RAA Liaison Letter 2024 - 2025 Edition

RAA L I A I SON L ETTER 2024 – 2025 E D I T I ON C ANNON BALL S UP PLEMENT 157 ARMY MUSEUM PUCKAPUNYAL (AMP) 2024 WO1 Peter Swinfield, Assistant Museum Manager Mission The Army Museum Puckapunyal mission is to preserve, exhibit and interpret Armoured and Artillery vehicles, Guns, artefacts, icons and memorabilia to promote and commemorate Australia's Armoured and Artillery heritage. Museum Works Work continues in the rebuild and refurbishment of the newly named Army Museum, Puckapunyal (AMP). The Artillery Collection from Bandiana is transitioning from storage in Bandiana to Puckapunyal where the various heritage items are being cleaned, refurbished and prepared for display. This is achieved by our hard working volunteers and curators who are the backbone in our restoration of the Armour and Artillery Heritage Collection. Work Completed The Chauvel Hall (smaller display objects) has been rebuilt with new floors, carpets, toilets, paint work, electrical work and new display cabinets. The museum shop has been converted into the Museum Manager and Curators office area, and the building is now ready for the curators to work on the internal displays. The outdoor area now has new public toilets, staff brew room, concrete ring road upgrade and full concrete floor in the Artillery display hanger. The old Gunnery FMR Bays have been painted, concrete floor repaired, and general carpentry enhancements and is now ready for the Artillery pieces and artefacts to be installed. RAAC Memorials The RAAC memorials and plaques displayed at the museum have been removed and reinstalled within the Puckapunyal Memorial Park with some being donated to the School of Armour. Acquisitions The museum has received a few new acquisitions including a fully functioning WW2 Russian T34/85 Tank from the Bandiana Museum through the Australian War Memorial. This iconic tank was built in 1944, and it is believed to have served in Berlin at the later stages of the War. We have also taken on charge approximately 30 Artillery guns, vehicles and associated equipment from the Artillery Heritage Collection which are now in the process of being refurbished for display. These items include: 64 Pdr and cradle, 12 Pdr Bronze gun, Rapier w/missiles, 25 Pdr 1943, 25 Pdr Short, 18 Pdr 1936, 15 Pdr w/limber 1905, 3Inch AA Gun,18 Pdr AT Gun 1941, M198 w/ Muck truck, Radar w/Unimog. Archive and Library The old museum Library and Archive room has now been stripped and the long and tedious task of cataloguing of all pamphlets, maintenance manuals, publications and books relating to the RAAC and its history is nearly complete. A great effort by John “Tubby” Brooker and Carmel Ryan. Next are all the RAA publications. Museum manning Manning as with all units in Army remains problematic. Our current manning consists of 12 Reservists with the Museum Manager on full time service, one Curator and eight Volunteers. A new Curator for the Artillery Collection will be advertised soon. The AMP remains closed to the public as rebuilding and refurbishment continues. The museum remains open to units and defence courses to visit and use with approval to be given by the Museum Manager. Editor Note: Ms Natalie Bittner has been appointed the Artillery collection curator. Her Email: natalie.bittner@defence.gov.au . Below is an update from the new Curator. As of August 2025, the refurbishment of the Army Museum Puckapunyal is progressing well – and rapidly, considering the collection has been in storage since 2011! With six large showcases, 40 large technology objects and weapons platforms, and a small curatorial team, there have been big changes in 2025. Current focus is on the interpretation of the museum and ensuring that gun information and specifications are up to date, and on ensuring the high standards of the Corps are well represented in stories relating to significant individuals and events. The AMP team are particularly grateful to the group of serving and ex-gunners who have been assisting in locating items for potential loan or display and providing warm introductions to more recent gunners who have stories of service to share. We look forward to welcoming our Corps to their Museum later this year.