Perth's Stories

Pulau Panjang, meaning “long island”, is the largest island in Banten Bay. Its inhabitants have lived with the wreck of HMAS Perth (I) in their waters for many decades. In this podcast, Pak Wahyu, head of the village from Pulau Panjang, provides a community perspective on the relationship between HMAS Perth (I) and local livelihoods. Hosted by Ms Zainab Tahir, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthWahyuEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthWahyuIN).

Shelita, Lulu and Farhan are undergraduate students of history and education at Sultan Ageng University, located in Serang near Banten Bay. In this podcast, we hear from the next generation as they share their perspectives on what HMAS Perth (I) means to them, as local students, and why it is important to protect and manage this wreck for the future. Hosted by Ms Zainab Tahir, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthShelitaEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthShelitaIN).

Hope Hornby was just a child when her father Arthur Hadley returned from World War II, having survived the wrecking of HMAS Perth (I) followed by years of hardship in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. In this poignant discussion, Hope shares her insights as the descendant of a WWII veteran, and the impact HMAS Perth (I) and World War II had on her family. Hosted by Dr Natali Pearson, The University of Sydney. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthHopeEN0) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthHopeIN0).

As an official in the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Service, Banten Province, Risnawati Rahayu plays an important role in implementing the maritime conservation zone established around HMAS Perth (I) in 2018. In this podcast, she shares her insights on the challenges of managing a foreign warship wreck and the benefits of this maritime heritage to local fishing and other communities in Banten Bay. Hosted by Ms Zainab Tahir, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthRisnawatiEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthRisnawatiIN).

Shinatria Adhityatama is a maritime archaeologist at the National Research Centre for Archaeology (Arkenas) and a PhD candidate at Griffith University. He has played a vital role in promoting bilateral collaboration between Indonesia and Australia, having represented Arkenas on both the 2017 and 2019 joint dive and site survey of HMAS Perth (I) with the Australian National Maritime Museum. Shinatria offers a rare insight into what it is like to dive Perth (I) and his hopes for its future. Hosted by Ms Zainab Tahir, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthShinatriaEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthShinatriaIN).

As Head of the Research Institute for Coastal Resources and Vulnerability within the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Nia Ridwan is one of Indonesia’s most well-regarded maritime archaeology researchers. Here she shares her insights on HMAS Perth (I), including her efforts to map marine debris and waste around the wreck as a way of gaining insight into the site’s unique environmental conditions. Hosted by Ms Zainab Tahir, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthNiaEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthNiaIN).

As Director of Strategic and Historical Studies at the Sea Power Centre–Australia and a passionate advocate of naval heritage, Duncan “John” Perryman is responsible for researching and sharing the history of the Royal Australian Navy. In this extended podcast, John offers a historical introduction to HMAS Perth (I) and the circumstances that led to it being in the Java Sea and the Sunda Strait in February 1942. Hosted by Dr Natali Pearson, The University of Sydney. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthPerrymanEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthPerrymanIN).

Jim O’Neill has a foot in the past and an eye to the future. As project manager for the HMAS Perth Memorial Foundation, Jim is working to memorialise the ships, crew and families of not only HMAS Perth (I), but also Perth (II) and Perth (III). In this podcast, Jim shares his vision for the establishment of a permanent physical memorial in Fremantle, Western Australia. Hosted by Dr Natali Pearson, The University of Sydney. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthJimEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthJimIN).

HMAS Perth (I) was the first Royal Australian Navy ship to bear the name Perth, but not the last. In this podcast, Darrell Hegarty, President and Secretary of the HMAS Perth National Association, explains the significance of the Perth name within the Royal Australian Navy, and the meaning this name has for Defence personnel and communities. Hosted by Dr Natali Pearson, The University of Sydney. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthHegartyEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthHegartyIN).

Frank McGovern OAM was just 22 years old when his ship, HMAS Perth (I), was destroyed by Japanese torpedoes and sank to the bottom of Banten Bay. Frank survived the wreck, but his brother Vince, who was also on board, was killed in action. Also killed in action was George Hatfield, his stories living on through his diaries and photos and through the birth of his son, George Hatfield Junior, a few months later. In this very special podcast, survivor Frank McGovern and descendant George Hatfield Junior share their memories and experiences of HMAS Perth (I). Hosted by Dr Natali Pearson, The University of Sydney. Download the transcript in English (https://bit.ly/PerthFrankEN) and in Indonesian (https://bit.ly/PerthFrankIN).