Military memorabilia on display in Mareeba

The event will be held within the confines of the Mareeba Turf Club, 1 Fenwick Street, Mareeba commencing Friday August 4 and concluding at 2pm on Sunday August 6.

This event has been held annually at Ravenshoe since 2008 and has been relocated to the northern end of the Tableland for the first time last year. This proved to be very successful with good attendances by both exhibitors and visitors. The displays of military vehicles under the trees at the racecourse and memorabilia in the covered areas were popular with the public.

Publicity officer John Hardy said “The event is being organized by members of the Tableland Military Vehicle Club who have been involved in supporting the previous Ravenshoe events. They own a wide range of ex-military vehicles and memorabilia. Soft-skinned vehicles and armoured vehicles are primarily of WWII origin but the Vietnam era and modern day vehicles will also be represented” Mr Hardy concluded.

Vehicles never seen on the Tableland before and sourced from the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum at Cairns will complement the event. The theme of the 2017 Muster is “The Year of the Military Vehicle”.

People will again be supporting the event from Brisbane, Townsville and Cooktown as well as our other FNQ enthusiasts. It is a family orientated affair and includes an amusement area for the children.

The Mareeba location lends itself well to the event considering its rich WWII association when from July 1942 to May 1943 the United States Army Air Force decided to establish a new advanced operational base here.

Mareeba became far north Queensland’s main operational air base. Thousands of American servicemen of seven heavy bomber squadrons from the US 19th and 43rd Bombardment groups made Mareeba their home. During this time they launched missions against Japanese targets in New Guinea and throughout the South West Pacific Area. Three Australian military divisions also occupied the Tablelands from 1943 to 1945.

Further, the Mareeba Shire Council and the Tablelands Regional Council promote their respective Anzac Trails across the area.

People who wish to bring military vehicles, items to showcase, swap or display throughout the weekend should contact event representatives Michael on 0429 60 1942 or Martin on 4086 8162. Additional information can also be found at Mareeba Military Muster Facebook site.