For Country, for Nation

Media release – Issued Friday 16 April 2021

Locals and visitors to Launceston will have the opportunity to view the Australian War Memorial’s touring exhibition For Country, for Nation.

The first Memorial exhibition dedicated to exploring First Nation stories of military service opens on 17 April 2021 at the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery as it continues a three-year tour around Australia, visiting 11 different cities and towns.

The exhibition houses 48 works of art by more than 30 artists. Six Australian artists were commissioned by the Memorial to create works especially for the exhibition.

Memorial Director Mr Matt Anderson said For Country, for Nation is one of the most significant exhibitions developed by the Memorial in recent times. 

“Over the past three years, For Country, for Nation has travelled great distances to provide an opportunity for all to honour and reflect on the service of First Nations people. First Nations service has been present during every conflict our country engaged in; the For Country, for Nation exhibition highlights the stories and sacrifices as told by those who served, and those who continue to serve our Defence Force with pride,” Mr Anderson said.

QVMAG General Manager of Arts and Cultural Services Tracy Puklowski said the Launceston community should take the opportunity to see this landmark exhibition.

“We are so proud to bring For Country, for Nation to Launceston. The exhibition shares the experience of military service from a previously unheard perspective. We know that visitors will absolutely be moved by stories told through personal accounts and cultural memories in archival material and visual art.” Ms Tracy Puklowski said. 

Jane Murray, Head of Exhibitions at the Australian War Memorial, said For Country, for Nation guides visitors through six different themes designed to tell the story of Australia’s First Nations service history.

“Unlike other exhibitions, the stories are told from the perspective of First Nations people, with many shared through first-person voice,” Ms Murray said.

The exhibition covers multiple themes and stories, including that of Lance Corporal John Hill of the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion, who served in the Second World War alongside his brothers Roy and Harold. John was captured during the fall of Singapore; Roy piloted Lancasters in RAF Bomber Command; and Harold served in HMAS Perth before becoming a prisoner of war and working on the Burma-Thailand Railway.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program; we kindly acknowledge the support of International Arts Services Australia.

For Country, for Nation is on display at the Museum at Inveresk until 17 July 2021.