Old Gippstown Military Collection seeks to recognise and acknowledge the supreme sacrifices so many of our men and women from Gippsland made for their family and country in all military conflicts. This collection includes the original steam whistle taken from the German raider the SMS Emden from Australia’s first naval engagement at sea in 1914, originally fitted to the S.M.S. EMDEN, a WWI German light cruiser c.1908. The Emden was disabled and beached on North Keeling Island on 9 November 1914 after having engaged the Australian light cruiser HMAS SYDNEY c.1912 in a 1-1/2 hour battle. In 1915, the whistle was salvaged from the Emden’s wreck and was obtained by Sir John Monash, first Chairman & General Manager of the SECV, during 1918 (after Cessation of Hostilities). The whistle was then fitted to the top of number 1 ‘A’ Power Station at Yallourn where it was used as a signal for starting and finishing work and lunch breaks.

Also of note in the Military Collection is one of only two known WWI Mark VI horse-drawn field ambulances c.1917 (the other on display at The Australian War Memorial); a WWI horse-drawn General Service Wagon c.1916; WWI Lighthorse equipment including saddles; a Boer War memorial plaque for Albert Davidson from Moe who died in 1902 of enteric fever at Charlestown, Natal; showcases of WWI and WWII memorabilia; postcards from WWI (including two from a Private from the 6th Battalion who died at the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915), medals and many more items of significance and interest, including military maps, books, documents and brochures.