Community action. A shared success.

The 23 November convoy
will no longer go ahead.

Following the successful outcome for HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest, the Convoy to Canberra planned for Monday 23 November 2026 has been called off.

Updated

Thank you for standing together

Our community made a difference.

HMAS Penguin has been saved from sale and will remain in Defence hands. The precious Angophora forest will be transferred to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, protecting it for future generations.

There will be no organised car convoy, Mosman coach or Convoy to Canberra gathering on 23 November. You do not need to confirm or update your convoy travel details.

Thank you to everyone who showed up for the rallies, wrote, called or spoke up — and to everyone who put their hand up for the convoy.

Following the community result

Convoy to Canberra:
your questions.

Is the 23 November convoy still going ahead?

No. Following the successful community outcome for HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest, the Convoy to Canberra planned for Monday 23 November 2026 has been called off. There will be no organised car convoy, Mosman coach or Convoy to Canberra gathering on that date.

What has been achieved?

HMAS Penguin has been saved from sale and will remain in Defence hands. The precious Angophora forest will be transferred to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, protecting it for future generations.

Read our media release

I already signed up. Do I need to do anything?

You do not need to confirm or update your convoy travel details. Thank you for putting your hand up and supporting the community’s shared effort. Your existing email preferences can still be managed through the private management link in your confirmation email.

Will the coach or car convoy operate?

No. The planned Mosman coach, car convoy and Convoy to Canberra gathering on 23 November will not operate.

Was this a party-political campaign?

No. People came together regardless of political colours, united by their commitment to protecting these places for future generations. This shared achievement belongs to our whole community.

How can I manage my email preferences or unsubscribe?

Use the private management link in your confirmation email. You can withdraw and remove your registration there. If you cannot find the link, contact hello@convoytocanberra.com.au for help.

Who organised the planned convoy?

Michael Randall organised the planned convoy as a concerned Mosman councillor and resident. It was an independent community initiative, not an official Mosman Council event.

More about the organiser

Community momentum · Rally recap ·

The crowd gathered beneath the trees at the Save Victoria Barracks rally at Moore Park on 25 October 2026.
Save Victoria Barracks rally · Moore Park ·

The community
stood together.

Thank you to everyone who came together at Moore Park on Sunday 25 October to stand up for Victoria Barracks, and to the volunteers who helped share our Convoy flyers.

This rally was part of the community’s shared effort to protect public land.

Read the 8 November community update
Michael Randall with Allegra Spender MP at the Victoria Barracks rally.
Michael Randall with Allegra Spender MP.
Three campaign supporters at the Victoria Barracks rally holding and sharing Convoy flyers.
Thank you to our flyer volunteers.

Building on our community’s work

Our community’s
advocacy so far.

Headland Preservation Group, Mosman Parks & Bushland Association, Mosman Council and local residents have been advocating to protect HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest.

The planned convoy was part of that shared effort. Following the successful outcome announced on 8 November, it will no longer go ahead.

Take further action. Visit their websites for updates and ways to support their work.

Michael Randall with Joyce Lloyd wearing a Save HMAS Penguin and Angophora Forest shirt at the Sustainability Fair
Joyce Lloyd, Vice President of Mosman Parks & Bushland Association, with Michael at the Sustainability Fair.
Speaker and panellists at a community meeting, with Headland Preservation Group and Mosman Parks and Bushland banners calling to save HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest
HPG and Mosman Parks & Bushland community meeting about HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest.

Speaking in Parliament on 1 June 2021, Anthony Albanese, then Leader of the Opposition, argued for protecting harbour foreshores and warned against their sale:

“if we get it wrong once, it disappears forever”
Read Albanese’s 2021 speech

That principle helped underpin the community’s call to protect HMAS Penguin and its forest.

Zali Steggall MP and Mayor Ann Marie Kimber beside a Save HMAS Penguin and Angophora Forest banner
Zali Steggall MP and Mayor Ann Marie Kimber, standing together for HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest.
The community crowd gathered beneath the trees beside Balmoral Beach for the HMAS Penguin rally.
Community rally for HMAS Penguin · Balmoral ·

Building momentum · Balmoral rally recap

The community
at Balmoral.

The successful community rally at Balmoral on 11 October showed the strength of support for keeping HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest in public hands.

Thank you to everyone who took part, helped out or shared the message. This shared commitment helped the community make its voice heard.

Read the community outcome
See the local advocacy timeline
  1. Mosman Council

    Council reports its Senate submission

    Council published confirmation of its submission to the inquiry into the management of Defence estate assets.

    Read Council’s update
  2. Mosman Parks & Bushland Association

    A case for protecting Penguin and its forest

    The Association’s Senate submission called for HMAS Penguin and the Angophora forest to remain in public ownership.

    Read the Association’s submission
  3. Headland Preservation Group

    HPG publishes its Senate submission

    HPG raised concerns about the loss of public land and the protection of the site’s heritage and environmental values.

    Read HPG’s submission
  4. Community information session · 5–7.30 pm

    Zali Steggall and Peter Khalil at Mosman Art Gallery

    Zali Steggall MP facilitated community questions to Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil MP about HMAS Penguin’s proposed partial divestment, public ownership and protection of the Angophora forest.

    Read the meeting report
    View Council’s meeting notice
  5. Community public meeting

    Residents gather at the Mosman Club

    HPG reported an estimated 500 attendees at the public meeting on HMAS Penguin, with others turned away when the venue reached capacity.

    Read HPG’s meeting report
  6. Headland Preservation Group & community organisations

    The Not For Sale campaign launches

    HPG announced a joint campaign with like-minded organisations opposing the proposed sale of land at HMAS Penguin.

    Read the campaign announcement
  7. Mosman Council

    Council announces support for a community rally

    Council reported that its September meeting had endorsed a rally supporting the retention of HMAS Penguin in public ownership.

    Read Council’s rally announcement

The latest community update

Our community.
Our shared success.

HMAS Penguin has been saved from sale. Following this successful outcome, the planned 23 November convoy has been called off. Please share the current community update.

Read our media release