Memorial Guns Australia - Project Announcement
Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company (RAAHC)
The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company (RAAHC) promotes the history and heritage of Australian Artillery.
We presently hold records for about 2000 heritage guns across Australia and have started a project to improve engagement with local communities by making it easier to access information about memorial, heritage, and park guns or cannons in their areas.
These ‘silent sentinels’ convey an unspoken intent of remembrance, commemoration of service, and education about the consequences of conflict on people. Many provide a focal point at places of reflection in association with a memorial where the sacrifices of Australians are remembered. Others have heritage and historical significance.
The project aims to achieve lasting community engagement and give a sense of local community ‘ownership’ of the symbolism, educative value, history, and heritage embedded in the guns and cannons.
Public access to information is to be achieved through a mobile online facility, which the RAAHC is building. It will be optimised for smart phone access. Visitors to online entries will be able to suggest enhancements.
Online content will answer questions such as ‘Why is this gun here?’, ‘What is its importance?’, ‘What is the associated history?’, ‘What was the purpose of the gun?’ etc
In sum, it will educate and explain the heritage and importance of a gun to the community, its local history, and include technical information. Images and a map will be part of the package.
Locals with an interest in history, heritage officers at councils, RSL members, and veterans, will be engaged with and encouraged to become volunteer “ambassadors” for a gun or a few guns. They will play a part in providing local history and keeping the information up to date and could be a contact for Councils, History Groups, RSLs, and others.
Historic guns on Defence bases are to be included, serving members will be most welcome to contribute.
A pilot of the project is planned to be rolled out to parts of South Australia to test the online facility and the project’s aims.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Volunteer to become engaged with the project
Volunteer to be an ‘ambassador’ in your community
Assist in collecting images and information on guns and cannons
Pass on the concept to friends and colleagues and seek their involvement
Provide suggestions to improve the project
If you would like to take part in this project, contact: John via j3cox@bigpond.net.au
