The seed for the project was planted on ANZAC Day 2003 when one of our members was talking with members of the HMAS Wagga Association who had come to Wagga Wagga for their reunion, which takes place ever second year. Talk of ships soon turned to talk of models which then sparked the question, did anyone have a model of HMAS Wagga, if not could one be built so that it could be displayed at future reunions?

Initial planning identified what each of the Fleet Base Wagga members could contribute and also what additional information would be required to produce a reasonably accurate representation of HMAS Wagga. A collection of plans, drawings and photos were gathered so that enough information was available to make a respectable model. Liasing with members of the HMAS Wagga Association also uncovered some invaluable information and photos of the real ship during the war years etc.

Construction started in about August 2003. Plywood frames were cut and set up on a building board and a wooden Plank-On-Frame hull was constructed. This wooden hull was then sanded, primed and sealed. PVC tape was cut to shape and stuck on the hull to simulate the steel hull plating of the original ship. Detail was added and the hull was ready for moulding.

Over several weeks a two piece fibreglass mould was made of the hull. Once the mould was completed and had cured then a fibreglass hull was produced. This hull would become the basis for the model. This whole process had been slow going and it was now the end of 2003.

Over the next 12 months construction continued at a steady pace. Each item was built up from scratch using styrene, perspex, brass and copper wire. All very time consuming and many items were a real challenge. As items were completed they were put aside for painting.

The end of 2004 saw the pace of construction increase considerably. With less than four months to go there was still much work to be done. The model was starting to take shape but was far from finished. Rigging and railings and all of the other small fittings that had been made during the previous 12 months were now finished off and were finally being fitted to the model.

Through March and the early weeks of April 2005 it was becoming a race against time to have the whole project finished. In the last weeks a base was constructed for the model and a glass case was organised. In the end the model was completed and case went onto the model only hours before the presentation ceremony.

The efforts of all those involved in the construction has been recognised along with their affiliation with Task Force 72 on a plaque attached to the base of the model. The satisfaction of completing a project like the HMAS Wagga and the gratitude extended from all of the ex sailors and their families made the whole experience very worthwhile.