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2026
MUSEUM HOURS GWMM The Museum’s doors are usually open on Fridays 10am-2pm Saturdays 10am-2pm Our Museum cares about your health and the health of our ommunities. If unwell
please don’t visit the museum. Follow us on this page or on Facebook Webpage Email Congratulations to Patricia (Pat) Cox, one
of the Museum’s founders and current
secretary, who received the Griffith 2025 Citizen of
the Year Award on
Australia Day 2026 Griffith
RSL Sub Branch and Griffith War Memorial Museum would like to advise of the passing of our member and friend Renzo Rovere. Our
thoughts go out to his beloved wife Rosetta, their family and friends. The
funeral will be held on Thursday 20 August 2026 at the Sacred Heart Catholic
Church Griffith commencing at 10am followed by an interment in the lawn
section at the Griffith Cemetery. A
RSL service will take place and ask that all veterans attending wear their
medals. Griffith War Memorial
Museum INC Garry Smellie 1/7/1946 – 26/3/2026 Our
thoughts are with Karen and family and we thank Garry for everything that he
has done for the Griffith War Memorial Museum.
Vietnam
Veterans’ Day, 18 August each year The Vietnam
Veterans adopted 18 August as the day to remember all those who served in
Vietnam between 1962 and 1975. This day was originally known as “Long Tan
Day”, commemorating the men of D Company, 6RAR, who fought in the battle of
Long Tan in 1966. In 1987 Prime Minister Bob Hawke announced that Long Tan
Day would be known as Vietnam Veterans’ Day. |
Quick Links Note: If a left click doesn’t open a file try a right click followed by “Open link in new Window” |
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Meetings 2026 GWMM Dates
General
Meetings Saturday June 20
Completed Saturday September 19 2.30pm Saturday December 5
2.30pm All members invited
and expected to attend If you are NOT ABLE
to attend a meeting please inform Pat Cox in advance via phone
(0407485091) or email (pcox@iinet.net.au) Venue
RSL Room, 167-185 Banna Avenue, Griffith NSW 2680 On/ 07/03/26 the Griffith War Memorial Museum INC had
their AGM. Thank you to everyone who turned up. The following members were elected. President - Michael Borg Vice President - Martin Gatto Secretary - Pat Cox Treasurer - Paul Di Fiore Public Officer Warren Brown. Click Here
Let all
people and nations on planet Earth make a real and genuine effort for PEACE to return to mankind. |
Important Military Dates/Events Australian War Memorial What was on
in August (AWM) Click
Here |
Membership
2026 Click here
Volunteers
are always needed! Click here
The
Griffith War Memorial Museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays. Friday 10am-2pm Saturday 10am-2pm Good
Friday Closed ANZAC DAY (25/4) open after the Cenotaph ceremony BOER WAR DAY (31/5) (open If requested)11am-1pm KOREAN VETERANS’ DAY (27/7) (open If requested) 11am-1pm VIETNAM
VETERANS’ DAY (18/8) (open if requested) after the Cenotaph
ceremony REMEMBRANCE DAY open after
the Cenotaph ceremony Any other days by appointment If you want to book a group
visit, then please contact Mrs Pat Cox (secretary)
on 0407485091. Schools are welcome to learn about the Australian and local Military history from the available displays/presentations.…we
are looking forward to see you !!! |
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Homepage update 11/08/2026 The Museum is also
available on FACEBOOK The museum will usually be open on Fridays
and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. A
nominal Roll of Griffith’s “National Servicemen” is accessible at the museum. The Griffith RSL Sub-Branch donated the
former Cenotaph Memorial Plaque and the Invictus Games
Flag to the Museum, where they are on display for the public. Griffith Cenotaph The cenotaph shows the names of locals who
were Killed In Action or Died of Wounds in the conflicts. In 2018 18 WW1
names were added and the WW2 names adjusted up to 104. Detailed information about each name on the
cenotaph is available in the Museum. GRIFFITH NSW BOER WAR REGISTER Are you a descendant or relative of a WW1
Serviceman who came as a soldier settler to the NSW Griffith region after WW1
finished and who had served in the South African Boer War between 1899 and 1902? If
the answer is "yes" we kindly invite you to provide us with
information about this person. Details such as name, service number, regiment,
where deployed in South Africa, and maybe a copy of a photo... will then be
added to our Boer War Register. At the moment we have 27 confirmed names on our register and another 19 are being
researched for possible inclusion. If you have information and would like to
share this, please send an email to gwmmuseum@westnet.com.au or visit our webpage for
more contact details. https://gwmm.org.au DoingRESEARCH
at GWMM and GGHS If
you are interested in researching your personal pedigree or the history of
Griffith NSW, the Griffith War Memorial Museum and the Griffith
Genealogical & Historical Society are both THE
PLACES TO BE. They are sources of information for individuals and
educational institutions. The
GWMM covers the local military history by Honour
and Nominal Rolls, as well as records of Indigenous military service and the
Australian Women’s Land Army. GWMM is open on Fridays 10am-2pm and
Saturdays 10am-2pm. The GGHS focusses more on family history research, “Ancestry”,
the pioneers, soldier settlers, immigrants and land records. Early 2024 The
GGHS has re-opened
in the Griffith City Library. Contact the Library for timeslots
(02) 69628300 People
interested are welcome and members are present to assist GRIFFITH ITALIAN
WEEK 24/8 - 30/8, 2026 During this week the GWMM will be open on
24/8 to 27/8 each day from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon and on 28/8, 29/8 from
10.00 am to 2.00 pm |
Planning a
group/school visit to theMuseum? Volunteers
are available to give information about displays, records, museum projects
and local Griffith military history. If
you want to visit on a museum’s “closed” day or to book a group/school visit
then contact Mrs Pat Cox,
secretary on 0407485091 or send an email to
GRIFFITH WAR
MEMORIAL MUSEUM’S BOER WAR REGISTER Are you a
descendant or relative of a WW1 Serviceman who came as a soldier settler to the
NSW Griffith region after WW1 finished and who had served in the South
African Boer War between 1899 and 1902? If "yes" then we kindly invite you
to provide us with information about this person. Details such as name,
service number, regiment, where deployed in South Africa, and maybe a copy of
a photo... will then be added to our Boer War Register. At the moment we have
27 confirmed names on our register and another 19 are being researched for
possible inclusion. If you have information that you would like to share,
then please send an email to gwmmuseum@westnet.com.au ,visit our webpage for
more contact details. http://www.gwmm.org.au or come to see us
at the museum in Banna Avenue. |
New displays * Dead Man’s Penny for Alan McGregor Whyte (WW1) The Alpini.Italy’s Mountain Infantry WW1
*Attack on Australia *Interviews with local
WW2 Veterans (Videos) *First Australians and
their defence of Australia with and from an Indigenous perspective (Reference
material) *Regional Aboriginal Honour and
Nominal Rolls….Updated on ANZAC Day 2022. *We hope to add more recent conflicts to the collection in 2024…Gulf
War, Iraq, Afghanistan, East-Timor,(Timor-Leste) ….…However….. …THE MUSEUM NEEDS and SEEKS YOUR HELP/ASSISTANCE!!! We call on anybody from Griffith or cities, towns and settlements in
the regions around Griffith, who has served in any of the listed recent
conflicts, to come forward and submit their name to the museum. It will be
added to a list respecting and recognizing the service in the Australian Defence Forces. You are kindly invited to contact the
Museum on 040748509 or send an email
to gwmmuseum@westnet.com.au Your personal contribution is
highly appreciated. ROGER PENRITH
(1972-2020) Roger, a great supporter,
contributor and founder of the Griffith War Memorial Museum's display on Indigenous
service in the Australian Armed Forces passed tragically and unexpectedly
away on December 12, 2020, 5 yrs
ago..
Roger…Rest in peace, We will remember you ! The Griffith War Memorial Museum’s
management, members and volunteers. Permission to use AWLA service emblem, e.g. hat
badge on grave headstones and memorial plaques The Office of Australian War Graves
informed us that anyone seeking to inscribe the AWLA emblem on a headstone or
memorial plaque is allowed to do so without seeking permission from the OAWG. Contact the museum via email gwmmuseum@westnet.com.au if you
would like to receive a photo of the AWLA hat badge. |
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Current
NSW K-10 Syllabus for the NSW Curriculum in History
NSW HSC
Syllabus Preliminary/HSC Courses in Modern
History
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Displays Click on the chosen TOPIC and have a Brief preview Boer War WW1, WW2, Korean War, Local National
Servicemen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the
Armed Forces (Boer War until now) |
AUSTRALIAN
WOMEN’S LAND ARMY MONUMENT
The “GIRL WITH GRIT” This monument of the
Australian Women’s Land Army was officially unveiled at the Museum in Banna
Avenue , Griffith NSW on Saturday July 11, 2015 More Info “Click Here” |
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AWARDS RECEIVED MUSEUMS&GALLERIES OF NSW GWMM
declared winner of the 2015 IMAGinE
Award in the categorie “Individual Achievement:Volunteer” “Blue Star” Keep NSW Beautiful Cultural Heritage Award Finalist Australia Day 2016 2015 Griffith” Citizen of the Year”
Nomination 2015 “Girls with Grit”, Community Project
Nomination NSW Government, 17/8/2017 Ministerial Commendation for contributions
to the Griffith Servicemen/women veterans community 2017 Proud and Deadly Awards Recipient of the Community Award
Non-Aboriginal Australia Day 2019 2018 Griffith “Citizen of the Year” Joint
Nomination 2018 Griffith Community “Project of the
Year” Award Recipient. A combined team effort made by RSL, GGHS,GWMM. Australia Day 2021 2020 Griffith “Citizen of the Year”
Nomination Australia Day 2022 2021 Griffith “Citizen of the Year” Nomination Australia Day 2023 2022 Griffith “Citizen of the Year”
Nomination Flashbacks ANZAC DAY 2017 Guest speaker Miss Madison Penrith from the Griffith Aboriginal Community
spoke in her address about * Indigenous Soldiers in the
Australian Armed
Forces *Her visit to Gallipoli attending the
1915/2015
Centenary Commemorations ANZAC DAY 2018 Local
guest speaker Mr. Noel Hicks gave a
very meaningful address on the Anzac Spirit and mateship. He brought tears to
the eyes of many present when elaborating on the human aspects, the suffering
and sacrifices in the wars. Remembrance Day Service
2018. Dedication of the Cenotaph’s new Honour Board, showing the names
of local WW1 and 2 Servicemen who died during the conflicts, followed by a Centenary
Commemoration of the end of WW1. Detailed information about the WW1/WW2
Servicemen whose names are on the new Cenotaph Honour Board is now available
for the public in the Griffith War Memorial Museum. ANZAC DAY 2019 The Dawn
Service was at 5.30am officially opened by Ty Powell playing the didgeridoo and the sounds of bagpipes and
trumpets reverberating at the early start of the commemoration of Anzac Day
2019. The Dawn Service was again attended by an apparently every year
increasing number of onlookers. This
was at 10.30 am followed by the Anzac Day march where hundreds lined up along
Banna Avenue applauding and cheering the Sydney St
Mary’s Bagpipes Band, Service and Ex-Servicemen and women and descendants/relatives
of Service People who had passed away. For the first time a wreath was laid
for veterans who fought in the Boer War. A large crowd attended a moving
ceremony at Griffith Memorial Park. ANZAC DAY 2020 The
COVID-19 crisis resulted in a cancellation of all ANZAC Day
gatherings….Dawn-, Day-services and marches. However, many Australian
residents organised personal candlelit driveway ceremonies where families in
small groups honoured the veterans between 5.30 and 6.00 am. ANZAC DAY 2021 Due
to Covid restrictions the ANZAC DAY Dawn and Main Services had to be “controlled outdoor events” and as such it
meant it had to be ticketed events in a fenced off area which in Griffith is
Memorial Park in Banna Ave. There was also no
march along Banna
Ave. ANZAC DAY 2022 Worried
about the number of people attending The
Dawn and Morning ANZAC Day commemorations after returning to the way
pre- Covid-19
services were run, now some Covid restrictions were
dropped ? Attendance at both services was bigger than
ever, and
it showed that the sacrifices of all Australians who
served in the conflicts Australia was part of, had not been in vain and forgotten, but were recognised
and highly respected. The
commemoration address was given by Mr Lachlan
Date sharing the story of his great- grandfather
Frank Bartle Ledwidge who fought in WW1
and WW2. ANZAC DAY 2023 The
ANZAC Day Dawn and Morning services drew
the biggest crowds to the Griffith Memorial Park
since Covid-19. Graham
Slingsby a former police officer and air force
reservist was the guest speaker reflecting on the
sacrifices made by many during WW1 and 2, particularly
the oft-forgotten roles of women during
major historic onflicts. Terry
Walsh stepping down from the role of presenting
the ANZAC Day services over many years
received a big ‘Thank You” from Griffith RSL
sub-branch president Michael Borg. ANZAC DAY 2024 Despite being greeted by a crispy cold
morning at the Griffith Dawn Service, lots of people turned up at the ANZAC
Day services at Griffith and surrounds, paying their respects to those who
served and in many cases lost their lives during war times. The morning service at the Memorial Park
started with the traditional march from the Griffith War Memorial Museum up Banna Avenue, where the commemoration service was led by
Mr Graham Slingsby, who introduced Mr Ainslie
Berry. He spoke about heroism, valour and
mateship, drawing on his own experiences posted in Afghanistan and Iraq. Griffith sub-branch vice president Sean Brettschneider, one of the new RSL guards, was pleased
with the response and happy with the turnout and the involvement of all the
schools. ANZAC
DAY, 2025 ANZAC
Day goes beyond the anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in 1915. It is
the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars,
conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human
qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and
relevance for our sense of national identity. Today Griffith acknowledged the
service of its past /current veterans and those in active service in the
Australian Armed Forces. Both the Dawn Service and the Community Service had
a big turnout at the Memorial Park. At the Dawn Service the names of all
those from the area who lost their lives in WW1or WW2 were read out. Grant McKern played the bagpipes and Mark Lucas-Channa played the Reveille and the Last Post. Later individuals,
community groups, schools, the NSW SES Griffith Unit, the Australian Khalsa Association Inc joined
the Anzac Day march from the Griffith War Memorial Museum to the Memorial
Park and laid a wreath. The Griffith City Band, and the Bidgee
Vibes Choir looked
after the Musical part of the solemn commemoration. Guest Speaker Colonel (rtd) Andrew Condon gave a talk on local people who went
to war and the stories they left behind. Griffith RSL president Michael Borg
thanked Sean Brettschneider, Graham Slingsby, Berdene Oxley-Boyd
and Chaplain Thomas Leslie for all the work they had done. After
conclusion of the service at the Memorial Park the Griffith War Memorial
Museum opened the doors for the public, where they could enjoy some morning
tea while learning more about the local Griffith military history during the
conflicts. |
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The objective of the Griffith War Memorial Museum Inc is to display items of military interest and aspects of the social history linked to military operations of ex-servicemen and women and their families from Griffith and districts. The museum aims to
achieve this by displaying photos, audio and DVD resource material, stories, clothing,
weapons and other military artefacts. |
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Museum Hours. . |
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Fridays OPEN 10am-2pm Saturdays OPEN 10am-2pm Good Friday CLOSED ANZAC DAY (25/4) open after the Cenotaph ceremony. BOER WAR DAY (31/5) open (if requested) between 11am and 1pm. KOREAN VETERANS’ DAY (27/7) open (if requested) between 11am and 1pm VIETNAM VETERAN’S DAY (18/8) open after the Cenotaph ceremony REMEMBRANCE DAY (11/11) open after the Cenotaph ceremony |
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Entrance
Fees |
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A donation is appreciated to cover development and maintenance costs of the museum. Donations over $2.00 are tax deductable and a receipt will be given. |
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Tours
and Group Visits |
Attention If you would like to donate any artefacts, photos or information to the museum, please contact us via phone 0407485091, email or our PO Box 2221 Griffith. |
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These can be organised at other times by special arrangement. By writing to PO Box 2221 Griffith NSW 2680, or emailing to gwmmuseum@westnet.com.au or by contacting the Secretary Pat Cox on 0407485091
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Facilities |
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· Public parking on the street bays and centre · Disabled access via door to the left of the building · Public toilets in the park next door. |
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Location |
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167 - 185 Banna Avenue Griffith |
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