Anzac forum raises questions

Next year’s event commemorating the departure of the first convoy from Albany to World War I will not be a re-enactment and could involve as few as four ships.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs WA deputy commissioner Peter King said the Federal Government was planning on gathering between four and six Australian and New Zealand naval vessels in Princess Royal Harbour, and “possibly” King George Sound.

The first convoy of 36 ships gathered in the sound before leaving for the war on November 1, 1914.

Mr King said the Royal New Zealand Navy had confirmed its participation this week and other countries, including Britain and Japan, had been invited but had not responded.

“The purpose of November 1 is to commemorate what took place on that day, not so much to re-enact it but to commemorate it,” he said.

Mr King was speaking at a well-attended community forum on Tuesday evening, conducted to update the community on the progress of the Anzac Interpretive Centre, as well as plans for the convoy event and other associated events.

There were six speakers; RSL State president Graham Edwards, Eventscorp executive director Gwyn Dolphin, WA Museum Chief executive Alec Coles, City of Albany chief executive Graham Foster, Mr King and Department of the Premier and Cabinet national commemorative events State director Richard Muirhead.

Mr Muirhead unveiled a preliminary design by Peter Hunt Architects for the interpretive centre and said construction would begin by November this year and be complete by August 31 next year.

He said it would be a conventional build with the design expected to be finished before construction began, despite indications last month the design would not be finalised before the build started.

In response to questions about who would run the centre and how it would support itself financially, Mr Muirhead said “nobody had the answers”.

Mr Coles, who is overseeing the interpretive component of the centre, said the speed of the project was “terrifying”.

He said while details of the content were not finalised, there would be four overall themes; “convoy, conflict, consequence and caring”.

Mr Dolphin said the recently formed events committee he chairs would take a co-ordinating role among the Albany community rather than deliver outcomes itself.

A lengthy public question period followed the speakers.

John Robertson questioned why the Federal Government did not want a re-enactment.

Whale World’s Peter Snow questioned why a cafe would not be included at the interpretive centre and said it would be a “tragedy” if the view was not taken advantage of, commenting many people came to Whale World for the view alone.

Geoffrey Fairclough said, to a round of applause, that the historic Town Hall bells should be switched back on for significant events.

Cathie Denehy said social media should be better utilised and measures taken to attract people unsuccessful in the Gallipoli dawn service ballot to Albany.

Mr Muirhead welcomed the comments and committed to holding another community forum in six months.