Local donor Jan Pittard receives her Kangaroo Banner certificate from Member for Riverina Michael McCormack. Also pictured are Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout (right), and Tim Kurylowicz, manager of the Museum of the Riverina. Photo: Wagga Council.
A rare 111-year-old First World War banner that spent decades hidden away in a PVC pipe is getting a new lease on life, with Wagga donors helping pay for its conservation.
The Kangaroo March Banner, donated to the Museum of the Riverina earlier this year, is one of only three known surviving First World War recruitment banners of its kind.
Its return to Wagga was something of a surprise.
The banner’s whereabouts had been unknown for more than 50 years before it was brought into the museum – rolled up inside a length of PVC pipe.
The banner was carried during the Kangaroo March, which left Wagga in December 1915 with 88 men heading towards Sydney to enlist.
By the time they reached Sydney, the number had swelled to 251 as men joined along the route.
The marchers also proved they weren’t simply following orders, staging disputes over leave at Goulburn and again in Sydney.
Now the fragile banner needs specialist conservation, including cleaning and stabilising its ageing fabric and painted areas.
Wagga’s spectacular Kangaroo March banner is one of just three known World War I recruitment banners held in museum collections. Photo: Museum of the Riverina.
The Museum has set a $7500 target for the work, with donations open until Remembrance Day on 11 November.
People who have donated $50 or more are being recognised with a limited-edition certificate, with the first presented to Wagga donor Jan Pittard.
“I am delighted to receive this certificate. The Kangaroo March Banner is an important part of our ANZAC history, and I’m proud to have played a part in preserving it,” Ms Pittard said.
The certificates are personally signed by Riverina MP Michael McCormack, Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout and Museum of the Riverina manager Tim Kurylowicz.
Local donor Jan Pittard admires her Kangaroo Banner donor certificate with Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.
Mr Kurylowicz said the banner was an important local artefact.
“We thank the community for helping Museum of the Riverina conserve this incredible local artefact,” he said.
The museum is also holding a free guest lecture about the banner and Kangaroo March featuring Rebecca Jones, collections officer at the ANZAC Memorial.
The lecture will be held on Sunday 27 September from 10 to 11:30 am.
More information about the banner, the conservation appeal and the lecture is available at museumriverina.com.au/kangaroo.
