Mission Statement
'When War Came to Moruya' aims to preserve Moruya’s wartime history, honouring the service and sacrifice of the allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served here.
Foundation and Purpose
‘When War Came to Moruya’ is an organisation founded by a group of volunteers who operate under the banner of the Moruya Remembers Committee. To commemorate Remembrance Day of November 2017, the Moruya Remembers Committee conducted the inaugural free bunkers tour on the site of the original No. 11 Operational Base Unit RAAF, near the Moruya Airport. Since then, free guided tours have been conducted annually with the support of the Moruya RSL Sub-Branch.
Inaugural Bunker Tour
Inaugural Bunker Tour Talk
These once forgotten relics of the Second World War are now heritage listed buildings and the sacrifice of allied men and women on the homefront of Moruya will never be forgotten.
The Underground Operations Room
Underground Transmitter Room
No. 1 Bomb Dump (Situated within Moruya Motor Raceway)
No. 2 Bomb Dump (In the middle of Moruya Racecourse)
One achievement of this dedicated group of volunteers is the establishment of the Moruya Bush War Memorial. Made in homage to the Martin Place Cenotaph, this memorial was built using granite from the Moruya quarry. The late Norman Moore, a local Eurobodalla historian, was instrumental in establishing the honour stone now laid at the Moruya Bush Memorial. This registered monument commemorates the sacrifice of eight airmen who lost their lives in two separate aircraft accidents, having departed from Moruya Aerodrome. It also recognises three merchant sailors who were killed aboard the fishing trawler Dureenbee as a result of a Japanese submarine attack.
Moruya Honour Stone, located outside the Operations Room
Moruya Honour Roll, with the names of the 11 Australian servicemen killed in and around Moruya
In acknowledgment of Australia’s homefront, the memorial also recognises the men of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) who assisted in the defence of the Far South Coast. When sufficient funds are raised a plaque will be laid for the two American sailors, 17-year-old Ernest Edward Ballard and Chew Toon, who were killed in the sinking of S.S. Robert J Walker. A future project will also involve a bronze relief commemorating the eight merchant ships lost by enemy action off the NSW coast between southern Sydney and Malacoota. Finally, a record will also be made of the men and women of the Volunteer Air Observer Corps (VAOC) who operated from Moruya courthouse.
In addition to the free bunker tours conducted annually, the Moruya RSL Sub-Branch conducts a dusk service at the “Going down of the Sun” each ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day Dusk Service 2021
Images courtesy of A Shot in the Dark Photography & the Moruya Examiner
Outside of these times, a tour of the bunkers may be facilitated upon request. This can be found in the events tab. ‘When War Came to Moruya’ is a 100% not-for-profit organisation. Donations of support or items of militaria are very greatly appreciated.
Gary is a former assistant curator of the Australian War Memorial and for the past few decades has been conducting guided tours across the globe including Gallipoli, the Western Front, Singapore, Thai-Burma Railway, Kokoda and Normandy. He is also a long-time resident of Moruya and started the global charity Medals Gone Missing from Batemans Bay.
Gary was bestowed the honour of Life Membership to the 2/33rd Infantry Battalion Association by its veteran community.
Nathaniel is currently studying history at the University of Wollongong, with a major interest in military history. He has trekked Kokoda a number of times and was present in France for the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings. He is a guide for the Thai-Burma Railway and volunteers at the Sydney ANZAC Memorial.
Our historians are available as keynote speakers and to appraise any item of militaria. They also have extensive experience in advising for film, television and general consulting.
