Former premier and chair of the ANZAC Centenary Committee, is among speakers visiting Williamstown this month, as a touring exhibition recounting personal stories from WWI makes its last stop.
The Writing the War exhibition, at Williamstown library from May 5 to June 25, features the stories told through letters and photos of seven ordinary Australians: a nurse, bank clerk, farmer, sports master, journalist, artist and activist. Mr Baillieu will give a talk on WWI commander, General Sir John Monash, at Williamstown Town Hall on May 23.
“We’re telling a story about Sir John Monash but we’re also trying to highlight that anybody and everybody has connections to our original Anzacs,” Mr Baillieu said.
Mr Baillieu’s grandfather, Captain William Johnstone Knox, was an artillery officer who received the Military Cross.
“My grandfather survived Gallipoli and survived Fromelles but was killed in the battle of Ypres in August 1917, so it’s coming up to the centenary of his death,” Mr Baillieu said.
Also speaking in Williamstown is award-winning historian Ross McMullin, talking about Australia’s worst 24 hours on the Fromelles battlefields.
Williamstown library is hosting sessions for people to trace their WWI family history and digitally preserve their photos.
Williamstown Historical Society president Brian Haynes will lead walks through the suburb’s streets visiting the former homes of some of the local WWI soldiers.
For all events and bookings, visit libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/library-events/747-writing-the-war
