Dora Creek man heads to Shoal Bay in search of Catalina wreck to commemorate Battle for Australia Day

The day, commemorating a series of battles in Australia's defence against the Japanese in World War II, has drawn little attention since it was declared in 2008.

Dora Creek dive instructor Ian Campbell wants to change that in hope that divers from around Australia will each year seek out a new wreck, solve some mysteries and honour those men and women who defended the nation.

"There's always a bit of pub talk about this plane, or that plane that went missing. Like the Catalina that went down off Jimmys Beach, I first heard about that one 30 years ago. Then I heard about a Catalina that's supposed to have gone down off Shoal Bay,” he said.

Port Stephens played a vital role in the defence of Australia in World War II.

Because of its proximity to Newcastle's port and steelworks as well as its relative isolation, it was identified as a defence hub. The gun emplacements that remain on Tomaree Head were crucial in protecting against potential Japanese submarine incursion.

"The idea for the dive only came to me two weeks ago," Mr Campbell said.

"There's so much history in Port Stephens and the dive industry is strong, and I thought, 'how can we evoke the ANZAC spirit'?

"The answer is to bring everyone together and find the wreckage."

Organising the dive, Mr Campbell has taken calls from around the country.

This helped narrow down the search area.

"I've been told that if we draw a line between Tomaree Headland, Halifax Lighthouse and Shoal Bay wharf, we'll be close," he said.

"It could be covered in sand, or there might only be an engine left. You just don't know but we want to solve this mystery."

Mr Campbell's drive to commemorate the day was fostered through a friendship he struck with a World War II veteran, Bob, who fought in the Battle of Milne Bay.

"My old mate was 93 when he passed away. He said to me, 'Ian, we should never forget what happened at Milne Bay," Mr Campbell said.

The Battle of Milne Bay marked the Allies' first defeat of the Japanese on land in a day-10 offensive, on a swampy strip of Papua New Guinea coastline.

Of the 2,800 Japanese landed, only 1,318 re-embarked. It was estimated that up to 750 lay dead around Milne Bay and the majority of the remainder were killed trying to escape overland to the Japanese base at Buna. 

Allied deaths included 167 Australians and 14 Americans.

The dive for the wreckage was scheduled for Wednesday, weather permitting.