New petition to help preserve the Gayundah ship wreck at Woody Point

A new petition has been launched in a bid to convince the state government to allow the HMQS Gayundah shipwreck to be coated in a rust treatment paint.

All that remains of the Gayundah at Woody Point. Picture: Barry Tuton

A new petition has been launched in a bid to convince the state government to allow the HMQS Gayundah shipwreck to be coated in a rust treatment paint.

The Gayundah Preservation Society president Richard Lancaster the group had been working towards this for four years.

So far the petition has received more than 150 signatures.

Mr Lancaster said he hoped thousands would get on board the campaign.

“This is just another set of hoops we have to jump through,” Mr Lancaster said.

Part of the Gayundah wreck has collapsed it is believed to be because people were climbing on the wreck. Picture: Chris Higgins

He said if something was not done soon to preserve the wreck there would soon be nothing left of it.

“Every single day means another bit of corrosion, how much longer can she wait,” Mr Lancaster said.

Parts of the ship have already started to fall off, and the bow recently collapsed.

The group’s ultimate goal is to be able to coat the ship in the rust treatment paint to prevent any further damage.

“We want to keep it sitting as it is, it is how she should be remembered,” Mr Lancaster said.

“We have everything ready, we just need the go ahead.”

History HMQS Gayundah

■ March 27, 1885: HMQS Gayundah arrives in Brisbane

■ 1903: Gayundah used for the first ship-to-shore wireless telegraphy experiments in Australia

■ 1921: Used as sand and gravel barge in Moreton Bay

■ 1958: Beached as a breakwater off the Woody Point cliffs

A Moreton Bay Regional Council spokeswoman said work would only be done to the ship in consultation with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

“The QPWS oversees all activities in the National Marine Park where the Gayundah is located, and we understand that the Preservation Society is in direct contact with the State in relation to their application to apply a rust treatment” she said.

“Our main priority is public safety and being aware of the risks associated with getting too close to the wreck.

“The public can enjoy observing the wreck from the pedestrian walkway but they must strictly adhere to the signage and stay away from the beach.

“Watercraft, such as canoes, should also avoid getting too close from the water.”

To sign the petition visit change.org