By EMMA SUN
MEMBERS of the Upwey-Belgrave RSL and the veteran community witnessed the official dedication of a special Kokoda Track diorama last Friday.
The model, from the hilly plains and the luscious trees of the forest right down to the plastic figurines based on the expressions and gestures of the soldiers during the time, is based on a set of photos from World War II and took creator Tony O’Connor a year to construct,
He even threw in 22 butterflies of about two to five millimetres is size to provide an accurate portrayal of that time.
But Mr O’Connor said he was “just building a diorama”, and it took him some time before he realised how significant it was.
“We’d come to the arrangement to build it, but it wasn’t until Anzac Day and being hit by all these people that had been looking at it, saying it was amazing and looking at it with a bit of a break when the significance of it started to hit home,” he said.
“I’m quite excited – I never quite expected it to become this spectacular.”
RSL president David Eaton said the club was pleased to receive the diorama which will be put on display in its Running Rabbits Military Museum.
Eastern Victoria MP Philip Davis unveiled the diorama.
“Builder and creator of the Visions of Kokoda diorama, Tony O’Connor has brought to life the difficulties faced by our Australian soldiers on the Kokoda campaign in 1942,” Mr Davis said.
“The diorama has been made possible thanks to the local community through the Upwey-Belgrave RSL’s fundraising efforts and museum gold coin donations.
“This unique exhibition will serve as an educational experience for school children, the local community and visitors and will also act as a place of reflection for local veterans who served in Kokoda all those years ago.”
