The excitement is building
The South Pacific World War II Museum will be unlike any museum in the world today. Not only will it be a fully immersive, interactive experience about the Pacific Theatre during World War II, it will stand in the middle of where everything took place – on the site of a former World War II US Navy base in Luganville, on the island of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu. Not only will the museum be an exciting tourist destination, but it will create jobs and provide unique training opportunities for the local Santo people and bring a welcome source of income for the local economy.
New Friends In Darwin
The South Pacific World War II Museum is excited to announce that we have now entered into a partnership with the Darwin Military Museum (DMM) and the Royal Australian Artillery Association-NT (RAAA-NT), who own and operate the DMM in Darwin, Australia.
The Northern Territory city was attacked in February 1942 by aircraft from four Japanese carriers which had been a part of the attack on Pearl Harbour. The DMM features some impressive displays and presentations surrounding the attack on Darwin, as well as other aspects of military history in Australia’s ‘Top End’. It’s a very popular tourist destination for many thousands of visitors to Australia’s most northern city.
Both the DMM and RAAA-NT are proud to be associated with the South Pacific WWII Museum to assist with its development. We look forward to learning as much as we can from the DMM team about how they operate and then potentially applying some of their thinking to our project as the Museum grows.
Thanks again to the DMM for agreeing to provide us with assistance and to Australian war historian Dr Peter Williams who has helped facilitate the partnership.
The Darwin Military Museum is set amongst concrete gun emplacements and other fortifications in an area that was one of the most heavily fortified areas of Australia during the war. The museum features and impressive display of anti aircraft guns, vehicles, and items such as weapons and uniforms from World War II. It’s located at East Point, a short drive north of the centre of Darwin and is open 7 days a week. Gun emplacement photo courtesy of http://rogerandnolasholidayblog.blogspot.com/
You can find out more from the Darwin Military Museum website at http://www.darwinmilitarymuseum.com.au/
Announcing Two New Navara Sponsors
Following our announcement a couple of weeks ago that Air Vanuatu has signed on as a Navara Sponsor, we’re excited to announce that Bank of South Pacific and Tropex Exports have also become Navara sponsors of the South Pacific World War II Museum project. Both companies will be
assisting with the running costs of the project office in Luganville over the next three years. The Chairman of the Museum Association’s board, Bradley Wood, says they are very excited with the support and faith being shown in the project by both sponsors.
Bank Of South Pacific
Earlier this week, Bank of South Pacific announced it was getting behind the museum by becoming a Navara Sponsor of the South Pacific World War II Museum project. Bradley said he is delighted with BSP’s support – and how appropriate it is.
“Our Museum will tell the stories of how the whole South Pacific became a focus of the fight for peace here and a focus of the world,” Bradley said. “How fitting that BSP are joining us, because they are the Bank of the South Pacific, having started in Papua New Guinea, and now operating in 7 Pacific nations,” he added.
Nik Regenvanu, the country head for BSP, says they are proud to be playing a role in nourishing the Vanuatu community, such as the recent VT1 million contribution to medical emergency services. “We look forward to a long partnership with the South Pacific World War II Museum,” he said.
BSP is also demonstrating a commitment to supporting educational change in Vanuatu, with scholarship support for educating young women. Bradley Wood says education is a big part of the Museum. The Project Office mini museum opened around sic months ago, is already drawing a lot of young Ni-Van visitors, including school visits. “They’re very excited to see wartime items and hear the history. It’s a real eye opener for them,” he said. One of the goals of the Museum is to provide an opportunity for education, working with local schools, and developing opportunities for training in tourism and other related fields.
Bradley says such support is a huge help in sustaining the project as it develops its fundraising over the next two years. “BSP have shown their community involvement with a number of other sponsorships. Their motto is Our Culture is Our Strength, and that really chimes with the Museum’s brand theme of Inspiring Everyday Heroes. That theme is about how the stories of yesteryear and our project can inspire today’s new generation.”
Tropex Exports
The South Pacific World War II Museum is also delighted to announce Tropex Exports as a Navara Fund supporter of the project.
Tropex Exports is a New Zealand company that has been a wonderful supporter of the Museum project for two years, and has recently committed to a further three years of support. Museum Chairman Bradley Wood said, “Tropex were one of our first supporters when we were getting the project off the ground. Their faith in our vision for the project as demonstrated by their support is something we cannot express our gratitude more highly for.”
Tropex was established in 1968 to provide representation for manufacturers exporting to the Pacific region. With over 50 years experience, it now represents many highly-respected manufacturers from a wide range of industries including construction, agriculture, steel & wire through to air conditioning and refrigeration.
Steve Hirst, the financial director of Tropex, says they are delighted to be a Navara Fund member. “We have built strong relationships with the families, businesses and industries of the Pacific, and are very keen to seen the Museum project succeed.”
Bradley went on to say, “Our Navara Fund is a chance in particular for local businesses and those companies with ties to Espiritu Santo to show their commitment to this exciting project. We’re most grateful for their assistance and look forward to further expanding our links with the Vanuatu business community “
If you wish to know more about becoming a Navara Fund member, you can see more here.
“You could effectively say we will be the biggest museum in the world because it covers all of the south corner of Santo. You can go out, see it, feel it, and get that warm fuzzy feeling if you like for where it actually took place.”
Where will the Museum be located?
The South Pacific World War II Museum will be built on the island of Espiritu Santo, one of the islands that make up the Pacific Islands nation of Vanuatu. You can zoom in to see just where that is on the map below.
Dreams and aspirations
Bradley Wood, Founding Chairman of the South Pacific World War II Museum, has been a passionate supporter and driver behind the establishment of a museum on Santo. In this interview Bradley describes the plans for the construction of the museum in Luganville, the major city on Santo in Vanuatu and the role he sees the museum playing in educating visitors.