My daughter, son in law and my brother in law have just gone back to Europe, after having spent the last few weeks with us, so I've busy showing them Perth's best attractions.
SPIRIT OF ANZAC CENTENARY EXHIBITION:
The day after my daughter arrived, both of us went to see The Anzac Centenary exhibition at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Entry was free but had to be booked online, which I had done a few weeks before her arrival.
For those who don't know ANZAC - stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
On the 25th April 1915, the soldiers that formed part of the Allied expedition to the Gallipoli peninsula (Turkey), became known as the ANZACS. Hence Anzac Day is celebrated on the 25th April every year. (thanks Elizabeth for the reminders to explain the name)
When I visited Albany last December with my parents we didn't visit the Anzac Centre there as the entry fee was very steep, but I think a lot of the material exhibited here might have been similar to what was on show in Albany.
It was extremely interesting to see the exhibits and to read the war stories, it's just sad that nothing seems to have been learned from all those wars, as there seems to be a few wars going on in our Globe, when they just bring so much sadness, loss and devastation to the countries involved.
THE STORY OF THE POPPIES:
The story of the poppies shown in this picture began as a personal tribute by two Australian women - Lynn Berry and Margaret Knight to their fathers who fought in World War II.
They set out to crochet 120 poppies to plant at the Shine of Remembrance in Melbourne in 2013. After a social media campaign and support from family and friends,the project grew to over 300 thousand hand made poppies.
These craft poppies have been "planted" in various war related memorials all over the world, including these displayed at the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Exhibition.
You can read more about this project here.
SOLDIERS POSTCARD EXCHANGE:
Another interesting story on display was of Eliza Jane Downey, a nurse from Boulder, WA, who corresponded with 6 soldiers serving with the Australian Imperial Forces.
More than 100 postcards were exchanged giving an insight into the lives of the six men while on active duty in World War I.
Below you can see a postcard from Joseph Jackson, a 19 year old serving in France, where he writes on a postcard from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris - "this is a very nice place, but not to be compared with Boulder", showing their innocence and love of their country and town.
(Boulder is a small town about 600km northeast of Perth).
NOT TO BE EATEN, TO BE ENJOYED:
In the foyer of the Exhibition Centre was this gingerbread Christmas Cake - house and trees, made by a team of pastry chefs, using 100kg of flour, 800 eggs, 50kg of honey, 40kg of marzipan and 1500 hours of labour. Truly magnificent!!!
This was supposed to be the war to end with all wars, referred to then as the Great War. Although never forgotten (and the trenchs must have been one of the worst places possible) "Man" seem not have learned anything, except getting better at inventing destruction toys!
ReplyDeletePortugal also send people to the First World War, without proper clothing, arms, preparation. There was an exhibit here in Lisbon a couple of years ago about it!
I would have a piece of that cake ;-)
Too true Paula!
DeleteYes, I would have a piece of that cake too, but it did seem too good to eat!
Yes, it seems people never learn, no matter what. I was frustrated to see H, the WWII-bringer, is on a documentary here on telly as well...
ReplyDeleteI just saw a book about him on a book store today actually.
DeleteAn interesting exhibition Sami but as you say so frustrating really that man learnt nothing from all those young men dying.. let's hope we don't have a third world war!
ReplyDeleteHope so too Grace.
DeleteThere is a World War I Museum in Kansas City, MO. (right next to Kansas City, KS). It has lots of exhibits, and I enjoy visiting there any time I am in that area.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared these images with us of the ANZAK museum in Perth. I'm really glad you took such wonderful photos and we got to visit the museum with you. You should explain to those of us who live in an uneducated and acronym challenged country (the US, of course) that ANZAK stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
It's ironic that there were so many memorials created after WWI, which seemed to change the climate at the time. However, in reviewing history, I didn't see the same outpouring of memorials after WWII. I only hope we never have another world war, or no one on earth will be safe.
Sorry Elizabeth, I should have explained who the Anzacs were. I didn't know either until I came to live here, so don't feel bad.
ReplyDeleteI too hope we never see a WWIII!!!
It is an ever repeating story, war after war. Mankind seems not to be able to live in peace together. There must always be a fight, about what?
ReplyDeleteNothing learned from earlier wars unfortunately Marianne.
DeleteSo nice that you had your daughter around!
ReplyDeleteThe exhibition seems very interesting and I am also disappointed that the human being seems to not have learnt enough from so many wars that have happened.
Thanks Sara, it was wonderful to have both of our children around this Christmas.
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