News

Benalla honours Hec Waller

By Simon Ruppert

Mar 1, 2022

P1 pic please — Lasting tribute: A Memorial Service to honour Hec Waller, was held at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday. Turn to page 4 for more photos. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Half mast: The Australian flag was raised during the service. Photo by Simon Ruppert

A Memorial Service to honour distinguished Benalla naval officer Hec Waller, was held at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday, February 27.

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Hec Waller had an eminent naval career that culminated in him being lost at sea in 1942.

A lasting memorial in the gardens features a granite base with bronze swirl, depicting the disturbance made by a ship sinking below the water.

A brass sailor and captains cap are partially submerged in the rock with remembrance poppies not only in honour of Captain Waller, but to others lost at sea.

Members of Benalla RSL were joined by Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn, Cr Danny Claridge, representatives from several local groups and members of the public at the service.

It featured prayers and speeches from locals who had served their country.

And was concluded with a flag raising before Benalla RSL member Delano Dube sang the Australian and American national anthems.