Holbrook Landmark

By BILL CONDON

In recent years Australia has become home to a large number of man-made giants -- weird and wonderful creations such as the Big Pineapple, the, Big Banana, the Big Sheep and the Big Potato.

These are all intended to be a bit of fun, a way to catch the attention of passing motorists, who may stop and smile, spend a few dollars and perhaps have their photo taken next to a weird and wonderful giant.

But there's a giant of a different kind that resides in the town of Holbrook, which is on the Hume Highway about midway between Sydney and Melbourne.

Holbrook's best known feature is a full-sized submarine, the HMAS Otway. Motorists cannot help but see it as they drive through the town, and once seen, curiosity runs rampant. Why in the world does this little dot on the map of inland Australia have its very own submarine?

It all began in World War I

The story begins during World War I. Then Holbrook was known as Germanton. Given that our country was engaged in war with Germany, the town elders wisely decided that a name-change was in order.

At about this time Lieutenant Norman Holbrook became the first naval Victoria Cross winner of the war for his gallantry in sinking a Turkish battleship with the submarine he commanded.

It was soon decided that the town could do no better than be named after a great war hero, and so in 1915, Germanton became Holbrook. Ever since then it has maintained a special link with submarines.

Submerged in history

Holbrook Council acquired the Otway when it was decommissioned and scrapped. The above-the-water section was rebuilt and is now on permanent display in Holbrook's Germanton Park. It measures 90 metres from bow to stern.

Also on display, are an actual torpedo of the kind used by Lieutenant Holbrook. Nearby, at the Woolpack Inn Museum you'll find an extensive collection of Lieutenant Holbrook memorabilia, including replicas of his VC.

Perhaps next time you're down Holbrook way you'll stop awhile, and like me, you'll become "submerged" in the town's unusual history.

Holbrook

By James Anthony

You tend to see some surprising things while on a long drive in the country, but few could beat coming into a town that has its very own submarine.

Even more surprising when you consider Holbrook is more than 200 kilometres inland and on the Hume Highway between Sydney and Melbourne.

The vessel isn't the full submarine, but it is the above-waterline structure of the HMAS Otway.

The Otway was one of six Oberon-class subs built for the Royal Australian Navy between 1966 and 1979.

It is 90 metres long, some eight metres wide, and was powered by diesel/electric motors.

The Otway was usually crewed by at least 65 men.

The sub was brought to Holbrook by local fundraising, although the widow of the Victoria Cross-winning Commander Norman Holbrook, donated the bulk of the moneys - some $100,000.

In World War One, the then Lt Norman Holbrook took submarine B-11 into the Dardenelles Strait and torpedoed the Turkish battleship Messoudieh.

Upon the vessel's safe return he was awarded the first naval VC, while his crew earned the Distinguished Service Medal.

Near the submarine final resting spot is a small museum that is worth popping in to see. Plans are underway to reconstruct the control area of the Otway.

Meantime, the Otway is much beloved by local children - and parents desperate for a break in a long drive.

And fancy being a truck driver heading into town for the first time in a fog - it would make the person wonder if he'd taken a wrong turn somewhere!

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