Throughout August 2016 Yarra Plenty Regional Library hosted the Writing the War travelling exhibition from State Library Victoria at Eltham Library. The exhibition traces WWI through personal accounts from seven Australians. Nurse, bank clerk, farmer, sports master, journalist, artist, and activist and included archived diaries, letters, artefacts and visual materials relating to World War One. The exhibition was a successful partnership with the Nillumbik Shire Council and was also accompanied by local collections including a specifically curated collection from the Australian Army Signals Museum (Watsonia), Memorabilia from the Eltham Montmorency RSL, Eltham District Historical Society, St Andrews Queenstown Historical Society and private collections. The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc. provided their Lemnos Gallipoli Photographic exhibition for the Gallery wall space. A number of speakers supported the exhibition throughout August. Eltham Library received over 22,600 visitors while the exhibition was on.
YPRL’s Anzac Centenary book project Fine Spirit and Pluck: World One stories from Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea was launched on the day of the opening.
Visitors to the Writing the War Exhibition at Eltham Library were invited to share their reflections, stories, thoughts or memories of the Anzacs, in response to an image printed on a postcard. It could be about the image itself, a feeling it evokes or a memory it sparks.
The comments were as follows:
The dedication and loyalty to your mates. My dad who was in the Second WW also experienced the comradeship, which I never understood as a child. He was also respectful of the nurses at the Repat. and this comes across with the Nurses in WW1.
“Lest We Forget” – Neisha Forbes –Plenty Historical Society
When I was a child growing up in North Melbourne we always (Mum & my brother) went to the ‘March” and watched the soldiers in their formations with the Scottish bands to keep them in step. My memory is very emotional and I always find the bagpipes tearful. My father went to the Second WW but never participated too hard.
So interesting to find out information about the nurses and their work on Lemnos and in WW1. – Debra
Great videos, nice to see the news. Interesting facts. – Poppy Carroll
An organised chaos encapsulated within an image.
Death and destruction so that we may live and prosper.
A bravery that is more valuable than gold and rarer than diamonds. –Ryan Penny
Looking at the photo on the front I reflect what these brave men and women have done for me and our great country.
My own nephew is currently serving overseas in these times of terror and unrest. –Thank you Allan.
It is sad people died from different place in the war. Max Little
It was very sad about the War. Amelia Little
This war changed the world and Australia forever. Our future, young men & women, lost, mutilated and mentally scarred. Wars continue to this day to do the same.
In Australia we have the freedom to choose to fight, to support, to advocate against war; some step up for those who can’t or won’t; but we have a choice – and a VOTE – don’t waste your freedoms won & right to choose.
I love learning about our history. Great to someone who feels the same way. (I’m 11 yrs old)
You wonder if they had the “adventure” they thought they were heading for and if their lives were peaceful and fulfilling when (if) they returned home.
The first Australian killed in WW1 was a cousin of my mother’s “Billy Williams” killed at Rabudl where they went to silence a German rapid station. The date was Sept 11th 1914. A service is held in the Melbourne Shrine on that date every year where I am honoured to place a wreath on the stone of remembrance. Ron Mullinger MacLeod, Victoria
Memories / Stories / Courage / Service
View photos at Yarra Plenty Local History on Flickr
