General News
30 July, 2025
War memories 80 years on
THE role the Tablelands played in World War II will come to the fore next month as the region celebrates the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific (VP).
VP Day on 15 August marks eight decades since Japan accepted the Allied demand for unconditional surrender in 1945.
The Tablelands played an integral role in the conflict, playing host to tens of thousands of troops.
“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the events and commemorations that mark this special day in our wartime history,” Tablelands Regional Cr Kylie Lang said.
“During WWII, the Tablelands area became the largest military base in Australia, with camps at Atherton, Herberton, Kairi, Mount Garnet, Ravenshoe, Tinaroo and Wondecla.
“Rocky Creek was the site of the largest military hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, a 3000-bed hospital that treated over 60,000 patients from 1943 to 1945.
“The Rocky Creek War Memorial Park is on the 2/2nd Australian General Hospital laundry and medical stores site and features individual and unit plaques, commemorative trees and information signs.
“Most of the VP Day activities will be held at the memorial park and nearby Igloo,” Cr Lang added.
To mark the special anniversary, VP Day will be recognised with events and activities across the Tablelands.
“We’re preparing an activity-packed three-day celebration (15-17 August) including a WWII-themed trivia night, book launch, art exhibition, tours, dinner dance and, as we do every year, our memorial service and plaque unveilings,” Cr Lang said.
What's On
FRIDAY 15 AUGUST
War Graves Observance – 11am at the Atherton War Cemetery, Rockley Road.
Exhibition Opening and Book Launch
5pm-6pm at Rocky Creek Igloo on Frazer Road, Tolga.
The art exhibition features prints from the collected works of Captain Ian McBain (1905 –1995) and Lance Corporal Joyce Meier (nee Ehms) (1917–2015).
Ian McBain designed and created the “Imitation Stained-Glass Window” in 1944 for a small Protestant chapel for 1 Australian Corps HQ in the Barrine district. With the liberation of Borneo, the window was carefully packed and shipped to a new chapel in Morotai. It is now housed in the Australian War Memorial (www.awm.gov.au/collection/C137841).
Joyce Meier (nee Ehms) was training at the National Gallery Art College before joining the Voluntary Aid Detachment, serving in the Middle East (1941–1943) with 2/6 Australian General Hospital (AGH). On returning to Australia 2/6 AGH was posted to Rocky Creek where Joyce was a theatre nurse. In mid-1945 the hospital moved to Borneo where Joyce remained until she was discharged. In later life Joyce resumed her art career with her works held by the Australian War Memorial, Victorian State Library and National Gallery of Australia.
Joyce’s biography “Joyce’s Journey” by writer and daughter Susan Lovitt will be launched, and the exhibition and book sales will continue at the Igloo on Saturday (10.30am-2.00pm) and Sunday (11.00am–2.00pm).
WWII and Local Military History Trivia
6.30pm at Rocky Creek Igloo on Frazer Road, Tolga.
Enjoy a fun night with friends and local historians with prizes awarded for each round. Food van and cash bar. Tickets are $12/person and tables of eight are also available. Book your seat by Friday 8 August.
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/vp-day-trivia-tickets-1409787746099?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
SATURDAY 16 AUGUST
WWII History Tour
8.30am-1pm. Enjoy an historical bus tour of training and camp sites.
$70 adult and $60 concession and child including morning tea. Seats are limited. Phone 1300 366 361 or 0414 360 049 to book.
Family Commemoration
2.30pm-4pm at Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, Kennedy Highway, Tolga.
Hear from family members unveiling plaques of their loved one who saw active duty during WWII.
WWII Dinner Dance
5.30pm-late at Rocky Creek Igloo on Frazer Road, Tolga.
Enjoy a sumptuous two-course meal and 1940s jazz swing band Carruthers and Others.
Tickets (tablelandsregionalcouncil.eventbrite.com) are $80/person. Book by Friday 8 August.
www.eventbrite.com.au/e/vp-day-dinner-dance-tickets-1409865709289?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
SUNDAY 17 AUGUST
Victory in the Pacific Memorial Service
9.30am-12noon at Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, Kennedy Highway, Tolga.
The dedication and unveiling of plaques commences at 9.30am and then gather at 10.15am for a 10.30am start of the VP Day Memorial Service, followed by a barbecue lunch for purchase at the Rocky Creek Igloo, Frazer Road, Tolga.
Twelve individual plaques will be dedicated and unveiled including a plaque recognising the Victorian Cross recipients 1 Australian Field Hospital and three women services – Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS), Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) and Women’s Australian Auxiliary Air Force (WAAAF).
RSVP online (www.trc.qld.gov.au/rsvp-vp-day), to trcevents@trc.qld.gov.au or 1300 363 342 by Monday 11 August if you would like to lay a wreath.
Military vehicles, historians and re-enactors will be on display.
The speed limit on the Kennedy Highway near the entrance to the memorial park will be reduced to 60km/h at 9am-12.30pm.
