Thanks to a friend, I attended the 2011 'History Comes Alive' event, which was held at the Barwon Park Mansion in Winchelsea over the weekend of 9-10 April. A bi-annual event, it is organised by the Geelong Branch of the
Military Historical Society (MHS) and the Geelong Military Re-enactment Group
(GMRG) and is billed as a weekend of "military living history".
The mansion grounds and several out-buildings are transformed into a number of military encampments and
set pieces in which many of the restored military vehicles as well as original and replica items of equipment are displayed. Adding to this are the 70+ members of the two groups, dressed in period military uniforms dating
from the Boer War through to the Vietnam conflict, who help to set the scene.
A number of live firings and re-enactments are also conducted throughout the day, but for me the real highlights were the restored military vehicles, which consisted of:
Bren Gun carriers (3), Chevrolet Blitz, Ford Blitz, Daimler Dingo, M3A1 White Scout Cars (2), M3 White Halftrack, Dodge Weapons Carriers (2), GMC 6x6 cargo truck, Marmon Herrington, US Staff car, Kubelwagen, BMW motorcycle, BMW motorcycle and sidecar, Willys Jeeps (6), 25 Pounder field guns (2), 6 Pounder anti-tank gun and a Boys anti-tank rifle.
This was the first year the event was held at the Barwon Park Mansion - having previously been held at the Geelong showgrounds - and will be held here from now on. Next years event, 'The Age of Gunpowder', is already in the planning stages and will take place over the weekend of 4-5 May 2013, with full details at the GMRG website.
