Albany opens eyes to Anzacs
Set on an Albany hilltop overlooking the vast coastline that was the last sight of Australia for many Australian and New Zealand soldiers of World War I is a building dedicated to telling the story that shaped a nation's identity.
Today, The West Australian can reveal the first images from inside the highly anticipated new National Anzac Centre on the edge of Mt Adelaide.
It is the first glimpse inside the $10 million building, which will open officially on November 1 after years of planning - not without controversy.
Described as the jewel in the crown that is Albany Heritage Park, the NAC is the first interpretive centre of its kind and calibre in Australia.
ANZAC CENTENARY - FULL COVERAGE
Visitors will get an identity card of one of 24 Australians, six New Zealanders, a Turk or a German, characters who were intricately researched.
They will then be guided by the card to discover each character's personal journey.
That journey will begin with recruitment and continue through a first-person account of the horror of the conflict.
It will finish at a place of remembrance such as the pool of reflection, which will constantly screen the names of the 41,265 Australians and New Zealanders who left Albany in the convoys of November and December 1914.
Packed into a relatively small space, just 300sqm, is an enormous amount of emotion, according to WA Museum creative and regional development director James Dexter.
"It's going from the beginning with the 'yahoo' at signing up and then going through an incredibly awful experience, especially through the Western Front," he said.
"It's almost like your emotions become claustrophobic . . . but then you come through to remembering the concept of Anzac Day and commemoration."
Having a panoramic view of King George Sound contributed to an intense sense of place, that played a role in evoking those emotions, Mr Dexter said.
Another layer of history is provided through exhibited artefacts, including a small wristwatch given to Albany's Pte Humfray Hassell of the 10th Light Horse Regiment, who was killed in the infamous charge at the Nek in August 1915.
Other rare and expensive items include a gold cigarette case given by Turkish leader Kemal Ataturk to Australian prime minister Stanley Bruce, one of only three known Lewis guns in the Australian collection and a small whistle once used by an Australian officer to effectively summon the death of the enemy.
