The Collection consists of all objects held by the Museum as well as all objects contained within the memorial tower and the grounds. The collection has grown substantially in size and scope since the establishment of the museum in 1927 and now includes objects from every war in which Australia has served from the mid-1800s to the present day. To read the Rocky Hill War Memorial Collection Policy, click here.
Most significant collections held by the museum:
CEW Bean collection – an extensive WW1 war trophy collection allocated to Goulburn following WW1 by the Australian War Records Office. The initial allocations arrived in 1920 and 1922 – additional items were sought by the Town Clerk in preparation for the opening of the museum and these arrived in 1927.
Changi Prison objects – in 2003 the museum sought Commonwealth Ministerial assistance to obtain artefacts from Changi Prison on the announcement it was to be demolished. The request was granted in 2004 when a prison cell door and lock, a brass cell number plate, and a 1 x 1 metre section of the perimeter wall were donated and transported to Goulburn. Relics from Changi prison are only held in 3 museums worldwide, the other 2 being the Australian War Memorial in Canberra (not on display) and the Imperial War Museums in London. These items are complemented by objects and experiences from local service personnel interned as POWs at Changi during WW2.
Other notable collections held by the museum:
Weaponry – a substantial collection of weaponry from WW1 and WW2 including large artillery, firearms, bayonets, swords and ammunition.
Photographs – a wide ranging collection primarily from WW1 and WW2 including many unique personal photographs taken by soldiers.
Textiles – the majority are from WW2; the collection also includes uniforms from 1817 (British Army), WW1, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Letters and small personal objects – primarily WW2 with additional objects from all wars including the Crimean War 1853-1856; the Soudan War 1878; the Boer War 1899-1902; WW1, WW2, the Korean War; Vietnam; the Gulf War; Afghanistan and Iraq.
Badges and Military Awards – from across all wars from the Crimean War through to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Books – the museum holds a large collection of books, primarily non-fiction, that depict all wars and in some cases specific battles, people, and weaponry. Some books are extremely rare or unique.
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