WHAT was life like in the Bega Valley during World War 1?
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Do you have any old photographs showing life on the home front such as local end-of-war celebrations, soldiers home on leave or women helping with the war effort?
The Bega Valley Shire Library is seeking donations of old photographs from local residents in preparation for the 2015 local history calendar.
The theme of the calendar will be “The World War One Years”.
In the next few years, Australia will commemorate various WW1 milestones, marking 100 years since Australia’s involvement in the war.
“We want to acknowledge peoples’ varied experiences of WW1 in next year’s calendar,” local and family history librarian Linda Albertson said.
“So many went overseas to fight, but there was a home front as well where a lot of the war effort was focused for those family members left behind.
“Families waited anxiously at home, people held fundraising events to support the war and towns organised homecomings for returning soldiers.
“Life continued while the war was on and we particularly want to capture the day-to-day life on the home front for the 2015 calendar.
“We already have some suitable photographs like one of people gathered on the corner of Carp and Gipps Street, Bega, in 1919 to celebrate the end of the war, but we need lots more to make a full calendar.
“Alternatively, photographs of WW1 memorabilia may also be suitable, such as mementos or documents sent home to families or friends.
“Photographs can be loaned or donated, and for people lending images we just digitise and return the original to you,” Ms Albertson said.
“We aim to put out a calendar that represents the whole shire and we would love for everybody with photographs of the Great War to share this important part of the shire’s history.”
If you have a photograph that fits the theme, contact Linda Albertson on 6499 2127.