RESIDENTS will be able to explore stories and images of Victorians who served during World War One during a travelling exhibition.
The Shrine of Remembrance’s Australia Will Be There – Victorians in the First World War exhibition opened on Friday at the Kerang Motel function room – the first event to be held at the venue after a fire damaged the former Kerang Hotel site in September 2013.
Created as a touring exhibition recognising the centenary of World War One, Kerang is one of 15 locations that will host the event before commemorations to mark 100 years since the end of World War One occurs in November next year.
“The Shrine is conscious of wanting to get out to rural areas, and understands that it is difficult for some people to get to Melbourne,” Shrine of Remembrance exhibition research officer, Katrina Nicolson said.
Featuring more than 100 images, the exhibition outlines what servicemen and women experienced during the four-year conflict, focusing on Gallipoli, the Middle East and Europe’s Western Front.
“The impact World War One had on those who enlisted is well documented, but what the wives, mothers, daughters, young boys and older men experienced when those who served came back home is not,” Cohuna/Leitchville Returned and Services League sub-branch president, Geoff Dale said.
“When the soldiers came home, they were wounded, both physically and mentally, and it was the mothers, wives and daughters who looked after them. These people are the unsung heroes of World War One.”
Many of the district’s RSL members will volunteer their time to act as guides during opening hours until the exhibition closes on March 18.
A number of special events are planned to coincide with the exhibition, including a wine and cheese night on Friday, and afternoon tea sessions on March 5, 12 and 13.
Local schools will also visit the exhibition as part of the Shrine of Remembrance’s outreach program.
“It is fantastic for Kerang and the Gannawarra Shire to be recognised for holding an exhibition as significant at this,” Gannawarra mayor, Cr Brian Gibson said.
“We should all be proud of the commitment these young men and women put in to serve during World War One.
“I hope that in 100 years’ time we are still commemorating our current servicemen and women and the condition they serve in.”
The exhibition also features an interactive display that details the stories of those who served during the conflict.
Anyone who wishes to share their family’s World War One story can e-mail stories@shrine.org.au
