Searchlight Night - North Head, Manly,

[Jan Thompson]

Alan Lark, one of the volunteers at North Head spoke with me a few months ago about having an event where military vehicle enthusiasts could bring their vehicles and be a part of the lighting of the searchlights to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour.

After sending out emails to various clubs and enthusiasts we ended up getting 29 vehicles to attend this event. Thanks to the members of AMEC (Australian Military Equipment Collectors), AMVCS (Australian Ex-Military Vehicle Collectors Society), WW2 Jeeps, KVE (Khaki Vehicle Enthusiasts), AAVA (Australian Armoured Vehicle Association) and people associated with the Landrover clubs who promoted this event to their members. Apart from the Corowa Swim-In this is the only event where all these clubs have been involved.

During the afternoon people were able to do a tour of the area including the tunnels and commemorative areas of North Head. A number of people were very pleased to be offered the opportunity to camp on a very historic and scenic area of Sydney. The Sydney Harbour Trust is now in charge of North Head and the put on a meal with wine and beer for their volunteers and people who were able to provide vehicles for this commemorative event.