Shortly after midday the gunners at Fort Nepean lined up the German merchant steamer – the SS Pfalz – as it bolted towards the heads and fired the first shot in a terrible war that would last four long years and scar the world.
How was Australia placed at this moment in history? What were the views of the people and the government of the day? Was our military prepared or equipped for what lay ahead? These and many other questions will be posed and answered at this unique conference event.
Hosted by the historic Fort Queenscliff Museum, The First Fateful Shot: Port Phillip Bay, August 1914 will examine the lead-up to the outbreak of World War I from the Australian perspective, and the events of 1914 including the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force landing at Rabaul and the islands of the Bismarck Archipelago.
A tremendous range of speakers has been gathered for this unique conference event including Dr David Day, Dr Janice Croggon and Dr Dale Blair. The full conference program is available here.
The conference will be followed by the Fort Queenscliff Museum’s annual Friends of the Fort Black Tie Dinner. A full three course meal featuring a special guest speaker. Click here for all the details.
To book your ticket for the conference click here… (Seating is limited, don’t miss out) Or here to pay by Cheque or Bank Deposit
MHHV Member : $55.00
General admission : $75.00
Concession : $45.00
Why not enjoy a night in beautiful Queenscliff with a special conference deal at the Vue Grand Hotel (mention the conference for a discount) or click here for more great accommodation ideas…
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Contact Military History and Heritage Victoria about this article.
