A new exhibition on Ravenshoe’s WWII history was opened earlier this month by Councillor Annette Haydon.

‘Carol Austin came up with the idea a few years ago to create the exhibition at the Ravenshoe Visitor Centre and the volunteers were very supportive,’ said Councillor Haydon.

‘WWII was a significant period in Ravenshoe’s history and, as many of us know, the Tablelands were a staging post for up to 40,000 troops at any one time between 1943 and 1945.

‘Huge army camps sprang up between Ravenshoe and Mount Garnet, and many buildings in Ravenshoe were requisitioned for use by the army.

‘Ravenshoe was transformed virtually overnight.

‘This small exhibit reminds the community and visitors about our history, and provides an enduring link to our past.

‘The display is especially important to me because my mother has shared my father’s uniform and other personal memorabilia.

‘He was one of the many men from this area who served in New Guinea.

‘This project would not have been possible without the generous support of the community including Doreen Mortimer and the Ravenshoe RSL, Sherrie Cockell, Graham Rae and the team at the Men’s Shed, Jo Wills and Ewen McPhee from the Queensland Museum, Bill Sadler, Ed and Sue Bartlett, TRC staff and Ravenshoe VIC volunteers.

‘I can’t encourage you enough to come and see the photographs and memorabilia on display.

‘The Ravenshoe Visitor Centre is open seven days a week right through the festive season,’ said Councillor Haydon.