January 3 –

We’re starting the new year with the remarkable and long-overlooked story of Robert Reid, the other casualty of the sinking of the SS President Coolidge. It’s a powerful piece that adds depth, humanity and clarity to a story many of us thought we already knew.

Alongside that feature, this month’s edition takes you from new archaeological work and research in Vanuatu, to recent museum visits and fresh additions to the collection. Together, they reflect the growing momentum around the museum and the many different ways history continues to surface, sometimes quite literally.

As always, thank you for reading and for supporting the South Pacific WWII Museum. We hope this January edition draws you in, makes you think, and sets the tone for another big year ahead.

It’s all in the January issue of our newsletter  here.

December 28 –

December always feels a little different, and this edition reflects that end-of-year mood — part reflection, part celebration, and a touch of wartime Christmas spirit.

Alongside your regular favourites, we revisit places and people who helped shape the South Pacific during World War II, from hospitals and service units to entertainers who brought laughter to far-flung bases. There’s also a look at the Pallikulo Peninsula, then and now, Tammi’s latest book review, and a gently humorous Christmas image from the Pacific that reminds us how the season was marked under palm trees.

We hope this edition brings a smile, sparks a memory, and offers a moment to pause as the year comes to a close.

We hope you enjoy the read. It’s all in the December issue of our newsletter  here.

December 1 –

We’ve got an especially interesting edition for you this month — a little different from our usual format.

You’ll still find our regular favourites, including Month in Military History, Everyday Heroes, and Tammi’s always-excellent book review. But this issue also steps back to examine the lasting legacy of Base Button and the broader Pacific Theatre, asking an important question: are we doing enough to preserve this history for future generations?

We also share a look at the recent visit from the U.S. Navy here in Santo, along with a few other November highlights from around the Museum.

We hope you enjoy the read.It’s all in the November issue of our newsletter  here.

November 3 –

After last month’s epic edition, we’re back to a more familiar size — but with no shortage of great stories to share.

Our lead feature follows the journey of a remarkable relic recovered from the SS President Coolidge in the 1970s, now making its way home to Santo thanks to the generosity of one of our museum supporters.

And since October marks the month the Coolidge went down, we’re taking a closer look at a few more fascinating stories connected to the ship, plus another terrific book review from Tammi.

It’s all in the October issue of our newsletter  here.