The SIEVX was a refugee vessel 20 metres long that sank on the way to Australia in 2001. 353 people died, the great majority of them women with young children.

A group of Australians based in the Uniting Church but encompassing many beliefs felt that this, the worst maritime disaster in our region since World War Two, should be remembered. There was uncertainty about the role of our own country in creating the context for the tragedy, and in failing to rescue or protect these people. We did not know what happened, and do not allege complicity of any persons in the sinking, but felt as citizens a responsibility to know, and that the enormous loss of innocent life should be acknowledged and remembered.

Over 300 schools and churches across Australia joined in to make individual decorated poles for each woman, child, and man who died. These are to be erected on the national lakeshore in Canberra, our capital city.
A one day standing of the poles took place in 2006, the fifth anniversary. We plan to restand the poles for ten weeks in 2007, and to make a permanent memorial when sufficient support for this is achieved.