Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict

Published on 12 May 2021

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A new exhibition from the Shrine of Remembrance, Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict, interweaves stories of migrants from war-torn countries and recent veterans of overseas service, reflecting the range and depth of experiences of conflict.

Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict will be officially opened by Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor at 2pm on Saturday 15 May. 

At 1pm all are welcome to attend a free guided tour through the exhibition with an exhibition storyteller and a co-curator from the Shrine of Remembrance.

Then at 2pm, the official exhibition opening will be held at Tren Du Bourg Hall (adjacent to Central Goldfields Art Gallery). Shrine of Remembrance CEO Dean Lee will be the guest speaker. Devonshire tea will be provided by the Zonta Club of Central Goldfields.

The exhibition is based on a collection of oral histories undertaken by the Shrine with Australian Defence Force veterans of recent conflicts and peacekeeping operations, and migrants to Australia who have come here because of conflict.

Their stories are about loss and reconciliation— loss of lives, of identity, of loved ones, of community and for some, a loss of moral certainty. They explore reconciliation between the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and the civilian community, and between veterans and their sometimes-estranged families and friends.

For migrants, reconciliation between a past they can never retrieve, and the challenges and rewards of their new community.

Through paintings, sculpture, music, multimedia, poetry and photographs, these personal stories illustrate the effect of global and civil conflict on our society today.

Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said this poignant exhibition will be a coup for the local community.

“We are incredibly luckily to be partnering with the Shrine of Remembrance to bring Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict to the Central Goldfields Shire. This exhibition will no doubt be popular with locals and visitors alike and I am very excited to be launching this moving exhibition.”

Shrine of Remembrance CEO Dean Lee said the Shrine is proud to be showing its exhibition at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery.

“We’re delighted that Changed Forever: Legacies of Conflict continues its journey at Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough, and we’re proud to share the compelling stories of members of the defence force alongside the stories of recent migrants to Australia, reflecting the full impact of war in our society today,” he said.

The Shrine of Remembrance will offer a range of free education and community programs while the exhibition is on display.  Interested community groups are encouraged to contact the Gallery to make a booking.

All are welcome to attend the exhibition opening. Bookings can be made online through https://linktr.ee/CGArtGallery or by phoning the gallery Tel: 03 5461 6600 or emailing cgsc.art@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au

The exhibition will be on display until 11 July 2021. Central Goldfields Art Gallery is open from Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.

Central Goldfields Art Gallery is at the Old Fire Station, 1 Neill Street Maryborough. Telephone 03 5461 6600.