IN the lead-up to Anzac Day, the Wentworth Military Collection has launched its interactive Marching Matilda exhibition, tailored to adults and children.
Museum curator Russell James said the self-guided audio tour was the first of its kind in Australia.
“It’s a state-of-the-art device … as you move into different zones of the museum there are automatic trigger points that tell you the history of the conflict in that zone,” Mr James said.
“There are 35 scan points around the museum which trigger the information of those particular experiences … so it is an immersive experience, you’re surrounded by history,” he said.
“We’ve got conflict histories for World Wars I and II, the Korean War, East Timor and Vietnam.”
The Marching Matilda experience covers more than 125 years of Australian service as well as a number of international exhibits.
“We’ve got uniforms from France and a tribute to the border guard at the Berlin Wall,” Mr James said.
“The idea is to touch on different regimes from around the world, and help explain how and why some countries are a little bit different.
“The Australian service and local history is certainly predominant on the tour.
“It’s made up of a 70-minute adult tour and a 35-minute junior tour.”
The show was made a permanent display and talks about the common bonds of soldiers over the world.
“We focus on similarities rather than differences so there is an underlying theme of resolution and peace throughout the museum,” Mr James said.
“There will be quite a few things the kids can do here over the school holidays.
“It’s really important, especially in the lead-up to Anzac Day, that people get an understanding of what service and sacrifice actually is, and what the cost of the freedoms we have today has been paid with.”
Mr James said the exhibition was something the whole family could experience.
