ANZAC centenary fundraising appeal launched

The Queensland community is being given the chance to share in Centenary of Anzac commemoration activities with a statewide fundraising appeal being launched.

Minister Assisting the Premier on the Centenary of Anzac Glen Elmes said funds raised through the appeal would supplement the $49.3 million contribution by the Queensland Government.

“A hundred years after the opening conflicts of the First World War, the horror it inflicted and sacrifice it generated are still a prominent part of our nation’s story,” Mr Elmes said.

“When war was declared in 1914, the Queensland community came together to support each other and to join the fight from all over the state against opposition forces across Europe.

“Even though it was half a world away, Australia’s close connections with Britain saw our forces join the many battles which are now embedded as a defining point in world history.

“The fundraising appeal launched today will give individuals and companies the chance to contribute to ensuring the sacrifice and effort of Queenslanders is recognised appropriately.

“I encourage all Queenslanders to get behind the Queensland Remembers: WW1 Centenary Fund appeal.”

Mr Elmes also announced that the third of three significant Anzac Legacy projects would be a commemorative Gallery at the Queensland Museum which would have as its centrepiece the First World War German tank, Mephisto.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said it was fitting for the State Government’s legacy project to return the iconic Mephisto to the Queensland Museum, where it first resided after being brought back by Australian troops as a war trophy.

“The tank was daringly captured in July 1918 by a detachment of soldiers from the 26th Battalion, mainly comprised of Queenslanders, who dragged it back to the Allied lines,” Mr Walker said.

“After arriving in Brisbane in 1919, Mephisto spent 60 years at the Queensland Museum’s previous site on Gregory Terrace, before moving to the South Bank Cultural Precinct when the Museum opened there in 1986.

“After the 2011 floods, Mephisto was moved offsite for a period of extensive conservation work before being transported to its current location at The Workshops Rail Museum in March 2013.

“Moving Mephisto back to the Queensland Museum to mark the Anzac Centenary will ensure this important story continues to be shared with future generations.”

The two previous Legacy projects already announced are the refurbishment of ANZAC Square in Brisbane and Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation, a new permanent display at the State Library to help future generations understand the experiences during and after World War One.

The State Library will partner with historical societies, libraries, museums and archives across the state to preserve and digitise significant historical documents, memorabilia and first-person accounts and make them accessible online.

[ENDS] 12 March 2014

Media Contact:          Minister Elmes - Peter McCarthy (0408) 835 548

                                  Minister Walker – Alex Bernard (0417) 252 563