Exhibition focuses on opposite side of Gallipoli story

Northern District Times (Australia) March 4, 2015, p. 34

Monique Cowper

We have heard the Anzac story but a controversial new exhibition at Macquarie University hopes to tell a different tale.

Perceptions of War was officially launched by Professor Dame Marie Bashir earlier this month and consists of items on display as well as talks about the serious and lighter side of war.

What makes the exhibition particularly unique is that it looks at the lesser told stories of Gallipoli, according to co-curator Rhonda Davis.

“We thought we would do something different,’’ Ms Davis said.

“It is a response to the way we feel on Anzac Day and we want people to reflect on those feelings as well as dispel some myths.”

Macquarie University World War I academics Sean Brawley and Harvey Broadbent have researched the Turkish perspective, bringing in maps, a book and films.

“It is controversial because it gives the Turkish side but it is based on research,” Ms Davis said.

“There were 8700 Australian lives and 2720 New Zealand lives lost but there were 80,000 Turkish soldiers that died. That’s a perspective we don’t always think about.”

Ms Davis does not believe that the exhibition will make people feel uncomfortable.

“I think Australians are very open to new information,” she said.

In contrast to the serious side, there is also a lighter side. Professor Jane Chapman has sourced comics, cartoons and newspapers actually created by Australians in the trenches. She will present a talk about Humour as History on Thursday, March 5, from 1pm.