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• Home Victoria, Australia is a world class temperate water scuba diving destination and soon to be home to the ex HMAS Canberra as a dive wreck.
• HMAS Canberra Let's sink the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria!
  • HMAS Canberra Proposal Proposal for a new Victorian Dive Tourism Wreck.
  • Environmental Benefits and Considerations The HMAS Canverra Environmental Benefits and Considerations
  • Environmental Concerns — Talking Points Victorian Artificial Reef Society answers your environmental concerns about the sinking of the ex HMAS Canberra.
• Volunteer Today How to become a VARS volunteer and help us get artificial reefs for Victoria.
  • Volunteer Opportunities VARS needs your help to tackle the many tasks it has ahead.
• News and Events News, media releases, media stories and events from Victorian Artificial Reef Society.
  • News from VARS Recent announcements from VARS about the ex HMAS Canberra.
  • In the News Read some of the press stories about the ex HMAS Canberra.
  • Media Releases VARS talks direct to the media.
  • Media Kit VARS has a media kit for our media friends.
• About VARS Let's sink the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria!
  • VARS Patron Lieutenant Commander (RAN retired) Mackenzie J. Gregory (Mac), VARS Patron.
  • VARS Committee The VARS Committe for 2007 - 2008.
  • VARS Annual Reports Read or download the VARS annual reports.
  • VARS Rules and Bylaws The Rules and Bylaws of VARS.
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News from VARS

• Update from VARS President, John Lawler 25 May 2007: John Lawler provides an update on VARS activities.
• VARS AGM 2007 12 September 2007: VARS Annual General Meeting 2007.
• ex HMAS Canberra Reef VARS calls for volunteers to help sink the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria.
• ex HMAS Canberra is on tow to Victoria The ex HMAS Canberra warship has left Rockingham WA and is on tow to Victoria
• ex HMAS Canberra to arrive on Tuesday, 10th June 2008 The ETA of the ex HMAS Canberra through Port Phillip Heads is now early Tuesday, 10th June 2008
• ex HMAS Canberra Arrives The ex HMAS Canberra warship arrives through the heads of Port Phillip Bay
• ex HMAS Canberra Arrives - VARS Patron Announced VARS reports on the ex HMAS Canberra arriving and the appointment of its Patron.
• Sinking Site Agreed On for the ex HMAS Canberra VARS reports on progress with the ex HMAS Canberra project and site selection.
• ex HMAS Canberra Project Progress VARS reports on progress being made with the ex HMAS Canberra project.
• VARS Notice of AGM 2007 28 August 2007: VARS Notice of Annual General Meeting and Annual Report for 2007.
• Federal Government Offers to Fund and Sink the ex-HMAS Canberra Dr Brendon Nelson, Minister for Defence, announced that the Federal Government is prepared to take Project Management responsibility for the ex HMAS Canberra project and make $7 million in funding available.
• VARS Meets With Minister of Defence 14 March 2007: Members of the VARS Committee met with Dr Brendan Nelson (Minister of Defence) and Steward McArthur (Federal Member for Corangamite) to discuss the sinking of the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria as an artificial reef and wreck dive site.
• VARS Launches ex HMAS Canberra Web Site 28 March 2007: VARS launches ex HMAS Canberra web site.
• Red tape ties up ship for peninsula dive site 29 March 2007: VARS highlights story from The Independent titled, Red tape ties up ship for peninsula dive site.
• Delay strikes divers 20 April 2007: The Bellarine Peninsula Independent published the story, Delay Strikes Divers.
• VARS puts delay concerns to the Minister of Defence 23 April 2007: VARS puts delay concerns to the Minister of Defence
• MPs Respond to VARS Concerns 8 May 2007: MPs respond to VARS concerns about ex HMAS Canberra delays.
• Dive hopes sink 11 May 2007: The Bellarine Peninsula Independent published the story, Dive hopes sink.
• VARS Meets With Tourism Minister 20 July 2007: An update on VARS activities.
• VARS Moves Forward With ex HMAS Canberra Project VARS forms sub-commitees and reports on ex HMAS Canberra progress.

In the News Items

• Greg Hunt MP - Thursday, 8 December 2005 Greg Hunt MP, Federal Member for Flinders, calls on the Premier to put in a bid for HMAS Canberra.
• Minister for Defence, Monday, 23 July 2007 The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence, announces the Howard Government is to fund and sink ex-HMAS Canberra.
• The Bellarine Echo, Thursday 31 May 2007, Page 3 Martin Watters reports on what Tourism Minister Tim Holding and Federal MP Stewart McArthur are now saying about delays with the ex HMAS Canberra project.
• Parliament of Victoria - Wednesday, 23 May 2007 Victorian Parliament MP Martin Dixon speaks about lack of progress obtaining the ex HMAS Canberra as an articial reef and wreck dive site for Victoria.
• The Bellarine Peninsula Independent, Friday 11 May 2007, Page 1 Karen Hart interviews John Lawler for the VARS take on the ex HMAS Canberra project.
• Herald Sun, Wednesday 9 May 2007, Page 19 The Herald Sun published Lloyd Borrett's leter to the editor as a My Say item on Wednesday 9 May 2007.
• The Bellarine Peninsula Independent, Friday 20 April 2007, Page 1 Andrew Mathieson writes about how the ex HMAS Canberra will languish in Western Australia for months.
• The Independent, Friday 16 March 2007, Page 3, Bellarine Edition Andrew Mathieson writes about how the Victorian Government is holding up obtaining the ex HMAS Canberra as a wreck dive site.
• ninemsn Travel - Monday, 23 October 2006 ninemsn reports on the ex HMAS Canberra as a new dive site for Victoria.
• Minister for Tourism - Thursday, 19 October 2006 Media Release from John Pandazopoulos, Minister for Tourism, announcing Victoria has won an interstate bid to secure the former ex-HMAS Canberra, as a new artificial dive attraction.
• Minister for Defence, Thursday, 19 October 2006 The Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence, announces Victoria has been selected to be gifted the former Royal Australian Navy Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Canberra for sinking as a dive wreck.
• Parliament of Victoria - Tuesday, 30 May 2006 Victorian Parliament MPs Dixon and Neville speak about obtaining the ex HMAS Canberra as an articial reef and wreck dive site for Victoria.
• Martin Dixon MP - Friday, 10 March 2006 Martin Dixon MP, State Member for Nepean, calls on the Bracks Government to get their act together on the bid for the de-commissioned ship HMAS Canberra.
• The Sun-Herald - Thursday, 15 February 2006 It's an underwater freak show as Stephen Walsh discovers maritime history.
• The Age - Tuesday, 27 December 2005 Martin Boulton reports in The Age that Premier Steve Bracks plans to bid for a former warship to be scuttled in Victoria waters.
• VARS Announces the Canberra is Coming! The ex HMAS Canberra warship will soon be in Victoria to be prepared for sinking as an artificial reef and dive site.

Media Releases

• Monday, 10th July 2006 Victoria is currently competing with other states to secure the ex HMAS Canberra for scuttling as a new artificial reef.
• Friday, 15th December 2006 New dive wreck creates opportunity to boost tourism in Victoria.
• Friday, 2nd February 2007 VARS provides an update on the progress of the ex HMAS Canberra.
• Wednesday, 13th June 2007 VARS reports on the progress of the ex HMAS Canberra project.
• Friday, 20th July 2007 VARS reports on the progress of the ex HMAS Canberra project.
• Friday, 12th October 2007 VARS calls for volunteers to help sink the ex HMAS Canberra in Victoria
• Tuesday, 27th May 2008 The ex HMAS Canberra warship will soon be in Victoria to be prepared for sinking as an artificial reef and dive site.