City to celebrate centre milestone

The City of Albany has planned an anniversary celebration for the National Anzac Centre, which has become one of Albany’s proudest drawcards since it opened five years ago.

Since November 1 in 2014, the centre has hosted more than 300,000 visitors, including some milestone events and special guests.

The Australian and New Zealand Prime Ministers were present for the opening, and the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit in 2015.

The centre has helped to share the history of the Anzacs in an innovative, interactive and powerful way, taking out many awards including the title of TripAdvisor’s No. 1 Australian museum.

Australian War Memorial director Brendan Nelson became emotional when speaking about the centre during a visit this month.”

I have had the privilege — and I don’t use the world lightly, privilege — to spend some time in the Anzac centre, and it’s clearly something to which I need to come back,” Mr Nelson said.

“I would think that very few people who come to the NAC would find one visit to be enough.

“The nature of the displays and the content ... is extremely moving, because you see the stories through the eyes and experiences of one individual Australian.”

The community has been invited to celebrate the centre’s birthday and learn more about the the Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum.

City chief executive Andrew Sharpe said everyone was welcome on the evening of the centre’s fifth anniversary.

“The National Anzac Centre is a fantastic asset to the Albany community, but one which many locals have yet to explore first-hand," Mr Sharpe said.

“So much has changed at the site in the last decade, with rotational exhibits in the Princess Royal Fortress and much-improved amenity across the whole precinct.

“The fifth anniversary is a timely occasion to visit the National Anzac Centre, bring a picnic and enjoy the area with family and friends.”

The event will run from 5pm-6pm on Friday, November 1.

There will be live music, a nine-pound gun firing, lawn games and guided tours of the surrounding fortress.