I am delighted that Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean' will finally be awarded the Victoria Cross he deserves in a ceremony at Government House tomorrow.
This brings to an end the more than three-decade campaign led by Garry Ivory, nephew of Teddy Sheean, on behalf of the Sheean family to see this young Tasmanian’s extraordinary bravery honoured.
I acknowledge and thank my good friend Garry Ivory for his tireless work to gain appropriate recognition for the young Lower Barrington-born sailor.
Teddy’s Victoria Cross will be the 101st awarded to an Australian, 15th to a Tasmanian and 1st for the Royal Australian Navy.
I feel privileged to have been part of the campaign for over 17 years, and am overjoyed to be part of tomorrow’s ceremony along with Garry and other members of the Sheean family.
Teddy is a true Tasmanian hero who demonstrated courage, mateship, and sacrifice of the highest order. All Tasmanians, the Royal Australian Navy and the veteran community should be immensely proud of his actions aboard the HMAS Armidale on 1 December 1942.
Teddy will also be honoured with a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial after the investiture on the 78th anniversary of the Armidale's sinking, and I am honoured to be invited to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Tasmania at the ceremony
Garry Ivory, on behalf of the Sheean family, is also planning to donate Teddy's Victoria Cross to the Australian War Memorial. This is a most generous act and all Tasmanians can be thankful.
I am also delighted that the Government is pursuing plans to install a life-sized statue of Teddy in Latrobe and is providing up to $50,000 towards the project.