History had quite literally been cemented in this spot!

 


History had quite literally been cemented in this spot!

By Sakinah Karras

It was almost hard to conceptualise, that as we rode around the Darwin Harbour, the remnants of the Bombing left behind was the result of events occurring in this spot just shy of 80 years ago.  History had quite literally been cemented in this spot! Pill-Boxes used to fire weapons still sat on the cliffside, oil reserves and pipelines were rusted but still left in their original form. Within view of the water was the Parliament House built on the remains of the formerly bombed Darwin Post Office and perhaps even cooler, the USS Peary wreckage that remained at the depths of the harbour. Our guide was amazing as well, he was so informative about the area, allowing us to learn so much!


Right after the cruise had finished, we headed to the Royal Flying Doctor Museum just nearby on the Wharf. The VR reality experience provided there of the Darwin Bombing encapsulated what we had just learned. It was crazy as to how real it appeared. I almost felt as if I was right there!


From what we learned earlier on, it's almost weird to think that for what seemed like such a significant event in Australian history, we had never been taught about it in school before this. Had I not attended this trip, I never believe I would have had such a great opportunity to not only learn about Australia in the Second World War but to also travel to numerous sites across the top end and meet fellow awardees! This trip has allowed me to have so many great memories with great people!

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