The Cooktown Remembrance Day exhibition brought together generations of the community through a shared history. Photo: Supplied.
From hardened veterans to the innocence of youth, generations connected at Cooktown’s Remembrance Day exhibition.
The free Cooktown RSL sub branch exhibition at Nature’s Powerhouse from 1-26 November left the community with a newfound appreciation and knowledge of the town’s military history.
Sub branch president Julie Oliver and Cooktown Botanic Gardens curator Nikko Menzel took the lead on research, gathering artefacts, collecting digital photographs and creating local war site signage for the exhibition.
Ms Oliver said the signs, which would be displayed at local World War II sites – Cooktown Botanic Gardens, Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay track – were a timely addition to the display.
“The signage just happened to arrive that week before we set up [the display], so Nikko and I talked about putting it up for the exhibition,” she said.
“His garden team made rustic-type stands so they could be displayed.
“People were really surprised; some were unaware we had World War II sites in the area.”
Nature’s Powerhouse cafe manager Vicki Howick said the exhibition set-up encouraged visitors of all ages to engage with the display.
“We left a few of the cafe tables in here. There were families here and the kids were really into touching and looking at the artefacts,” she said.
“They had some mannequins as well, which were pretty impressive with their uniforms.
“I don’t suppose the little ones get out to see stuff like that very often around here. Then of course there were the older people who could remember, so a broad spectrum were interested.”
Ms Howick said the digital photo display was also a big hit; many sat down for a coffee and immersed themselves in a different time.
“They were playing a series of photos from that era around the war sites,” she said.
“Seeing how similar things are from then to now, they can actually still recognise it. But seeing people from another time was really interesting.”
The exhibition also featured memorabilia from the RSL sub branch.
Ms Oliver hoped it encouraged a continued interest in the sub branch and the history it had to share.
“It makes me feel very proud to have been a part of it. I think our members have been really pleased about it as well,” she said.
“To have it set up and displayed sort of opened up a new light.
“The memorabilia’s all back in place again [at the RSL sub branch], so I hope people will come in and have a look at it.”
