Indigenous Military Exhibition - Queensland Military Memorial Museum
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Sun 17 Apr 2016 - Sat 21 May 2016
The Queensland Military Memorial Museum is about to launch its first ever exhibition, called "Heroes Too". It will highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the Defence Force. These people served in all branches of the Australian Defence Forces - Army, Navy and Air Force - in thirteen theatres of war.
These were the forgotten diggers, returning to civilian life no better off in most cases than when they left it. One digger even returned to his community dressed in the rags he signed up in after experiencing the horrors of the trenches. Many had their land taken from them to give to white servicemen under the soldier settlement scheme. The exhibition will highlight the significant contributions made by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander servicemen and women, opportunities which opened up for them during military service, and their lot upon leaving the services.
The exhibition will run as part of the 2016 Heritage Festival from April 17 to May 21. Among the features will be the incredible story of Frank Balser, who is recorded as maybe the only light horseman ever to be captured by Allied forces. Frank Balser was taken prisoner by Indian cavalry and was presumed to be an Arab spy dressed in a stolen uniform of the Light Horse. The Allied forces were unaware that some of the Light Horsemen were of Aboriginal descent and black. Frank came from Lakefield Station in Queensland.
Come and hear all about the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Defence Force at the Inaugural Historical Presentation and launch of "Heroes Too". It will be presented by Dr Dale Kirwan ("Uncle Dale") from Griffith University on Sunday April 17 from 1-3pm at the Australian Legion Memorial Club, 28 Church St, Fortitude Valley.
Charles Mene was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the Korean batllefield. He is fittingly featured on the flyer for this exhibition.
A second exhibition titled "For a Few Yards" will run from April 25th until June 30th, opening in conjunction with ANZAC Day 2016. It will contain an interactive walk-through trench in the club's pool room which will contain a mounted mock sniper rifle and will contain information about gas warfare and shellshock. People, stories and key AIF battles on the Western Front during 1916 will be profiled. Appropriately this exhibition can be viewed after the 5am ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Queensland Military Memorial Museum. All are invited. There will be a gunfire breakfast provided after the service, and then after the breakfast you can be among the first to experience this significant exhibition.
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!date 17/04/2016 -- 21/05/2016
%wnbrisbane
186037 - 2023-06-16 02:43:49