The WW22 Brighton Army Camp has a fascinating history. However very little was known about it and, without this Rotary Brighton project, that history would have been lost to the community.

Article based on information provided by PDG Michael Cooke, D9830 District Rotary Foundation Chair

As a local, PDG Michael had driven past this site almost daily for 22 years and had observed the site changes. He is a member of Rotary Claremont which had completed a project of information panels on a WW1 Army Camp previously situated on the shore of Windermere Beach, Claremont. While a guest at a Rotary Brighton meeting, where potential projects were being discussed, he suggested to Rotary Brighton members that a similar project would be worthwhile at the Brighton Army site.

Brighton Rotarian Neil Stewart, a retired University Lecturer in Australian History, willingly embraced the project. Rotary Claremont introduced him to Derek Jones, of Jones-Hall Consulting, who had led the Claremont Army Camp Project. Derek immediately embraced this project with incredible enthusiasm. Without his efforts the project might not have been completed and certainly without the professionalism he brought.

Derek unearthed amazing details whilst researching this project. An example is the discovery he made of a photo taken of the site, by a passenger on the plane when Sir Charles Kingsford Smith landed the first commercial flight from Melbourne to Hobart in 1931. Derek called on the assistance from many people, particularly Professor Henry Reynolds from the University of Tasmania, members of the Launceston Aero Club and the Angelsea Barracks Museum. 

Rotary Brighton acknowledges and cannot highlight enough the all-embracing and genuine support they received for this project from the Brighton Council. The Councillors, who it is understood supported this project unanimously. The Works Manager who laid out and had the bases installed. The General Manager James Dryborough and Executive Officer Angela Turvey for their day to day involvement. PDG Michael is reliably informed that GM James was so enthusiastic that, at his first meeting with Neil, he suggested 20 information panels around the site, not just 8.

Funding for the project was a real community affair. The initial funding was provided by a $2,000 Rotary Foundation District Grant, facilitated by District Governor Bob Calvert at his first official meeting with the Club. Rotary Brighton acknowledges their major sponsor Brighton Council for their generous grant, which came from a suggestion from the Deputy Mayor Barbara Curran when she attended a Rotary meeting. The club also thanks Jen Butler, State Member for Lyons, who secured a grant from the Premiers Discretionary Fund, once again after attending a Rotary meeting.

Members of Rotary Brighton hope that the panels will be appreciated by the community. In particular by the residents from the new estate that runs alongside the camp, by school students, visitors, by members of the Returned Services League and other Anzac Day participants and by the many people who have some connection with the site.

My congratulations go to Neil and to the Rotary Brighton members. They have done Rotary and the community proud with their persistence in pursuing this project.