A new military history conference will take place in Melbourne over 21-22 April 2012 and will initiate the inaugural Military and History Week in Victoria.
Registrations for the conference are now open.
‘In the Shadow of War – Australia 1942’ will bring to Melbourne prominent Australian, Japanese and American military and social historians to examine the critical period from 1942, when it appeared that Australia was under direct threat of invasion.
“With Melbourne’s key role in those dark days as both US headquarters in Australia and home to thousands of US troops preparing for the Allied counter-offensive in our region, it is fitting that this important conference is held here,” said Colonel (Rtd) Marcus Fielding, the president of conference organiser Military History and Heritage Victoria Inc. (MHHV Inc.).
“The keynote speaker and Australia’s most prominent military historian, Professor David Horner from Australia’s National University, will open the conference with a strategic overview of this most pivotal year in Australia’s history.
“Other themes addressed by the conference will include the impact of the war, the political response, the home front and home defence, the battles on land, in the air and on, and under, the sea. A speaker from Japan will look at the challenges facing the Japanese thrust into the Southwest Pacific, while others will examine the issues with Allies, high command and strategy, Colonel Fielding said.
The Conference will be the first event in Military History and Heritage Week in Victoria, which runs over 21 -27 April 2012. “Our member organisations are developing a range of activities and events in Military History and Heritage Week in locations across Victoria, not just around the 1942 anniversary theme, but to raise awareness of the importance of, and our connections to, our military history and heritage,” he said.
MHHV Inc. has secured the services of IGSA Travel to assist in organising the MHHV Conference in April 2012. IGSA Travel will provide the conference registration facility and take reservations for accommodation at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where a special MHHV Conference room rate has been negotiated.
For those attending the Conference from interstate or overseas IGSA Travel will also be available to provide competitive quotes for air travel.
Details of the conference programme and registration forms can be found at www.mhhv.org.au, or by contacting the conference convenor at info@mhhv.org.au or on 0408 342 795.
For further information on the In the Shadow of War – Australia 1942 Conference, please contact the Conference Convenor and MHHV Inc. Executive Officer, Mr Andrew Kilsby on 0408 342 795.
For interviews with Colonel Marcus Fielding, or with Conference Speakers, please contact the MHHV Publicity Officer, Mr Peter Kemp on 0427 859 549
Contact Military History and Heritage Victoria about this article.
