With 2015 the centenary of the Gallipoli landing and the birth of the Anzac story, Liverpool City Council has a bold and ambitious program of events lined up.
“The city of Liverpool has a rich and unique link to Australia’s World War I history,’’ says Mayor Ned Mannoun.
“It is the site of the Liverpool Training Camp and the Holsworthy Interment Camp, which both played pivotal roles in Australia’s war efforts at home and abroad. This proud link continues today with the Holsworthy Barracks, one of the Army’s major barracks in NSW.
“On 25 April 2015, Australia will commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, when more than 20,000 Australian and New Zealand servicemen reached the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula to fight in the First World War. It was here that the Anzac legend was born – out of courage, good humour, endurance and mateship.
“I invite you to join me at these events to mark the centenary and to discover how the Anzac legend remains an important and relevant part of our community.”
The program begins this Thursday, February 26 at the Liverpool City Library, with the launch of Our Liverpool Boys, a book about Liverpool soldiers produced by council’s family history unit, and the Liverpool Remembers exhibition, featuring materials from the Liverpool Camp, one of the main camps for the basic training of Australian Imperial Force (AIF) recruits in NSW during World War I. Other highlights are:
Anzac Centenary Commemoration
Saturday, April 25, 10am-5pm at Bigge Park; “Join us in Bigge Park for this community commemoration event, which will include an official program plus performances, activities and displays to celebrate the spirit of the ANZACs,’’ the mayor said.
Anzac Centenary Street banners
Up from Sunday, March 1, around Liverpool. Council have commissioned a series of striking street banners to fly around the city, which have been designed by local artists, The Polka Dot Sisters, and feature commemorative flowers significant to Anzac Day celebrations – the Flanders Poppy, Rosemary, Gallipoli Rose and Wattle.
Liverpool Regional Museum
Behind the Gate exhibition, March 7 to June 6. This exhibition looks at the Holsworthy Internment Camp, at the time known as the German Concentration Camp, which was the largest internment camp in Australia and housed 6,000 men with German or Austro-Hungarian cultural heritage during the war.
Commemorating the German Concentration Camp talk, Saturday, March 7 from 12.30pm. Hear Nadine Helmi, author and curator of The Enemy at Home, an exhibition about German internees during World War I, discuss the experiences of the men at the Holsworthy Camp and what life was like for them. Bookings essential on 9821 9422.Liverpool City Library
Our Liverpool Boys book launch, Thursday, February 26, 6pm; Join us for the launch of Our Liverpool Boys, a new book about Liverpool soldiers who gallantly fought during the Great War. Produced by Councils family history unit.
Liverpool Remembers exhibition, February 26 to May 10. (opening at 6pm, February 26). This exhibition showcases a fascinating selection of images and materials relating to the Liverpool Camp, one of the main camps for the basic training of Australian Imperial Force (AIF) recruits in NSW during World War I.
Celebrated author Tom Keneally discusses his novel, The Daughters of Mars, Thursday, March 19, 10.30am-12pm. The novel was inspired by the journals of Australian nurses who cared for wounded World War I soldiers.
Courage to Care exhibition and activities, March 12 to April 12. This unique exhibition uses stories of rescue from World War II to foster ideas of social tolerance and positive social interaction amongst diverse communities, focusing on bystanders with the aim of inspiring them to take positive action and confront incidences of discrimination and bullying. Children’s activities that tie in with the exhibition will run on April 7-8.
Talking Books, Sunday, April 12, events for children running throughout the day. Bring your kids (ages 5-13) to three interactive sessions of book readings with authors who have written about war. Each session is followed by a Q&A and workshop activity.
A Camera on Gallipoli, April 17-June 10. This travelling exhibition of the Australian War Memorial documents the incredible images taken by soldier and surgeon Sir Charles Ryan at Gallipoli. Through Ryan’s images, we get a glimpse behind the stirring accounts of war reported at home to the awful reality of what was happening to thousands of Australian and Turkish soldiers on the frontline.
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
Guarding the Home Front exhibition, March 20 – May 17. This exhibition looks at the home front – those who remained at home, waiting for loved ones, contributing to the war effort. Featured in the exhibition will be Australian artists past and present who have used their personal journeys to shed light on the different experiences of war.
Through These Lines theatre, March 25-28, various times; Through These Lines is an intimate and unique theatrical experience, bringing to life the extraordinary contributions made by the women of the Australian Army Nursing Service. It follows the four-year journey of Sister Florence Whiting around the Dardanelles, Egypt and the Western Front. Duration 85 minutes, adults $25, concession $20, school groups $15. Book via 9824 1121.
The One Day of the Year theatre, March 31 – April 1, various times; Sparking a huge controversy on its release in the 1960s, this fresh take on the seminal Australian play looks at our national legend through the eyes of generation, class and character. Duration 2 hours, adults $40, concession $35, school groups $15. Book via 9824 1121.
Fred Smith: The Dust of Uruzgan musical performance, April 30- May 1, various times; Fred Smith spent two years working as a tribal and political advisor in Afghanistan alongside Australian forces in Uruzgan province. Hear him perform songs written about this time, against a backdrop of stunning photos. Duration 90 minutes, all tickets $19. Book via 9824 1121.
To view the ANZAC Centenary Commemoration program of events or for more information, please visit www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/anzac2015 or the Facebook page: @ANZAC2015-LiverpoolCityCommemorates100Years.
