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Museum of Geraldton

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A banner depicting a shipwreck underwater under the slogan 'Deep Light'
Museum of Geraldton

Deep Light: Illuminating the Wrecks of Sydney and Kormoran

Location

Museum of Geraldton
Batavia Coast Marina, Geraldton

Dates

This exhibition has now finished. Please visit Exhibitions to see what’s on at the Museum.
Friday 19 November 2021
– Sunday 13 February 2022

Tickets

Free entry

This exhibition has now finished. Please visit Exhibitions to see what’s on at the Museum.

The World War Two encounter between HMAS Sydney (II) and the disguised German raider HSK Kormoran off the Western Australian coast stands as Australia’s most tragic naval disaster. 81 men from Kormoran were killed and 318 survived. The lives of all 645 men on Sydney were lost.

For more than 66 years, the location of the two ships remained a mystery. Then, in 2008, the Finding Sydney Foundation and shipwreck expert David Mearns found the wrecks off Shark Bay.

In 2015, the WA Museum and Curtin University, with vital assistance from DOF Subsea, the Commonwealth Government and other supporters, returned to the wreck sites. Using remotely controlled equipment, the team captured stunning underwater images that revealed the fate of the ships on the seabed, over two kilometres beneath the waves. These images revealed a remote world of solemn loss, filled with wondrous creatures and surprising colour.

This poignant exhibition showcases remarkable images captured during the expedition, interviews with the research team, and personal reflections from descendants and family members of Sydney's crew. This exhibition complements the Museum’s permanent display and 3D film, From Great Depths.

 

 

Education group bookings

We welcome school groups to visit Deep Light: Illuminating the Wrecks of Sydney and Kormoran but bookings are essential. Screenings of From Great Depths, a poignant 3D film featuring the wreck sites, are also available to school groups. Please see the Museum of Geraldton education page for details.

     

Images courtesy of Curtin University and the Western Australian Museum.
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The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

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COVID-19 UPDATE

At the Western Australian Museum, the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and employees is our priority.

We have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place and we are following Government advice.

We have increased the scope of our cleaning regime, and we have hand sanitiser available for visitors.

We ask that all visitors practice physical distancing where possible and good hygiene. If feeling unwell, particularly if experiencing a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath, please visit on another day.

For more information visit the WA Government website.

All content copyright Government of Western Australia, All rights reserved.

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Museum of Geraldton

Museum Menu

  • Visit
    Visit
    • About the Museum
    • Plan a visit
  • Exhibitions & events
    Exhibitions & events
    • Exhibitions
      • Beyond the Milky Way
      • Bush Mechanics
      • Cleverman
      • Permanent Exhibitions
    • School holidays
    • Members save!
    • View all tours & events
    A field of radio telescope antennae silhouetted against the setting sun
    Beyond the Milky Way
    2 children and an adult looking closely at ships made of Lego.
    School Holidays
  • Education
    Education
    • Education programs
    • Plan an excursion

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We recognise and respect the Traditional Owners of this Country and their connection to the lands, waters and skies.

Museum of Geraldton

Corporate menu

  • Western Australian Museum
  • Our Locations
  • Background
  • Collections
  • Online Store
  • Membership
    • Members only
  • What's On
    • School Holidays