Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP, has congratulated the Toogoolawah and District History Group Inc. following the successful launch of their “An End to Conflict” project on Saturday.

The project, funded largely by a $10,089 grant through the Federal Armistice Centenary Grants Programme (ACGP), is made up of a commemoration event, memorabilia display and memorial plaque.

The event, themed ‘celebrating a just and secure peace’ was held in McConnell Park, in the grounds of the Toogoolawah War Memorial.

The plaque was unveiled with local representatives including Mr Neumann, Mayor Graeme Lehmann and Group Captain Kathleen Pyne from the Amberley RAAF Base.

The memorabilia display is themed ‘An End to Conflict’ and is being hosted by the Somerset Regional Art Gallery – the Condensery – in Toogoolawah until 9 December.

The project aims to remember and honour the significance of WWI, celebrate local heroes of the time, and introduce the history of Australia’s role and achievements to younger generations.

The exhibit gives some insight into what it was like to live in Australia and the Somerset Region in the early twentieth century while the country was at war, with items from the time kindly loaned for the exhibit.

The internationally-recognised Canadian-born-turned-Somerset-local artist Merton Chambers has art on display, as well as works from Linville WWI soldier and cartoonist, Tom Cross.

Renowned Queensland artists, Christine Just and Jayne Hodge, worked with the local community to produce an eye-catching poppy installation for the exhibition.

The display will also include various items of significance to the people of Somerset including medals, photographs, letters, uniforms and information regarding Dr Edith Fox, the Esk Hospital, The Australian Cycle Corp and Light Horsemen as well as various other well-known Somerset families.

The project commemorates the life of decorated local airman Major R. Stanley Dallas who was born just north of Toogoolawah and perished in Liévin, France, while aiding a British Airman in 1918.

The ACGP provides grants of between $3,000 and $50,000 for local community-based projects and activities that commemorate the end of the First World War, remembering Australian service men and women from all conflicts, and celebrate a just and secure peace.