The story of our
Northern
Anzacs
T
he release of Northern Anzacs - How the First World War
Shaped Far North Queensland is the result of 12 months
of research, discussions and writing for local authors Pauline
O'Keeffe and Gordon Grimwade. Officially launched at the
Cairns Museum in June, the book will be launched on the
Tablelands on 19 July at the Atherton Library.
After the production of three Anzac Trail flyers for Tablelands
Regional Council, Mareeba Shire Council and Cairns
Regional Council, and other research on military history in
the north, it became evident to Pauline and Gordon that a
book was necessary to capture the multitude of stories and
war contributions of the Far North. They were successful
in securing a grant from the Queensland Government
Queensland Advisory Committee for the Commemoration
of the Anzac Centenary through the Spirit of Service grant
program. Further financial support was provided by Cairns
Regional and Mareeba Shire Councils plus a grant from the
Tablelands Regional Council Regional Arts Development
Fund.
Over 1,500 northerners enlisted to serve in the First World
War which represented a significant percentage of the North
Queensland population at the time. With so many volunteers
and stories, Gordon and Pauline both recognised the most
difficult part of the project determining which important
stories to leave out. "With so much material to choose from,
our goal was to ensure the book represented a good cross-
section of stories from the Navy, Air Force, as many Army
units as possible, nurses, doctors, indigenous and foreign-
born volunteers" says Gordon.
As the Manager of the Imaging Department at Cairns
Historical Society, Pauline has always had an interest in
history. Her interest in the First World War piqued when she
came across the story of a local soldier who died at war — his
mother only found out about his death after she received a
letter from the Defence department asking if she knew of a
closer next of kin to the deceased than her! In 2014 Pauline
also planned and produced a photographic exhibition
entitled FNQ Remembers the First World War.
Gordon has been involved in a number of historical military
projects in North Queensland including work with Green Hill
Fort, Thursday Island and its late 19th century fortifications,
Second World War installations on Horn Island, Irvinebank's
trophy gun restoration project to name a few.
Many war stories are often grim, but Gordon likes the stories
that bring some humanity and humour to an otherwise dark
period. One such story is of Ernest "Digger" Hole who later
settled in Kairi. Whilst in Gallipoli Cove awaiting transport
to go ashore, he noticed fish in the water—stunned by
the explosives hitting the water. A self-confessed larrikin,
10 What’s On & Where To Go July 2018
Gordon Grimwade and Pauline O'Keeffe. Photo: Steven Nowakowski
"Digger" dived in the water and caught fish so that the crew
could have fresh fish for dinner!
Northern Anzacs offers an insight into life in Far North
Queensland before, during and after the First World War and
is a wonderful resource for all ages. The authors hope that
those who read the book will have an understanding of the
sacrifices made by this region and the effects of war and
subsquent development of regional Australia.
TABLELANDS LAUNCH:
10.30am, Thursday 19 July 2018
Atherton Library,16 Robert Street, Atherton
RSVP: Friday 13 July 2018 to Atherton Library 4089 2247
• Light refreshments will be served •