ANZAC Day at Bublacowie Military Museum

Yesterday (S.A. time) was ANZAC Day commemorating the sadly famous Gallipoli campaign of 1916 during WWI. Chris Soar established the Bublacowie Military Museum and Memorial Gardens when he came to live on the Peninsula seventeen years ago. He told the good turnout - including local federal member Steve Griffiths -  that he passionately hopes the Museum will continue "after I'm gone". I think that everyone who visits is impressed by the scope of the collection and the way Chris and his family - plus volunteers - have built up the place in such a significant way, starting with the deserted buildings of the school (1912 to 1943).

Now it is both a credit to Chris's vision and non-stop work and a tourist destination. But its true role is to honour service men and women. For eleven years the Museum and Memorial Gardens has hosted an Anzac Day gathering, which includes a march-in and service and wreath-laying, and each year has been attended by an RAAF contingent from the Edinburgh air base. Many participants also attended a dawn service elsewhere.

In May the Museum will officially open its library which we were able to preview.

I went along with a small  group including John Lata after we met up at Jacqui Dodd's home outside Yorketown. Jacqui was with her daughter Lyndal and her 2-year old Justice who was a prominent and confident presence during music by Peter Cook and performances by the local line dancers, after a well-catered lunch.

Ex-WWII naval man Don Beinke was there - but I know him as our group's tenor! - and Chris Soar thanked him for the donation of items to the Museum. Don's in the centre of the pic below.