Holbrook

New South Wales

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!