From Melbourne to Mallacoota, this trail explores the ways in which Gippslanders, and Australians in

general, ‘answered the call’, and the ways in which they served. It is a great way to discover the sites, memorials, cemeteries and museums of Gippsland; each unique and

important in its own way.

Your journey starts at the final resting place of veterans of the First and Second World Wars, the Springvale War Cemetery. The trail then takes you through the eastern part of the state, exploring

memorials, artefacts, historical documents - even a WWII bunker! Many museums focus on specific areas such as the role of the horse

in warfare, or the contested views regarding the Vietnam War, while others such as the Armed Forces Museum concentrate on the military heritage of the Gippsland Region. War memorabilia in the many museums is diverse, with artefacts dating back to the Boer

War in South Africa at the turn of the twentieth century.

From a moving sculpture acknowledging the comradeship between Australian and South Vietnamese soldiers, to Australia’s WWII involvement in Papua New Guinea, and a memorial at Wilsons

Promontory commemorating the ‘birthplace’ of the commando in Australia, this trail has something for everyone.

1 SRINGVALE WAR CEMETERY Land fit for heroesThe cemetery set aside two acres during WWII, primarily for soldiers who died after returning from service overseas. A register recording the names of all buried is available. Behind the Cross of Sacrifice, unveiled in 1948, is the Victoria Cremation Memorial. The Necropolis contains

burial sites from both World Wars, and the Crematorium also commemorates servicemen.North Drive, Springvale Necropolis, Springvale.

2 DANDENONG RSL PRECINCT Side by sideTwo soldiers, one Australian the other South Vietnamese, strive and endure together in a moving sculpture by Lis Johnson. At this, the only known memorial to South Vietnamese soldiers in Victoria, you will also see ‘Huey’ a medical evacuation helicopter. Huey commemorates

the Australian– American alliance.44 Clow Street, Dandenong.

3 RUNNING RABBITS MUSEUM Who were the rabbits and why did they run?

During WWII, the ‘Running Rabbits’ fought bravely to prevent the Japanese from advancing along the Kokoda Track and capturing Port Moresby. Find out why General Blamey advised his troops not to run ‘like rabbits’– and the anger this provoked. The museum contains extensive wartime memorabilia,

including items donated by HMAS Sydney and Vietnam Veteran associations. 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey. Open Thu 10-12 & Sun 10-12, or by appointment: (03) 9754 3665.

4 LIGHTHORSE MUSEUM The unsung heroes of warHorses, their courage and contribution to war, take centre stage. Horse-drawn vehicles from WWI are on display, many of which feature in Anzac Day parades today. There is even Wiles Catering Equipment, carried to the front by pack animals. The extensive collection includes stories of several Victorian Cross recipients.

200 Bessie Creek Road, Nar Nar Goon North. Open daily 9-5.

100 places for 100 yearsGIPPSLAND

VICTORIAN WAR HERITAGE TRAILS

100 places for 100 years - Victorian War Heritage Trails commemorates the Anzac Centenary. An App and a series

of complementary brochures guide visitors to important war memorials across Victoria by way of eight tour routes from North- West Victoria to Central Melbourne to Gippsland.

The free App may be downloaded via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The brochures and fold out maps detailing the eight tour routes may be downloaded at

http://anzaccentenary.vic.gov.au

The Anzac Centenary provides an opportunity to acknowledge Australia’s contribution to war and the impacts

it had on our nation. 100 places for 100 years enables us to reflect on Anzac traditions and consider the contribution

of all Victorians. Between 2014 and 2018 Victoria will join global commemorations to mark the centenary of the

First World War.

5 VIETNAM VETERANS MUSEUM The war that divided the nation60,000 Australians served in Vietnam from 1962-1975: 521 died and 3,000 were wounded. Veterans returned to a mixed reception as war opposition grew. The museum tells personal stories of the Vietnam War, its true impact on veterans’ health, and the impact of the war on Australian

society. Highlights of the collection include a Centurion tank, and an AH-1G Huey Cobra Gunship.25 Veterans Drive, Newhaven, Phillip Island. Open Wed-Mon 10-5.

6 AUSTRALIAN COMMANDO MEMORIAL Wilsons Promontory – commando training ground

This memorial commemorates the ‘birthplace of the commando in Australia’ and all commandos who died in WWII. In 1941 Australia trained four commando units in the rugged terrain of Wilsons Promontory. Training was hard, conditions spartan and rations meagre.

Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory National Park.

7 ARMED FORCES MUSEUM Supporting the nation in times of needLocated on a working aerodrome established in WWII, this impressive museum highlights the contributions of the people of Gippsland to our armed services. A Macchi training jet, Beaufort Bomber cockpit and a WWI war diary are on display, alongside the award-winning exhibit “Dad’s Army Stuff”.

West Sale Airport. Open Sat-Mon 10-4, or by appointment: (03) 5144 5500.

8 WWII BUNKER MUSEUM A vital link in coastal surveillanceA windowless, vaulted concrete structure, this bunker was a control centre for anti-submarine operations in WWII. Staffed around the clock, information on coastal movements was sent to Melbourne via a transmission station. The bunker was restored and opened as a museum in 2002, highlighting

Mallacoota’s unique contribution to WWII.Betka Road, Mallacoota. Open Tue 9:30-11:30.SCALE (km) 0 50

31

2 47

8

6

5

YEA

HEALSVILLE

WARBURTONLILYDALE

DANDENONG

FRANKSTON

WONTHAGGI

COWS

WILSONS PROMONTORY NATIONAL PARK

SALETRARALGON

YARRAM

LEONGATHA

FOSTER

WARRAGUL

LAKES ENTRANCE

BAIRNSDALE

ORBOST

OMEO

NAGAMBIE

MELBOURNE

WERRIBEE

SUNBURYMALLACOOTA

Grea

t Divi

ng R

ange

MANSFIELD

YEA

HEALSVILLE

WARBURTONLILYDALE

DANDENONG

FRANKSTON

WONTHAGGI

COWS

WILSONS PROMONTORY NATIONAL PARK

SALETRARALGON

YARRAM

LEONGATHA

FOSTER

WARRAGUL

LAKES ENTRANCE

BAIRNSDALE

ORBOST

OMEO

NAGAMBIE

MELBOURNE

WERRIBEE

SUNBURYMALLACOOTA

Grea

t Divi

ng R

ange

MANSFIELD

Port Phillip Bay

Bass Strait

M1

M1

M3

M31

A1

A420

C444

C443C442

C446

B460

B420A440

C482

B500

B500

C620 A1

A1

A1

GENOA RD

PRINCES HWY

PRINCES HWY

WIL

LUN

G RD

GORMANDALE-STRADBROKE RD

HYL

AND

RD

SOUTH GIPPSLAND HWY

BASS HWY

STH GIPPSLAND

HW

Y

3

1

24

LILYDALE

LILYDALE

FRANKSTON

LILYDALE

BERWICK

FRANKSTON

M3

M1

GORMANDALE-STRADBROKE RD

HYL

AND

RD

BASS HWY

KOO

WEE

RUP

RD

PRINCES FWY

NAR

RE W

ARRE

N N

TH R

D

CREEK RDBESSIE

BELGRAVE HALLAM RD

BURWOOD HWY

NAPOL

EO

N RD

STUD

RDPRINCES HW

Y

MONASH FWY

SPRI

NGV

ALE

RD

WES

TERN

PO

RT H

WY

EAST

LIN

K

EASTERN FWY

MONASH FWY

PRINCES HWY