Museum Collection

The 9 RAR Museum Collection - Aims

9 RAR Association has commenced collecting various historical items and memorabilia pertaining to the Battalion and its members.   It is proposed that the Museum Collection will cover:

• the Battalion’s activities both in Australia (Woodside & Enoggera) and in Vietnam,
• the personal side of life at that time from the members,
• any general army items that relate to that era,
  and
• any associated items that are deemed to be of historical importance.

The Museum Collection will supplement the history of the Battalion as depicted in the two Battalion Books and will ensure our history and legacy is preserved.

We have all heard tales of some families throwing away medals and general memorabilia, of items being left in the shed and being destroyed by vermin, or of photographs or slides being left in a hot environment and being faded or melted.  We would like to start now to recover and preserve as many of these items as possible.

It is proposed that items donated by members of the Association, their families or their friends will become the property of The 9 RAR Association unless otherwise stated by the donor and will be administered by the 9 RAR Association (Qld) Branch. All donations will be formally recorded in a database and the donor member listed on the Donor's page.

The Museum - Location

It is proposed to house the 9 RAR Museum Collection within the Ninth Battalions Museum which is owned by the Ninth Battalions Association Inc.  This Museum is currently situated within the
Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Brisbane.   The Ninth Battalions Association Inc currently holds the 9 RAR Association weapons in trust and they are housed in an armory off site. The Ninth Battalions Association Inc has agreed to assist with the storage and display of our items.  The Museum has a formal process of recording all items which will be followed by us.  9 RAR Association (Qld) is affiliated with the Ninth Battalions Association Inc.

Later in 2009 and prior to the 9 RAR Reunion it is planned to shift both museum collections into a building in a proposed Heritage Precinct close by to the RAR National Memorial Walk. The Collection will then be available for 9 RAR members to visit prior to, during and following the Reunion.
Details about the building location and opening times will be advised in dus course.

Ninth Battalions Museum

The Ninth Battalions Museum at Enoggera operates under the direction of the Ninth Battalions Association Inc. and the curator is Mal Black (ex 8/9 Battalion.) There is a broad collection of items of military interest that covers the period from the late 1870’s until the present time. It has items from the 9th Battalion AIF, 2/9th Battalion 2nd AIF, 9th Battalion Moreton, 9 RQR and 9 RAR.

The main aims of the Museum are:-
*  to preserve and maintain the objects and artifacts of those members of all Infantry Units with the numeral “9” in its title,
*  to maintain historical links with ex-members of those units with regard to comradeship,
*  to educate future generations regarding the deeds of their fore-fathers so they are not forgotten.

There is an extensive collection from all conflicts with some very valuable items but more importantly the historical value is priceless.   They currently have over 4000 items in their collection.