Special song for Teddy

Voices to sing out at Victoria Cross ceremony

TASMANIAN war hero Edward Teddy Sheean will posthumously receive the Victoria Cross for bravery in Canberra on December 1 as a choir of local young voices sing a composition praising his bravery on YouTube.

December 1 is the 78th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Armidale and, due to COVID-19 restrictions, only a handful of family members and dignitaries will be able to attend the historic investiture ceremony in Canberra.

The insignia of the Victoria Cross will be presented to Ordinary Seaman Sheean’s family by the Governor-General David Hurley.

The G-G and Mrs Hurley met with Shean’s descendants in Latrobe this week to hear about their memories of him and what the awarding of the Victoria Cross means to the community.

The Latrobe Council has received a grant of $50,000 to erect a statue of Sheean in the North-Westtown.

State Veteran Affairs Minister Guy Barnett said he was pleased and proud to be part of the campaign to have the Tasman ian war hero recognised.

“Justice will be served at last. This is a fantastic result,’ Mr Barnett said.

Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan said Sheean did not choose sacrifice in an attempt to win a war. He did it to save his friends, his shipmates, his navy family.

To help mark what is a big day for Tasmania, the Young Voices of Hobart, along with five other local choral groups, has recorded a song called“No Ordinary Seaman” by Tasmanian composer Aaron Powell.

“As a composer, I was inspired by the actions of Teddy Sheean and felt that it was a story that should be told through song. As a teacher, I felt it was important to share the story with as many young singers as possible so they, too, could learn about Teddy’s bra very ,” Mr Powell said.

The song was composed before Tasmania learnt Sheean would finally receive the Victorian Cross after a decadeslong fight for recognition.

Mr Powell contacted Sheean’s nephew Garry Ivory to gain permission to have the song performed. “He was generous with his time to check the lyrics for accuracy, and I am grateful that he gave us his blessing to learn the song,” Mr Powell said.

It was hoped the song could be performed at the medal ceremony. But, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the ceremony will be held in Canberra with only a small number of family members and dignitaries in attendance.

The song will be premiered on YouTube on Tuesday, December1.