Newcastle RSL Museum opens, unveiling decades of service history

New museum opens to honour Australia's military past

The City of Newcastle RSL Sub-Branch Museum officially opened on March 7.. Over 90 guests attended, including Sub-Branch members, their families, donors, with special guests Major Joel Bevan, Senior Instructor at the School of Infantry in Singleton, and Sergeant Stacey Kitchener, representing the Singleton Army Infantry Museum.. The event was officiated by Sharon Claydon MP, Federal Member for Newcastle, who joined Sub-Branch President Peter Griffiths in cutting the ceremonial ribbon and inviting guests to view the museum exhibits..

The museum's exhibits have been developed to provide a tangible representation of Australians at war, encompassing all services and conflicts from the Boer War through to more recent operations and peacekeeping missions, including Timor, Bougainville, New Guinea, Afghanistan, and Iraq.. The origins of the museum began within the Sub-branch on Baker Street Mayfield, with items drawn from the collections of the Waratah, Mayfield Islington RSL, and the City of Newcastle RSL.. After the original museum was dismantled to allow for renovations, volunteers collaborated to redevelop the collection into themed areas of interest, including Army, Navy and Air Force memorabilia, medals, weapons, photographs and historical texts..

With funding and community grants provided by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (Saluting Your Service program) and Sharon Claydon MP, the sub-branch purchased new display cabinets, mannequins, and restored key exhibits, including the prominent 51/2-inch field gun that welcomes visitors to the site.. Items were carefully sorted and displayed in cabinets, and every piece in the collection has been meticulously catalogued, with the intention that the collection will continue to expand over time.. The museum's displays range from Honour Rolls and commemorative boards to immersive exhibits, including a recreated Vietnam War field setting with a representation of a soldier resting beneath a hutchie..

The Royal Australian Air Force exhibits include an ejector seat and a mannequin displaying a flight officer's full uniform.. The Middle East Area of Conflict display features maps, uniforms, and propaganda posters from Iraq.. The display of women's service uniforms shows the diverse roles and Corps in which women serve our country..

Serving members and families have donated a variety of souvenirs and artefacts, including Japanese swords, shrapnel recovered from Gallipoli, and examples of trench art.. The museum features an extensive collection of scale models depicting aircraft, ships, and armoured vehicles, and houses a comprehensive library containing works on military history, biographies and commemorative accounts of conflicts and military service.. The RSL Museum is at 48 Baker Street, Mayfield and stands as the culmination of many years of dedicated work by volunteers..

It is a lasting tribute that honours the men and women who have served in the Australian Defence Force.. For more information on opening times, call 02 4049 8917 (Tuesday 10am-2.30pm) or visit newcastlersl.org.au.