Partners build display area to protect WWII artefacts

The National National
Alola villager Sam Sega (left) with National Museum and Arts Gallery sites curator Kenneth Miamba (right) at the Guvava weapons cache – Picture Supplied

A NEW enclosed display area will allow historic WWII artefacts to be properly protected and exhibited in Alola village in Northern – an important step to preserving the region’s military history for future generations and visitors to the Kokoda Track.
According to a statement from the National Museum and Art Gallery, the Guvava weapons enclosure was completed this week.
It is the second of three enclosures to be constructed by museum in partnership with local communities and the Australian government through the Kokoda initiative.
These weapon enclosures are part of the museum’s Kokoda Track military heritage master plan supported through the Kokoda initiative which aims to keep the track open and well-managed, protect the environment, preserve cultural values and military heritage.
The collection, previously preserved by locals, included Australian and Japanese weapons from WWII .
The Guvava artefacts displayed were discovered almost 10 years ago by local landowners, including Sam Sega.
“It is great to have the artefacts that we have protected over the years placed in a new structure with information about their history,” Sega said.
NMAG director Dr Andrew Moutu said implementation of the plan involved partnerships.