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Melbourne Legacy
Newspaper - Article, Violin tells the story of Changi 'The Sun' 1/6/82 (H35), 1982
An article in the Sun about the donation of the Changi violin to Legacy in 1982. It mentions that the violin was thrown over the fence at Changi prison and Mr Roy Arnel played it for the 3 and half years he was in Changi. When the war ended he went around the camp getting concert party members and friends to sign it. He died in January 1982 and his wife Netta contacted Legacy who had it restored by Roger Lewis. He said many of the parts were not original but had been made for it in prison. The notation H35 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. The text of the letter to President E J Larkin says: Dear Ed, I attach a press cutting which is self explanatory except that the violin has been given to me on behalf of Legacy by one of many widows - Mrs Arnel. I have discussed with 'Kem' Kemsley and others what we should do with this interesting relic. Kem has endorsed my fear that if it is sent to Canberra no-one will ever see it. The prospective War Museum in Victoria will not be ready for some years and could not handle it. I suggest that is be displayed 'pro?' at Legacy House until it could be passed to the Victorian War Museum. Both Mrs Arnel and Kem agree with this suggestion. I should be glad to make a display cabinet if Legacy agrees to the above suggestion. I shall be glad if you will return the cutting to me in due course. Yours sincerely Roger Westerback (?) 581.A record of the donation of the Changi violin to Legacy in 1982.White A4 photocopy of an article about the Changi violin published in the Sun in 1982 and a copy of a two page letter.Handwritten H35 in red pen. history, changi violin -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, Captain Philip E Potts, 1919
A photo of Captain P E Potts in Charleroi, Belgium in 1919. The note on the back mentions he was part of a 2nd Division concert party that helped raise funds to erect a war memorial in Mont St Quentin. Mont St Quentin was a site of a major battle in 1916 where 3000 Australian soldiers died in 3 days. Another photo from Charleroi in 1919 is at 01900 and Captain Potts may be one of the officers in the front row. The photo may have fallen out of an album of newspaper clippings and photos compiled to thank Legatee Philip E Potts when he was leaving Melbourne in 1928. L/ Potts was president of Legacy in 1927-28. The album was compiled by Legatee Frank Doolan.A record of a tribute to a past president.Black and white photo of Captain P E Potts in 1919.Handwritten on reverse 'Charleroi Belgium __ 1919' in black ink and 'Capt PE Potts O/C / 2nd Div Concert Party / 'The Dinkum Diamonds' / which raised £370 in Charleroi for the St Quentin War Memorial'philip e potts, charleroi, past presidents -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, The Changi Violin, 1989
A photo of Jack Geoghegan holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080) at The Shrine. The photo appeared in an article in The Age in 1989. One photo also appeared in the President's Highlights report in 1989. The caption of that photo says, 'Pensive thoughts for ex-prisoner of Changi Prison, Jack Geohegan when, as a guest of Melbourne Legacy, he was reunited with a very special possession kept in Legacy's care. Jack, whose signature is one of many, had not seen the violin since his days at Changi.' Background: This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are some well-known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon. Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display by his widow Mrs Florence Arnel in 1983.A record of a poignant reunion, Jack Geoghegan knew the violin while in Changi Prison and posed for photos on the Shrine to tell the story in The Age. Black and white photo x 3 of the Changi Violin at The Shrinechangi violin, pow, jack geohegan -
Melbourne Legacy
Programme, 1998 Legacy National Conference Opening Ceremony, 1998
Programme for the ceremony held at the concert hall in the Victorian Art Centre to mark the start of the 1998 National Conference on 2nd October 1998. It was the 75th anniversary of Legacy. The Programme includes an official party of the Governor General of Australia, Sir William Deane, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Ivan Deveson, and Legatee Gilmore, the Chairman of the Legacy Co-ordinating Council. Sponsors include John Allison Monkhouse Funeral Directors, AMP, ANZ and Tattersalls. Past President Legatee D.J. Simonson was responsible for the organisation of the entire conference.A record of the annual conference being in Melbourne for the 75th Anniversary of Legacy. White 4 page programme of the opening ceremony of the 1998 Conference.conference, 75th anniversary, governor general -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph, The Changi Violin
A photo of Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080). Unsure when this photo was taken. Background: This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are some well-known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display.A record of relationship of Weary Dunlop with Legacy.Black and white photo of Sir Weary Dunlop with the Changi violinchangi violin, dunlop