Battle-ground engagement raged in Charlton last weekend, but it was more bonhomie than bloodshed as the 5th Mallee Melee unfolded at the Charlton RSL Clubrooms.

Minus the roar of cannonfire or the chaos of mass casualties, the miniature wargaming weekend – likened by one participant to “chess on steroids” – saw visitors from Berwick, Nunawading and the Mornington Peninsula gear up for a weekend of the Napoleonic “General d’ Armee 2 Campaign Game”.

Re-tracing the moves of the famous Napoleonic conflicts, combatants throw the dice to begin the engagement of their lilliputian-sized battalions. With tactics determined by the dice numbers, these numbers correspond with detailed guidelines as to how and where participants can then move their charges across the scaled down tabletop landscapes.

While strategy and an appreciation for history are revered by most of the gamers, cosplay isn’t usually a feature of the action. So, it was good to see one participant breaking the mould this year by wearing the emblematic Napoleon “bicorne” hat and drawing plenty of comments in the process!

Saturday

Saturday kicked off with a 9 a.m. start and by mid-morning the 1809 campaign, which covered three large tables, was in full swing and expected to occupy the entire weekend. The focus was deep, but not so intense that there wasn’t room for some good-natured ribbing and jokes. While guide sheets were being consulted and tape measures employed to clarify distances, discussions were animated about the strategies and placements of the figurines. Rows of cavalry and minute battalion pieces were placed in readiness on the sidelines to be swept into the fray as the engagement progressed.

Event co-ordinator, Markus Phillips was delighted with how the “Melee” is growing in stature.

“From about twelve participants attending our first event, we have around twenty lined up for our 2025 version,” Markus said.

A dedicated gamer since taking up the pastime at high school, Markus said he enjoyed the historical aspect of the activity, along with being able to simulate various conflicts and battles.

“I have an interest in the ancient times right through to the contemporary conflicts such as Afghanistan”, he said.

From the Greek to the Medieval, Dark Ages to the Renaissance, through to the Napoleonic, Georgian, and contemporary conflicts – it’s about gaining knowledge of the eras and the technical accuracy of the weaponry, uniforms, and strategies which appeals.

It’s a sentiment shared by another gamer, named Mark, who also enjoys the research and social connection saying, “It helps to keep the brain working.”

A member of the Nunawading War Game Association, Mark has also played since the mid-’seventies and finds the occupation relaxing, although he wasn’t quite so up-beat about painting the tiny figures. With sizes ranging from 2 millimetres to 28 millimetres, good eyesight and a very steady hand are mandatory. Authenticity is the key, with the micro-mannequins needing to be resplendent in full battledress regalia.

While the smallest figures (2mm) are mainly used in the Roman battles to represent the thousands of personnel which occupied the Legions, even the 28 mm figurines are a masterwork of compact skill with their petite frames and accurate renditions.

Modern war gaming was initially a military training tool, stretching back to the early 19th century, with the Prussians pioneering its use for strategic and tactical development. As a recreational hobby it is a relatively modern venture having taken off in the UK in the 1960s.

While the strategies and tactics are rated highly by most players, their immersion also carries over into the collection of figurines, books, DVDs, and for some, the development of home gaming rooms to indulge their hobbyist tendencies. There were plenty of opportunities for buy, sell, or swapping over the weekend, as the visitors to added to their already burgeoning collections.

Bonus

A dedicated weekend such as the “Mallee Melee” provides a like-minded social occasion, with the added bonus of sampling country hospitality. This year’s event began with a meet-and-greet dinner on Friday night at the East Charlton Hotel and then dinner and board games at the Vale of Avoca on Saturday night. Sunday saw the conclusion of “hostilities” (and perhaps a “peace treaty”!) before the visitors headed home.

The 2025 Mallee Melee was supported by the Charlton Neighbourhood House and Buloke Shire, with donations collected for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. 

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 18 July 2025.