A BROULEE man has combine his passions for World War I and film in a unique documentary.
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Ian Hibberson’s worked for seven years in the National Archives, where he brought WWI material into the digital era.
This involved reboxing, repackaging, rehousing and making a digital record of 430,000 WW1 service records.
“Each time I held a record in my hand, it was like holding a soldier’s life,” the International Film College graduate said.
“I was blessed to have such an important role.”
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs offered small grants to organisations to commemorate this year’s 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Mr Hibberson worked with the Moruya and District Historical Society to secure a grant
“I thought it would be a great opportunity for the community to know the diggers who served from the region and remind the younger generation of who these soldiers were and what they did.
“We see plaques, statues of cenotaphs with names on them, but do we know who these people really are or what they did?”
The idea was to make six mini-documentaries about the lives of those from the Eurobodalla who served in WWI, in whatever capacity.
“Often we see images of infantry men in trenches, but there was more to war than just these soldiers,” Mr Hibberson said.
“We have included a nurse from the Australian Army, a driver/gunner, a machine gun instructor and navigator, a pilot/signalman from the Australian Flying Corps, a light horseman and engineer and an infantryman.
“There was a vast amount of talent on the NSW South Coast when the war broke out. There was a lot more to the war than just Anzac soldiers, although their role was significant.
“The battles of Fromelles and the Somme and many other campaigns deserve recognition as well.
“We have traced the footsteps of these soldiers to highlight where they served and what the conditions might have been like.
“We tracked down original diaries, artefacts and interviewed relatives to bring an emotional and compelling look into the lives of these people, and the lasting influence they had on their community.
“The films will be a permanent reminder and local resource for the community in years to come.”
The films will be shown on Anzac Day at the Moruya Mechanics Institute in Page Street, Moruya, from 10am.
For more information, contact Mr Hibberson on 0414 975 674.