Front Page

On this day…

The battle of Amboga River begins (1946)

Welcome to the Army Museum North Queensland website. Here you can look at the photo gallery and get other details such as contact information and opening and closing times.

 

About Us


HISTORY

Jezzine Barracks has been  home to Australian military units for over 120 years and is now a fitting home to showcase the Museum and its extensive Collection of the history of the Army in North Queensland

The earliest history of the Army in North Queensland can be traced back to the early 1880’s when volunteer Independent Rifle Companies were formed at towns throughout the northern region. On October 30 1886, the 3rd Queensland (or Kennedy Regiment) was gazetted and based at Kissing Point, Townsville, with Major William Slade Vincent as its first commanding officer.

The history of the Museum dates back to 1979, where the North Queensland Military Museum committee of management requested Townsville authorities that Fort Kissing Point be allowed to open as a Military Museum. The Fort operated as a museum until August 2008 when it was closed for further restoration. The North Queensland Military museum was renamed the Army Museum of North Queensland and relocated to its current premises in 2009.

COLLECTIONS

The Collections extend from the establishment of the first defences at Townsville and Thursday Island until the present day. The Museum is in the newly refurbished building at the centre of Jezzine Barracks. Show cased within the Museum are three galleries.

Gallery One focuses on the history of the Australian Army in North Queensland  from the late 1800’s till the end of the Boer War.  Displays include a Colonial Officers tent and stories about the defence of North Queensland during the Shearer’s Strike.

Gallery Two focuses on World Wars I and II, showcasing the fabulous Honour Boards from both conflicts.  Stories of North Queensland soldiers during the Great War are enhanced by interactive displays and the effects of the  World War Two on the Townsville region.  Displays include interactive World War One trench and western front tunnels and gun emplacements used in Townsville during World War Two .

Gallery Three focuses on more recent and contemporary conflicts including Korea, Vietnam, East Timor, Solomon Islands and the Middle East. Displays include a Korean War command bunker, a gun position from South-East Asian conflicts and a kids command centre play area.

The Museum is staffed by part-time Australian Army personnel, and a team of dedicated volunteers. 

The Australian Army History Unit is responsible for developing policy and programs for the collection, conservation, interpretation and promotion of the Australian Army’s history.

The Australian Army Museum Network is a collection of Regional and Corps Museums located Australia wide under command of the Australian Army History Unit. The Network presents a diverse range of military memorabilia tracing Australia’s involvement in both war and peacekeeping operations from Colonial times to the present day.

What’s On

Remembrance Day Display (produced by the local schools)

Remembrance Day falls on the 11th of November each year. 

On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minutes’ silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation. 

In Australia and other allied countries, including New Zealand, Canada and the United States, 11 November became known as Armistice Day – a day to remember those who died in World War One. The day continues to be commemorated in allied countries. 

After World War Two, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

https://www.army.gov.au/our-heritage/traditions/remembrance-day

Jeff Caddies

As a prisoner at Changi, Jeff with approx 900 other prisoners worked on a shrine at Bukit Timah in the western central area of Singapore a task that took 6 months to complete. The shrine was for Japanese soldiers that were killed during the final battle before the surrender of Singapore. 

After the building of the shrine and a short stay back in Changi, he was put into an overcrowded rail cattle crate and sent to Thailand to work on the Burma railway.

Jeff tells the story of working on the bridge on the River Kwai and being that he was a larrikin much to the dismay of his fellow POWs, so they trapped him on the bridge and tossed him in the river told him to swim! Jeff survived his swim and ended up back in the hands of the Japanese

Contact & Visiting

OPENING HOURS

  • Wednesday 9 am to 1 pm
  • Friday 9 am to 1 pm
  • Sunday 9 am to 1 pm

Free admission

Donations greatly appreciated

  • Anzac Day 11 am to 2 pm
  • Closed Christmas Vacation and Good Friday
  • Group bookings out of opening hours by request
  • Accredited Education Programs
  • Parking available in the Jezzine Barracks Precinct
  • The museum is wheelchair friendly

LOCATION

Jezzine Barracks
Mitchell St, North Ward
Townsville, Queensland, Australia

MUSEUM CONTACT DETAILS

Postal address:
PO Box 381
Belgian Gardens
Queensland
Australia 4810

Museum Office:

Email: army_museum_nq@bigpond.com
Phone/Fax: 07 4721 1495

Museum Manager
Phone: 07 4771 2606

Museum Administration
Phone: 07 4721 1495

The administration office is staffed on a part time basis. If unanswered, please leave a message and Museum Staff will return your call as soon as possible.

If you have an enquiry, please click on one of the buttons below which most relates most to your enquiry.  

Sponsors

We would like to thank our sponsors for the support they have provided in the past and the continued support they will provide in the future

Inaugural Major Sponsor

Other Sponsors

City of Townsville
Townsville RSL
TPI Association
Catholic Education
Curtain Brothers
Monsta’s Medals
Vietnam Vet Federation
R&M Electrical
Tropical Fabrications
Roberts Nehmer McKee Lawyers
Chris Bingly Signs
Professional Pump Services & Irrigation

Mr Craig Wallace
Mr Kevin Reed
Mr V.P. Svenson
Vietnam Veterans

Acknowledgements of Grants Received
Breakwater Casino Trust
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Department of Veteran Affairs
Townsville City Council Heritage Grant