A private collection of historical military memorabilia is set to go on display at Moranbah’s Coalface Art Gallery, giving visitors a chance to peek back in the time of Australia’s military conflicts.
The Anzac Day 2021 exhibition brings together an eclectic mix of military memorabilia collected by Dave Law, Site Senior Executive for ESS Support Services Worldwide at Eureka Creek Village.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the exhibition features items relating to the service of Australians in military conflicts from World War I to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and peacekeeping operations in Bougainville and East Timor.
“Whether you are a history buff or just interested in learning more about the lives of our diggers, this exhibition is a must see,” Mayor Baker said.
“Some of the items were collected by Dave during visits to the battlefields of Gallipoli, Flanders Fields and the Somme, or donated to him by ex-veterans to preserve their stories.
“And for those who are attending dawn or morning Anzac Day services in Moranbah, the Coalface Art Gallery will be open after the services, for everyone to visit and view in person items that highlight the tenacity, resilience and heroism of all who have served.”
Curator Dave Law is motivated to collect and preserve military memorabilia by his family’s long history of military service including the two World Wars and the Korean War, and a desire to support veterans so that future generations will know of the sacrifices that have been made by so many people.
“I have been privileged to spend many hours talking and getting to know about the military careers of Harry Smith SC & MC, and Bill Roche, Commendation for Gallantry, who both fought in The Battle of Long Tan in August 1966” Mr Law said.
“At the exhibition there are a number of uniform embellishments from Harry and a map protractor which he used in the Malayan Emergency in the 1950’s.
“Bill Roche’s entrenching tool which he had with him during The Battle of Long Tan and a number of other items he had during his two tours of Vietnam will also be on display.”
Dave Law and Andrew Tomlinson from the Moranbah RSL Sub-Branch curated the exhibition, with support from ESS Support Services Worldwide and BMA Infrastructure and Asset Management.
Anzac Day 2021 will run from 19 April 2021 to 14 May 2021 at the Coalface Art Gallery, Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 5pm.
A special exhibition launch will be held on Monday 19 April at 3pm with afternoon tea provided. Visit https://speakup.isaac.qld.gov.au to RSVP to attend the launch event or phone 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227).
