Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Jury Osypenko and Tamara Osypenko of the Feb-Mar 70 South Australian Concert Party perform in close harmony for the wounded and sick Diggers at the1st Field Hospital, Vung Tau. photograph, 1st field hospital, vung tau, jury osypenko, tamara osypenko, gibbons collection catalogue, south australian concert party, entertainers, wounded serviceman, feb-mar 70 south australian concert party, diggers

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph - Artists of the Feb-Mar 70 South Australian Concert Party Tamara Osypenko, Beverly Braidwood, Jury Osypenko and the Wills Sisters Anne and Susan, perform for the wounded and sick diggers at the1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau during the evening show.photograph, entertainers, south australian concert party, tamara osypenko, beverly braidwood, jury osypenko, wills sisters, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman, feb-mar 70 south australian concert party, anne wills, susan wills, diggers

Framed programme of the South Australain Concert Party for Vietnam. Party was sponsored by the Australian Forces Overseas Fund and performed in Adelaide to raise funds to send artists to the VietnamDonated by R Lloydsouth australian concert party, australian forces overseas fund, framed poster

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of The Wills Sisters, one of headline acts with the official Feb-Mar 69 South Australian Concert Party perform in the recreation building at the RAAF Air Base, Vung Tau. This was the third show of the day performed by members of the South Australian Concert Party.photograph, entertainers, wills sisters, south australian concert party, raaf, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, raaf air base, anne wills, susan wills, official feb-mar 69 south australian concert party, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograph of a member of the Feb-Mar 70 South Australian Concert Party Beverly Braidwood entertains the Diggers on a hastily organised stage at the1st Australian Logistics Base, Vung Tau.photograph, south australian concert party, beverly braidwood, entertainers, 1st australian logistic support base, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Susan Wills of the Will Sister with the Official February-March 1970 South Australian Concert Party performs for the sick and wounded diggers at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau. photograph, entertainers, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, susan wills, will sisters, south australian concert party, gibbons collection catalogue, diggers, wounded servicemen, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of two members of the Feb-Mar 70 South Australian Concert Party, Tamara Osypenko and Jury Osypenko present their unique vocal presentation to the Diggers in the recreation building at the RAAF Air Base, Vung Tau. The duets were a hit with the airmen.photograph, raaf, jury osypenko, tamara osypenko, vung tau, gibbons collection catalogue, entertainers, airmen, diggers, feb-mar 70 south australian concert party, raaf air base, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of members of the Feb 70 S.A. Concert Party, during a break in their hectic program, one of The Wills Sisters Anne, leans over the elephant compound fence during their visit to the Saigon Zoo, as sister Susan watches, to feed a chained-up Vietnamese Elephant.photograph, entertainers, south australian concert party, wills sisters, saigon zoo, gibbons collection catalogue, feb 70 s.a. concert party, anne wills, susan wills, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A coloured photograpf of Members of the Feb 70 S.A. Concert Party, The Wills Sisters Anne & Susan (both in yellow) accompanied by Beverly Braidwood and Tamara Osypenko. A female Vietnamese Interpreter and an Army Liaison visit the Saigon Zoo during a break in their hectic program.wills sisters, beverly braidwood, tamara osypenko, entertainers, saigon zoo, south australian concert party, gibbons collection catalogue, anne wills, susan wills, feb 70 s.a. concert party, vietnamese interpreters, army liaison, denis gibbons

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of Digby Richards and his show entertain US troops at a Fire Support Base North East of Danang in Northern South Vietnam. While Australian Concert Parties entertained, where practicable, US troops, American USO did not reciprocate.photograhp, entertainment, digby richards, us troops, danang, gibbons collection catalogue, digger, fire support base, australian concert parties, denis gibbons

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.1). Card invitation printed in black script with the royal insignature in gold. 2). Envelope with the Lord Chamberlain's insignature stamped on bottom corner and an address written in blue ink.1). Printed - The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by Her Magesty to invite ...to an Afternoon Party in the Garden of Buckingham Palace on Thursday the 21st July 1960, from 4 to 6 o'clock p.m. (Weather Permitting) Morning Dress or Uniform or Lounge Suit. Written in blue ink- Mr. Frank Wright 2). Written in blue ink on front - Frank Wright Esq, 14. Highbury Grange, N.S Stamped on front - Lord Chamberlain's insignature, St James's Palace on bottom corner frank wright, invitation, lord chamberlain, envelope

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of a party of three people, two men and a woman sitting on camels being held by their keepers. They are standing in front of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. The man on the right is Frank Wright.Written in pencil on the back - at the Great Pyramid, May 1940frank wright, camels, great pyramid, egypt

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 the 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. Further research found that one of the AIF comedians, Harry Smith, had a catch phrase, 'You'll never get off the Island' which became almost the watchword of the prisoners throughout the captivity. That ties with the phrase etched around the outside of the violin, "We'll never get off the island."A very valuable piece of equipment brought back from World War II now on display in Legacy House function room.Violin (00078.1): Violin case (00078.2): Bow (00078.3): Bag of violin parts (00078.4):Around the edge of the instrument's body: "We'll never get off the island" On the front body of the violin: "AIF concert party"; "P.O.W. camp Singapore" Names inscribed on the front body of the violin in columns from left to right: Ray Tullipan, Fred Stringer, Herb Almond, L Jacques, Keith Harris, Jack Garrett, Dave Goodwin, H Sabin, Fred F Brightfield, Jack Boardman, Ern Warne, Ern Banks, T Hoffman, Roy P Arnel, Harold W Reid, W Middleton, Douglas Matthews, Bob Picken, Harry Smith ('appy Harry), Ted Druitt "VIOLIN PLAYED BY" VX30301, (DVR) R S Arnel AIF Concert Party in POW Camp Selerang and Changi Gaol Singapore 1942-1945; T Mack O.C and Producer Harry Tennall; Jack Smith; Walter W Dains; Keith C Stephens; C E Trotter; W Sullivan, Syd Piddington; John Nibbs; Doug Peart; John Wood; Jack Geoghegan; Berry Barton; Barney Bolton; Tom Hussey; Kim De Grey; Clarrie Barker; Ron Caple; Russ Bradon; Bernard McCaffrey; Bart Galbraith; Charles Wiggins; Stan “ Judy” Garland. Rear of Violin has inscriptions top to bottom, left to right. Hans???en; Dutch Concert Party; H.S. Van der Linden; M Bark; B Freunbusch; F Horguine; H. J. Hurgarden; Lt H. J. Scholer (Violin); H.A.F. Pet; M Van Dyk; W J Witte; G H Fransen; E Ewig; M Ruwart (Hypnotist); A V Korem(Dancer) C N Rob (Violin) C H Kuipers (Guitar); W C Emmenes (Cellist) L H R???? (Violin) British Concert Party Alex????; P Holland ( “ Dutchy” Accordian); Wray Gibson :AH!; E J Bawer (Drums); Clem (Lofty) Relf(Clarinet); Bill Williams (Piano); Ken Luke; Ronald Searle; Charles Dobman “Good Luck”; Dan Harts(”Professor”); Gil Mitchell ( Violinist); John Fitzgerald; E Botor (Tenor Horn); Ronald Lewis; Ronnie Horner; Robin Wilbury; Jack M Wood ( Producer); Denis A S Houghton (Bass); C J Buckingham; Stan Mesurier; E B Dobson USA Concert Camberts Party Don Smith; Owen Baggett; Denis Roland; Stan Willner; Albert “ HAP” Kelley (Trombone); Joe Manella; Charles Kelleher. Internal manufactures tag “ “Excelsior” Brand Specally made for the Tropic and reputed for good ton and workmanship Made in Czechoslovakia”changi violin, pow

A newspaper article with a photo of veteran Jack Geoghegan holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080) at The Shrine. Mr Geoghegan was a Prisoner of War in Changi prison. He remembered playing in the concerts that the violin was used in. His signature is one of many, that had signed the violin. 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.A record that the violin was of importance to many people during their internment.Newspaper article about the Changi violin published in The Age 26 July 1989.changi violin, pow

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

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