ANZAC Illumination a first for region

A light display on the wall of The Barossa Council’s Nuriootpa office will honour the service and sacrifice of our Anzacs.

Supported by a grant from the Government of South Australia, images of local service men and women will be projected onto the building, accompanied by a community-created art display.

Mayor Bim Lange said the display is a first for the region and will run from April 20 to 26 as part of the region’s ANZAC Day commemorations.

“The project engaged local youth, veterans’ groups and historical societies in a shared act of remembrance which also fosters intergenerational connection,” said Mayor Lange who thanked everyone involved.

Barossa Public Library and Regional Gallery, together with Angaston & Penrice Historical Society; Eden Valley History Society, Lyndoch & District Historical Society and historians from Bethany, Lyndoch and Mount Pleasant helped with research. Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Mount Pleasant RSL sub-branches were also involved, supplying images and information.

Angaston 2nd Scout Group Leader Phillip Lord said children ranging from 5 to 14 years of age have worked on the artwork for the installation on the lawns in front of the Council building.

"As a Scout Group, it’s a great way for all youth across every section to connect with ANZAC Day through hands-on creativity," said Phillip.

"Using mixed materials, they have been allowed to express what service and remembrance mean to them in their own way. From poppies, silhouettes and wreaths to pioneering structures. It’s about coming together to create something meaningful for our community while showing respect and learning through doing.

The Boer War, World Wars One and Two; Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Conflict, Vietnam, Greater Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan are represented in the illumination.

Twenty-three local servicemen and women feature in the illumination, plus Tanunda RSL Affiliate Member and Vice President, Patsy Biscoe who is shown singing to the troops in Vietnam

“I flew to Vietnam as part of a concert party in the early seventies,” Patsy recalls.

“It was an extraordinary experience which moved me profoundly as, during the plane trip to Vietnam and also during our concert tour, I befriended so many keen young men who’d been called up to National Service.”

Patsy is one of several RSL members still living in the Barossa today whose images will be projected on the building, including Major David Babbage, Sapper Robert Nitschke, Private Les Fisher, Corporal Brad Howship.

A QR code installed onsite as part of the exhibition will enable viewers to read their stories and discover more.