The medallion was presented in 2005 by the Australian govt. to veterans who served in 1939- 1945. 2005 being the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2.Medallion in a presentation case with information relating to the issue. World War 2, 60 years, 1945 2005 Obverse depicts Commonwealth coat of arms, reverse design symbolises Navy, Army and Air Force through depiction of sea, land and air. 60th anniversary, ww2 service medal

Darwin was bombed by Japanese fighter bombers from Feb 1942 until Nov 1943. On 19 February 1942 Darwin itself was bombed. Japanese fighters and bombers attacked the port and shipping in the harbour twice during the day, killing 252 Allied service personnel and civilians. On 3 March Broome, in Western Australia, was strafed. In succeeding months air attacks were made on many towns in northern Australia including Wyndham, Port Hedland and Derby in Western Australia, Darwin and Katherine in the Northern Territory, Townsville and Mossman in Queensland, and Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Despite popular fears these raids were not the precursor to an invasion but they did serve to interrupt the use of Darwin's port facilities. The raids also tied up anti aircraft defences and air force units that would have otherwise been sent to more forward areas. The Bombing of Darwin www.awm.gov.auFolded metal to cover a match box top and bottom and one side. Would leave one side of the box exposed to strike a match. Lettering on top and bottom created by letter punchFront: Zero Mitsubishi Fighter Shot down over Darwin 19/2/1942 Back: From Frank to Dad.ww2, souvenir, darwin

This is an example of the British Brodie Pattern Mark 11 steel helmet. This style of helmet was worn during WW2 by all three services, Army, Navy and Air Force although colour schemes did vary.An example of standard issue WW2 equipment worn by all branches of the Australian services.Camouflage green outer, webbing chin strap, black fabric adjustable lining. Metal rim around outer edge. Appears unused..ww2 equipment

These are the recollections of Alan Menere (1915 – 2001). Alan grew up in Moonee Ponds, Victoria, and moved to Bendigo while in his early 20s. There he met some like-minded young men who enjoyed challenges and matters mechanical. Flying was the adventure of the time, and they decided to give it a go. There was no intention to be on the leading edge of gliding technology. The challenge was to fly, and by their own efforts. They were aided in this by the embryonic regulatory arrangements covering light aircraft construction and flying, a sense of optimistic can-do, and the cavalier estimation of risks that goes with being in your early 20s. The events described here took place against a darkening political background. Alan and his mates were politically aware, very left wing, and viewed the gathering storm in Europe with apprehension. They could see from early on that war was coming, and it would change everything. Prevented from joining the Air Force by his red-green colour blindness, Alan joined the Army the day after the Pearl Harbour attack. He served in an Armoured Reconnaissance Unit in Western Australia, then with the Army Education Service in New Britain. After the War he joined the Commonwealth Public Service. He moved to Canberra, but his Bendigo habits stayed with him, as he built sailboards and carved propellers, to the admiration of his sons. Alan developed macular degeneration in his mid-60s. He retired to Port Stephens, fishing and socializing when he wasn’t tinkering with wing-sails for his catamaran. As he could touch-type, he quickly learned to use a computer. Very aware that he was the last member of the Bendigo group still alive, he resolved to set down his flying experiences. The images he selected are included, but there are many more from the Bendigo days.A CD entitled "Alan Menere - Recollections of Gliding in Bendigo in the late 1930s". The CD contains 33 documents consisting of one word file, one PDF file (entitled "The Urge to Fly") and the rest are of either photos of the Bendigo Gliding club or generally around Bendigo itself. Also included are some paper clippings of accidents that happened and description of flights.history, bendigo, bendigo gliding club, alan menere