PHA Qld member Gordon Grimwade has recently co-authored with Pauline O’Keeffe (Images Manager, Cairns Historical Society) Northern Anzacs: How the First World War Shaped Far North Queensland.

Northern ANZACs looks at the development of the First World War, the contributions made by over 1500 volunteers from the region and the aftermath of resettlement. It concludes with chapters on the development of memorial places and how the centenary of the war was commemorated across the Far North of Queensland (Cardwell to Burketown and north to the Torres Strait). The 88-page, soft cover publication is lavishly illustrated with images from the Cairns Historical Society, the Australian War Memorial, the Imperial War Museum, the Standen family collections and the authors. The book was funded by a Queensland Government Anzac Centenary Spirit of Service Grant and contributions by Cairns and Tablelands Regional Councils and Mareeba Shire Council.

Lt General (ret’d) Dr John Grey, former Chief of Army, launched the book in Cairns in June 2018. Lt Gen Grey commended the authors on their work, particularly noting its readability and coverage that included the AIF, Navy, Flying Corps and Medical Services along with the Kanowna expedition and considered the impacts on the region during and after the conflict. Northern ANZACs can be purchased from Gordon Grimwade (ggrimwade@bigpond.com), the Cairns Historical Society (images@cairnsmuseum.org.au) and from major booksellers in the region.