Locals urged to reflect on life in Mildura 100 years ago
Published on 22 April 2015
A series of banners commissioned to tell the stories of people living in the Mildura region during World War I are now on display at Mildura Library.
The set of four commemorative banners, titled Our sacrifice for the empire – Mildura’s part in World War One, were funded through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs ANZAC Centenary Grants Program.
The display tells the story of Mildura’s part in World War I though articles, letters and documents of the time, with many originally published in The Mildura Cultivator. The Cultivator was the local newspaper at the time, much of the content for the banners has come from articles and letters published in the bi-weekly paper.
Other sources include the Australian War Memorial, Mildura & District Historical Society and the Mildura RSL, as well as stories retold by local family members.
Councillor for Arts and Culture Jill Joslyn said the display is a great tribute to our local heroes and also to those who supported the war effort from home.
“Today we have instant access to news almost as it happens, but in those days it could take many weeks and even months to get any information back from the front lines,” Cr Joslyn said.
“Letters from the front line were often shared in The Cultivator – it gave other families who were anxiously waiting for news, a little glimpse into what was happening so far from home shores.”
The chronologically told stories also focus on what those left at home were doing, with the efforts of groups such as the Red Cross and the Dried Fruits Association chipping in to do their bit on a local level.
“It has been very hard to select just a few articles to represent each year of the war,” Cr Joslyn explained. “Some of the stories are so very tragic, but others are quite funny and show the Aussie larrikin spirit synonymous with our war time efforts.”
The four new banners will be featured in the Mildura Library along with five smaller banners which were originally prepared in August last year. The showcase will then tour the other Mildura Rural City Council libraries and will remain on display during the ANZAC 100th Anniversary year commemorations.
“With ANZAC day later this week, we really encourage everyone to come in and take some time to reflect on what it meant to be living in our region 100 years ago,” Cr Joslyn urged.
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Media enquiries
Angela Umback
p) 03 5018 8689
e) angela.umback@mildura.vic.gov.au