War Stories And Our Town

War Stories and Our Towns is a year-long Anzac commemorative program exploring the impact of war on the communities of the Scenic Rim. It will include exhibitions, performances, community events, forums, workshops, activation programming for children through to seniors, skill development and practitioner forums and the gathering of resources and legacy information through a region wide community story sharing project.

The focus of the project is to explore our Anzac and war history through a variety of community engagement processes to create legacy material that will build more resilient communities and a stronger sense of identification and connection to place.

Activities and events will occur across the Scenic Rim in Cultural Centres at Boonah and Beaudesert, Scenic Rim Council Libraries and in heritage locations and communities throughout 2015.  

Calendar of Events includes a full listing of these events that are part of War Stories and Our Town.

The 2015 War Stories and Our Town program can be downloaded here. (NB file size 5mb). 

 These programs are run by or in partnership with Scenic Rim Regional Council at Libraries and Cultural Centres and include:

these are built around the following six themes:

Women in War 23 Jan - 18 Mar

The Women in War exhibition will explore the role women played both on the front line and back on the home in the Scenic Rim. Working in conjunction with the local Museums the exhibition will also explore the way war sparked social changes for women and the beginning of the suffrage movement. The themes explored during this exhibition include: courage, compassion and resilience

ANZAC a day in the life... 27 Mar - 27 May

In March the exhibitions program will look at the life of the Anzac and the impact WW1 had on soldiers, nurses, farmers, families, towns and communities. This exhibition will document the Anzac experience and look at its part in forming Australia's identity by exploring the experiences of the hero, the survivor, the returned soldier, the families and the enemy. The themes explored during this exhibition include: courage, integrity, duty, mateship, compassion, resilience, toughness and team work

Black Diggers 5 June - 15 July

The Scenic Rim's Indigenous community has a long association with armed services and the Black Diggers exhibition will explore the motivation of Indigenous soldiers who enlisted and reflect on their experience at war and the impact on their communities upon returning

The themes explored during this exhibition include: courage, mateship, teamwork and resilience

I Witness 24 July - 9 Sept

I Witness will explore the first hand stories of war including correspondence between the front and home, war propaganda and perspectives from war artists. The exhibition will feature renowned Australian war artist George Gittoes with his touring exhibition "I Witness: a 45 year survey" curated by Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre. A collection of historic memorabilia, images of war correspondence, newsreel & newspaper coverage and war propaganda will also form part of this exhibition. The themes explored during this exhibition include: courage, duty, mateship, resilience, compassion and toughness

Make Do & Mend 18 Sept - 28 Oct

In Make Do and Mend a collection of heritage arts and crafts created by women and men during war times will be on display. Featuring homespun memorabilia ration packs and local images that explore community resilience in times of shortage and adversity. A community weaving installation project with Scenic Rim fibre artist Bec Andersen will be a highlight of the program. The themes explored during this exhibition include: resilience, teamwork and toughness

Our Stories 6 Nov - 16 Dec

Rounding out the program will be an exhibition that recognises and shares significant war stories from Scenic Rim communities. This will explore local stories, people and locations that reflect resilience and courage during war times and will feature photos, biographies, memorabilia and historic records from our region. The themes explored during this exhibition include: courage, integrity, duty, mateship, compassion, resilience and teamwork