24/04/2026
This ANZAC Day we remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, our nation.
The city of Newcastle and its harbour have a long a proud history of supporting Australia’s defence and maritime capability during times of conflict.
Established in 1914, the Walsh Island Dockyard was an important contributor during World War I. As the nation’s largest engineering facilities at the time, the dockyard produced shell casings, machine guns, aircraft engines, aircraft parts and components for Australia’s wartime efforts.
At the height of World War II, the NSW State Dockyard at D**e Point (known then as D**e End) played a critical role in shipbuilding and engineering. By the end of the war, it had produced over 20 new vessels and docked and repaired more than 600 others, many of which had been damaged by enemy fire.
While the physical sites look very different today, these stories remain a powerful reminder of the communities, industries, and workers who contributed to a collective effort during extraordinary times.
📸 courtesy of University of Newcastle Special Collections
