Submarine Discovery Centre opens in Rockingham
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The Albanese Government has officially opened the WA Submarine Discovery Centre in Rockingham – a new information hub where the local community can learn about Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program and stay up to date on the delivery of our submarines.
This program will significantly enhance Australia’s ability to defend our country and build our self‑reliance. It will also deliver generational investments for Western Australia where around 10,000 direct jobs will be supported over the next two decades as a result of the Albanese Government’s investments in AUKUS and shipbuilding.
Rockingham has a long and proud connection to the Royal Australian Navy and a shared history dating back over forty years. The local community is central to delivering Australia’s nuclear‑powered submarine capability and is already seeing AUKUS in action.
The WA Submarine Discovery Centre, developed by the Australian Submarine Agency, is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to engaging with state and local governments, and the community, including through community information sessions.
The Centre features interactive exhibits, educational resources on topics including STEM opportunities and WA’s proud submarine history. It will act as a front door for the community to ask questions and a place to host community events on how the program is progressing and a delivering a Future Made in Australia.
Its official opening comes as preparations for the establishment of Submarine Rotational Force‑West next year continue, which will see the United States and the United Kingdom have a rotational presence at HMAS Stirling – supporting Australia to build the capabilities and skills needed to safely and securely own, operate and maintain a fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear‑powered submarines from the early 2030s.
The Discovery Centre will be open to the public on Tuesday-Thursday each week.
It is located at 19 Kent Street, Rockingham and is adjacent to the Gary Holland Community Centre and the Rockingham Tourism Centre.
For more information visit: https://www.asa.gov.au/submarine-discovery-centre
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
“The new Discovery Centre will be a valuable resource for Rockingham – providing a space for locals and visitors to explore what our investments in AUKUS mean for them, and learn about how we are transitioning to this game changing capability.
“Western Australia is already the home of Australia’s submarines, and is now at the forefront of the AUKUS pathway playing a vital role in Australia becoming sovereign ready to own and operate our own fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
“This generational investment in this critical military capability is also an investment in Australian jobs, workforces, and industry, including in Western Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Brand, Madeleine King:
“AUKUS represents a generational opportunity for Western Australia and for workers and families in Rockingham.
“Rockingham has a long and proud history of supporting the Royal Australian Navy for over 40 years. Since being first commissioned in 1978, Rockingham has warmly welcomed HMAS Stirling into our community, with the City itself granting it Freedom of Entry in 1988, and HMAS Stirling exercising that freedom in 2023, supported by the thousands of local residents that came along to be part of an important tradition.
“Rockingham will be at the forefront of AUKUS, providing jobs and economic opportunity and playing a central role in the security of Australia.”
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I grew up in Rockingham as a Naval daughter. I feel very privileged to have been able to go to Garden Island and meet so many international sailors and get a staff family insight visit onto submarines.
See their insides, the bunks they lived in, the areas they relaxed in, the mess hall they ate in..including tasting”American french fries with ketchup”…met the people that made that system run internally…all whilst being totally bewildered that these huge giant subs travelled under the surface, unseen.
There were public open days, with tours when they were on base, but I was lucky enough to go a step deeper.
The sailors that met on base internationally for the Navy Games, came over for dinner or a barbecue and became family friends across the pond.
There are so many good things that can come from AUKUS if handled as they were back then…without ego or prejudice.
Understanding we are all here trying to live our lives, do our jobs and…hopefully for most of time running training “games” exercises. Not trying to kill each other!