War Stories and Our Town

Saluting the Anzac Centenary

One of the many activities and events are occurring across the nation to commemorate those who served in the First World War.

War Stories and Our Town was a year-long program of exhibitions, performances, forums, community activities and commemorative events throughout the Scenic Rim during 2015. The aim was to explore local Anzac and war history through a variety of community engagement processes, to create legacy material that will build more resilient communities and a stronger sense of identification and connection to place.

One of these is was gripping new work by Goat Track Theatre which was the outcome of the community arts and cultural development project – “Cries of the Kalwun.”

It has engaged more than 100 young people from the region in collaboration with museums, local high schools, military personnel and community service organisations to explore the social, historical and cultural impacts of war on this region.

The Project has enabled young people to have a response to what they consider the utility of history and to speak to their concerns about how our stories are constructed. 

The final performance-outcome of the project is not a retelling of war stories, but instead a reframing of the issues raised about war that young people felt compelled to respond to. The result is a “looking glass” through which we are compelled to question the substance of all history.

These events were supported the Queensland Government for the Queensland Anzac Centenary.

The State Library of Queensland as part of its commitment to Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation - hosted an number of Exhibitions and Events providing opportunities to bring our history to life and create a renewed First World War and Anzac legacy for future generations.