Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation

Distant Lines

Queensland voices of the First World War

4 Apr – 15 Nov 2015 | SLQ | Free (Now closed)

More than 57,000 Queenslanders served our country in the First World War.

From the home front to the war front, you were able to explore the unique Queensland experience of the war — before, during, and after.

Through exhibitions and events, Distant Lines connected us with the intimate and untold stories of Queenslanders as we commemorate 100 years since the First World War.

Reflect on how one of the deadliest conflicts in our history affected Queenslanders and shaped the state we live in today.

Part of Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation, proudly supported by the Queensland Government.

Major Gus Hughes and Major Alexander Marks in Marks' dugout, Gallipoli, 1915

War front experience

SLQ Gallery

The exhibition has now closed

Attendees were transported back to the war front through the lives of 25 diverse Queenslanders who served in the First World War.

They discovered untold war front experiences through personal letters, diaries, belongings and digital stories against a towering backdrop of striking imagery.

Distant Lines in SLQ Gallery highlighted the notion of distance during the First World War — geographical, ideological, and emotional — along with how lines of communication connected loved ones around the globe during this tumultuous time.

The exhibition allowed you to immerse yourself in the daily reality of war as experienced by these ordinary yet extraordinary people, and to reflect and tell your own story.

The story of George Samuel Deviney, a young farmer from "Gladsdale" Helidon who enlisted with the 9th/52nd Battalion A.I.F. during World War I. He left for war with youthful enthusiasm and a sense of patriotic duty. George was killed at Dernancourt, France in 1918. His letters and diaries, and correspondence relating to his death and posthumous award are held in the John Oxley Library. The George Samuel Deviney Papers 1909-1918 include letters, diaries, postcards, a school exercise book, newspaper clippings, photographs, telegrams, accounts and one Next of Kin Memorial Plaque.

Home front experience

Red Cross Society in Biggenden, 1918 Image No: 101266

Philip Bacon Heritage Gallery

The exhibition has now closed

While Queensland may have been distant from the front lines, the repercussions of the First World War conflict were deep and long lasting on the home front.

The exhibition offered the stories of Queenslanders at home through State Library’s extensive collections of posters, photographs, records, letters and programmes.

It traced the early stages of the war from recruitment and conscription campaigning to the darker side of patriotism; racism, censorship and propaganda, and appreciate how women contributed as fundraisers, Red Cross volunteers, and medical professionals.

It explored the years of uncertainty and separation, and the disenchantment and continuing hardship for those who made it back home.

World War One peace procession, 1919

Highlights

For more information visit Q ANZAC 100 calendar of events.

Distant Lines in Infozone

The exhibition has now closed

Start your Distant Lines experience here with information and imagery focussing on Australia’s two conscription referenda (1916 and 1917) to discuss the age-old debate: for or against war.

Which way did Queensland vote? Which way would you vote today?

Investigate conscription

Talbot Family Treasures Wall

Open daily 10am–5pm | Level 4 | Free

Explore the new Talbot Family Treasures Wall display to journey through Queensland’s history and commemorate 100 years since the Gallipoli landing.

Showcasing SLQ collection items and photographs that examine the origins and development of Anzac Day in Queensland, the display is not to be missed.

Visit the Treasures Wall

The Treasures Wall features over 200 First World War photographs from the State Library’s extensive collection. The images trace the four years of the war, and include both home front and war front scenes. The significant objects on display all pertain to the origins of Anzac Day in Queensland, and include the minutes of the very first Anzac Day Commemoration Committee meeting, held in Premier T.J. Ryan’s office in February 1916.

Digital stories

Discover some of the stories of courage, resilience, sacrifice and duty from State Library of Queensland's collections.

Queensland’s Indigenous servicemen of the First World War digital story

State Library of Queensland; The Picture Club

John Oxley Library, SLQ Acc: 29355/13

Margaret Thorsborne AO digital story

State Library of Queensland; Sarah Scragg

John Oxley Library, SLQ Acc: 29355/1

Maurice George Delpratt digital story

State Library of Queensland. The Picture Club

John Oxley Library, SLQ Acc: 29355/7

Digital stories is a selection of short videos highlighting Queensland's First World War history, produced especially for the Distant Lines exhibition. View more videos at Digital stories....

Learning notes

Distant Lines: Queensland voices from the First World War Learning notes

Designed to support SLQ’s Distant Lines exhibition, the learning notes align with the Australian Curriculum in History for all grades.

Yes or No? iBook Yes or No? is an interactive book which provides educators with First World War stimulus material and a focus on inquiry learning when looking at the topic of conscription.

It explores reasons and propaganda for both sides of the conscription argument, and the impact and aftermath of conscription.

Please note: To view this iBook, you must have an iPad with iBooks 2 or later and iOS 5 or later, or an iPhone with iOS 8.4 or later, or a Mac with OS X 10.9 or later.