Cooktown RSL sub branch president Julie Oliver proudly displays the war site signage at the Remembrance Day exhibition opening. Photo: Supplied.
Many may not know about the military history of Cooktown. But the local RSL sub branch is changing that with its first free Remembrance Day exhibition.
The free exhibition at Nature’s Powerhouse in the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, which opened on 1 November, is inviting the community to pay its respects to servicemen and women throughout the month until 26 November.
The exhibition will carry additional meaning when we remember the fallen on 11 November.
Cooktown RSL sub branch president Julie Oliver said the exhibition was the result of a partnership between the RSL and Cooktown Botanic Gardens curator Nikko Menzel.
With the support of the Cooktown History Centre, Ms Oliver and Mr Menzel researched and gathered photos with a plan to create signage for three World War II sites: Cooktown Botanic Gardens, Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay track.
The three signs, along with artefacts found through exploring war sites, a collection of digital photos, and memorabilia donated to the sub branch, are available for viewing.
“It’s to get people aware, first of all, that there are World War II sites in Cooktown and the surrounding areas because a lot of people don’t know,” Ms Oliver said.
“Hopefully, we thought by putting memorabilia in from our sub branch, it would encourage the community to come in more and have a look at what we have.”
Ms Oliver said she had visited schools over the week to encourage young people to attend the exhibition and learn more.
“It’s important we keep that legacy going because unless we do, it’s forgotten,” she said.
She thanked the Cooktown History Centre, Cook Shire Council, RSL Queensland and RSL Far Northern District for their support in making the exhibition come to life.
The entire community is invited to learn more about Cooktown’s military history at Nature’s Powerhouse. Photo: Supplied.
