MEDIA RELEASE 2 April 2015
100 YEARS ON: REMEMBER THE ANZACS AT
THE ROCKS
It’s been 100 years since Australia’s involvement in the First World War, and there’s no more poignant place to reflect on and commemorate the ANZAC Centenary than Sydney’s pre-eminent heritage precinct The Rocks.
Presented by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, The Rocks is honouring this significant national milestone with carefully curated installations placed amongst its winding cobblestone laneways and shopfronts, and a unique portrait exhibition housed in The Rocks Discovery Museum.
“Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority is committed to bringing the foreshore to life and is proud to host these reflective projects as part of the national Centenary of ANZAC commemorations,” Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority CEO Catherine Gallagher said.
From Monday 20 April to Sunday 3 May, The Rocks Wartime Stories, a collection of true personal stories from World War I, will take pride of place along George Street, decorated with native Australian flowers. These stories are about the men, women and children hailing from The Rocks area who served in the war.
A working class suburb of Sydney back in 1914, The Rocks was populated mostly by manual labourers such as coal lumpers, storemen and deck hands. Approximately 340 men who were born or lived in The Rocks and Millers Point enlisted in the AIF.
Among them was Major Cyril Lane (1888 – 1915) who was living in the Wentworth Hotel on Grosvenor Street, The Rocks when the war broke out. One of the first Australians to see action, Major Lane bravely led his men to battle on Hill 60 at Gallipoli where he was shot by a machine gun and killed, just four months before the birth of his daughter, Evelyn, back home in Sydney. His is just one of many stories of tremendous courage and devastating tragedy from the ANZACs involved in World War I.
Join The Rocks in remembering the soldiers and nurses who volunteered to fight for Australia by walking The Rocks Wartime Stories. Learn about their experiences; the bravery of many, the failings of some, and how most lost nearly everything and had their lives changed forever by the ravages of war.
The Descendants Project is a moving exhibition commemorating ANZAC history via 20 portraits by Sydney-based Turkish-Australian artist MertimGokalp. A past finalist of the Archibald Prize and a semi-finalist for the BP Portrait Award in London’s National Portrait Gallery, Gokalp has painted 10 ANZAC and 10 Turkish Gallipoli war descendants.
In portraying both Australian and Turkish descendants, the artist addresses mutual understanding and promotion of peace between the nations. Gokalp situates himself as the narrator in his work, capturing particular physical moments of people and places and reflecting on the inner conflicts of the human psyche.
Exhibiting in The Rocks Discovery Museum from Friday 10 April to Sunday 3 May, The Descendants Project will also feature a collection of personal stories and memories. Displayed alongside the portraits, these stories will heighten the connection between the viewer and the artwork.
Come down to The Rocks to reflect on those who served our country bravely and selflessly this year for the ANZAC Centenary.
The Rocks Wartime Stories
Monday 20 April – Sunday 3 May
Installations placed along George Street from Cahill Expressway to Mill Lane
The Descendants Project
Friday 10 April – Sunday 3 May
10am – 5pm
The Rocks Discovery Museum
Kendall Lane (enter via Argyle Street)
Free
For more information, visit
Level 6, Foreshore House
66 Harrington Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000
PO Box N408, Grosvenor Place NSW 1220
| +612 9240 8500
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Program: Centenary of ANZAC
As the custodians of Sydney’s heritage and cultural precincts, Darling Harbour and The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority proudly presents the following programs as part of the national Centenary of ANZAC commemorations.
The Rocks
The Rocks Wartime Stories
A collection of true personal stories of the men, women and children from The Rocks area who served in World War 1.
20 April - 3 May
George Street
The Descendants Project
A moving exhibition commemorating Anzac history via 20 portraits by Sydney-based Turkish-Australian artist MertimGokalp.
10 April - 3 May
The Rocks Discovery Museum
Darling Harbour
Nomanslanding
A free interactive and reflective experience to commemorate the Centenary of ANZAC.
Thursday 2 April – Sunday 3 May
11am – 7pm (last entry at 6.30pm)
Cockle Bay
Poppy Remembrance Wall
Pay your respects by taking a poppy and choosing a place for it on the Poppy Remembrance Wall.
Thursday 2 April – Sunday 3 May
11am – 5pm
Palm Grove
Peace Has Trembled Here
Experience a journey of World War 1 captured through diary quotes and photographs on the reverse side of the Poppy Remembrance Wall.
Thursday 2 April – Sunday 3 May
Palm Grove
The Descendants Project
Be inspired by this unique exhibition commemorating ANZAC and Turkish experiences at Gallipoli during World War 1. Enjoy a large scale display of selected works at Darling Harbour and the full collection at The Rocks Discovery Museum.
Thursday 2 April – Sunday 3 May
Darling Harbour Live Hoarding Stage (adjacent to Dockside Pavillion)
Make Your Own Poppy
Kids of all ages can make their own poppy to take home as a wonderful symbol of remembrance.
11 April –3 May (Saturday and Sunday)
Harbourside Shopping Centre 11am – 1pm
7 – 25 April (daily)
Lend lease Darling Quarter Theatre Foyer 2pm – 4pm
Sydney Interrupted
Two key Sydney speakers (SHFA’s Dr Wayne Johnson and Elise Edmonds) talk about the impact of World War 1 and a guided tour of the Maritime Museums’ War at Sea.
15 April from 5.45pm – bookings essential
Australian Maritime Museum 2pm – 4pm
The Making of Nomanslanding – Artist’s Talk
Share the journey behind Nomanslanding.
15 April from 5.45pm – bookings essential
Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre
Impact, Change and Commemoration – an ANZAC Story
A commemorative tour of Darling Harbour.
11 and 12 April 2-3.30pm and 18-19 April 10.30am – 12 noon
Sydney Visitors Centre – bookings essential