Calendar of Events

On a pitch-black night in September 1943, an Australian commando unit launched a daring raid on Singapore Harbour, sinking and damaging Japanese ships in what became known as Operation Jaywick. While the mission passed into legend, it sparked a brutal crackdown by Japan’s military police. In Survival in Singapore, Tom Trumble uncovers the extraordinary human stories […]

Step into the world of camouflage and uncover its surprising history. See how nature has inspired military disguise—from animal patterns to clever tricks of deception. Explore real camouflage uniforms, historical objects, and rotating artworks by well-known artists. Follow the evolution of camouflage from the First World War to today and learn how it reflects changing […]

Discover the extraordinary true story of Sandy, the only Australian war horse to return home from the First World War, in this stirring theatrical performance. Of the 136,000 horses sent overseas, none were allowed to come back, except Sandy. Belonging to Major General William Throsby Bridges, his survival was ensured by his master’s dying wish […]

Join Dr Ruadhan Scrivener-Anderson as he looks at selection, socialisation and the development of group identity within The Black Watch in the lead-up to the First World War. Between 1902 and 1918, over 2,000 commissioned officers served in The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), with 25 battalions formed for service during the First World War (1914-18). By […]

The Military History Society of NSW presents "Who won the Battle of Beersheba, 1917? British Infantry did most of the killing and dying. The Beersheba Battle of 31 October 1917 is generally known as a marvellous victory of the Australian Light Horse. For many years, the anniversary of the victory have been commemorated with popular […]

Join Family History Connections for our Annual Seminar, a wonderful day event. Meet our keynote speaker, Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., who is a professional genealogist specialising in DNA evidence and the use of artificial intelligence for genealogical research. He is the author of the long-running blog The Genetic Genealogist, and frequently gives presentations and webinars […]

Experience the biggest display of warbirds and historic aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere – March 28-29, 2026! WARBIRDS AEROBATICS AMUSEMENT RIDES AVIATION MUSEUM SKYDIVING STREET FOOD LOCAL MARKETS DISPLAY CARS ADVENTURE FLIGHTS HELICOPTER RIDES

Remembering Australia’s Military Women In HERstory, artist Carla Edwards honours the women who have served in Australia’s military forces, past and present. What began in 2022 as a small portrait project on the NSW Central Coast has grown into a remarkable national undertaking. Travelling more than 120,000 kilometres across five states and one territory, Carla has […]

As the saying goes, “An army marches on its stomach.” Yet the essential contributions of those who cook, research, and serve food to hundreds of hungry troops often go unrecognised. Taste of Combat honours the vital work of the Catering Corps and unveils the fascinating science and innovation behind military meals. Step into the world […]

New Zealand's Premier Airshow - Easter 2026 In 1988 aviation entrepreneur, the late Sir Tim Wallis, shared his passion for Warbirds and Classic Aircraft with the public by creating an Airshow that is now a biennial centrepiece of Central Otago’s tourist attractions. The first airshow and country fair attracted 14,000 visitors to Wanaka Airport. Delighted […]

A Public Lecture by Lt-Col David Deasey (retd) Charles Bean mentions Australia’s railway units in perhaps half a dozen places in his Official History of Australians in the Great War and then mainly in footnotes. They were never part of the initial offer by Australia to Britain in 1914. Yet by 1918, Australia had effectively […]

VAFHO Presents "BATTLING ON" Saturday 11 th April 2026, 1- 4pm Victorian Archives Centre - 99 Shiel St, North Melbourne PROV Reading Room will be open for research l0am- 4:30pm Guest Speakers Lt Col Neil Smith AM Retd: Making the most of your Ancestors Military History Dr Tanja Luckins Women and ANZAC Day 1916 Dr […]

Australia had its own Thermopylae. We’ve just forgotten it. 15 April 2026 - April 2027 In 480 BC, one of history’s most famous battles was fought in central Greece at the narrow coastal pass of Thermopylae. For three days, a few thousand Greeks—led by 300 Spartan warriors and their king, Leonidas I—held back a vast […]

The Pipeclay ANZAC Day Luncheon honours the bravery and sacrifice of Australian soldiers who served in the First World War and later conflicts. This year, we reflect on the 1918 Battle of Montbrehain, the last action involving Australian infantry on the Western Front, where the 6th Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division captured the village […]