Big Things in Store open day returns to Memorial’s Treloar Technology Centre

The Australian War Memorial has opened the doors to its storage hub in Mitchell today as the Big Things in Store open day returns for the first time in three years.

More than 2,800 visitors are expected to walk through the Treloar Technology Centre for a behind-the-scenes look at the Memorial’s extensive collection.

Ticket allocation for the event is now exhausted. Visitors who were able to book a free ticket to today’s event will be treated to a rare opportunity to view one of the world’s largest collections of military relics, including a vast array of aircraft, rockets, vehicles, tanks, artillery and equipment used by – or against – Australians during more than a century of conflict and peacekeeping activities.

Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson said Big Things in Store was an important way for the public to engage with the Memorial’s collection.

“Opening the doors to the Treloar Technology Centre gives the public an opportunity to experience the remarkable objects in the Memorial’s collection.

“There are around 700,000 objects in the collection, but only about 20,000 objects are on display at the Memorial itself at any one time.

“An event like Big Things in Store allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of our nation’s military history,” Mr Anderson said.

This year visitors to the centre have the opportunity to take a closer look at the F/A-18 Classic Hornet aircraft. It was retired in 2020 following more than 30 years of service, and is a new addition to the Memorial’s collection.

The much-loved “G for George” Avro Lancaster Mk I Bomber can also be seen at the event.  

While the bulk of the Treloar Technology Centre is dedicated to the storage of large objects, it also includes smaller items such as artworks, uniforms, flags, and military equipment. This collection spans centuries, and includes artillery pieces dating from the mid-1870s.

A video series, Step inside The Treloar Technology Centre, has been developed to enable online visitors to experience and learn about some of the astonishing objects on display at Big Things in Store.

Big Things in Store has been supported by Boeing Australia.

More information about Big Things in Store, including historical information about items on display, can be found here: https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/bigthingsinstore

CONTACT:  Media team on 02 6243 4575, 0409 600 038 or media@awm.gov.au

­­­­NOTES TO EDITORS

Behind the scenes videos available now on the Memorial’s website:

People who were unable to secure tickets to attend the Big Things in Store event can visit our website to get a behind-the-scenes look at the objects on display in the Memorial’s Treloar Technology Centre in Mitchell. Featured objects include: Lancaster Bomber “G for George”, the F/A-18 Classic Hornet, the F1-11 Aardvark, and the CH-47D Chinook helicopter. Australian War Memorial historians, and current and former Royal Australian Air Force personnel, share historical information on the objects featured. https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/bigthingsinstore

G for George – footage available:

The much-loved “G for George” Avro Lancaster Mk I Bomber has been relocated to the Treloar Technology Centre while works continue on the Development Project to expand galleries at the Memorial’s main site in Campbell. Footage of “G for George” at the start of its journey from Campbell to Mitchell is available on request. If you’re interested in this footage please email media@awm.gov.au.   

“G for George” will return to the Memorial’s main site when building works are complete.