Stories through memories: 70 years of friendship

Marles, Janet E., and Jukim, Maslin (2015) Stories through memories: 70 years of friendship. [Creative Work]

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Abstract

'Stories Through Memories: 70 Years of Friendship' is a joint exhibition of events to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Australian forces liberating Borneo from Japanese occupation in WWII hosted by the Australian High Commission to Brunei Darussalam.

Comprising oral-history videos conducted by Dr Janet Marles (JCU) and colleagues Dr Maslin Jukim and Dr Frank Dhont (UBD) with unique historical photographs of the Borneo campaigns, drawn from the Australian War Memorial Archives.

Opened by Australian Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, eight Australian veterans from the Borneo campaigns and Bruneian elders from our oral-history project attended as special guests.

The exhibition was held at the Art Gallery, Royal Wharf, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. From 8-30 June 2015 approximately 1400 visitors viewed the 70th anniversary exhibit representing 30 schools, all four Bruneian districts and at least 22 nationalities. Additionally, 15 seminars and tours were held including a successful panel seminar for approximately 70 teachers, academics and government officials.

Research Statement

Research Background Australia’s leading role in the liberation of Borneo during WWII is not well remembered in Australia or Asia. Interviewing witnesses of the Japanese occupation and Australian veterans who fought in Borneo gives voice to the previously unheard, creates intergenerational understanding between elders and their descendants, and strengthens the close bonds forged in WWII between the peoples of Borneo and Australia.
Research Contribution No other oral-visual work of this kind has been conducted in this region before. Through collaboration, joint seminars, publications and sharing of findings we are strengthen existing partnerships with academics from James Cook University (JCU); Australian National University (ANU); Monash University (Malaysia); Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM); Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM); and University Brunei Darussalam (UBD).
Research Significance Results include: 1. Unique historical archive of high quality video interviews with Australian WWII veterans and local witnesses of Japanese occupied East Malaysia and Labuan. 2. Touring exhibition of video histories combined with archival sources from the Borneo conflicts engaging local peoples and outlining the leading role Australian troops played in the liberation of Borneo through the Oboe operations of 1945. 3. Capacity building among student interviewers, transcribers, translators and videographers from Australian and Malaysian universities. 4. Skilling of under-employed youth engaging them in the process of oral-history whereby they learn the stories of their grandparents and the futility and destructive power of conflict, a poignant message for a potentially volatile region.
Item ID: 46746
Item Type: Creative Work (Recorded/Rendered Work - Audio/visual recording - NTRO)
Media of Output: Digital video, black and white photographs, banners
Event Details: Stories Through Memories: 70 years of friendship
Art Gallery, Royal Wharf, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
8-30 June 2015
Keywords: World War Two, Japanese occupation, Australian Imperial Forces, oral history, Brunei Darussalam, Borneo, documentary, multi-lingual
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Additional Information:

The success of this exhibition lead to a 21 days touring exhibition of the regional districts of Brunei.

Title: Touring Exhibition "Stories Through Memories: 70 Years of Friendship" Location: Temburong, Tutong and Belait of Brunei Date: November 2015

Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2017 05:54
FoR Codes: 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1699 Other Studies in Human Society > 169903 Studies of Asian Society @ 100%
SEO Codes: 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9502 Communication > 950201 Communication Across Languages and Culture @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 143
Last 12 Months: 19
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