Mr John C Atkins
President
HMAS Sydney & Vietnam Logistical Support Veterans Association


Dear John

HMAS Manoora Association conveys to you and all your members our feelings of relief and satisfaction at the finding of the location of the final resting place of HMAS Sydney II. It is our hope it clears the way for the solving of the mysteries surrounding its loss. We trust it will bring some finality to Families and Friends of the gallant crew members.

We believe the appropriate response to the finding of the location of HMAS Sydney II would be best expressed in the words of Britain's War Time PM Winston Churchill at the conclusion of the air battle for Britain, "It is not the beginning of the end but the end of the beginning".

Hopefully investigation of the site will bring clarity to the circumstances resulting in the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney II.

It is with deep sincerity that we hope the future activities of the search group will lead to the easing of the burden created by the abyss in the facts about events in the final hours of this gallant ship.

signed

Les Kennedy OAM
President

27 May 2008