A memorial service to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Noongah tragedy, which claimed 21 lives off the coast of South West Rocks, has been described by one of the organisers as "perfect".
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Corrinne Boon and Tiana Adamson organised the memorial service held on Sunday August 25, after discovering nothing was being planned to remember the tragedy.
Ms Boon told the Argus the emotional service was "beautiful".
"The service went for about an hour and a half and it was perfect," Ms Boon said.
"The 80 or more people in attendance witnessed a beautiful service."
"Families of those who perished and the survivors were so thankful.
"Some had never had a proper funeral or service for their fathers or brothers, so it was very emotional."
On August 25, 1969, the MV Noongah was caught in catastrophic conditions as the ship was battling waves as large as 28-feet and gale force winds as strong as 110 kilometres per hours.
At 4.23am, a mayday call was transmitted from the Noongah and 14-minutes later the 26-man crew were forced to abandon ship.
Five survivors and one body were pulled from the water during the four-day massive air and sea search and rescue operation, but sadly 20 people were never found.
Family members of the 21 men who lost their lives spoke at the service, which also included vocals from the Rockapellas and ended with an emotional tribute.
Each Noongah crew member's name was read individually and a rose was placed in the sea near where the ship is believed to have sunk by boatmen Chris Jordan.
Twenty one white roses were placed for each life which was tragically lost, while five red roses were placed for those who were rescued.
As each name was read out loud, a bell sounded and then a rose was placed into the ocean as tribute.
Geoffrey Willans, whose close childhood friend was one of the lost Noongah sailors Patrick Kilgariff, expressed his gratitude to Ms Boon and Ms Adamson for organising the memorial service.
"I would like to thank Corrinne and Tiana for organising the memorial service so well at short notice," Mr Willans said.
"I also wish to pay tribute to Alexis and Deborah from the Tourist Bureau and Walter Collins and Eric from the Maritime Museum who helped out with information, advice and photocopying of the Noongah story."
Mr Willans said John Fenwick, who was a childhood mate of Patrick Kilgariff in the aftermath of World War II, had wanted to honour his mate as he was aware of the 50th anniversary of the Noongah's sinking but had lost contact with the Kilgariff family when they emigrated from Britain many years ago.
Mr Willians committed to visiting South West Rocks for the 50th anniversary to place mementos from John in the sea near the Trial Bay Gaol.
"A sister of Patrick's spoke at the service and I have put John in contact with Paddy's sister Marion Wilde," he said.
"We were extremely surprised and chuffed with the memorial service and attendance."
After hearing of the memorial service, representatives from the Maritime Union of Australia made sure they attended and the families of the victims were incredibly pleased.
"Fifty years ago, the government didn't give any compensation to the families but the Maritime Union funded all of the children through school and the families told me they don't know what they would have done without their support," Ms Boon said.
"So they were extremely grateful they were there."
The Maritime Union also paid for refreshments and meals at the South West Rocks Surf Life Saving Club after the service and plan to fund a monument to be built in South West Rocks.
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