Service commemorates naval collision

The Central Coast sub-section of the Naval Association of Australia held its annual service for the namesake of Roger's Park at the local sporting field on the Saturday, February 14.

Rogers Park, opposite the Peninsula Community Centre, is named after Chief Petty Officer Jonathon Rogers GC DSM, who came from Woy Woy.

The service was held on the Saturday closest to February 10 to commemorate the collision between HMAS Voyager and HMAS Melbourne in 1964, when 82 men died.

Chief Petty Officer Rogers saved 15 lives during the tragedy, helping the men to safety.

The collision occurred in the small hours of the morning when HMAS Voyager, with 317 crew on board, and HMAS Melbourne were on manoeuvres off Jervis Bay.

A tack from HMAS Melbourne put her on a collision course with HMAS Voyager which was cut in half in the incident.

Naval Association publicity officer Mr Merv Heath said Jonathan Rogers was "a real champion".

"He could have saved himself but instead saved dozens of others," he said.

"Jo Rogers was a big man and knew he wouldn't be able to escape through the narrow hatch, so he personally supervised the escape of the ship's young crewmen, some of whom were only 17."

Rogers Park in Woy Woy was named after Jonathan in 1986, after he was named recipient of the highest bravery award in peacetime, the George Cross.

Rob Jimenez, January 18