Goulburn 1939-1945: A memoir of military service and experiences on the home front
Opened in 1925 the Soldier's Memorial is impressive at over 20 metres high and constructed of local stone. A viewing platform provides spectacular views over the city surrounds. The exhibition features objects and related materials that explore the diversity of local stories and memories of WW2.
Our new purpose built museum and original caretakers cottage both demonstrate the substantial contribution Goulburn made locally and in battle across Europe and the Pacific region during WW2. Scattered throughout the exhibition are the stories and personal objects of individuals from Goulburn and surrounding districts.
A timeline of articles from the Goulburn Post captures the mood of the people and authorities as it pinpoints key moments from 1939 to 1945. Pause for a moment to reflect on letters and postcards sent from Changi to loved ones in Australia – and on the hardships suffered by Prisoners of War. The cottage museum houses the only cell door from Changi Prison that is on public display in Australia. The display on Kenmore Psychiatric Hospital is fascinating, evacuated of all staff and patients in a single day to be taken over by the Army from 1942 to 1946, it was the largest evacuation in Australia’s history until Cyclone Tracey hit Darwin in 1974.