Saving HMAS Penguin and Angophora Forest
IMAGE: Michael Mangold
A powerful community rally. Five compelling speakers. One shared message: keep our precious harbour land in public hands.
Our community rally to Save HMAS Penguin brought together a wonderful crowd of local residents, environmental advocates and supporters who share a deep commitment to protecting Sydney Harbour’s natural and cultural heritage.
Held at the Balmoral Rotunda, the rally sent a clear message to the Australian Government: HMAS Penguin and the adjoining Angophora Forest are too important to lose to private development.
An impressive group of speakers addressed the crowd. The Hon. Peter Garrett, Sen. David Shoebridge, Leader of the Australian Greens, Zali Steggall OAM, MP for Warringah, Sen. Jess Collins and Maj. Gen. Gus McLachlan AO (Retd) spoke passionately about the importance of keeping this remarkable land in public hands. Their contributions highlighted what is at stake—not only the future of public land on Sydney Harbour, but also the protection of our natural environment, precious bushland, heritage and the legacy we leave for future generations.
The strong turnout demonstrated how much this place means to our community. The Angophora Forest is part of Mosman's natural character, while HMAS Penguin sits within a harbour landscape and waters of exceptional public, environmental and historical significance. These Commonwealth lands belong to all of us; the federal government is managing this land for us.
Rather than selling it into private ownership, we are calling on the Australian Government to keep it in public hands and explore a future that protects its environmental, heritage and community values.
Thank you for standing with us
We extend our sincere thanks to our speakers, the organisers and volunteers who made the rally possible, and everyone who joined us, helped spread the word or supported the campaign.
Your presence showed that this is an issue our community cares deeply about.
The campaign continues
The rally was an important moment, but our work is not finished.
This is Commonwealth land, and its future requires a federal decision
We’re taking our community’s case directly to Canberra. We will call on Anthony Albanese to honour his own statement that Sydney Harbour is a jewel for the nation.
We are organising our Convoy To Canberra on November 23, 2026. Find out more at https://convoytocanberra.com.au/
Please stay involved
Share our campaign with friends and neighbours, subscribe to our updates, and help us make sure the community’s voice is heard.
Together, we can stand up for public land, protect our bushland and safeguard Sydney Harbour for generations to come.
Help drive our message to Canberra
Mosman Parks and Bushland Committee members will be joining the convoy; please join us.
