Due to “illness and age” Mrs Gundula Holbrook, who had been scheduled to officially open the Hologram, was unable to attend but her official representatives; Jane Waters and Jenny Farrell were there on her behalf. Jane and Jenny met Mrs Holbrook 29 years ago when they both applied for positions with the family - Jane as a cook and Jenny a nurse. They soon became firm friends and when Mrs Holbrook was asked who she wanted to represent her at this official opening there was no question; Jane and Jenny.

In their address Jane and Jenny said Mrs Holbrook returned to Australia approximately every two years and she always came back to Holbrook. The last time she was in Australia she purchased 50 books on Holbrook to take home to her friends as she was extremely proud of Holbrook and wanted her friends to know how wonderful it was.

Mrs Holbrook sent a message from her home in Steinfeld, Austria and in it said “Once more the town of Holbrook has achieved something very special. You have added the Hologram to your Museum and you have every right to be proud. My husband who loved Holbrook and its people very much would have been truly happy to join you all on such an important day. Once more he would have felt to be in the midst of friends.”

“You are Australia’s Submarine town, a title to be proud of and Australia’s submariners have also every right to be proud of your town. But, please, always remember the gallant young British Submarine Officer, whose name you chose to give your town”.

Mr Mike Bennett, President Submarine Association of Australia, VIC Branch (Inc) presented on behalf of members a WWII Submarine Artefact, the Jolly Roger flown by HMS/M Unsparing on completions of the War Patrols in the period up to 1945. This is now on permanent loan to the Holbrook Submarine Museum and Visitor Information Centre.

Local school students, Jessica Todd and Laura Fenton from Holbrook Public School and Anna Rossiter from St Patrick’s School assisted Mr Roger Cooper in the symbolic hand over of Commander Norman Holbrook VCRN Medals to the Australian War Memorial and these were accepted by Major General Steve Gower AO, AO (Mil), Director of the Australian War Memorial.

The Hologram may now be viewed by anyone visiting the Holbrook Submarine Museum which is open from 10am to 4pm, seven days a week.