deborahgowerceramics

What a moving and emotional day it was yesterday.  Radio interview early in the morning – ABC North Coast to discuss the exhibition.  Then the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph began at 11am and following the service was the opening of my Re-Membering Our ANZACs exhibition. I will be posting some details of the artworks over the next few days but for today it is a huge thank you to everyone involved in this project.

It has been 100 years since the first World War began in 1914 and communities all over Australia are commemorating this Centenary. WW1 had a lasting effect on or community in many ways, least of which is the loss of life of a generation of our young men.

Out of a population of around 1000 in the Mullumbimby area at least 233 men enlisted, 23 were killed overseas.

I spent the last nine months working with descendants of veterans and Year 6 students to produce some inspiring artworks to commemorate our local World War One Veterans and promote peace in our region.

Thank you

• Department of Veterans Affairs for funding under the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program
• Year 6 students of Mullum Public School and St John’s Catholic School for your heart felt messages written on the Wooden Crosses that are featured in the exhibition space at the Mullumbimby Ex Services Club.
• The Australian War Memorial who supplied the crosses and Office Choice Mullum who donated the pens used.  The crosses will be returned to the Australian War Memorial (after the exhibition) to be distributed overseas on the graves of fallen soldiers.
• 41st Royal NSW Regiment Lismore for the camouflage netting
• The Mullumbimby RSL Sub Branch and The Mullum RSL Ladies Auxiliary for their support.
• Mullumbimby Ex- Services Club for the exhibition space and support
• Angele Van Den Heuvel for her help with setting up and on the day of the exhibition.
• Special thanks to Paul Smith, a representative of the Mullumbimby RSL Sub Branch who worked with me to ensure the success of this project.
• Special thanks to the WW1 descendants and members of the community for their support of the Commemorative Crosses workshops and sharing their history and memories with me.  I am eternally grateful for your generosity.

The exhibition continues all week and is open until Sunday evening. I hope you enjoy the works presented.

There are also exhibitions around town which you might like to check out including Scouting Out Our ANZACS exhibition at the Mullum library and the exhibition at the Art Cube in the Byron Shire Council Foyer here in Mullumbimby. Both exhibitions continue throughout November.

Debby