A Canberra Visit } Perth Photographer

Posted on November 4, 2009

I went to Canberra to attend a Jinky Art Workshop Retreat, and on Day 1 I was able to spend the entire day roaming around the Australian War Memorial.  Many people have asked why I would want to waste a day exploring a museum about war and I couldn’t think of doing anything better.  The War Memorial is one of the most beautiful Museums I have been to (and I have been to many in my day ).  The Gardens were serene, quiet and beautiful.  There were memorials everywhere in honour of so many men & women who fought for something that they did or didn’t believe was right – but did it anyway.  My personal connection to all of this is a Grandfather who fought alongside the Australian’s in the South Pacific, a father who remained in the Military Services for 20 years and an Uncle who fought in the Vietnam War.  I was also moved to tears by the sad accounts of the women who were caught up in Singapore during the Second World War.  How can people be so cruel to their fellow human being?

I apologise to all who might think that this is a wedding and children’s photography blog, because really it’s a photographic journey of my life. . . . . now for some pictures

The Australian War Memorial

The Hall of Memory & The Tomb of the Unknown Solider

The Roll of Honour

A dear friend of mine texted me the name of their relative that went down on the H.M.A.S. Sydney.  It was my honour to buy a poppy and place it next to his name.

Who hasn’t heard of Lone Pine?  This tree was grown from a seed that a solider from Gallipoli sent to his mother.  She donated it to the Australian War Museum.

This was my Grandfather.  He was in the American Army Airforce and was posted to the South Pacific during WWII.  He worked directly under Douglas MacAruthur and flew Air Recon missions over enemy terratory.  He never spoke much about the war except of being shot down several times, hating his boss, getting pnuemonia and meeting my grandmother – a Queenslander.

LEST WE FORGET