In a unanimous decision by Whitsunday Regional Council, a memorial plaque will be erected in in honour of the four Australian Defence Force personnel lost in a helicopter accident off the coast of Airlie Beach.
A proposal by Councillor John Collins, the memorial plaque will pay respect to Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Captain Daniel Lyon, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs.
These are the names of the four Australian Defence Force personnel who had been taking part in Talisman Sabre 2023 activities on July 28, when their MRH-90 Taipan helicopter experienced unprecedented catastrophic failure and plunged into Whitsunday waters.
“This memorial will mean a lot to the people in our region,” Councillor Collins explained.
“Our region, particularly the townspeople of Bowen, have welcomed the armed services since the inaugural Talisman Sabre in 2005.”
Hoping to use a state government grant, Queensland Remembers Grants Program, which is set to close in October, Councillor Mike Brunker said that regardless of funding, the Council should erect a memorial.
“If we do this, we do it properly, and not rushed to meet a grant deadline,” Councillor Brunker said.
“If the funding is not there, I’m sure we can approach the ADF and other organisations.
“This needs to be done respectfully with a good and proper design.”
The ADF have since permanently grounded the Taipan helicopter, with American made UH-60 Black Hawk brought in instead.
On July 28, four ADF personnel lost their lives in a helicopter accident. Photo supplied
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