Queensland Opposition Leader, Tim Nicholls, visited the Battle of the Coral Sea Memorial in Cardwell in North Queensland today, ahead of historic 75 year anniversary commemorations that will take place in the sea-side town at the end of April this year.

Mr Nicholls visited the Battle of the Coral Sea Memorial with Deputy Opposition Leader, Deb Frecklington and Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, while meeting with members of the local committee that organise the annual march and service in Cardwell.

“I was very pleased to have this opportunity to visit the memorial in Cardwell today, as I regularly attend the annual Battle of the Coral Sea service held in Brisbane each year and I am a member of the Australian-American Association” said Mr Nicholls.

“More Queenslanders need to understand the importance of the Battle of the Coral Sea as a key turning point in the history of World War II, when the Allied forces made a stand and halted the advance of the Japanese Navy in the south Pacific” he said.

Mr Nicholls encouraged North Queenslanders to support the upcoming 75^th anniversary events that will take place in Cardwell on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April 2017, which will be attended by representatives of the United States and Australian Navies.

Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, said he was grateful that the Opposition Leader had taken the time to visit the Battle of the Coral Sea Memorial in Cardwell during his current tour of North Queensland in view of his connection to the Brisbane service.

“Each year, Tim and I swap notes about the Battle of the Coral Sea services held in Brisbane and Cardwell respectively and while the event he goes to might be attended by more top brass, ours is a lot closer to where the action took place” said Mr Cripps.

“There is a small committee of dedicated volunteers who organise the Battle of the Coral Sea march and service each year – it’s a special event held in Cardwell and I’m proud to be a long term supporter and attendee at the memorial park” he said.

Mr Cripps joined with Mr Nicholls to encourage North Queenslanders to travel to Cardwell on the weekend of the 29^th and 30^th of April to attend the events and memorial service associated with the 75^th anniversary of the World War II Battle of the Coral Sea.