A COMPREHENSIVE snapshot into Anzac Day was officially launched on the weekend, giving Hastings residents rare insights into the lives of War World One soldiers.
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Masterpiece Framing Gallery's exhibition was opened by Port Macquarie Returned and Services League sub-Branch president Greg Laird on Saturday, with gold coin donations at the door going to veterans causes.
Inside the Hastings River Drive business are photographs, paintings, diaries, weapons and vast amounts of memorabilia from the Anzac campaign and both world wars that the community has provided.
Proprietors Allan and Denise Davis were inspired to provide the space for personal reasons.
Mrs Davis' grandfather served in both world wars and she lost an uncle in the second conflict.
Her husband is a former National Serviceman and self-described "amateur military buff" of Australian campaigns.
"We wouldn't be here today without our diggers," Mr Davis said. "The 25th of April to me is the start of our nation, not Federation."
Like many others who have walked through the space in quiet reverence, Mr Davis keeps stopping in front of the display on Sergeant H.M. Adams, who served in both world wars.
The piece features war diaries, photographs, train tickets to the Front, matchboxes, dog tags and two letters from the king.
"To have kept those things in the family is quite remarkable," Mrs Davis said.
The couple are hopeful of making the exhibition an annual fixture, providing they can source enough material from different conflicts.
The most important thing, Mr Davis said, is that the next generation do not forget those who fought before and continue to fight.
"This is our heritage: we have to keep everything alive. Never ever forget."
A percentage of all art works on displays will go towards veteran causes.
ben.cooper@fairfaxmedia.com.au
