Atherton Tablelands World War II Historical Tour

20/07/2025

The Victory in the Pacific Memorial Service will be held on Sunday 17 August at the Rocky Creek War Memorial Park near Tolga.

The dedication and unveiling of twelve plaques commences at 9.30am, and then gather at 10.15am for a 10.30am start of the VP Day Memorial Service, followed by a barbecue lunch for purchase at the Rocky Creek Igloo, Frazer Road, Tolga.

RSVP to [email protected], 1300 363 342 or online 👉 trc.qld.gov.au/rsvp-vp-day by Monday 11 August if you would like to lay a wreath.

Military vehicles, historians and re-enactors will be on display.

Find more Victory in the Pacific activities and events 👉 trc.qld.gov.au/80-years-of-vp-day.

16/07/2025

Today’s tour was a really great bunch of people! We all had a delicious meal together at The Tolga Pub.
A variety of units were represented today. 🌺
2/5 Infantry Battalion
77 Dental unit
4 Field Ambulance
120 General Transport Company
2/28 Infantry Battalion
5 Mechanical Equipment Company
14/32 Infantry Battalion

13/07/2025

Some photos from our tours and charters.
Come join us!
Booking is essential to ensure your seat!
Phone: 1300 366 361 to book
Enquiry: 0414 360 049

12/07/2025

SPONSOR FOUND! Thank you Far Northern District RSL for supporting this project. 👏👏👏

⚠️ LOOKING FOR FINANCIAL SPONSORSHIP FOR ART EXHIBITION 🙏

Recently we were gifted a collection of art by Captain Ian McBain -cartoonist and creator of this extraordinary window. The collection includes McBain's private sketches created during WW2 and has only been viewed by his family.

This year we are assisting with the commemorative activities of Victory in the Pacific - 80 years since Japanese surrender. Held on the 15, 16 and 17 August. We would like to exhibit this art in the Rocky Creek Igloo and honor McBain's work.

If you would like to financially assist, please send us a message and we can provide details on how to do so.
🙏 Thank you, Nicole

~ Some information about 'The Window'.

Designed and created by Captain Ian McBain. Royal Aust Engineers the Chapel was built at HQ 1 CORPS, 2nd AIF, Barrine for the Protestant faith.

Stained glass? This unique chapel had a portable imitation-stained glass window painted on white duck canvas.
McBain's role was to camouflage camps/vehicles from the air. Prior to the army he was a cartoonist with the 'Courier Mail' and a qualified architect. He offered to create the feature window for the chapel.

The ‘Window’ was 9 ft high, 7 ft wide, made from duck canvas and padded waste cotton forming the frame. Sewing was done by the 'Parachute Recovery Unit' at Wongabel. Black chassis paint was sourced for the imitation lead and soft lead pencil and waterproof mapping ink was used for the paint colours. The ‘opalescent’ look was created with diluted castor oil.

Inscriptions on each panel read:
Dedicated to the brave and true
Lo I am with you alway,
1Aust Corps A.I.F
Captain McBain found inspiration from hymn music provided by gramophone and painted on site. The result was beautiful and admired by many. The chapel lights meant the window looked exceptional by night.

When the time came to move camp to Morotai, the 'Window' was packed with great care. No churches had been built at the time, so it was decided to build a non-denominated chapel to be used by all. It became the 'Holy Trinity Chapel', furthermore, was designed by Captain Ian McBain.

The ‘Window’ is now located at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
📸 Source: Australian War Memorial 087796

08/07/2025

‼️A change of date booking has opened up‼️
Give us a call for this Wednesadays tour as bookings are filling fast and limited season .
Call 1300366361 or drop us a DM to book now!

04/07/2025

🌺80TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC
🌺SAVE THE DATE - weekend of 15-17 August 2025
Bookings for Friday Trivia and Saturday WW2 dinner dance can be made via:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/tablelands-regional-council-31809515779

04/07/2025

Have you secured your seat yet? Tours are filling fast, and bookings are essential.
Call 1300 366 361 to book or 0414 360 049 for enquiries.

26/06/2025

Did you have a family member that served in New Guinea during WW2? They most likely trained in jungle warfare on the Atherton Tableland.

🌺2025 half day bus tours of WW2 training and campsites are commencing Wednesdays in July and early August.

Highlights include:
Training and campsites of the 6th 7th and 9th Division
Ordnance and ammunition depot area
Rocky Creek Hospital sites and entertainment igloo
Rocky Creek War Memorial Park
Tolga Museum
Atherton Commonwealth War Cemetery

☎️Enquiries can be made by calling Nicole 0414 360 049
☎️Bookings can be made by calling 1300 366 361
💲Cost: $60 concession/child $70 adult
🫖Tour includes morning tea and bus
🌺We are volunteers and not for profit

📅Tour dates - bookings are essential
Wednesday 2 July - fully booked
Wednesday 9 July
Wednesday 16 July
Wednesday 23 July
Wednesday 30 July

Wednesday 6 August - limited
Saturday 16 August - heavily booked

15/06/2025

⚠️ LOOKING FOR FINANCIAL SPONSORSHIP FOR ART EXHIBITION 🙏

Recently we were gifted a collection of art by Captain Ian McBain -cartoonist and creator of this extraordinary window. The collection includes McBain's private sketches created during WW2 and has only been viewed by his family.

This year we are assisting with the commemorative activities of Victory in the Pacific - 80 years since Japanese surrender. Held on the 15, 16 and 17 August. We would like to exhibit this art in the Rocky Creek Igloo and honor McBain's work.

If you would like to financially assist, please send us a message and we can provide details on how to do so.
🙏 Thank you, Nicole

~ Some information about 'The Window'.

Designed and created by Captain Ian McBain. Royal Aust Engineers the Chapel was built at HQ 1 CORPS, 2nd AIF, Barrine for the Protestant faith.

Stained glass? This unique chapel had a portable imitation-stained glass window painted on white duck canvas.
McBain's role was to camouflage camps/vehicles from the air. Prior to the army he was a cartoonist with the 'Courier Mail' and a qualified architect. He offered to create the feature window for the chapel.

The ‘Window’ was 9 ft high, 7 ft wide, made from duck canvas and padded waste cotton forming the frame. Sewing was done by the 'Parachute Recovery Unit' at Wongabel. Black chassis paint was sourced for the imitation lead and soft lead pencil and waterproof mapping ink was used for the paint colours. The ‘opalescent’ look was created with diluted castor oil.

Inscriptions on each panel read:
Dedicated to the brave and true
Lo I am with you alway,
1Aust Corps A.I.F
Captain McBain found inspiration from hymn music provided by gramophone and painted on site. The result was beautiful and admired by many. The chapel lights meant the window looked exceptional by night.

When the time came to move camp to Morotai, the 'Window' was packed with great care. No churches had been built at the time, so it was decided to build a non-denominated chapel to be used by all. It became the 'Holy Trinity Chapel', furthermore, was designed by Captain Ian McBain.

The ‘Window’ is now located at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
📸 Source: Australian War Memorial 087796

06/06/2025