross, Wagga Wagga High School and local families. The crowd looked to the skies as an aeroplane, piloted by Captain W L Pittendrigh, circled the memorial several times, dipping and saluting and then flew low and dropped a wreath on behalf of the RAAF, which fell within a few yards of the crowd (Wagga Wagga Express, 14 November 1931).