Earlier this month, Year 10 students, along with Mrs Veal and Mrs O’Toole, from Allora P-10 State School visited the Allora Museum on Drayton Street to deepen their understanding of Australia’s World War II history.

The visit was hosted by museum members Wendy Free, Kaye Mullins, Trevor Neale, and Colin Newport, who shared fascinating insights and personal stories.

Each spoke about their fathers’ experiences as soldiers during the war, offering students a personal connection to the global conflict.

The group also explored wartime weaponry, including rifles, bayonets, hand grenades, and Japanese swords, giving students a close look at the tools of war. Students learned about the Australian experience during WWII, including the fear of invasion following the bombing of Pearl Harbour.

They heard local stories of air raid bunkers dug into the school grounds and how children were evacuated from the East Coast to Allora and nearby areas as a precaution.

A highlight of the visit was museum member Colin Newport’s presentation of two books to be added to the school library: Men of the 2/26 Battalion, co-authored by his sister the late Lyn Wright, and The History of the 2/26th Battalion by Lt. Col. Ron Magarry.

Inspired by the visit, the students will now create their own WWII display to present at the end of term.

See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in Allora Advertiser, 28 May 2025.