Private Ernie Atkinson engraved this German shell and gave it to Parkes Historical Society after his return to Parkes. While the detail doesn’t show up brilliantly in the photograph, the engraving has been skilfully performed. Item on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society.

The “Snowball marches”, which began with the ‘Cooee’ at Gilgandra and included the ‘Boomerang’ march in Parkes, are often re-enacted. This book by Denis Chamberlain, details the initial march and is used when organising re-enactment marches. The next re-enactment march is scheduled for October 31st 2015

Crocheted poppy. Making items was a widespread commitment from women everywhere, not just in the Parkes Shire. The sound of knitting needles clacking away were heard in cinemas, at work places and even in some churches. Item on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society.

Montage of memorial plaques that are located on the grounds of Parkes High School. Item on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society

Photograph of the different memorial sites within the Parkes Shire. Item on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society.

Focusing on the ‘Boomerang’ march in 1916 which started in Parkes. These pages are from Parkes: A Photographic History by Ian Chambers. Parkes Shire Library has two copies of this excellent book, one available for members to borrow and another reference copy in the Family & Local History room.

Close up of the ‘Boomerang’ march in 1916 which started in Parkes. These pages are from Parkes: A Photographic History by Ian Chambers.

One of the lasting legacies from Australia’s involvement in both World Wars was the way in which communities united to collaborate to assist the soldiers. Apart from “snowball marches”, food and clothing parcels there were also special days organised, to raise awareness of the impact of the war to locals who were thousands of miles away (and long before the internet and instant images and news). This was a photograph taken on “France Day” outside a newsagency in Parkes. The photograph is from Parkes: A Photographic History by Ian Chambers

Highlighting just some of the enormous effort that women had during the two world wars. Crocheted poppy and Australian Women’s Land Army poster on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society. Photograph of Bogan Gate Red Cross is from Gateway to the Bogan by C R Judson – Parkes Shire Library has two copies of this book, one in public catalogue and another reference copy in the Family & Local History room. Photograph of Australian Red Cross woman is from wikimedia commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/ To read more about the community effort during World War 1 in the Parkes Shire click here

Close up of poster for Australian Women’s Land Army. Item on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society

Photograph of Bogan Gate Red Cross members taken outside of the Commercial Bank Building during the 1914-1918 War Back row (left to right): Maude Pett, Mrs Schofield, Elsie Rowson, Mrs Stack, Mrs R Hodges, Joe Haylock, Mrs Coster, Pearl Coombs, Mrs Ferguson, ?. Front row: Mrs Solling, Mrs Black, Mac Magill, Mrs Magill, Kitty Hood, Mrs Herbert and Mrs Coombs. Photograph is from Gateway to the Bogan by C R Judson (Editor) and Parkes Shire Library has two copies – one of public catalogue for borrowing and another reference copy in the Family & Local History room.

Close up photograph of Peak Hill’s “Cheerio Girls” from 1914-1918 war. The “Cheerio Girls” arranged send-off and welcome home parties to all boys who enlisted from Peak Hill. Back Row (left to right): Iris Crowhurst, Elsie Glasson, Adeline Hand, Nita Hand, Phoebe Hand, Hilda Mitchell, Flo James, Leila Newbigging. Third Row: Carrie Crowhurst, Ethel Newbigging, Ella Stafford, Stella Graham. Second Row: Beck Barnett, Ella Mitchell, Myra Howard, Dulc Mitchell, Bun Yeo. Front Row: Thelma Lampe, May Crowhurst, Cys Robertson, Dorothy Newbigging, Linda Barnett, Eileen Stafford. Photograph is from A History of Peak Hill and District by Charles B Chappel (Editor) and copies of this book can be found at Parkes Library, Trundle Library and a reference copy in the Family & Local History room.

Each town within Parkes shire comes together on ANZAC Day to remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this country. Anzac Day Memorial services are well attended and physical memorial sites are well maintained and visited frequently.

Photograph of War Savings Certificates, Boomerang marches through Parkes and the local response to announcement of World War 1 being declared.

A copy of a War Savings Certificate that was issued in Peak Hill. There are two in the display and both were kindly donated to Parkes Shire Library by Joyce Stanford and Judy Barter. War Savings Certificates were a way for the Australian Government to raise much needed funds to support the war, and also for people unable to fight to contribute to the war effort. The best way to explain the concept of a war savings certificate to a younger audience is this – it’s like a gift card but with compound interest. These War Savings Certificates were purchased in 1940 for 16 shillings (16s 0d) which is approximately AUD$1.60 in today’s currency. After seven years the certificate could be exchanged at the bank of issue for cash – these certificates are for one pound (£1) or approximately AUD$2 today (source Reserve Bank of Australia Pre-decimal Inflation Calculator http://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualPreDecimal.html)

Reproduction from The Story of Trundle: A Country Town and its People by Janice P Watts and Chas F Wright. Copies of this book can be found in Parkes Library, Trundle Library, Tullamore Library and a reference copy in the Family & Local History room. To read more about the local reaction to outbreak of First World War click here

Angled view of display within Parkes Shire Library

Display case containing items on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society. Inside are two artillery shells (one engraved in France during First World War), a copy of Ian Chambers’ book Parkes: A Photographic History (belongs to Parkes Shire Library), newspaper clippings, War Service records and an Anzac biscuit and recipes.

War Service records of a soldier from the local area, which include the colours attached to uniform and the stamps of medals awarded. Item on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society.

Anzac biscuit (or some in the Parkes shire called them Anzac tiles) along with the recipe and eating suggestions. The Anzac biscuit was a three meals into one super food, and quite different from the biscuit that gets made today (both commercially and homemade). While it is enclosed and cannot be touched, this Anzac biscuit is quite tough and definitely not a chewy snack. Items on loan courtesy of Parkes Historical Society.