Installation of Oivi-Gorari Battle monument

Join us for a free talk exploring the World War II Battle of Oivi-Gorari and the 2018 installation of a memorial honouring the brave Australians involved in this engagement.  

The Battle of Oivi-Gorari was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Kokoda campaign during World War II. The offensive took place between 4–11 November 1942 and was a decisive victory for Australian troops, resulting in Japanese forces abandoning their plan to take Port Moresby and focus on holding their base at Buna-Gona.

The battle came at the cost of 133 Australians who were killed and 225 who were wounded. It is thought that more than 430 Japanese soldiers were killed during the fierce week-long fight. One American professor of military history identified this offensive as the most significant land battle in the Pacific theatre in World War II, despite no American troops taking part in the action. Sadly, few Australians have heard of this battle, and it is rarely mentioned in books or documentaries on the New Guinea campaign.

This free talk will be presented by guest speaker John Tannock, the son of one of the diggers who fought and was wounded during the Battle of Oivi-Gorari. John is a civil engineer who has always had a keen interest in the history of the Kokoda Track and, more recently, the Battle for Oivi-Gorari.

In 2016, John walked the Kokoda Track, with the goal of locating the spot on the battlefield where his father had been wounded. This pilgrimage inspired him to raise awareness around this important battle and its significance in Australian military history. John will recount his journey to have a memorial laid in the village of Gorari to commemorate the memory of the diggers who lost their lives in the battle.

After the talk, visitors can stay to explore the Memorial Galleries, embarking on an interactive journey from the First World War to today, before taking time to reflect on the remarkable stories of bravery and sacrifice in the tranquil parklands.

Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane. Entry is through the brass doors located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance.