Conflict and Compassion; remembering our ANZAC heroes
To commemorate the ANZAC Centenary, The National Trust Victoria (NTV) is offering Victorians a chance to explore Australia’s intriguing heritage, from the Frontier Wars to the centenary of World War I, at the 2015 National Trust Heritage Festival: Conflict and Compassion.
Held annually by the National Trust Australia across the country, each year focuses on a different concept of significance to Australia, with this year’s theme exploring Conflict and Compassion over a month long schedule of events, from Saturday 18 April to Tuesday 26 May 2015.
NTV Chief Executive Officer Martin Purslow said the festival explores extraordinary stories of courage and compassion that come from the horror of war.
“We encourage Victorians to share the human side of war and rebellion, sacrifice and endurance, through local community-run events as well as special events organised by NTV at a selection of our most historic properties,” Mr Purslow said.
“The Heritage Festival includes events, talks, tours or activities organised by local community groups, with a focus on encouraging conversation about how our history and heritage has been formed by conflict and compassion,” Mr Purslow said.
The festival launches at the notable Barwon Park Mansion on Saturday 18 April 2015, with special battlefield re-enactments spanning two days of action held by the Geelong Military Re-enactment Group and the Military Historical Society Geelong.
Each re-enactment will take place within specially dug trench systems and will immerse visitors in a battlefield scenario filled with machine guns and explosive pyrotechnics.
Visitors can also explore the replica encampments of soldiers from Napoleonic British and French units, from WWI, WWII Australian, British, US, Greek, Russian and German units and Australian troops from the Vietnam conflict.
Uniforms, weapons, equipment and restored military vehicles, including armoured cars and tanks, will also be in action.
Key events taking place throughout the 2015 National Trust Heritage Festival include:
B-24 LIBERATORS AND THE RETURN OF AUSTRALIAN POWS, 1945-46
Date: Saturday 16 May, 10.30am – 12.00pm
Location: B-24 Liberator Memorial Restoration Australia Hangar, Corner Farm Road and Princes Highway, Werribee
A special event on B-24 Liberators and the return of Australian POWs between 1945 and 1946 will be held in the heritage-listed WWII hangar against the backdrop of the restored B-24 Liberator aircraft.
CONFLICT AND COMPASSION AT COMO HOUSE
Date: Saturdays and Sundays (11-12 April, 25-26 April, 9-10 May, 23-24 May), 10.30am – 4.00pm
Location: Como House and Garden, Corner Williams Road and Lechlade Ave, South Yarra
Explore the stories of the previous owners of Como House during WWI, the Armytage family, in a new immersive display at Como House. During the Great War, sisters Constance and Leila Armytage joined the Australian Red Cross and volunteered for nursing duties in a field hospital in France. Visitors can read through the sisters’ personal letters, photographs and newspapers while sitting in the actual rooms where they wrote their correspondence.
The National Trust Heritage Festival runs from Saturday 18 April to Tuesday 26 May 2015.
For details on the nearest event in your local community or for further information on the National Trust Heritage Festival visit www.nationaltrustfestival.org.au
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