| Place | Oceania: New Guinea1, Papua New Guinea, Madang Province, Madang |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P02257.017 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white |
| Physical description | Black & white |
| Maker |
Griffiths, Allen |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Madang, New Guinea, 1945-12. A large mural which forms part of the Christmas decorations in the ...
Description
Madang, New Guinea, 1945-12. A large mural which forms part of the Christmas decorations in the Officers' Mess at Headquarters, RAAF Northern Command (NORCOM). The mural, painted on paper by artist Wal Bennett, covers one entire end wall of the mess and features almost life-size figures of dancing girls, a protesting parson, a RAAF officer doing a hand-stand (right) and various animals. The figure of the girl at extreme right was painted especially for one of the more amorous officers and has a label attached to her foot which reads: 'Merry Xmas - a present for Bill Smith'. A sign painted across the top of the mural reads: 'Let's be light 'earted and gay. Why dam man it's Christmas!' At far right, a carved wooden idol or statue leans against the mural.