Little Meandarra's big bang in world of war craft

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This was published 14 years ago

Little Meandarra's big bang in world of war craft

By Scott Casey

Only 200 people live there, but the tiny outback town of Meandarra has just become home to a $1.2 million ANZAC museum - only the second in Australia.

The Meandarra ANZAC Memorial Museum, 230 kilometres west of Toowoomba, is home to a treasure trove of memorabilia, from equipment of the Light Horse Brigade through to armoured personnel carriers, gun carriers, amphibious craft, tanks, a complete Canberra Bomber aircraft and even the motor from a German U-boat submarine.

It is a remarkable feat for such a little speck on the Queensland map with no obvious link to ANZAC history.

But the town has local militaria collector Rod Keys to thank; he amassed the bulk of the collection now housed in the museum and had been shopping it around for a buyer when the council stepped in.

Meandarra's population grew by 15 times last weekend when the museum was officially opened, with 3000 people arriving to visit the collection.

Dalby Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown said it was a great honour to have the only ANZAC museum outside of Canberra in his town. He hopes it will become a major tourist drawcard.

"Being recognised by having the word ANZAC in the name is a big call of its own because they don't like to part with it easily," he said.

"Not only have we secured our community spirit but we have a tourist attraction that not only our local community but our state and our country can be proud of."

It is believed Mr Keys no longer lives int he town.

"We have kept the core of his collection and for this to be found in a small rural township is certainly unique." Cr Brown said.

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Meandarra librarian and museum curator Cate Mackie said the collection featured relics from the First World War, including rare ANZAC medals.

"We've got original ANZAC medals which were presented to people that were captured in the First World War with handwritten letters accompanying them from King George," she said.

"He starts off by saying `The Queen joins me in welcoming you on your release,' it's really beautiful."

Ms Mackie said the collection stretched through to the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam and even covered the first Gulf War.

"We got a Land Rover Tank Attack, Ferret Scout Car and things that were used in the North Africa campaign in the Second World War such as a Grant tank and a Bren gun carrier.

"Some of these are still in working order, we have had them taking veterans down the street on ANZAC Day."

Of the more personal items, the museum holds a collection of trench art created by Turkish POWs in the First World War and sold to Australian soldiers who were guarding them.

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"The Turkish soldiers would make things and sell them to the soldiers and sell them to people to make money, so we've got some artefacts soldiers built and sold to the Australians and brought back to let their children play with," Ms Mackie said.

Ms Mackie said the museum also held a collection of weapons but due to legislation controlling the display of firearms they are unable to put them on public display.

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