Exhibition donated to Rabaul Museum to mark Anzac Centenary

As a part of Anzac commemorations, the Australian and Queensland Governments have donated an exhibition, Defending the Pacific, to the Rabaul Museum.

The Defending the Pacific exhibition was developed by the Queensland Government in conjunction with the Queensland Museum to commemorate the Anzac Centenary.

Lieutenant Colonel Ian Ford, of the Australian Defence Force, presented the exhibition to Ms Susie McGrade, Secretary of the Rabaul Historical Society, in Rabaul on 25 April.

The exhibition traces the story of volunteers from North and Far North Queensland who joined the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force at the beginning of the First World War.

On 11 September 1914, troops from the Force landed in Rabaul to search for and destroy German radio stations. A patrol of 25 Australians encountered a composite force of German reservists and New Guinean police at Bita Paka. Six Australians, one German and 30 New Guinean police died in this action. The Australians who fell at Bita Paka were the first of more than 60,000 Australians killed in the Great War.

Captain Andrew Craig RAN (Retd), Chair of the Queensland Advisory Committee for the Commemoration of the Anzac Centenary, said this military event is one of the most significant dates in Australia’s history.

“When the First World War broke out, the news was greeted with enthusiasm and much pride by Australians who for the first time had come together as an independent nation in a public sphere,” Captain Craig said.

“I am delighted to see the exhibition extend to and reach Rabaul, as one of many commemoration projects planned throughout Queensland to honour the incredible sacrifice and bravery of our forefathers who served Australia from 1914 to 1918.”

The exhibition’s five banners show a selection of 1914 diary excerpts, images, archives and newspaper articles. The exhibition is also located in 12 North and Far North Queensland locations which contributed volunteers.

The Queensland Government has committed $49.3 million to commemorate the Anzac Centenary between 2014 to 2018. Defending the Pacific, is an important part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to commemorate the Anzac Centenary.

For more information on Defending the Pacific exhibition locations please visit www.qld.gov.au/anzac100events.