THE Tomaree Museum Association will present an Anzac Memorabilia Exhibition at the Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre at Nelson Bay from 11 April to 11 May.
The free exhibition showcases the part Port Stephens and Newcastle played in defending the area in World War Two (WWII).
It features a fascinating collection of maps, compasses, uniforms, and other artefacts.
“Many new exhibits are on display in addition to those displayed in last year’s Anzac exhibition,” said Kevin McGuinness from the Tomaree Museum Association.
This year Tomaree Museum Association will include new material on local veterans and pay tribute to two past members of the Anna Bay community who served in the Women’s Land Army – Pearl and Ruby Hyde.
Their uniforms, photos and letters will be on display along with a photo of their father, Joseph Hyde, who served in World War One (WWI).
Other exhibition features include:
– memorabilia supplied by the family of Flight Lieutenant Donald Howard, a Catalina flying boat pilot and long-time resident of Port Stephens, who survived a crash in Papua New Guinea during the war and died aged 101.
– history and artefacts from Lieutenant Mathieson, army transport driver and Citizens Military Force amphibious truck platoon commander, who served in the Middle East and the Pacific during WWII.
– a diorama of amphibious landing training in the bay with the U.S. Army.
– banners telling the story of wartime training and defences in the Port Stephens area.
– video interviews with servicemen who served on HMAS Manoora during WWII.
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